U.S. patent application number 09/792203 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for apparatus for mechanical emulation of dumbbells.
Invention is credited to Fulks, Kent.
Application Number | 20020119871 09/792203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25156109 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020119871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fulks, Kent |
August 29, 2002 |
Apparatus for mechanical emulation of dumbbells
Abstract
In combination with apparatus for exercising the upper body of
the type having extended, motion resisting levers and handgrips at
the lever distal ends that follow defined converging and diverging
paths upon movement of the levers in one direction and the reverse,
an improvement having extended handle members with connecting ends
and perpendicularly off-set handgrip ends. The connecting ends are
connected to the extended levers for pivotal movement having one,
two or three degrees of freedom with respect to the levers, so that
the hand grips allow elective inclination and declination
movements; elective inclination and declination movements in
conjunction with elective converging and diverging movements; or,
elective inclination and declination movements in conjunction with
elective converging and diverging movements in conjunction with
pronating and supinating movements, throughout the range of motion
of an exercise.
Inventors: |
Fulks, Kent; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J.F. BRYAN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1987
PLANO
TX
75086
US
|
Family ID: |
25156109 |
Appl. No.: |
09/792203 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 ;
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/159 20130101;
A63B 21/06 20130101; A63B 2208/0233 20130101; A63B 21/0615
20130101; A63B 21/08 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/4047
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/93 ;
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00; A63B
021/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. In combination with apparatus for exercising the upper body of
the type having extended, motion resisting levers and handles with
handgrips at the distal end thereof, and wherein the extended
levers follow prescribed converging and diverging paths upon
movement in one direction and the reverse, the improvement
comprising: extended handle members, each having a longitudinal
axis, a connecting end and a handgrip substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis at the distal end; and the connecting ends
connected to the extended levers at the distal ends thereof, so
that each extended handle member pivots about at least one axis
with respect to the connected lever, allowing elective inclination
or declination movements of the handgrips, in conjunction with
prescribed converging and diverging movements, throughout the range
of motion of an exercise.
2. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1 and
further comprising horizontally skewed, non-parallel axes for
pivotal movement of the levers along the prescribed converging and
diverging paths.
3. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1 and
further comprising: a common horizontal axis for pivotally mounting
the levers; extended lever distal ends connected to the levers for
pivotal movement with respect to the connected levers; and linkage
means for moving the extended lever distal ends along converging
and diverging paths as the levers pivot about their common
horizontal axis.
4. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1 and
further comprising connection of the extended handle members to the
extended levers for pivotal movement of the extended handle members
about their respective longitudinal axis, so as to allow elective
movement of the handgrips for pronation and supination.
5. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 1 and
further comprising a connection of the extended handle members to
the extended levers for pivotal movement of the extended handle
member about their respective lever longitudinal axis, so as to
allow elective movement of the handgrips for convergence and
divergence.
6. In combination with apparatus for exercising the upper body of
the type having extended, motion resisting levers and handles with
handgrips at the distal end thereof, and wherein the extended
levers follow prescribed converging and diverging paths upon
movement in one direction and the reverse, the improvement
comprising: extended handle members, each having a longitudinal
axis, a connecting end and a handgrip substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis at the distal end; and the connecting ends
connected to the extended levers at the distal ends thereof, so
that each extended handle member pivots about at least two axes
with respect to the connected lever, allowing elective inclination
and declination movements of the handgrips, in conjunction with
elective converging and diverging movements, throughout the range
of motion of an exercise.
7. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 6 and
further comprising connection of the extended handle members to the
extended levers for pivotal movement of the extended handle members
about their respective longitudinal axis, so as to allow elective
movement of the handgrips for pronation and supination.
8. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 6 and
further comprising horizontally skewed, non-parallel axes for
pivotal movement of the levers along the prescribed converging and
diverging paths.
9. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 6 and
further comprising: a common horizontal axis for pivotally mounting
the levers; extended lever distal ends connected to the levers for
pivotal movement with respect to the connected levers; and linkage
means for moving the extended lever distal ends along converging
and diverging paths as the levers pivot about their common
horizontal axis.
