User controlled exercise machine

• US 8,388,499 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2012
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crazy Train, LLC
• Original Assignee: Crazy Train, LLC
• Inventors: Rindfleisch, Randy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/360,684
• Time in Patent Office: 402 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/52, 482/91, 482/131, 482/142, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 482/6
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00178 for active exercising, the apparatus being also usable for passive exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0089 a counterforce being provided to the support force-resisting aspects A63B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 : for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 : Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

A dual compound and isolated exercise machine includes a frame including a first portion and a second portion positioned in a plane generally perpendicular to the first portion. The spool line may be relocated to any leverage point on or near the frame. The spool assembly can be wirelessly controlled. Wireless signal sent to a wireless receiver activates a motor, gear reduction box, and variable speed drive to join the spool assembly, causing the release or retraction of the spool line. Tension along the spool line is measured by a force transducer and converted to readable real time measurements for display on a data monitor. The device is capable of producing and measuring maximum (0 to 100%) potential muscle concentric, isometric and concentric muscle contractions. The device is collapsible, portable and wheel chair and paraplegic accessible.

Claims

1. An exercise machine allowing a user to apply a user force upon said exercise machine to perform an exercise, said exercise machine comprising:

a frame comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being positioned in a plane generally perpendicular to said first portion wherein said first portion is a vertical section and said second portion is a horizontal section, said vertical section being in a fixed relationship with said horizontal section, said frame further comprising a longitudinal gusset between said vertical section and said horizontal section;

a handle assembly selectably positionable at points relative said frame;

a drive assembly, said drive assembly being activated by said handle assembly.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 further comprising a seat section, said seat section comprising a load support arm pivotally connected to said horizontal section.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2 wherein said seat section further comprises:

a vertical locking arm; and

an angled locking arm,

wherein said vertical locking arm is selectably attached to said longitudinal gusset to secure said load support arm in a vertical orientation.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3 wherein said vertical locking arm is rigidly connected to said load support arm.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4 wherein when said vertical locking arm is disengaged from said longitudinal gusset, said angled locking arm selectably engages said horizontal section of said frame to secure said seat section in an angled orientation.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly further comprises a spool assembly.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6 wherein said spool assembly comprises a line, said line being selectably positionable on either of said vertical section or said horizontal section.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7 wherein said line of said spool assembly is a continuous line, and said drive assembly further comprises:

an electric motor; and

a gear box.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8 wherein said drive assembly further comprises a force transducer.

10. The exercise machine of claim 7 wherein said handle assembly comprises a bar, a button and a control, said button being able to activate said control to send a signal to activate said drive assembly to cause said spool assembly to selectably wind and unwind.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said handle assembly wirelessly communicates with said drive assembly.

12. An exercise machine allowing a user to apply a user force upon said exercise machine to perform an exercise, said exercise machine comprising:

a frame comprising a vertical section and a horizontal section;

a handle assembly selectably positionable at points relative said frame;

a drive assembly, said drive assembly being activated by said handle assembly and comprising a spool assembly having a line that selectably winds and unwinds from said spool assembly,

wherein said line is selectably positionable on either one of said vertical section or said horizontal section to allow a user to perform an exercise with resistance from one said vertical section or said horizontal section, said resistance being from said vertical section when said line is positioned on said vertical section and said resistance being from said horizontal section when said line is positioned on said horizontal section.

13. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein:

said vertical section has a plurality of vertical section guide posts; and

said horizontal section has a plurality of horizontal section guide posts.

14. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said frame further comprises a seat section, said seat section comprising:

a load supporting arm;

a vertical locking arm rigidly connected to said load support arm; and

an angled locking arm pivotally connected to said load support arm.

15. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said handle assembly wirelessly communicates with said drive assembly wherein operation of said handle assembly is uncompromised by the location of said handle assembly relative said frame.

16. An exercise machine allowing a user to apply a user force upon said exercise machine to perform an exercise, said exercise machine comprising:

a frame comprising a vertical section, a horizontal section, a longitudinal gusset between said vertical section and said horizontal section and a seat section, said seat section comprising;

a load supporting arm pivotally connected to said horizontal section;

a vertical locking arm rigidly connected to said load supporting arm and removably connectable to said longitudinal gusset to secure said load support arm in a vertical orientation when said load supporting arm is in a first position, said vertical locking arm being disconnected from said longitudinal gusset to move said load supporting arm from said first position;

an angled locking arm pivotally connected to said load support arm and removably connectable to said horizontal section to secure said load supporting arm in an angled orientation when said exercise machine is in a second position, said angled locking arm being disconnected from said horizontal section to move said load supporting arm from said second position;

a handle assembly selectably positionable at points relative said frame; and

a drive assembly, said drive assembly being activated by said handle assembly.

17. The exercise machine of claim 16 wherein said drive assembly comprises a spool assembly having a line that selectably winds and unwinds from said spool assembly, wherein said line is selectably positionable on either of said vertical section or said horizontal section to allow a user to perform an exercise with resistance from either said vertical section or said horizontal section.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17 wherein:

said handle assembly is a first handle assembly wherein said first handle assembly has a first handle controller for causing said spool assembly to selectably unwind; and

said exercise machine comprises a second handle assembly with a second handle controller for causing said spool assembly to selectably wind.