WO1994002213A1

WO1994002213A1 - Exercising apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1994002213A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/006569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard A. Booth, Jr.
Original assignee: Indian Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-07-15
Filing date: 1993-07-13
Publication date: 1994-02-03

Abstract

A multipurpose exercising machine (12) for exercising the various muscle groups of the body, in which a single main frame (14) supports various body-engaging means which are, in turn, interconnected with a weight stack (24), by cooperating cables (72, 94, 122) entrained about a series of strategically located pulleys (76, 96, 98, 100, 102, 120, 130, 132). An important feature of the apparatus resides in the fact that both press type exercises and butterfly type exercises can be performed at a single station without having to manipulate any kind of interlocking or release mechanisms in order to make the transition between the performance of one exercise and the performance of the other exercise.

Description

EXERCISING APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to exercising apparatus. More particularly, the invention concerns a multipurpose exercising machine for exercising selected muscles of the body in a safe and controlled manner.

Description of the Prior Art

Progressive resistance exercises for therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes have become extremely popular in recent years. The value of regular exercise for preventing illness and for improving physical appearance has become well recognized and has stimulated a demand for new and improved progressive resistance exercising equipment. In response to this demand, a wide variety of different types of equipment has been suggested for exercising each of the major muscle groups of the body.

Because of the differing requirements for exercising the various muscle groups of the body, many specialized, single purpose devices have been developed. For example, specialized equipment such as "stepper" devices have been designed for exercising the legs. Other and different equipment has been devised for exercising the hands, arms and shoulders. Still other devices have been suggested for exercising back and neck muscles. In short, a great number of differently configured and dissimilarly constructed machines are now being offered for sale. Because of the great differences between the various machines, their cost of manufacture is extremely high, maintenance is difficult and a very large amount of floor space is typically needed to set up and operate the machines.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art devices are uniquely overcome by employing a compact, lightweight single mainframe and a single weight stack. Connected to the mainframe are various uniquely interconnected body-engaging means suitable for exercising the various muscle groups of the body including muscles in both the upper and lower body. The various body engaging means are connected to the weight stack by elongated cables which are entrained about a plurality of strategically located pulleys. In this way, manufacture and use of the machine is greatly simplified. An important feature of the device of the present invention resides in the fact that both press type exercises and butterfly type exercises can be performed at a single station without having to manipulate any kind of interlocking or release mechanisms in order to make the transition between the performance of one exercise and the performance of the other exercise.

While several variable resistance-type exercise machines are known in the art, many embody complicated, multi-moving part mechanisms for interconnecting the body-engaging elements of the device with the weights, springs or other resistance imparting means. Exemplary of such devices are those described in U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,964,632 issued to Rockwell; No. 4,900,018 issued to Ish, III et al; and No. 4,898,381 issued to Gordon. U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,505,475 issued to Olscansky, et al discloses an apparatus for performing both leg exercises and butterfly type exercises using a single weight stack. However press type exercises cannot readily be performed using the Olscansky device.

In the apparatus of the present invention, simple, straight-forward mechanical arrangements are employed for uniquely coupling the body-engaging elements of the devices with the resistance means thereof. This permits the various exercises to be performed without the necessity for locking in or locking out certain systems through the use of cumbersome locking pins, levers and the like.

Other unique features of the present invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, easy-to-use, multipurpose exercising machine for exercising the various muscle groups of the body, in which a single main frame supports various body-engaging means which are, in turn, interconnected with a single resistance means, or weight stack, by cooperating cables entrained about a series of strategically located pulleys.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which press type exercises and butterfly type exercises can be performed at a single station without having to manipulate locking pins, levers or other mechanisms to shift from one exercise to the other. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs in which the machine is compact, light-weight, highly reliable, extremely stable and completely safe to operate.

It is another object of the invention to provide a single main frame apparatus of the class described which is suitable for effectively exercising various muscle groups of the upper and lower body including the arm and shoulder muscles, the leg muscles and the back and neck muscles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the interconnection between various body-engaging means and the resistance means is elegantly simple and highly reliable in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described in the preceding paragraphs which is simple and economical to construct and use, is dependable in operation, and is of a sleek, streamlined appearance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the exercising apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the first body engaging means of the invention illustrating the pivotal movement of the body engaging means during the performance of arm press type exercises.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top view of the apparatus illustrating the movement of portions of the first body engaging means during the performance of a butterfly type exercise. Figure 12 is a view similar to figure 5 but showing the position of the exercise arms of the first body engaging means in their pivoted position shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus illustrating the cable routing of the pulley system of one form of the apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, one form of the exercise apparatus of the present invention for use by a trainee to perform various exercises is generally designated by the numeral 12. The apparatus comprises a main frame 14 having a base 16, an angularly upwardly extending member 18 and a forwardly extending top member 20. Base 16 is provided with front and rear outwardly extending stabilizer members 22. Provided intermediate the ends of base member 16 is a resistance means shown here as a weight stack 24 comprising a plurality of individual weights 26. Weights 26 are apertured to receive a pair of upwardly extending generally parallel guide rods 28 which guide upward travel of the weights in a manner presently to be described. A back rest 30 is supported by angularly upwardly extending member 18. Adjacent to the back rest is a forwardly extending seat 32 which is supported by a rigid support member 34 which cantilevers outwardly from frame member 18. Pivotally connected to member 34 proximate its forward end is the leg exercising means of the apparatus.

