Arm assembly for exercise devices

• US 20060128535A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/94
• 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 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• 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 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• 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 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention involve an exercise device with an arm assembly that provides linear, converging, and/or diverging hand grip motions during use and also has an adjustable starting position. The arm assemblies described and depicted herein include arm members that are pivotally coupled with a frame of an exercise device. During exercise, the arm members engage an arcuate surface defining the arm path. The arcuate surfaces which guide the converging and/or diverging hand grip motions as the arms pivot relative to the frame. Some embodiments of the present invention include a releasable locking mechanism that allows a user to pivot the arm members to a desired starting position without altering the relative positions of the hand grips.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operably associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame and adapted to engage the resistance system;

a first arm rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a second arm rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a transmission member coupled with the drive shaft, the transmission member defining at least two arm member orientation coupling points; and

a locking member positioned to engage one of the coupling points to adjust a starting position of the arms relative to the frame.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the transmission member comprises a gear connected with the drive shaft.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the gear includes a plurality of teeth defining the arm member orientation coupling points.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the transmission member comprises a disk connected with the drive shaft.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the disk includes a plurality of apertures defining the arm member orientation coupling points.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cam housing selectively coupled with the frame, the cam housing defining at least one aperture defining at least one arm path;

wherein the first arm is positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path; and

wherein the second arm is positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the arm path is non-linear.

8. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the arm path is linear.

9. The exercise device of claim 6, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism including the locking member, the locking member comprising a first pop-pin selectively coupling the first arm and the second arm with the drive shaft.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises a second pop-pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising:

a second transmission member coupled with the frame, the second transmission member defining at least two cam housing orientation coupling points;

wherein the second pop-pin is positioned to engage one of the cam housing orientation coupling points to align the cam housing with the starting position of the arms relative to the frame.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the second transmission member comprises a gear connected with the frame.

13. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle connected with the first pop-pin;

a bracket member connected with the first pop-pin, the bracket member including a hook adapted to receive a portion of the second pop-pin; and

wherein when the portion of the second pop-pin is received within the hook, and movement of the handle in a first direction simultaneously activates the first pop-pin and the second pop-pin.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein movement of the handle in the first direction activates the first pop-pin to decouple the first arm and the second arm from the drive shaft so that the first arm and the second arm can rotate relative to the drive shaft;

and

wherein movement of the handle in the first direction activates the second pop-pin to decouple the cam housing from the frame so that the cam housing can rotate relative to the drive shaft with the first arm and the second arm.

15. The exercise device of claim 6, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism including the locking member, the locking member comprising a first pin selectively coupling the first arm and the second arm with the drive shaft.

16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises a second pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

17. The exercise device of claim 16, further comprising:

a collar adapted to receive the drive shaft; and

wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotally connected with the collar.

18. The exercise device of claim 17, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle pivotally connected with the collar;

wherein the first pin is connected with the handle; and

wherein the second pin is connected with the cam housing.

19. The exercise device of claim 18, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in a first direction moves the first pin to decouple the collar from the drive shaft and moves the first pin to couple the housing with the collar.

20. The exercise device of claim 19, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in the first direction moves the first pin into engagement with the second pin to decouple the cam housing from the frame.

21. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operably associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame and adapted to engage the resistance system;

a first arm pivotally connected with the drive shaft;

a second arm pivotally connected with the drive shaft;

a transmission member coupled with the drive shaft, the transmission member defining at least two arm member orientation coupling points; and

a locking member positioned to engage one of the coupling points to adjust a starting position of the arms relative to the frame.

22. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the transmission member comprises a gear connected with the drive shaft.

23. The exercise device of claim 22, wherein the gear includes a plurality of teeth defining the arm member orientation coupling points.

24. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the transmission member comprises a disk connected with the drive shaft.

25. The exercise device of claim 24, wherein the disk includes a plurality of apertures defining the arm member orientation coupling points.

26. The exercise device of claim 21, further comprising:

a cam housing selectively coupled with the frame, the cam housing defining at least one aperture defining at least one arm path;

wherein the first arm is positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path;

wherein the second arm is positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path.

27. The exercise device of claim 26, wherein the arm path is non-linear.

28. The exercise device of claim 26, wherein the arm path is linear.

29. The exercise device of claim 26, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism including the locking member, the locking member comprising a first pop-pin selectively coupling the drive shaft with the resistance system.

30. The exercise device of claim 29, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises a second pop-pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame and the drive shaft.

31. The exercise device of claim 30, further comprising:

a second transmission member coupled with the frame, the second transmission member defining at least two cam housing orientation coupling points;

wherein the second pop-pin is positioned to engage one of the cam housing orientation coupling points to align the cam housing with the starting position of the arms relative to the frame.

32. The exercise device of claim 31, wherein the second transmission member is a plate connected with the frame, the plate including at least two apertures adapted to receive the second pop-pin.

33. The exercise device of claim 30, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a switch supported on the first arm;

a first cable connected with the switch and the first pop-pin;

a second cable connected with the switch and the second pop-pin;

wherein movement of the switch in a first direction simultaneously activates the first pop-pin and the second pop-pin.

