ADJUSTABLE ASSEMBLY FOR EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20090170669A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Cybex International
• Inventors: Gillen, Arnold, Lee, Scott, Giannelli, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/103
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/062 including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/15 Arrangements for force transmissions
• 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 21/4013 to the ankle
• 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0261 using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/107 Resisting devices being of the same kind
• 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 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0488 : by spreading the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 : Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 : Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 : Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 : Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence

Abstract

Exercise apparatus and method with selectively variable stabilization enabling a user to progressively increase his/her core body muscular strength. In various embodiments, the exercise apparatus includes a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion, and a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion, wherein the user'"'"'s core body is positionable against the pad and required to resist the torque created by the offset. The user can progressively increase the distance between the line of motion and partial stabilizer pad, in order to progressively increase the force which the user'"'"'s core body must resist to maintain an upright stature. In this way, the user can progressively, over time, increase his or her core body strength. A vertically and rotatably adjustable handle/arm assembly, resistance cabling and pulley assembly, and an overall exercise apparatus having a relatively small footprint but allowing multiple variable exercise routines, are also provided.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having one or more upright supports having a vertical length;

a handle assembly being mounted on at least one of the upright supports, the handle assembly and the upright support being adapted for selective movement of the assembly to any one of a multiplicity of fixed positions along the vertical length of the support;

the handle assembly having a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assembly and interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism for pulling engagement by a user;

the handle assembly being adapted for rotation on the support around a horizontal axis relative to vertical wherein the handle assembly is fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around the horizontal axis.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises:

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports;

wherein each of the handle assemblies have a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assemblies; and

,

wherein each of the grips is interconnected to a separate weight resistance mechanism, each weight resistance mechanism being separately adjustable to select a degree of weight resistance separate or different from the other grip.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises;

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports;

wherein each handle assembly is separately rotatable around a separate horizontal axis and separately fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around their respective horizontal axes;

wherein the separate horizontal axes are disposed at an angle to each other.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein the separate horizontal axes are disposed at an angle of between about 60 and about 120 degrees relative to each other.

5. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a pair of upright supports each having a vertical length;

a pair of handle assemblies, each being mounted on a separate one of the upright supports, the handle assemblies and the upright supports being adapted for selective movement of the assembly to any one of a multiplicity of fixed positions along the vertical lengths of the supports;

the handle assemblies each having a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assemblies;

each grip member being interconnected to a separate weight resistance mechanism for pulling engagement by a user;

each weight resistance mechanism being separately adjustable to select a degree of weight resistance separate or different from the other weight resistance mechanism.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the handle assemblies are each adapted for rotation on the support around a separate horizontal axis relative to vertical, the handle assemblies being fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around their respective separate horizontal axes.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the separate horizontal axes are disposed at an angle relative to each other.

8. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having one or more upright supports having a vertical length;

a handle assembly being mounted on at least one of the upright supports, the handle assembly and the upright support being adapted for selective movement of the assembly to any one of a multiplicity of fixed positions along the vertical length of the support;

the handle assembly having a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assembly and interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism for pulling engagement by a user;

a counterweight mechanism interconnected to the handle assembly, to offset the weight of the handle assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus comprises:

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports;

each of the handle assemblies being interconnected to a separate counterweight mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the counterweight mechanism comprises a counterweight and a cable mounted on one or more pulleys, the cable being interconnected to the handle assembly and the counterweight.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the handle assembly is adapted for rotation on the support around a horizontal axis relative to vertical, the handle assembly being fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around the horizontal axis.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the handle assemblies are each adapted for rotation on the support around a separate horizontal axis relative to vertical, the handle assemblies being fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around their respective separate horizontal axes.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the separate horizontal axes are disposed at an angle relative to each other.

14. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having one or more upright supports having a vertical length;

a handle assembly being mounted on at least one of the upright supports, the handle assembly and the upright support being adapted for selective movement of the assembly to any one of a multiplicity of fixed positions along the vertical length of the support;

the handle assembly having a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assembly and interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism for pulling engagement by a user;

a pad that is vertically adjustable to one of a plurality of selectable fixed vertical positions, the fixed vertical positions of the pad being arranged to enable the user to access the grip with a first selected portion of the user'"'"'s body and to simultaneously engage and partially stabilize a second selected portion of the user'"'"'s body against the pad in opposition to a pulling force exerted by the user on the grip member with the first selected portion of the user'"'"'s body, wherein the second selected portion is a portion of the user'"'"'s trunk.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pad is mounted to a vertical adjustment assembly that is interconnected to the frame such, the pad being vertically adjustable to engage a plurality of vertically separate portions of the user'"'"'s trunk.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus comprises:

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports and vertically adjustable on a respective support;

wherein each of the handle assemblies have a grip member mounted at a distal end of the handle assemblies; and

,

wherein each of the grip members is interconnected to a separate weight resistance mechanism, each weight resistance mechanism being separately adjustable to select a degree of weight resistance separate or different from the other grip.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus comprises:

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports;

each of the handle assemblies being interconnected to a separate counterweight mechanism.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the handle assembly is adapted for rotation on the vertical support around a horizontal axis relative to vertical and wherein the handle assembly is fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around the horizontal axis.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the apparatus comprises:

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a separate one of a pair of upright supports;

wherein each handle assembly is separately rotatable around a separate horizontal axis and separately fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around their respective horizontal axes; and

wherein the separate horizontal axes are disposed at an angle to each other.

20. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame having a pair of upright supports each having a vertical length;

a pair of handle assemblies each mounted on a respective one of the upright supports, each handle assembly and each respective upright support being adapted for selective movement of the handle assembly to any one of a multiplicity of fixed positions along the vertical length of the respective support;

the handle assemblies each comprising an arm having a length, a proximal end mounted on the support at a respective horizontal axis of rotation and having a distal end on which a grip member is mounted for pulling engagement by a user, each grip member being interconnected to a separate weight resistance mechanism;

the handle assemblies being adapted for rotation on their respective vertical supports around their respective horizontal axes relative to vertical; and

each handle assembly being separately fixedly positionable at any one of a multiplicity of selected positions around their horizontal axes such that the distal ends of the pair of handle assemblies are fixedly positionable at selected minimum and maximum distances away from each other.