Patent Application
20110092343
1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to the field of exercise machines. In particular, to exercise machines designed to perform different exercises (such as converging and diverging or push and pull strength exercises) with arms which follow a fixed or guided path.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over recent years, as physical fitness has become an ever more popular pursuit, there have evolved a plurality of exercise machines upon which exercises can be performed by a user. One type of exercise machine is the strength machine which is designed to improve muscle strength and tone by having the user utilize certain muscle groups to pull, push or otherwise perform work on some type of resistance mechanism built into the machine.
As the nature of exercise has become more fully understood, different types of exercise machines have been developed to provide for more effective training. Originally, strength training was performed by the lifting of free-weights. While simple to understand and operate, free-weights had inherent dangers in their use, and, although conceptually simple, were often hard to use correctly without trained instruction. In order to get the best toning or shaping results out of particular exercises, it is desirable that muscle groups be isolated so that the intended muscle group is exercised by the exercise, as opposed to exercising an unintended muscle group. With free-weights it was often not possible to perform exercises that isolated the desired muscle groups, and even if it was possible, it was often difficult to know how to perform the exercises correctly without specific instruction. As strength machines have evolved, they have tried to improve both the safety of performing different exercises, and the effectiveness of the exercise to isolate different muscle groups.
To most effectively isolate and exercise particular muscle groups, it is desirable that the exercise machine be arranged so that the user is limited in their motion to that which effectively performs the desired exercise on the desired muscle groups. This is generally performed by the selection and arrangement of two components of the machine. Firstly, there is a bench, seat or other structure which supports the user's body. For some exercises, this may be as simple as the floor upon which the machine rests, while for others adjustable benches may be provided to position portions of the user's body relative to appropriate pieces of the exercise machine. This component helps to get the user in a comfortable position where they can operate the moving portions of the machine, and place them in a position relative to the moving parts of the machine so that they manipulate those parts to perform the exercise.
The other component is the moving portion of the machine and is generally in the form of “arms” or other objects which are arranged in a manner to be engaged by the user at a certain point (such as a grip or handle), and then be moved by the user along a predetermined path or a guided path resisted by the machine. When the two components of the machine are used together correctly, the user is therefore positioned in such a manner that when the grip is moved by the user on the bench, the predetermined or guided path dictates the motion of the handle and, if the machine is well-designed, exercises the intended muscle group. This results in the user both isolating a muscle group and performing a safer exercise motion.
The difficulty with the design of strength machines, however, is that they generally need to be both flexible to perform multiple exercises, and limited to guide a user to perform an exercise correctly. As more has become known about the motion of particular exercises, this has led to a difficulty in finding exercise motions which can be incorporated into the same machine. Specifically, different types of exercise generally have different motions of the grips or handles and therefore the arms need to have different paths. With free-weights, the user can freely position the weights relative to their body, allowing them to perform numerous exercises, but at the same time, the user is not guided to perform any of the exercises correctly because the weights can be freely maneuvered. Strength machines, on the other hand, can often be designed to guide the particular motion of the user, but this limits the number of exercises which can be performed on the machine. This is particularly problematic when space for exercise machines is limited, such as for most individuals in their homes, and even for the majority of gyms or workout facilities.
One significant problem which has existed with strength machines is to incorporate both push-type and pull-type exercises in the same machine, without the inclusion of multiple sets of arms for the user to interact with significantly increasing the complexity of the machine. For instance, when exercising the upper torso it is desirable to perform push-type exercises where the arms are pushed away from the body against resistance and pull-type exercises where the arms are pulled toward the body against resistance.
The duality of exercise discussed above exists because muscle groups generally operate in pairs. In particular, individuals generally have two sets of muscles which operate in conjunction with each other. One set acts to move in one direction, while the other acts to move in the opposing direction. Since muscle generally performs work by contracting, the two muscle groups act in concert with one group contracting (performing work) while the other group expands (essentially resting).
To increase strength and/or tone in any particular muscle region (set of two or more muscle groups such as the torso) it is therefore desirable to be able to perform different types of exercise motions. This, however, requires a machine capable of providing resistance to both a push and pull motion (or to motion in different directions) to related or different muscle groups. A difficulty arises because many resistance mechanisms generally only provide resistance to motion in one direction (e.g. the resistance is opposing the lifting of a weight from its resting position, as compared to returning it to its resting position). The commonality of this type of resistance has generally required exercise machines that provide a user with both push and pull motion to either have additional arms for each exercise so that the arms can follow different paths—which necessarily increase their size, expense and complexity—or to have complex mechanisms for the arm motion allowing users to connect and disconnect components to accomplish different exercises. This leads to increased difficulty of construction and use, increased expense, and often an increased risk of failure.
