CN108785963B

CN108785963B - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN108785963B
Application number: CN201810659270.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.G.哈宾格; J.拉博德
Original assignee: Dream Visions LLC
Current assignee: Habramo Co ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-11
Filing date: 2014-06-10
Publication date: 2020-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-10
Also published as: CN104225876A; TW201505689A; CA2850734A1; CA2850734C; TWI559960B; CN108785963A; CN104225876B

Abstract

An exercise device includes a frame having a pair of vertical guides. The carriage is slidably carried on each guide. Each carriage has a lock mechanism that locks the carriage at a selected vertical position, and a release that disengages the lock mechanism. A horizontal exercise bar is slidably carried on the guide bar. First and second cords are coupled to selectable exercise resistances, each having an end selectively coupled to a respective bracket at a respective carriage or exercise bar end. An accessory bracket on the exercise bar is configured to engage a respective one of the carriage releases and grasp the carriage to selectively engage and disengage the locking mechanism upon axial rotation of the exercise bar, and to raise and lower the carriage by the exercise bar.

Description

Exercise apparatus

The application is a divisional application of an invention application, the name of the invention of a parent application is exercise equipment, the application date is 6 and 10 days 2014, and the application number is 201410253263.3.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a partial continuation of co-pending application serial No. 13/229,175 filed 9/2011.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device having an article commonly referred to as a smith rod in which exercise resistance is provided by a selectable weight stack (weight stack) rather than free weights.

Background

Exercise equipment with a rope and pulley system for lifting a stack of weights has been in use for over a century. Such devices have evolved into a variety of designs for performing various exercises. Some devices have an adjustable pulley position in which a handle is attached to the rope for pulling without a defined path of movement. Such devices are commonly referred to as functional trainers. One type of exercise device such as that listed in U.S. patent No. 4,402,504 is particularly suited for upper body exercises. The apparatus has an elongated vertical frame and a carriage movable up and down a vertical column of the frame. The carriage includes one or more pulleys through which the cable passes. The cable is further threaded around an upper pulley and/or a lower pulley on the frame and coupled to an exercise resistance source, such as a plurality of stacked counterweights. The cable exits a pulley on the carriage and is connected to a handle or similar pulling device. The height of the handle can be easily adjusted by moving the carriage over the vertical column and locking it in position at a selected height. This allows a variety of exercises to be performed to exercise the muscle groups of the arms and upper body. The amount of exercise resistance is adjusted by selecting more or fewer stacked weights. Thus, the range of available exercise resistance is determined by the number of weights available.

Another type of exercise device is commonly referred to as a smith machine. The device is composed of a barbell fixed in a pair of rails, and the rails limit the barbell to move only vertically. Behind each vertical rail is a series of notches or holes to which the barbell can be hooked. This means that the barbell can be secured at any point, unlike a conventional barbell that must be pushed again after a set of repetitions. This makes the smith machine safer for those who lift weights without monitoring the person, as they only need to twist the wrist in case the weight becomes too large in order to lock the barbell in place. Most smith machines also incorporate blocks, pegs or other devices that can be adjusted to automatically stop the barbell at a predetermined minimum height. Unlike a free-weight barbell, the rod on a smith machine does not move forward, backward or sideways to any appreciable extent. Since lifting a weight on a smith machine requires less stability for the weight lifter, the weight lifter can often use the smith machine to lift more weight than a free-weighted barbell. Conventional smith machines still use a free weight loaded on a rod as a source of exercise resistance. Free weights are not only cumbersome to move and store, but also present a serious safety risk.

It would be desirable to include a smith rod as part of a multi-function trainer and use an optional weight stack rather than a free weight for exercising resistance with the smith rod.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an apparatus for conveying exercise resistance comprising a carriage assembly having at least one upper pulley and at least one lower pulley. First and second cable ends pass around the upper and lower pulleys, respectively, and are coupled to a selectable exercise resistance source. The exercise member is selectively coupled to both cable ends such that movement of the exercise member away from the carriage bears a first exercise resistance when only one cable end is attached and a second, greater exercise resistance when both cable ends are attached.

In another embodiment, a pulley on the first carriage assembly has a cable end extending from the pulley and another cable end removably attached to the carriage. The rope ends are attached to an optional exercise resistance source. The end of the cable extending from the pulley may be used in conjunction with an exercise handle or bar. An exercise member is associated with the second carriage assembly above or below the first carriage assembly. The end of the cable extending from the pulley may be attached to the second carriage to provide a first exercise resistance to the exercise member. If greater resistance is desired, the end of the cable attached to the first carriage can be removed from the first carriage and attached to the second carriage, providing greater resistance.