34. The exercise device of claim 33, wherein movement of the switch in the first direction moves the first pop-pin to decouple the drive shaft from the resistance system and moves the second pop-pin to decouple the housing from the frame and couple the housing with the drive shaft.

35. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operatively associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame and adapted to actuate the resistance system;

a cam housing selectively coupled with the frame, the cam housing defining at least one aperture defining at least one arm path;

a collar rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a first arm pivotally coupled with the collar, the first arm positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path;

a second arm pivotally coupled with the collar, the second arm positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path;

a transmission member coupled with the drive shaft, the transmission member defining at least two orientation coupling points;

a first locking member positioned to engage one of the coupling points to adjust a starting position of the arms relative to the frame; and

a second locking member releasably coupling the cam housing to the frame to align the cam housing with the starting position of the arms relative to the frame.

36. The exercise device of claim 35, wherein the transmission member comprises a first gear connected with the drive shaft.

37. The exercise device of claim 35, wherein the arm path is non-linear.

38. The exercise device of claim 35, wherein the arm path is linear.

39. The exercise device of claim 35, further comprising:

a releasable locking mechanism including the first locking member and the second locking member; and

wherein the first locking member comprises a first pop-pin selectively coupling the collar with the drive shaft; and

wherein the second locking member comprises a second pop-pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

40. The exercise device of claim 39, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle connected with the first pop-pin;

a bracket member connected with the first pop-pin, the bracket member including a hook adapted to receive a portion of the second pop-pin; and

wherein when the portion of the second pop-pin is received within the hook, movement of the handle in a first direction simultaneously activates the first pop-pin and the second pop-pin.

41. The exercise device of claim 40, wherein movement of the handle in the first direction activates the first pop-pin to decouple the collar from the drive shaft so that the first arm and the second arm can rotate relative to the drive shaft;

and

wherein movement of the handle in the first direction activates the second pop-pin to decouple the cam housing from the frame so that the cam housing can rotate relative to the drive shaft with the collar.

42. The exercise device of claim 35, further comprising:

a releasable locking mechanism including the first locking member and the second locking member; and

wherein the first locking member comprises a first pin selectively coupling the collar with the drive shaft; and

wherein the second locking member comprises a second pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

43. The exercise device of claim 42, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle pivotally connected with the collar;

wherein the first pin is connected with the handle; and

wherein the second pin connected with the cam housing.

44. The exercise device of claim 43, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in a first direction moves the first pin to decouple the collar from the drive shaft and moves the first pin to couple the housing with the collar.

45. The exercise device of claim 44, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in the first direction moves the first pin into engagement with the second pin to decouple the cam housing from the frame.

46. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operatively associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame and adapted to actuate the resistance system;

a cam housing selectively coupled with the frame, the cam housing defining at least one aperture defining at least one arm path;

a collar rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a first arm pivotally coupled with the collar, the first arm positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path; and

a second arm pivotally coupled with the collar, the second arm positioned through the at least one aperture to follow the arm path.

47. The exercise device of claim 46, wherein the arm path is non-linear.

48. The exercise device of claim 46, wherein the arm path is linear.

49. The exercise device of claim 46, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture;

and

wherein the first arm is positioned through the first aperture; and

wherein the second arm is position through the second aperture.

50. The exercise device of claim 49, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are arcuate.

51. The exercise device of claim 46, wherein the first arm and the second converge when following the arm path in a first direction;

and

wherein the first arm and the second arm diverge when following the arm path in a second direction.

52. The exercise device of claim 46, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism including a first pop-pin selectively coupling the collar with the drive shaft, and a second pop-pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

53. The exercise device of claim 52, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle connected with the first pop-pin;

a bracket member connected with the first pop-pin, the bracket member including a hook adapted to receive a portion of the second pop-pin; and

wherein when the portion of the second pop-pin is received within the hook, movement of the handle in a first direction simultaneously activates the first pop-pin and the second pop-pin.

54. The exercise device of claim 46, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism including a first pin selectively coupling the collar with the drive shaft, and a second pin selectively coupling the cam housing with the frame.

55. The exercise device of claim 54, wherein the releasable locking mechanism further comprises:

a handle pivotally connected with the collar;

wherein the first pin is connected with the handle; and

wherein the second pin connected with the cam housing.

56. The exercise device of claim 55, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in a first direction moves the first pin to decouple the collar from the drive shaft and moves the first pin to couple the housing with the collar.

57. The exercise device of claim 56, wherein pivotal movement of the handle in the first direction moves the first pin into engagement with the second pin to decouple the cam housing from the frame.

58. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operably associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame and adapted to engage the resistance system;

a first arm rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a second arm rotatably supported on the drive shaft;

a means for guiding movement of the first arm relative to the second arm;

a means for selectively coupling the first arm and the second arm with the drive shaft; and

a means for selectively coupling the means for guiding with the frame and the drive shaft.

59. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a resistance system operably associated with the frame;

a drive shaft rotatably connected with the frame;

a first arm;

a second arm;

a means for pivotally connecting the first arm and the second arm with the drive shaft;

a means for guiding movement of the first arm relative to the second arm;

a means for selectively coupling the drive shaft with the resistance system; and

a means for selectively coupling the means for guiding with the frame and the drive shaft.