Exercise device with centrally mounted resistance rod and automatic weight selector apparatus

• US 7,537,552 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Dalebout, William T., Olson, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US10/647,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20050049121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,101 Days
• Field of Search: 482129-130, 482/139, 482121-123, 482100-103
• US Class Current: 482/129
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• 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 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An exercise apparatus with a single resistant rod configured to provide resistance for use in exercise and an electronic weight selector mechanism for use with a resistance rod having a variable resistance system and an electronic weight selector control. The variable resistance system includes a cable and pulley system that compounds the force exerted by the user on the cable and pulley system allowing the user a greater extension length per unit length the resistance rod is displaced. The variable resistance system includes a lever arm having an adjustable effective length to change the amount of resistance by changing the mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm. The electronic weight selector control including program exercise routines which assist the user in exercise by providing desired patterns, amounts of resistance, numbers of sets and repetitions, and combinations of exercises to be performed.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a support base configured to provide stability to the exercise machine in order to provide a stable exercise environment;

a single resilient elongate rod linked to the support frame, the resilient elongate rod configured to provide resistance for use in exercise; and

a variable resistance system linked to the single resilient elongate rod, the variable resistance system being configured to vary a mechanical advantage usable to flex the resilient elongate rod to vary the amount of resistance presented by the resilient elongate rod for use in exercise, the variable resistance system comprising a cable and pulley system.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the support frame further includes an upright support member.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the single resilient elongate rod is coupled to the upright support member of the support frame.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the single resilient elongate rod includes a first end, a second end, and a center portion, the first end, the second end, and the center portion move during exercise.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the variable resistance system includes a lever arm.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the amount of mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm can be varied to change the amount of resistance needed to flex the resilient elongate rod.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6, further comprising a lever arm length regulator adapted to change the effective length of the lever arm to vary the mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising a lead screw coupled to the lever arm length regulator to change the effective length of the lever arm.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the lead screw is automatically adjustable by the user utilizing an electronic weight selector control that operates in connection with the variable resistance system.

10. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a support base configured to provide stability to the exercise machine in order to provide a stable exercise environment;

at least one resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is linked to the support frame; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support frame and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user, wherein movement of the at least one cable causes movement of the first end, the second end, and the intermediate portion of the at least one resilient elongate member.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the cable and pulley system includes a plurality of pulleys.

12. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the cable and pulley system provides a compound effect allowing the user to displace at least a first end of the cable and pulley system a greater amount than the ends of the resilient elongate rod are displaced.

13. The exercise machine of claim 12, wherein the compound effect of the cable and pulley system allows the user to displace both ends of the cable a greater amount than the ends of the resilient elongate rod are displaced.

14. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein a single cable is routed through the plurality of pulleys such that a user can displace at least a first end of the cable during exercise.

15. The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the cable and pulley system is included as part of a variable resistance system.

16. The exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the resilient elongate rod is included as part of a resistance assembly.

17. The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the resistance assembly includes a secondary cable and pulley system.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the cable and pulley system of the resistance assembly cooperates with the cable and pulley system of the resistance assembly to allow a user to exercise utilizing resistance from the resilient elongate rod.

19. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a support base configured to provide stability to the exercise machine in order to provide a stable exercise environment;

a single resilient elongate rod positioned adjacent to the support frame, the resilient elongate rod configured to flex and provide a resistance for use in exercise;

a variable resistance system linked to the resilient elongate rod, the variable resistance system comprising;

a cable and pulley system, and

an automatic resistance adjustment mechanism linked to the cable and pulley system, the automatic resistance adjustment mechanism having a lead screw and a lead screw motor assembly; and

a resistance selector system cooperating with the single resilient elongate rod and the variable resistance system, the resistance selector system being configured to vary a mechanical advantage usable to flex the resilient elongate rod to vary the amount of resistance provided by the single resilient elongate rod during exercise.

20. The exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the resistance selector system comprises an electronic resistance selector system.

21. The exercise machine of claim 20, wherein the electronic resistance selector system includes a variable resistance system and an electronic weight selector control.

22. The exercise machine of claim 21, wherein the electronic weight selector control allows a user to automatically select the amount of resistance to be utilized during an exercise routine.

23. The exercise machine of claim 22, wherein the electronic weight selector control includes a plurality of selector buttons for changing various parameters of the exercise machine.

24. The exercise machine of claim 23, wherein the plurality of weight selector buttons are adapted to change the amount resistance to be utilized during an exercise machine.

25. The exercise machine of claim 21, wherein the electronic weight selector control includes one or more preprogrammed exercise routines.

26. The exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the one or more preprogrammed exercise routines automatically identify a series of exercises to be conducted by the user.

27. The exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the one or more preprogrammed exercise routines automatically selects the number of sets and repetitions to be performed for each exercise to be conducted by the user.

28. The exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the exercise machine automatically detects the number of sets and repetitions conducted by the user.

29. The exercise machine of claim 28, wherein the one or more preprogrammed exercise routines automatically selects the amount of resistance for each exercise to be conducted by the user.

30. The exercise machine of claim 29, wherein the user can modify various parameters related to the preprogrammed exercise routines including the numbers of sets, number of repetitions, resistance to be utilized, and the exercise to be performed.

31. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having an upright support member;

at least one resilient elongate rod positioned adjacent to the support frame;

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support frame and the at least one resilient elongate member, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user;

a squat apparatus rollably coupled to the upright support member of the support frame, the squat apparatus being coupled to the cable and pulley system to utilize resistance from the at least one resilient elongate rod.

32. The exercise machine of claim 31, wherein the upright support member includes one or more tracks integrally formed therein.

33. The exercise machine of claim 32 wherein the squat apparatus includes a plurality of rollers positioned in the one or more tracks of the upright support member.

34. The exercise machine of claim 31, further comprising an electronic resistance selector system cooperating with the at least one resilient elongate rod, the electronic resistance selector system being configured to vary the amount of resistance provided by the resilient elongate rod during exercise.

35. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame;

a seat member movably connected to the support frame, the seat member being configured to enable a user to rest thereon;

at least one resilient elongate rod supported by the support frame, the at least one resilient elongate rod being movable relative to the support frame such that no portion of the at least one resilient elongate rod is fixed in relation to the support frame; and

a cable and pulley system cooperating with the at least one resilient elongate rod, said mechanism being adapted to allow a user to exercise utilizing the resistance from the at least one resilient elongate rod to perform exercise.

36. The exercise machine of claim 35, wherein a cable of the cable and pulley system is linked to the ends of the at least one resilient elongate rod to utilize resistance from the at least one resilient elongate rod.

37. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the center portion of the ends of the at least one resilient elongate rod move closer together when the at least one resilient elongate rod undergoes flexing.

38. The exercise machine of claim 35, further comprising a guide mounted to the support frame, the guide being adapted to minimize lateral movement of the at least one resilient elongate rod.

39. The exercise machine of claim 38, wherein the guide is circumscribed by the center portion of the at least one resilient elongate rod.

40. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame having a support base configured to provide stability to the exercise machine in order to provide a stable exercise environment;

at least one resilient elongate rod linked to the support frame, the resilient elongate rod configured to provide resistance for use in exercise;

a cable and pulley system linked to the resilient elongate rod; and

a variable resistance system linked to the cable and pulley system to utilize resistance from the resilient elongate rod to provide a variable amount of resistance for use in exercise.

41. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support frame;

at least one resilient elongate rod linked to the support frame, the at least one resilient elongate rod configured to provide resistance for use in exercise;

an electronic variable resistance system linked to the resilient elongate rod and being configured to utilize the resilient elongate rod to provide a variable amount of resistance for use in exercise, the electronic variable resistance system comprising;

an automatic resistance adjustment mechanism having a lead screw, a lead screw motor assembly, a lever arm, and a lever arm regulator, the automatic resistance adjustment mechanism configured to regulate an amount of resistance required to displace the at least one resilient elongate rod.

42. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the support frame includes an upright support member.

43. The exercise machine of claim 42, wherein the resilient elongate rod is coupled to the upright support member of the support frame.

44. The exercise machine of claim 41, further comprising a cable and pulley system coupled between the resilient elongate rod and the electronic variable resistance system includes a cable and pulley system.

45. The exercise machine of claim 44, wherein the lever arm of the variable resistance system is coupled to the cable and pulley system.

46. The exercise machine of claim 45, wherein the amount of mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm can be varied to change the force needed to flex the resilient elongate rod.

47. The exercise machine of claim 46, wherein the lever arm length regulator is adapted to change the effective length of the lever arm to vary the mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm.

48. The exercise machine of claim 47, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the lever arm length regulator to change the effective length of the lever arm.

49. The exercise machine of claim 48, wherein the lead screw is automatically adjustable by the user utilizing the electronic variable resistance system.

50. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the electronic variable resistance system allows a user to automatically select the amount of resistance to be utilized during an exercise routine.

51. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the electronic variable resistance system includes one or more preprogrammed exercise routines.

52. The exercise machine of claim 51, wherein the electronic variable resistance system automatically identifies a series of exercises to be conducted by the user.

53. The exercise machine of claim 51, wherein the electronic variable resistance system automatically selects the number of sets and repetitions to be performed for each exercise to be conducted by the user.

54. The exercise machine of claim 53, wherein the electronic variable resistance system automatically detects the number of sets and repetitions performed by the user.

55. The exercise machine of claim 51, wherein the electronic variable resistance system automatically selects the amount of resistance for each exercise to be conducted by the user.

56. The exercise machine of claim 51, wherein the electronic variable resistance system allows the user to modify various parameters related to the preprogrammed exercise routines, including the numbers of sets, number of repetitions, resistance to be utilized, and the exercise to be performed.

57. The exercise machine of claim 56, wherein the electronic variable resistance system includes a plurality of selector buttons for changing various parameters of the exercise machine.

58. The exercise machine of claim 57, wherein the plurality of selector buttons are adapted to change the amount resistance to be utilized during an exercise machine.