Mechanism for adjustable arms and seat pad apparatus and method

• US 20080096735A1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TuffStuff Fitness Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TuffStuff Fitness Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Grider, Sherman
• Application Number:
  US11/492,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20080096735A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• 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 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03516 For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for an exercise machine (1) having a support frame (100); a resisting structure (200) for providing a resistance; a seat (300) for accommodating an exerciser; a structure for adjusting the seat (400), the seat (300) being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting a (400) structure, and the seat adjusting structure (400) being mechanically coupled to the support frame (100); left and right arms (500) being operatively coupled to the resisting structure (200); and a structure for simultaneously adjusting each arm (600), each arm (500) being operatively coupled to the arm adjusting structure (600), and the arm adjusting structure (600) being mechanically coupled to the support frame (100), the exercise machine (1) being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame;

means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;

a seat for accommodating an exerciser;

means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;

left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means; and

means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, a certain one arm of the left and right arms being operatively coupled to the simultaneously adjusting means, and the simultaneously adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame, wherein the simultaneously adjusting means being coupled to the certain one arm also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position,

the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.

2. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the resisting means comprises a weight stack.

3. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the seat comprises:

a seat pad; and

a back pad.

4. A machine, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cable system, wherein each arm comprises:

a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and

a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm, wherein the cable is operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup.

5. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the seat adjusting means comprises:

a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;

means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and

means for releasing the seat.

6. A machine, as recited in claim 5, wherein the telescoping member comprises:

an outer telescoping member; and

an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member,

the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.

7. A machine, as recited in claim 6, wherein the seat releasing means comprises:

a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;

a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and

a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted.

8. A machine, as recited in claim 1, wherein the simultaneous arm adjusting means comprises:

right and left barrel members; and

means for releasing the arms being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm.

9. A machine, as recited in claim 8, wherein each barrel member comprises:

an outer barrel member; and

an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.

10. A machine, as recited in claim 9, wherein the arm releasing means comprises:

an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

11. An exercise machine comprising:

a support frame;

means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;

a seat for accommodating an exerciser;

means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;

left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means;

means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, a certain one arm of the left and right arms being operatively coupled to the simultaneously adjusting means, and the simultaneously adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame, wherein the simultaneously adjusting means being coupled to the certain one arm also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position; and

a cable system, the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance,

wherein the resisting means comprises a weight stack,

wherein the seat comprises a seat pad and a back pad,

wherein each arm comprises;

a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and

a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm,

wherein the cable is operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup,

wherein the seat adjusting means comprises;

a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;

means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and

means for releasing the seat,

wherein the telescoping member comprises;

an outer telescoping member; and

an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration,

wherein the seat releasing means comprises;

a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;

a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and

a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted,

wherein the arm adjusting means comprises;

right and left barrel members; and

means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm,

wherein each barrel member comprises;

an outer barrel member; and

an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the arm releasing means being mechanically coupled to each arm, and each inner barrel member having a periphery and a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration,

wherein the arm releasing means comprises;

an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

12-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A device for adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:

right and left barrel members; and

means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled a certain one arm of the pair of arms, wherein the simultaneously releasing means being coupled to the certain one arm also releases the other arm.

16. A device, as recited in claim 15, wherein each barrel member comprises:

an outer barrel member; and

an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, the arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.

17. A device, as recited in claim 16, wherein the arm releasing means comprises:

an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

18. A method of fabricating an exercise machine comprising the steps of:

providing a support frame;

providing means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;

providing a seat for accommodating an exerciser;

providing means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;

providing left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means; and

providing means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, the simultaneously adjusting means providing step comprising operatively coupling a certain one arm of the left and right arms to the simultaneously adjusting means and mechanically coupling the simultaneously adjusting means to the support frame, whereby the simultaneously adjusting means, being coupled to the certain one arm, also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position, the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.

19. A method, as recited in claim 18, wherein the resisting means providing step comprises providing a weight stack.

20. A method, as recited in claim 18, wherein the seat providing step comprises providing a seat pad and providing a back pad.

21. A method, as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of providing a cable system,

wherein the arms providing step comprises:

providing each arm with a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and

providing each arm with a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm, and

wherein the cable providing step comprises operatively coupling the cable to the resisting means and to the stirrup.

22. A method, as recited in claim 18, wherein the seat adjusting means providing step comprises:

providing a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;

providing means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and

providing means for releasing the seat.

23. A method, as recited in claim 22, wherein the telescoping member providing step comprises:

providing an outer telescoping member; and

providing an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.

24. A method, as recited in claim 23, wherein the seat releasing means providing step comprises:

providing a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;

providing a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and

providing a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted.

25. A method, as recited in claim 18, wherein the arm adjusting means providing step comprises:

providing right and left barrel members; and

providing means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm.

26. A method, as recited in claim 25, wherein the barrel members providing step comprises:

providing each barrel member with an outer barrel member; and

providing each barrel member with an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the arm releasing means being mechanically coupled to each arm, and each inner barrel member having a periphery and a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating registration.

27. A method, as recited in claim 26, wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises:

providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

28. A method, as recited in claim 18,

wherein the cable system providing step comprises providing a cable being operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup,

wherein the seat adjusting means providing step comprises:

providing a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;

providing means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and

providing means for releasing the seat,

wherein the telescoping member providing step comprises;

providing an outer telescoping member; and

providing an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration,

wherein the seat releasing means providing step comprises;

providing a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;

providing a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and

providing a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted,

wherein the arm adjusting means providing step comprises;

providing right and left barrel members; and

providing means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm,

wherein each barrel member providing step comprises;

providing an outer barrel member; and

providing an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.

wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises;

providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

29-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method of fabricating a device for simultaneously adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:

providing right and left barrel members; and

providing means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm, wherein the simultaneously releasing means providing step comprises coupling the simultaneously releasing means to the certain one arm for also releasing the other arm.

33. A method, as recited in claim 32, wherein each barrel member providing step comprises:

providing an outer barrel member; and

providing an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, the arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.

34. A method, as recited in claim 33, wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises:

providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;

providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and

providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.

35. A device for simultaneously adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:

right and left barrel members; and

means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled a certain one arm of the pair of arms, wherein the simultaneously releasing means providing step comprises coupling the simultaneously releasing means to the certain one arm for also releasing the other arm.

36. A device, as recited in claim 35,

wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a pair of grooved reels, each grooved reel comprising at least one groove for accommodating a pair of belts, the pair of belts being disposed in a general “

figure-eight”

configuration within the at least one groove, and

wherein the pair of grooved reels comprises a certain one reel, the certain one reel comprising a feature for accommodating a sleeve disposed around a pin portion.

37. A device, as recited in claim 36, wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a certain one inner barrel member, the certain one inner barrel member comprising a registration structure having a plurality of registration features therein formed, the registration structure being stationary in relation to the pair of grooved reels.

38. A device, as recited in claim 37, wherein the pair of grooved reels mechanically cooperate with one another via the pair of belts being disposed within the at least one groove.

39. A device, as recited in claim 38,

wherein each belt of the pair of belts comprises a pair of terminal portions,

wherein each terminal portion of each belt is disposed in an opposing reel,

whereby the actuation of a certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one reel,

whereby the other reel is simultaneously actuated, and

whereby the pair of arms are simultaneously adjusted.

40. A device, as recited in claim 35,

wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a pair of gears, each gear of the pair of gears being in mechanical cooperation with the other gear,

wherein the pair of gears comprises a certain one gear, the certain one gear comprising a feature for accommodating a sleeve disposed around a pin portion.

41. A device, as recited in claim 40, wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a certain one inner barrel member, the certain one inner barrel member comprising a registration structure having a plurality of registration features therein formed, the registration structure being stationary in relation to the pair of gears.

42. A device, as recited in claim 41, wherein each gear of the pair of grooved gears mechanically cooperates with the other gear via each gear having cooperating teeth.

43. A device, as recited in claim 42, whereby the actuation of the certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one gear, and whereby the other reel is simultaneously actuated, and whereby the pair of arms are simultaneously adjusted.