Exercise apparatus with platform adjustment mechanism

• US 7,476,186 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Steffee, Clay J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roland; Daniel F
• Application Number:
  US11/677,628
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 482/100, 482/123, 482/135, 482/136, 108/108, 108/144.11, 108/146, 108/147.11, 108/147.16, 108/147.17, 211/126.5, 211/133.3, 211/173, 211/174, 248/125.1, 248/157, 248/161
• US Class Current: 482/137
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0482 primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

Abstract

Exercise apparatus for resistance training includes an adjustment mechanism raising and lowering a platform, e.g. a stand-upon platform supporting the feet of the user. The adjustment mechanism both: a) journals the platform to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to a first lateral axis into and out of engagement with a detent lock; and b) linearly guides translational up and down movement of the platform and prevents side to side canting of the platform about a second lateral axis.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus for resistance training comprising a frame adjustably supporting a laterally extending platform at a plurality of vertical elevations, said platform supporting and locating a user for said resistance training, said platform having distally opposite first and second sides laterally spaced along a first lateral axis, said platform having distally opposite third and fourth sides laterally spaced along a second lateral axis, said first and second lateral axes being normal to each other, an adjustment mechanism raising and lowering said platform to said plurality of vertical elevations, said adjustment mechanism both:

a) journaling said platform to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to said first lateral axis into and out of engagement with a detent lock, such that said platform is locked in place at a given vertical elevation when pivoted into engagement with said detent lock, and said platform may move up and down when pivoted out of engagement with said detent lock; and

b) linearly guiding translational movement of said platform during said up and down movement of said platform and preventing side to side canting of said platform about said second lateral axis during said up and down movement of said platform and preventing misalignment of said first and second sides of said platform,

wherein;

said adjustment mechanism comprises first and second stanchions extending upwardly from said frame, each stanchion having a track extending upwardly and downwardly therealong and a tooth rack extending upwardly and downwardly therealong, and said platform has first and second bearing blocks pivotable about and translational along said stanchions;

said adjustment mechanism further comprises first and second guide rods extending upwardly from said frame adjacent said first and second stanchions, respectively, and first and second linear bearing assemblies slidable upwardly and downwardly along respective said first and second guide rods and operatively connected to respective said first and second bearing blocks to guide translational up and down movement of said first and second bearing blocks and prevent said canting of said platform about said second lateral axis;

said first bearing block has a horizontal first main shaft translational along said track of said first stanchion and moving upwardly and downwardly therealong during said up and down movement of said platform;

said second bearing block has a horizontal second main shaft translational along said track of said second stanchion and moving upwardly and downwardly therealong during said up and down movement of said platform;

said horizontal first and second main shafts are coaxial;

said platform is pivoted between first and second locked and unlocked positions by swinging said third side of said platform upwardly and downwardly to pivot said platform about said coaxial horizontal first and second main shafts;

said first bearing block has a horizontal first auxiliary shaft engaging a given first tooth in said tooth rack of said first stanchion in said first pivoted position of said platform to lock said platform at a given one of said vertical elevations corresponding to said given first tooth, said horizontal first auxiliary shaft disengaging said tooth rack of said first stanchion in said second pivoted position of said platform to unlock said platform and permit upward and downward movement thereof;

said second bearing block has a horizontal second auxiliary shaft engaging a given second tooth in said tooth rack of said second stanchion, corresponding to said given first tooth, in said first pivoted position of said platform to lock said platform at said given one of said vertical elevations corresponding to said given second tooth and said given first tooth, said horizontal second auxiliary shaft disengaging said tooth rack in said second pivoted position of said platform to unlock said platform and permit upward and downward movement thereof;

said first linear bearing assembly has a first bearing sub-block laterally adjacent said first stanchion;

said horizontal first main shaft has a first end mounted to said first bearing block, and has a second end mounted to said first bearing sub-block;

said first stanchion is disposed laterally between said first bearing block and said first bearing sub-block;

said second linear bearing assembly has a second bearing sub-block laterally adjacent said second stanchion;

said horizontal second main shaft has a first end mounted to said second bearing block, and has a second end mounted to said second bearing sub-block;

said second stanchion is disposed laterally between said second bearing block and said second bearing sub-block.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said first stanchion has a first slot formed laterally therethrough, said first slot being elongated upwardly and downwardly along said first stanchion and having opposing elongated inner sides facing each other across said first slot, one of said inner sides providing said track of said first stanchion, the other of said inner sides providing said tooth rack of said first stanchion;

said horizontal first main shaft extends laterally through said first slot;

said second stanchion has a second slot formed laterally therethrough, said second slot being elongated upwardly and downwardly along said second stanchion and having opposing elongated inner sides facing each other across said second slot, one of said inner sides of said second slot providing said track of said second stanchion, the other of said inner sides of said second slot providing said tooth rack of said second stanchion;

said horizontal second main shaft extends laterally through said second slot.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said horizontal first auxiliary shaft includes a first cam follower journaled thereto, and wherein said horizontal first auxiliary shaft engages said tooth rack of said first stanchion at said first cam follower;

said horizontal second auxiliary shaft includes a second cam follower journaled thereto, and wherein said horizontal second auxiliary shaft engages said tooth rack of said second stanchion at said second cam follower.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said platform is a stand-upon platform supporting the feet of the user.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said platform is a cantilever having a root end at said fourth side, and a free end at said third side.