US20120083392A1 - Variable grip and resistance exercise machine - Google Patents
Variable grip and resistance exercise machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120083392A1 US20120083392A1 US12/895,992 US89599210A US2012083392A1 US 20120083392 A1 US20120083392 A1 US 20120083392A1 US 89599210 A US89599210 A US 89599210A US 2012083392 A1 US2012083392 A1 US 2012083392A1
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- Prior art keywords
- handle
- exercise machine
- rest position
- grip
- carriage
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
- A63B23/03508—For a single arm or leg
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
- A63B21/062—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
- A63B21/0626—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means
- A63B21/0628—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means for vertical array of weights
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
- A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
- A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
- A63B21/4035—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
- A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
- A63B21/4045—Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
- A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
- A63B23/16—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles for hands or fingers
Abstract
The present invention relates to a variable weight grip machine for strengthening and developing hand grip and forearm strength. A pair of vertical frame members is provided with a supporting base at the bottom. A carriage is spaced from the frame members and is mounted for vertical reciprocation only on a pair of spaced parallel vertical guide bars extending through the carriage and through a plurality of weights below the carriage. Nylon bushings in the carriage engage the guides. A central shaft is suspended from the carriage lift bar and extends through a central bore in the weights with any number of weights being detachably connected to the shaft by a transverse pin extending through one of the weights and the shafts.
Description
- The present invention relates to an exercise machine having a variable grip and a variable resistance.
- Various weight lifting machines have been provided for exercising and strengthening different portions of the body. Many such machines are complex, large and expensive. What has not been provided in the art is a compact, portable, and adjustable exercise machine specifically directed to improving grip and forearm strength.
- Further, there is a need for a machine that is adaptable to suit the needs of a large variety of individuals having hands of different sizes and different levels of strength and/or flexibility. Moreover, this need applies in a variety of applications, including sports training (e.g., targeted training directed to specific sports such as football, wrestling, and golf), rehabilitation (e.g., from an injury or illness), or general fitness and conditioning.
- Example embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptable exercise machine to improve grip strength by squeezing two grip elements toward each other. The machine is adjustable in both resistance and starting grip distance. The variable starting grip distance, especially in combination with the variable resistance, provides many advantages. For example, users with differently sized hands can adjust the exercise machine to accommodate their particular hand size. Further, differing ranges of motion between the starting or rest position and the fully raised or squeezed position may be desired during exercising, even for a single user. For example, a user may want to select a wider grip distance with a lower selected weight to exercise over a relatively wide range of motion or select a narrower grip distance with a higher selected weight to exercise over a shorter range. In this manner, different exercise routines may be provided, e.g., to target the forearm muscles in different ways. Moreover, some individuals, e.g., the injured, disabled, or elderly, may lack the full range of motion for their given hand size. Thus, they may select a grip position that is closer together in order to obtain the benefits of the exercise device.
- According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a carriage is mounted for vertical reciprocation on a pair of spaced parallel guide members extending through the carriage. Weights are mounted for reciprocation on the guide members and have a central bore to receive a shaft depending from the carriage. A transverse pin is adapted to extend through a selected one of the weights, and the shaft to provide a variable weight load on the carriage. A bar handle is mounted to frame, as a bar handle is mounted to the carriage, for grasping by the user or exerciser to raise and lower the weights. The handle on the lift carriage is variably spaced from the handle mounted to the frame such that the user can place the thumb and thumb position of the palm on the upper grip while the remaining four fingers grip the lower grip. Squeezing the hand with the fingers so positioned causes significant strengthening of the hand grip and forearm.
- According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an exercise machine includes a first handle, a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand of a user when the second handle is in the rest position. The machine further includes a set of weights configured to provide different levels of resistance force when the user grips and squeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position, the different levels of resistance force each being selectable by the user.
- The distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position may be adjustable. In this regard, the maximum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position may be, e.g., five inches. Further, the minimum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position may be, e.g., two inches. For example, the distance between the first handle and the second handle may be adjustable between five inches and two inches in one-inch increments.
- The first handle and the second handle may remain in a parallel orientation as the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position.
- The first handle may be part of a frame assembly and the second handle may be part of a carriage assembly movable with respect to the frame assembly. The carriage assembly may include a shaft that extends through the set of weights. In this regard, the resistance force may be selectable by securing a selected weight to the shaft such that the selected weight and any weight disposed above the selected weight is lifted when the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position. Further, the selected weight and/or weights may be secured to the shaft by insertion of a pin into the selected weight and into the shaft, e.g., into one or more of a plurality of transverse bores extending into the shaft and spaced apart along the length of the shaft.
- The distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position may be adjustable by moving the carriage upwardly or downwardly and setting the rest position using the same pin used to secure the selected weight to the shaft.
- The carriage assembly may be laterally constrained by one or more, e.g., a pair, of guide rails when the carriage moves, e.g., vertically, with respect to the frame assembly. The guide rails may be parallel and/or vertical.
- The frame assembly may be comprised of various materials including, e.g., metal tubing and/or injection molded plastic and/or any other suitable material.
- All of the components of the carriage assembly may rigidly attached within the carriage assembly.
- The weights used by the exercise device may take any appropriate form, including, e.g., rectangular plates having a length, width, and thickness, a length-to-width ratio being, e.g., between 4:1 and 5:1.
- According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an exercise machine includes a first handle and a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand when the second handle is in the rest position. The second handle is mechanically biased with a selectable level of force toward the distal position to provide a selectable resistance force applied when the user squeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position. The distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable.
- The distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position may be adjustable, e.g., by insertion of an adjustment pin.
- According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an exercise apparatus includes a frame having a first handle, a weight stack coupled to the frame and including a plurality of weights vertically movable with respect to the frame, and a carriage having a second handle parallel to the first handle and being selectively securable to one or more of the weights. The carriage is coupled to the frame and vertically movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the second grip is a first distance from the first grip and a second position in which the second grip is a second distance from the first grip member, the second distance being less than the first distance, wherein the first and second grips are arranged to allow a single hand to grip and squeeze the first and second grips toward each other, thereby moving the second grip from the first position to the second position.
- Further features and aspects of example embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the appended Figures. Additional specific embodiments, aspects and advantages of the present invention are also yielded independently of their combination in claims, without restriction of the generality of exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown below with the aid of the drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a variable-grip exercise machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are respective front and bottom views of an upper frame member or assembly of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c are top, front, and side views, respectively, of a lift carriage of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are front and side views, respectively, of a carriage shaft of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are top and front views, respectively, of a weight of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a top view of an adjustment pin of the exercise machine ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is an elevated front view of an exercise machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention. - Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the
reference numeral 5 indicates generally an exercise machine or apparatus in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. - The
exercise machine 5 includes aframe assembly 10 including aframe base 11. Theframe base 11 includes a longitudinal ormain base member 12 and twotransverse base members main base member 12. In this regard, eachtransverse base member main base member 12. Thus, thetransverse base members main base member 12 to form an H-shaped structure. Since the center of gravity of theexercise machine 5 when in use is above, or approximately above, themain base member 12, the extensions of thetransverse base members exercise machine 5. Further, at or near the end of each of the four lateral extensions provided by the twotransverse base members exercise machine 5 is supported during use. - The
example frame base 11 is formed of rectangular metal tubes welded together. The ends of thetransverse base members frame base 11 is arranged in an H-shaped configuration, it should be appreciated that any appropriate shape for theframe base 11 may be provided in order to support theexercise machine 5. A pair of shock-absorbingpads 15 are mounted to an upper surface of theframe base 11. - Extending upwardly, in this example vertically, from the
frame base 11 are twoupright frame members upright frame members frame base 11 by a welded connection. Theupright frame members main base member 12 and thetransverse base members main base member 12, thetransverse base members upright frame members - Mounted to the upper ends of the
upright frame members member 20. Theupper frame member 20 forms a rigid structure extending between theupright frame members upper frame member 20 is coupled to theupright frame members end portions 25. Theend portions 25 are each formed of a plurality of welded-together metal plates that together mate with the upper end of one of theupright frame members end portions 25 each include atop plate 30, a pair ofside plates 33 extending downwardly from opposed first and second edges or ends of thetop plate 30, and anend plate 35 that downwardly extends from a third edge or end of thetop plate 30 and laterally extends between the twoside plates 33. - Rigidly extending between the two
end portions 25 is a horizontally oriented upper handle member orgrip 40. Theupper handle member 40 may be, e.g., press-fit into thetop plates 30 and/or welded to thetop plates 30, or theupper handle member 40 and thetop plates 30 may be a single, monolithic component, e.g., machined from a single piece of metal such as steel. - The
upper frame member 20 is attached to theupright frame members bolt connections 45. In this regard, each bolt of thebolt connections 45 passes through, sequentially, a hole infirst side plate 33, a hole extending through theupright frame member second side plate 33. The bolt is then secured with a nut. It should be appreciated, however, that any attachment mechanism may be provided, including e.g., other releasable attachments (e.g., a latching mechanism, or a screws that thread into theupright frame members 17, 18) or permanent/non-releasable attachments (e.g., welding or rivets). Releasable attachments may be preferable, however, since they facilitate disassembly of theexercise machine 5 and/or servicing, cleaning, replacement, addition, and/or removal of components thereof. - In addition to providing mounting holes, the
vertical side plates 33 increase the flexural strength of theupper frame member 20, which helps to limit flexure of theframe member 20 when a downward force is applied to theupper handle member 40 during use. This limits the mechanical stress and fatigue on theupper frame member 20, thereby increasing the reliability and safety of theexercise machine 5. - A pair of
cylindrical guides 50 are arranged in a spaced parallel relation between theupright frame members main base member 12 of theframe base 11. Theguides 50 are secured at their upper ends to theupper frame member 20. Although theguides 50 of the illustrated example embodiment are right circular cylinders or shafts, it should be understood that any appropriate geometry for theguides 50 may be provided, e.g., a rectangular, prismatic, and/or irregular geometry. Moreover, although twoguides 50 are provided, it should be understood that any appropriate number of guides, including, e.g., a single guide or more than two guides, may be provided. Theguides 50 are formed of metal, in particular steel; however, it should be appreciated that theguides 50 may be formed of any other appropriate material. - The upper ends of the
guides 50 are secured in bores formed inupper securement plates 42 of theupper frame member 20, as illustrated in the bottom view ofFIG. 3 b. Theupper securement plates 42 are fixed to respectivetop plates 30 via, e.g., welding. Similarly, the lower ends of theguides 50 are secured in bores formed inlower securement plates 16 of theframe base 11. Thelower securement plates 16 are fixed to themain base member 12 via, e.g., welding. Thus, the upper and lower ends of eachguide 50 are laterally held in position byrespective securement plates guide 50 is selected so that theguide 50 is not able to slide in either direction along its longitudinal axis out of the bore of eithersecurement plate FIGS. 1 and 2 . Further, theguides 50 may be, e.g., press fit, welded, and/or adhered in the bores. Althoughsecurement plates guides 50 may be received by bores formed directly in thetop plates 30 and/or themain base member 12. Moreover, it should be understood that although theexercise device 5 includes twoguides 50, any number of guides may be provided, including more than two guides, or only a single guide. - The shock-absorbing
pads 15 are disposed directly above respectivelower securement plates 16, each guide 50 extending through a through-hole in a respective shock-absorbingpad 15. This may allow, e.g., thepads 15 to be maintained in their lateral positions even if non-fixedly attached to theframe base 11 during use, thereby facilitating replacement of thepads 15, e.g., when theexercise device 5 is disassembled. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , acarriage assembly 60 is arranged to slide along theguides 50, thereby translating upwardly/downwardly with respect to theframe assembly 10. Alift carriage 65 of thecarriage assembly 60 is illustrated inFIGS. 4 a to 4 c. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, thelift carriage 65 includes ahorizontal base plate 70 to which twovertical plates 75 are attached, e.g., welded. Extending between the twovertical plates 75 is a horizontally oriented lower handle member orgrip 80. Thelower grip 80 may be secured to thevertical plates 75 in any appropriate manner, e.g., press-fitting thegrip 80 into bores of therespective plates 75, welding, etc. Providing additional structural strength to eachvertical plate 75 are a pair ofsupport plates 73, each of which extends vertically from a side edge of thebase plate 70 to a side edge of thevertical plate 75. Thesupport plates 73 may be secured to thebase plate 70 and/or thevertical plates 75 by welding. - To mate the
lift carriage 65 to theguides 50, thelift carriage 65 includes a pair ofbushings 90 disposed in respective bores at opposite ends of thebase plate 70. Thebushings 90 have internal bores through with theguides 50 pass. When thelift carriage 65 is thusly mounted on theguides 50, thebushings 90 allow thelift carriage 65 to slide with little friction. Thebushings 90 may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., bronze. Moreover, it should be understood that roller bearing assemblies may be provided in place of thebushings 90. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thecarriage assembly 60 also includes a vertically extendingcarriage shaft 95. Thecarriage shaft 95 attaches to thelift carriage 65 by connecting to a clevis oryoke 85 formed on the lower end of thelift carriage 65. Theyoke 85 is illustrated inFIGS. 4 b and 4 c. Referring toFIGS. 5 a and 5 b, thecarriage shaft 95 is provided with an upper flattened portion ortang 96 having aneye 98. Thecarriage shaft 95 is mounted to theyoke 85 of thelift carriage 65 by placing thetang 96 into the between the two arms of the clevis oryoke 85, aligning theeye 98 with corresponding holes of the arms of the clevis oryoke 85, and inserting a yoke pin orclevis pin 100. Thepin 100 is illustrated, e.g., inFIGS. 2 and 4 b. The pin attachment between thecarriage assembly 60 and thecarriage shaft 95 allows, e.g., ease of assembly/disassembly. Thecarriage shaft 95 further includes a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel, generallyhorizontal bores 99 extending therethrough. - Although the
carriage shaft 95 is formed from a right circular cylinder, e.g., a round steel bar, it should be appreciated that the shaft may be formed to have any appropriate shape and be formed from any appropriate material. - When the
exercise device 5 is in an assembled state, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thecarriage shaft 95 extends downwardly from thelift carriage 65 through a plurality ofweight plates 110, in the form of elongated rectangular plates. Referring toFIGS. 6 a and 6 b theweight plates 110 each have acentral bore 115 located approximately in the middle of the elongated body of theweight plate 110. Thecentral bore 115 allows thecarriage shaft 95 to pass through the weight plate. Eachweight plate 110 also includes a pair of guide bores 120 disposed toward opposite longitudinal ends of theweight plate 110. The guide bores of theweight plate 110 are each configured to receive arespective guide 50 therethrough, thereby laterally supporting theweight plate 110 an allowing theweight plate 110 to slide along theguides 50, e.g., when lifted upwardly, or lowered downwardly. - Each
weight plate 110 also includes a securing bore orfastening bore 125, which allows theweight plate 110 to be selectively fastened or secured to thecarriage shaft 95 of thecarriage assembly 60. In contrast to the vertically extendingcentral bore 115 and guide bores 120 extends horizontally into theweight plate 110 from a front face to a back face of theweight plate 110. Further, the fastening bore 125 is in communication with thecentral bore 115. Thus, when the fastening bore 125 is aligned with abore 99 of thecarriage shaft 95, anadjustment pin 130, illustrated inFIG. 7 , may be inserted through both the fastening bore 125 and the lateral bore 99 of thecarriage shaft 95, thereby establishing a mechanical connection between thecarriage shaft 95 and theweight plate 110 such that lifting of thelift carriage 65 also lifts theweight plate 110 via thecarriage shaft 95. Further anyplate 110 disposed above theplate 110 through which theadjustment pin 130 is inserted would be lifted via the selected plate. In this regard, theplates 110 further include markings to indicate the total weight of therespective plate 110 as well as anyplates 110 above therespective plate 110 and/or any weight provided by the other components, e.g., thecarriage assembly 60 when lifted. Thus, when the particularly markedplate 110 is selected by insertion of theadjustment pin 130 therethrough, the marked number will indicate the weight of the total number ofplates 110 and/or the weight of thecarriage assembly 60 that would be lifted if thecarriage assembly 60 were lifted along theguides 50. Thus an adjustable loading of weight for thecarriage assembly 60 is provided. - The
adjustment pin 130 may be retained in its inserted position by any appropriate mechanism, e.g., a detent. The adjustment pin may be inserted and removed by the user by pushing or pulling a head orknob 132, which is disposed at one end of an elongated orshaft portion 134 of theadjustment pin 130. - In use, the user of the
exercise machine 5 performs a gripping exercise by gripping both theupper grip 40 and thelower grip 80 with a single hand, which may be the user's left or right hand. In particular, the user may place the thumb and thumb position of the palm on the upper grip or handle 40 while the remaining four fingers grip the lower grip or handle 80. The user then squeezes the hand with the fingers so positioned to exert a force between theupper grip 40 and thelower grip 80. Since theupper grip 40 is relatively fixed with respect to theframe assembly 10, which is in contact with the floor or surface on which theexercise device 5 is supported, the force exerted between thegrips lower grip 80 to move upwardly toward theupper grip 40. Since the lower grip is fixed to thelift carriage 65, which is in turn secured to thecarriage shaft 95, the upward movement of thelower grip 80 also results in upward movement of thelift carriage 65 and thecarriage shaft 95. Thus, when a particular weight is selected as indicated above by insertion of theadjustment pin 130 into the securing bore 125 of the selectedplate 110 and into thecarriage shaft 95, the lifting of the lower grip also lifts the selectedplate 110 and allplates 110 disposed above the selectedplate 110. Accordingly, the user is able to adjust how much force is required to squeeze the twogrips - Prior to squeezing the
grips carriage assembly 60 and any selected weight plates (i.e., any weight plate selected with thepin 130 as well as the weight plates thereabove) are in a rest position. After thegrips carriage assembly 60 and any selectedweight 110 orweights 110 are in a fully raised or uppermost position. After squeezing thegrips grips - In addition to adjusting the weight to be applied, the distance between the upper and
lower grips lift carriage 65 is variably spaced from theupper grip 40 on theframe assembly 10 such that, for example, users of differing hand sizes may adjust the distance betweengrips upper frame grip 12 while the remaining four fingers grip thelower handle 80. Thus, users with larger hands may choose a greater spacing and users with smaller hands may choose a lesser spacing. This allows for a great amount of flexibility and adaptability of theexercise apparatus 5 to differing users. - In order to adjust the rest grip position, the user removes the
adjustment pin 130 from whicheverplate 110 into which it is inserted, thereby allowing thecarriage assembly 60, including thecarriage shaft 95 and thelower grip 80, to be raised or lowered with respect to both theframe assembly 10, including theupper grip 40, and the entire stack of weights. After the carriage assembly is raised or lowered until thegrips adjustment pin 130 is inserted into theplate 110 corresponding to the desired weight and into a corresponding one of thebores 99 of thecarriage shaft 95. Thus, for a given desired weight selection, theadjustment pin 130 will engage adifferent bore 99 of theshaft 95 for each different rest position (i.e., starting position). - The spacing, center-to-center, between the upper and
lower grips adjacent bores 99 in thecarriage shaft 95. - Although the adjustment in starting grip distance is determined by the same shaft and pin mechanism used to adjust the amount of weight, it should be understood that a starting grip adjustment mechanism may be provided to use a different mechanism. For example, the
top portion shaft 95 may be provided with a telescoping portion and a separate adjusting pin. - The variable positioning of the lower grip with respect to the upper grip provides many advantages. For example, as indicated above, users with differently sized hands can adjust the
exercise machine 5 to accommodate their hand size. Further, differing ranges of motion between the rest position and the fully raised position may be desired during exercising, even for a single user. For example, a user may want to select a wider grip with a lower selected weight to exercise over a relatively wide range of motion or select a narrower grip distance with a higher selected weight to exercise over a shorter range. In this manner different exercise routines may be provided, e.g., to target the forearm muscles in different ways. Moreover, some individuals, e.g., the injured, disabled, or elderly, may lack the full range of motion for their given hand size. Thus, they may select a grip position that is closer together in order to still obtain the benefits of the exercise device. - The cylindrical grips 40 and 80 may be any appropriate diameter, e.g., one inch or 0.75 inches, or shape. Further, the
grips grips - During use, the
guides 50 vertically guide both the lift carriage 65 (along with shaft 34) andweight plates 110, thereby maintaining the lateral positioning of thelift carriage 65 and the weight plates engaged by theshaft 95 via thepin 130 as they are moved between the lower, rest position and the upper, lifted position as the user squeezes theupper grip 40 and thelower grip 80 together. Thus, the weight provided by the engaged plates 37 acts in a vertical manner directly between the two grips. - Although the
lift carriage 65 and theweight plates 110 are guided by the same set ofguides 50, it should be appreciated that thelift carriage 65 may be supported by one or more guides other than the one or more guides supporting theweight plates 110. - Any appropriate weight capacity may be provided and may be catered to the particular type of users targeted (e.g., athletes, rehabilitation patients, elderly, etc.). The applied weights may extend up to, e.g., 200 pounds. Moreover,
weight plates 110 may be added or removed by removing theupper frame member 20 from theupright frame members - Additionally it is noted that the
weight plates 110 differ from weight plates of other exercise machines in that they are more elongated. The elongation allows the guide bores 120 to be spaced farther apart. Thus results in a more smooth sliding of theweight plates 110 along theguides 50. are more narrow and elongated than with other machines. As viewed inFIG. 6 a, eachweight plate 110 has a length-to-width ratio of between 4:1 and 5:1. It is further noted that the thickness of eachplate 110 is approximately one inch. The weights have a weight of ten pounds each. If, as an example, thecarriage assembly 60 provides a weight of 15 pounds, the selectable weights may range, in an example, from 25 pounds to 165 pounds by ten-pound increments. Further, if even less weight is provided, it is possible to use the device without inserting thepin 130, thereby lifting only the 15-pound weight of thecarriage assembly 60. Although in this example, the weights each have a weight of ten pounds, tt should be understood that weight sets of a differing weight and/or non-uniform weight among the weights of the set may be provided. - Beneath the stack of
weights 110 are the pair of shock-absorbingpads 15. These pads, formed of an elastomeric material, e.g., a rubber or polymer, serve to absorb impact when either the entire set ofweights 110 is lowered back to the rest position, or a selected group ofweights 110 is lowered to the rest position. In the latter case, the lowermost of the selected weights contacts the uppermost of the non-selected weights with the impact force being transmitted through the stack of non-selected weights and into the shock-absorbingpads 15. This may prevent damage to theweights 110 and provide quieter and/or more ergonomic operation. Further, the weights may be provided with, e.g., a rubberized coating to provide further impact resistance. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of anexercise machine 205 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Theexercise machine 205 shares many features in common with theexercise machine 205, but differs in that theside plates 233 of theexercise machine 205 are rectangular and vertically more elongated compared to theside plates 33 of theexercise machine 5, which are shorter and are tapered as they extend from theupright frame members upper grip 40. - Any structural materials disclosed herein may be substituted with different materials as may be appropriate. For example, the
frame assembly 10 may be constructed of injection molded plastic, e.g., to lower costs. Moreover any portions of theexercise machine 5 may be adapted to be foldable and/or the portions mentioned herein as being fixed, e.g., welded, may be provided as detachable from each other. - Although the exercise machines disclosed herein utilize adjustable weights as a resistance mechanism or means, it should be appreciated that any other mechanism for providing resistance force between the first and second handles or grips may alternatively or additionally be provided, e.g., adjustable and/or selectable elastic bands and/or springs. Moreover, although the handles are disclosed as being substantially vertically spaced apart, it should be understood that any other orientation may be provided. For example, the handles may lie in an angled or horizontal plane, e.g., where the handle is coupled to other components of the carriage by a pulley.
- As used herein a “rest position” refers to a position to which the apparatus returns or settles in the absence of an external force being applied by a user. For example, the rest position of the second handle is the distal position of the second handle prior to the gripping and squeezing applied by the user, i.e., the second handle's position in its resting state.
- Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular examples and exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the foregoing description is in no manner limiting. Moreover, the features described herein may be used in any combination.
Claims (21)
1. An exercise machine, comprising:
a first handle;
a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand of a user when the second handle is in the rest position; and
a set of weights configured to provide different levels of resistance force when the user grips and squeeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position, the different levels of resistance force each being selectable by the user.
2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable.
3. The exercise machine of claim 2 , wherein the maximum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is five inches.
4. The exercise machine of claim 3 , wherein the minimum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is two inches.
5. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle is adjustable between five inches and two inches in one-inch increments.
6. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the first handle and the second handle remain in a parallel orientation as the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position.
7. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the first handle is part of a frame assembly and the second handle is part of a carriage assembly movable with respect to the frame assembly.
8. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the carriage assembly includes a shaft that extends through the set of weights.
9. The exercise machine of claim 8 , wherein the resistance force is selectable by securing a selected weight to the shaft such that the selected weight and any weight disposed above the selected weight is lifted when the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position.
10. The exercise machine of claim 9 , wherein the selected weight is secured to the shaft by insertion of a pin into the selected weight and into the shaft.
11. The exercise machine of claim 10 , wherein the shaft includes a plurality of transverse bores spaced apart along the length of the shaft.
12. The exercise machine of claim 10 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable by moving the carriage upwardly or downwardly and setting the rest position using the same pin used to secure the selected weight to the shaft.
13. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the carriage assembly is laterally constrained by a pair of guide rails when the carriage moves with respect to the frame assembly.
14. The exercise machine of claim 13 , wherein the guide rails are parallel and vertical.
15. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the frame assembly is comprised of metal tubing.
16. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the frame assembly is comprised of injection molded plastic.
17. The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein all of the components of the carriage assembly are rigidly attached.
18. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein each of the weights has a length-to-width ratio between 4:1 and 5:1
19. An exercise machine, comprising:
a first handle; and
a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand when the second handle is in the rest position, the second handle being mechanically biased with a selectable level of force toward the rest position to provide a selectable resistance force applied when a user squeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position,
wherein a distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable.
20. The exercise machine of claim 19 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable by insertion of an adjustment pin.
21. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame having a first grip;
a weight stack coupled to the frame and including a plurality of weights vertically movable with respect to the frame; and
a carriage having a second grip parallel to the first grip and being selectively securable to one or more of the weights, the carriage coupled to the frame and vertically movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the second grip is a first distance from the first grip and a second position in which the second grip is a second distance from the first grip, the second distance being less than the first distance, wherein the first and second grips are arranged to allow a single hand to grip and squeeze the first and second grips toward each other, thereby moving the second grip from the first position to the second position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/895,992 US20120083392A1 (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2010-10-01 | Variable grip and resistance exercise machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/895,992 US20120083392A1 (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2010-10-01 | Variable grip and resistance exercise machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120083392A1 true US20120083392A1 (en) | 2012-04-05 |
Family
ID=45890307
Family Applications (1)
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US12/895,992 Abandoned US20120083392A1 (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2010-10-01 | Variable grip and resistance exercise machine |
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US (1) | US20120083392A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
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US20130217548A1 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2013-08-22 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US20140174652A1 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2014-06-26 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Self-Aligning Pick-up Head and Method for Manufacturing a Device with the Self-Aligning Pick-up Head |
US9196521B2 (en) | 2012-11-05 | 2015-11-24 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Adjustable pick-up head and method for manufacturing a device |
US11173337B2 (en) * | 2018-03-06 | 2021-11-16 | Coulter Ventures, Llc. | Weightlifting assembly and weight rack including weightlifting assembly |
WO2023108046A1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2023-06-15 | Coulter Ventures, LLC | Weightlifting rack assembly |
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US11253740B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2022-02-22 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US11577118B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2023-02-14 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US9079068B2 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2015-07-14 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US11607577B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2023-03-21 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US10201726B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2019-02-12 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Lift rod system in a weight lifting device |
US9211435B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2015-12-15 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US11583722B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2023-02-21 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US11577117B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2023-02-14 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US9795824B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2017-10-24 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US20130217548A1 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2013-08-22 | Whiterock Exercise, Inc. | Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus |
US9196521B2 (en) | 2012-11-05 | 2015-11-24 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Adjustable pick-up head and method for manufacturing a device |
US20140174652A1 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2014-06-26 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Self-Aligning Pick-up Head and Method for Manufacturing a Device with the Self-Aligning Pick-up Head |
US9079318B2 (en) * | 2012-12-20 | 2015-07-14 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Self-aligning pick-up head and method for manufacturing a device with the self-aligning pick-up head |
US11173337B2 (en) * | 2018-03-06 | 2021-11-16 | Coulter Ventures, Llc. | Weightlifting assembly and weight rack including weightlifting assembly |
WO2023108046A1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2023-06-15 | Coulter Ventures, LLC | Weightlifting rack assembly |
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Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |