GB2186806A - Weight stack type exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An exercise machine comprises a frame having front and rear parallel upstanding tracks (1, 3) on one of which is slideable a weight stack (11) and on the other of which a pulley means (21) is adjustable in height, a cable (23) with user grips at its free ends passing around said pulley means (21) to a pulley means (17) adjustable in height on the said one track (1) above the weights support and thence to a pulley means (13) attached to the weights support. The pulley means (17, 21) are adjustable in height to meet the needs of people of varying stature. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise unit Field of the invention The present invention relates to exercising apparatus with which a person can perform physical exercises against a reaction force provided by a weight.

Background to the invention Various forms of exercising apparatus are known which are arranged so that in performing an exercise a user causes a weight to be lifted, the weight being arranged to run up and down a vertical or inclined track. Typically, a plurality of weights are provided in the form of a stack and means are provided to vary the number of weights which are lifted when an exercise is performed. The weights are connected by means of a lever or pulley and cable arrangement to a grip or other means which the user is to move in performing the exercise.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides exercise apparatus having a frame which provides a vertical or inclined track for one or more weights, the weight or weights being attached to first pulley means around which passes a cable. A second pulley means is attached to the frame and to the cable passes round the second pulley means to a grip or means for attaching a grip. The position of the second pulley means on the frame is variable.

Preferably, the cord passes over the second pulley means twice, with its path extending from the second pulley means around the first pulley means and back to the second pulley means. Conveniently, a grip or means for attaching a grip is provided at both ends of the cord.

In a preferred embodiment, a third pulley means is also provided on the frame, and the cord passes around the third pulley means between passing around the first pulley means and passing around the second pulley means.

Preferably the position at which the third pulley means is attached to the frame is also variable.

The cord leaves the frame having passed over the second pulley means. Because the position of this pulley means on the frame is variable, the height at which the cord leaves the frame can be adjusted. Not only does this enable the apparatus to be used in a variety of different exercises with the cord being attached to the users body or gripped by the user at different parts of the body, but also it permits the apparatus to be adjusted to the needs of different users of different statures.

In particular, in many common exercises it is highly desirable for the direction of the reaction force against which the user works to be substantially horizontal and provided at the level at which the user contacts the grip or other means provided to apply the reaction force. Because the position of the second pulley means is variable, the apparatus of the present invention permits this requirement to be met in the performance of a variety of different exercises.

The provision of the third pulley means is advantageous by virtue of two functions it can perform. First, it provides a way of accommodating any excess length in the cord. Second, it provides a means for permitting an adequate length of travel for the weight in the performance of exercises with the second pulley means attached to the frame only slightly above the rest position of the weight.

The difficulty which is overcome in this second advantage arises as follows. If the cord passes directly from the second pulley means to the first pulley means (attached to the weight), then as the weight is lifted upwards it or its pulley means will strike the second pulley means when the level of the weight approaches the level of the second pulley means, assuming that second pulley means is located close to the track along which the weight moves. Alternatively, if the second pulley means is spaced from the track of the weight, then as the level of the weight approaches the level of the second pulley means the direction of the cord leaving the first pulley means will cease to be along the direction of the track but will instead acquire a significant component sideways of the track towards the second pulley means.

In either case, once the weight has reached this position it is not possible to lift it any further by pulling on the cord. This effect limits the total length of travel of the weight. If the exercise being performed requires the second pulley means to be located near the bottom of the frame, as in an ankle exercise, the second pulley means may be located only slightly above the position of rest of the weight, so that the total distance of travel for the weight may be too short for a useful exercise to be performed. However, by providing the third pulley means in the path of the cord between the first and second pulley means, this problem can be avoided.In this case, the upper limit of travel of the weight is determined by the position of the third pulley means, and this can be provided at a suitably high level to permit a substantial travel for the weight while the second pulley means can be located at a low level if desired.

Advantageously, the apparatus also provides fourth pulley means extending forwardly of the frame at a reiatively high level. The cord having passed out of the frame via the second pulley means can be passed over the fourth pulley means so as to descend towards the user substantially vertically. This enables the apparatus to be used also for exercises requir ing a vertically upward reaction force on the user.

in use, the apparatus may be fixed to a wall or to a free-standing support.

The present invention also relates to accessories which may be connected to the exercise apparatus for use in the performance of further exercises. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise bench which may be used for example in leg exercises in which a lever attached to the bench is moved against a reaction force. Normally, a user will lie on the bench and pass his or her legs under contact points on the lever, and then attempt to lift the lever. Once again, prior art apparatus of this type has not been properly adjustable for users of different stature. The present invention provides a bench in which the length of the lever (as measured to the contact points) is variable.

Embodiments of the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic overall view of apparatus embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a detail view of the front carriage and pulley means; Figure 3 shows the spring clip which holds the front carriage in position on the frame of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a detail view of the rear carriage and associated pulley means; Figure 5 shows the spring clip which holds the rear carriage in position on the frame of the apparatus; Figure 6 shows the weight stack and associated pulley means; Figure 7 shows an exercise bench embodying the present invention for attachment to the exercise apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows the mechanism for adjusting the iengths of the lever arms of the bench of Figure 7;; Figure 9 shows one end of the cord of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 10 to 12 show handgrips which may be attached to the cord; and Figure 13 shows a further accessory which may be attached to the frame of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the drawings An exercise apparatus embodying the present invention has a frame comprising a rear pair of struts 1, a front pair of struts 3, top connecting pieces 5 and bottom connecting pieces 7. At the rear end of the top and bottom connecting pieces brackets 9 are provided whereby the frame can be mounted to a wall or to a supporting structure. The rear struts 1 provide a track on which a weight stack 11 runs. Attached to the top of the weight stack 11 is a weight pulley 13. Above the weight stack 11 and also running on the rear struts is a rear carriage 15 carrying rear pulleys 17. A front carriage 19, carrying front pulleys 21 runs on the front struts 3.

A cord 23 (typically a wire) runs from one end outside the frame around one side of the front pulleys 21, then around one side of the rear pulleys 17, then around the weight pulley 13, then back to the rear pulleys and around the other side of them, then back to the front pulleys 21 and around the other side of them, then finally to a second end also outside the frame. The front pulleys 21 are provided as double pulleys, in which the cord 23 passes between upper and lower pulley wheels both times it passes around these pulleys. This ensures that there is a pulley wheel to support the cord both when the front carriage 19 is higher than the rear carriage 15 and when the front carriage 19 is lower than the rear carriage 15.

Both carriages 15 and 19 can move along their respective struts. The struts are apertured and spring clip means are provided on the carriages which co-operate with the apertures to hold the carriages in any of a number of positions along the lengths of the struts.

Once the carriages have been fixed into desired positions along their respective struts, if the cord 23 is pulled out through the front pulleys 21 this causes the weight stack 11 (or such weights from the stack as may be connected to the weight pulley 13 from time to time) to be lifted. This causes a reaction force on the cord 23.

The top connecting means 5 provide a pair of arms extending forwardly of the frame of the apparatus, and these support fixed top pulleys 25. Normally, adjustment of the height of the front carriage 19 enables the cord 23 to leave the frame and extend to a user in a substantially horizontal direction. Should it be desired that the cord 23 extends to the user in a substantially vertical direction, the ends of the cords may be passed around the fixed top pulleys 25 so that the cord runs from the front carriage 19 to and around the fixed pulleys 25 and then to the user.

The structure of the front carriage 19 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The front carriage 19 bears guide members 27 which extend partway across the front and rear faces of the front struts 3.

These guide members 27 guide the carriage as it is moved up and down the front struts 3, and ensure that it remains attached to the front struts 3. The carriage also carries spring clips 29, which enable the carriage to be fixed at a chosen position on the front strut 3 by co-operation between the clips 29 and appertures 31 on the front faces of the struts 3.

The spring clips 29 each comprise a lever 33 having a handle end extending inwardly of the carriage between the struts 3 and a stud bearing end extending over the front face of the respective front strut 3. The stud-bearing end of the lever 33 bears a stud 35 which co-operates with the apertures 31 in the front struts 3 to hold the carriage 19 in position.

The lever 33 is pivoted between these two ends to the main body of the carriage 19, and a spring 37 biases the stud-bearing end of the lever 33 towards the front struts 3. In order to change the position of the carriage 19, the handle ends of the levers 33 are pressed rearwardly of the frame of the apparatus. The studs 35 are thus withdrawn from the apertures 31 and the carriage can be slid freely up and down the front struts 3. When the carriage 19 has been moved to the desired new position, the levers 33 are released and the springs 37 drive the stud 35 into the apertures 31 at the new position of the carriage.

The structure of the rear carriage 15 will now be discussed with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The rear carriage 15 is provided with guide blocks 39 which extend around the rear struts 1. These secure the rear carriage 15 slideably to the struts 1. On each guide block 39 there is provided a spring clip 41. The spring clips 41 are similar in structure to the spring clips 29 on the front carriage. They each have a lever 43 bearing a stud 45 and acted on by a spring 47 in a corresponding manner. The stud 45 co-operates with apertures 49 in the rear struts in the same manner as the stud 35 co-operates with the apertures 31 in the front struts 3.However, the handle ends of the levers 43 extend outwardly of the carriage 15 rather than inwardly, and the spring clips 41 are also provided with fixed handles 51 against which the spring 47 reacts and which can be grasped by a user at the same time as the handle end of a lever 43 is grasped. The rear carriage 15 is moved up and down the rear stuts 1 in the same manner as the front carriage 19 is moved up and down the front struts 3.

The weight stack 11 will now be described with reference to Figure 6. The top of the weight stack 11 is formed by a top member 53. This top member 53 supports the weight pulley 13 of it, and is attached to weight connecting means 55 which extend downwardly from it through the centre of the stack 11.

Below the weight stack top member 53 there are a number of individual weights 57. The weight stack top member 53 and the individual weights 57 are all in the form of horizontal plates which are apertured so that the rear struts 1 pass through them and they can slide up and down on the rear struts 1. The individual weights 57 are also apertured to allow the weight connecting means 55 to pass through them. The weight connector 55 can be connected to any chosen one of the weights 57 by passing a pin under the weight 57 and through the connector 55. When the weight stack top member 53 is lifted, it will lift with it via the weight connector 55 the weight 57 to which the connector 55 is connected, and also any other weights 57 above the one connected to the connector 55. In this way, the number of weights which are lifted can be varied.

Preferably each end of the cord 23 terminates in a snap-action shackle 59 as shown in Figure 9. Various grips and other accessories can be connected to the cord 23 by the shackles 59. For instance, each end of the cord could be connected to a separate hand grip 61, such as that shown in Figure 10.

Alternatively, both ends of the cord 23 may be connected to a common member such as either of the bars 63, 65 shown in Figures 11 and 12.

Normally when a single grip or other accessory is being used both ends of the cord 23 will be connected to it. However, it is possible to connect only one end of the cord 23 to the grip or accessory and allow the other end of the cord to remain free. The cord can then be pulled round the pulleys until the shackle 59 at the free end of the cord 23 lodges between upper and lower pulley wheels in the front pulleys 21. Under these circumstances, since the cord to one side of the weight pulley 13 is immobilised, the weight pulley 13 rotates as the weight stack 11 is lifted and the user obtaines a mechanical advantage.

If the exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1 is accompanied by two handgrips such as the one shown in Figure 10, a bar such as the one shown in Figure 11 and a sling-shaped ankle/leg strap, a wide range of physical execises can be performed without the need for any further apparatus. The following lists the most commonly desired exercises which are available.

Latissimus High Crank By moving the two carriages 15, 19 to near the top of their respective pairs of struts 1, 3, the cord 23 should be fed over the top two pulleys 25 above the head and then either individual handgrips 61 or the bar 63 should be attached to carry out the normal range of exercises in front of and behind the head to exercise a latissimus dorsi and trapezius.

Pectoralis and Trapezius Extension With conventional apparatus it has always been difficult to exercise the adductors because attachments have been made to the ankle and thus the knee joint has regulated the amount of work load that can be placed on the adductors. Place the front carriage 19 in position level with the top of the knee. Using one end of the cord 23 only, or both ends, as desired, fix the ankle/leg strap just above the knee. Turning sideways to the apparatus, it is now possible to move the leg across the body pulling a fairly large weight against the adductors thus strengthening both the short and the long adductors. This should be done with each leg passing in front of the other (balancing) leg.

Hip Exercise By placing the forward carriage 19 in the lower position of the frame, the leg strap should now be attached around the ankle.

Again, standing side-ways to the apparatus the leg should be swung in front of the body rotating the hip at the end of each movement.

Hamstrings Leaving the apparatus in exactly the same position turn facing the apparatus and pull the leg from the forward position backwards as far as posible thus exercising the hamstrings.

Ouadriceps Now turn with the back to the apparatus and carry out the same exercise, this time driving the leg forward as if in a kicking action, exercising the quadriceps.

Rowing Leaving the front carriage in the bottom position, fix both ends of the cord 23 to the bar 63 and sitting either with- the legs straight or bent and the feet against the front struts 3 of the apparatus a rowing exercise can be carried out.

Bicep Curl Without moving any of the apparatus, stand up facing the apparatus and holding the bar in both hands at the full extension of the arms, curl the arms up to the chest thus exercising the biceps. This exercise can also be carried out using individual arms.

Military Press By moving the front carriage 19 to approximately waist height and adjusting the back carriage 15 to ensure the weight stack 11 does not come in contact with it at the full extension of the arms, stand facing the apparatus holding the bar level with the chest with both cables taut then extend the arms upwards until they "lock out" thus producing a military press exercise.

This range of exercises can be increased by the use of further accessories. Figure 1 3 shows a further kind of bar grip, having means to attach it to the front struts 3 of the frame. The bar 67 is pivotally connected to a horizontal member 69 which extends rearwardly between the front struts 3 in use. The horizontal member 69 is in turn supported by a cross member 71 which extends between the front struts 3 in use. Each end of the cross member 71 terminates in a slide member 73 which contacts the struts 3. The accessory apparatus as a whole can be moved up and down the front struts 3, and can be fixed in a number of positions by pins 73 which co-operate with apertures 75 in the side faces of the struts 3.This accessory enables the user to carry out chest conditioning exercises and a bench press, although some of the exercises which can be carried out using this accessory can also be carried out without it using only the apparatus and accessories previously described.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an exercise bench embodying the present invention which can also function as an accessory for the exercise apparatus of Figure 1. The exercise bench has a bench surface 77 supported by framework 79. At one end of the bench the framework 79 is attached to a socket 81 which fits across the front struts 3 of the exercise apparatus, providing a stable connection between the exercise apparatus and the bench. At the other end of the bench an 'L'-shaped lever 83 is pivotally connected at its corner to the end of the bench at about the level of the bench surface. Each end of the lever 83 terminates in laterally extending pads 85.

One or both ends of the cord 23 can be connected to the downwardly extending arm of the lever 83 to provide a reaction force against movement of the lever. Pulley means 87 is provided to hold the cord 23 away from the bench surface 77. This apparatus can be used for quadricep, hamstring and calf exercises.

In use, the user does not contact the lever 83 directly, but acts on it via the pads 85. In conventional apparatus using this type of lever there has again been the problem that the apparatus is designed for use by the "average" person, and the distance between the pads 85 and the pivot is not appropriate for all users. In accordance with the principle of making the apparatus adjustable to meet the needs of users of various statures, which can be seen in the construction of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1, the bench of Figure 7 embodying the present invention provides means for adjusting the distance between the pivot of the lever 83 and the pads 85. As is shown in more detail in Figure 8, each arm of the lever 83 comprises two pieces, one of which is slideably mounted inside the other to extend beyond it. The inner piece has a plurality of apertures and the outer piece has a spring clip similar to those already described with reference to Figures 3 and 5, which enables the inner piece to be secured in various positions in which it extends beyond the outer piece by varying amounts. The pads 85 are born by one of the pieces and the pivotal connection is made to the other of the pieces, so that relative movement between the two pieces of an arm of the lever 83 varies the distance between the pivot and the pads 85.

Further accessories can be provided for the exercise apparatus of Figure 1 if desired. For example, a rowing sliding seat can be provided, which enables a more complete rowing exercise to be carried out. The complete exer cise can be useful for strengthening the quadriceps, as well as exercising the abdominal and back muscles which can be exercised with the apparatus using only the simple accesories previously described.

The illustrated apparatus provides means for carrying out a wide range of physical exercises and can be adapted to meet the needs of people of widely varying stature.

Claims (15)

1. Exercising apparatus comprising a frame incorporating a vertical or inclined track, a support for one or more weights movable up and down the track, a pulley means mounted to the frame, and a cable extending from a grip or grip attachment means to pass around the pulley means to the weight support, the position of the pulley means on the frame being adjustable in height.

2. Exercising apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weights support has a second pulley means attached thereto and around which the cable passes to return to the first pulley means.

3. Exercising apparatus according to claim 2, in which the cable passes twice around the first pulley means and a grip or grip attachment means is provided at both ends of the cable.

4. Exercising apparatus according to claim 3, including a third pulley means mounted to the frame and around which the cable passes intermediate the first pulley means and the second pulley means.

5. Exercising apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the third pulley means is adjustable in height on the frame.

6. Exercising apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the weights support has attachment means enabling the number of attached weights to be varied.

7. Exercising apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the frame comprises two parallel tracks, the weights support being movable on one track on which the position of the third pulley means is height adjustable and the first pulley means being height adjustable on the other track.

8. Exercising apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the said tracks are apertured and the first and the third pulley means are fixed in a chosen position of adjustment by means of aperture-engagement means attached to the respective pulley means.

9. Exercising apparatus according to claim 7 or claim wherein each track comprises a pair of parallel posts and the weightt support and the first and third pulley means each comprise a carriage slidably supported between the posts of one or other tracks.

10. Exercising apparatus according to claim 4 or any claim appendent to claim 4, wherein the first and third pulley means have parallel axes and each comprises laterally spaces pulleys respectively for passage of the cable in opposite directions, whilst the second pulley means on the weight support is constituted by a single, pulley wheel mounted on an axis transverse to the axis of the first and third pulley means.

11. Exercising apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first pulley means comprises at least one pulley set comprising two pulley wheels, the cable passing between the two pulley wheels of a set.

12. Exercising apparatus according to claim 4 or any claim appendent to claim 4, including a fourth pulley means fixedly mounted to the frame above the level of the first and third pulley means.

13. Exercising apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 12, in combination with an exercise bench having meant for attaching said bench to said frame.

14. Exercising apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the bench has an exercise lever of adjustable length.

15. Exercising apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.