U.S. patent application number 12/231105 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for body building system with shrouded weight stack.
Invention is credited to Ping Liu.
Application Number | 20100056345 12/231105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41726323 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100056345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Ping |
March 4, 2010 |
Body building system with shrouded weight stack
Abstract
A plurality of similarly configured weight plates each with a
planar face having a horizontal coupling aperture and a numerical
value form a weight stack. A front cover, with a generally
rectangular cutout in a central section exposing all of the
numerical values and coupling apertures, and a rear cover form a
cover assembly.
Inventors: |
Liu; Ping; (Taiyuan,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL J. COLITZ, JR.
640 Douglas Avenue
DUNEDIN
FL
34698
US
|
Family ID: |
41726323 |
Appl. No.: |
12/231105 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 21/152 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 21/063 20151001; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 21/0632
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/98 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/062 20060101
A63B021/062 |
Claims
1. A body building system having a shrouded weight stack
comprising: a plurality of similarly configured weight plates
forming the weight stack with a total height, each weight plate
having a planar face including a horizontal coupling aperture and a
numerical value; and a cover assembly including a front and rear
cover, the front cover having a central section, a generally
rectangular cutout in the lower extent of the central section of
the front cover to expose all of the numerical values and coupling
apertures, the cutout having a height between 10 percent and 20
percent greater than the total height of the weight stack and a
width between 15 percent and 20 percent of the height of the cutout
whereby the majority of the surface area of the front cover is
imperforate.
2. (canceled)
3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each weight plate is
formed with a pair of laterally spaced vertical guide apertures and
further including: a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced
guide rods with upper and lower ends, the guide rods slidably
receiving the guide apertures for reciprocal movement; an upper
support receiving and supporting the upper ends of the guide rods;
and a lower support receiving and supporting the lower ends of the
guide rods, the height of the guide bars being between 2 and 3
times the total height of the weight stack.
4. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a body
building machine having an area to receive and support a user and a
resistive member, the resistive member being coupled to the weight
stack, a preselected portion of the weight stack adapted to be
lifted in response to the movement of the resistive member by a
user.
5. A body building system having a shrouded weight stack with the
capability of selectively varying the weight to be lifted by a user
in a safe, convenient and economical manner, the system comprising,
in combination: a body building machine having an area to receive
and support a user and a resistive member adapted to be moved by a
user and a weight stack having a total height, a preselected
portion of the weight stack adapted to be lifted in response to the
movement of the resistive member by a user; a plurality of
similarly configured weight plates forming the weight stack, each
weight plate having a generally planar upper surface and a
generally planar lower surface defining a thickness between the
upper and lower surfaces, each weight plate having a generally oval
shaped peripheral side wall, the side walls each having a planar
face in a vertical plane, each planar face including a horizontal
coupling aperture and a numerical value corresponding to the weight
of the weight plate on which it appears plus the weight of the
weight plates there above, each weight plate being formed with a
pair of laterally spaced vertical guide apertures, the guide
apertures of each weight plate extending between the upper and
lower surfaces and in vertical alignment, each weight plate also
being formed with a vertical locking aperture extending between the
upper and lower surfaces midway between the guide apertures; a pair
of vertically disposed, laterally spaced guide rods, the guide rods
being parallel with respect to each other with upper ends and lower
ends, the guide rods slidably receiving the guide apertures of the
weight plates for reciprocal movement along the guide rods; an
upper support receiving and supporting the upper ends of the guide
rods, a lower support receiving and supporting the lower ends of
the guide rods, each support having a periphery radially spaced
from the weight stack in a generally oval configuration, the upper
support having a downwardly extending side wall, the lower support
having an upwardly extending side wall, the side walls having an
axial length greater than the thickness of one weight plate, the
side walls having curved front faces adjacent to the horizontal
coupling apertures and the numerical values, the side walls having
planar rear faces opposite from the front faces; a coupling bar
extending through the locking apertures of the weight plate, the
coupling bar having a lower end adjacent to a lowermost weight
plate of the weight stack and an upper end above an uppermost
weight plate of the weight stack, a horizontal coupling bore in the
coupling bar axially aligned with each coupling aperture of the
weight plates, a locking pin selectively positionable through a
coupling aperture of a weight plate and an aligned coupling bore, a
flexible cable extending upwardly from the top of the coupling bar
and terminating at the resistive member, and a hole in the upper
support for the passage of the cable; cylindrical spaced recesses
