Exercise arm apparatus for exercise machine

• US 7,166,066 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hoist Fitness Sytems Incorporated (Hoist Fitness Systems)
• Original Assignee: Randall T. Webber
• Inventors: Webber, Randall T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly; Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US10/305,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 482/100, 482/137, 482/97, 482/92, 482/102, 482/103, 482135-139, 482/142, 482/72, 482/73
• US Class Current: 482/100
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• 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 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• 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 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• 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 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• 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 23/1254 : Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has a support frame and an exercise arm assembly pivotally linked to the support frame for swinging movement in at least one fixed arc about a first pivot axis, the exercise arm assembly including at least one rigid, elongate exercise arm. A flexible handle assembly is secured to the exercise arm, the handle assembly having a hand grip for gripping by a user, and a flexible line secured to the hand grip at one end and adjustably secured to the exercise arm to vary the extension of the line from the exercise arm. Upper body exercises are performed by moving the hand grip portion in different paths as permitted by the flexible line.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a support frame;

an exercise arm assembly pivotally linked to the support frame for swinging movement in at least one fixed arc about a first pivot axis, the exercise arm assembly comprising at least one rigid, elongate exercise arm, a rigid elongated handle arm having a first end pivotally attached to said exercise arm, and at least one flexible handle assembly secured to the exercise arm;

the handle assembly having a hand grip portion for gripping by a user, and an elongated flexible connecting portion securing the hand grip portion to the respective exercise arm;

the elongated flexible connecting portion having a first end secured to said hand grip portion, and being adjustably secured to the exercise arm to vary an extension of said connecting portion from said exercise arm, whereby variation of the length of the flexible connecting portion allows a user to perform different types of exercise using the same exercise arm assembly.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hand grip portion is triangular, having an apex, a pair of arms extending from the apex, and a base connecting the arms, the base comprising a cylindrical, resilient hand grip member, and the hand grip portion being secured to said connecting portion at said apex.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of flexible handle assemblies are secured to the exercise arm for gripping by the user'"'"'s left and right hands, respectively.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exercise arm assembly comprises a pair of rigid, elongate exercise arms, a first flexible handle assembly secured to one of said exercise arms and a second flexible handle assembly secured to the other of said exercise arms.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an exercise resistance linked to said exercise arm assembly for providing an exercise resistance, said exercise arm assembly being uni-directional and providing exercise resistance on rotation in one direction about said pivot axis.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an exercise resistance linked to said exercise arm assembly for providing an exercise resistance, said exercise arm assembly being bi-directional and providing exercise resistance on rotation in both directions about said pivot axis.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting portion comprises a flexible line and each exercise arm has at least one guide device for said line and one locating device for said line, the line extending from said handle portion around said guide device and at least up to said locating device, at least one of said devices being adjustable to vary the extension of said line from said guide device up to said hand grip portion in order to vary a spacing between said exercise arm and hand grip portion.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, including a slide member adjustably mounted on said exercise arm and a releasable lock member for releasably securing said slide member in a selected position, one of said devices being secured to said slide member.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said locating device comprises an anchor for an end of said line.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said exercise arms each have an outer free end, said anchor is located on said slide device, and said line has an end secured to said anchor, said guide members being provided at the outer ends of the respective exercise arms.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said guide member is mounted on said slide device, and said anchor is provided at a fixed location on said exercise arm, said line having an end secured to said anchor.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said exercise arm has two spaced guide members around which said line extends, one of said guide members being mounted on said slide device.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each exercise arm comprises a one-piece elongate member of fixed length.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each exercise arm comprises a first, tubular member pivoted to said frame, a second member telescopically engaging said tubular member and extending outwardly from said tubular member, and a releasable locking device for releasably securing said second member at a selected extension relative to said first member.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said line has opposite ends and first and second hand grip portions are secured to the respective opposite ends of said line, said line extending from said first hand grip portion, around said guide and locating devices, and up to said second hand grip portion.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said guide and locating devices both comprise pulleys.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, including an additional guide device spaced from said guide and locating devices at an outer end of said exercise arm, said line extending in a path around said guide and locating devices and around said additional device.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said guide devices and said locating device all comprise pulleys.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said exercise arms are separate and move independently.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said exercise arms are connected together and move in unison about said first pivot axis.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support frame has a base and an upright strut projecting upwardly from said base.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said exercise arm assembly is pivotally connected to said base.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said exercise arm assembly is pivotally connected to an intermediate location on said upright strut.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said support frame has a top strut at an upper end of said upright strut, said exercise arm assembly being pivotally suspended from said top strut.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an exercise resistance linked to the exercise arm assembly.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the exercise resistance is directly mounted on the exercise arm.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, including a linkage mechanism linking the exercise arm assembly to the exercise resistance.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a multi-bar linkage.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single pivot connects the exercise arm assembly to the frame.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a multi-bar pivot linkage connecting the exercise arm assembly to the frame.

31. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a support frame;

an exercise arm assembly pivotally linked to the support frame for swinging movement in at least one fixed arc about a first pivot axis, the exercise arm assembly comprising at least one rigid, elongate exercise arm and at least one flexible handle assembly secured to the exercise arm;

the handle assembly having a hand grip portion for gripping by a user, and a flexible connecting portion securing the hand grip portion to the respective exercise arm;

the flexible connecting portion having a first end secured to said hand grip portion, and being adjustably secured to the exercise arm to vary an extension of said connecting portion from said exercise arm; and

said exercise assembly further comprising a rigid, elongate handle arm having a first end pivotally attached to said exercise arm and a second end forming a hand grip for selective gripping by a user, and a clip for releasably retaining said rigid handle arm against said exercise arm when not in use.