Exercise arm assembly for exercise machine

• US 20060116254A1
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
• Original Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
• Inventors: Webber, Randall T., Zink, George M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,384,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/94
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1254 Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

An exercise arm assembly for mounting on an exercise machine frame has a main arm, a swing arm, and a handle. The main arm has a first end for pivoting on a frame of the machine to pivot about a first pivot axis. The swing arm has a first end pivoted to the second end of the main arm for pivoting about a second pivot axis. The handle is pivoted to the swing arm for pivoting about a third pivot axis, with each pivot axis being perpendicular to the other two pivot axes to form a perpendicular, tri-pivot arm system.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, an elongate swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the main arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the respective main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis, the second pivot connection defining only one pivot axis and limiting pivoting of the swing arm relative to the main arm to pivoting only about said second pivot axis;

each pivot axis being non-parallel to the other pivot axis; and

each swing arm having an inboard side directed towards said seat and an opposite, outboard side, and each handle being located on the inboard side of the respective swing arm between the swing arm and seat in all exercise and rest positions of the exercise arm assemblies.

36. The machine according to claim 30, wherein the main arms are pivoted to the upper support and the swing arms depend downwardly from the upper support, each swing arm being pivoted to the respective main arm at a location spaced below the first end of the main arm.

37. The machine according to claim 36, wherein each main arm has a first downward bend separating the main arm into a first portion extending from the first end to the first bend and a second portion inclined downwardly from the first portion, and the swing arm has a second bend separating the swing arm into a first portion extending from the main arm to the second bend, and a second portion inclined downwardly from the second bend towards the handle.

42. The machine as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second pivot connection comprises a pivot bracket secured to the end of one of the arms and having a pair of spaced end plates projecting over the end of the other arm, and a pivot pin extending between the end plates along said second pivot axis and rotatably linked to the end of the other arm.

43. The machine as claimed in claim 42, wherein the second pivot connection includes a range limiting device for limiting the swing of the swing arm about the second pivot axis to a predetermined angular range, the range limiting device being mounted between said end plates.

44. The machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein the second pivot connection includes a sleeve secured to the end of said other arm and rotatably engaged over said pivot pin, the range limiting device comprising a first part projecting from said sleeve in a direction transverse to said second pivot axis and having a notch defining said predetermined angular range, and a second part extending between said end plates and engaging transversely in said notch for travel along said notch as said swing arm rotates about said second pivot axis.

47. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the swing arm is pivotable about said second pivot axis between an inner, rest position and an outer position, and the second portion of the main arm and the first portion of the swing arm together form a straight line between said first and second bends when the swing arm is in the rest position.

31. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, an elongate swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis, the main arms being pivoted to the frame at spaced locations for pivoting about spaced parallel first pivot axes;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the respective main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis; and

each handle having a third pivot connection connecting the handle to the second end of the respective swing arm for pivoting of the handle about a third pivot axis, each pivot axis being non-parallel to the other two pivot axes.

38. An exercise machine comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, an elongate swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

the main arms are pivoted to the upper support and the swing arms depend downwardly from the upper support, each swing arm pivoted to the respective main arm at a location spaced below the first end of the arm;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the respective main arm for Pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis;

each handle having a third pivot connection connecting the handle to the second end of the respective swing arm for pivoting of the handle about a third pivot axis, each pivot axis being nonparallel to the other two pivot axes;

each main arm having a first downward bend separating the main arm into a first portion extending from the first end to the first bend and a second portion inclined downwardly from the first portion, and the swing arm has a second bend separating the swing arm into a first portion extending from the main arm to the second bend, and a second portion inclined downwardly from the second bend towards the handle; and

the second pivot connection including a range limiting device for limiting the swing of the swing arm about the second pivot axis to a predetermined angular range between an inner, rest position and an outer position, the second portion of the swing arm being substantially vertical in said inner position.

39. An exercise machine comprising:

a support frame having a base an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, an elongate swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the respective main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis;

each handle having a third pivot connection connecting the handle to the second end of the respective swing arm for pivoting of the handle about a third pivot axis;

each pivot axis being non-parallel to the other two pivot axes, the main arms being pivoted to the upper support and the swing arms depending downwardly from the upper support, each swing arm being pivoted to the respective main arm at a location spaced below the first end of the main arm;

each main arm having a first downward bend separating the main arm into a first portion extending from the first end to the first bend and a second portion inclined downwardly from the first portion, and the swing arm has a second bend separating the swing arm into a first portion extending from the first end of the swing arm to the second bend and second portion inclined downwardly from the second bend towards the handle;

the second Pivot connection including a range limiting device for limiting the swing of the swing arm about the second pivot axis to a predetermined angular range between an inner, rest position and an outer position, the second portion of the swing arm being substantially vertical in said inner position; and

each handle comprising a pivot bracket having a pivot shaft pivotally connected to said swing arm, and a grip rotatably mounted in said pivot bracket for rotation about a fourth pivot axis non-parallel to the third pivot axis.

40. (canceled)

41. An exercise machine comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, an elongate swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the respective main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis;

each handle having a third pivot connection connecting the handle to the second end of the respective swing arm for pivoting of the handle about a third pivot axis, each pivot axis extending in a direction which is not parallel to the other two pivot axes; and

the first pivot connection including a range of motion device having a series of spaced holes extending along an arc, and each main arm having a connecting pin for releasably connecting said main arm to said range of motion device at any one of a series of selected orientations relative to said range of motion device.

