Patent ID: 9707438
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: A63B

Claim:
1. An adjustable weight lifting bench comprising: a bench frame configured for resting on a surface, the frame defining a horizontal longitudinal axis parallel to the surface and a vertical axis; a seat pad coupled to the frame; a back pad pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis defined at an orthogonal intersection between the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis, the back pad angularly adjustable relative to the frame between a plurality of user-selectable incline and decline positions; a hydraulic cylinder mechanism operably coupled between the frame and back pad that supports the back pad in the incline and decline positions, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism changeable between an activated condition in which the back pad is movable between the incline and decline positions, and a deactivated condition in which the back pad is locked into a selected one of the incline and decline positions; and an operating lever operably coupled to the hydraulic cylinder mechanism, the operating lever movable to change position of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism between the activated and deactivated conditions; wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is operable such that: (i) when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is placed in the activated condition via a first position of the operating lever and a user applies a pressing force against the back pad, the back pad pivots in a downward direction from the incline positions towards the decline positions, and (ii) when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is in the deactivated condition via a second position of the operating lever, the back pad locks in the selected one of the incline and decline positions; wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is further operable such that when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is in the activated condition with the operating lever in the first position and the pressing force is removed from the back pad, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism automatically pivots the back pad in an upward direction from the selected one of the incline and decline positions.