Functional trainer

• US 7,179,209 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Cybex International
• Inventors: Lee, Scott, Giannelli, Raymond, Sechrest, Scott, Wendt, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly; Jerome
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US10/267,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20030032530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,595 Days
• Field of Search: 482 97-103, 482121-123, 482/126, 482/129, 482/130, 482/138
• US Class Current: 482/103
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• 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 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• 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 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

A multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a generally upright frame having a front, a back, a first side, and a second side;

a pair of elongated arm extensions, each elongated arm extension having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end of the elongated arm extensions are pivotably mounted adjacent the frame for pivoting around a pivot axis to one of a plurality of selectively locked exercise pivot positions and rotatably mounted for rotation of the pivot axis around a selected horizontal axis;

a handle assembly disposed upon the distal end of each elongated arm extension;

a resistance assembly within the frame;

a cable assembly connected to each handle assembly, the cable assembly being interconnected to the resistance assembly such that a user may grasp and pull the handle assembly against an opposing force exerted by the resistance assembly through the cable assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated arm extensions are pivotable such that the distal ends of each said elongated arm mechanism can be selectively swung from an upwardly pivoted position to a lower pivoted position and at various pivoting positions therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said elongated arm extension is capable of movement independent of the movement of the other said elongated arm extension.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said elongated arm extension includes one or more pulleys to rotate about a third axis that is separated from, and parallel to, the respective pivot axis.

5. A multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising:

a generally upright stationary frame having a front, back and opposing sides, upon which is mounted first and second elongated arm mechanisms for pivoting about first and second pivot axes to one of a plurality of selectively locked exercise pivot positions and rotation of the pivot axes around first and second selected horizontal axes, the arm mechanisms each extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame;

wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the second elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism having a portion interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism.

6. A multiple exercise positioning apparatus comprising:

a generally upright stationary support mounted adjacent a mounting surface; and

an arm mechanism comprised of one or more elongated arms, a first proximal end of the arm mechanism being mounted adjacent to the support at a selected height above the mounting surface such that the arm mechanism is pivotable around a pivot axis and the pivot axis is rotatable around a horizontal axis relative to the support,

wherein the arm mechanism has a second distal end which is stationarily positionable in a plurality of selected exercise positions via pivoting of the arm mechanism,

the apparatus including a cable that extends between the distal end of the arm mechanism and a weight resistance mechanism, the cable being routed around the pivot axis on a pulley having an axis offset from the pivot axis of the arm mechanism.

7. In a multiple exercise positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright support having an elongated arm mechanism pivotably mounted to the upright support, the elongated arm mechanism comprised of one or more elongated arms, wherein the elongated arm mechanism has a cable interconnected between a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm mechanism and a weight resistance mechanism which is actuated by pulling on the handle, a method of performing any one of a selected number of differently positioned or oriented exercises with the apparatus comprising:

positioning the elongated arm mechanism in one of a plurality of selectively locked positions of pivot about an axis of pivot of the arm and in a selected position of rotation of the axis of pivot around a horizontal axis;

routing the cable around a pulley having a pulley axis offset from the axis of pivot of the arm; and

manually pulling on the handle so as to exert an opposing force to the weight resistance mechanism through the cable.