U.S. patent application number 10/440185 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for pulley machine counter.
Invention is credited to Martinez, Jose A..
Application Number | 20040235623 10/440185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33449777 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040235623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinez, Jose A. |
November 25, 2004 |
Pulley machine counter
Abstract
The pulley machine counter is a weight lifting machine
repetition counter that may be easily installed on, and removed
from, a weight lifting machine. The pulley machine counter has a
counting mechanism that includes a pushrod that increments the
repetition count each time the pushrod is depressed. When mounted
on a weight lifting machine, each complete weight lifting
repetition causes the weights to contact and depress the pushrod,
thereby incrementing the repetition count. When the pulley machine
counter is properly positioned at the maximum vertical travel of
the weights during a complete lift, the pulley machine counter will
count only complete repetitions. A clamp, used to hold the pulley
machine counter in place, has a friction-enhancing member to
facilitate proper positioning.
Inventors: |
Martinez, Jose A.; (Bronx,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
33449777 |
Appl. No.: |
10/440185 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/94 ;
482/909 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0628 20151001;
G06M 1/00 20130101; G06M 1/083 20130101; A63B 2220/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/094 ;
482/909 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A pulley machine counter, comprising: a housing, the housing
having a viewing window formed therein; a counting assembly
contained within said housing, the counting assembly having: a
number displaying means for displaying a count, the count being
visible through said viewing window; and an incrementing means for
incrementing the count; and a slidable clamp assembly disposed on
said housing.
2. The pulley machine counter according to claim 1, wherein said
slidable clamp assembly comprises: a first semi-cylindrical clamp
collar; a second semi-cylindrical clamp collar pivotally attached
to said first semi-cylindrical clamp collar, the second clamp
collar having an internally threaded bore defined therein; and a
thumbscrew disposed in said first semi-cylindrical clamp collar,
the thumbscrew releasably engaging the bore.
3. The pulley machine counter according to claim 2, wherein said
slidable clamp assembly further comprises a friction-enhancing
member disposed on an inner surface of said first and second
semi-cylindrical clamp collars.
4. The pulley machine counter according to claim 1, wherein said
number displaying means comprises: a shaft; and a counting wheel
disposed on said shaft, the counting wheel bearing visual indicia
of integers in a counting sequence.
5. The pulley machine counter according to claim 4, wherein said
incrementing means further comprises: a ratchet wheel disposed on
said shaft, the ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth
formed uniformly around the ratchet wheel; a pushrod having a
ratchet driving end and a pushing end, the pushrod being disposed
in a tangential relation to said ratchet wheel, the ratchet driving
end being engageable with said ratchet teeth; and bias means for
biasing said pushrod away from said ratchet wheel; wherein pushing
said pushrod against said bias means causes said ratchet driving
end to engage with one of said ratchet teeth causing said ratchet
wheel, said shaft, and said counting wheel to turn a single
increment.
6. The pulley machine counter according to claim 5, wherein said
incrementing means further comprises a reset knob connected with
said shaft, the reset knob returning said counting wheel to a
starting position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to exercise and fitness
equipment. More specifically, the invention is a pulley machine
counter for counting exercise repetitions on a weight-lifting
machine.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Numerous kinds of exercise and fitness equipment have come
into popular use to facilitate a workout session. Weight machines
of all shapes and sizes are seen in gyms, fitness centers, and
homes. Many such machines use a stack of weights that are lifted by
the athlete, through some mechanical assembly, to exercise a
particular muscle or muscle group. The weights are typically flat
plates, arranged in a stack. A lifting mechanism allows the user to
vary the weight by selecting one or more of the weights to be
lifted. One or more guide rails keep the weights together in a
uniform stack.
[0005] Common among weight machines are "pulley machines" where a
cord, attached to a pulling bar or handle, is routed through one or
more pulleys to the weights. The weights are lifted by pulling on
the pulling bar or handle. An advantage of pulley machines is that,
by adding or repositioning a pulley to change the pull angle of the
cord, many different kinds of weight-lifting exercise may be
performed with a single machine. Regardless of their configuration,
pulley machines are in widespread use in gyms and fitness
centers.
[0006] A workout session involving lifting weights, whether
free-weights or a weight machine such as a pulley machine, is
typically performed in a number of sets, each set being a number of
repetitions, each repetition being a single lift of the weight. For
example, during a workout an athlete may perform three sets of
bench presses with each set consisting of fifteen bench press
lifts.
[0007] To achieve the maximum benefit of a workout session, it is
important that each repetition is complete, being a full lift of
the weight utilizing the full extension of the muscle or muscle
group targeted by the exercise. Thus, for a repetition to "count"
toward a full set, the repetition must be complete.
[0008] Weight lifters have relied on numerous means to count
repetitions during a workout session, from personal trainers
counting reps and encouraging proper form and a complete and full
lift, to counters incorporated into the weight machine that
register a count anytime the weight is moved. Despite the various
advantages of the numerous methods and means available to count
weight lifting repetitions, none has the convenience and utility of
an inexpensive and simple rep counter that will count only a full
and complete lift.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,028, issued on Jan. 29, 2002 to J. de
Sane, discloses a magnetic counter for exercise equipment. A
permanent magnet affixed to the weight stack on a weight machine
triggers a magnetic sensor on an electronic counter to increment a
repetition count when the magnet passes in proximity to the sensor.
In one embodiment, the sensor and counter are permanently attached
to the weight machine. Permanently attached, the counter is not
suited to record a full repetition for all users since, because of
their differing physical size and arm length, users will lift the
weights to differing maximum lift positions. In another embodiment,
the device is temporarily and selectively attached to the weight
machine. While this embodiment allows each user to place the
counter according to their own needs, the device itself does not
facilitate its optimal placement at the top lift position.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,237, issued on Apr. 6, 1982 to B.
Jungerwirth, discloses an adaptive exercise apparatus that includes
a repetition counter. The repetition counter, however, is not a
portable device suitable for attachment to and removal from several
machines during the course of a workout session.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,399, issued on Jun. 2, 1981 to E. Knief,
discloses a counter drive mechanism that may be used to convert
reciprocating motion into an intermittent rotary motion for driving
a decimal counter. The counter drive mechanism shown is more
complex than necessary for the needs of a weight machine repetition
counter, and is not appropriately adapted for the task.
[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus a pulley machine counter solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The pulley machine counter is a repetition counter for use
with weight lifting machines. The pulley machine counter is
particularly well suited for the pulley machine type of weight
lifting machine, or any other weight lifting machine having a stack
of weights that are lifted along guide rails. A single number wheel
is disposed on an axle along with a drive ratchet wheel. This
wheel-and-axle assembly is contained within a housing, with the
number wheel visible through a window in the housing. A
spring-biased pushrod is contained in the housing, oriented to
engage with the drive ratchet wheel. When the pushrod is depressed,
it engages the drive ratchet wheel to turn the counter wheel a
single increment.
[0014] A clamp on the housing fastens the counter to the weight
lifting machine. The counter will generally be fastened onto one of
the weight guide rails and positioned at the top of the weight
travel with the pushrod downward. A rubber grip inside the clamp
allows for easy and precise placement of the counter. The counter
may be attached to the guide rail loosely, somewhat lower than the
desired position. The rubber grip will prevent the counter from
sliding down along the rail before it is firmly clamped in
position.
[0015] The user can then perform a single weight lifting
repetition, extending the weights to the user's maximum reach. The
weights will push the loosely mounted counter into the correct
position, where the clamp may be tightened for the duration of its
use. Once positioned, the counter will record a repetition only
when the weights are lifted fully into the maximum position.
[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a pulley machine counter to count weight lifting
repetitions on a weight lifting machine.
[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide a pulley
machine counter to count only complete weight lifting repetitions
on a weight lifting machine.
[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide a pulley
machine counter that is easily installable on and removable from a
weight lifting machine.
[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide a pulley
machine counter that is easily adjustable to count only complete
weight lifting repetitions on a weight lifting machine.
[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a pulley
machine counter according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pulley machine counter
according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pulley machine
counter according to the present invention, cut away to show the
counter mechanism.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the pulley machine
counter according to the present invention, cut away to show the
counter mechanism.
