In the fitness industry, cable attachments are devices that couple a handle or other user-contacting surface member to the cable of a of a cable machine.
Cable machines are used in weight training, and typically comprise a frame and weight stack. The cable couples the weight stacks to a handle gripped by the user, and typically extends around one or more pulleys positioned between the weight stack and handle. It can be noted that cable machines may use other resistance-generating components than weight plate stacks, such as resilient resistance members, pneumatic or hydraulic pistons and the like. It should be understood that the description of weight plate stacks is merely exemplary, and that there is no intention to limit the invention to the use of cable machines employing weight plates as a source of resistance. p Cable machines allow the user to exercise different muscle groups by pulling or pushing against the resistance at the other end of the cable. A variety of exercises can typically be performed on the apparatus, with many of the exercises requiring, or at least lending themselves to, the use of different types of handles, sleeves, ropes, bands and/or other user-contacting components (hereinafter collectively referred to as “handles” for the sake of brevity).
Traditionally, the manufacturers and users of cable machines have sought configurations permitting handles to be changed quickly without sacrificing the need to securely and safely couple the handles to the cable.
Known cable attachments are typically made of solid steel and have welded tabs with a hole in the tab for attachment of with a snap or caribiner affixed to the cable machine's cable.
Other known cable attachments use a strap sewn to a piece of hardware, such a “D”-ring or “O”-ring to which the cable is attached. The straps wear out, however, causing the entire device to be thrown out since the user and/or gym is highly unlikely to engage in the labor-intensive effort of cutting the stitching, replacing the straps, and re-sewing the straps to securely couple to the ring. Moreover, the user or gym is unlikely to have a sewing machine that can appropriately sew the straps to the ring.
The invention is a cable attachment for an exercise machine that permits the strap, which couples the handle gripped by the user to the machine's cable, to be replaced independently of the handle without the need for sewing machines or special tools such as crimping devices.
Briefly, the cable attachment comprises a body having three juncture points arranged in a generally triangular relationship, the first point being relatively distal to the handle to accommodate the body's attachment to the cable of the exercise machine, the other two juncture points being relatively proximal to the handle and separated from each other by the center section of the body, said other two junction points being configured to securely accommodate a removably-coupled handle-coupling strap.
Preferably, the first juncture point is a hole that accommodates the body's attachment to the cable of the machine. The other two juncture points lie below the hole, separated from each other by the center section of the body, and are the locations to which the straps can be secured, preferably with a suitable knot. The two lower juncture points are configured to resist lateral slippage of the straps in order to laterally stabilize the load against which the user is working. (It should be understood that the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “above” and “below” are relative, and depend on the orientation of the handle and cable in space; an assumption about the orientation and the consequential relative locations of the juncture points is made herein and in the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment for the sake of simplicity, and not by way of limitation.)
The two proximal juncture points are further configured to accommodate knots in the strap that have excellent holding strength. The preferred knot is a cow hitch type knot because it has excellent holding strength, does not slip easily, and is easily undone when the strap needs to be replaced without replacing the handle. The ends of the straps can be clamped, and it is preferable to do so for additional security.
These and other details concerning the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, of which the drawings form a part.
The other two points 16, 18 lie above the illustrated hole 14, separated by the center section of the body, and are the locations to which the straps 20 are secured by a suitable knot 22. The two upper points 16, 18 are configured to resist lateral slippage of the straps and thereby laterally stabilize the load against which the user is working. In the embodiment illustrated in
Insofar as knots are concerned, one should use a knot that provides good security against unintended slippage, lends itself to as uncomplicated and easy untying as practical, and does not detract from the appearance of the device if possible. While there are numerous knots that can be used, and the invention is not limited to any particular kind of knot or fastener, the currently preferred knot is the cow's hitch which meets all of the foregoing specifications.
Other knots are suitable as well. One such knot is the cats-paw, which is very similar to the cow hitch except for an additional twist on each side of the loop that can make it even less prone to slippage.
The preferred strap is a rope or cord formed from a material used in high quality rock-climbing ropes so that the strap is not prone to stretching, is very abrasive-resistant and has the tensile strength sufficient to handle the amount of stress to which it will be subjected.
To further secure the knot, it is preferable to further clamp the working end of the strap to a standing part as a precaution. Briefly, the “working end” of a rope is the term conmonly used to refer to the part of a rope that is active in knot tying, while the term “standing part” is the part not active in knot tying. These terms are relative, but the meaning herein is evident in the context of the description and drawings herein. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp used is the E-Z TY® rope clamp manufactured by Shell Engineering, Inc. (San Marcos, Calif.). The clamp additionally hides and protects the working end of the strap while providing additional strength and safety.
When the strap needs to be replaced, the clamp (if used) is easily undone with a screwdriver . . . the most common tool in people's possession. The knot is then easily undone, and the strap is pulled from the handle and replaced with a new strap that is then coupled and knotted to the body of the cable attachment and clamped (if a clamp is used).
The body 12 can be laser cut, formed with a waterjet or abrasivejet cutting head, or stamped from flat stock that is preferably approximately 3/16″ thick or more. Alternatively, the body can be formed from small round rod approximately 3/16″ in diameter that is bent into the desired shape, as illustrated by way of example in
Referring to
The top of the body 72 is preferably characterized by a top surface that slants downward from the middle of the body as it extends towards the sides. The angle permits the top of the body to extend generally perpendicular to the straps 80, 82 that extend from the handle. This provides a good seat for the knot because the slanted surface of the body is generally parallel to the knot's loop 84, and also minimizes lateral slippage of the straps and thereby laterally stabilizes the load against which the user is working.
Thus, the preferred angle of the slant is a function of the angle made by the straps with the vertical which, in turn, depends on the distance of the handle from the body 70 when the straps are fully extended, and the distance between the two straps as they leave the handle. In practice, a slant of 30 degrees (with respect to the horizontal direction in
In some cases, gym owners and others will wish to avoid the use of easily disassembled handle/attachment assemblies owing to liability concerns if users, for example, can easily take the assembly apart without securely re-assembling it. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that clamps can be used that are not easily disassembled (as are the clamps 40 in
It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the shapes, dimensions, clearances and tolerances recited herein may vary to comply with specifications and appearances determined by designers and manufacturers of exercise equipment utilizing cables, and may accordingly be varied by designers and manufactures of such equipment and components for such equipment without departing from the scope of the invention.
Although a preferred embodiment and two alternative embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various details, changes, substitutions and alterations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such variations be within the scope and spirit of the invention, and that the invention be solely defined by appended claims that shall be given the broadest allowable interpretation consistent with the Doctrine of Equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61699202 | Sep 2012 | US |