Further, the range of motion utilized when a user is performing a pull motion is often different from the range of motion of a user performing a push motion with a related muscle group. For example, a user performing a chest press will generally begin the exercise with their hands near their chest, however in the corresponding rowing movement, the user will often end the exercise with their arms lower, near their upper mid-section. This difference exists even though the general motion of both exercises is basically perpendicular to the plane of the body and may exist due to differing rotation in the arms or hands when performing the different exercises comfortably.
Still further, exercises are generally not performed using static patterns where the hands maintain a constant position relative to each other, but are preferably carried out with the hands either converging on each other or diverging from each other.
Because of these and other previously unknown problems in the art, disclosed herein are principles of exercise machine construction, exercise machines, components of an exercise machines, and methods related to exercising on and constructing an exercise machine that allows for the performance of multiple different exercises, particularly upper torso strength exercises, where the user utilizes related arcs of motion of an arm in a fixed or guided path for the different exercises. Generally the arcs will be utilized for both pull-type exercises and push-type exercises and/or for diverging and converging exercises.
There is described herein, among other things, an exercise machine comprising: a frame; a resistance object; a first arm attached to a first positioning system and moveable between a plurality of fixed positions on the first positioning system, the first positioning system being moveably attached to the frame to rotate about a first axis and being connected to the resistance object; a second arm attached to a second positioning system and moveable between a plurality of fixed positions on the second positioning system, the second positioning system being moveably attached to the frame to rotate about a second axis and being connected to the resistance object; a first handle attached to the first arm; and a second handle attached to the second arm; wherein, when the first arm and the second arm are rigidly connected to the positioning system at a first position in the plurality of positions, the first handle and the second handle, when engaging resistance provided by the resistance object, converge together; and wherein, when the first arm and the second arm are rigidly connected to the positioning system at a second position different from the first position in the plurality of positions, the first handle and the second handle, when engaging resistance provided by the resistance object, diverge apart.
In an embodiment of the machine each of the positioning systems comprises a pin plate, and the first arm and the second arm may be attached to the pin plate via a second and third axis of rotation respectively. The first axis, the second axis, the third axis, and the fourth axis may be non-parallel and the pin plates may be non-parallel and arranged to converge toward a midpoint of the machine when moving from front to back.
In an embodiment, the first axis and the second axis are non parallel and may intersect at an angle of between about 90 and about 110 degrees, more preferably about 100 degrees.\
In an embodiment, the first axis and the second axis lie in the same plane which may be positioned less than 7 degrees from the vertical, more preferably about 2 degrees from the vertical.
In an embodiment, the resistance object may comprise one or more of: a weight stack, a spring, a piston, an elastomeric member, a compression box or panel, a gravity resistance, a frictional resistance or any other device or means for generating resistance known now or later discovered.
In an embodiment, the frame includes an overhead portion where the first and the second positioning systems are moveably attached.
In an embodiment, the device may provide for a fixed path of the handles, or may provide for the handles to follow a guided path
Although the exercise machines, arms, principles and methods described below are discussed primarily in terms of their application to a particular layout of exercise machine(s), one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the principles described herein can be used in a plurality of different exercise machines of different layouts designed to have certain desired footprints and space considerations. These can include, but are not limited to, home and commercial exercise machines of all price ranges.
Also, while the exercise machines are primarily discussed as performing torso and arm exercises, they could be readily adapted for use with other types of exercises and/or exercises involving other portions of the body (such as, but not limited to, the legs). Further, the embodiments disclosed herein generally discuss a user performing an exercise with both of their arms simultaneously. It would be understood that a user is not mandated to move both their arms simultaneously, therefore when an exercise is described as “converging” based on the different relationships of the hands to each other during the exercise, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the motion of a single hand, performing an identical motion, is also “converging.”
Generally, a machine's motion will be used to refer to the available motion that can be traversed by the portion of the machine the user is intended to grasp or otherwise manipulate to perform the exercise (these will generally be “handles”). The machine's motion therefore is interrelated to the motions the hands (in the case of a torso exercise) or other portions of the body make when using the machine. In most strength machines, the machine is designed so that the mechanisms can only move such that the user is guided to move the portion of the machine they interact with in a prescribed way (a particular “arc” of motion) to move the mechanisms at all. In this way, the available motion of the machine attempts to dictate that the user perform the exercise correctly.
The principles disclosed herein can generally be described as follows; the exercise machine allows for the performance of at least two different exercises which each utilize a portion of either the same arc of motion, or related arcs of motion where related arcs refer to arcs created by different locations on or positions of an arm which follows a fixed path. This fixed motion will often be, but is not limited to, rotational motion about a particular pivot axis. To put this another way, a part with a limited available range of motion can provide a wide variety of ranges of motion. Generally, the exercises performed herein utilize two arms (one for each side of the user's body) and herein each arm is a rigid or otherwise solid arm with a singular rotational, or similar, connection. This connection allows for the arm to follow a fixed path. The shape of the arm then provides different points where handles may be placed or otherwise arranged so the handles arranged at these points traverse appropriate related arcs at the appropriate position as the arm traces the fixed path.