10. Apparatus for exercising the upper body, while permitting
elective inclination and declination, and elective converging and
diverging hand movements, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a pair
of levers having first and second ends wherein the first ends are
connected for pivotal movement about horizontal, obtusely angled
first pivotal axes, so that the second ends converge and diverge
when pivoting thereabout; means operatively connected to the levers
for resisting pivotal movement about the first pivotal axes; and
extended handle members, each having a longitudinal axis, a
handgrip perpendicular thereto at the distal end, and a connecting
end pivotally connected to each lever at the second end thereof, so
that each extended handle member pivots about at least two axes
with respect to the connected lever, allowing elective inclination
and declination movements of the handgrips in conjunction with
elective converging and diverging movements, throughout the range
of motion of an exercise.
11. The exercise device of claim 10 wherein means operatively
connected to the levers for resisting pivotal movement comprises at
least one removably connected weight.
12. The exercise device of claim 10 wherein the connection of the
first end of each lever on the frame for pivotal movement about its
first axis comprises: a pair of brackets having holes therein, the
holes being aligned with the first pivotal axis of the lever; an
axle passing through the holes so as to be rotatable about the
first pivotal axis of the lever; and the lever attached to the
axle.
13. The exercise device of claim 10 wherein means operatively
connected to the levers for resisting pivotal movement comprises a
resisting force acting at a variable moment arm.
14. The apparatus for exercising the upper body of claim 10 and
further comprising connection of the extended handle members to the
levers for pivotal movement of the extended handle members about
their respective longitudinal axis, so as to allow elective
movement of the handgrips for pronation and supination.
15. Apparatus for exercising the upper body, while permitting
elective inclination and declination and elective converging and
diverging hand and arm movements, the apparatus comprising: a frame
including a horizontal first pivotal axis; a pair of levers having
first and second ends wherein the first ends are connected for
pivotal movement about the first pivotal axis; means operatively
connected to the levers for resisting pivotal movement about the
first pivotal axes; a pair of lever extensions having first and
second ends, wherein the first ends are pivotally connected to the
lever second ends, on second pivotal axes substantially angled with
respect to the first pivotal axis; means for pivoting each lever
extension about the respective second pivotal axis in a
predetermined relationship relative to the lever as the lever
pivots about the first pivotal axis; and a pair of extended handle
members, each having a longitudinal axis, a handgrip substantially
perpendicular thereto at the distal end, and a connecting end,
pivotally connected to one of the lever extensions at the second
end thereof, so that the extended handle member is free for pivotal
movement about at least two axes with respect to the connected
lever extension, allowing elective inclination and declination
movements of the handgrips in conjunction with elective converging
and diverging movements, throughout the range of motion of an
exercise.
16. An exercise device according to claim 15 wherein the second
pivotal axes are displaced from and do not intersect the first
pivotal axes.
17. An exercise device according to claim 15 wherein the means for
pivoting each lever extension about the respective second pivotal
axis is an operative connection between that lever extension and
the frame.
18. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein the means for pivoting
each lever extension about the respective pivotal second axis in a
predetermined relationship relative to the lever as the lever
pivots about the first pivotal axis comprises: a linkage rod having
first and second ends; a first ball connector attached to the lever
extension; a first socket connector fitting on the first ball
connector and attached to the linkage rod first end; a second ball
connector attached to the frame of the exercise device; and a
second socket connector fitting on the second ball connector and
attached to the linkage rod second end.
19. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein means operatively
connected to the levers for resisting pivotal movement comprises at
least one removably connected weight.
20. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein means supporting the
levers on the frame for pivotal movement about the horizontal first
pivotal axis comprises: brackets having holes therein, the holes
being aligned with the first pivotal axis; and at least one axle
passing through the holes, so as to be rotatable about the first
pivotal axis, with the levers being attached thereto.
21. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein means operatively
connected to the lever for resisting pivotal movement comprises a
resisting force acting at a variable moment arm.
22. An exercise machine for providing selected resistance through a
range of motion comprising; a frame including a substantially
horizontal first pivotal axis; a seat mounted on the frame; a
backrest mounted rearwardly of the seat; an adjustable weight to
provide selected resistance; a pair of substantially parallel first
lever members pivotally mounted to the frame for rotation about the
horizontal first pivotal axis against the selected resistance, the
first lever members each including one of a pair of spaced apart,
substantially parallel and angularly oriented second pivotal axes
lying substantially perpendicular to the horizontal first axis; a
pair of second lever members, each having a distal end and a
mounting end, with the mounting end pivotally connected to one of
the first lever members for rotation about the second pivotal axis;
linkage means guiding the second lever member distal ends to
converge along predetermined curved paths as the first lever
members pivot from a first position to a second position; and a
handle member connected to each of the second lever member distal
ends for pivotal movement with at least two orthogonal degrees of
freedom with respect thereto.
23. The exercise machine of claim 22 wherein the handle member
connected to each of the second lever member distal ends for
pivotal movement has three orthogonal degrees of freedom with
respect thereto.
24. In combination with a method for exercising the upper body
wherein the hands of the user follow mechanically defined
converging and diverging paths upon movement in one direction and
the reverse, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing
extended handle members with handgrips at the distal ends thereof;
grasping the handgrips with the user's hands to perform exercise
movements; guiding the proximal ends of the extended handle members
to follow mechanically defined converging and diverging paths as
the user's hands move through the range of the exercise movements;
and allowing the user's hands to follow elective paths deviating
from the mechanically defined converging and diverging paths.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise machines and
more particularly to exercise machines with forced pronation or
supination movement for the hands and arms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many athletes and non-athletes utilize weight lifting or
weight training exercises to build strength and/or bulk, or to
improve overall condition and appearance. Typically, weight
training exercises are performed with either exercise machines or
free weights, i.e., barbells with plates for incremental weight
selection, dumbbells, etc. For various reasons, most exercise
programs incorporate both machines and free weights in a variety of
different exercise routines in order to maximize the effect of
working specific muscle groups.
[0003] Free weights offer a number of advantages over exercise
machines. For instance, they are relatively inexpensive in
comparison to exercise machines. Free weights are also more
versatile because a variety of exercises can be performed with one
set of weights, whereas most exercise machines are designed for
only one exercise. Even though some exercise machines accommodate
more than one exercise, the cost of these machines usually
increases proportionately with the number of exercises. Use of
dumbbells also enables both arms to be exercised independently.
Finally, dumbbells are popular among many weight lifters because
the lifting movements, rather than being restricted to prescribed
planes of motion, can follow a more natural converging/diverging
path with elective inclination and declination.
[0004] Nevertheless, there are inherent disadvantages associated
with free weights. One such disadvantage relates to safety. Most
weight room instructors strongly advise against an individual
working out alone, and this cautionary measure is particularly
important when lifting free weights, because becoming trapped
beneath a bar could easily occur in exercises such as bench press,
incline or squat. There is also the danger of dropping a weight, so
as to cause personal injury. Also, loading and unloading of heavy
plates onto the ends of a bar can sometimes, through carelessness,
result in an unbalanced bar that falls from its rack. Finally, the
handling of these heavy plates is laborious and time consuming.
[0005] Another disadvantage associated with free weights relates to
the fact that the weight resistance, or opposing force, that is
exercised against is always directed vertically downward by
gravity. Yet, the moment arm of the weight about the pivot point
varies considerably throughout the full range of motion. This
principle is explained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,454 with respect to a
commonly performed exercise referred to as the dumbbell biceps
curl. In short, during this exercise the applied moment arm about
the elbow varies according to the sine of the angle of the lower
arm with respect to the vertically oriented upper arm. The moment
arm is greatest when the angle is 90.degree., and it is lowest when
the angle is 180.degree. and 0.degree..
[0006] If the resistance capabilities of the muscles of the human
body matched this moment arm, the degree of difficulty experienced
by the exerciser would be uniform, or balanced, throughout the
entire range of motion. However, as reported in U.S. Pat. No.
3,998,454, the strength generated by the human muscles during this
exercise is not in fact "balanced" throughout the range of motion,
and there are some "sticking points" of increased difficulty. As a
result, maximum benefits are not achieved when performing a biceps
curl with free weights.
[0007] The pullover machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,454
utilizes an eccentric cam to vary weight resistance over the range
of motion for the muscles utilized in a pullover maneuver. Over the
years, for various muscle groups, a number of these cam and chain
machines have been designed in an attempt to match a resistance
variation through a range of motion with the natural strength curve
for a particular muscle group associated with the range of
motion.
[0008] Dumbbells, the sort of free weights preferred by many, allow
exercising movements to be performed with free inclination,
convergence and pronation, wherein the hands follow a natural path.
Upper body dumbbell exercises are useful for every muscle group and
the inherent free range of movement brings adjacent muscles into
play. This is considered to be an advantage in using dumbbells to
achieve complete, well rounded development.
[0009] Exercise devices in the prior art, specifically Fulks U.S.
Pat. No. 5,769,757, and continuation-in-part thereof, application
Ser. No. 09/095,360, the contents of which are incorporated in this
application by reference, teach apparatus that forces pronating and
supinating movements in the hands and forearms, to simulate natural
converging and diverging arm movements in exercising. However,
there are no existing exercise machines that truly simulate
dumbbell exercises.
[0010] Therefore, the object of the present inventions is to
provide an improvement to exercise machines to accurately simulate
exercising with dumbbells. A second object of the present
inventions is to allow exercise movements to follow an elective
path, with unforced convergence or divergence, inclination or
declination. A third object of the present inventions is that
forces counter to movement toward the aforesaid elective paths be
minimized. A fourth object of the present inventions is to provide
exercise machines with the desirable characteristics of dumbbells
while permitting easily adjusted exercise resistance. A fifth
object of the present inventions is to provide an exercise machine,
capable of varying resistance through the range of an exercise
movement, with the desirable characteristics of dumbbells. Yet
another object is to provide the safety of an exercise machine with
the desirable characteristics of dumbbell exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
inventions, herein is disclosed an improved apparatus for
exercising the upper body, with free inclination or declination
movements of the hands and arms, and free converging or diverging
movements in the range of motion for a specified exercise. In this
manner, the feel and effect of exercising with dumbbells is
simulated. The device comprises a base frame and a centrally
mounted seat. The two sides are mirror images with respect to a
vertical mid-plane that bisects the seat and extends through the
middle of the frame. The proximal ends of motion resisting levers
are pivotally mounted to the base frame on either side of the seat.
The lever distal ends follow defined converging and diverging paths
upon movement of the levers in one direction and the reverse.
[0012] In a second preferred embodiment, a pair of levers is
mounted on either side of the seat to pivot on the same horizontal
axis. Lever extensions are connected to the distal end of each
lever to pivot about second axes. The ends of a linkage rod are
connected between each lever extension and the frame, so that the
lever extensions rotate about their respective second axes and
converge, or diverge as the levers rotate in one direction or the
reverse about the first axis.
[0013] In combination with either embodiment, the improvement of
the present inventions introduces extended handle members with
handgrips mounted at the distal end of each lever extension by a
connection which allows pivotal movement on at least two axes, one
parallel to, and one perpendicular to, the longitudinal centerline
of the lever extension. Thus mounted, the handgrips allow elective
inclination or declination movements of the hands and arms in
conjunction with elective converging or diverging movements
throughout the range of motion for a designed exercise. In both
embodiments, an inherently converging path geometry minimizes those
forces that would counter deviations toward the aforesaid elective
paths.
[0014] In all cases, a pair of levers is pivotally attached to the
frame for rotation about substantially horizontal axes. If the
apparatus is configured for use in bench pressing or rowing
exercises, the user sits above this axis and the levers extend in a
generally upward direction. In the preferred embodiments, a member
is attached between the levers so that they pivot in tandem about
this horizontal axis. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the
levers may be mounted to pivot separately.
