WO2009003280A1

WO2009003280A1 - Wall mounted pivoting weight stack apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009003280A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/001213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Murray Strand
Original assignee: 101060082 Saskatchewan Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-07-04
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: CA2593737A1

Abstract

A weight stack apparatus for a weight training system includes a guide frame having a rear portion pivotally mounted to a wall about a vertical pivot axis such that same can pivot from a stored position parallel to the wall outward to an operating position perpendicular to the wall. A plurality of weight members is mounted in the guide frame such that the weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally. The weight members are elongated and a distance between front and rear ends of the weight members is greater than a width of the weight members. A pulley and cable system is configured such exerting a force on a cable moves a selected number of weight members upward.

Description

WALL MOUNTED PIVOTING WEIGHT STACK APPARATUS

This invention is in the field of exercise equipment and in particular a weight training apparatus comprising a stack of weights.

BACKGROUND

Weight training is popular for strengthening and developing muscles. Training with free weights is well known where weights are added to or removed from each end of a bar as desired to adjust the amount of weight being moved during an exercise.

It is also well known to provide a weight training apparatus including a stack of weights connected to a cable. The apparatus typically provides a guide frame to prevent lateral movement of the weights but allow free vertical movement. The guide frame commonly includes a rod or rods extending upward through the individual weights. The guide frame could also comprise a housing operative to suitably restrain the weights by guiding outer edges or corners of the weights. The operator places a pin in a location selected to engage a desired number of weights, and a handle on the end of the cable is manipulated to move the selected number of weights during the exercise. Pulleys are provided to allow the operator to lift upward to raise the weights in the same motion as with free weights, and typically the pulley system also allows the operator to pull downward or outward as well, providing for a wide range of motion to exercise various parts of the body. Weight stack exercise machines are disclosed for example in United States Patent Numbers 6,447,430 to Webb et al. and 6,558,300 to Deola.

While many people have access to commercial gymnasiums and like training facilities where weight training machines are available, and are quite comfortable attending such facilities, many others prefer to exercise at home. Weight training equipment however typically occupies a significant amount of space, making home equipment impractical for many people where space at home is limited, and especially where only one member of the household is a weight trainer. Often commercial enterprises desire to offer gymnasium facilities to their employees as well, and space is typically at a premium in commercial locations as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a weight stack apparatus for a weight training system that overcomes problems in the prior art.

In a first embodiment the present invention provides a weight stack apparatus for a weight training system. The apparatus comprises a guide frame having a rear portion adapted to be pivotally mounted to a wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical pivot axis such that the guide frame can pivot from a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall outward to an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall. A plurality of weight members is mounted in the guide frame such that the weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally. The weight members are elongated and a distance between front and rear ends of the weight members is greater than a width of the weight members. A pulley and cable system is configured such exerting a force on a cable moves a selected number of weight members upward.

In a second embodiment the present invention provides a weight training system comprising a right weight stack apparatus comprising a right guide frame having a rear portion pivotally mounted to a right side of a wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical right pivot axis such that the right guide frame can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to the left to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall and extending to the left from the right pivot axis; a plurality of right hand weight members mounted in the right guide such that the right hand weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally; and a right pulley and cable system configured such exerting a force on a right cable moves a selected number of right hand weight members upward. A left weight stack apparatus comprises a left guide frame having a rear portion pivotally mounted to a left side of the wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical left pivot axis such that the left guide frame can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to the right to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall and extending to the right from the left pivot axis; a plurality of left hand weight members mounted in the left guide frame such that the left hand weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally; and a left pulley and cable system configured such exerting a force on a left cable moves a selected number of left hand weight members upward. The right and left hand weight members are elongated such that a distance between the front and rear ends of the weight members is greater than a width of the weight members. The right and left guide frames are configured such that in the stored position, front edges of the right and left guide frames are adjacent to each other, and planes of the right and left guide frames are substantially aligned and parallel to the wall.

In a third embodiment the present invention provides a method of providing a weight training system. The method comprises providing right and left guide frames and pivotally attaching respective rear ends of the right and left guide frames to right and left locations on a wall about respective right and left substantially vertical pivot axes such that the right and left guide frames can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall between the right and left pivot axes; bracing the right and left guide frames to maintain the right and left guide frames in the operating position; mounting right and left hand weight members in corresponding right and left guide frames such that the right and left hand weight members can move up and down in the respective right and left guide frames, and are prevented from moving laterally; and providing right and left right pulley and cable systems configured such that exerting a force on one of right and left cables moves a selected number of corresponding right and left hand weight members upward. The right and left hand weight members are elongated and a distance between the front and rear edges of each guide frame is greater than a width of the corresponding weight members. The right and left guide frames are configured such that in the stored position, front edges of the right and left guide frames are adjacent to each other, and planes of the right and left guide frames are substantially aligned and parallel to the wall.