In an alternative embodiment, the exercises may be performed in a fashion where the arms and/or handles may traverse a guided path. As opposed to a system where a fixed path is used and the system effectively only allows for a very limited motion in order to force the user to perform that motion, when using a guided path, the motion is effectively constrained within certain parameters, but within those parameters is subject to flexibility. This type of exercise motion can be desirable for a more advanced user, when slight variation in motion can be used to enhance the exercise, or where the motion does not need to be as rigidly controlled. In a guided path embodiment, the general path of motion (such as that shown in
This general principle is most clearly illustrated through the FIGS. Looking at
The representation of different arcs in
While
In an embodiment, this guided motion could be provided by having an additional hinge or rotational point within each of the arms (205) or (1205) which allows for the arms (205) or (1205) to curl inward (shorten the radii) but inhibit the arms from going outward beyond the prescribed motion (e.g. the motions of
As should be apparent, directly modifying the radii of the circles (803), (805), and (807) may be technically difficult, however, by allowing some additional relative movement between various parts of the machine (such as by positioning an additional hinge or point of relative movement in the arm or handle), the same effect can be achieved.
Exercise research has shown that exercise of the torso (and many other areas of the body) is generally desirable to not be static. That is, the motion of the hands is generally converging for some exercises (often those where the user pushes something away from their body) and diverging for other exercises (often those where the user pulls something toward their body) as this motion is much more natural to the user. Pull-type exercises and/or push-type exercises may either be converging or diverging exercises.
It is important to note what is meant by converging and diverging in the context of this disclosure. A converging exercise is performed when two symmetric parts of a user's body begin an exercise at a first distance apart and end that exercise at a second distance apart where the second distance is less than the first distance. A diverging exercise is performed when two parts of a user's body begin an exercise at a first distance apart and end that exercise at a second distance apart where the second distance is more than the first distance. In both cases, the change of distance is caused as part of the exercise by both body parts moving. Generally, the hands (the two parts of the user's body) in the push-type exercise begin separated and are moved closer together at the apex of the exercise (when the hands are extended from the body). Generally, in the pull-type exercise the hands begin close together (extended from the body) and are separated as the hands are pulled towards the body.
The definition of a converging and diverging exercise also holds true if it is being performed by a single body part so long as that body part is carrying out the same motion as it does in the above converging and diverging situation, even if the other body part does not move. To put this in another way, a converging exercise will generally have an arc converging toward the reference plane vertically dividing the human body into two generally symmetric halves (a plane of symmetry), a diverging exercise will have an arc diverging from the same plane. This plane will generally be through the midpoint of a user's body as shown in
To get smooth motion in these types of exercises, the arc traversed by the hands is preferably arcuate or of a smooth linear translation in both exercise types which then leads to the desirable range of motion of an exercise machine (when properly used by a user) being guided to an arc the hands preferably take. For purposes of this disclosure, this smooth motion will be referred to as arcuate, although such motion may be linear. Because of the left/right symmetry generally present in the human body, the arcs are generally mirrored for the right and left hands about the midpoint of the user's body. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, however, that the path need not be arcuate in the plane of
The relationship of the motion of the hands in a simplified push-type exercise and related pull-type exercise is shown in a simplified form in
Please note from the FIGS that the arcs shown here also include direction. In this case the direction refers to the direction the handle moves against resistance. Generally, when performing an exercise, a user will move in an arc against resistance, and then the handle will traverse over the same path to return to the starting point. Therefore, for clarity, the exercise arc or the path of the arm in this disclosure will always refer to a motion against a resistance. That is, the motion indicates a weight is lifted, not returned.
It is apparent from these FIGS, that the arcs (901), (911), (903), and (913) traced by the hands in each exercise are similar, in
Also between exercises, the directions that the user (990) needs to provide the exercise force to get the intended exercise (represented by the arrows (931), (933), (951), and (953)) are reversed although the traces are the same. This shows that these are actually two different arcs. In particular, in the push-type exercise the user (990) is providing the exercise force (arrows (931) and (933)) along the arc in the direction away from the user's (990) body. While in the pull-type exercise, the exercising force (arrows (951) and (953)) is along a similar arc in a direction toward the user's (990) body.
The reason for the rotation of
Utilizing a single rotational direction provides for numerous benefits in the exercise machine context. In particular, most exercise machines have a singular resting state where they exist when not in use. It takes force provided by the user to move the machine arms from this resting state, and generally also requires force by the user to resist the machine returning to its resting state, this is because many of the resistance objects used in exercise machines only provide force in a given direction and the direction opposing that given direction is generally what is provided by the user (through mechanical process) as the exercise. To explain simply, in the above
One of skill in the art would recognize that in an alternative embodiment, the resistance of the resistance object can be bi-directional, allowing for force to be present in both the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, but such an arrangement generally requires a more complicated resistance object.
