Classifications

• • 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
  • A63B21/00058—Mechanical means for varying the resistance
  • A63B21/00069—Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
  • A63B21/00072—Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve by changing the length of a lever
• • 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
  • A63B21/0615—User-manipulated weights pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
  • A63B21/0616—User-manipulated weights pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum with an adjustable moment
• • 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
  • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
  • A63B21/159—Using levers for transmitting forces
• • 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
  • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
  • A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
  • A63B21/154—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains using special pulley-assemblies

Definitions

• the present device relates to exercise equipment employed for muscle
• the disclosed device and method relate to a weight lifting device configured for easy resistance adjustment through the provision of an arched member having an easy user-adjustable connection thereto to an underlying weight.
• a plurality of apertures are positioned across the arched member for insertion of a pin which concurrently adjusts a position on the curved member which communicates variable lifting force from mechanical advantage to the underlying weight.
• a user when coupled with any external exercise interface such as a handle, a user may easily initially select and re-select a preferred weight resistance for a particular exercise, and repetitively employ the weight to provide resistance to their exercise with little noise or machine wear.
• Body building and physical fitness equipment employ a variety of forms. All of which are adapted to provide resistance to user muscle exertion, exercise, and to build muscle tissue during an exercise regime.
• weight "machines” have become popular as they can be configured to provide a plurality of positions and exercises at different stations or configurations of the machine. In each exercise, a cable running a serpentine route communicates resistance from weights to the component being pushed, pulled, or lifted by the user.
• a plethora of weight selection module systems have been developed with such machines. All in an attempt to allow a user to variably select an aggregate weight using a group of weights which are operatively engaged to the distal end of the cable and are employed to provide resistance for each workout. Users conventionally choose a weight combination to yield the aggregate amount of weight resistance based on their individual strength, exercise routine, and workout tactics.
• Weight lifting machines are often composed of two mating and interchangeable components.
• a resistance module provides the exercise load to provide resistance to the user movement during exercise.
• a second component interface provides the operative engagement of one or a plurality of weights with the cable and enables the user to apply a determinable force to the station or machine to exercise a defined muscle or muscle group.
• the weight plates each contain at least one or a plurality of bore holes positioned to guide the plates during translation on aligned rods communicating through the bore holes.
• One through-bore hole communicates vertically through a central portion of the thickness of the plates between the top surface to the bottom surface.
• this centrally located bore hole surrounds an inserted translating vertical rod.
• This rod along with any supported weight plates in operative engagement, translates along a vertical path when moved by a user gripped or engaged exercise.
• the weight of the engaged weight plates thus, provide the resistance to movement of the interfacing component by the user, such as a barbell type component or the like.
• a pair of outer through-bore holes which lie symmetric about the centrally located hole in each weight plate, are slidably engaged about vertically inclined support bars which, during use, constrain the weight plates from rotating.
• An engagement aperture conventionally communicates horizontally through the width of each weight plate between the top and bottom surfaces and intersects the middle through-bore.
• Rod apertures communicating into the translating vertical rod sequentially spaced to be aligned with a complimentary spacing of the engagement apertures running through each weight plate when positioned in a stack.
• a pin is user-engageable through any single engagement aperture to also engage a rod aperture in the vertical translating rod.
• the user by engaging the bottom weight in the stack to the rod, will have a resistance weight of all the weights in the stack when the vertical rod translates.
• the resistance weight may be adjusted by engaging the pin through the engagement aperture of a weight plate higher in the stack and vice versa.
• this system has a number of shortcomings.
• the system employs a selector pin which must be moved to different engagement apertures of differently positioned weight plates in the stack.
• the selector pin is easily lost if it is not tethered to the machine. Should the tether fail, the selector pin, in a gym environment with many different users, tends to become lost or is moved to other weight stacks which also have lost selector pins. Additionally, the pin can become worn and hard to insert.
• Leverage weight machines allow the user to adjust the mechanical advantage to tune a static load, providing the user-chosen resistance without removable pins. This has proven much easier and safer for users by eliminating the use of an external pin altogether and reducing dangerous pinch points, and potential poor pin engagement which can cause raised stacks of weights to release.
• Leverage machines are based on the principal that increasing or decreasing the applied moment arm through which the user lifts a given constrained weight, increases or decreases the work required by the body of the user and thus increases or decreases the resistance to movement. Thus, the force necessary to perform the exercise by the user may be increased or decreased.