The present invention provides weight stack apparatus comprising a stack of weight members mounted in a guide frame configured to fold compactly against a wall, or inside a wall. The width of the weight members substantially dictates the width of the stack apparatus. The weight members can be configured by making them longer and narrower, or shorter and wider, to provide a desired weight per member while also providing the desired width for the frame apparatus to suit a particular location.

The apparatus can conveniently be recessed inside an interior wall where insulation is not required, and a door or the like provided to hide the apparatus when not in use. The guide frame comprises front and rear edges, with the weight members mounted between the front and rear edges such that the weight members can move up and down but are prevented from moving laterally right and left or forward and rearward.

A pin and cable system such as is known in the art allows a selected number of weight members to be moved by pulling on the cable. Pulleys are mounted as required at the top and bottom of the guide frame. The pulleys are rotatable about axes that are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the plane of the guide frame such that the pulleys are located between the right and left outer planes defined by the outer surfaces of the weight members. Thus the width of the weight stack apparatus including the cable system is substantially within the outer surfaces of the weight members. In some embodiments it may be desired to provide a thin metal sheet or plastic covering to confine and guide the outer edges of the weight members, but the width of the apparatus is substantially dictated by the width of the weight members.

An outer pulley, or pulley arrangement, is mounted on the front edge of the guide frame such that the pulley arrangement extends forward from the front edge of the guide frame to provide access for attachment of a handle to the cable to manipulate the weight members. The vertical position of outer pulley arrangement on the front edge of the guide frame can be adjusted to allow for various cable pulling positions.

A rear end of the guide frame is pivotally mounted on a wall, or recessed inside a wall, in a vertical orientation about a vertical pivot axis. The frame apparatus thus folds from a stored position substantially parallel to the wall, outward to an operating position substantially perpendicular to the wall.

In a typical weight training system, a pair of weight stack apparatuses are mounted at spaced apart locations on (or recessed in) a wall. Conveniently the weight training system includes a wall frame that attaches to the wall. The wall frame includes right and left upright members and lateral cross members connecting the upright members. The inner edges of the right and left guide frames are pivotally attached to the corresponding right and left upright members of the wall frame. In the stored position the right guide frame folds to the left and the left guide frame folds to the right such that the forward edges of the right and left guide frames are near each other. If required in a particular configuration, the outer pulley arrangements on the right and left guide frames can be adjusted vertically so that one is above the other to allow the front edges of the guide frames to be close together in the stored position.

When the right and left guide frames are pivoted outward to the operating position, braces are engaged in the guide members at one end and in a cross member at the other to maintain the guide frames in the operating position perpendicular to the wall. Conveniently the braces fold along the wall frame or guide frames, and can be maintained in a stored position by magnets or the like.

The weight stack apparatus of the invention thus allows construction and installation of a compact weight training system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where: Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of a weight training system comprising a pair of weight stack apparatuses of the present invention in a stored position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective front view of the weight training system of Fig. 1 in an operating position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of a weight training system of the present invention recessed in a hollow wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Figs.l and 2 illustrate a weight training system comprising a pair of weight stack apparatuses 1 of the present invention. Each of the right and left weight stack apparatuses comprises a plurality of weight members 3 mounted in a stack in a guide frame 5 between front and rear edges 7, 9 of the guide frame 5. The weight members 3 are elongated so that a distance between the front and rear ends of the weight members and between front and rear edges 7, 9 of the guide frame 5 is greater than a width W of the weight members 3. The weight members 3 can be configured by making them longer and narrower, or shorter and wider, to provide a desired weight per member while also providing the desired width W for the stack apparatus 1 to suit a particular location.

While it is contemplated that the guide frames can take a variety of forms such that the rear portion thereof can be pivotally attached to a wall, the illustrated guide frame 5 comprises front and rear edges 7, 9, with the weight members 3 mounted between the front and rear edges 7, 9 such that the weight members 3 can move up and down but are prevented from moving laterally right and left or forward and rearward. The rear edge 9 is adapted to be pivotally mounted to a wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical pivot axis PA such that the guide frame 5 can pivot from a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall as illustrated in Fig. 1, outward to an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall as illustrated in Fig. 2.