[0015] Pronation and supination movements are inherent to the
convergence or divergence of the lever extensions in the second
preferred embodiment. Thus, the degree of pronation or supination
at the handgrips is determined solely by the position and direction
of movement of the lever extensions and is not affected by
deviations of inclination or convergence of the handle members In
operation, as the user applies force to the handles, the levers (of
a press machine) pivot forward about the first axis. As the levers
pivot about the first axis, the extended lever distal ands are
forced to pivot in a predetermined fixed relationship about the
second axis on a converging path. The hands and forearms of the
exerciser undergo related pronating movements unless the handgrips
are allowed to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the extended
handle members. This third pivotal axis gives the handle member
three degrees of freedom and, in effect, allows elective pronation
and supination. Comparative testing has shown however, that this
added refinement is not essential to achievement of the objects
stated hereabove
[0016] An alternate embodiment, as might be used for a curling
machine, is basically the same in principle, except that the first
axis is preferably located behind the user's back and the lever and
lever extension members extend somewhat horizontally from the first
axis, on either side of the user. Obviously, the present inventions
may be expressed in embodiments adapted to a number of different
exercises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a
part of the specification to assist in explaining the present
inventions. The drawings illustrate preferred and alternative
examples of how the inventions can be made and used, and are not to
be construed as limiting the inventions to only those examples
illustrated and described. The various advantages and features of
the present inventions will be apparent from a consideration of the
drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise machine
comprising an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise machine
comprising an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a view of an alternative handle member attachment
for the exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a view of a second alternative handle member
attachment for the exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a view of a third alternative handle member
attachment for the exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the apparatus of either FIG. 1
or FIG. 2, illustrating alternative apparatus for providing
variable resistance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The present inventions are described in the following by
referring to drawings of examples of how the inventions can be made
and used. In these drawings, reference characters are used
throughout the views to indicate like or corresponding parts. FIGS.
1-6 illustrate some examples of exercise machine embodiments to
which the present invention may be applied. The embodiments shown
and described herein are exemplary. Many details are well known in
the art, and as such are neither shown nor described. It is not
claimed that all of the details, parts, elements, or steps
described and shown were invented herein. Even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present inventions have been
described in the drawings and accompanying text, the description is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail,
especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts
within the principles of the inventions to the full extent
indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the
attached claims.
[0025] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like reference
characters denote like or similar parts throughout the Figures.
Specifically, FIG. 1 is an illustration of exercise apparatus 10.
The two sides are mirror images with respect to an imaginary
vertical mid-plane that bisects seat 16 and seat back 18. Frame 20,
including base 22 is formed of standard rectangular section steel
tubing. Cross braces 24 and 26 are laterally disposed between
converging right side member 28 and left side member 30 of base 22.
A pair of bifurcated support structures 32 and 34 extend upwardly
from converging right and left side members 28 and 30 respectively.
Each of the bifurcated support structures 32 and 34 is aligned with
right side member 28 or left side member 30 respectively, and
supports a pivotal shaft 36 or 38, mounted in bearings 40. The
skewed axes of pivotal shafts 36 and 38 are perpendicular to right
side member 28 and left side member 30 respectively, and taken
together, define a horizontal plane. Levers 42 and 44, fixedly
mounted on right pivotal shaft 36 and left pivotal shaft 38
respectively, rotate in converging planes. Thus, levers 42 and 44
follow converging paths upon forward movement and diverging paths
in reverse movement.
[0026] Rearwardly extending resistance arms 46 and 48 are affixed
to the extended levers 42 and 44 for the purpose of providing
resistance to pivotal movement thereof. Horizontally posts 50 and
52 extend from arms 46 and 48 to receive standard iron plates 54,
which may be stacked on posts 50 and 52 to provide incremental
selective mass for resisting pivotal movement of levers 42 and
44.
[0027] Extended handle members 56 and 58 are connected to the
distal ends of levers 42 and 44, respectively. In this embodiment,
the distal ends of levers 42 and 44 of apparatus 10 are connected
to clevis members 60 by pivot shafts 66. Shafts 66 extend through
bushings 69 at the distal ends of levers 42 and 44. This connection
allows clevis members 60 to pivot on axes perpendicular to the
longitudinal axes of levers 42 and 44. Extended handle members 56
and 58, with handgrips 62 and 64, are connected to clevis members
60 by clevis members 67 and pins 68, on axes that are nominally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of pivot shafts 66. Thus,
handle members 56 and 58, with hand grips 62 and 64, are given two
orthogonal degrees of rotational freedom with respect to their
respective lever members 42 and 44.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative exercise
apparatus 70. Seat 16 and seat back 18 are bisected by an imaginary
vertical plane that extends through the middle of frame 72. The two
sides are mirror images with respect to this vertical mid-plane.
Frame 72, including base 74, is formed of standard rectangular
section steel tubing. Cross members 76 and 78 are laterally
disposed between substantially parallel right side member 80 and
left side member 82 of base 74. A pair of bifurcated support
structures 84 and 86 extend upwardly from right and left side
members 80 and 82, respectively. Bifurcated support structures 84
and 86 support pivotal shafts 88 and 90, mounted in bearings 40.
The axes of pivotal shafts 88 and 90 are aligned and horizontal.
Levers 92 and 94 are fixedly mounted on right pivotal shaft 88 and
left pivotal shaft 90 respectively, and thus, rotate in parallel
planes about bearings 40.
[0029] Rearwardly extending resistance arms 96 and 98 are affixed
to levers 92 and 94 to provide for resistance to pivotal movement.
Horizontal posts 100 and 102 extend from arms 96 and 98 to receive
standard iron plates 54, which may be stacked in increments to
provide incremental selective mass for resisting pivotal movement
of levers 92 and 94.
[0030] Lever extension members 104 and 106 are connected to the
distal ends of levers 92 and 94 respectively, for pivotal movement
relative to the respective levers. The pivotal axes 200 and 202 of
lever extension members 104 and 106 are nominally perpendicular to
the common horizontal pivotal axis 300 of levers 92 and 94, but the
angular relationship may deviate significantly from nominal within
the scope of the inventions. Control linkage rods 108 and 110 are
connected between frame 72 and lever extension members 104 and 106
respectively, with spherical rod end bushings 112 to compensate for
angular misalignment. Thus, as levers 92 and 94 rotate forward,
through their range of motion, control links 108 and 110 cause
lever extension members 104 and 106 to pivot inwardly, along
converging paths.
[0031] Much as in the previous embodiment, the distal ends of lever
extension members 104 and 106 of apparatus 70 are connected to
clevis members 60 by pivot shafts 66. Shafts 66 extend through
bushings 69 at the distal ends of lever extension members 104 and
106. This connection allows clevis members 60 to pivot on axes
perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of lever extension members
104 and 106. Extended handle members 56 and 58, with handgrips 62
and 64, are connected to clevis members 60 by devises 67 and pins
68, on axes that are nominally perpendicular to the longitudinal
axes of pivot shafts 66. Thus, handle members 56 and 58, with hand
grips 62 and 64, are given two orthogonal degrees of rotational
freedom with respect to their respective lever extension members
104 and 106.
[0032] To perform an exercise on apparatus 10 or 70, a user sits on
seat 16, with his or her back supported by seat back 18, and grasps
handgrips 62 and 64. Pressing forward, against the resistance of
incrementally adjustable weights 54, initiates the exercise
movement. The geometry of the established converging/diverging
paths is an arbitrary approximation of the ideal paths of natural
movement. These ideals paths will vary from one individual to
another. While the hands and arms of the user are generally guided
to follow the established converging paths, the connections of
handle members 56 and 58 allow two degrees of rotational freedom.
Thus, the hands and arms of the user are not rigidly constrained to
follow the established paths. Rather, the user can elect to
displace his hands upwardly or downwardly, for greater relative
inclination or declination and to displace his hands toward or away
from the imaginary center plane, for greater relative convergence
or divergence. The length of the extended handle members 56 and 58
reduces those forces which act counter to such elective deviations
from the established paths.
[0033] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show alternative designs for the extended
handle members 56 and 58 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3 extended
handle member 120 is connected to the distal end of lever 42/104.
In this embodiment, the proximal ends of extended handle member 120
is connected to clevis member 114 by transverse pivot pin 116.
Clevis member 114 includes shaft 118, perpendicular to transverse
pivot pin 116 and rotating in bushing 119 at the distal end of
lever 42/104. This connection allows clevis member 114 to rotate on
an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of lever 42/104.
Connected in this manner, handle member 120 has two degrees of
rotational freedom with respect to lever 42/104. The distal end of
extended handle member 120 is bent perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the member, so as to form handgrip 122 that is
nominally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of respective
levers 42/104.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows extended handle member 126, with spherical rod
end bushing 112, joined to the distal end of lever member 42/104 by
threaded connection 113. Spherical rod end bushings are
specifically designed to allow three degrees of rotational freedom
and so, rod end bushing 112 provides the same attributes of
elective inclination/declination and convergence/divergence to hand
grip 128 as disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, plus the added degree of
rotational freedom for elective pronation/supination. The freedom
of movement provided by these elective deviations from otherwise
constrained paths accurately simulate the feel and effect of a like
exercise, performed with dumbbells. However, as mentioned
previously, it has been shown by comparative testing that the third
degree of freedom, for pronation/supination, is not essential to
achievement of the objects of the present inventions.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows what may seem an oversimplification, but none
the less, is a useful embodiment of the present inventions. Here,
extended handle member 130, with clevis end member 134 is joined to
the distal end of lever member 42/104 by transverse pivot pin 136.
Such a connection allows but one degree of rotational freedom with
respect to lever 42/104, providing the attribute of elective
inclination/declination to hand grip 132 as disclosed in FIGS. 1-4,
but lacking the degree of rotational freedom for elective
convergence/divergence shown for FIGS. 1-4 and the added degree of
freedom for pronation/supination. Shown in FIG. 4. The single
degree of freedom for elective inclination/declination makes a
significant contribution to simulating the feel and effect of a
like exercise, performed with dumbbells. However, it has been shown
by comparative testing that, at least a second third degree of
freedom, preferably for convergence/divergence is more desirable
for achieving the objects of the present inventions.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an alternative arrangement 150 for a variable
resistance suitable for either exercise machine 10 or 70. Flexible
cable 138 depends from resistance arm 140 and makes a directional
change of 180.degree. in passing around pulley 142. Pulleys 142 and
144 are mounted to base frame 146 on roller bearings, so as to be
free to rotate. Flexible cable 138 then passes over non-circular,
eccentrically mounted pulley 144. The shape of pulley 144 is
specifically designed to vary the moment arm at which incrementally
adjustable weight 148 acts, so as to increase or decrease the load
on cable 138 according to the optimum resistance profile for a
specific exercise.
[0037] It is to be understood that the elements of the
above-described invention may be used in any number of
configurations for exercise machines including, but not limited to
push or pull motions in bench press machines, rowing machines, pull
down machines and decline press machines. Although the preferred
and alternative embodiments of the invention have been shown in the
accompanying Drawings and described in the Detailed Description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous modifications
without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
[0038] The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary.
Many details are often found in the art, and therefore, many such
details are neither shown nor described. It is not claimed that all
of the details, parts, elements, or steps described and shown were
invented herein. Even though numerous characteristics and
advantages of the present inventions have been described in the
drawings and accompanying text, the description is illustrative
only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters
of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles
of the inventions to the full extent indicated by the broad meaning
of the terms of the attached claims.
[0039] The restrictive description and drawings of the specific
examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent
would be, but are to provide at least one explanation of how to use
and make the inventions. The limits of the inventions and the
bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the
following claims.
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