Exercise machine with multiple exercise stations

• US 4,809,972 A
• Filed: 09/16/1987
• Issued: 03/07/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1987
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Vectra Fitness
• Original Assignee: R. A. Rasmussen, W. D. Maclean
• Inventors: Rasmussen, Robert A., MacLean, William D., Johnson, Jeffrey B., Ish, Arthur B. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahr, Robert N.
• Application Number:
  US07/097,549
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/117, 272/118, 272/123, 272/130, 272/134, 272/136, 272/142, 272/144
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• 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 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/102 having a common resisting device

Abstract

An exercise machine has multiple stations at each of which two or more exercises are performed in opposition to a selected amount of weight in a weight stack. A cable and pulley system connects the exercise apparatus at the exercise stations with the weight stack in such a manner that only one pull cable in the system is connected to the weight stack.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a movable weight;

at least three exercise units;

a cable and pulley system continuously connected to each of said exercise units when the exercise units are idle and in use; and

stop means continuously connected to said system and including stops at said exercise units for resisting movement of all of the exercise units except the exercise unit being used, said system being continuously entirely operatively associated with said weight and said stop means such as to be tensioned by said weight whenever any one of said exercise units is in use;

said exercise units being operative, when used one at a time, to lift said weight via said system.

2. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first and second exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to a stop; and

stops for said first and second exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit applies a like force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

3. An exercise machine according to claim 2 in which said load comprises a weight arranged to be lifted responsive to a manual pulling force exerted on said exercise units one at a time.

4. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second and third exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit;

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise units applies a like force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

5. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second and third exercise units;

a first set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a second set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys of said first set and one of said floating pulleys of said second set, and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end of said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said first set and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to stop;

a third cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said second set and connected at one of its ends to said third exercise unit and connected at its other end to a stop; and

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said third exercise unit, applies a like force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

6. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second, third, fourth and fifth exercise units;

a first set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a second set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys of said first set and one of said floating pulleys of said second set, and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said first set and connected at its ends to said second and third exercise units;

a third cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said second set and connected at its ends to said fourth and fifth exercise units; and

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise units, or to said third cable by use of said fourth or fifth exercise units, applies a like force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

7. An exercise machine comprising:

a base support;

a column mounted on said base support and having first and second reach arms projecting therefrom;

first, second and third exercise units arranged with said first exercise unit as a higher elevation than said second and third exercise units located adjacent the outer end of said second reach arm;

a weight carried by said base support and positioned beneath the outer end of said first reach arm;

a first cable connected at one of its ends to said weight and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

first and second floating pulleys coupled together, said first floating pulley having said first cable passing thereunder below the level of said reach arms and adjacent said column;

guide means on said reach arms for guiding said first cable from said weight to the outer end of said first reach arm, along said first reach arm and down to said first floating pulley, up to said second reach arm from said first floating pulley, and along said second reach arm to said first exercise unit;

a second cable connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit;

said second cable passing over said second floating pulley;

guide means for guiding said second cable from said second floating pulley to the base of said column and from there to said second and third exercise units;

each of said exercise units having a respective stop whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise unit applies a lifting force to said weight and a force of the same magnitude to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

8. An exercise machine comprising:

a base support;

a column mounted on said base support and having first and second reach arms projecting therefrom;

first, second, third, fourth and fifth exercise units arranged with said first exercise unit at a higher elevation than said second and third exercise units and located adjacent the outer end of said second reach arm;

a weight carried by said base support and positioned beneath the outer end of said first reach arm;

a first cable connected at one of its ends to said weight and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

first and second floating pulleys coupled together, said first floating pulley having said first cable passing thereunder below the level of said reach arms and adjacent said column;

first guide means on said reach arms for guiding said first cable from said weight to the outer end of said first reach arm, along said first reach arm and down to said first floating pulley, up to said second reach arm from said first floating pulley and along said second reach arm to said first exercise unit;

a second cable connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit, said second cable passing over said second floating pulley;

second guide means for guiding said second cable from said floating pulley to the base of said column and from there to said second and third exercise units;

third and fourth floating pulleys coupled together at a level lower than that of the first and second floating pulleys, said first cable also passing under said third floating pulley;

a third cable passing over said fourth floating pulley, said third cable being connected at one of its ends to said fourth exercise unit and connected at its other end to said fifth exercise unit;

third guide means for guiding said third cable from said fourth floating pullley to the base of said column and from there to said fourth and fifth exercise units;

each of said exercise units having a respective stop whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said fourth or fifth exercise unit, applies a lifting force to said weight and a force of the same magnitude to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

9. An exercise machine according to claim 8 in which a pedestal is mounted on said base support and carries said third and fourth exercise units, and part of said second and third guide means is carried by said pedestal.

10. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second and third exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

an adjustable idler pulley;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys and said adjustable idler pulley, and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit;

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise unit applies a like force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

11. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second, third, fourth and fifth exercise unit;

a first set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a single floating pulley;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys of said first set and one of said floating pulleys of said second set, and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said first set and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said single floating pulley;

a third cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said second set, and connected at one of its ends to said third exercise unit and connected at its other end to said fourth exercise unit;

a fourth cable passing over said single floating pulley and connected at its ends to said fifth exercise unit,

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable buy use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said third exercise unit, or to said fourth cable by use of said fifth exercise unit, applies a force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

12. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth exercise units,

a first set of floating pulleys coupled together;

a second set of floating pulleys coupled together;

first and second single floating pulleys;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys of said first set and one of said floating pulleys of said second set and connected at one of its ends to said load, and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said first set and connected at its ends to said second exercise unit and to said first single floating pulley;

a third cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said second set and said second single floating pulley, and connected at its ends to said fourth and fifth exercise units;

a fourth cable passing over said first single floating pulley and connected at its ends to said third exercise unit;

said sixth exercise unit being connected to said second single floating pulley;

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said fourth, fifth or sixth exercise units, or to said fourth cable by use of said third exercise unit, applies a force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

13. An exercise machine comprising:

a weight;

at least three exercise units; and

a cable and pulley system continuously connected to said weight and to each of said exercise units when the exercise units are idle and in use;

said system having one cable connected at its ends to said weight and to one of said exercise units, a second cable connected at its ends to two other exercise units, and a floating pulley assembly associated with both of said cables;

said exercise units being operative, when used one at a time, to lift said weight via said system.

14. An exercise machine comprising:

a weight;

first, second, third and fourth exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together as a set;

a single floating pulley;

a first cable passing over out of said floating pulleys of said set and connected at one of its ends to said weight and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys of said set and other said single floating pulley, and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit;

said fourth exercise unit having a pull element connected to said single floating pulley and having a swing arm which is pivoted at a first of its ends, has a handle at its other end, and is centrally pivotally connected to said pull element whereby manual force applied to said handle will be multiplied at said single floating pulley.

15. An exercise machine according to claim 14 in which said arm is pivotally connected at its said first end to a hollow column in which said set of floating pulleys is housed.

16. An exercise machine according to claim 15 in which said column has a first reach arm extending over said weight and has a second reach arm from which said first exercise unit is suspended by said first cable, and in which said first cable extends from said first reach arm to said weight;

said second cable passing out of said column to said column below the level of said set of floating pulleys to pass over said single floating pulley and to connect to said second and third exercise units.

17. An exercise machine according to claim 14 in which said swing arm extends over a hollow pedestal in which said single floating pulley is housed, said hollow pedestal having a transverse element connected thereto with an opening through which said pull element passes;

and

said pull element having a stop above said opening for engaging the transverse element to restrict downward movement of said single floating pulley when said fourth exercise unit is idle.

18. An exercise machine according to claim 17 in which said pedestal has entry and exit guide pulleys below the level of said single floating pulley, said second cable passing over said guide pulleys and said third exercise unit being located adjacent said exit guide pulley.

19. An exercise machine according to claim 17 in which a bench is swing mounted about a vertical axis at one of its ends on said pedestal below said handle.

20. An exercise machine comprising;

a weight;

three exercise unit means;

a cable and pulley system continuously connected to said weight and to each of said exercise unit means when the latter are idle and in use;

said system having a first cable loaded by said weight and connected to one of said exercise unit means, a second cable connected at its end to the other two of said exercise unit means, and a floating pulley assembly, both of said cables being operatively trained on said floating pulley assembly;

said exercise unit means being operative, when used one at a time, to lift said weight via said system.

21. An exercise machine according to claim 20 in which said floating pulley assembly comprises two floating pulleys connected together, one of said floating pulleys receiving said first cable and the other of said floating pulleys receiving said second cable.

22. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second, and third exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

a single pulley;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said single pulley;

a third cable passing over said single pulley and connected to said third exercise unit; and

respective stop means for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said third exercise unit, applies a force to said load and to all of said stop means except the stop means for the exercise unit in use.

23. An exercise machine according to claim 22 in which said third exercise unit is a butterfly exercise unit including a pair of swing arms operatively associated with the ends of said third cable.

24. An exercise machine comprising:

weight means;

first, second, and third exercise unit means;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

a first cable passing over one of said floating pulleys, said first cable being connected to said first exercise unit means and being arranged to be loaded by said weight means whenever said first cable is tensioned;

a second cable passing over the other of said floating pulleys and connected at opposite ends of said second and third exercise unit means; and

stop means for said three exercise unit means whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit means, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise unit means, applies a like force to said weight means.

25. An exercise machine comprising:

a load;

first, second, third and fourth exercise units;

two floating pulleys coupled together;

a third floating pulley;

a first cable passing over one of said two floating pulleys and connected at one of its ends to said load and connected at its other end to said first exercise unit;

a second cable passing over said third floating pulley and the other of said two floating pulleys, and connected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit and connected at its other end to said third exercise unit;

said fourth exercise unit being operatively associated with said fourth exercise unit; and

stops for said exercise units whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second or third exercise units, or to said third floating pulley by use of said fourth exercise unit, applies a force to said load and to all of said stops except the stop for the exercise unit in use.

26. An exercise machine comprising:

a movable load;

first, second, and third exercise units;

a first floating pulley unit;

a second floating pulley unit;

a first cable receiving said floating pulley units and said load and connected to said first exercise unit such that a force exerted on either one of said floating pulley units or on said first exercise unit responsively tensions said first cable and is resisted by said load;

a second cable carried by said first floating pulley unit and connnected at one of its ends to said second exercise unit;

a third cable carried by said second floating pulley unit and connected at one of its ends to said third exercise unit; and

stops on said three cables whereby a manual exercising force applied either to said first cable by use of said first exercise unit, or to said second cable by use of said second exercise unit, or to said third cable by use of said third exercise unit, responsively tensions said first cable and applies a force tending to move said load.

27. An exercise machine comprising:

a weight unit;

first, second, and third exercise units;

first and second floating pulley units;

a first cable operatively receiving said floating pulley units and loaded by said weight unit;

first and second nonfloating pulley units receiving said first cable and located, respectively, between said weight unit and one of said pulley units and between said weight unit and said first exercise unit;

a second cable carried by said first pulley unit and connected to said second exercise unit;

a third cable carried by said second pulley unit and connected to said third exercise unit; and

stops for said three cables arranged such that a manual exercising force applied to any of said three exercise units responsively tensions each of said three cables and is resisted by said weight unit.