• US Pat. No 5,263,914 allows the user to adjust the mechanical advantage by employment of a system of pulleys and cables which lift a singular or static amount of weight.
• US patent numbers 7,537,552 and 8,323, 158 employ a similar technique by replacing the weight-based load source with biasing sprung bands and resistive pneumatics respectively.
• Such a device should be simple to manufacture, build and maintain to thereby reduce costs and encourage widespread sales to encourage users to exercise.
• Such a system should be constructed with an arrangement of components which render it quiet, which would be especially helpful in a gym environment with multiple concurrent users of multiple exercise machines.
• the potential for injury should be reduced by eliminating or reducing the number of potential pinch points in the device and system.
• such a device should include a means for user choice of resistance which is easily viewed and which allows the user to easily and quickly calculate, and adjust the desired resistance load yielded for their particular exercise routine.
• unlike conventional cable and pulley systems and weight stacks which require a considerable amount of floor space due to their configuration, such a device should ideally allow for use in a small footprint of floor space.
• the device and system herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted objects through the provision of an exercise resistive device and system which is engageable to exercise machines to yield smooth resistance to exercise movements through the employment of a weight load which eliminates jerking or jumping or noise upon landing. Further, as disclosed, the device is configured with significantly reduced appendage pinch and crush points lessening injury risks thus providing the user with a quiet and easily tunable workout apparatus.
• the device employs a housing frame minimizing pinch points configured to bear the load of and balance a weight or weights engaged thereto.
• the housing has sufficient height to ensure that the engaged weight can be displaced a sufficient distance during the exercise stroke of an engaged exercise machine being employed by a user.
• the housing is depicted in a rectangular or square shape although this may vary.
• the housing may include securement plates, which allow for engagement to a supporting surface for added stability. Engagement of the resistance device herein to any exercise machine employable by a user requiring a resistive force, is by a cable thereby allowing the device herein to be easily retrofitted to existing gym equipment and easily engaged to new equipment.
• a weight operatively engaged with the frame of the device is engaged about a pivot point or bearing which allows the weight to rotate about the pivot point supported by the housing frame.
• the axis of the body of the elongated weight running through first and second side surfaces is generally operatively engaged to the frame to pivot in a plane running normal to the plane of the floor or the support surface, along the long axis of the frame.
• the weight itself can be composed of any heavy, safe, durable material or combination of materials suitable for the purposes set forth in this disclosure.
• Solid metal may be employed, or a weight formed of a metal, fiberglass, plastic, or polymeric exterior housing which defines an interior cavity which may be filled with a material having the mass to yield the total weight thereto.
• Such could be anything from ball bearings, to dirt, to fluid such as water, or other filler for the internal cavity as would occur to those skilled in the art.
• the user may easily select a desired resistance communicated to the particular exercise component from the cable communicating between the exercise component and the weight of the device herein.
• Selection of a level of resistance is accomplished by manipulating the connection between a pin arm engaged at a first end to an arched member and in an engagement or operative communication at a second end to the weight.
• the pin arm contains an aforementioned bearing engaged with the weight itself at the second end, or a secondary member engaged with the weight.
• a user-engageable pin such as a selection pin is positioned at the first end.
• a positioning of the pin to engage with one of a plurality of apertures in an array thereof formed in an arched member is employed.
• the sequentially located apertures communicating into the arched member defining a selection arm, when engaged by the pin to the pin arm, will yield a communication of sequentially more or less resistance by the cable to the exercise station engaged, depending upon the individual aperture to which the user engages the pin.
• the arched member forming the resistance selection arm is engaged at a pivoting point, preferably with a bearing at an engagement end, to rotate about an upper support shaft which is operatively engaged with the housing frame.
• a flexible member such as the noted cable, or a band, or rope, or other flexible member extends along an operative path vertically from an engagement to the second or distal end of pin arm or resistance selection arm, from a pivoted engagement at a first end to the frame.
• This flexible member or cable runs along a formed pathway operatively engaged with a plurality of pulleys positioned in the housing frame. The load from the weight being pivoted upon a supporting arm for the weight, and thus elevated above the support surface, is thereby communicated to the attached exercise equipment in operative communication with the other end of the cable.
• the user can adjust the device's mechanical advantage.
• the output resistance communicated through the cable to the exercise device may be adjusted by adjusting the engagement of the pin along the arched or curved member.
• the employment of the arched pathway of apertures, whether on a linear selection arm or a curved or arched selection arm, allows for both smoother operation and an increased number of adjustment points along the path of the arched member.