In
From the simple case of
The principles of
This interrelated motion provides for multiple resultant exercises. In an embodiment, it is possible that an exercise machine can be built which has a single one-directional resistance object, with a single rotational attachment to a single arm and a user of the machine can perform any exercise utilizing rotational motion through an appropriate arrangement of arms, handle manipulation points, and user positions. Such exercises are generally push or pull-type exercises that either converge or diverge. Generally, this case will involve two arms, each with the singular rotational point, so as to provide for movement of two body parts (e.g. the two hands) simultaneously. In particular, this motion can allow for subsets of related exercises to be performed on the same arms, following the same or similar paths. This saves space and allows for multiple exercises to be performed. These exercises can include, but are not limited to, chest presses, lateral pulls, rowing exercises, and shoulder presses.
In the broadest sense, a strength machine, such as exercise machine (10), includes four components. There is some form of resistance object which provides the resistance the user works against, there is a bench which is the place where the user is placed to interact with the machine, there is a mechanism which, in conjunction with related structures, transfers the work of the user to the resistance, and there is a frame to support the structure.
Exercise machine (10) comprises a frame (50) which is generally manufactured of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or other strong and rigid construction materials. In particular, the frame (50) is generally made of hollow tubes composed of these materials. For the purposes of this disclosure, it should be recognized that a tube can have any shape as a cross-section and can be either hollow or solid. Therefore the term “tubes” as used herein should be considered to include any solid or hollow structure having any cross-sectional shape. In an embodiment, at least some of the tubes are hollow and have a cross-sectional shape which is generally in the shape of a race track.
The frame (50) comprises a base member (101) which serves as the primary support for the remaining components and rests upon a surface where the exercise machine (10) is to be placed. In the depicted embodiment, base member (101) is generally T-shaped to provide for a stable base, however other shapes of the base member (101) could be used as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The rest of frame (50) extends generally vertically from the base member (101) and is supported by the base member (101) to define the general shape of the machine.
Associated with frame (50) there are weights (151) or other resistance object(s) for providing resistance to the user's movement so that the movement requires work and results in exercise. In the depicted embodiment, weights (151) are in a weight enclosure (159) when at rest. Resistance is created by weights (151) being lifted in an upward direction forcing the movement of the mass of the weights (151) against the force of a gravitational field (e.g. as shown in
In an embodiment, the resistance object(s) will only provide resistance in a single direction. Specifically, the resistance object will have a singular resting state where it will exist unless a force is applied to it. Using weights (151), the weights (151) will rest on the base member (101) or a shelf (not shown) attached to base member (101) under the force of earth's gravitational field (the resting state). Weights (151) can be lifted to raise them from the base member (101), but this lifting requires the imposition of another force on weights (151). Weights (151) will also return to the resting state if the other force is removed. To put this another way, a one-way resistance object is affected by a returning force to return it to a resting state. To move the resistance object from the resting state, therefore, the user must generate an “exercise force” to oppose the returning force of the resistance object. Some of these returning forces can include, but are not limited to, gravity, pressure differential, or the return force of a spring.
In another embodiment, the resistance object can be a two-way or bi-directional resistance object. This type of a resistance object allows for a resistance force to be generated in both directions. A method of achieving this is if the object has no defined resting state, but instead always requires the imposition of an exercise force to move the object from any state to any other state. Examples of this type of two-way resistance objects can include pressure cylinders (such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders) where the material in the cylinder is allowed to flow to either side of the piston head through a restrictive opening. There is, therefore, always resistance to motion as the piston head will displace the material regardless of the direction it is moved. Generally two-way resistance objects will utilize friction, pressure, surface tension, or similar resistances. Another method is where the object has a defined resting state, but is moved from this state by moving a mechanism in different directions, such as through the use of gearing, clutches, levers, or other mechanisms.
Weight support bars (153) are provided which run through holes in the weights (151) and secure them to frame (50) and position them relative to base member (101). As weight support bars (153) are generally perpendicular to the base member (101), when the weights (151) are lifted they are forced to be lifted in a generally linear manner, and are not allowed to swing which could render the exercise machine (10) unstable. In an alternative embodiment, however, weight support bars (153) may be angled, curved, bent, arcuate or of any other relationship which is not perpendicular to allow for a more dynamic feel to the exercise. Weight support bars may also be flexible instead of rigid, may allow different degrees of freedom or may be completely non-existent in alternative embodiments.
Weights (151) are generally lifted through an application of force onto the arms (205R) and/or (205L) which are what transfers the work performed by the user to the resistance object upon which the work is performed. The arms (205R) and/or (205L) are mechanically connected to frame (50) in a manner allowing them to move relative to the frame along a fixed path. While the path may change between exercises, the path remains fixed during any singular exercise. A fixed path need not be identical in every pass. Instead, in a fixed path the motion of the arc is within a fixed subset of predetermined paths or is a singular path. Preferably, each of the arms (205R) and/or (205L) is connected rotatably at a rotation surface (306R) and/or (306L) so that each independently rotates through a unique fixed path and are both connected to the weights (151) in a manner where the predetermined rotation of the arms (205R) and/or (205L) is translated into motion for raising the weights (151).
In another embodiment, the arms (205R) and/or (205L) need not be attached about a rotational axis, but may be otherwise attached so as to provide for a fixed path of motion corresponding to predetermined arcs being traced by handles (403R), (413R), (403L), and (413L). This may be, but is not limited to, having the arms (205R) and/or (205L) traverse along a track or similar object of a predetermined shape (regardless of shape) so as to direct the motion of the arms. For instance, a point on the arm could follow the path of a hyperbolic or linear arc. In another embodiment, the arm could traverse multiple tracks so that the resultant motion of a point on the arm where the handle is located follows the desired arc. For instance, the arm could be supported at each end within a linear track so that translation of one end necessarily results in a translation of the other end (possibly in opposing directions) and a handle on the arm moves on a predetermined arc (whether curved, bent or linear). In still a further embodiment, a single arm could be connected by other components to rotate about multiple axes, such as by having the arm rotate utilizing two connector arms rotatably connected thereto and rotatably connected to the frame (a 4-bar mechanism) in a manner that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The direction of the applied exercise force can be translated from the direction that the user directs it (which is generally arcuate), to a direction opposing the returning force (which is generally vertically upward in the case of weights (151) being the resistance). In the depicted embodiment, this connection comprises pulling a cable or cables (155) attached to the arms (205R) and (205L) at cable attachments (255R) and (255L). In another embodiment, cable (155) could actually comprise the arms (205R) and/or (205L). The cables' (155) motion is translated by pulleys (157) until it is transferred to weights (151) in a lifting motion. One of ordinary skill in the art would, however, understand that cables (155) and/or pulleys (157) are not necessary and other processes could be used so that moving arms (205R) and/or (205L) requires the performing of work by the user. This translation of force merely allows for an exercise force applied by the user to be directed in a desired direction, it does not change the one-way or two-way nature of the resistance object.
In particular, for the device of
In order to effectively manipulate arms (205L) and (205R), each arm is provided with at least two handles. However, in another embodiment, only a single handle on each arm is used which can be moved between at least two positions. The handles comprise handles (403L) and (413L) for left arm (205L) and handles (403R) and (413R) for right arm (205R). The handles (403L), (413L), (403R), and (413R) provide the points that the user will grip when performing the exercise, therefore the range of motion of the various handles relative to the user will define the path that the user's hands take when performing the exercise. Also attached to frame (50) is a bench (171) which is generally positioned so as to place the user relative to the arms (205R) and/or (205L) for performing the exercise. In an alternative embodiment, bench (171) need not be attached to frame (50) but may be positionable relative to frame (50) or not present at all.
Although the bench in the depicted embodiment of
The user need not sit upright in the bench (171) (as depicted in
As the user rotates between the two positions, the handles they will use are preferably in front of them which is part of why this embodiment uses both a rotation of the user and different sets of handles to provide for the different exercises. One of skill in the art would recognize, however, that depending on the exercise being performed (the desired arc and arc direction) and the type of resistance object used, either the user, the handles, or both could be repositioned between exercises depending on the embodiment. It should be clear that the user's torso maintains its symmetry relative to a fixed plane through the various movements.
In simplification, each handle (403L), (403R), (413L), and (413R) is generally positioned so as to traverse one of the arcs (901), (911), (903) and (913) as shown in
Further, while
When performing the exercise, the user would generally operate the machine as shown in
It should be further apparent from
The design of the arm (205R) is discussed in more depth to explain an embodiment of structure which allows for the handles to each traverse the desired arcs. While this discussion will primarily discuss the design of right arm (205R), the left arm (205L) is essentially a mirror image of the right arm (205R). It would therefore be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art how to adapt the discussion below concerning the structure of right arm (205R) to making the left arm (205L). To provide for reference to the components of the arms, the same reference numbers will be used on the right arm (205R) as the left arm (205L) while letters will denote the particular arm being discussed. E.g., (403R) indicates the push handle specifically on the right arm (205R) while (403L) indicates the push handle specifically on the left arm (205L).
As shown in
Attached to pivot tube (303R) is lever tube (307R). Lever tube (307R) is arranged to be generally radially extended from the axis of rotation (305R) to provide for a lever motion along a radial of the axis of rotation (305R). The lever tube (307R) may be bent into an angle to provide for a point of attachment (309R) appropriately positioned for attachment of the adjustment arm (401R). Because attachment point (309R) is resultantly radially extended (by R1) relative to the axis of rotation (305R) (e.g. it is not on the axis of rotation (305R)), the point of attachment (309R) transcribes an arc around the axis of rotation when moved.
Attached to lever tube (307R) at attachment point (309R) is adjustment tube (401R). Adjustment tube (401R) will generally be attached to the lever tube (307R) at an approximately 90 degree angle forming a “T” shape, but any arrangement may be used. In this way, the approximate center of adjustment tube (401R) will be generally tangential to the arc transcribed by the connection point (309R). The adjustment tube (401R) may be bent, however, as shown in
Attached to the extension tube (451R) is a push handle (403R) while attached to the adjustment tube (401R) is a pull handle (413R) (which may be adjustable thereon). The push handle (403R) is mounted on the forward of the lever tube (307R), while the pull handle is mounted backward of the lever tube (307R). This arrangement allows for a prescribed range of motion such as that shown in
Associated with the adjustment tube (401R) is cable connection (255R) which is located toward the backward end of the adjustment tube (401R). Cable connection (255R), as discussed previously, provides for the connection between the cable (155), to which the weights (151) are ultimately attached, and the adjustment tube (401R). The cable connection's (255R) location provides for the returning force provided by the weights (151) to be directed backward of the machine (10) providing that the exercise force provided by the user should be generally horizontal and in the forward arcuate direction of the machine (10) as discussed earlier.
In the depicted embodiment, the push handle (403R) is mounted on an adjustable extension tube (451R) which can slide relative to adjustment tube (401R) (such as into and out of adjustment tube (401R)). This allows for users of different body sizes to adjust the position of the push handle (403R) to better accommodate the size of their body. In another embodiment, the adjustment can allow for the inclusion of additional exercises on the arm. Further, the adjustment of the push handle (403R) and (403L) allows for the arms (205R) and (205L) to miss each other when the pull-type exercise is being performed. Generally, when the pull-type exercise is being performed, it will be preferable for the push handles (403L) and (403R) to be able to “swing through” a larger arc than when the push handles (403L) and (403R) are being actively used. In particular, it is desirable for the push handles (403L) and (403R), if arranged for use in a push-type exercise, to cross when the arms (205L) and (205R) are used for a pull-type exercise. As the handles (403L) and (403R) are usually rigid, this is not generally possible. If the push handles (403L) and (403R) are located on extension tubes, the handles (403L) and (403R) can be extended to different distances or the handles (403R) and (403L) can be rotated outward. For example, push handle (403L) can be extended further than push handle (403R). In this way, when the arms (205R) and (205L) are rotated during a pull exercise, the handles (403L) and (403R) will miss interacting with each other allowing for a slightly larger motion for the pull-type exercise, than in the push-type exercise. Further, it prevents the user from receiving an unwelcome shock when, during a pull-type exercise, the push handles (403R) or (403L) hit.
The extension tube (451R) may be connected with the adjustment tube (401R) through a locking mechanism using a spring pin, a cotter pin or another type of object (491R) which can fit through a hole in the extension tube (451R) and a corresponding hole in the adjustment tube (401R). In another embodiment, an alternative locking mechanism other than a hole and pin can be used as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The two handles (403R) and (413R) are generally of the same shape. In the depicted embodiment, the handles are generally U-shaped. This is only one of many embodiments of handle (403R) and/or handle (413R) as they can assume virtually any shape as well as shapes different from each other. Further, the handles may be of the same shape but differently oriented relative to the rest of the arm (205R). Handle (403R) or (413R) is generally gripped by the user in their hand and is the contact point for the transference of the force generated by the user to the exercise machine (10) to perform the work to lift the weights (151). The depicted design of the handles (403R) and (413R) are preferred because they allow for a more natural grip for performing the desired exercises. In particular, the user can grip either vertical portion of the handle (403R) or (413R). A user could alternatively grasp the horizontal portion of the handle (403R) or (413R).
Generally, the two arms (205L) and (205R) will move independent of each other as they each rotate about a different axis of rotation (305L) or (305R). This can allow the user to more easily isolate a muscle group on either the left or right side of their body. Further, independent motion will help to insure that each arm is performing work involved in the exercise to improve the overall results and prevent one stronger arm from overly compensating for the other. In still another embodiment, the individual motion can allow for the total weight being lifted to be split evenly between the arms. This independent operation is demonstrated in the embodiment depicted in
In this embodiment, the machine (20) is similarly comprised of a frame (50), base member (101), and weights (151) (not shown in
The arrangement of the primary axes (305) is thus generally in an upright “V” shape. This provides that when the handles, when positioned forward of the plane including the axes, are moved from the back toward the front of the machine, will generally move upward and together. If the handles are positioned behind that same plane, the handles will generally move downward and apart when moved from the back forward toward the front of the machine. The first part of this motion is usually desired for performing press or push type exercises, while the latter is generally desired for performing arm pull type exercises.
It should be noted that the “V” formed of the axes, while generally upright, does not need to be vertical, and the plane including the primary axes (305) may tilt forward or backward from the vertical which will simply alter the point of convergence and the specific shape of arc made relative to a user that is on the bench (171). It is generally preferred that the plane of the primary axes (305) be slightly tilted from vertical, generally no more than 7 degrees forward or back. It is generally more preferred that the axes be arranged 2 degrees back from vertical (that is that the open portion of the “V” is behind the point as is shown in
In the depicted embodiment, the arms (1205R) and (1205L) are held in place by rotation tubes (1136R) and (1136L) which rotate about the points (306R) and (306L) attached to the top of the overhanging support beam (1138). In an alternative embodiment, however, plates or other mechanisms can be provided which allow for the tubes (1136R) and (1136L) to be positioned above, below, to the side, behind, or in front of the support beam (1138), depending on the desired aesthetics and size of the machine (20). This can also serve to mount the rotation at two points (one on either end of the tube (1136R) or (1136L)) and can provide for improved aesthetics and protect the rotating components from interaction with outside objects. Further, while the tubes (1136R) or (1136L) are shown above the overhead support in the embodiment of
Attached to each of the rotation tubes (1136R) or (1136L), so that it can rotate about the axis (305L) or (305R) is a positioning system (1110L) and (1110R). The positioning system (1110L) and (1110R) serves to provide a secondary point of adjustment. Effectively, rotation about the primary axes (305) provides for the exercise motion while adjustment of arms (1205R) and (1205L) and handles (1405R) or (1405L) within the positioning system (1110R) and (1110L) serves to select the exercise to be performed by providing for initial and final relative handle position and an appropriate relative range of motion within that available from the rotations about the axes (305). Thus, the positioning system (1110R) and (1110L), in the depicted embodiment, allows for the arms (1205R) and (1205L) to be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the associated positioning system (1110R) or (1110L), and, once locked into position, for the positioning system (1110R) and (1110L) and arms (1205R) and (1205L) to move, in combination, relative to the frame (50) about the primary axes (305). Each positioning system (1110R) and (1110L) is comprised of three functional, but rigidly interconnected components, in the depicted embodiment, these are the resistance plate (1111R) or (1111L), the selector guide or pin plate (1115R) and (1115L), and the offset plate (1113R) or (1113L) which interconnects them. Each positioning system (1110R) or (1110L) also defines a secondary axis (1305R) or (1305L). These axes are together the secondary axes (1305).
The resistance plate (1111R) or (1111L) will generally be arranged in the plane of rotation (that is perpendicular to the appropriate axis of rotation (305R) or (305L)) and will generally serve to provide a lever with the associated axis of rotation (305R) and (305L) located toward one end of the resistance plate (1111R) or (1111L). The connection cable (155) for connection to the weight stack (or other forms of resistance) (151) will then generally be attached to the opposing end of the resistance plate (1111R) and (1111L). For direct gravity resistance, the resistance plates (1111R) and (1111L) will generally extend away from the primary axes (305) in a fashion to provide that they rotate from the resting position to an engaged position (where the resistance is being lifted), the opposing end where the attachment occurs generally is provided with a more upward movement to provide a smoother motion. Thus, the movement distance of the weight or resistance object (151) is determined by the resistance plates (1111R) and (1111L) fixed rotation about the appropriate axis. Further, as the plate (1111L) and (1111R) is generally in the plane of rotation, the cable (155) is generally pulled in a more linear fashion which can keep motion smooth and inhibit the cable (155) from jumping off of the various pulleys (157) in the frame (20).
Attached to each of the resistance plates (1111R) and (1111L) is an offset plate (1113R) and (1113L). In the depicted embodiment, this offset plate (1113R) and (1113L) is generally triangular in shape and can be arranged so that it sits generally parallel to the overhead support beam (1138) when the arms (1205R) and (1205L) are in the start or resting position (as shown in
The pin plate (1115R) and (1115L) interacts via a prong or other structure with a second rotational tube (1212R) or (1212L) which is generally a portion of the associated arm (1205R) or (1205L) positioned to rotate around a second axis of (1305R) or (1305L) rotation. The second axes of rotation (1305R) and (1305L) will generally be perpendicular to the associated pin plate (1115R) and (1115L), but this is not required although it generally simplifies operation. The second axes of rotation (1305R) and (1305L) are generally non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the associated primary axis of rotation (305R) and (305L) in all dimensions. Further, the actual point of rotation (1306R) and (1306L) for the secondary axes (1305R) and (1305L) are generally dimensionally offset from the point of rotation (306R) or (306L) of the primary axes (305R) and (305L). Thus, the two sets of axes (1305) and (305) are effectively independent of each other. It should be recognized that rotation of the arms (1205R) and (1205L) about the secondary set of axes (1305) causes no rotation about the primary set (305), however, rotation of the positioning systems (1110R) and (1110L) about the primary set of axes (305) results in the secondary set of axis (1305) being spatially translated as the points of rotation (1306R) and (1306L) are attached to the associated positioning system (1110R) and (1110L), which rotate about the first set of axes (305).
Examining solely about the right side of the machine (the left side being a similar minor image), connected to the second rotational tube (1212R) is the arm (1205R). The arm (1205R) includes an upper orifice (1251R) which would include a locking pin (not shown). The locking pin will generally be biased toward an inward position and will be biased so that, in its resting position, the pin will extend through the orifice (1251R) and into one of the plurality of holes (1253R) in the pin plate (1111R). This serves to position the arm (1205R), relative to the second axis of rotation (1305R) at a fixed (or locked) position. However, by withdrawing the pin from the hole (1253R), the arm (1205R) can be rotated about the second axis of rotation (1305R) to a new position. The pin can again be released, and the pin can enter a second hole (1253R) in the plurality. This fixedly positions the arm (1205R) in a different position.
Generally, there will be at least two, and more preferably three or more holes (1253R) on the pin plate (1115R). These positions will correspond to different exercises and may correspond to the positions used for a shoulder press, an incline press, a chest press, and a row exercise in an embodiment. In a still further embodiment, additional holes (1253R) may be included to provide for variations of exercise between those of the above exercises, or to allow for user adjustment to compensate for different sized users or body exercise requirements. In a still further, embodiment, the plurality of holes (1253R) may be replaced by a single elongated opening or eliminated entirely and the pin can be replaced by a device which can provide for frictional or other rigid engagement at any position of the arm (1205R) over the plate (1115R).
The arm (1205R) will generally extend downward and terminate in a grasping portion (1415R). In the depicted embodiment, the grasping portion (1415R) includes a plurality of handles (1405R), but may alternatively include only a single handle (1405R). The grasping portion (1415R) may also be adjustable relative to the arm (1205R) to provide for specific positioning for individual users and comfort in the machine's (20) operation. Inclusion of the plurality of handles (1405R) is generally preferred as it allows for a user to alter the radius of the exercise motion, without having to adjust the machine (20). Specifically, with current understanding of desired range of motion for chest press, incline press, shoulder press, and row exercises, the inclusion of the plurality of handles (1405R) (or other structure to allow the user to alter the radius of rotation about the primary axes (305)), allows the machine (20) to have the secondary axes (1305) positioned more forward on the machine (20), which allows for simpler construction and can provide an improved exercise path.
In operation, the machine (20) can provide for a plurality of different exercises through the positioning of the arms (1205R) and (1205L) relative to the secondary axes (1305R) and (1305L). Specifically, as shown in
As should be apparent, the use of two different sets of axes (1305) and (305) of rotation (and specifically an adjustment or secondary set (1305) and the primary or exercise set (305)) provides for a number of benefits. As discussed above, rotation about the primary axes (305) serves to provide a converging or diverging exercise motion depending on where the handles (1405R) or (1405L) are when the exercise begins. Therefore, the motion is provided as discussed above in conjunction with other embodiments. Rotation about the secondary axes (1305), allows for the handles (1405R) or (1405L) to be moved so as to provide a different starting position to select the type of exercise to be performed and adjust the relative range of motion used by the handles (1405R) and (1405L) as that exercise is performed.
As the pin plates (1111R) and (1115L), angle inward toward the centerline of the machine (20) as one moves backward along them, the handles (1405R) and 1405L) will move closer together (at their relative starting positions) as the handles (1405R) and (1405L) are moved from the position of
The relative positioning of the two sets of axes (1305) and (305) and their positioning relative to the bench (171) allows for the motion provided within each of the above positions to be as desired. For example, in a shoulder press, the convergence point is generally further from the body (and more upward) to take into account the exercise involving some movement of the shoulders in this general direction, while the chest press provides for a slightly shorter convergence distance more straight out from the body.
It should be recognized that the embodiment of
While it should be recognized that the embodiment of
While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a limitation to all of the provided details. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and other embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,622 filed Oct. 11, 2010 and currently pending, which is in turn a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,129, filed Jul. 31, 2003 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,211, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/447,666 filed Feb. 14, 2003. The entire disclosure of all these documents is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60447666 | Feb 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10632129 | Jul 2003 | US |
| Child | 12901622 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12901622 | Oct 2010 | US |
| Child | 12979108 | US |
