CN217139096U - Weight lifting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A weight apparatus includes a carriage support, a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move along the carriage support, and a locking mechanism movable between a locked position in which the locking mechanism engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage, and a released position in which the locking mechanism does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

Description

Weight lifting equipment

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to machines for lifting weights and other exercises, and more particularly to weight lifting machines designed for squat lifting and weight hangers including such machines.

Background

There are a variety of different types of squat apparatus that enable a user to perform squat weight exercises or possibly other weight exercises. One such type of squat apparatus is a "belt squat" apparatus in which a belt or other protective belt fastened to the user's waist and/or torso is connected to the weight to be lifted by a series of cables and pulleys. Such prior strap squat apparatus and other squat apparatus are typically stand-alone apparatuses having a relatively large footprint that use a plurality of support posts to suspend a movable weight for lifting. In addition, existing strap-type squat apparatus may be difficult or awkward for a user to manipulate while using the apparatus to perform exercises.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Accordingly, there is a need for a squat apparatus structure that can provide a compact structure with improved handling and safety, which can be incorporated into existing weight hangers.

The present disclosure is provided to address this need and other needs in existing squat apparatus and weight hangers that include such squat apparatus. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is set forth in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a user engagement device configured to engage a user during performance of an exercise on the weight machine; a carriage support including a rail extending upwardly from a base; and a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement. The apparatus further comprises: a cable system including a cable operably connected to the user engagement device and the carriage and one or more pulleys connected to the weight lifting apparatus to guide a path of the cable such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system. The apparatus further comprises: a locking mechanism including a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locking member engages with the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a releasing position in which the locking member does not engage with the carriage and the carriage is freely movable below the raised position.

According to one aspect, the carrier comprises a weight mounting configured for engagement with a weight in the form of a free weight supported by the weight mounting, and/or the weight mounting is configured for engagement with a weight in the form of a resistance band. The base may have a peg extending outwardly therefrom, and wherein the peg and the weight mount may be configured to engage with the resistance band such that movement of the carriage away from the base stretches the resistance band.

According to another aspect, the apparatus comprises: a platform configured to support the user during exercise; and a support assembly supporting the platform; wherein at least the base of the carriage support is connected to the support assembly, and wherein the locking mechanism is connected to the support assembly.

According to yet another aspect, the carrier support includes an upright rail defining a track, wherein the upright rail is hollow and the cable of the cable system has a riser cable segment extending vertically within the hollow upright rail.

According to yet another aspect, the locking member is movable by pivoting between the locking position and the releasing position, and wherein the locking member comprises an engagement portion configured to engage and support the bracket at the raised position, the engagement portion having a recess configured to receive the engagement member of the bracket.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a user engagement device configured to engage a user during performance of an exercise on the weight machine; a carriage support including a vertical rail extending upwardly from a base and defining a track, wherein the vertical rail is hollow and has a central channel extending vertically within the vertical rail; and a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement. The apparatus also includes a cable system including a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the carriage and one or more pulleys connected to the weight lifting apparatus to guide the path of the cable such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system. In this configuration, the cable of the cable system has a riser cable segment that extends vertically within the central channel of the vertical guide rail.

According to one aspect, the apparatus includes a locking mechanism having a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locking member engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a release position in which the locking member does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

According to another aspect, the cable has a user engagement device cable section extending from the user engagement device, a transverse cable section extending in a transverse direction from the user engagement device cable section to the riser cable section, and a riser cable section extending downwardly from the riser cable section to the carriage. In one configuration, the at least one pulley of the cable system includes a first pulley located between the user engagement device cable segment and the transverse cable segment, a second pulley located between the transverse cable segment and the ascending cable segment, and a third pulley located between the ascending cable segment and the descending cable segment.

According to yet another aspect, the cable has a descending cable segment extending downwardly from the ascending cable segment to the carriage, and the at least one pulley includes a first pulley located between the ascending cable segment and the descending cable segment, and wherein the descending cable segment extends outside of the central channel of the vertical guide rail.

According to yet another aspect, the machine further includes a platform configured to support a user during exercise; and a support assembly supporting the platform, wherein at least the base supported by the carriage is connected to the support assembly and the cable extends downwardly and through a slot in the platform and laterally from the slot to the riser cable section.

According to a further aspect, the carrier comprises a weight mounting bracket configured for engagement with a weight in the form of a free weight supported by said weight mounting bracket, and/or configured for engagement with a weight in the form of a resistance band. The base may have a peg extending outwardly therefrom, and wherein the peg and weight mount are configured to engage with the resistance band such that movement of the carriage away from the base stretches the resistance band.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a carriage support having a track; a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured to engage a weight for resisting vertical movement during performance of an exercise by the weight apparatus; and a lock mechanism having a lock member movable by pivoting between a lock position and a release position. In the locked position, the locking member engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage, and in the released position, the locking member does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

According to one aspect, the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member configured for connection to the support assembly and a pivot body connected to the pivotal connection member such that the locking mechanism is pivotable about the pivotal connection member, wherein the locking member is connected to and extends upwardly from the pivot body. In one configuration, the pivot body includes a horizontally extending base member and a vertical member connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the vertical member has a handle configured to be grasped by a user to pivot the locking mechanism between the locked and released positions. In further configurations, the pivot body further includes a second upright member connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the second upright member has a second handle configured to be grasped by a user to pivot the locking mechanism between the locked and released positions, and wherein the upright member is spaced apart from the second upright member and the locking member is disposed between the upright member and the second upright member. In another configuration, the vertical member is connected to the pivotal connection member and the locking mechanism further comprises a second pivotal connection member. In this configuration, the second vertical member is connected to the second pivotally connected member such that the locking mechanism is pivotable about the pivotally connected member and the second pivotally connected member, and the base member extends horizontally between the vertical member and the second vertical member. In another configuration, the locking member may include an engagement portion configured to engage and support the bracket in the raised position, the engagement portion having a recess configured to receive the engagement member of the bracket.

According to another aspect, the apparatus further comprises: a user engagement device configured to engage a user during exercise; a cable system having a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the cable of the carriage such that movement of the user engagement device by a user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system; a platform configured to support a user during exercise; and a support assembly supporting the platform. In this configuration, the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member connected to the support assembly and a driver body connected to the pivotal connection member to enable the locking mechanism to pivot about the pivotal connection member, wherein the locking member is connected to the pivotal body.

According to another aspect, the apparatus further comprises a support assembly supporting the platform, the support assembly having a vertical frame member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member connected to the support assembly and a pivot body connected to the pivotal connection member to enable the locking mechanism to pivot about the pivotal connection member. In this configuration, the locking member is connected to the pivot body and the vertical frame member is configured to abut the pivot body to limit the range of movement of the locking mechanism away from the locked position.

According to yet another aspect, the locking mechanism further includes a movement limiting structure configured to limit a range of movement of the locking mechanism away from the locking position and away from the release position.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a bracket support; a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically on the carriage support, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement during performance of an exercise on the weight lifting apparatus; and a locking mechanism including a base member, a locking member having an arm extending upwardly from the base member and an engagement portion connected to the arm, and an upright member connected to the base member and extending upwardly from the base member, the upright member having a handle. The locking mechanism is movable by manipulation of the handle to move the locking member between a locking position in which the engagement portion engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage, and a release position in which the engagement portion does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

According to one aspect, the locking mechanism further comprises a second upright member connected with and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the second upright member has a second handle configured to be grasped by a user to move the locking mechanism between the locked and released positions, and wherein the upright member is spaced apart from the second upright member. In one configuration, the locking member is located between the vertical member and the second vertical member. In another configuration, the base member extends horizontally between the vertical member and the second vertical member.

According to another aspect, the engagement portion has a recess configured to receive the engagement member of the bracket, and/or the engagement portion extends outwardly from the arm portion.

According to another aspect, the joint is adjustably connected to the arm such that the joint is configured to be mounted at a plurality of different locations along the length of the arm.

According to yet another aspect, the apparatus further comprises: a user engagement device configured to engage a user during exercise; a cable system having a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the carriage such that movement of the user engagement device by a user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system; a platform configured to support a user during exercise; and a support assembly supporting the platform, wherein the locking mechanism is movably connected to the support assembly.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a bracket support; a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move along the carriage support; and a locking mechanism movable between a locking position in which the locking mechanism engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a release position in which the locking mechanism does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a weight lifting apparatus, comprising: a user engagement device configured to engage a user during an exercise performed on the weight lifting apparatus; a platform configured to support a user during an exercise, the platform having a trough; a weight configured to be lifted during exercise; and a cable system having a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the weight and one or more pulleys connected to the weight lifting apparatus to guide the path of the cable such that movement by the user engagement device through the user lifts the weight through the cable system during exercise, and having a first pulley located adjacent a slot of the platform, wherein the cable engages the first pulley and extends through the slot to connect to the user engagement device. A friction reducing structure is disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the slot and is configured to engage the cable.

According to one aspect, the friction reducing structure includes one or more rollers disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the groove and configured to engage the cable.

According to another aspect, the slot is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the perimeter of the slot includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end. The first pulley is located at a first end of the trough and the friction reducing structure includes one or more rollers disposed on one or more of a second end and two sides of the trough.

According to another aspect, the slot is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the perimeter of the slot includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end. The first pulley is located at a first end of the trough and the friction reducing structure includes a plurality of rollers disposed at a second end and at both sides of the trough.

According to yet another aspect, the slot is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the perimeter of the slot includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end. The first pulley is located at a first end of the sheave and the friction reducing structure is disposed at a second end and at both sides of the sheave.

According to yet another aspect, the weight is engaged with and movable along a carriage mounted on the carriage support, and the cable system is connected to the carriage such that movement of the user engagement device by the user lifts the carriage and weight through the cable system during exercise.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cradle for use with a weight lifting apparatus having a cradle support, the cradle comprising: a bracket body having a central passage configured to receive a bracket support therethrough, the bracket body having a front end and a rear end on opposite sides of the central passage; and a plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the carriage body and disposed within the central channel, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to engage a front side and a rear side of the carriage support, and wherein the carriage is configured to be movable along the carriage support. The bracket further includes: a weight mount connected to the bracket body at a rear end thereof, wherein the weight mount is configured to engage a weight for resisting vertical movement of the bracket; an engagement member connected to the carriage body at a forward end thereof, wherein the engagement member is configured to engage with an engagement portion of the weight lifting apparatus to selectively support the carriage in the raised position; and a cable attachment portion configured for attaching a cable to the carrier body. The cable attachment portion may be located at the rear end of the bracket body. Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to a weight lifting apparatus that includes a cradle support on which a cradle as described herein is mounted.

According to one aspect, the weight mount includes a beam extending laterally outward from the first and second lateral sides of the carriage body, and the cable connection is located on the beam. In one configuration, the carriage body includes first and second plates located on first and second lateral sides of the carriage body such that the central channel is defined between the first and second plates, and the rollers extend between the first and second plates, and the beam is received within recesses on the first and second plates.

According to another aspect, the carrier body includes first and second plates located on opposite lateral sides of the carrier body such that a central passage is defined between the first and second plates, and the rollers extend between the first and second plates. In one configuration, the first and second plates each have an outwardly extending projection at the front end of the bracket body, and the engagement member includes a rod extending between and connected to the first and second plates at the projection.

According to yet another aspect, the plurality of rollers includes a first roller configured to engage one of the front and rear sides of the carriage support and a second roller configured to engage the other of the front and rear sides of the carriage support, wherein the second roller is fixed and the first roller is horizontally movable toward and away from the second roller to adjust a spacing between the first roller and the second roller. The bracket body has a slot that receives the shaft of the first roller, a threaded hole intersecting the slot, and a set screw received in the threaded hole, and the set screw is configured to adjust the interval between the first roller and the second roller by advancing and retreating the threads, thereby moving the shaft toward or away from the second roller within the slot.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a locking mechanism for use with a weight lifting apparatus having a movable weight assembly, the locking mechanism comprising: a pivot body having a base member extending in a horizontal length and first and second vertical members connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the first and second vertical members are spaced apart along the horizontal length of the base member; and a locking member having an arm connected with the base member and extending upwardly from the base member at a location along the horizontal length of the base member between the first and second vertical members, and an engagement portion connected to the arm, wherein the engagement portion has a recess configured to receive a portion of the movable weight assembly. The mechanism further comprises: a pivotal connection member connected to the pivot body and configured for connection to the weight lifting apparatus to pivotally connect the pivot body to the weight lifting apparatus, wherein the pivot body and the locking member are configured to pivot together about the pivotal connection member. The engagement portion may extend outwardly from the arm portion. Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to a weight lifting apparatus that includes a locking mechanism as described herein and a movable weight assembly.

According to one aspect, the pivot connection member defines a pivot axis extending parallel to the base member of the pivot body.

According to another aspect, the mechanism further includes a second pivotal connection member connected to the pivot body and spaced from the pivot body along the horizontal length of the base member, the second pivotal connection member configured for connection to the weight apparatus to pivotally connect the pivot body to the weight apparatus, wherein the pivot body and the locking member are configured to pivot together about the pivotal connection member and the second pivotal connection member. In one configuration, the pivotal connection member is connected to a first vertical member of the pivot body and the second pivotal connection member is connected to a second vertical member of the pivot body. In another configuration, the first and second vertical members also extend downwardly from the base member, and the pivotal connection member and the second pivotal connection member are connected to the first and second vertical members, respectively, below the base member.

According to yet another aspect, the joint is adjustably connected to the arm portion such that the joint is configured to be mounted at a plurality of different locations along the length of the arm. In one configuration, the locking member further includes a bracket fixedly connected to the joint, the bracket having a cavity that receives the arm therein, and a pin configured to engage the bracket and the arm at a plurality of different positions along the length of the arm to adjustably connect the bracket and the joint to the arm at any of the plurality of different positions.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a weight hanger assembly having a weight implement as described herein attached thereto, or to a method of assembling a weight hanger assembly comprising attaching a weight implement as described herein to a weight hanger assembly.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a rear left perspective view of a weight lifting apparatus (in the form of a squat apparatus) according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a front left perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a left front bottom perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom right perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a right side view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1 with the weight carriage of the apparatus in a lowermost position and the locking mechanism of the apparatus in a released position.

Fig. 6 is a right side view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1 with the weight carriage of the apparatus in a raised position and the locking mechanism of the apparatus in a locked position and supporting the weight carriage.

Fig. 7 is a front left perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a front left perspective view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a left rear perspective view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a front left perspective view of a weight bracket of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of fig. 8.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the rollers of the weight carriage of fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a left rear perspective view of a weight hanger assembly including the weight apparatus of fig. 1, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 is a left front bottom perspective view of the weight rack assembly of fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a front left perspective view of a locking member of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a right side view of the locking member of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a side view of another embodiment of a locking member in a partially exploded state that may be used with the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 21 is a top view of the locking member of fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a side view of the locking member of fig. 20 in an assembled state.

Fig. 23 is a rear left perspective view of a weight hanger having another embodiment of a weight implement in the form of a squat implement and attached to the weight hanger according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 24 is a rear left perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 23 with the weight bracket of the apparatus in a raised position and the locking mechanism of the apparatus in a locked position and supporting the weight bracket.

Fig. 25 is a rear left perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 23 with the weight bracket of the apparatus in a lowermost position and the locking mechanism of the apparatus in a released position.

Fig. 26 is a front left perspective view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 24.

Fig. 27 is a left rear perspective view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 24.

Fig. 28 is a left rear bottom perspective view of the weight carriage of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 23.

Fig. 29 is a front left perspective view of a locking member of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 24.

Fig. 30 is a left rear perspective view of the locking member of fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a rear left perspective view of the engagement portion of the locking member of fig. 29.

Fig. 32 is a rear right perspective view of a portion of the weight lifting apparatus of fig. 24.

Fig. 33 is a rear left perspective view of another embodiment of a weight lifting apparatus in the form of a stand-alone squat apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail example embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments shown. In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1-15, a weight apparatus 30 is shown in the form of a squat apparatus, the weight apparatus 30 including a support frame 31, a platform 32, user engagement means 33 in the form of a protective strap, a bracket support 40, a weight bracket 50 movably mounted on the bracket support 40, a cable system 70 operatively connecting the protective strap 33 to the weight bracket 50, and a locking mechanism 80 configured to selectively retain and/or support the weight bracket 50. The apparatus 30 is configured such that the protective strap 33 is attached to the user's body in a strap-like configuration (not shown), and the weight carrier 50 is pulled up along the carrier support 40 via the cable system 70 by moving the protective strap 33 upward (as shown by arrow a in fig. 5), such as by a squatting motion, wherein the weight of the weight carrier 50 provides resistance to the user during this movement. It will be appreciated that moving the protective band 33 downward allows the weight carriage 50 to move downward along the carriage support 40. The components of the apparatus 30 will be described in more detail below.

The support frame 31 includes a plurality of support frame members 34, the plurality of support frame members 34 engaging the ground or resting surface and supporting other components of the apparatus 30. Some support frame members 34 are formed in a grid-like reinforcement structure below the platform 32 to provide stable support for the platform 32. One of the support frame members 34A extends from the front side of the platform 32 to the cradle support 40 and connects the cradle support 40 with the platform 32. Brace member 34B is also connected to the support frame member 34A and the cradle support 40 to strengthen the connection between these structures and stabilize the cradle support 40. As described in more detail below, the support frame 31 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 is configured to be connected to the weight hanger assembly 10 as shown in fig. 16-17, and the connection partially supports the implement 30. A number of support frame members 34 have structure for connecting the apparatus 30 to the hanger assembly 10 as described herein, including holes for receiving fasteners. In this configuration, the support frame 31 and hanger assembly 10 may be considered part of the support assembly 11 that supports other components of the apparatus 30. In another embodiment, the support frame 31 may have additional support frame members 34, including additional feet or other ground engaging structure, to make the apparatus 30 a stand alone structure independent of the hanger assembly 10, such that the support frame 31 alone constitutes the entire support assembly 11. Such additional frame members 34 may be similar to the legs 22 and vertical frame members 20 of the hanger assembly 10 in fig. 16-17 described in more detail below. One such embodiment of a stand-alone appliance 30 is shown in fig. 33 (which is described in more detail below).

Platform 32 provides a large, flat, stable surface configured to support a user during operation of apparatus 30, such as for squat exercises or other weight lifting exercises. The platform has a slot 35 generally along the centerline of the platform 32 to allow the cables 71 of the cable system 70 to extend from below through the platform. A slot 35 extends through frame member 34A below the centerline of platform 32 as shown in fig. 3-4 to accommodate pulley 72 and pulley mount 73, pulley 72 and pulley mount 73 being mounted on frame member 34A and guiding cable 71 upwardly through slot 35. In addition, slot 35 is elongated so as to allow cable 71 to extend through slot 35 at various angles to allow for different forms and user positions, as well as to allow for exercises other than squats, which may use non-vertical pulling movements. The platform 32 in fig. 1-15 is rectangular and when the equipment 30 is connected to the hanger assembly 10, the left and right edges of the platform 32 overhang the support frame 31 and cover the top of the adjacent frame members 20, as shown in fig. 16-17.

User engagement device 33 is operatively connected to weight carriage 50 by a cable system 70 as described herein and is configured to engage with and/or be engaged by a user when performing weight lifting exercises on machine 30. The protective band 33 in fig. 1-15 is configured to be removably attached to the body of a user. In the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the protective strap 33 is in the form of a strap that wraps around the user's waist, and which may include fastening structure to attach the protective strap 33 to the user's waist and to tighten the protective strap 33 once connected. Such fastening structures may include buckles, cinchs, hook and loop connectors, and other such structures. In another embodiment, the protective strap 33 may include additional structure for attachment to the user, such as shoulder straps and/or chest straps. In further embodiments, the protective band 33 may be configured for connection with different parts of the user's body, such as the user's chest, legs, arms, head, etc., and/or the user engagement means may additionally or alternatively include structure such as a handle for grasping by the user.

The bracket support 40 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 includes rails or guides 41 extending vertically upward from the support frame 31 for mounting the weight bracket 50 on the rails 41, and the rails 41 guide the movement of the weight bracket 50. In this embodiment, the track 41 is formed by a single upright rail 42. In other embodiments, the track 41 may be formed by two or more parallel rails 42 that engage the weight carriage 50. The guide rail 42 in fig. 1-15 is hollow and defines a central passage 42A to allow a cable 71 to extend through the central passage 42A of the guide rail 42, as shown in more detail in fig. 8. The central channel 42A extends at least over a substantial length of the guide rail 42, and in the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the central channel 42A extends substantially over the entire length of the guide rail 42, with openings formed at the top and bottom ends of the guide rail 42. In this embodiment, the guide rail 42 completely surrounds the central passage 42A over at least a majority of the length of the guide rail 42 and surrounds the riser 76 of the cable 71, and in other embodiments, the guide rail 42 optionally includes an internal groove or groove that allows the cable 71 to extend through the guide rail 42 while being exposed to the exterior. The location of the rising section 76 of the cable 71 through the guide rail 42 helps to avoid interference with and/or damage to the cable 71 during use, which allows the components to be placed closer together and closer to the user without risk of contact with the cable 71, allowing for a more compact form. Additionally, in this embodiment, a pulley 72 of a cable system 70 is mounted on top of the guide rail 42. In the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the guide rail 42 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with four flat outer surfaces 43 and four corners 44, which are shown in more detail in fig. 13.

Weight carriage 50 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 includes a carriage body 51, carriage body 51 being movably mounted on rails 41 of carriage support 40 by one or more rail-engaging structures 52, with one or more weight mounts 56 coupled to carriage body 51 to support and/or engage removable weights, such as free weights 36, or resistance bands 46A, as shown in fig. 1-8. In one embodiment, the rail engaging structure(s) 52 engage opposing surfaces of the rail 41, e.g., opposing outer surfaces 43 of the guide rail 42 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15. The track engaging structure(s) 52 of fig. 1-15 include rollers 53, the rollers 53 being disposed to engage the front and rear outer surfaces 43 of the guide rail 42 and defining a passage 54 through the carriage body 51 such that the track 41 extends through the passage 54 in the carriage body 51. In this configuration, the rail 41 and its guide rail 42 are surrounded on four sides by the bracket 50 and engage the bracket 50 on at least two sides. In another embodiment, rollers 53 may be located on the left and right sides of track 41 and may engage left and right outer surfaces 43, 43 of guide rail 42. The carriage 50 in fig. 1-15 has a total of four rollers 53 with two rollers 53 on each side of the channel 54. Each roller 53 has an axle 55 defining the axis of rotation of the roller 53 and all rollers 53 in this embodiment are free to rotate on parallel axes. The carriage body 51 includes two plates 57 disposed parallel to and spaced apart from each other, and the roller 53 is connected to the two plates 57 and extends between the two plates 57. The plate 57 defines lateral sides of the channel 54, with the rollers 53 defining front and rear sides of the channel 54. In the embodiment of fig. 1-15, rollers 53 provide the only point of engagement between carriage 50 and track 41. It will be appreciated that in the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the shaft 55 of the rollers 53 extends completely through each roller 53 and between the plates 57. In another embodiment, the axis 55 of each roller 53 may be defined by a pair of shafts or other rotating structure located on each end of the roller 53.

The carriage 50 also has an adjustment mechanism to adjust the spacing S between the shafts 55 of the front and rear rollers 53, as shown in fig. 14-15. In this embodiment, the shaft 55 of the rear roller 53 is fixed laterally/horizontally, and the shaft 55 of the front roller 53 is adjustable to be closer to or farther from the rear roller 53 to increase or decrease the spacing S. In the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing S includes a slot 58, the slot 58 receiving an end of the shaft 55 and having a length that is elongated in the fore-aft direction. The shaft 55 can be moved forward and backward in the groove 58 to adjust the space S between the shafts 55 of the front roller 53 and the rear roller 53. In this embodiment, the bracket 50 further includes a fixing member 59 for fixing and/or adjusting the position of the shaft 55 within the slot 58. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 12 and 14, the securing member 59 is formed by a set screw 60, the set screw 60 being received in a threaded aperture 61 that transversely intersects the slot 58. In this embodiment, the position of the shaft 55 within the slot 58 may be incrementally adjusted forward or rearward by advancing or retracting the set screw 60 within the aperture 61 such that the end of the screw 60 pushes the shaft 55 rearward or provides space for the shaft 55 to move forward, respectively. Each of the four slots 58 has a separate securing member 59 for moving and securing the corresponding shaft 55 within the slot 58. Generally, set screw 60 is advanced within aperture 61 to push shaft 55 until front roller 53 is in tight engagement with guide rail 42, thereby allowing carriage 50 to accommodate different rails 41 of different sizes between front and rear.

Fig. 13 and 15 show the roller 53 and the engagement of the roller 53 with the track 41 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 in more detail. In this embodiment, each roller 53 has a cylinder with a first section 62 and a second section 63, the first section 62 having a larger cylinder diameter and the second section 63 having a relatively smaller cylinder diameter than the first section 62. In this configuration, the first section 62 engages the rail 42 and, due to the smaller diameter of the second section 63, the second section 63 is spaced from the rail 42. The rollers 53 in fig. 13 and 15 each have two first sections 62 located near the ends of the roller 53 and a second section 63 located in the middle of the roller 53 between the two first sections 62. In the present embodiment, the change in diameter between the first section 62 and the second section 63 is a tapered or chamfered change in diameter, but may be a step change in another embodiment. In addition, the roller 53 in fig. 13 and 15 has an enlarged end 64, the enlarged end 64 having a chamfered or conical section 65 of progressively reduced diameter and extending between the end 64 and the first section 62. The roller 53 having this configuration engages the rail 42 by engaging the first section 62 with the front and rear outer surfaces 43 of the rail 42, and engaging the first section 62 and the chamfered section 65 together with the corner 44 of the rail 42, as shown in fig. 13.

In another embodiment, rollers 53 may engage track 41 in another manner. In yet another embodiment, the weight carrier 50 may include a plurality of rail engaging structures 52 that engage the rail 41 in different ways, and the rail 41 may include complementary structures for such engagement. For example, the track 41 may include rails, flanges, grooves, lips, or other structures that engage with track-engaging structures 52 of the carriage 50, such as rollers, wheels, clamps, or the like.

The carriage 50 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 is configured to move by translating up and down the track 41, and during this movement the rollers 53 roll against the outer surface 43 of the guide rail 42. The rail 41 has a stop 45 near the bottom of the guide rail 42, which stop 45 prevents the carriage 50 from moving further downwards. In addition, the bracket 50 has an engagement member 66 at the front of the bracket 50, the engagement member 66 engaging with the locking mechanism 80 to hold the bracket 50 in the raised position. The engagement members 66 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 are rods or pegs that extend between the plates 57 at the front of the bracket 50. The bracket 50 in this embodiment also includes projections 67 on the plate 57 that extend outwardly from the front of the bracket 50, and the engagement members 66 extend between the projections 67 to position the engagement members 66 forward of the track 41. The engagement between the engagement member 66 and the locking mechanism 80 will be described in more detail elsewhere herein. Bracket 50 in this embodiment has a single beam 68 that engages recesses 69 in two plates 57 of bracket body 51, beam 68 forming two weight-mounting brackets 56 extending laterally outward on the left and right sides of bracket body 51, each configured to support a barbell or other free weight 36. In other embodiments 50, the carriage 50 may have one or more weight mounts 56 of different configurations. The carriage 50 and the one or more weights engaged therewith (e.g., the free weight 36 and/or the resistance bands 46A) may be considered to form a movable weight assembly to provide resistance to weight lifting exercises.

The cable system 70 and its cable 71 operatively connect the protective belt 33 to the carriage 50 such that the protective belt 33 and carriage 50 move in unison and such that the weight of the carriage 50 exerts tension on the protective belt 33 to provide resistance to the pulling force on the protective belt 33. The cable system 70 includes a cable 71 connected at one end to the protective belt 33 and at the other end to the carriage 50, and a series of pulleys 72 that direct and/or guide the path of the cable 71 between the protective belt 33 and the carriage 50. Cable 71 may include multiple cable members connected together to function as a single cable, or a single integral cable member. Each pulley 72 is rotatably mounted on the machine 30 by a pulley mount 73, comprising two pulleys 72 and two mounts 73 mounted at the bottom of the support frame 31 and another pulley 72 and mount 73 mounted at the top of the carriage support 40. In this configuration, the cable 71 has a user engagement means or protective belt cable section 74 that extends from the protective belt 33 through the slot 35 in the platform 32 down to a first pulley 72 below the slot 35, the first pulley 72 diverting the cable 71 in a fore-and-aft direction to form a transverse cable section 75, the transverse cable section 75 extending to a second pulley 72 at the base of the carriage support 40. The second pulley 72 turns the cable 71 upward to form an ascending cable segment 76 (fig. 9 and 13), the ascending cable segment 76 extending to the top of the carriage support 40 to a third pulley 72, the third pulley 72 turning the cable 71 approximately 180 ° to form a descending cable segment 77, the descending cable segment 77 being connected to the carriage 50. It should be understood that each of the cable segments 74, 75, 76, 77 described herein are sections of cable routing and are not necessarily discrete sections of the cable 71 itself, as certain portions of the cable 71 may be moved between the sections by movement of the protective band 33 and the carriage 50.

In one embodiment, the carriage 50 may have a cable attachment structure configured for attachment to the cable 71, and the cable attachment structure may be disposed at a rear portion of the carriage 50. In the embodiment shown in fig. 9-14, cable 71 is connected to carriage 50 by being connected to beam 68 forming weight mount 56, but may be connected to carriage 50 in a different manner in other embodiments. The protective belt cable segment 74 may be connected to the protective belt 33 by a removable connecting structure, such as a snap hook clip 78 or other similar structure, as shown in fig. 2, 5 and 6, which enables removal and interchange of the protective belt 33 and/or attachment of additional lengths of cable 71 to provide greater cable lengths. The protective belt cable section 74 may also include a stop 79, such as a rubber ball having a diameter wider than the width of the slot 35, the stop 79 being connected to the cable 71 to prevent the cable 71 from being pulled further into the slot 35 and to ensure that some length of the cable 71 will extend out of the slot 35, as also shown in fig. 2, 5 and 6. The pulley 72 in the embodiment of fig. 1-15 is configured to not create a mechanical advantage between the protective belt 33 and the carriage 50, but in another embodiment the cable system 70 may be configured to create a mechanical advantage. In yet another embodiment, the cable system 70 may include a plurality of cables 71, and the cables 71 may be discontinuous, such as by using a gear system to transfer energy from a first cable 71 to a second cable 71.

The apparatus 30 in fig. 1-15 has a locking mechanism 80, the locking mechanism 80 being configured to selectively support the carriage 50 in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage 50 along the rail 41. Fig. 1-5 show the carriage 50 at a lowermost position on the track 41 defined by the stop 45, and fig. 6-7 show the locking mechanism 80 supporting the carriage 50 in a raised position. Lifting bracket 50 to the raised position allows protective band 33 to extend upwardly a greater distance from platform 32, thereby allowing exercises to be started and completed in a safer, proper, and comfortable position, and also facilitating the addition and removal of weights 36 from weight mounting bracket 56. The locking mechanism 80 in fig. 1-15 includes a locking member 81, the locking member 81 being movable between a locking position in which the locking member 81 engages the carriage 50 and supports the carriage 50 in the raised position (see fig. 6-7) and a releasing position in which (see fig. 1-5) the locking member 81 does not engage the carriage 50 or obstruct movement of the carriage 50, and the carriage 50 is free to move below the raised position to the lowermost position of the carriage 50. In one embodiment, the locking member 81 is moved by pivoting about the pivot point 82, as shown in fig. 5-6, which shows the locking member 81 pivoted about the pivot point 82 as indicated by the rotational arrow R. The locking mechanism 80 may also include structure to assist in moving the locking member 81 between the locking position and the release position.

The locking mechanism 80 in fig. 1-15 further comprises a drive body 83, the drive body 83 being drivingly connected to one or more brackets or other pivotal connection members 86 defining the drive point 82, and the locking member 81 being fixedly connected to the drive body 83 and pivoting with the drive body 83 about the pivot point 82. As shown in fig. 1-7, the pivot body 83 includes a base or base member 84 and one or more vertical members 85 connected to the base 84, the or each vertical member 85 having a handle 87, the handle 87 configured to be grasped by a user to rotate the pivot body 83. In the embodiment of fig. 1-7, the pivot body 83 has two vertical members 85, the two vertical members 85 being spaced apart from each other along the horizontal length of the base 84, each having a handle 87, and the base 84 extending horizontally between the vertical members 85. In this embodiment, the locking member 81 is connected to the base 84 and extends upwardly from the base 84 at a location along the horizontal length of the base 84 between the vertical members 85, and may be equidistant from the two vertical members 85 to form a W-shape or an E-shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the embodiment of fig. 1-7, vertical members 85 also extend downwardly from the base 84 for connection to two pivotal connection members 86 on the support frame 31. In this configuration, the pivotal connection member 86 and the pivot point 82 defined thereby are located below the base 84, and the locking member 81 is located above the base 84. The handle 87 provides multiple surfaces for gripping at various heights, orientations, and grip angles to provide versatility according to the user's requirements and preferences. The position of the handle 87 along the length of the vertical member 85 may also be adjustable, such as by using a removable and/or adjustable securing structure that is engageable with the fastener holes 26 in the vertical member 85. For example, in the embodiment of fig. 1-15, the handle 87 has an aperture 95, the aperture 95 being configured to receive a pin 37 (e.g., a cotter pin or other locking pin), the pin 37 extending through the fastener hole 26 in the vertical member 85 to adjustably secure the handle 87 in place. In other embodiments, different structures may be used, such as spring pins or other non-removable structures. In other embodiments, the pivot body 83 can have a different configuration, such as having one or more vertical members 85 that differ in location or configuration, having one or more vertical members 85 that are directly connected to the locking member 81 (e.g., without the base 84), having handles 87 that differ in configuration, and/or having a separate structure than the vertical member(s) 85 that are connected to the pivotal connection member(s) 86.

The locking member 81 in fig. 1-7 is shown in more detail in fig. 18-19, the locking member 81 including an engagement portion 88 and an arm portion 89, the engagement portion 88 being configured to engage the bracket 50, the arm portion 89 being connected to the pivot body 83 and extending from the pivot body 83 such that the engagement portion 88 is connected to the arm portion 89 and spaced apart from the pivot body 83. In the embodiment of fig. 1-7 and 18-19, joint 88 is connected at or near the distal end of arm 89, and arm 89 is in the form of a rectangular cylinder with chamfered or beveled ends. In this embodiment, the joint 88 extends outwardly from the arm portion 89 and has an inclined top surface 90, the top surface 90 having a notch 91 and a protrusion 92 at the distal end of the joint 88. When the engagement portion 88 engages the bracket 50 to lock and support the bracket 50 in the raised position, the engagement member 66 of the bracket 50 is received in the notch 91 and engages the projection 92 to maintain engagement of the bracket 50 with the engagement portion 88. In the embodiment of fig. 1-7, the engagement member 66 of the bracket 50 is a round rod or peg as described above, and the engagement portion 88 extends between the plates 57 of the bracket 50 to engage with the engagement member 66. The distal end of the engagement portion 88 also has a chamfered or chamfered surface 94 below the projection 92, which surface 94 can engage the engagement member 66 of the carriage 50 to urge the locking mechanism 80 toward the release position and allow the carriage 50 to pass if the carriage 50 is raised from below the engagement portion 88 when the locking mechanism 80 is in the locked position. It should be understood that the engagement portion 88 of the bracket 50 and the engagement member 66 may have different structures, and they may have complementary structures configured to engage each other.

The lock mechanism 80 may have a movement limiting structure configured to limit the range of movement of the lock mechanism 80 away from the locked position and/or away from the released position. In one embodiment, the pivotal connection member 86 has a stop 93, the stop 93 being configured to limit the extent of rearward/downward pivoting of the pivot body 83 and the locking member 81, i.e., to limit movement of the locking mechanism 80 away from the release position. Additionally, in one embodiment, the pivotal connection member 86 is connected (e.g., fixedly mounted) to a vertical frame member of the support assembly 11, such as the vertical frame member 20B of the weight rack 10 connected with the equipment 30 (see fig. 16-17 and 24-25), or the vertical frame member 21A of the support frame 31 configured as a separate structure (see fig. 33). In this configuration, the vertical frame member (e.g., 20B or 21A) limits the extent to which the pivot body 83 pivots forward, i.e., limits movement of the locking mechanism 80 away from the locked position, by abutting the pivot body 83 and/or its vertical member 85 with the vertical frame member (e.g., 20B or 21A). It should be understood that the vertical frame members may include pads or other abutment structures for this purpose. Fig. 24 and 25 illustrate the range of movement of the locking mechanism 80 allowed by these movement limiting structures in one embodiment.

In operation, the carriage 50 is in the raised position and the locking mechanism 80 is in the locked position to lock and support the carriage 50 in the raised position. The carriage 50 may be loaded with a weight before or after being locked in the raised position. The user then engages the user engagement means, for example by fastening the protective strap 33 to his/her body, and applies tension on the cable 71 (e.g. by applying an upward force on the protective strap 33) to raise the carriage 50 to a height sufficient to clear the protrusion of the engagement portion 88. At this point, the user may grasp the handle 87 to move the pivoting body 83 and locking member 81 to the release position, thereby allowing the carriage 50 to move freely along the track 41 without interference from the locking mechanism 80. When the user is finished exercising, the carriage 50 may be raised to or above the raised position and the locking mechanism 80 may be moved to the locked position to allow the engagement portion 88 to engage the carriage 50 and support the carriage 50 in the raised position. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 may be biased to the locked or released position, such as through the use of a spring, counterweight, or other biasing structure. For example, the locking mechanism 80 may be biased toward the release position, allowing the locking mechanism to be moved to the release position simply by lifting the bracket to clear the protrusion 92 of the engagement portion 88, and requiring the user to push the pivoting body 83 to return the locking mechanism 80 to the locked position.

Fig. 20-22 illustrate another embodiment of a locking member 81, which locking member 81 may be used in conjunction with the locking mechanism 80 of fig. 1-15. The locking member 81 in fig. 19-20 has a removable and/or adjustable engagement portion 88, the engagement portion 88 being usable to adjust the height of the engagement portion 88 based on user preference or requirements (e.g., size of the user). In the embodiment of fig. 19-20, the locking member includes two engagement portions 88, with the upper engagement portion 88 being similar in construction and location to the engagement portion 88 of fig. 1-15, and the second engagement portion 88 including a removable and/or adjustable connection structure 96. The connecting structure 96 of fig. 20-22 includes a bracket 99, the bracket 99 being connectable to the arm portion 89 of the locking member 81 by a pin 37 or other fastener, the pin 37 or other fastener being received through the bracket 99 and the aperture 98 in the arm portion 89. As shown in fig. 20 and 22, arm portion 89 has a plurality of holes 98 at various locations along arm portion 89 below fixed joint 88 to allow attachment of bracket 99 at various locations, and thus second joint 88 is removable and adjustable. In other embodiments, the second engagement portion 88 may be only removable, such as by a single set of holes 98 included on the arm portion 89, or may be only adjustable, such as by the connecting structure 96 having a sliding engagement. In yet another embodiment, the locking member 81 may have only a single engagement portion 88, the single engagement portion 88 being configured to be removable and/or adjustable without a fixed engagement portion 88. The bracket 99 in fig. 20-22 has a C-shape or U-shape and defines a cavity 97, with the arm portion 89 of the locking member 81 being received in the cavity 97. In this embodiment, the pin 37 is a removable pin with a retaining component, such as a cotter pin or the like, although other types of pins or fastening means may be used. It should be noted that the second engagement portion 88 is constructed similarly to the first or fixed engagement portion 88 described above with reference to fig. 1-15, with like reference numerals designating similar structures. The second engagement portion 88 as shown in fig. 20-22 has a slightly longer length than the fixed engagement portion 88, but has an otherwise similar structure. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the locking member 81 may include a plurality of engagement portions 88 having different configurations to provide different functions.

The apparatus 30 of fig. 1-15 is configured to be attached to the weight hanger assembly 10 to form the support assembly 11. Fig. 16-17 illustrate one example of a hanger assembly 10, the hanger assembly 10 including a frame 12 and a plurality of weight lifting structures connected to the frame 12 and/or supported by the frame 12, including squat equipment 30, and various weight exercise supports 18, including bars, handles, and other structures for weight exercises (e.g., pull-up, climbing, and others). In this embodiment, the frame 12 is primarily formed of a plurality of structural support members or frame members 20 in the form of metal bars, the plurality of frame members 20 being arranged and connected to one another as vertical beams, horizontal or transverse cross beams, and corner beams to support the various structures of the hanger assembly 10. In this embodiment, the frame member 20 is connected to the feet 22 to engage the ground. The frame 12 also includes connectors 24 in the form of brackets or other connecting structures for connecting the frame members 20 together to form the frame 12. The frame members 20 shown in fig. 16-17 are formed as square metal tubes having a hollow interior and have fastener holes 26, the fastener holes 26 being arranged at regular intervals along the length of all four surfaces of each frame member 20. This arrangement of fastener holes 26 allows fasteners 28 to extend through each frame member 20 in both lateral directions for connecting various components (including weight lifting structures, other frame members 20, and other structures) to either side of the frame members 20. Suitable fasteners 28 include pins (including cotter pins or other locking pins), bolts and other threaded connectors, clamps, and other types of fasteners. The hanger assembly 10 and frame 12 constructed in the manner shown in fig. 16-17 and described herein allow for construction in a modular manner to provide a variety of configurations as desired, including customizable size, layout, and weight lifting structure to be supported. It should be understood that the hanger assembly 10 may include other supported structures, such as weight hangers for holding dumbbells, barbells, and other weights, supports for weights and lifting equipment, and the like.

The squat apparatus 30 in fig. 1-15 is connected to the hanger assembly 10 as shown in fig. 16-17 through the use of fasteners 28, the fasteners 28 extending through fastener holes 26 in the frame members 20 of the hanger assembly. For example, two frame members 20A run along the left and right sides of the platform 32 and under the ends of the platform 32 and are fastened (e.g., by bolts, screws, or other fasteners) to two outermost support frame members 34, which two outermost support frame members 34 run parallel and adjacent to the frame members 20A. The surface of the pivotal connection member 86 of the apparatus 30 is also secured to the vertical frame members 20B of the hanger assembly 10, the horizontal spacing of the vertical frame members 20B being substantially equal to the spacing between the vertical members 85 of the pivot bodies 83. Other connection points may also be used. This connection allows the squat apparatus 30 to be incorporated into the weight hanger assembly 10 in a compact and convenient manner, thereby reducing the total necessary floor space of the gym. The connection with the hanger assembly 10 further stabilizes the squat apparatus 30 and a shelf may be connected to the hanger assembly 10 to provide a accessible location for weight storage proximate the apparatus 30 without interfering with the operation of the apparatus 30.

Fig. 23-32 illustrate another embodiment of a squat apparatus 30 and weight hanger 10 coupled to squat apparatus 30 that includes many features similar or identical to those shown and described herein for the embodiment of fig. 1-22. Such similar or identical features are denoted by the same reference numerals in fig. 23-32 and may not be described again in detail or entirely for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, the embodiment of fig. 23-32 is described herein primarily with respect to features of the embodiment that are different from or in addition to features of the embodiment of fig. 1-22. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the squat apparatus 30 of fig. 1-32 may be provided separately or as part of a kit with components of the weight hanger 10 to form an assembly including the weight hanger 10 and the squat apparatus 30 connected thereto. Such kits may be provided in a fully or partially assembled state or in a non-assembled state.

The embodiment of fig. 23-32 includes one or more pegs 46, the pegs 46 being connected to the support frame 32 and extending outwardly from the support frame 32 at the base of the bracket support 40 and extending below the rear of the weight bracket 50. Support frame 31 includes an enlarged base 47 at the bottom of carriage support 40 to support rail 41 such that base 47 rests on the ground and rail 41 extends upwardly from base 47. The embodiment of fig. 23-25 and 27 includes two pegs 46, the pegs 46 being connected to a base 47 and extending rearwardly from the base 47 such that the pegs 46 are spaced apart from each other and are located on opposite lateral sides of the track 41. In this configuration, the peg 46 may be used to attach a weight in the form of one or more resistance bands 46A (see fig. 27), which resistance bands 46A wrap around the weight mounting bracket 56 to provide resistance to the weight carrier 50. In this configuration, movement of the weight carriage 50 away from the base 47 (i.e., upward) stretches the resistance band(s) 46A to provide weight resistance to the protective band 33. The base 47 of the support frame 31 also has two supports 27 on its lateral ends to improve the lateral stability of the base 47 and the tray support 40.

The embodiment of fig. 23-32 also has one or more spacers 48 attached to the weight mount 56 to prevent weights supported by the weight mount 56 from contacting the carriage 50 during shifting. In this embodiment, each weight mounting bracket 56 has a spacer 48 in the form of a collar, the spacer 48 being positioned against or adjacent the outer surface of the nearest plate 57 and aligned with the recess 69 such that the beam 68 can pass through the recess 69 and the spacer 48. The spacers 48 each have a set screw hole 49 for receiving a set screw (not shown) to secure the spacer in position relative to the weight mounting bracket 56 and the bracket 50. In another embodiment, the collar 48 may be connected to the bracket 50, such as by welding or other integral bonding technique.

Fig. 23-32 include another embodiment of a locking member 81 that may be used in conjunction with the locking mechanism 80 of fig. 1-15, the locking member 81 being shown in more detail in fig. 26-27 and 29-32. The locking member 81 in fig. 26-27 and 29-32 has a removable and/or adjustable engagement portion 88 that can be used to adjust the height of the engagement portion 88 based on user preferences or requirements (e.g., size of the user). The joint 88 in fig. 26-27 and 29-32 has a removable and/or adjustable connection 96, the connection 96 including a bracket 99, the bracket 99 being connectable to the arm 89 of the locking member 81 by a pin (not shown) or other fastener received through the bracket 99 and a hole 98 in the arm 89. As shown in fig. 29-30, arm portion 89 has a plurality of holes 98 at various locations along arm portion 89 to allow attachment of brackets 99 at a plurality of different locations, and thus in this embodiment, joint 88 is removable and adjustable. In other embodiments, the joint 88 may be only removable, such as by including a single set of holes 98 on the arm 89, or may be only adjustable, such as by having the connecting structure 96 in sliding engagement. In yet another embodiment, the locking member 81 may have only a single engagement portion 88, the single engagement portion 88 being configured to be removable and/or adjustable without a fixed engagement portion 88. The bracket 99 in fig. 26-27 and 29-31 has a C-shape or U-shape and defines a cavity 97, and the arm portion 89 of the locking member 81 is received in the cavity 97 such that the bracket 99 extends around three sides of the arm portion 89. Bracket 99 also has an angled edge 99A, which edge 99A matches the chamfered shape of the end of arm 89. The pin in this embodiment may be a removable pin with a retaining component, such as a cotter pin or the like, similar to the pin 37 shown in fig. 21-22 described herein, although other types of pins or fastening devices may be used. Note that the configuration of the joint 88 in fig. 26-27 and 29-31 is similar to the fixed joint 88 described above with reference to fig. 1-15, with like reference numerals designating similar structures.

The embodiment of fig. 23-32 also has one or more friction reducing structures along at least a portion of the perimeter of slot 35 that allows cable 71 to extend from below through platform 32, i.e., along one or more edges defining slot 35. Such friction reducing structure(s) engage cable 71 as the cable moves through slot 35 to reduce friction between cable 71 and the periphery of slot 35. The friction reducing structure in the embodiment of fig. 23-32 is in the form of rollers 29 disposed along three sides of the groove 35, as shown in more detail in fig. 32. In this embodiment, the trough 35 is elongated between two ends, a pulley 72 is provided at one end of the trough 35, and rollers 29 are provided at the end of the trough 35 opposite the pulley 72 and along the sides of the trough 35 extending between the two ends. The roller 29 in this embodiment has a smooth surface and is free to rotate about the central axis to reduce friction between the cable 71 and the edges of the slot 35, thereby reducing wear and damage to the cable 71 that may occur during multiple cycles of the cable 71 moving back and forth through the slot 35. In other embodiments, the grooves 35 may have friction reducing structures of different configurations, such as different numbers or arrangements of rollers 29, or different smoothly curved stationary surfaces. It should be understood that platform 32 having slot 35 and friction reducing structure as described herein may be used with differently configured weight lifting equipment, such as cable-based belt squat equipment or other cable-based weight lifting equipment having differently configured moveable weights (e.g., not mounted on a cradle).

Fig. 33 illustrates another embodiment of squat apparatus 30 that includes all of the features described herein with reference to fig. 23-32, as well as many features similar or identical to those illustrated and described herein with respect to the embodiment of fig. 1-22. Such similar or identical features are denoted by the same reference numerals in fig. 33 and may not be described again in detail or entirely for the sake of brevity. Thus, the embodiment of fig. 33 is described herein primarily with respect to features that are different from or additional to those of the embodiment of fig. 1-32.

The squat apparatus 30 in fig. 33 is configured for stand-alone use without connection to the weight hanger 10 or other support structure. Therefore, the support frame 31 in this embodiment can be considered to constitute the entire support assembly 11. In this embodiment, the support frame 31 of the apparatus 30 is also provided with a plurality of additional frame members 21, including vertical frame members 21A and horizontal frame members 21B, as well as feet 23 or other ground engaging structure to allow the apparatus 30 to rest stably on the ground. The support frame 31 in fig. 33 has a pair of feet 23, each foot 23 being located at the bottom of one of the vertical frame members 21A, and a second pair of feet 23, the second pair of feet 23 being located at the front of the apparatus 30, at the ends of the support arms 25 extending from the front of the apparatus 30. In this configuration, vertical frame members 21A are connected to support frame 31 by bolting to the front side of pivot brackets 86, and horizontal frame members 21B are connected and fastened (e.g., by bolts, screws, or other fasteners) along the left and right sides of platform 32 and below the ends of platform 32 to the two outermost support frame members 34, which two outermost support frame members 34 are parallel and contiguous with frame members 21B, similar to the connection of frame members 20A in fig. 16-17. The support arms 25 are connected to the ends of the horizontal frame members 21B, such as by welding or other integral joining technique, and each arm 25 may be a single integral part with a respective horizontal frame member 21B. In another embodiment, the arms 25 may be connected to the ends of the horizontal frame members 21B or other structure connected to the support frame 31 by bolts or other fasteners. As an additional stabilizing structure, the support frame includes supports 27 on the lateral ends of the base 47, as discussed herein.

Various embodiments of a weight lifting apparatus 30 and a weight hanger assembly 10 incorporating such apparatus have been described herein, including various components and features. In other embodiments, the equipment 30 and/or the weight hanger assembly 10 may be provided with any combination of such components and features. For example, in one embodiment, certain features of the apparatus 30 (such as the support frame 31, the platform 32, the cable system 70, and/or the locking mechanism 80) may be used in conjunction with different types of movable weight assemblies (such as movable weights that do not use brackets and/or bracket supports). As another example, in one embodiment, carriage 50 and/or carriage support 40 may be used in conjunction with different types of cable-based weight machines, and cable system 70 may have different paths for use with different weight lifting exercises that may have different directions of movement or characteristics of motion. As another example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 30 may not have certain features described herein. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the weight apparatus 30 and weight hanger assembly 10 described herein may be configured to have similar structural and functional elements with different configurations, including different ornamental appearances.

The configurations of the weight lifting apparatus and components thereof shown and described herein provide advantages over existing weight lifting apparatus, particularly when configured as a belt-type squat apparatus. The configuration of the carriage and carriage support provides smooth movement during exercise consistent with a variety of different weights, including a relatively large number of weights. The locking mechanism provides a safe, easy and reliable way to initiate squat exercises in place while allowing a range of free movement within the desired exercise range. The cable system and path of the cable avoids interference of the cable during exercise and reduces the likelihood of damage to the cable during exercise. The unitary construction of the apparatus allows the apparatus to be provided as a stand-alone unit or easily incorporated into a weight hanger assembly. Other advantages will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize the features of the various embodiments, as well as the possible combinations and permutations of the various components. One skilled in the art will further recognize that any of the embodiments may be provided in any combination with other embodiments disclosed herein. It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side," "rear," "proximal," "distal," and the like, as used herein, are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the invention unless explicitly recited by the claims. As used herein, "integral bonding technique" refers to a technique for bonding two pieces such that the two pieces are in fact a single integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible bonding techniques such as welding, brazing, soldering, etc., that do not accomplish separation of the bonded pieces without destroying their structure. In addition, the term "plurality" as used herein is a disjunctive number or a conjunctive number, as desired, in accordance with any number representing from greater than 1 to an infinite number. Therefore, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims (53)

1. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a user engagement device configured to engage a user during performance of an exercise on the weight machine;

a carriage support including a rail extending upwardly from a base;

a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement;

a cable system including a cable operably connected to the user engagement device and the carriage and one or more pulleys connected to the weight lifting apparatus to guide a path of the cable such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system; and

a locking mechanism including a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locking member engages with the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a releasing position in which the locking member does not engage with the carriage and the carriage is freely movable below the raised position.

2. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the carriage includes a weight mounting bracket configured for engagement with the weight, the weight being in the form of a free weight supported by the weight mounting bracket.

3. The weight machine of claim 1, wherein the carriage includes a weight mount configured to engage the weight in the form of a resistance band, and wherein the base has a peg extending outwardly therefrom, and wherein the peg and the weight mount are configured to engage the resistance band such that movement of the carriage away from the base stretches the resistance band.

4. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a platform configured to support the user during exercise; and

a support assembly supporting the platform;

wherein at least the base of the carriage support is connected to the support assembly, and wherein the locking mechanism is connected to the support assembly.

5. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carriage support includes an upright rail defining said track, wherein said upright rail is hollow, and said cable of said cable system has a riser cable segment extending vertically within said hollow upright rail.

6. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking member is movable by pivoting between the locking position and the release position, and wherein the locking member includes an engagement portion configured to engage and support the carriage at the raised position, the engagement portion having a recess configured to receive the engagement member of the carriage.

7. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a platform configured to support the user during exercise, the platform having a slot;

a first pulley of the one or more pulleys located adjacent to the slot of the platform, wherein a cable extends through the slot to connect to the user engagement device and the cable engages with the first pulley; and

a friction reducing structure disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the slot and configured to engage the cable.

8. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the friction reducing structure comprises one or more rollers disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the trough and configured to engage the cable.

9. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the trough is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end and the perimeter of the trough includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first pulley is located at the first end of the trough, and wherein the friction reducing structure includes one or more rollers disposed at one or more of the second end and the two sides of the trough.

10. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the trough is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end and the perimeter of the trough includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first pulley is located at the first end of the trough, and wherein the friction reducing structure includes a plurality of rollers disposed at the second end and the two sides of the trough.

11. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the trough is elongated between a first end and a second end opposite the first end and the perimeter of the trough includes the first end and the second end and two sides extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first pulley is located at the first end of the trough, and wherein the friction reducing structure is disposed at the second end and the two sides of the trough.

12. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a carriage mounted on and movable along a carriage support, wherein the weight is engaged with the carriage, and wherein the cable system is connected to the carriage such that movement of the user engagement means by the user lifts the carriage and the weight via the cable system during exercise.

13. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a user engagement device configured to engage a user during performance of an exercise on the weight machine;

a carriage support including a vertical rail extending upwardly from a base and defining a track, wherein the vertical rail is hollow and has a central channel extending vertically within the vertical rail;

a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement; and

a cable system including a cable operably connected to the user engagement device and the carriage and one or more pulleys connected to the weight lifting apparatus to guide a path of the cable such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system, wherein the cable of the cable system has an ascending cable segment that extends vertically within the central channel of the vertical guide rail.

14. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a locking mechanism including a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locking member engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a release position in which the locking member does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

15. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 1 or 14 wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a pivot body including a base member extending in a horizontal length and first and second vertical members connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the first and second vertical members are spaced apart along the horizontal length of the base member;

the locking member including an arm connected with the base member and extending upwardly from the base member at a location along the horizontal length of the base member between the first and second vertical members, and an engagement portion connected to the arm, wherein the engagement portion has a recess configured to receive a portion of the movable weight assembly; and

a pivotal connection member connected to the pivot body and to the weight apparatus to pivotally connect the pivot body to the weight apparatus, wherein the pivot body and the locking member are configured to pivot together about the pivotal connection member.

16. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 15 wherein said pivotal connection member defines a pivot axis extending parallel to said base member of said pivot body.

17. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a second pivotal connection member connected to the pivot body and spaced from the pivot body along the horizontal length of the base member, the second pivotal connection member pivotally connecting the pivot body to the weight lifting apparatus, wherein the pivot body and the locking member are configured to pivot together about the pivotal connection member and the second pivotal connection member.

18. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 17 wherein the pivotal connection member is connected to the first vertical member of the pivot body and the second pivotal connection member is connected to the second vertical member of the pivot body.

19. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first and second vertical members further extend downwardly from the base member, and wherein the pivotal connection member and the second pivotal connection member are connected to the first and second vertical members, respectively, below the base member.

20. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the engagement portion extends outwardly from the arm portion.

21. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the joint is adjustably connected to the arm such that the joint is configured to be mounted at a plurality of different positions along the length of the arm.

22. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 21 wherein the locking member further comprises a bracket fixedly connected to the joint and a pin, the bracket having a cavity in which the arm is received, the pin being configured to engage the bracket and the arm at the plurality of different positions along the length of the arm to adjustably connect the bracket and the joint to the arm at any of the plurality of different positions.

23. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cable has a user engagement device cable section extending from the user engagement device, a transverse cable section extending in a transverse direction from the user engagement device cable section to the riser cable section, and a riser cable section extending downwardly from the riser cable section to the carriage.

24. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one pulley of the cable system includes a first pulley located between the user engagement device cable segment and the transverse cable segment, a second pulley located between the transverse cable segment and the ascending cable segment, and a third pulley located between the ascending cable segment and the descending cable segment.

25. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cable has a descending cable segment extending downwardly from the ascending cable segment to the carriage, and at least one pulley comprises a first pulley located between the ascending cable segment and the descending cable segment, and wherein the descending cable segment extends outside of the central channel of the vertical guide rail.

26. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a platform configured to support the user during exercise; and

a support assembly supporting the platform;

wherein at least the base of the carriage support is connected to the support assembly, and wherein the cable extends downwardly and through a slot in the platform and laterally from the slot to the riser cable section.

27. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the carriage includes a weight mounting bracket configured for engagement with the weight, the weight being in the form of a free weight supported by the weight mounting bracket.

28. The weight machine of claim 13 wherein the carriage includes a weight mount configured for engagement with the weight, the weight being in the form of a resistance band, and wherein the base has a peg extending outwardly therefrom, and wherein the peg and the weight mount are configured to engage with the resistance band such that movement of the carriage away from the base stretches the resistance band.

29. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a carriage support comprising a track;

a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically along the track, wherein the carriage is configured to engage a weight for resisting vertical movement during performance of an exercise on the weight machine; and

a locking mechanism including a locking member movable by pivoting between a locking position in which the locking member engages with the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a release position in which the locking member does not engage with the carriage and the carriage is freely movable below the raised position.

30. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 29, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member configured for connection to a support assembly and a pivot body connected to the pivotal connection member such that the locking mechanism is pivotable about the pivotal connection member, wherein the locking member is connected to and extends upwardly from the pivot body.

31. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 30 wherein the pivot body includes a horizontally extending base member and a vertical member connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the vertical member has a handle configured for grasping by a user to pivot the locking mechanism between the locked position and the released position.

32. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 31 wherein the pivot body further comprises a second vertical member connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the second vertical member has a second handle configured for grasping by a user to pivot the locking mechanism between the locked position and the released position, and wherein the vertical member is spaced from the second vertical member and the locking member is disposed between the vertical member and the second vertical member.

33. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 32 wherein the vertical member is connected to the pivotal connection member and the locking mechanism further comprises a second pivotal connection member and the second vertical member is connected to the second pivotal connection member such that the locking mechanism is pivotable about the pivotal connection member and the second pivotal connection member, and wherein the base member extends horizontally between the vertical member and the second vertical member.

34. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking member includes an engagement portion configured to engage and support the carriage in the raised position, the engagement portion having a recess configured to receive the engagement member of the carriage.

35. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

a user engagement device configured to engage a user during exercise;

a cable system including a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the carriage such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise moves the carriage vertically along the track via the cable system;

a platform configured to support the user during exercise; and

a support assembly supporting the platform,

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member connected to the support assembly and an actuating body connected to the pivotal connection member to enable the locking mechanism to pivot about the pivotal connection member, wherein the locking member is connected to the pivoting body.

36. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

a platform configured to support a user during exercise; and

a support assembly supporting the platform, wherein the support assembly comprises a vertical frame member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a pivotal connection member connected to the support assembly and an actuator connected to the pivotal connection member such that the locking mechanism is pivotable about the pivotal connection member and the locking member is connected to the pivot body, and wherein the vertical frame member is caused to abut the pivot body to limit the range of movement of the locking mechanism away from the locked position.

37. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 29 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a movement limiting structure configured to limit a range of movement of the locking mechanism away from the locked position and away from the released position.

38. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a bracket support;

a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move vertically on the carriage support, wherein the carriage is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement during performance of an exercise on the weight machine; and

a locking mechanism including a base member, a locking member having an arm extending upwardly from the base member and an engagement portion connected to the arm, and an upright member connected to the base member and extending upwardly from the base member, the upright member having a handle, wherein the locking mechanism is movable by manipulation of the handle to move the locking member between a locking position in which the engagement portion engages the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a release position in which the engagement portion does not engage the carriage and the carriage is free to move below the raised position.

39. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 38, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a second upright member connected to and extending upwardly from the base member, wherein the second upright member has a second handle configured to be grasped by a user to move the locking mechanism between the locked position and the released position, and wherein the upright member is spaced from the second upright member.

40. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 39 wherein the locking member is located between the upright member and the second upright member.

41. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 39 wherein the base member extends horizontally between the vertical member and the second vertical member.

42. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 38 wherein the engagement portion has a recess configured to receive an engagement member of the carriage.

43. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 38 wherein the engagement portion extends outwardly from the arm portion.

44. A weight lifting apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the joint is adjustably connected to the arm such that the joint is configured to be mounted at a plurality of different positions along the length of the arm.

45. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:

a user engagement device configured to engage a user during exercise;

a cable system including a cable operatively connected to the user engagement device and the carriage such that movement of the user engagement device by the user during exercise vertically moves the carriage along a track supported by the carriage via the cable system;

a platform configured to support the user during exercise; and

a support assembly supporting the platform,

wherein the locking mechanism is movably connected to the support assembly.

46. A weight lifting apparatus according to any one of claims 1,14,35 or 45 wherein the carriage comprises:

a bracket body having a central passage configured for receiving the bracket support therethrough, the bracket body having a front end and a rear end located on opposite sides of the central passage;

a plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the carriage body and disposed within the central passage, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to engage a front side and a rear side of the carriage support, and wherein the carriage is configured to be movable along the carriage support;

a weight mount connected to said carriage body at said rear end of said carriage body, wherein said weight mount is configured for engagement with a weight for resisting vertical movement of said carriage;

an engagement member connected to the carriage body at the front end of the carriage body, wherein the engagement member is configured to engage with a locking member of the weight lifting apparatus to selectively support the carriage in the raised position; and

a cable attachment portion configured for attaching a cable to the bracket body.

47. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 46, wherein said cable attachment portion is located at said rear end of said carriage body.

48. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 46 wherein the weight mount includes a beam extending laterally outward from the first and second lateral sides of the carriage body, and wherein the cable attachment portion is located on the beam.

49. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 48 wherein the carriage body includes first and second plates located on the first and second lateral sides of the carriage body such that the central passage is defined between the first and second plates and the roller extends between the first and second plates, and wherein the beam is received in a recess on the first and second plates.

50. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 46 wherein the carriage body includes first and second plates located on opposite lateral sides of the carriage body such that the central passage is defined between the first and second plates and the roller extends between the first and second plates.

51. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 50 wherein the first plate and the second plate each have a projection extending outwardly at the front end of the carriage body, and wherein the engagement member comprises a rod connected to and extending between the first plate and the second plate at the projection.

52. The weight lifting apparatus of claim 46 wherein the plurality of rollers includes a first roller and a second roller, the first roller is configured to engage one of the front side and the rear side of the carriage support, the second roller is configured to engage the other of the front side and the rear side of the carriage support, wherein the second roller is fixed and the first roller is horizontally movable toward and away from the second roller to adjust a spacing between the first roller and the second roller, and wherein the bracket body includes a slot to receive a shaft of the first roller, a threaded hole intersecting the slot, and a set screw received in the threaded hole, wherein the set screw is configured to adjust a spacing between the first roller and the second roller by advancing and retreating the screw thread, thereby moving the shaft within the slot toward or away from the second roller.

53. A weight lifting apparatus, comprising:

a bracket support;

a carriage movably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move along the carriage support; and

a locking mechanism movable between a locking position in which the locking mechanism engages with the carriage and supports the carriage in a raised position above a lowermost position of the carriage and a releasing position in which the locking mechanism does not engage with the carriage and the carriage is freely movable below the raised position.

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