Weight selection apparatus for a weight stack

• US 7,758,478 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Warner, Patrick A., Golesh, Eric D., Smith, Robert J., Harrach-Salazar, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan; Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US11/377,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• Field of Search: 482/908, 482/108, 482/94, 482/99, 482/107, 482/97
• US Class Current: 482/98
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a weight stack including a weight selector mechanism providing an adjustable source of resistance for use with a variety of load bearing exercise devices. The weight stack can include a plurality of weight plates stacked one on top of another. The weight selection mechanism can include a weight selector member extending through and adapted to selectively connect with each weight plate. The weight selector member can include a plurality of projections adapted to selectively engage engagement surfaces in the weight plates. A user can rotate the weight selector member with a selector knob to connect the desired number of weights to be lifted with the weight selector member. Embodiments of the weight stack can also include a locking mechanism that prevent a user from turning the weight selector member once a sufficient lifting force is applied to the selected weight plates.

Claims

1. A vertical weight stack for an exercise device comprising:

a plurality of weight plates each including an aperture defined by an engagement surface;

an engagement assembly supported on the plurality of weight plates, the engagement assembly including a longitudinal member with a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections, the longitudinal member defining a longitudinal axis; and

a lock member operably associated with the longitudinal member to selectively lock the rotational position of the longitudinal member, the lock member comprising a pin, a member joined to the longitudinal member and a bias member operatively associated with the pin, the bias member biasing the pin to a first position that engages the pin with the member when the longitudinal member is moved from a predetermined rest position, and engagement of the pin with the member locks the rotational position of the longitudinal member;

wherein at least one of said apertures is shaped differently than the other said apertures and each aperture and engagement surface is arranged adjacent the longitudinal member;

the longitudinal member is rotatably positionable to arrange the spaced projections for engagement with a corresponding engagement surface to engage one or more of the plurality of weight plates;

when the rotational position of the longitudinal member is locked by engagement of the pin with the member, a user is unable to rotate the longitudinal member around the longitudinal axis; and

when the longitudinal member is moved to the predetermined rest position, the pin moves to a second position that disengages the pin from the member and allows the user to rotate the longitudinal member around the longitudinal axis.

2. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinally spaced projections comprises a plurality of triangularly-shaped tabs.

3. The weight stack of claim 1, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member.

4. The weight stack of claim 3, wherein the grip member is a knob.

5. The weight stack of claim 3, the engagement assembly further comprising a gear train connecting the grip member with the longitudinal member.

6. The weight stack of claim 5, wherein the gear train comprises:

a first gear connected with the grip member;

a second gear connected with the longitudinal member; and

wherein the first gear member is engaged with the second gear member.

7. The weight stack of claim 3, the engagement assembly further comprising:

a first pulley connected with the grip member;

a second pulley connected with the longitudinal member; and

at least one belt operably connecting the first pulley with the second pulley.

8. The weight stack of claim 1, the engagement assembly further comprising a grip member operably connected with the longitudinal member to adjust the rotational position of the longitudinal member;

a second lock member operably associated with the grip member to selectively lock movement of the grip member; and

the lock member comprises a key selectively connectable with the longitudinal member.

9. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein the engagement surface for each of the plurality of weight comprises a uniquely shaped engagement surface.

10. The weight stack of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of weight plates includes an aperture and wherein the weight stack further comprises:

a plurality of collars adapted to be received within the apertures in the plurality of weight plates, each collar defining the uniquely shaped engagement surfaces.

11. The weight stack of claim 9, wherein each uniquely shaped engagement surface is a uniquely sized flange.

12. The weight stack of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a disk including a plurality of curved recesses configured to receive at least a portion of the pin.