Exercise apparatus using weights and springs for high-speed training
First Claim
1. In exercise equipment comprising, in combination:
- (a) a frame structure;
(b) at least one handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user in a first direction and in an opposite second direction;
(c) a weight stack comprising a plurality of individual weights that may be added and removed to adjust the gravitational force applied to the handle, said weight stack having two face sides;
(d) a device for removably holding at least one weight of said weight stack, said weight holding device being moveably arranged on at least one guide attached to the frame structure and being coupled to the handle, for applying a gravitational force to the handle in said second direction contrary to movement in said first direction, wherein said weight holding device is lifted upwards along said at least one guide when the handle is moved by a user in said first direction; and
(e) at least one spring having two ends, said spring being coupled to one side of said weight holding device at one end and to the frame structure below the weight stack at the opposite end, for applying a downwardly acting spring force to the weight holding device in addition to the gravitational force applied thereto by said weight stack;
the improvement wherein said at least one spring includes friction reducing means, for minimizing friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide when said weight holding device is moved with respect to said at least one guide, said friction reducing means including a first and a second spring of substantially equal spring tension, each spring disposed on an opposite side of said weight holding device and an opposite face side of the weight stack to balance the forces applied to said weight holding device, to thereby reduce the friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Exercise equipment of the type comprising a frame structure; a handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user, back and forth in a first direction and in an opposite second direction; and at least one weight, coupled to the handle for applying a gravitational force to the handle in the second direction. According to the invention, a spring device, having two ends, is coupled to the handle at one end and to the frame structure at the opposite end to apply a spring force to the handle in the second direction. With proper choice of the spring constant of the spring device, when the handle is rapidly moved by the user in the first direction and then suddenly moved in the second direction, the total force applied to the handle in the second direction is maintained above minimum threshold value which is sufficient for “high-speed training”.
104 Citations
28 Claims
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1. In exercise equipment comprising, in combination:
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(a) a frame structure; (b) at least one handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user in a first direction and in an opposite second direction; (c) a weight stack comprising a plurality of individual weights that may be added and removed to adjust the gravitational force applied to the handle, said weight stack having two face sides; (d) a device for removably holding at least one weight of said weight stack, said weight holding device being moveably arranged on at least one guide attached to the frame structure and being coupled to the handle, for applying a gravitational force to the handle in said second direction contrary to movement in said first direction, wherein said weight holding device is lifted upwards along said at least one guide when the handle is moved by a user in said first direction; and (e) at least one spring having two ends, said spring being coupled to one side of said weight holding device at one end and to the frame structure below the weight stack at the opposite end, for applying a downwardly acting spring force to the weight holding device in addition to the gravitational force applied thereto by said weight stack; the improvement wherein said at least one spring includes friction reducing means, for minimizing friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide when said weight holding device is moved with respect to said at least one guide, said friction reducing means including a first and a second spring of substantially equal spring tension, each spring disposed on an opposite side of said weight holding device and an opposite face side of the weight stack to balance the forces applied to said weight holding device, to thereby reduce the friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25, 26)
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13. In exercise equipment comprising, in combination:
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(a) a frame structure having at least one cable exit point; (b) a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the cable passing through said cable exit point with the proximal end of the cable being attached to a handle that enables a user to pull the cable in a first direction against a restraining force; (c) a weight stack comprising a plurality of individual weights that may be added and removed to adjust the gravitational force applied to the cable, the weight stack having two opposite face sides; (d) a device for removably holding at least one weight of said weight stack, said weight holding device being moveably arranged on at least one guide attached to the frame structure and being coupled to the distal end of the cable, for applying a tensile force to the cable such that, when the handle and the proximal end of the cable are pulled in the first direction by a user, said weight holding device is lifted upwards along said at least one guide; and (e) at least one spring, coupled at one end to said weight holding device and at an opposite end to the frame structure below the weight stack, for applying a downward spring force to said weight holding device such that, when the proximal end of the cable is rapidly pulled by the user in the first direction, and then suddenly allowed to move in a second, opposite direction due to gravity acting on said at least one weight, the tensile force on the cable exceeds a prescribed value which is sufficient to keep the cable taught; the improvement wherein said at least one spring includes friction reducing means, for minimizing friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide when said weight holding device is moved with respect to said at least one guide, said friction reducing means including a first and a second spring of substantially equal spring tension, each spring disposed on an opposite side of said weight holding device and an opposite face side of the weight stack to balance the forces applied to said weight holding device, to thereby reduce the friction between said weight holding device and said at least one guide. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28)
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Specification