Multiple exercise apparatus having an adjustable arm mechanism

• US 7,608,024 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Cybex International
• Inventors: Sechrest, Scott, Lee, Scott, Giannelli, Raymond, Wendt, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; LoAn H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/674,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20070173384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 482/99, 482/100, 482/102, 482/103, 482/129, 482/130, 482136-138
• US Class Current: 482/103
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• 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 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions

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 to back direction and a side to side direction;

a pair of elongated arm extensions mounted on a front of the apparatus, each elongated arm extension having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end of the elongated arm extensions are pivotably mounted to the frame for pivoting around a pivot axis to selected exercise pivot positions and rotatably mounted for rotation of the pivot axis around a selected horizontal axis extending along the front to back direction of the apparatus;

a handle assembly mounted on a distal end of each elongated arm extension;

a resistance assembly within the frame;

a cable assembly interconnected between the handle assemblies and the resistance assembly such that a user may grasp and pull a 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 a less acutely angled or pivoted position to more acutely or pivoted position and at various 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 a pulley rotatably mounted for rotation around an axis coincident with each respective pivot axis.

5. A multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising:

a generally upright stationary frame having a front to back direction and side to side direction,

first and second elongated arm mechanisms mounted on a front end of the apparatus for pivoting about first and second pivot horizontal axes and further mounted for rotation of the pivot axes around first and second horizontal rotation 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 having a rotation axis coincident with a respective one of the pivot axes of the arm mechanisms, 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 on a mounting surface; and

an arm mechanism comprised of one or more elongated arms, a first proximal end of the arm mechanism being mounted 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 that is coincident with 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 to extend and be manually accessible from a front end of the apparatus, the elongated arm mechanism being pivotable around a pivot axis between more or less acutely angled or pivoted positions relative to a front to back horizontal axis, 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, the method comprising:

fixedly positioning the elongated arm mechanism in a selected position of pivot and in a selected position of rotation of the elongated arm around the front to back horizontal axis;

routing the cable around a pulley having a pulley axis that is coincident with the pivot axis of the arm; and

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

8. A multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising:

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

an elongated arm mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pivot mechanism secured to the generally upright stationary frame and to the elongated arm mechanism, wherein the pivot mechanism is interposed between a front end of the generally upright stationary frame and the proximal end of the elongated arm mechanism, wherein the pivot mechanism rotates about a first axis that extends horizontally through the front and back of the generally upright stationary frame, the elongated arm mechanism pivotally mounted to the pivot mechanism to pivot about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis, wherein the elongated arm mechanism is selectively locked into incremental angular positions about the first axis;

a pulley disposed within the pivot mechanism to rotate about the second axis; and

a cable reeved around the pulley within the pivot mechanism and having a first end interconnected to a handle at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism to resist movement of the handle relative to the elongated arm mechanism.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus further includes a second elongated arm mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second pivot mechanism secured to the generally upright stationary frame and to the second elongated arm mechanism, wherein the second pivot mechanism is separated laterally from the first pivot mechanism and is interposed between the front of the generally upright stationary frame and the proximal end of the second elongated arm mechanism, wherein the second pivot mechanism rotates about a fourth axis that extends horizontally through the front and back of the generally upright stationary frame, and wherein the second elongated arm mechanism pivots about a fifth axis that is transverse to the fourth axis; and

a second pulley disposed within the second pivot mechanism that is rotatable about the fifth axis.