Incremental weight system

• US 7,335,139 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Cybex International
• Inventors: Gillen, Arnold B., Bartholomew, Ricky J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/293,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20030092542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,931 Days
• Field of Search: 482 95- 97, 482105-108, 482100-101
• US Class Current: 482/97
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means

Abstract

The present invention provides an incremental weight system for use with a weight stack of an exercise machines. As described herein, the incremental weight system enables users to incrementally increase the lifting weight, by adding weights that weigh less then the weight of a weight block. The incremental weight system is integrated onto the top of the weight stack, having a weight selector handle operable connected to a pair of engagement pins. The weight selector handle enables the engagement pins to be extended from and retracted into the assembly housing as the weight selector handle is rotated. Incremental weights are disposed at opposite ends of the weight stack. By rotating the weight selector handle, the engagement pins are extended from the assembly housing and engage the increment weights. The engagement pins engage the incremental weight by being inserted through the incremental weight receiving slots, such that, as the weight stack moves up and down, any selected incremental weights move in unison with the weight stack. If an incremental weight is not engaged by the engagement pin, the incremental weight will remain in position, while the rest of the selected incremental weights move unison with the weight stack.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a weight stack support frame; and

a plurality of weight block slidingly mounted within the weight stack support frame;

an incremental weight system mounted within the weight stack support frame, including a lifting post for selectively engaging the weight blocks and a pair of incremental weight sets positioned on opposing ends of the weight blocks, each incremental weight set including a plurality of weights that are selectively, symmetrically engageable.

2. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the incremental weight sets are mounted in guide rails.

3. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the incremental weight system further comprises a pair of symmetrically, longitudinal, extendable engagement pins, wherein the engagement pins selectively, symmetrically engage the pairs of incremental weights.

4. The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein the engagement pins are actuated by a weight selector handle.

5. The exercise machine according to claim 4, wherein the weight selector handle is a spring-loaded detent pin, wherein the detent pin engages a faceplate mounted to the incremental weight system.

6. The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein the faceplate is labeled to indicate the number of incremental weights being engaged.

7. The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein the faceplate in labeled to indicate the weight of the incremental weights being engaged.

8. A weight stack for use with an exercise machine comprising;

a plurality of weight blocks; and

an incremental weight system, including a lifting post for selectively engaging the weight blocks and a pair of incremental weights positioned on opposing ends of the weight blocks, each set of incremental weights including a plurality of weights that are selectively, symmetrically engageable.

9. The weight stack according to claim 8, wherein the incremental weight system further comprises a pair of symmetrically, longitudinal, extendable engagement pins, wherein the engagement pins selectively, symmetrically engage the pairs of incremental weights.

10. The exercise machine according to claim 9, wherein the engagement pins are actuated by a weight selector handle.

11. The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the weight selector handle is a spring-loaded detent pin, wherein the detent pin engages a faceplate mounted to the incremental weight system.

12. An incremental weight system for use with an exercise machine comprising:

a lifting post for selective engaging weight blocks; and

a pair of incremental weight sets positioned on opposite ends of the weight blocks, each incremental weight set including a plurality of weights that are symmetrically, selective engageable.

13. The incremental weight system to claim 12, further comprises a pair of symmetrically, longitudinal, extendable engagement pins, wherein the engagement pins selectively, symmetrically engage the incremental weight sets.

14. The incremental weight system to claim 13, wherein the engagement pins are actuated by a weight selector handle.

15. The incremental weight system to claim 14, wherein the weight selector handle is a spring-loaded detent pin, wherein the detent pin engages a faceplate mounted to the incremental weight.

16. The incremental weight system to claim 15, wherein the faceplate in labeled to indicate the number of incremental weights being engaged.

17. The incremental weight system to claim 15, wherein the faceplate in labeled to indicate the amount of incremental weights being engaged.

18. An incremental weight system for use with an exercise machine comprising a means for symmetrically loading a primary weight stack with symmetric pairs of weights.

19. The incremental weight system according to claim 18, wherein the means for symmetrically loading a primary weight stack with symmetric pairs of weights comprises a lifting post for selectively engaging the primary weight stack.

20. The incremental weight system according to claim 18, wherein the means for symmetrically loading a primary weight stack with symmetric pairs of weights comprises a pair of symmetrically, longitudinal, extendable engagement pins, wherein the engagement pins selectively, symmetrically engage the symmetric pairs of weights.

21. An incremental weight system for use with an exercise machine comprising:

a lifting post extending vertically through a set of first weight blocks for selective engagement with the lifting post; and

a set of second weight blocks comprising a plurality of weights that are engageable and interconnectable to the lifting post in a disposition horizontal to the first weight blocks.