An extremely important feature of the present invention resides in the novel construction and operation of the first body engaging means of the apparatus. This first exercising, or body engaging, means is carried by frame member 20 and permits the trainee to selectively perform first and second exercises in a unique manner. Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 7, the first body engaging means includes right and left exercise arms 38. These arms are connected to forwardly extending member 20 for selective pivotal movement about a rirst, generally horizontal axis 42, which extends generally perpendicularly to member 20, (Figure 3) and, alternatively, for pivotal movement about a second axes 44 which extend generally perpendicularly to first axis 42 (Figure 7) . To permit smooth pivotal movement of the exercise arms about axis 42 first bearing means, shown here as including outwardly extending sleeves 46, are provided. These sleeves are disposed on either side of frame member 20 and closely receive an elongated, cylindrical rod 47 which extends through and is affixed to member 20 as by welding (Figure 7). As best seen in Figure 6, the exercise arms are pivotally movable about transversely spaced vertical axes 44 which are defined by a pair of pivot pins 50 that extend through the outboard end of sleeves 46. The lower extremities of pivot pins 50 are interconnected with blocks 52 which are affixed interiorly of the upper ends of the hollow exercising arms 38 (Figure 7) . A cotter key 54 is received within an aperture provided in each of the pivot pins 50 in the manner indicated in Figure 7 so that the pivot pins can rotate relative to sleeves 46 thereby enabling the exercise arms 38 to freely pivot about the transversely spaced axes 44 (see also Figure 9).

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of the exercise arms 38 is provided with an upper portion 38a, an outwardly extending intermediate portion 38b, and a lower trainee-engaging portion 38c. Provided proximate the lower end portion of each of the exercise arms is a hand-engaging means of handlebar 58 and provided above the handlebars on arm portions 38c are trainee engaging means or pads 60. Turning now particularly to Figures 6, 7 and 8, a hollow support beam 62 forms a part of the exercise arm assembly and extends between intermediate portions 38b of arms 38. With the first exercising means at rest as shown in Figure 6, member 62 is supported by the forward end 63a of a forwardly cantilevering member 63 which is connected at its rearward end to angularly upwardly extending frame member 18 (see also Figure 5). As indicated in Figure 7, the ends of support member 62 are received between upper and lower pivot plates 64 and 66 which suitably are connected to portions 38b of arms 38. Extending through each of the plates 64, through member 62, and through each of the plates 66 are connector elements, shown here as bolts 70, which function to pivotally connect exercising arms 38 and their respective pivot plates 64 and 66 with support member 62. Referring also to Figure 11, it is to be noted that with the construction thus described, each of the arms 38 is rotatable about axis 44, which coincides with the longitudinal axis of bolts 70, from the first position shown in Figure 7 wherein the arms extend outwardly to the second position shown in Figure 11 wherein the arms extend forwardly.

The forward pivotal movement of arms 38 is yieldably resisted by the resistance means of weight stack 24 which is interconnected with arms 38 by means of an elongated cable 72, the ends 72a of which are connected by cable connectors 73 to ears 64a which extend outwardly from plates 64. As best seen by referring to Figure 13, cable 72 is entrained about a pair of pulleys 74 that are rotatably mounted on support beam or member 62. The cable is then entrained about a pair of pulleys 76 which are rotatably mounted on frame member 18 and then around a floating pulley 78 (see also Figure 4). Floating pulley 78 is interconnected with the weight stack 24 through another pulley system, the construction of which will presently be described.

With the unique construction of the first exercising or body engaging means, as described in the preceding paragraphs, a sufficient force is exerted on pages 60 of exercise arms 38 in the direction of the arrows 79 of Figure 11, will create a greater turning movement then that offered by the resistance of the weight stack causing arms 38 to pivot about vertical axes 44 against the resistance of the weight stack which is interconnected to the two arms 38 via the first pulley system which includes cable 72 and pulleys 74, 76, and 78. Sufficient forces exerted on the more inboard located handlebars 58 of the exercise arm assembly in the direction of the arrows 77 shown in Figure 2, will create a turning movement greater than that offered by the resistance of the weight stack causing the entire exercise arm assembly including lever arms 38, plates 64 and 66 and support beam 62 to pivot about the generally horizontally extending axis 42. This forward movement of the exercise arm assembly as, for example, during the performance of an arm press exercise, will also be yieldably resisted by the first cable system which comprises cable 72. With the novel arrangement thus described, arm press type exercises can be performed by the trainee pushing against handlebars 58 and, alternatively, at the trainee's discretion, butterfly exercises can also be performed by exerting a force against pads 60. It is to be appreciated that to make the transition from one type of exercise to another, no pins need be removed, no levers need to be turned, and no locking mechanisms need to be released. Pivotal movement of the arms 38, either about horizontal axis 42 or about vertical axis 44, is governed solely by the points at which the forces are exerted against the exercise arm assembly. If, for example, the forces are exerted against the outwardly extending portions 38c of the arms, a turning force vector will cause pivotal movement of the arms about axis 44. Conversely, if forces are exerted against the handlebars 58, the entire structure made up of arms 38, crossmember 62, and plates 64 and 66 will pivot about horizontal axis 42 since no force vector tending to rotate the arms about axis 44 has occurred. At the forward stroke of either the arm press or butterfly exercise, the resistance means will urge the exercise arm assembly to its original starting position. Turning now to Figures 2 and 13, the apparatus of the present invention also includes second exercising means which permits the accomplishment of a pull type exercise using an overhead handlebar 90 which is carried at the forward end of frame member 20 (see also Figure 1). Handlebar 90 is normally retained in a cradle-like structure 92 which is affixed to the forward end of member 20 and, as best seen in Figure 2, is interconnected proximate its center with one end 94a of a cable 94 which comprises part of a second cable system. Cable 94 is entrained about a pulley 94 which is rotatably mounted on frame member 20 and then passes about a cable 98 which is rotatably mounted intermediate the ends of frame member 20. Next, the cable extends downwardly around a floating pulley 100 and thence upwardly around a pulley 102 which is rotatably carried proximate the rearward end of frame member 20. Finally the cable extends downwardly to a point where its second end 94b is interconnected with a connector assembly 104. In a manner next to be described, assembly 104 functions to operably interconnect the second cable system with one or more weights 26 of the weight stack 24.

With the construction thus described, it is to be appreciated that by removing handlebar 90 from its cradle 92 and exerting a downward pulling force on the handlebar, cable 94 will tend to lift those weights 26 which are connected to the second end of the cable by means of a weight selector pin 106. Pin 106 is receivable within a centrally disposed aperture formed in a selected weight 26 and extends into an apertured selector rod which is received within the center of the weight stack 24. This method of selectively interconnecting one or more weights of a weight stack with a cable system is well known to those skilled in the art and the details thereof will not be described herein. Suffice to say that, when one or more weights 26 are interconnected with cable connector 104, an upward movement on the cable connector 104 will cause the weights connected thereto to slide upwardly along guide columns 28. This upwaiu movement of the weights, of course, imparts resistance to the performance of the exercise, in this case the downward pulling of handlebar 90. This third exercise means of the form of the invention shown in the drawings comprises the previously identified leg lift exercising subassembly which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral 108. As best seen by also referring to Figures 1 and 13, the leg exercising subassembly of the apparatus comprises a downwardly depending member 110, which is pivotally connected proximate its upper end to a pair of transversely, spaced-apart plates 112 which are in turn connected to frame support member 34. Extending outwardly on either side of member 110 are padded lower leg or foot engaging members 114 which can be engaged by the feet of the trainee to impart an upward swinging movement to member 110. Extending outwardly on either side of connector plates 112 are similarly constructed padded lower leg or knee joint engaging members 116. Plates 112 are apertured to receive a locking pin 118 which is also receivable within an aperture provided in downwardly depending member 110. With this construction, the starting angle or starting position of member 110 can be varied by placing selector pin 118 in a selected one of the apertures 117 provided in plates 112. A pulley 120 is rotatably mounted proximate the lower end of member 110. Operably interconnected with pulley 120 is an elongated cable 122 which forms a part of the third cable system of the apparatus of the present invention. One end 122a of cable 122 is provided with a stop mechanism 124 which also includes a hook-like element 126 to which a body engagement member, such as a handlebar or foot loop, can be interconnected. Cable 122 passes under pulley 120, next under a pulley 130 which is rotatably mounted proximate the lower end of frame member 18, and then under a pulley 132, which is rotatably mounted on base frame member 16. As best seen όy referring to Figures 2 and 13, cable 122 then extends upwardly and around a pulley 134 which is interconnected with floating pulley 100 by means of a pair of apertured plates 136. Cable 122 next passes around pulley 134 and then extends downwardly and around a pulley 136 which is rotatably connected to frame member 18. Rotatably mounted on frame member 18 in close proximity with pulley 136 is a second pulley 138. After cable 122 passes around pulley 136, it extends upwardly and is entrained around a pulley 140 which is interconnected with previously identified floating pulley 78 by means of a connector unit 142. After passing around pulley 140, cable 122 extends downwardly around pulley 138 and then upwardly to a location where the second end 126 of pulley 122 is fixedly connected to connector unit 142. This connection is accomplished by means of a cable end connector 144.

