BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the below-referenced accompanying Drawings. Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the Drawings.
FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an exercise machine having a seat adjusting structure and a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view of a seat adjusting structure and a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary first position, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary third position, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an internal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an internal top perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an internal front view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an internal frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an internal frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is an internal front view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure with the arms being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the second alternative embodiment of the present invention.
MODE(S) FOR CARRYING-OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates, in a frontal perspective view, an exercise machine 1, in accordance with the present invention. The present invention exercise machine 1 generally comprises a support frame 100, a structure for resisting 200 a force, whereby a resistance is provided, a seat 300 for accommodating an exerciser, a structure for adjusting the seat 400, the seat 300 being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting structure 400, and the seat adjusting structure 400 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, left and right arms 500, each arm 500 having proximal and distal ends, and each arm 500 being operatively coupled to the resisting structure 200, a structure 600 for simultaneously adjusting the arms 500, the arms 500 being operatively coupled to the simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600, and the simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, and a cable system 700, the exercise machine 1 being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.
Also referring to FIG. 1, the resisting structure 200 comprises a weight stack 210. The seat 300 comprises a seat pad 310 and a back pad 320 (FIG. 8). Each arm 500 comprises a stirrup 510, being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser, and a rotatable pulley 520 for accommodating a cable 710 of the cable system 700 and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm 500. The cable 710 is operatively coupled to the resisting structure 200 and to the stirrup 510.
FIG. 2 illustrates a seat 300 and a seat adjusting structure 400, in accordance with the present invention. The seat adjusting structure 400 comprises a telescoping member 410 being mechanically coupled to the seat 300 and to the support structure 100, a structure for springing 420 being disposed in the telescoping member 410, and a structure for releasing the seat 430. The telescoping member 410 comprises an outer telescoping member 440 and an inner telescoping member 450 being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member 440, the inner telescoping member 450 being mechanically coupled to the seat 300, the outer telescoping member 440 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, the springing structure 420 providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member 450, the seat releasing structure 430 being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member 440, and the outer and inner telescoping members 440, 450 each having a respective plurality of tap holes 441, 451 formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.
Still referring to FIG. 2, the seat releasing structure 430 comprises a seat release handle 460 having proximal and distal ends, a seat release bar 470 having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle 460, a seat release spring 480 being operatively coupled to the seat release bar 470, the seat release bar 470 being actuated by the seat release handle 460 via the seat release spring 480, the seat release bar 470 having a curved portion 471 disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion 471 being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes 441 as well as through an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes 451, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat 300 is adjusted.
FIGS. 3-8, illustrate the simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600, in accordance with the present invention. The simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 comprises right and left barrel members 610 and a structure for releasing each arm 500 being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm 500, e.g., the right arm by example only. Each barrel member 610 comprises an outer barrel member 620 and an inner barrel member 630 being disposed in the outer barrel member 620, each arm 500 being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member 630, each outer barrel member 620 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, each inner barrel member 630 having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member 630 having a plurality of detents 640 thereon formed for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member 630 corresponding to the certain one arm 500 having the releasing structure.
Alternatively, the outer barrel members 620 are integrally formed and configured to permit the inner barrel members 630 to mechanically cooperate with one another. The inner barrel members 630 alternatively comprise at least one rotatable component for facilitating their mechanical cooperation. The certain one inner barrel 630 alternatively comprises at least one stationary component, e.g., a fixed plate and a fixed disk, for accommodating the registration features. The registration features, e.g., the plurality of detents 640, alternatively comprises any configuration or structure for facilitating registration, e.g., a plurality of recesses and a plurality of tap holes. The structures for facilitating registration are alternatively formed in the at least one stationary component.
Still referring to FIGS. 3-8, the simultaneous arm releasing structure comprises an arm release handle 650 having proximal and distal ends, an arm release bar 660 having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle 650, and an arm release spring 670 being operatively coupled to the arm release bar 660, the arm release bar 660 being actuated by the arm release handle 650 via the arm release spring 670, the arm release bar 660 having a pin portion 661 disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar pin portion 661 being disposed in a detent of the plurality of inner barrel detents 640 (of the certain inner barrel member), whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arms 500 are simultaneously adjusted.
The present invention method M of fabricating an exercise machine 1 comprises the steps of providing a support frame 100, providing structure for resisting a force 200, whereby a resistance is provided, providing a seat 300 for accommodating an exerciser, providing structure for adjusting the seat 400, the seat 300 being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting structure 400, and the seat adjusting structure 400 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, providing left and right arms 500, each arm 500 having proximal and distal ends, and each arm 500 being operatively coupled to the resisting structure 200, and providing a structure 600 for simultaneously adjusting the arms 500, the arms 500 being operatively coupled to the simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600, and the simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, the exercise machine 1 being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.
The arms 500 providing step comprises providing each arm 500 with a stirrup 510, being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser, and providing each arm 500 with a rotatable pulley 520 for accommodating a cable 710 of the cable system 700 and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm 500. The cable system 700 providing step also comprises providing a cable 710 being operatively coupled to the resisting structure 200 and to the stirrup 510.
The seat adjusting structure 400 providing step comprises providing a telescoping member 410 being mechanically coupled to the seat 300 and to the support structure 100 providing a structure for springing 420 being disposed in the telescoping member 410, and providing a structure for releasing the seat 430. The telescoping member 410 providing step comprises providing an outer telescoping member 440 and providing an inner telescoping member 450 being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member 440, the inner telescoping member 450 being mechanically coupled to the seat 300, the outer telescoping member 440 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, the springing structure 420 providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member 450, the seat releasing structure 450 being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member 440, and the outer and inner telescoping members 440, 450 each having a respective plurality of tap holes 441, 451 formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.
The seat releasing structure 430 providing step comprises providing a seat release handle 460 having proximal and distal ends, providing a seat release bar 470 having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle 460, providing a seat release spring 480 being operatively coupled to the seat release bar 470, the seat release bar 470 being actuated by the seat release handle 460 via the seat release spring 480, the seat release bar 470 having a curved portion 471 disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion 471 being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes 441 and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes 451, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat 300 is adjusted.
The simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 providing step comprises providing right and left barrel members 610 and providing a structure for releasing the arms 500 being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm. The barrel member 610 providing step comprises providing an outer barrel member 620 and providing an inner barrel member 630 being disposed in the outer barrel member 620, the arms 500 being rotationally coupled to the respective inner barrel members 630, each outer barrel member 620 being mechanically coupled to the support frame 100, each inner barrel member 630 having a periphery, i.e., a stationary component, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents 640 or other registration feature thereon formed for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm. The arm releasing structure providing step comprises providing an arm release handle 650 having proximal and distal ends, providing an arm release bar 660 having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle 650 providing an arm release spring 670 being operatively coupled to the arm release bar 660, the arm release bar 660 being actuated by the arm release handle 650 via the arm release spring 670, the arm release bar 660 having a pin portion 661 disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar pin portion 661 being disposed in an inner barrel member detent 640, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arms 500 are simultaneously adjusted.
FIG. 9 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary first position, e.g., downwardly disposed, in accordance with the present invention. The simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 is mounted on the support frame 100 and is shown in relation to the resisting structure 200 and the weight stack 210.
FIG. 10 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, e.g., outwardly disposed, in accordance with the present invention. The simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 is mounted on the support frame 100 and is shown in relation to the weight stack 210.
FIG. 11 is a frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary third position, e.g., upwardly disposed, in accordance with the present invention. The simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 is mounted on the support frame 100 and is shown in relation to the resisting structure 200 and the weight stack 210.
FIG. 12 is an internal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, e.g., outwardly disposed, in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this first alternative embodiment, a pair of alternative inner barrel members comprise a pair of grooved reels 631, wherein the grooves 631a are configured to accommodate a pair of belts 633, and wherein the belts 633 is disposed in a general “figure-eight” within the grooves 631a as shown. A certain one alternative inner barrel member comprises a registration plate or a registration disc 632 having a plurality of registration features, e.g., a plurality of detents 640, a plurality of recesses, and a plurality tap holes. The registration plate or registration disc 632 is stationary in relation to the pair of grooved reels 631 (the reels 631 being rotatable). A certain one reel, corresponding to a certain one inner barrel member and to the registration disc 632, comprises a feature 631b for accommodating a sleeve 661a disposed around the pin portion 661.
Still referring to FIG. 12, the simultaneous arm releasing structure also comprises an arm release handle 650 having proximal and distal ends, an arm release bar 660 having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle 650, and an arm release spring 670 (not shown) being operatively coupled to the arm release bar 660 (not shown), the arm release bar 660 being actuated by the arm release handle 650 via the arm release spring 670, the arm release bar 660 having a pin portion 661 disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar pin portion 661 being disposed in a registration feature of the plurality of registration features (of the certain inner barrel member), e.g., a detent of the plurality of inner barrel detents 640, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arms 500 are simultaneously adjusted.
FIG. 13 is an internal top perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, as shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the alternative inner barrel members, comprising the pair of grooved reels 631, are shown as being in mechanical cooperation with one another via the belts 633 being disposed in the general “figure-eight” within the grooves 631a. The certain one alternative inner barrel member, comprising the registration plate or a registration disc 632 with the plurality of registration features is rotated by actuating the arm release handle 650 and by selecting a registration feature for disposition of the pin portion 661 as the registration plate or registration disc 632 is stationary in relation to the pair of grooved reels 631.
FIG. 14 is an internal front view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical cooperation of the pair of grooved reels 631 via the belts 633 being disposed in the general “figure-eight” is shown. Frictional forces between the belts 633 and the grooves 631a transfer the actuation forces initiated by actuating the arm release handle 650 and by selecting a registration feature for disposition of the pin portion 661 in a selected registration feature.
FIG. 15 is an internal frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. The belts 633 each comprise a pair of terminal portions 633a, wherein each terminal portion 633a of each belt 633 is disposed in an opposing reel, whereby the actuation of the certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one reel which, in turn, simultaneously actuates the other reel, and whereby the arms 500 are simultaneously adjusted.
FIG. 16 is an internal frontal perspective view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this second alternative embodiment, the inner barrel members comprise a pair of gears 635, having cooperating teeth 634 and being in mechanical cooperation with one another, and a stationary registration plate or a registration disc 632 as well. A certain one gear, corresponding to a certain one inner barrel member and to the registration disc 632, comprises a feature 635a for accommodating a sleeve 661a disposed around the pin portion 661. Forces are initiated by actuating the arm release handle 650 and by selecting a registration feature for disposition of the pin portion 661 therein, whereby the actuation of the certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one gear which, in turn, simultaneously actuates the other gear, and whereby the arms 500 are simultaneously adjusted.
FIG. 17 is an internal front view of a simultaneous arm adjusting structure 600 with the arms 500 being oriented in an exemplary second position, in accordance with the second alternative embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical cooperation between the gears 635 is shown.
Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention, the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.
Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that various changes and modifications in form, material, and fabrication material detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims, should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. No claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention industrially applies to exercise machines. More particularly, the present invention industrially applies to an exercise machine providing a number of distinct exercise movements which are performable on the same machine without having to attach or remove additional hardware elements. Even more particularly, the present invention industrially applies to an exercise machine which provides adjustability for arm exercises as well as for height and physique of an exerciser.
Patent Application
20080096735