• the arched selection arm is preferable also to the increase in ability to form an angled engagement with the weight.
• the resistance selection arm preferably rests against a padded ledge on the interior face of the housing frame.
• the padding should be composed of a durable material, preferably silicone or hard rubber, but may be formed from one or more of the following materials: leather, wood, hard plastic.
• a ledge component which is made of a more durable and inelastic material, can connect to the housing frame through a spring designed to soften the load of a suddenly dropped weight. This support to the weight minimizes noise on landing.
• an alternate preferred mode can simplify the geometry by replacing the embedded bearing at a single point on the weight with two engaged shafts which lie parallel to the bearing.
• An upper linkage arm and lower linkage arm which both include a pivot point at each end engaged with the weight, are employed to constrain the motion and path of movement of the weight relative to the frame of the device.
• the lower linkage arm rotates about both the weight's shaft and the lower frame support shaft.
• the upper linkage arm rotates about a third parallel shaft embedded within the weight and the upper frame support shaft, whereas the pin selection arm is still constrained to the weight as described above.
• the lower and upper linkage arms can lie on the same or opposing sides of the weight for a lower footprint or increased stability respectively.
• the device can be provided without permanently engaged weights in another preferred mode.
• the position of the weight is replaced by a vertical linkage arm, which mates to the upper and lower linkage arms through two bearing shafts.
• the vertical linkage arm Above the bearing shaft in the vertical linkage arm that couples with the upper linkage arm, the vertical linkage arm contains an engageable weight shaft adapted to engage with a conventional barbell weight plate in an operative engagement.
• the weight shaft should be no shorter or longer than necessary to hold the number of barbell plates whose total mass is equal to the device's maximum load capacity.
• the housing frame, linkage, pin and resistance selection arms can be composed of one or a combination of the following materials: steel, stainless steel, aluminum, hard plastic or any other materials suitable for the purposes set forth in this disclosure.
• a sliding secondary weight may be engaged to the device.
• the secondary weight is easily translated short distances to provide minute adjustments to the resistance provided by the device.
• a quieter engagement component may be provided in the form of a translating pin which is lever-operated. In this mode, rotation of a lever engages and disengages a coaxial pin into the apertures provided.
• FIG. 1 depicts one preferred mode of the device herein shown employing an arched pathway for connection of a pin arm for variable resistance selection which is set to yield the lowest resistance to cable movement.
• FIG. 2 shows the device of figure 1, wherein a pin is set to yield the most resistance to translation of cable movement due to lessened mechanical advantage.
• FIG. 3 displays the device in another preferred mode with the weight engaged to a pair of linkage arms on a first side of the weight.
• FIG. 4 displays view of a second side of the device of figure 3 with the linkage arms on the opposite side of the weight.
• FIG. 5 depicts another preferred mode where the device includes an arched pathway of resistance selection apertures and is configured for engagement of a weight.
• FIG. 6 shows an end view of the device of figure 5 depicting a user-engaged weight in dotted line.
• FIG. 7 is a back isometric view of the device of figure 5 showing the engagement post for a dumbbell style weight to be engaged on site.
• FIG. 8-10 depict a mode of the device which provides a secondary translating weight which is employable for small adjustments to resistance.
• FIG. 11 shows the device having a translating pin which is lever activated for engagement or disengagement.
• FIG. 12 shows a mode of the device wherein the weight stack tracks upon one or a plurality of vertically disposed rails.
• FIG. 13 depicts the rear view of the device of figure 13.
• FIG. 14 shows an automatically adjusting mode of the device employing a motor and gear providing means for adjustment of the imparted resistance by the weight stack.
• FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the device of figure 15.
• FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of the device as shown in figures 14-15.
• FIG. 17 shows a front perspective view of an especially preferred mode of the device having an arched selection arm with a double row forming paired apertures positioned above a race formed into the selection arm.
• FIG. 18 is a rear plan view of the device as in figure 16, showing the plurality of paired apertures positioned to engage with pins located at the distal end of a pin arm.
• FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the device of figures 16-17.
• FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the mode of the device of figure 16, showing the weights removed and the mounting bars adapted to engage free weights of choice to provide resistance to movement.
• FIG 21 is an overhead plan view of the front of the device herein of figures 17-20 showing the two curved parallel rows of apertures with sequentially shorter spacing as they approach the first end of the selection arm, and with the apertures of one row positioned in- between pairs of apertures of the other row.
• the device and system herein disclosed and described in figures 1-21 provide a solution to the shortcomings in prior art of weight stack and resistance exercise components and achieves the above noted goals through the provision of a device and system providing smooth weight resistance during use which eliminates jerking or jumping during use, and further reduces the risk in the present art of appendage pinch and crush risks thus providing the user with a quiet and easily tunable workout apparatus.
• a flexible member such as a cable 44 with any exercise component 12 such as handles or pedals or other user-engageable components for pulling or pushing, to operatively engage the device 10 to provide resistance communicated through the cable 44 to an exercise machine.
• the device 10 employs a support frame 16 shown as a housing 14 to operatively engage the components herein and by doing so, guard against pinch points during operation.
• the housing 14 is currently formed between 3 and 5 feet in height above the support surface, to ensure a sufficient pathway for proper weight 20 displacement and translation distance for the cable 44, however such may change depending on the weight 20 employed and the exercise machine to which it engages.
• the housing 14 can be constructed of a welded, machined or fastened metal members or tubes to form the rectangular frame 16.
• the frame 16 has a width of approximately three feet and a height of approximately six feet respectively. It can be formed in a very narrow overall footprint which is only limited by the width of the tubing and as can be seen in figures 6, 7, and 10, which is a distinct advantage over conventional large weight stack devices since the device herein is easily positioned adjacent a wall or in less floor space.
• Securement plates 18 may be provided, which allow the owner to bolt the module to the floor or support surface for added stability. However, all of these dimensions are infinitely variable depending upon the size of the weight and room for placement.
• a weight 20 pivotally engaged with the device 10 is engaged by a member to an upper pivot point or weight bearing 22, which allows the weight 20 to rotate about a linkage shaft 24 engaged to the housing frame 16.
• the weight 20 in the mode of figures 12, has a pin arm shaft 28 on which a first end of the pin arm 32 will rotate such as a pin arm bearing 30 positioned at a first end of the pin arm 32.
• Such provides a rotational engagement of a first end of the pin arm 32 to the weight 20.
• the weight 20 can be composed of any heavy, safe durable material or combination of materials having a mass and dimensions suitable for the purposes set forth in this disclosure.
• a user selects the desired resistance communicated to the cable 44 by the weight 20, between a minimum and a maximum force, by manipulating the connection of the second end of the pin arm 32 to an arched pathway of engagement of the second end of the pin arm 32 to points along the selection arm 34 such as apertures 35 spaced along the pin arm 32.
• the pin arm 32 might be configured in a linear or straight fashion with the arched pathway of apertures 35 positioned therein, such would render the pin arm 32 more bulky and as such the arched pathway of apertures 35, is preferably formed along a row in a line sequentially spaced along a curved or arched member defining the pin arm 32 as shown herein.
• the first end of the pin arm 32 will be in a pivoting engagement to frame or to the weight 20 or a member engaged thereto, in a position centered with the arched or curved pathway of engagement to the selection arm 34 such as apertures 35, to allow for the second end of the pin arm 32, to follow the arched pathway and connect to any point there along such as by using apertures 35.
• the pin arm 32 as depicted has a pin arm bearing 30 at a first end in a pivoting engagement to the pin shaft 28.
• the pin arm 32 is of a length to position an aperture through which a selection pin 36 at the second end is engaged, in operative alignment with each of the apertures 35 along the arched pathway of apertures 35 formed into, or engaged with the selection arm 34.
• the device 10 Unlike the weight stack resistance provided by conventional machines, where the resistance is varied by engagement or disengagement of individual weights from a stack, the device 10 herein employs the curved or arched pathway of apertures 35 running sequentially along a curved selection arm 34 for this purpose.
• a pivoting engagement 38 of a first end of the selection arm 34 on a bearing 40 provides a rotational engagement point, of the selection arm at the first end to or with the frame 16.
• the selection arm 34 as can be seen in figure 4, is engaged at a first end pivot point preferably employing a bearing 40 which rotates about an upper support shaft 42 engaged with or supported by the frame 16. It was found after numerous configurations with straight and linear members for the selection arm 34, that a curved member to form the selection arm 34 significantly enhanced the performance of the device 10. As noted, curving the member forming the selection arm is particularly preferred as it provides the most compact manner to form the curved pathway of apertures 35 which provide many more user selectable points of engagement, as well as providing a longer selection arm 34 for increased mechanical advantage in a smaller area than a linear or straight configuration provides.
• the cable 44 which can alternatively be replaced with a band, strap or cord, or other flexible member, extends vertically from the resistance selection arm 34, through one or a plurality of cable pulleys 46 in the housing frame 14, which transfers resistance from weight 20 elevation, along the cable 44 and to the attached exercise component 12.
• the second or distal end of the pin arm 32 rests against a padded ledge 63 on the interior face of the housing frame 14 as shown in figure 1.
• the padding on the ledge 63 should be composed of a durable material, preferably hard rubber, but may be formed from one or more of the following materials: leather, wood, or hard plastic.
• the padded ledge 63 can also be made of a hard material such as stainless or non-stainless steel or aluminum if the padded ledge 48 is attached to the frame 14 with a spring.
• connection of the weight 20 to the selection arm 34 runs primarily in a line along the pivotally engaged first end of the pin arm 32 at a central point on the weight 20.
• the second end of the pin arm 32 as noted is selectively engageable to any aperture 35 along the arched pathway of apertures 35 positioned on or engaged with the selection arm 34.
• Such is especially desirable in that it provides a straight line force along the axis of the pin arm 32 between from the selection arm 34 and the weight 20 no matter where on arched pathway of apertures 35 engaged to the selection arm 34 the pin arm 32 is engaged.
• the upper weight bearing 22 is substituted with an upper linkage arm 48 and lower linkage arm 50, which both contain a bearing at each end.
• This mode allows for elevation of the weight 20 as in all modes, but unlike the pivoted frame engagement of figures 1- 2, the weight 20 follows a pathway during elevation in a center portion of the frame 16.
• the lower linkage arm 50 rotates about both the pin arm bearing 30 of the weight 20 and the lower frame support shaft 53.
• the upper linkage arm 48 rotates about the upper linkage bearing 55, which is parallel to the upper support shaft 42.
• the lower linkage arm 50 and upper linkage arm 48 can lie on the same or opposing sides of the weight 20 for a lower footprint or increased stability respectively.
• the device 10 may be constructed to reduce shipping weight and allow for a wider resistance range by configuration allowing use of conventionally available weights and without permanently engaged weights 20.
• the weight 20 is replaced by a vertical linkage arm 57, which mates to the upper and lower linkage arms 48,50 through two bearing shafts.
• the vertical linkage arm 57 contains a long weight shaft 59.
• the weight shaft 59 is adapted for operative engagement with one or a plurality of conventional barbell weight plates 61 allowing the user increased adjustment since weight plates 61 are removably engageable.
• the weight shaft 59 should be no shorter or longer than necessary to hold the number of barbell plates whose total mass is equal to the device's maximum load capacity, and in a mode to engaged barbell weight plates 61, preferably have a length and diameter of between 6 and 12 inches, and 2 inches respectively.
• FIG. 8-10 Shown in figures 8-10 is an optional mode of the device 10, applicable to all modes herein.
• a secondary weight or translating weight 71 is slidably positionable along a path on the selection arm 34, allowing for small adjustments to resistance.
• a thumb screw or pin and aperture may be used to secure the weight 71 at the desired position for small adjustments in resistance.
• FIG 11 is shown an optional mode of the device 10 for engagement of the second end of the pin arm 32 to any one of the apertures 35 along the arched pathway thereof.
• a translating pin 73 which is lever 75 activated for engagement or disengagement with any of the apertures 35.
• the pin 73 is coaxially engaged with mating threads in the lever 75 such that rotation of the lever 75 one direction will project the pin 73 and in the other direction will retract the pin 73.
• FIG. 12 Shown in figures 12 and 13 is a mode of the device 10 wherein the weight 20 is engaged to the frame to track upon one or a plurality of vertically disposed rails 77.
• the device 10 like other modes, employs the unique arched pathway for engagement of the pin arm 32 with a plurality connection points for the distal end of the pin arm 32.
• Figures 14-16 depict an automatically adjusting mode of the device 10 employing a motor 81 and operationally engaged gear 83 providing means for adjustment of the engagement point of the second end of the pin arm 42 along an arched pathway of the selection arm 34.
• the selection arm 34 In this mode the selection arm 34 must be formed as an arched member because the second end of the pin arm 32 is in a sliding engagement 85 with the selection arm 34.
• the motor 81 spinning the gear 83 will translate the sliding engagement of the second end of the pin arm 32 to any point on the arched pathway formed by the arched member defining the selection arm 34.
• This sliding engagement actuated by the motor 81 allows for automatic resistance adjustment when rotation of the motor 81 rotates the gear 83 which is threadably engaged to the sliding engagement 85 and which will translate along the arch of the selection arm 34 in either direction depending on the rotation direction of the motor 81.
• This mode of the device 10 allows for a remote control and automatic resistance adjustment to an infinite number of resistance points along the arched pathway of connection of the pin arm 32 to the selection arm 34. It can be adapted to be employed in any mode of the device 10 herein.
• FIG 17 Depicted in figure 17 is a front perspective view of an especially preferred mode of the device 10. Also shown is an enlarged depiction of the user employable selector 51 which functions to engage and disengage a pin 52 into adjacently positioned apertures 35 formed into an arched pattern along the curved or arched selection arm 34.
• a sliding engagement of the pin arm 32 at or adjacent the distal end of the pin arm 32 with the selection arm is formed.
• the sliding engagement is formed by a race 54 which defined by the sides of a slot 62 formed in the arched selection arm 34 which is sized for a cooperative rolling engagement with a roller 56 operatively connected to the pin arm 32 ( Figure 16).
• This sliding engagement such as that formed by the roller 56 positioned at the distal end of the pin arm 32 within the race 54, eliminates the need for a bumper or stop such as the ledge 63 (figure 1) for the selection arm 34 as in other modes of the device shown above.
• the arched member forming the selection arm 34 having a double row of apertures 35 following an arched pathway upon the selection arm 34.
• the pin 52 In experimentation constructing the device 10 in this mode, it was found that a double row of apertures 35, allowing for the pin 52 to concurrently engage the aperture 35 in either row of apertures 35, that weights 20 could be accommodated by the device 10 with very small increments of resistance change based on the mechanical advantage change provided by positioning a pin 52 in an adjacent aperture 35 engagement of the pin 52.
• the section handle 51 which has a curved slot 62 slidably engaged with a projecting member 64, which is connected to the pins 52 to translate them into and out of the apertures 35 when aligned therewith.
• a twist of the handle 51 will cause the projecting member 64 to move toward or away from the selection arm 34, and thus translate one of the pins 52 aligned with an aperture 35 into the aperture 35.
• a spring (not shown) in between both of the pins 52 and the member 64, allows the member 64 to compress the spring on the engaging pin 52 and force it into the aperture 35 aligned, and to concurrently close a gap between the second pin 52 not aligned with an aperture 35 at the time.
• FIG 18 Shown in figure 18, is a rear plan view of the device 10 as in figure 16, along with an enlarged depiction of the sliding engagement between the distal end of the pin arm 32 and the race 54 defined by the slot formed into the selection arm 34.
• the roller 56 is cooperatively engaged within the slot 55 forming the race 54.
• the distance between each aperture 35 decreases sequentially as the apertures 35 become closer to the first end 58 of the selection arm 34.
• the same component arrangement can be seen in the rear perspective view of the device 10 of figure 19.
• FIG 20 Shown in figure 20, is another perspective view of the mode of the device 10 of figure 16.
• the larger weights 20 of figure 16 are removed from the mounting members 66 and they are employable with free weights such as those employed on barbells or the like, or other weights having an aperture adapted to engage upon the mounting members 66.
• These mounting members 66 are also shown in figure 16, extending beyond the plate weights 20 to allow smaller extra free weights 21 to be engaged if desired, for small increment resistance changes.
• the support arms 68 and 68a which are in a pivoting engagement 69 at first ends with the frame 16, and rotate upward with weight 20 attached when pulled by the translation of the cable 44 when pulled by a user.
• the translation of the cable 44 is communicated to at least one support arms 68a by the pin arm 32 which is connected to the selection arm 34, which as shown connects to the cable 44 at the second end 60.
• translation of the cable 44 will move the selection arm 34 and the connected pin arm 32 which rotate at the support arms 68 and 68a and thereby move the weight 20 upward a distance, which is a distance equal to the translational travel of the cable 44, no matter which pin 52 is engaged to which aperture 35 along the two parallel rows of apertures 35 on the arched pathway.

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• 2018
  • 2018-01-09 WO PCT/US2018/012905 patent/WO2018132354A1/en unknown
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  • 2018-01-09 CA CA3049012A patent/CA3049012C/en active Active
  • 2018-01-09 BR BR112019014129-4A patent/BR112019014129B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2018-01-09 EP EP18739222.0A patent/EP3568216B1/en active Active

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