In another embodiment, an exercise device includes a frame having a pair of vertical guide bars. The carriage is slidably carried on each guide rod. Each carriage has a lock mechanism that locks the carriage at a selected vertical position, and a release that disengages the lock mechanism. A horizontal exercise bar (smith bar) is slidably carried on the guide bar. First and second cords are coupled to the selectable exercise resistances, each having an end selectively coupled to a respective bracket at a respective carriage or smith rod end. This arrangement allows exercise to be performed with a smith rod to use selective exercise resistance rather than free weights. The actuator bracket on the smith lever is configured to engage a corresponding one of the carriage releases to selectively engage and disengage the locking mechanism upon axial rotation of the smith lever or by manual actuation of the release on the smith lever. The actuator bracket on the smith rod may be further configured to selectively engage and disengage an overhead frame member upon axial rotation of the rod so that the rod may be overhead stored. The exercise device may further include third and fourth cords coupled to the exercise resistance, each of the cords having a pull point coupled to the first and second pulley carriages, respectively. The bracket on the smith rod is configured for selective attachment of the respective ends of the third and fourth cords. Attaching these rope ends to the smith rod increases exercise resistance. In this embodiment, the carriage and the horizontal exercise bar may be on the same guide bar or on separate guides, so long as the cable can be attached to both, and the actuator bracket on the horizontal exercise bar is configured to engage the corresponding lock and release on the carriage.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device incorporating an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a cable and pulley arrangement of the exercise apparatus shown in figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a carriage assembly and a rope support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an exercise device incorporating another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is another view of the apparatus of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is another view of the apparatus of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is another view of the apparatus of fig. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exercise device incorporating another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the smith rod of the device of fig. 8 in a stowed position.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the smith rod of the device of fig. 8 after release from storage.

Fig. 11 is a detailed view of exercise resistance applied to a movable carriage on the apparatus of fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of exercise resistance applied to the smith rod of the device of fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the increased exercise resistance applied to the smith rod of the device of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and apparatuses are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

Referring first to fig. 1, an exercise apparatus 10 has a frame that includes a center post 12, a top member 14, a base member 16, and

legs

18 and 20. A pedal 22 is attached between the

legs

18 and 20. A high tension rod assembly (lat bar assembly)24 is attached to the top member 14.

Selector tubes

26,28 are attached between the high tension rod assembly 24 and the leg 18 and between the high tension rod assembly 24 and the leg 20, respectively.

The back cushion 30 is attached to the center post 12, as are the right and left

lever assemblies

32,34 attached to the center post 12. Arm cushions 36,38 are attached to the

joystick assemblies

32,34, respectively.

The carriage assembly 40 is slidably mounted on the selector tube 26 and may be positioned at any desired height by means of a pull pin 41 engaging one of a plurality of holes (not shown) in the selector tube. The carriage assembly 42 is also slidably mounted on the selector tube 28. As described more fully below, a variety of weight resistance exercises may be performed using

handles

44 and 46, with

handles

44 and 46 being operatively associated with

carriage assemblies

40 and 42, respectively. Exercise resistance is provided by the selected weight stack 48. The shroud 49 may partially enclose the weight stack 48.

Referring also to fig. 2, the rope and pulley arrangement of the apparatus 10 will be described. Referring to the right side of the figure, pulleys 52R and 54R are rotatably mounted on the carriage assembly 40. As will be explained below, both ends of the rope 50R pass around the two pulleys and are coupled to the handle 44. Continuing upward from pulley 52R, cable 50R passes around a fixed pulley 56R at one elevation, and then around a fixed pulley 58R at another elevation. The rope 50R then travels downward around a floating pulley 60R and then upward around an overhead fixed pulley 62R. The cable 50R continues down around the lower fixed sheave 64R and then around the lower fixed sheave 66R. From there, the rope 50R travels upward and passes around the pulley 54R. The rope and pulley arrangement on the left side of the device is a mirror image of that just described.

The line 68 is attached to the floating pulley 60R and travels down and around the lower fixed pulley 70R. The rope 68 then travels up and around an overhead fixed sheave 72R, and then back down and around a sheave 74 on the top of the counterweight stack 48. In addition, the left side of the apparatus is a mirror image, with the rope 68 traveling from pulley 74 up, around the upper fixed pulley 72L, then down and around the lower fixed pulley 70L, and then up to where it attaches to the floating pulley 60L.

It can be seen from fig. 2 that pulling on either end of the cord 50R or on either end of the cord 50L is resisted by one-fourth the weight of the weight stack 48. Pulling both ends of the cord 50R simultaneously or pulling both ends of the cord 50L simultaneously will be resisted by one-half the weight of the weight stack 48.

Details of the right side carriage assembly 40 are shown in fig. 3. It will be appreciated that the left side carriage assembly 42 is a mirror image of the assembly 40. The first end 76 of the cable 50R exits between the first upper pulley 52R and the first lower pulley 78R on the carriage assembly 40. Likewise, the second end 80 of the rope 50R exits between the second upper sheave 82R and the second lower sheave 54R. The first end 76 of the cable 50R is inserted through the ball stop 84 and secured to the bracket 86 by the bolt 88. The second end 80 of the cord 50R has a ball fitting 90 that is insertable into a slot 92 of the bracket 86. If the second end 80 is not secured to the bracket 86, it is retained between the

pulleys

82R and 54R by a ball stop 94. The handle 44 (shown in FIG. 1) is coupled to the bracket 86. As previously described, the first end 76 of the cable 50R is secured to the bracket 86 such that pulling on the handle will draw the cable 50R from between the

pulleys

52R and 78R. Pulling in this manner will be resisted by one-quarter of the weight stack 48. If the ball 90 is inserted into the slot 92 securing the second end 80 of the cable 50R to the bracket 86, the pull on the handle 44 will be resisted by one-half of the weight stack 48. When using one cord end (1/4 resistance), the user gets twice the amount of cord travel when using two cord ends (1/2 resistance). Functional exercises that simulate body movements moved by athletic activities require more travel, while traditional athletic exercises (training exercises) such as high-tension exercises require more resistance.

In a variation of the embodiment described above, the carriage assemblies may each have two pulleys instead of four. In this case it will be preferred that the two pulleys will be slightly offset axially from each other so that the rope coming out of either pulley will jump over the other pulley during use. In this variant, the upper end of the rope will pass around the upper pulley, while the lower end of the rope will pass around the lower pulley. This would be accomplished, for example, by modifying the carriage assembly 40 shown in fig. 3 to omit the

pulleys

78R and 82R. Suitable cable guides or brackets may then be provided to interface with the ball stops 84 and 94 to prevent the cable ends from sliding over the

pulleys

52R and 54R. As in the previously described embodiments, each rope end may be used independently or together to achieve a desired resistance ratio.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 4-7. The first carriage assembly 102 has a pair of pulleys 104,106 rotatably mounted thereon. The first cable end 108 exits between the

pulleys

104 and 106 and may be coupled to a handle 110 or a rod (not shown) to perform various exercises. The first carriage assembly 102 is adjustable up and down relative to the slider shaft 112 and may be locked at various positions along the slider shaft. A second carriage assembly 114 is disposed on the slider axle 112 above the first carriage assembly 102. Second carriage assembly 114 has an exercise bar 116 associated therewith. Second cable end 118 is releasably attached to eye 120 on second carriage assembly 114. The second carriage assembly slides up and down relative to the slider shaft and may be locked in a storage position at the top of the slider shaft when not in use as shown in fig. 5. It will be appreciated that an exercise device incorporating this embodiment of the invention will preferably have two arrangements as described hereinbefore, for the left and right sides of the body respectively.

When the push rod 116 associated with the second carriage assembly is used, the second carriage assembly 114 is lowered from its stowed position at the top of the slider axle and rests on top of the first carriage assembly 102. Attaching the first cable end to eye 122 on second carriage assembly 114 and the second cable end to eye 124 on first carriage assembly 102 as shown in fig. 6 provides a first exercise resistance to the putter. Attaching the second cable end to the eye 120 on the second carriage assembly as shown in fig. 7 provides a greater second resistance to the push rod.

The configuration shown in fig. 4-7 may be reversed, with the second carriage assembly positioned below the first carriage assembly, in which case the exercise bar attached to the second carriage assembly may be used as a pull bar. In this case, the storage position for the second carriage assembly would be at the bottom of the slide shaft.

Fig. 8 illustrates an exercise device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Device 200 is a function trainer having multiple pull points for performing a variety of exercises. Two wider adjustable pull points 201L and 201R, here shown with D-shaped handles, are provided on the

carriages

202L and 202R, respectively. The pull points are coupled to the respective optional counterweight stacks 204L and 204R by a pair of rope and pulley systems similar to those used on the apparatus 10 described above. The carriages slide vertically on

vertical members

212L and 212R, respectively, and include sleeves that surround guide rods (guide rod)206L and 206R, respectively. The carriages may be locked at a desired height by means of respective release levers 208, the levers 208 being coupled to pins (not shown) that engage holes 210 in

vertical members

212L and 212R.

