Handicapped accessible exercise machine

• US 7,722,509 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IncludeFitness, LLC
• Original Assignee: James Ryan Eder
• Inventors: Eder, James Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US12/132,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 482 99-103, 482133-138
• US Class Current: 482/99
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• 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 handicapped accessible exercise apparatus having a central housing with two pivoting extension arms. Cables extend from weight stacks within the housing to movable cable guides on the arms for engagement by a user. By adjusting the positions of the arms and the cable guides, the apparatus can be configured to facilitate various exercises and to accommodate users of various sizes. The apparatus is provided with button-operated locks for allowing users with limited manual dexterity to easily lock and unlock the positions of the extension arms and the cable guides.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a) a housing containing a resistance assembly;

b) a first cantilevered extension arm pivotably coupled to the housing near one arm end and a second cantilevered extension arm pivotably coupled to the housing near one arm end;

c) a first cable guide coupled to the first extension arm and longitudinally movable along a straight, linear path thereon and a second cable guide coupled to the second extension arm and longitudinally movable along a straight, linear path thereon;

d) at least one flexible member linked to the resistance assembly and extending between the first and second cable guides for engagement by a user;

e) means for releasably locking the positions of the first and second extension arms relative to the housing; and

f) means for releasably locking the longitudinal position of the first cable guide along the first extension arm and for releasably locking the longitudinal position of the second cable guide along the second extension arm.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible member comprises:

a) a first flexible member linked to the resistance assembly and having a first end affixed to the first cable guide and a second end that extends from the first cable guide for engagement by a user; and

b) a second flexible member linked to the resistance assembly and having a first end affixed to the second cable guide and a second end that extends from the second cable guide for engagement by a user.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second end of the first flexible member terminates in a J-hook for engaging a user interface.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second end of the second flexible member terminates in a J-hook for engaging a user interface.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably locking the position of the first extension arm relative to the housing comprises a spring-loaded, button-operated lock mounted to the housing and having a shaft for axially engaging a positioning hole formed in the first extension arm when the lock is in a locked position, and for disengaging the positioning hole in the first extension arm when the lock is in an unlocked position.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for releasably locking the position of the second extension arm relative to the housing comprises a spring-loaded, button-operated lock mounted to the housing and having a shaft for axially engaging a positioning hole formed in the second extension arm when the lock is in a locked position, and for disengaging the positioning hole in the second extension arm when the lock is in an unlocked position.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably locking the position of the first cable guide relative to the first extension arm comprises a spring-loaded, button-operated lock mounted to the first cable guide and having a shaft for axially engaging a positioning hole formed in the first extension arm when the lock is in a locked position, and for disengaging the positioning hole in the first extension arm when the lock is in an unlocked position.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for releasably locking the position of the second cable guide relative to the second extension arm comprises a spring-loaded, button-operated lock mounted to the second cable guide and having a shaft for axially engaging a positioning hole formed in the second extension arm when the lock is in a locked position, and for disengaging the positioning hole in the second extension arm when the lock is in an unlocked position.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistance assembly comprises:

a) at least one weight stack having a plurality of weights, each weight having a locking channel formed therein;

b) a solenoid tower having at least one solenoid movably mounted thereto that is adapted to insert a pin into the locking channel of one of said plurality of weights when said at least one solenoid is activated and to withdraw the pin out of the locking channel of one of said plurality of weights when said at least one solenoid is deactivated; and

c) a control panel operatively connected to the solenoid tower for allowing a user to move the pin into alignment with the locking channel of a desired weight and activate said at least one solenoid.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistance assembly comprises:

a) at least one weight stack having a plurality of weights, each weight having a locking channel formed therein;

b) a solenoid tower having a plurality of solenoids mounted thereto, each solenoid having a pin that is aligned with the locking channel of one of said plurality of weights and being adapted to insert the pin into the locking channel when the solenoid is activated and to withdraw the pin out of the locking channel when the solenoid is deactivated; and

c) a control panel operatively connected to the solenoid tower for allowing a user to activate one of said plurality of solenoids that corresponds to a desired weight.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a support pad extending from the housing for engaging the body of a user, the support pad configured to adjustably articulate and extend relative to the housing.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a button-operated lock for locking and unlocking the adjustably extended position of the support pad relative to the housing.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a button-operated lock for locking and unlocking the adjustably articulated position of the support pad relative to the housing.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wheelchair stabilization member extending from the housing for securing a wheelchair thereto, the stabilization member having two arms that are spaced apart from one another for accommodating a wheelchair therebetween, each arm having at least one fastening cable extending therefrom for engaging a wheelchair.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fastening cable is retractable.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one fastening cable releasably locks in an extended position.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a sliding bench that can be releasably locked to the housing by a catch, the bench having a handle operatively coupled to the catch for allowing a user to unlock the bench from the housing by pulling the handle.

18. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a) a housing containing a resistance assembly;

b) a first extension arm pivotably coupled to the housing and a second extension arm pivotably coupled to the housing;

c) a first cable guide movably coupled to the first extension arm and a second cable guide movably coupled to the second extension arm;

d) at least one flexible member linked to the resistance assembly and extending between the first and second cable guides for engagement by a user;

e) means for releasably locking the positions of the first and second extension arms relative to the housing;

f) means for releasably locking the longitudinal position of the first cable guide along the first extension arm and for releasably locking the longitudinal position of the second cable guide along the second extension arm; and

g) a wheelchair stabilization member extending from the housing for securing a wheelchair thereto, the stabilization member having two arms that are spaced apart from one another for accommodating a wheelchair therebetween, each arm having at least one fastening cable therefrom for engaging a wheelchair.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein said at least one fastening cable is retractable.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein said at least one fastening cable releasably locks in an extended position.

21. A method for adjusting the configuration of an exercise apparatus having a housing, a first pivoting, cantilevered extension arm, and a second pivoting, cantilevered extension arm, the method comprising:

a) adjusting an angular position of the first extension arm relative to the housing and locking the position of the first extension arm with a first button-operated lock;

b) adjusting an angular position of the second extension arm relative to the housing and locking the position of the second extension arm with a second button-operated lock;

c) adjusting a position of a first movable cable guide longitudinally along a straight, linear path on the first extension arm and locking the position of the first movable cable guide with a third button-operated lock; and

d) adjusting a position of a second movable cable guide longitudinally along a straight, linear path on the second extension arm and locking the position of the second movable cable guide with a fourth button-operated lock.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising securing a wheelchair relative to the housing with at least one retractable fastening cable.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising adjusting a position of a support pad that extends from the housing and locking the position of the support pad with a fifth button-operated lock.

24. A method for adjusting the configuration of an exercise apparatus having a housing, a first pivoting extension arm, and a second pivoting extension arm, the method comprising:

a) adjusting an angular position of the first extension arm relative to the housing and locking the position of the first extension arm with a first button-operated lock;

b) adjusting an angular position of the second extension arm relative to the housing and locking the position of the second extension arm with a second button-operated lock;

c) adjusting a position of a first movable cable guide longitudinally relative to the first extension arm and locking the position of the first movable cable guide with a third button-operated lock;

d) adjusting a position of a second movable cable guide longitudinally relative to the second extension arm and locking the position of the second movable cable guide with a fourth button-operated lock; and

e) securing a wheelchair relative to the housing with at least one retractable fastening cable.