With the construction of the third cable system thus described, it will be appreciated that an outward force exerted on hook 126, which is connected to the first end of cable 122, will cause a foreshortening of the cable, which, in turn, will tend to move pulley 134 along with floating pulley 100 to which it is connected. Because the forward end of cable 94, which is entrained around pulley 100, is connected to pulley 96, the second end of cable 94, which is connected to the weight stack, will tend to move one or more weights contained in the weight stack upwardly along guide columns 28 thereby yieldably resisting any forward movement of hook 126 which is connected at the forward end of cable 122. A study of Figure 13 will also reveal that, since cable 72 of the first exercising means of the invention is entrained about pulley 78, which, in turn, is interconnected with pulley 140. Any foreshortening of cable 72 as a result of the performance of either arm press or butterfly exercises will tend to cause pulley 134 along with pulley 100 to which it is connected to move downwardly. As before, a downward movement on pulley 100 will, of necessity, result in an upward movement of the end 94b of cable 94 to which one or more of the weights 26 of the weight stack is interconnected. The lifting of the weights will, of course, impart resistance to either the forward pivotal movement of the exercise arm assembly of the first exercising means about horizontal axis 42 or, alternatively to the pivotal movement of exercise arms 38 about vertical axes 44. Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

I CLAIM

1. An exercise apparatus for performance of exercises by a frame comprising:

(a) a frame; (b) first exercising means connected to said frame for performing first and second exercises, said first exercising means comprising:

(i) a first exercise arm having first and second trainee exercise points; (ϋ) first bearing means connected to said frame for permitting pivotal movement of said first exercise arm about a first axis upon exertion of a force by the trainee on said first exercise point; and

(iii) second bearing means connected to said frame for permitting pivotal movement of said first exercise arm about a second axis upon exertion of a force by the trainee on said second exercise point.

2. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 1 in which said first and second axes are substantially perpendicular.

3. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 1 in which said first bearing means comprises a generally horizontally extending bearing connected to said frame and in which said second bearing means comprises a second bearing connected to said first bearing.

. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 1 further including resistance means for resisting pivotal movement of said first exercise arm.

5. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 1 in which said first exercise means further comprises a second exercise arm having first and second trainee exercise points.

6. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 5 further including:

(a) third bearing means connected to said frame for permitting pivotal movement of said second exercise arm about a third axis upon exertion of a force by the trainee on said first exercise point of said second exercise arm; and

(b) fourth bearing means connected to said frame for permitting pivotal movement of said second exercise arm about a fourth axis upon exertion of a force by the trainee on said second exercise point of said second exercise arm.

7. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 6 in which said third bearing means permits pivotal movement of said second exercise arm about a third axis which is substantially aligned with said second axis.

8. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 6 in which said second and fourth axes are substantially parallel.

9. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 6 in which said first exercise comprises an arm press type exercise and in which said second exercise comprises a butterfly type exercise.

10. An exercising apparatus for use by a trainee to perform exercises comprising:

(a) a main frame having a base, an upstanding member and a forwardly extending member; (b) first body engaging means for engagement by the trainee to perform first and second exercises, said first body engaging means including first and second exercise arms connected to said forwardly extending member of said main frame for pivotal movement about a first axis extending generally perpendicular to said forwardly extending member and alternatively for pivotal movement about a second axis extending generally perpendicular to said first axis; and (c) resistance means carried by said main frame and interconnected with said first body engaging means for resisting pivotal movement of said first body engaging means.

11. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 10 in which said first exercise comprises an arm press type exercise and in which said second exercise comprises a butterfly type exercise.

12. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 10 further including second body engaging means carried by said mainframe and connected to said resistance means for performing leg lift type exercises.

13. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 12 further including third body engaging means connected to said mainframe for performing arm pull type exercises.

14. An exercise apparatus as defined in Claim 12 in which said resistance means comprises a weight stack carried by said mainframe.