When

carriages

202L and 202R are positioned at intermediate heights, pull

points

201L and 201R may be used to perform exercises such as standing chest push exercises, up-tilt push exercises, down-tilt push exercises, flying birds, and narrow grip exercises. When the carriage is positioned near the lower portion of the lower guide bars 206L and 206R, the pull points 201L and 201R may be used to perform exercises such as shoulder pushing, squatting, bicep curling, lateral flattening, and toe exercises. These pull points can be used to perform wider high pull exercises when the carriage is positioned higher on the guide bar.

The device 200 includes a smith rod 220. As will be explained more fully below, a smith rod may be coupled to the weight stacks 204L and 204R to perform exercises typically performed on conventional smith machines, such as squats, bench press exercises, tilt up press exercises, shoulder press exercises, tilt down press exercises, and straight lift exercises. Coupling the optional weight stack to the smith rod eliminates the need to use a free weight, as is the case with conventional smith machines.

When not in use, the smith lever 220 is stored on the overhead

sheave support members

222L and 222R by means of the

auxiliary brackets

224L and 224R, each of the

auxiliary brackets

224L and 224R acting as a catch to engage a corresponding pin 226 on the sheave support member as shown in fig. 9. If the smith rod is accidentally rotated, an additional safety lock can be swung under the smith rod to prevent dropping. The smith lever 220 rotates in an axial direction almost like a conventional smith lever and can be removed from the storage position by rotating the lever to disengage the auxiliary bracket from the pin 226 as shown in fig. 10.

To perform exercise with the smith lever, the

carriages

202L and 202R are first brought to a neutral position at the equal height of the guide levers 206L and 206R. The smith rod is then removed from its storage position and brought down to the carriage. The cable ends 228L and 228R, which are typically hooked to respective carriages as seen in fig. 11, are unhooked from the carriages and slid over to hook onto the end brackets 225L and 225R of the smith rod as seen in fig. 12, thereby coupling the smith rod to the weight stack. The

auxiliary brackets

224L and 224R attached to the smith rod act as release actuators to engage the carriage release lever 208 so that rotating the rod allows the carriage to slide up and down on the guide rod, moving them by using the smith rod. This release, movement and locking feature allows the carriage to be used as a safety device when performing exercises such as squats. The bar and carriage are first lowered to the desired safety position. The lever is then rotated to release the lever 208 and lock the carriage in place. The selected exercise weight remains attached to the bar by virtue of cord ends 228L and 228R being hooked to bar end brackets 225L and 225R. When the exercise is completed, the bar is brought back down to take (pick up) the carriage. The exerciser then stands and allows the carriage to be locked in place. The smith rod can then be taken off the carriage or brought to the top and stored on the pin 226. An additional safety lock may be engaged with the smith rod when stored.

As with the exercise apparatus described above in connection with fig. 1-7, the apparatus 200 incorporates a weight multiplication device for doubling the exercise resistance applied to the smith rod 220. As seen in fig. 13, to engage the counterweight multiplication device, the cord ends 230L and 230R of pull points 201L and 201R are attached to rod end brackets 225L and 225R, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but is to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first guide and a second guide coupled to the frame;

first and second carriages associated with respective ones of the guides, each carriage having a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism;

a generally horizontal exercise bar carried on the guide, the exercise bar being independent of the carriage, the exercise bar having a rope engagement on each end;

an optional exercise resistance selectively coupled to the exercise bar;

first and second release actuators at opposite ends of the exercise bar, the first and second release actuators configured to engage a respective one of the releases of the carriage to selectively engage and disengage the respective locking mechanism by operating the exercise bar;

first and second cable ends coupled to optional exercise resistances, each of the first and second cable ends coupled to a respective said carriage; and

a third and fourth cable end coupled to the optional exercise resistance and to each respective first and second carriage to provide a pull point, wherein the exercise bar cable interface is configured for selective attachment of the respective third and fourth cable ends to provide resistance to the exercise bar.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exercise bar is configured to be selectively stored at the overlying frame member.

3. Exercise equipment according to claim 1 wherein the first and second release actuators of the exercise bar are actuated by axial rotation of the exercise bar.

4. Exercise equipment according to claim 1 wherein axial rotation of an exercise bar disengaging the respective locking mechanism engages the exercise bar with the respective carriage for vertical adjustment.

5. Exercise equipment according to claim 1 wherein the carriage is configured as an abutment stop for the exercise bar.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second cable ends are selectively attached to each respective carriage or selectively attached to the exercise bar.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the first, second, third, and fourth rope ends are coupled to the exercise bar rope interface, the resistance transmitted to the exercise bar is greater than when only the third and fourth rope ends are coupled to the exercise bar rope interface.

8. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

an exercise bar slidably coupled to the at least one vertical guide,

at least one carriage adjustably coupled to the at least one vertical guide,

an optional exercise resistance selectively coupled to the exercise bar;

a first cable end and a second cable end coupled to the exercise resistance and to the at least one carriage or the exercise bar; and

third and fourth cable ends coupled to the exercise resistance, at least one of the third and fourth cable ends acting as a pull point on the at least one carriage;

wherein the exercise bar has an abutment position on at least one carriage, an

Wherein actuation of the exercise bar allows adjustment of at least one carriage along the respective vertical guide to provide an abutment position for a selectable height of the exercise bar.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first, second, third, or fourth cord ends is coupled to the exercise bar.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth cord ends are configured to attach to the exercise bar.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein when the first, second, third and fourth rope ends are coupled to the exercise bar, the exercise resistance is greater than when only the first and second rope ends are coupled to the exercise bar.

12. Exercise equipment according to claim 8 wherein each carriage includes a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism.

13. Exercise equipment according to claim 12 wherein the exercise bar includes first and second release actuators at opposite ends; and

wherein the exercise bar release actuators are configured to engage a respective one of the carriage release members to selectively engage and disengage the respective locking mechanism upon axial rotation of the exercise bar.

14. Exercise equipment according to claim 8 wherein the exercise bar includes a catch configured to selectively engage and disengage an overlying frame member upon axial rotation of the exercise bar.

15. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a first guide and a second guide coupled to the frame;

a generally horizontal exercise bar carried on the guide, the exercise bar having first and second rope engaging portions at opposite ends;

an optional exercise resistance;

first and second cable ends coupled to the exercise resistance, each of the first and second cable ends coupled to at least one of the respective carriage or the respective exercise bar cable interface; and

a first release actuator and a second release actuator at opposite ends of the exercise bar,

wherein the exercise bar release actuator is configured to engage a respective one of the carriage releases to selectively engage and disengage the respective locking mechanism; and

wherein the exercise bar is configured to be selectively stored to an overlying frame member.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a third cable end coupled to the exercise resistance and to a pull point on the first carriage, and a fourth cable end coupled to the exercise resistance and to a pull point on the second carriage, wherein the exercise bar cable interface is configured for selective attachment of the third cable end and the fourth cable end, whereby such attachment increases exercise resistance transmitted to the exercise bar.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein attachment of the respective first, second, third and fourth rope ends to an exercise bar bracket increases exercise resistance transmitted to the exercise bar.

18. Exercise equipment according to claim 15 wherein the exercise bar release actuator is actuated by axial rotation of the exercise bar.

19. An exercise device comprising:

a frame;

a generally horizontal exercise bar coupled to the frame for vertical movement, the exercise bar having first and second rope engaging portions at opposite ends;

first and second carriages coupled to the frame for vertical adjustment, each of the carriages having a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism;

an optional exercise resistance;

a user-actuated release actuator coupled to the exercise bar,

wherein the exercise bar release actuator is configured to engage a release of the carriage to selectively engage and disengage the respective locking mechanism when actuated by the user, an

Wherein the exercise bar is configured to be selectively stored on top of one another.

20. The exercise device of claim 19, further comprising third and fourth cable ends coupled to the exercise resistance, each of the third and fourth cable ends selectively coupled to at least one of the respective carriage or the respective exercise bar cable engagement.

21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the exercise resistance is greater when the first, second, third, and fourth cord ends are coupled to the respective exercise bar cord engagements than when only the first and second cord ends are coupled to the respective exercise bar cord engagements.

22. Exercise equipment according to claim 19 including a catch wherein actuation of the release actuator disengages the respective locking mechanism and retains the carriage for vertical adjustment by the exercise bar.

23. Exercise equipment according to claim 19 wherein the exercise bar has an abutting position on the carriage.

24. Exercise equipment according to claim 19 wherein the exercise bar release actuator is actuated by axial rotation of the exercise bar.