Lat pulldown weight training machine

• US 7,052,446 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus Human Performance Systems
• Inventors: Webb, Gregory M., Morris, Michael Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US10/862,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20040229735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 482/44, 482/72, 482/73, 482 92-103, 482133-139
• US Class Current: 482/100
• 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 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• 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 21/4049 Rotational movement
• 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 23/12 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 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes. Also, the extension members are of sufficient length and the extension members are attached to the movement arm (preferably via universal ball joints) so that the handles can be separated by a distance of at least 24 inches when the movement arm is in the rearward position. In this configuration, the exerciser has the option of performing the basic lat pulldown motion with the hands in any orientation, and can pull the handles to multiple positions in front of the chest and shoulders or outside the chest and shoulders.

Claims

1. An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, comprising:

a frame;

a seat assembly attached to the frame;

a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position;

a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position;

a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser;

a pair of rigid extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member such that each handle is free to rotate with respect to the extension member about a longitudinal axis of the extension member;

wherein the extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes; and

wherein the movement arm and extension members are configured such that, when the movement arm is in the upper forward position, the user'"'"'s hands reach above his head, and in the lower rearward position, the user'"'"'s hands are positioned below his head.

2. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein each of the extension members is attached to the movement arm via a ball joint.

3. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member via a rotary bearing.

4. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, further comprising a unit that varies the resistance imparted to the exerciser by the resistance-imparting unit along the stroke path.

5. The exercise machine defined in claim 4, wherein the unit that varies resistance comprises a non-circular cam that engages a belt connected with the resistance-imparting unit.

6. The exercise machine defined in claim 5, wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.

7. The exercise machine defined in claim 1, wherein the extension members are of sufficient length and the extension members are attached to the movement arm so that the handles can be moved to within a distance of 6 inches of each other when the movement arm is in the rearward position.

8. The exercise machine defined in claim 7, wherein a distance between the attachment of each extension member with the movement arm and the attachment of each extension member with its respective handle is between about 8 and 48 inches.

9. An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, comprising:

a frame;

a seat assembly attached to the frame;

a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position;

a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position;

a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser;

a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member via a rotary bearing such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member;

wherein the extension members are attached to the movement arm via a ball joint such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes; and

wherein the movement arm and extension members are configured such that, when the movement arm is in the upper forward position, the user'"'"'s hands reach above his head, and in the lower rearward position, the user'"'"'s hands are positioned below his head.

10. The exercise machine defined in claim 9, wherein each handle is attached to its respective extension member via a rotary bearing.

11. The exercise machine defined in claim 9, further comprising a unit that varies the resistance imparted to the exerciser by the resistance-imparting unit along the stroke path.

12. The exercise machine defined in claim 11, wherein the unit that varies resistance comprises a non-circular cam that engages a belt connected with the resistance-imparting unit.

13. The exercise machine defined in claim 12, wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.

14. The exercise machine defined in claim 9, wherein the extension members are of sufficient length and the extension members are attached to the movement arm so that the handles can be moved to within a distance of 6 inches of each other when the movement arm is in the rearward position.

15. The exercise machine defined in claim 14, wherein a distance between the attachment of each extension member with the movement arm and the attachment of each extension member with its respective handle is between about 8 and 48 inches.