32. The machine according to claim 41, wherein a first main arm has a first pivot connection to the frame at a first location and a second main arm has a second pivot connection to the frame at a location spaced below the first pivot connection, the first main arm being longer than the second main arm, and the second pivot axes being aligned at the same level.

33. The machine according to claim 41, wherein the first ends of the main arms are secured together and pivoted to the frame by a single pivot connection.

34. The machine according to claim 33, wherein the second pivot connection includes a range limiting device for limiting the swing of the swing arm about the second pivot axis to a predetermined angular range between an inner position and an outer rest position.

35. The machine according to claim 34, wherein at least part of each swing arm is angled outwardly in said outer rest position.

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

48. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the frame;

a pair of exercise arm assemblies pivotally secured to the frame to extend on opposite sides of said seat;

each arm assembly having a main arm, a swing arm, and a handle;

each main arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connection at the first end of the main arm pivotally connecting the first end of the arm to the frame for pivoting about a first pivot axis;

each swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection connecting the first end of the swing arm to the second end of the main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis;

each handle having a third pivot connection connecting the handle to the second end of the respective swing arm for pivoting of the handle about a third pivot axis, each pivot axis being non-parallel to the other two pivot axes;

each handle comprising a pivot bracket having a pivot shaft pivotally connected to said swing arm, and a grip rotatably mounted in said pivot bracket for rotation about a fourth pivot axis transverse to the third pivot axis; and

each grip being directed towards said seat.

49. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame;

a seat supported on the frame;

a main arm having a first pivot connection to the support frame for pivoting of the main arm about a first pivot axis;

at least a first swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection connecting the swing arm to the main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis non-parallel with the first pivot axis, the second pivot connection limiting pivoting of the swing arm to pivoting about said second pivot axis;

the first swing arm extending to one side of the seat;

a handle at one end of the swing arm, the handle being located inboard of said swing arm between the swing arm and seat in all exercise positions; and

the second pivot connection including a range limiting device for limiting the rotation of the swing arm about the second pivot axis to a predetermined angular range, the range limiting device comprising an arcuate slot connected to one of the arms and a pin connected to the other arm engaging in said slot, the arcuate slot defining the angular range.

50. The machine as claimed in claim 49, wherein a second swing arm is pivotally connected to the main arm and extends to the opposite side of the seat from the first swing arm, the second swing arm having a first end and a second end, a third pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the second swing arm to the main arm for pivoting of the second swing arm about a third pivot axis non-parallel with the first pivot axis, the third pivot connection limiting pivoting of the second swing arm to pivoting about said third pivot axis, a second handle at the second end of the second swing arm, the second handle being located inboard of the second swing arm between the second swing arm and the seat in all exercise positions, and the second pivot connection including a second range limiting device for limiting the rotation of the second swing arm about the third pivot axis to a predetermined angular range, the second range limiting device being identical to the first-mentioned range limiting device on said first swing arm.

51. The machine as claimed in claim 49, wherein one of said pivot connections includes a range of motion device having a series of spaced holes extending along an arc, one of said arms having a connecting pin for releasably connecting said arm to said range of motion device at any one of a series of selected orientations relative to said range of motion device.

52. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame;

a seat supported on the frame;

a main arm having a first pivot connection to the support frame for pivoting of the main arm about a first pivot axis;

at least a first swing arm having a first end and a second end;

a second pivot connection directly connecting the first end of the swing arm to the main arm for pivoting of the swing arm about a second pivot axis non-parallel with the first pivot axis, the second pivot connection limiting pivoting of the swing arm to pivoting about said second pivot axis;

the first swing arm extending to one side of the seat;

a handle at the second end of the swing arm; and

the second pivot connection including a range limiting device for limiting the rotation of the swing arm about the second pivot axis, the range limiting device defining an outer position for the swing arm, the outer position comprising a rest position.

53. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a base, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base and having an upper end, and an upper support extending transversely from the upper end of the upright portion;

a seat supported on the base of the frame;

a main arm having a first pivot connection to the upper support of the frame for pivoting of the main arm about a first pivot axis and first and second portions extending downwardly from said first pivot connection;

first and second swing arms each having a first end and a second end;

the first swing arm having a second pivot connection connecting the first swing arm to the first portion of the main arm for rotation about a second pivot axis at a location spaced below the first pivot connection;

the second swing arm having a third pivot connection connecting the second swing arm to the second portion of the main arm for rotation about a third pivot axis at a location spaced below the first pivot connection;

the swing arms extending on opposite sides of said seat;

a handle at one end of each swing arm;

the first and second portions of the main arm each having a downward bend separating the respective main arm portion into a first part extending from the first pivot connection to the downward bend and a second part inclined downwardly from the first part;

each swing arm having a bend separating the swing arm into a first part extending from the first end of the respective swing arm to the bend and a second part extending from the bend to the handle; and

the second and third pivot connections each including a range limiting device for limiting the outward swing of the respective swing arm about the respective second or third pivot axis, each range limiting device defining an outer stop position for the respective swing arm.