A pulley and cable system such as is known in the art allows a selected number of weight members 3 to be moved upward by pulling on the cable 11. Pulleys 13 are mounted as required at the top and bottom of the guide frame 5. The pulleys 13 are rotatable about axes A that are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the plane of the guide frame

5 such that the pulleys 13 are located between the right and left outer planes defined by the outer surfaces of the weight members 3. Thus the width W of the weight stack apparatus 1 including the cable system is substantially within the outer surfaces of the weight members 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pulley 13 at the top of the stack of weight members 3 provides a 2: 1 ratio of distance moved by the cable to distance moved by the weight members 3. For example the weight members move 36" but the user end of cable moves 72" resulting in greater range of movement for the user and less restriction to the number of exercises one can perform. Shock and impact on the user are reduced as well. Many other configurations of pulleys 13 can be provided. A front pulley, or in the illustrated embodiment a front pulley arrangement 13 A, is mounted on the front edge 7 of the guide frame 5 such that the pulley arrangement 13A extends forward from the front edge 7 of the guide frame 5 to provide access for attachment of a handle or the like to the cable 11 to manipulate the weight members 3. In the illustrated embodiment the front pulley assembly 13A includes upper and lower pulleys rotatably mounted in a pulley bracket, and the cable 11 passes between the upper and lower pulleys. The outer end of the cable 11 is adapted for attachment to a handle. The vertical position of outer pulley arrangement 13A on the front edge of the guide frame can be adjusted by placing pin 15 in one of the adjustment holes 17 on the front edge 7 of the guide frame 5.

Conveniently the weight training system includes a wall frame 19 attached to the wall 12. The wall frame includes right and left upright members 21 and lateral cross members 23 connecting the upright members 21. The inner edges 9 of the right and left guide frames 5R, 5L are pivotally attached to the corresponding right and left upright members 21 about right and left pivot axes RPA, LPA. The stack apparatuses 1 thus fold from a stored position substantially parallel to the wall 12 as illustrated in Fig. 1, outward to an operating position substantially perpendicular to the wall as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the stored position the right guide frame 5R folds to the left and the left guide frame 5L folds to the right such that the front edges 7R, 7L of the right and left guide frames are adjacent to each other as illustrated in Fig. 1. If required in a particular configuration, the front pulley arrangements 13 A on the right and left guide frames 5R, 5L can be adjusted vertically so that one is above the other, as illustrated, to allow the front edges 7 of the guide frames 5 to be close together in the stored position. This vertical adjustment also allows the user to vary the pulling location to provide a variety of exercise options.

Braces 25 are engaged in the guide members 5 at one end and in the cross member 23 at the other to maintain the guide frames 5 in the operating position perpendicular to the wall. The braces 25 fold along the guide frames 5, and are maintained in a stored position by engaging the free end in a storage socket 27. Magnets could also be used to hold the braces in a stored position. The braces 25 could also fold along the wall frame 19.

The weight stack apparatus 1 of the invention thus allows construction and installation of a compact weight training system that folds compactly against a wall, or inside a wall. The width of the weight members 3 substantially dictates the width of the stack apparatus 1. The stack apparatuses 1 can conveniently be recessed inside a hollow interior wall 12H where insulation is not required, and doors 29 or the like provided to hide the apparatus 1 when not in use as schematically illustrated in Fig. 3. The user is provided with two separate stacks of weight members that can be moved individually, one with each hand for example, or could be coupled together by appropriate handle and cable configurations if desired. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications 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 such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A weight stack apparatus for a weight training system, the apparatus comprising:

a guide frame having a rear portion adapted to be pivotally mounted to a wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical pivot axis such that the guide frame can pivot from a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall outward to an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall;

a plurality of weight members mounted in the guide frame such that the weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally;

wherein the weight members are elongated such that a distance between front and rear ends of the weight members is greater than a width of the weight members;

a pulley and cable system configured such exerting a force on a cable moves a selected number of weight members upward.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the width of the weight members is substantially equal to a width of the weight stack apparatus.

3. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 and 2 comprising a plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted about rotational axes oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to a plane of the guide frame, and wherein the pulleys are located between right and left outer planes defined by outer surfaces of the weight members.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 comprising a front pulley rotatably mounted on a front edge of the guide frame at an adjustable vertical location.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 comprising a front pulley assembly extending forward from the front edge of the guide frame, the front pulley assembly comprising an upper pulley and a lower pulley rotatably mounted in a pulley bracket, and wherein the cable passes between the upper and lower pulleys.

6. A weight training system comprising:

a first weight stack apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 5 comprising a right guide frame pivotally mounted on a right side of a wall about a substantially vertical right pivot axis; a second weight stack apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 5 comprising a left guide frame pivotally mounted on a left side of the wall about a substantially vertical left pivot axis.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the right and left guide frames are configured such that in the stored position, front edges of the right and left guide frames are adjacent to each other, and planes of the right and left guide frames are substantially aligned and parallel to the wall.

8. The system of claim 7 comprising a wall frame attached to the wall, the wall frame comprising right and left upright members and upper and lower lateral cross members extending between the right and left upright members, and wherein the rear edges of the right and left guide frames are pivotally attached to the corresponding right and left upright members of the wall frame.

9. The system of claim 8 comprising a right brace attachable to the right guide frame and to one of the upper and lower cross members, and operative when attached to maintain the right guide frame in the operating position perpendicular to the wall.

10. The system of any one of claims 7 - 10 wherein the wall is hollow and wherein the right and left guide frames are recessed in the wall when in the stored position.

11. A weight training system comprising: a right weight stack apparatus comprising:

a right guide frame having a rear portion pivotally mounted to a right side of a wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical right pivot axis such that the right guide frame can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to the left to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall and extending to the left from the right pivot axis;

a plurality of right hand weight members mounted in the right guide such that the right hand weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally; and

a right pulley and cable system configured such exerting a force on a right cable moves a selected number of right hand weight members upward;

a left weight stack apparatus comprising:

a left guide frame having a rear portion pivotally mounted to a left side of the wall in a vertical orientation about a substantially vertical left pivot axis such that the left guide frame can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to the right to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall and extending to the right from the left pivot axis;

a plurality of left hand weight members mounted in the left guide frame such that the left hand weight members can move up and down and are prevented from moving laterally; and

a left pulley and cable system configured such exerting a force on a left cable moves a selected number of left hand weight members upward;

wherein the right and left hand weight members are elongated such that a distance between the front and rear ends of the weight members is greater than a width of the weight members; and

wherein the right and left guide frames are configured such that in the stored position, front edges of the right and left guide frames are adjacent to each other, and planes of the right and left guide frames are substantially aligned and parallel to the wall.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the width of the weight members is substantially equal to a width of the weight stack apparatus.

13. The system of any one of claims 11 and 12 comprising a plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted to the right guide frame about rotational axes oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to a plane of the right guide frame, and wherein the pulleys are located between right and left outer planes defined by outer surfaces of the weight members.

14. The system of claim 13 comprising a front pulley rotatably mounted on the front edge of the right guide frame at an adjustable vertical location.

15. The system of claim 14 comprising a front pulley assembly extending forward from the front edge of the right guide frame, the front pulley assembly comprising an upper pulley and a lower pulley rotatably mounted in a pulley bracket, and wherein the right cable passes between the upper and lower pulleys.

16. The system of any one of claims 11 - 15 comprising a wall frame attached to the wall, the wall frame comprising right and left upright members and upper and lower lateral cross members extending between the right and left upright members, and wherein the rear edges of the right and left guide frames are pivotally attached to the corresponding right and left upright members of the wall frame.

17. The system of claim 16 comprising a right brace attachable to the right guide frame and to one of the upper and lower cross members, and operative when attached to maintain the right guide frame in the operating position perpendicular to the wall.

18. A method of providing a weight training system, the method comprising:

providing right and left guide frames and pivotally attaching respective rear ends of the right and left guide frames to right and left locations on a wall about respective right and left substantially vertical pivot axes such that the right and left guide frames can pivot from an operating position oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall, to a stored position oriented substantially parallel to the wall between the right and left pivot axes;

bracing the right and left guide frames to maintain the right and left guide frames in the operating position;

mounting right and left hand weight members in corresponding right and left guide frames such that the right and left hand weight members can move up and down in the respective right and left guide frames, and are prevented from moving laterally; and

providing right and left right pulley and cable systems configured such that exerting a force on one of right and left cables moves a selected number of corresponding right and left hand weight members upward; wherein the right and left hand weight members are elongated and wherein a distance between the front and rear edges of each guide frame is greater than a width of the corresponding weight members; and

19. The method of claim 18 comprising varying the width and a length of the weight members to provide a desired weight per weight member and to provide a desired width of the weight members.