in the upper and lower supports for receiving the upper and lower
ends of the guide rods, a cylindrical central recess in the lower
support for removably receiving the coupling bar; and a cover
assembly having a height of between 2 and 5 times the total height
of the weight stack, the cover assembly including a front cover and
a rear cover, the rear cover having a planar central section with
curved side sections, the front cover having a curved central
section with curved side sections, the front and rear covers having
upper ends positioned within the side wall of the upper support
with their side sections overlapping, the front and rear covers
having lower ends positioned within the side wall of the lower
support with their side sections overlapping, a generally
rectangular cutout in the lower extent of the curved central
section of the front cover to expose all of the numerical values
and coupling apertures, the cutout having a height between 10
percent and 20 percent greater than the total height of the weight
stack, the cutout having a width between 15 and 20 percent of the
height of the cutout, the malority of the surface area of the front
cover being imperforate, laterally spaced apertures in the front of
the side wall of the upper support with laterally spaced
complementary vertical slots in the upper end of the front cover
and with fasteners coupling the side wall of the upper support to
the front cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a shrouded weight stack for
a body building system with the capability of selectively varying
the weight to be lifted by a user in a safe, convenient and
economical manner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The use of exercise systems of known designs and
configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically,
exercise systems of known designs and configurations previously
devised and utilized for the purpose of varying resistance for
exercise through known methods and apparatuses are known to consist
basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural
configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed
by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
[0005] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,139 issued Apr. 30,
1991 to Towley relates to an Assisted Dip/Chin Exercise Device and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,271 issued Jun. 27, 1989 to Vinciguerra relates
to a Leg Extension Exercise Machine with Leg Length and Exercise
Motion Range Adjustment Apparatus.
[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular
objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not
describe a shrouded weight stack for a body building system with
the capability of selectively varying the weight to be lifted by a
user in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
[0007] In this respect, the body building system with a shrouded
weight stack according to the present invention substantially
departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior
art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for
the purpose of shrouding a weight stack for a body building system
with the capability of selectively varying the weight to be lifted
by a user in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
[0008] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a
continuing need for a new and improved body building system with a
shrouded weight stack which can be used for selectively varying the
weight to be lifted by a user in a safe, convenient and economical
manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially
fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of exercise systems of known designs and configurations now
present in the prior art, the present invention provides an
improved body building system with a shrouded weight stack. As
such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and
improved body building system with a shrouded weight stack and
method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of
the disadvantages.
[0010] To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises
a body building system with a shrouded weight stack. First provided
is a body building machine. The body building machine has an area.
The area receives and supports a user. The body building machine
has a resistive member. The resistive member is adapted to be moved
by a user. The body building machine has a weight stack. The weight
stack has a total height. A preselected portion of the weight stack
is adapted to be lifted in response to the movement of the
resistive member by a user.
[0011] A plurality of similarly configured weight plates are
provided. In this manner the weight stack is formed. Each weight
plate has a generally planar upper surface. Each weight plate has a
generally planar lower surface. A thickness is defined between the
upper and lower surfaces. Each weight plate has a generally oval
shaped peripheral side wall. The side walls each have a planar face
in a vertical plane. Each planar face includes a horizontal
coupling aperture. Each planar face includes a numerical value. The
numerical value corresponds to the weight of the weight plate on
which it appears plus the weight of the weight plates there above.
Each weight plate has a pair of laterally spaced vertical guide
apertures. The guide apertures of each weight plate extend between
the upper and lower surfaces and in vertical alignment. Each weight
plate also has a vertical locking aperture. The vertical locking
aperture extends between the upper and lower surfaces midway
between the guide apertures.
[0012] Provided next is a pair of vertically disposed, laterally
spaced guide rods. The guide rods are parallel with respect to each
other. The guide rods have upper ends. The guide rods have lower
ends. The guide rods slidably receive the guide apertures of the
weight plates. In this manner reciprocal movement along the guide
rods is facilitated.
[0013] An upper support is provided. The upper support receives and
supports the upper ends of the guide rods. A lower support is
provided. The lower support receives and supports the lower ends of
the guide rods. Each support has a periphery radially spaced from
the weight stack in a generally oval configuration. The upper
support has a downwardly extending side wall. The lower support has
an upwardly extending side wall. The side walls have an axial
length greater than the thickness of one weight plate. The side
walls have curved front faces adjacent to the horizontal coupling
apertures and the numerical values. The side walls-have planar rear
faces opposite from the front faces.
[0014] A coupling bar is provided next. The coupling bar extends
through the locking apertures of the weight plate. The coupling bar
has a lower end adjacent to a lowermost weight plate of the weight
stack. The coupling bar has an upper end above an uppermost weight
plate of the weight stack. The coupling bar has a horizontal
coupling bore. The coupling bore is axially aligned with each
coupling aperture of the weight plates. A locking pin 56 is
provided. The locking pin is selectively positionable through a
coupling aperture of a weight plate and an aligned coupling bore. A
flexible cable is provided. The flexible cable extends upwardly
from the top of the coupling bar and terminating at the resistive
member. The upper support has a hole. The hole provides for the
passage of the cable.
[0015] Further provided are cylindrical spaced recesses. The
recesses are provided in the upper and lower supports. The recesses
receive the upper and lower ends of the guide rods. A cylindrical
central recess is provided. The central recess is provided in the
lower support. The central recess removably receives the coupling
bar.
[0016] Provided last is a cover assembly. The cover assembly has a
height of between 2 and 3 times the total height of the weight
stack. The cover assembly includes a front cover. The cover
assembly includes a rear cover. The rear cover has a planar central
section. The rear cover has curved side sections. The front cover
has a curved central section. The front cover has curved side
sections. The front and rear covers have upper ends. The upper ends
are positioned within the side wall of the upper support with their
side sections overlapping. The front and rear covers have lower
ends. The lower ends are positioned within the side wall of the
lower support with their side sections overlapping. The curved
central section of the front cover has a generally rectangular
cutout. In this manner all of the numerical values and coupling
apertures are exposed. The cutout has a height between 10 percent
and 20 percent greater than the total height of the weight stack.
The cutout has a width between 15 and 20 percent of the height of
the cutout. The front of the side wall of the upper support has
laterally spaced apertures. The upper end of the front cover has
laterally spaced complementary vertical slots. Fasteners couple the
side wall of the upper support to the front cover.
[0017] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject matter of the claims attached.
[0018] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0019] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved body building system with a shrouded
weight stack which has all of the advantages of the prior art
exercise systems of known designs and configurations and none of
the disadvantages.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved body building system with a shrouded weight stack
which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
[0022] It is further object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved body building system with a shrouded weight stack
which is of durable and reliable constructions.
[0023] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved body building system with a shrouded
weight stack which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with
regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then
susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
making such body building system with a shrouded weight stack
economically available to the buying public.
[0024] Even still another object of the present invention is to
provide a shrouded weight stack for a body building system with the
capability of selectively varying the weight to be lifted by a user
in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
[0025] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a new and improved body building system with a shrouded weight
stack having a plurality of similarly configured weight plates,
each with a planar face having a horizontal coupling aperture and a
numerical value, forming a weight stack, and a front cover, with a
generally rectangular cutout in a central section exposing all of
the numerical values and coupling apertures, and a rear cover
forming a cover assembly.
[0026] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a body building
system 10 having a shrouded weight stack.
[0029] FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are is front, side perspective and
exploded perspective views of the shrouded weight stack.
[0030] FIG. 6, 7 and 8 are front, side and perspective
illustrations of the weight stack without the shroud.
[0031] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are front, side, top and perspective
illustrations of the lower support.
[0032] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and 10E are front, side, top,
perspective and exploded perspective illustrations of the upper
support.
[0033] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D are front, side, top and
perspective illustrations of the rear cover.
[0034] FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D are front, side, top and
perspective illustrations of the front cover.
[0035] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved
body building system with a shrouded weight stack embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
[0037] The present invention, the body building system with a
shrouded weight stack 10 is comprised of a plurality of components.
Such components in their broadest context include a plurality of
similarly configured weight plates and a cover assembly. Such
components are individually configured and correlated with respect
to each other so as to attain the desired objective.
[0038] First provided is a body building machine 14. The body
building machine has an area 16. The area receives and supports a
user. The body building machine has a resistive member 18. The
resistive member is adapted to be moved by a user. The body
building machine has a weight stack 20. The weight stack has a
total height. A preselected portion of the weight stack is adapted
to be lifted in response to the movement of the resistive member by
a user.
[0039] A plurality of similarly configured weight plates 24 are
provided. In this manner the weight stack is formed. Each weight
plate has a generally planar upper surface. Each weight plate has a
generally planar lower surface. A thickness is defined between the
upper and lower surfaces. Each weight plate has a generally oval
shaped peripheral side wall. The side walls each have a planar face
26 in a vertical plane. Each planar face includes a horizontal
coupling aperture 28. Each planar face includes a numerical value
30. The numerical value corresponds to the weight of the weight
plate on which it appears plus the weight of the weight plates
there above. Each weight plate has a pair of laterally spaced
vertical guide apertures 32. The guide apertures of each weight
plate extend between the upper and lower surfaces and in vertical
alignment. Each weight plate also has a vertical locking aperture
34. The vertical locking aperture extends between the upper and
lower surfaces midway between the guide apertures.
[0040] Provided next is a pair of vertically disposed, laterally
spaced guide rods 38. The guide rods are parallel with respect to
each other. The guide rods have upper ends 40. The guide rods have
lower ends 42. The guide rods slidably receive the guide apertures
of the weight plates. In this manner reciprocal movement along the
guide rods is facilitated.
[0041] An upper support 46 is provided. The upper support receives
and supports the upper ends of the guide rods. A lower support 48
is provided. The lower support receives and supports the lower ends
of the guide rods. Each support has a periphery radially spaced
from the weight stack in a generally oval configuration. The upper
support has a downwardly extending side wall. The lower support has
an upwardly extending side wall. The side walls have an axial
length greater than the thickness of one weight plate. The side
walls have curved front faces adjacent to the horizontal coupling
apertures and the numerical values. The side walls have planar rear
faces opposite from the front faces.
[0042] A coupling bar 52 is provided next. The coupling bar extends
through the locking apertures of the weight plate. The coupling bar
has a lower end adjacent to a lowermost weight plate of the weight
stack. The coupling bar has an upper end above an uppermost weight
plate of the weight stack. The coupling bar has a horizontal
coupling bore 54. The coupling bore is axially aligned with each
coupling aperture of the weight plates. A locking pin 56 is
provided. The locking pin is selectively positionable through a
coupling aperture of a weight plate and an aligned coupling bore. A
flexible cable 58 is provided. The flexible cable extends upwardly
from the top of the coupling bar and terminating at the resistive
member. The upper support has a hole 60. The hole provides for the
passage of the cable.
[0043] Further provided are cylindrical spaced recesses 64, 66. The
recesses are provided in the upper and lower supports. The recesses
receive the upper and lower ends of the guide rods. A cylindrical
central recess 68 is provided. The central recess is provided in
the lower support. The central recess removably receives the
coupling bar.
[0044] Provided last is a cover assembly. The cover assembly has a
height of between 2 and 3 times the total height of the weight
stack. The cover assembly includes a front cover 72. The cover
assembly includes a rear cover 74. The rear cover has a planar
central section. The rear cover has curved side sections. The front
cover has a curved central section. The front cover has curved side
sections. The front and rear covers have upper ends. The upper ends
are positioned within the side wall of the upper support with their
side sections overlapping. The front and rear covers have lower
ends. The lower ends are positioned within the side wall of the
lower support with their side sections overlapping. The curved
central section of the front cover has a generally rectangular
cutout 76. In this manner all of the numerical values and coupling
apertures are exposed. The cutout has a height between 10 percent
and 20 percent greater than the total height of the weight stack.
The cutout has a width between 15 and 20 percent of the height of
the cutout. The front of the side wall of the upper support has
laterally spaced apertures 78. The upper end of the front cover has
laterally spaced complementary vertical slots 80. Fasteners couple
the side wall of the upper support to the front cover.
[0045] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage
and operation will be provided.
[0046] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0047] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *