Exercise device with centrally mounted resistance rod

• US 7,798,946 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Dalebout, William T., Olson, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US11/830,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 482/142, 482/129, 482/140, 482/121, 482/103, 482/127, 124/256
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element

Abstract

An exercise machine has resilient elongate members for providing balanced resistance in the form of elongate resilient members oriented horizontally such that the intermediate portion of the elongate members contact a fulcrum of the exercise machine. The user adjusts the amount of resistance provided by capturing different combinations and members of resilient elongate members. A cable and pulley system ensures a long stroke so that the user can perform a wide variety of exercises in comfortable positions.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support assembly comprising a frame and a fulcrum, wherein the fulcrum is movably coupled to the frame;

first and second resilient elongate members, each of the first and second resilient elongate members having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first and second elongate members is positioned on the fulcrum of the support assembly; and

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

a capture device coupled to the first resilient elongate member, the capture device configured to selectively capture the second resilient elongate member,

wherein the cable and pulley system and the capture device are adapted such that the user can selectively move the at least one cable (i) against the resistance of the first resilient elongate member;

or (ii) against the collective resistance of both the first and second elongate members.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the resistance provided by the second elongate member is greater than the resistance provided by the first elongate member.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the second elongate member is conveniently captured by the capture member by moving a portion of the second elongate member under the capture member.

12. An exercise machine as recited in claim 1, wherein a capture member coupled to one elongate member selectively captures another elongate member such that resistance can be selectively increased.

4. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support assembly;

a resilient elongate member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is positioned on the support assembly and the first and second ends extend away from the support assembly such that the resilient elongate member is substantially horizontally oriented; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user such that the user can selectively move the at least one cable against the resistance of the resilient elongate member.

5. An exercise machine as recited in claim 4, further comprising a second resilient elongate member positioned on the support assembly, wherein the second resilient elongate member provides greater resistance to movement of the cable and pulley system than the first elongate member.

6. An exercise machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the first and second ends of the resilient elongate member are selectively moved during an exercise routine.

7. An exercise machine as recited in claim 4, wherein either the first end or the first and second ends of the resilient elongate member are selectively moved during an exercise routine.

8. An exercise machine as recited in claim 4, wherein a capture member is coupled to the elongate member, the capture member selectively capturing a portion of a second resilient elongate member coupled to the support assembly.

9. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support assembly comprising a frame and a fulcrum, wherein the fulcrum is movably coupled to the frame;

first and second resilient elongate members, each of the first and second resilient elongate members having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion of each of the first and second elongate members is positioned on the fulcrum of the support assembly; and

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

a capture device configured to selectively capture the second resilient elongate member when the second resilient elongate member is moved under the capture device,

wherein the cable and pulley system and the capture device are adapted such that the user can selectively move the at least one cable (i) against the resistance of the first resilient elongate member;

or (ii) against the collective resistance of both the first and second elongate members.

10. An exercise machine as recited in claim 9, wherein the capture device is coupled to the first resilient elongate member.

11. An exercise machine, comprising:

a support assembly;

a plurality of resilient elongate members, each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the resilient elongate members are positioned on the support assembly and the first and second ends of each of the resilient elongate members extend away from the support assembly such that the resilient elongate members are substantially horizontally oriented; and

a cable and pulley system coupled to the support assembly, the cable and pulley system having at least one cable adapted to be moved by the user such that the user can selectively move the at least one cable against the resistance of the resilient elongate members.