[0026] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] The present invention is a pulley machine counter,
designated generally as 10 in the drawings. The pulley machine
counter is designed to count weight-lifting repetitions on a
weight-lifting machine such as the pulley machine type of weight
lifting machine seen in FIG. 1. In use, the pulley machine counter
10 is mounted on a weight guide rail, or a similar member of the
weight lifting machine, near the point of the maximum travel of the
weights during a complete lifting repetition.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the pulley machine counter 10 has a
sliding clamp assembly 40 for attaching the pulley machine counter
10 to the weight lifting machine. The sliding clamp assembly 40 is
attached to a housing 20 that contains a counting mechanism. The
counting mechanism includes a counting wheel 50, visible through a
window 22 formed in the housing 20. Visual indicia of integer
numbers are arranged on the counting wheel 50 in a counting
sequence. A pushrod 30 extends from the housing 50. When depressed,
the pushrod 30 causes the counting mechanism to advance, bringing
the next number in the counting sequence into view through the
window 22 thereby incrementing the count. When the pulley machine
counter 10 is positioned on the weight lifting machine, the pushrod
30 is depressed by the weights as the weights are raised during a
weight lifting repetition, causing the count to increment.
[0029] To encourage a workout session of maximum benefit, it is
desirable to count only a complete weight lifting repetition, where
the weight is lifted to the maximum height for the weight lifter.
Proper placement of the pulley machine counter 10 on the weight
lifting machine achieves this goal. The sliding clamp assembly 40
is designed to facilitate proper placement of the pulley machine
counter 10 on the weight lifting machine.
[0030] The sliding clamp assembly 40 is comprised of first and
second semi-cylindrical clamp collars 42, 44. The first and second
semi-cylindrical clamp collars 42, 44 are pivotally joined to
one-another. A threaded thumbscrew 46 is disposed in the second
semi-cylindrical clamp collar 44, and is engages an internally
threaded hole defined in the first semi-cylindrical clamp collar 42
so that first and second semi-cylindrical clamp collars 42, 44 can
be joined together and tightened around a weight guide rail, or a
similar member of the weight lifting machine. A friction-enhancing
member 48 is disposed on an inner surface of each of the first and
second semi-cylindrical clamp collars 42, 44. The friction
enhancing members 48, formed of a rubber o-ring material, rubber or
cloth strips, or another suitable material, allow the sliding clamp
assembly 40 to be loosely tightened to hold the pulley machine
counter 10 in place while allowing the sliding clamp assembly 40 to
slide along the weight guide rail when pushed.
[0031] The pulley machine counter 10 may be positioned optimally to
count only a full weight lifting repetition for an individual
weight lifter by using the sliding clamp assembly 40 to clamp the
pulley machine counter 10 to a weight guide rail, somewhat lower
than desired, without fully tightening the sliding clamp assembly
40. The weight lifter then performs a single weight lifting
repetition, lifting to his fullest extension. This first full
repetition will push the pulley machine counter 10 into position.
The sliding clamp assembly 40 is then fully tightened for the
duration of the workout set or session.
[0032] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the counting mechanism
includes a shaft 54, supported by-the housing 20. A counting wheel
50 and a ratchet wheel 52 are disposed on the shaft. The ratchet
wheel 52 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 56 formed uniformly
around the ratchet wheel 52. The number of ratchet teeth 56 formed
in the ratchet wheel 52 determines the number of count increments
that may be registered. For the purpose of counting repetitions in
a weight lifting set, a counting range from 0 to 15 is preferred.
Thus, a preferred embodiment will have 16 ratchet teeth 56 formed
in the ratchet wheel 52. A reset knob 58 is connected to an end of
the shaft 54 to allow the counting wheel to be returned to a
starting position.
[0033] The pushrod 30 has a ratchet wheel-engaging end 34 and a
pushing end 36, and is disposed in a spring cylinder 24 that is
formed in the housing 20. The pushing end 36 extends from the
spring cylinder 42. The ratchet wheel-engaging end 34 extends from
the spring cylinder 24 into the housing 20. A flange 32 is formed
on the pushrod 30, and the flange is contained within the spring
cylinder 24, with a spring helically disposed around the pushrod 30
and biased against the flange 32 to bias the pushrod in an extended
position. The pushrod is tangentially aligned with the ratchet
wheel 52 so that, when the pushrod is depressed, the ratchet
wheel-engaging end 34 engages with one of the ratchet teeth 56 and
turns the ratchet wheel, causing the counting wheel to turn a
single increment. Each full weight lifting repetition will cause
the weight to contact, and depress, the pushrod 30, causing the
count to increment.
[0034] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *