U.S. patent number RE37,648 [Application Number 09/134,167] was granted by the patent office on 2002-04-09 for compact weight lifting machine.
Invention is credited to Kent Fulks.
United States Patent |
RE37,648 |
Fulks |
April 9, 2002 |
Compact weight lifting machine
Abstract
A compact weight lifting machine includes a lift bar assembly
including a lift cable and a lift bar which operates through the
lift cable to lift selected weights from a weight stack responsive
to either upward or downward movement of the lift bar. A seat
assembly is positioned beneath the lift bar and includes first and
second sections selectively positionable to support a user to
perform a variety of exercises. A leg extension/leg curl mechanism
located at one end of the seat assembly and a butterfly mechanism
located at the opposite end of the seat assembly also operate
through the lift cable to lift selected weights from the weight
stack.
Inventors: |
Fulks; Kent (Dallas, TX) |
Family
ID: |
26711305 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/134,167 |
Filed: |
August 13, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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034734 |
Mar 19, 1993 |
5447480 |
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Reissue of: |
429315 |
Apr 26, 1995 |
05549530 |
Aug 27, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/100; 482/138;
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/00072 (20130101); A63B 21/154 (20130101); A63B
23/00 (20130101); A63B 21/4047 (20151001); A63B
23/1254 (20130101); A63B 23/1263 (20130101); A63B
23/03566 (20130101); A63B 21/4035 (20151001); A63B
21/4029 (20151001); A63B 23/03525 (20130101); A63B
23/03533 (20130101); A63B 23/1209 (20130101); A63B
21/0628 (20151001); A63B 23/12 (20130101); A63B
23/03541 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
23/00 (20060101); A63B 21/062 (20060101); A63B
21/06 (20060101); A63B 21/00 (20060101); A63B
23/12 (20060101); A63B 23/035 (20060101); A63B
021/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;482/97,100,133,136-138,142 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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PCT/NO92/00129 |
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Mar 1993 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Mulcahy; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bryan; John F.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application
Ser. No. 08/034,734, filed Mar. 19, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,447,480.
Claims
I claim:
1. A compact weight lifting machine comprising:
a lift bar having at least one handle;
means for supporting the lift bar for movement in first and second
opposite directions;
a pivot arm;
means connecting the pivot arm to the lift bar for movement
therewith;
means for selectively varying the positioning of at least the
handle of the lift bar relative to the pivot arm;
first and second pulleys mounted on opposite sides of the pivot
arm, respectively;
means for moving the first pulley in the first direction with the
pivot arm when the lift bar is moved in the first direction;
means for limiting movement of the second pulley in the first
direction when the first pulley is moved in the first
direction;
means for moving the second pulley in the second direction when the
lift bar is moved in the second direction;
means for limiting movement of the first pulley in the second
direction when the second pulley is moved in the second
direction;
a continuous cable trained around the first and second pulleys;
means for securing one end of the cable against movement; and
resistance means connected to the other end of the cable for
resisting movement of the lift bar.
2. The compact weight lifting machine according to claim 1 further
comprising:
a seat .[.assembling.]. .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.positioned beneath
the lift bar and including interconnected first and second
sections; and
means for selectively securing the first and second sections of the
seat assembly in a variety of angular relationships to comfortably
support a user while engaging the lift bar.
3. The compact weight lifting machine according to claim 2 further
comprising an auxiliary lift mechanism located at one end of the
seat assembly and connected to the cable for actuation by the legs
of the user in both seated and prone positions on the seat
assembly.
4. The compact weight lifting machine according to claim 3 further
comprising a second auxiliary lift mechanism located at the other
end of the seat assembly and adopted for actuation by the arms of
the user while in a reclining position on the seat
assembly..Iadd.
5. In an exercise machine of the type in which at least one weight
is lifted in response to a predetermined movement, the improvement
comprising:
a lift bar supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis
in first and second directions from an initial position;
a first lever supported for pivotal movement in the first and
second directions;
a first pulley rotatably supported on the first lever;
means for moving the first lever and the first pulley in the first
direction when the lift bar is moved in the first direction;
a second lever supported for pivotal movement with the lift bar in
the first and second directions;
a second pulley rotatably supported on the second lever;
means for moving the second pulley in the second direction when the
lift bar is moved in the second direction;
means for limiting movement of the first pulley in the second
direction when the second pulley is moved in the second direction;
and
a cable connected to the at least one weight and passing around the
first and second pulley to a fixed restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
6. The compact weight lifting machine according to claim 5 and
further comprising:
a seat assembly having first and second sections positioned beneath
the lift bar and including means for selectively interconnecting
the first and second sections; and
means for selectively securing the first and second sections of the
seat assembly in a variety of angular relationships to comfortably
support a user engaging the lift bar..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the advent of the physical fitness boom, weight lifting
machines of all shapes and sizes appeared on the market.
Unfortunately, each machine typically provides for a very limited
range of exercises, requiring several machines to accomplish a full
workout.
Various means of resistance have been employed in the many
different types of prior art weight lifting machines. Hydraulic and
pneumatic resistance, as well as cable supported lead weight
resistance have been employed, with the traditional lead weight
resistance machines exhibiting greater durability. In lead
weight-type machines the weight stack is usually suspended from a
cable and structure is provided for incrementally adjusting the
amount of weight being lifted. Typically, the cable is configured
over a series of pulleys for extension and retraction in a single
direction. Therefore, movement of the weight lifting bar or lever
connected to the opposite end of the lift cable is restricted to a
particular range or direction of movement, thereby requiring
several different machines to complete a full body workout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The compact weight lifting machine of the present invention
overcomes the foregoing limitations and restrictions by providing a
lift bar pivotally mounted on a frame and adjustably mounted for
upward or downward movement. The lift bar is operably connected to
a pivot arm mounted for pivotal movement between parallel upper and
lower pulley supporting arms having pulleys mounted thereon to
define the path of a lift cable. Restraining members allow movement
of one arm at a time, but are anchored to limit pivotal movement
toward the other arm, resulting in bidirectional activation of the
lift cable by the lift bar.
The lift cable extends beyond the pulleys for actuation by
additional lift members. A fully adjustable seat assembly is
positioned under the lift bar, and the lift cable extends under the
seat assembly. A leg actuated lift member is located at one end of
the seat assembly and is adjustably positionable for sitting or
reclining actuation. A butterfly lift member is located at the
opposite end of the seat assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had
by reference to the following Detailed Description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact weight lifting machine
incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of certain components of the weight
lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the lift cable system of
the weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the lift bar
assembly of the weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an enlargement of the lower portion of FIG. 2 showing the
seat assembly of the weight lifting machine in a first
configuration;
FIG. 10 is an illustration similar to FIG. 11 showing the seat
assembly in a second configuration;
FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, AND FIG. 14 are diagrammatic
illustrations of various configurations of the seat assembly of the
weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is an illustration of certain other components of the
weight lifting machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 8;
FIG. 17 is a further illustration of the lift cable assembly of the
weight lifting machine of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 are
diagrammatic illustrations showing the use of the weight lifting
machine of FIG. 1 to perform various exercises.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3
thereof, there is shown a compact weight lifting machine 30
incorporating the present invention. The machine 30 comprises a
frame 32 which supports and positions the various component parts
thereof. The frame 32 is conventional in nature and comprises a
plurality of interconnected sections of tubing. The tubing sections
comprising the frame 32 may be formed from stainless steel or other
conventional materials, and may have a square, rectangular, or any
other desired cross sectional configuration. The tubing sections
comprising the frame 32 are preferably cut, bent, and welded or
otherwise secured together using conventional techniques.
The frame 32 includes a pair of vertically extending guides 34. A
conventional weight stack 36 comprises a plurality of individual
weights which may be formed from cast iron and which are slidably
supported on the guides 34 for vertical movement thereon against
the action of gravity. A lift cable 38 extends between the guides
34 and is selectively connected to the individual weights
comprising the weight stack 36 by means of a pin 40 which is
selectively connected to the lift cable 38 in the conventional
manner.
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a lift bar assembly, which includes a lift
bar 42, is supported on the frame 32 for upward and downward
pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by a rod 44. The
lift bar 42 extends from the rod 44 to a pair of handles 46 each
comprising a plurality of angularly disposed sections which are
connected end to end to one another. As is best shown in FIGS. 4,
5, and 6, a spring 47 counterbalances the weight of the lift bar
42. As used herein, the term "lift" refers to the lifting of
selected weights from the weight stack in response, for example, to
movement of the lift bar in either direction.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a pivot arm 48 is supported on and
is pivotally connected to the frame 32 at one end thereof. An
arcuate member 50 is connected to the distal end of the pivot arm
48. The arcuate member 50 has a plurality of pin receiving holes 52
formed therein at equally spaced locations along its length. The
lift bar 42 is selectively connected to the arcuate member 50 by
means of a pin 54 which is received in a selected hole 52. By means
of the pin 54 and the holes 52 of the arcuate member 50, the lift
member 42 is selectively positioned angularly with respect to the
pivot arm 48 and the remaining components of the compact weight
lifting machine 30.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the compact weight lifting
machine 30 further comprises an upper pulley supporting arm 56 and
a lower pulley supporting arm 58. The arms 56 and 58 are each
supported by and pivotally connected to the frame 32. The arm 56
has a pulley 60 rotatably supported at the distal end thereof, and
the arm 58 has a pair of pulleys 62 and 64 rotatably mounted
thereon.
The frame 32 of the compact weight lifting machine 30 includes a
vertically disposed portion 65 which supports a pair of stops 66
and 68. The stop 66 normally engages the arm 56 and prevents
pivotal movement thereof downwardly from the position shown in FIG.
1. The stop 68 normally engages the arm 58 and prevents upward
movement thereon from the position shown in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the lift cable 38 extends upwardly
from the weight stack 36 and is trained around pulley 70 which is
rotatably supported on the frame 32. From the pulley 70 the lift
cable 38 extends downwardly and is trained around the pulley 62
rotatably mounted on the lower pulley supporting arm 58. From the
pulley 62 the cable 38 extends upwardly and is trained around the
pulley 60 rotatably mounted on the upper pulley supporting arm 56.
The cable 38 then extends downwardly and engages the pulley 64
which is rotatably mounted on the arm 58.
It will therefore be understood that upon upward pivotal movement
of the lift bar 42 from the position shown in FIG. 1, the lift bar
42 operates through the arcuate member 50 and the pivot arm 48 to
raise the pulley supporting arm 56 while the stop 68 prevents
upward pivotal movement of the pulley supporting arm 58. This
action increases the distance between the pulley 60 rotatably
supported on the arm 56 and the pulley 62 rotatably supported on
the arm 58, whereby the lift cable 38 functions to raise selected
weights comprising the weight stack 36 against the action of
gravity. Conversely, upon downward movement the lift bar 42
operates through the arcuate member 50 and the pivot arm 48 to
pivot the arm 58 downwardly while the arm 56 is restrained from
downward pivotal movement by the stop 66. This action likewise
increases the distance between the pulleys 60 and 62, thereby
causing the lift cable 38 to raise selected weights comprising the
weight stack 36.
It will therefore be understood that the lift bar mechanism of the
compact weight lifting machine 30 of the present invention is
substantially identical in construction and function to the lift
bar mechanism disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No.
08/034,734, filed Mar. 19, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,480, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully
set forth herein.
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a lift bar assembly 80
comprising an alternative embodiment which may be used in the
practice of the present invention in lieu of the lift bar assembly
shown in FIG. 1. The lift bar assembly 80 comprises a lift bar 82
which is supported for upward and downward pivotal movement about a
horizontal axis defined by a pair of rods 84. A pivot arm 86 is
secured to the lift bar 82 for pivotal movement therewith about the
same horizontal axis.
The lift bar mechanism 80 further comprises a pair of handles 88
which are pivotally supported on the lift bar 82 by pins 90. Each
handle 88 has a locking pin 92 mounted thereon. Arcuate members 94
are mounted on the lift bar 82 and are provided with a plurality of
evenly spaced pin receiving holes 96. In use, the locking pins 92
are received in the locking holes 96 to selectively position the
handles 88 relative to the lift bar 82 and the pivot arm 86.
A lift cable 38' is trained around pulleys 62', 60', and 64' in a
manner identical to that illustrated in FIG. 7. The pulley 60' is
rotatably supported on a pulley support arm 56', and the pulleys
62' and 64' are rotatably supported on a pulley support arm 58'.
The lift cable 38', the pulleys 60', 62', and 64', and the pulley
support arms 56' and 58' are identical in construction and function
to the lift cable 38, the pulleys 60, 62 and 64 and the pulley
support arms 56 and 58 illustrated in FIG. 1 and described
hereinabove in conjunction therewith.
A pair of rollers 98 are rotatably supported on a bracket 100 which
is secured to the pivot arm 86. Upon pivotal movement of the lift
bar 82, the pivot arm 86 operates through the rollers 98 to pivot
one or the other of the pulley support arms 56' and 58'. This
action separates the pulleys 60' and 62', thereby causing the lift
cable 38' to raise selected weights from a weight stack against the
action of gravity.
Referring now to FIG. 9, the compact weight lifting machine 30
further comprises a seat assembly 110. The seat assembly 110
includes a first section 112 comprising a pad 114 and a subframe
116. The frame 32 of the compact weight lifting machine 30 includes
a horizontally disposed member 118 and an end member 120 extending
generally upwardly therefrom. The subframe 116 of the seat assembly
110 is pivotally supported on the frame member 120 by a pin 121.
The seat assembly 110 further comprises a second section 122
including a pad 124 mounted on a subframe 126. The subframe 126 is
pivotally secured to the subframe 116 of the first section 112 by a
pin 128.
The angular relationship between the first section 112 of the seat
assembly 110 and the frame 32 of the compact weight lifting machine
30 is selectably adjustable. A bracket 130 is secured to and
extends downwardly from the subframe 116. A plurality of pin
receiving holes 132 are formed in the bracket 130. The frame 32
includes a vertically disposed portion 134 extending upwardly from
the horizontally disposed portion 118, and comprising a first
section 136 secured to the horizontally disposed portion 118 and a
second section 140 secured to the first section 136.
A bracket 142 is secured to the second section 140. A locking pin
144 is mounted on the bracket 142 for engagement with the pin
receiving holes 132 of the bracket 130. Thus, the locking pin 144
and the pin receiving holes 132 function to control the pivotal
relationship between the first section 112 of the seat assembly 110
and the frame 32. A spring 146 is secured between the bracket 130
and the bracket 142 and functions to effectively counteract the
action of gravity, whereby the positioning of the first section 112
relative to the frame 32 is more easily accomplished.
An arcuate member 150 is secured to the subframe 126 of the second
section 122 of the seat assembly 110. The arcuate member is
provided with a plurality of pin receiving holes 152 positioned at
equally space intervals thereon. A bracket 154 is secured to the
subframe 116 of the first section 112 of the seat assembly 110 and
supports a locating pin 156. The locating pin 156 is selectively
engaged with one of the pin receiving holes 152 of the arcuate
member 150 to control the angular relationship between the first
section 112 and the second section 122 of the seat assembly
110.
Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the foregoing
mechanism allows the selective positioning of the first section 112
and the second section 122 of the seat assembly 110 relative to the
frame 32 of the compact weight lifting machine 30 to properly
position and support the user to perform a wide variety of weight
lifting exercises. For example, the positioning of the first
section 112 and the second section 122 of the seat assembly 110
relative to the frame 32 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used to
comfortably support the user to perform a variety of arm, chest and
back exercises. The positioning of the first section 112 and the
second section 122 relative to the frame 32 as shown in FIG. 10
comfortably supports the user to perform the exercise known as leg
curls. Other positionings of the first section 112 and the second
section 122 relative to the frame 32 of the compact weight lifting
machine 30 are illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, it being
understood that the configuration of the seat assembly 110 of the
compact weight lifting machine 30 is not limited to those
illustrated in the Drawing figures, but is capable of an almost
infinite variety of configuration in accordance with the exercises
being performed and the preference of the user.
Referring again to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the lift cable 38 extends
downwardly from the pulley 64 and is trained around a series of
pulleys 164, 166, and 170, all of which are rotatably supported on
the frame 32. The lift cable 38 then extends around a pulley 172
rotatably supported on a slider 174. The cable 38 engages a pair of
guide pulleys 176 and 180 and extends to a stop 182 and a ring 184.
The ring 184 may be utilized to connect a variety of conventional
weight lifting apparatus to the lift cable 38 to facilitate the
performance of a variety of exercises utilizing the resistance
afforded by the weights comprising the weight stack 36. The stop
182 serves as an anchor to activate operation of the lift bar
assembly.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the pulley 176 is rotatably supported
on the end member 120 of the frame 32, and the pulley 180 is
rotatably supported on an arm 190. The arm 190 is pivotally
supported on the upper end of the end member 120 and is selectively
lockable either in the position shown in FIG. 9 or in the position
shown in FIG. 10. An arm 192 is pivotally supported on the arm 190
and is in turn selectively lockable either in the position shown in
FIG. 9 or in the position shown in FIG. 10. A pair of cylindrical
pads 194 are mounted on opposite sides of the arm 192 and are
supported on rods 196 extending in opposite directions from the
distal end thereof.
Referring to FIG. 9, 11, and 22, the positioning of the arm 190,
the arm 192, and the pads 194 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and the
positioning of the seat assembly 110 in the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 11 adapts the compact weight lifting machine 30
for the performance of the exercise known as leg extensions. As is
best shown in FIG. 10, 14, and 21, the positioning of the bar 190,
the bar 192, and the pads 194 as illustrated in FIG. 10 and the
positioning of the seat assembly 110 as illustrated in FIG. 14
adapts the compact weight lifting machine 30 for the performance of
the exercise known as leg curls.
As is best shown in FIGS. 3, 15, 16, and 17, the compact weight
lifting machine 30 further comprises a butterfly exercise mechanism
located at the opposite end of the seat assembly 110 from the leg
exercise mechanism comprising the arm 190, the arm 192, and the
pads 194. Referring momentarily to FIGS. 7 and 17, the butterfly
exercise mechanism includes a butterfly cable 200 which is secured
at one end to an arcuate member 202. The cable 200 extends from the
arcuate member 202 around a pulley 204 rotatably supported on the
frame 32 and around a pulley 206 rotatably supported on the slider
174. From the pulley 206 the cable 200 extends around a pulley 208
rotatably supported on the frame 32 and is secured at its opposite
end to an arcuate member 212 which is identical to but configured
oppositely from the arcuate member 202.
Referring again to FIGS. 3, 15 and 16, the frame 32 includes an
upwardly disposed member 214 located at one end of the horizontally
disposed member 118. A subframe 216 is secured at the upper end of
the upwardly disposed 214 and supports a pair of cylinders 218. The
cylinders 218 pivotally support a pair of rods 220 having
cylindrical pads 222 supported at the distal ends thereof.
The arcuate members 202 and 212 are mounted on plates 224 which are
secured to the rods 220 for pivotal movement therewith. Downward
pivotal movement of the pads 222 from the positions shown in FIGS.
15 and 16 is prevented by a stop 226 comprising part of the
subframe 216. The stop 226 engages the plates 224 to properly
position the pads 222 as shown.
Referring to FIGS. 7, 15, 16 and 17, upward pivotal movement of the
pads 222 under the action of a user causes the cable 200 to move
the slider 174 rightwardly (FIGS. 7, 16, and 17). The slider 174 is
mounted on a rod 228 comprising part of the frame 32. Upon
actuation of the pads 222 the arcuate members 202 and 212 pull the
cable 200 upwardly, whereupon the pulley 206 forces the slider 174
to move rightwardly. This action causes the pulley 172 rotatably
supported on the slider 174 to actuate the lift cable 38 to raise
selected weights comprising the weight stack 36, thereby affording
resistance to movement of the pads 222 during the exercise known as
the butterfly, FIGS. 13, 17, and 23 illustrate the configuration of
the seat assembly 110 for the use of the compact exercising machine
30 in the performance of the butterfly exercise.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is cable
of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and variations of parts
and elements thereof in accordance with the spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *