Abstract:
A multi-exercise machine includes a frame, a resistance system, a seat connected to the frame to be movable from a first seat position to a second seat position, and an inclined post inclined in a selected direction. The configuration of the present invention provides the multi-exercise machine with a movable seat to create more space for correct ergonomic posture of a user in a standing position. The configuration of the present invention also provides the multi-exercise machine with an inclined post to enable correct ergonomic postures of a user in a sitting position. The present invention enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, more particularly to a multi-exercise machine which enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.  
         [0002]     Single function exercise machines have been developed for several decades. It is common for an exercise club to arrange different single function exercise machines for users to perform different exercises. With a trend of home exercise, it is not proper for home users to arrange different single function exercise machines in their limited floor space. Some prior arts try to disclose some multi-exercise machines in which a user can perform different exercises without shifting to different single function machines.  
         [0003]     Some multi-exercise machine such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,612, are designed to be performed by a user in a standing position. The &#39;612 patent discloses a multi-exercise machine comprising a general upright, an elongated arm mechanism, and a cable interconnected to a handle. In such a machine, a user can not perform a lot of exercises which are usually performed by a user in a seated position. Other multi-exercise machines such as US2003/0027696, may have a seat connected to a multi-exercise machine for a user to perform some exercises in a sitting position. With the way the seat is connected to the multi-exercise machine, a user has a problem when he/she wants to perform exercises in a standing position because the seat may interfere with some movements of the user. A user needs to straddle the seat in order to perform some exercises in a standing position. By straddling the seat, a user could be in a wrong ergonomic posture because of an interference of the seat. As a result, the existence of the seat could decrease the variety of exercises possible using the multi-exercise machine.  
         [0004]     Some multi-exercise machines such as US D502,515, try to increase the variety of exercises in a sitting position by having different frame configurations. For example, the configuration has two uprights and two corresponding sliding handles for performing different exercises while the handles are positioned in different levels on the uprights. Because of the frame configuration of the prior art, some exercises may be limited due to the frame configuration, especially a user performing a biceps curl or chest press in a sitting position.  
         [0005]     For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need for a multi-exercise machine having a simple configuration to allow a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies this need for a multi-exercise machine having a simple configuration to allow a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.  
         [0007]     In the preferred embodiment, the exercise machine of the present invention includes a base frame having an upright extending upward from the base frame, a weight stack, a plurality of pulleys, a cable system connected to the weight stack, a gripping handle connected the cable system, and a seat connected to the frame to be movable from the first seat position to the second seat position.  
         [0008]     One object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercise machine which enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercise machine with a seat to be movable from a first seat position to a second seat position in order to create more space for correct ergonomic posture of a user in a standing position.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercise machine with an inclined post configuration to enable correct ergonomic postures of a user in a sitting position.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercise machine with an inclined post configuration to decrease interference between the elbow of a user and the exercise machine while the user is in a sitting position.  
         [0012]     The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be exhaustive. Further features aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a bar assembly of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a seat assembly of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a seat in a second seat position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a seat back assembly of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention while the gripping handle located in a lower position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention while the gripping handle located in a lower position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention while the gripping handle located in an upper position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention while the gripping handle located in an upper position; and,  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the seat in the second seat position.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     Referring now specifically to the figures, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, a detailed description of the present invention is given. It should be understood that the following detailed description relates to the best presently known embodiment of the invention. However, the present invention can assume numerous other embodiments, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a multi-exercise machine of a preferred embodiment is disclosed and designated by a reference character  10 . The exercise machine  10  comprises base frames  20  and  20 ′ designed to be supported by a floor surface, a connecting frame  21  for connecting the base frames  20  and  20 ′,and uprights  22  and  23  extending vertically upward from the connecting frame  21 . The exercise machine  10  includes inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ respectively extending upward from the base frames  20  and  20 ′ and a connecting frame  25  for connecting the upper ends of the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′. The inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ are designed to be inclined in a selected direction to create ergonomic advantage of a user when a user is in a sitting position. The selected direction of the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ will be described in detail thereinafter. The exercise machine  10  includes a resistance system  40  comprising a pair of guide rods  45  extending upward from the connecting frame  21 , a weight stack  41  having a plurality of weight plate  411  slidably positioned between the guide rods  45  for providing different levels of training resistance to a user, a plurality of pulleys, and a cable system  42  routed around the plurality of pulleys. A user can select desired training resistance by relocating a locking pin, not shown but well known by people skilled in the art, into a bayonet  38 . It is known by people skilled in the art that some alternative embodiments of the resistance system  40  such as resilient rope system or eddy current brake system could be also utilized for providing training resistance to a user.  
         [0029]     The exercise machine  10  of the present invention further includes sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ which can be relocated at different locations along the respective inclined posts  24  and  24 ′. The sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ respectively comprise positioning handles  32  and  32 ′, sliding tubes  31  and  31 ′ slidably mounted on respective inclined posts  24  and  24 ′, swivel brace  33  and  33 ′ pivoted to respective sliding tubes  31  and  31 ′, pulleys  34  and  34 ′ fixed on the upper ends of the respective swivel braces  33  and  33 ′, and pulleys  35  and  35 ′fixed on the lower ends of the respective swivel braces  33  and  33 ′. A user can relocate the assembly  30  into different positions by releasing a locking pin (not shown) inside the positioning handle  32 , sliding the positioning handle  32  along the inclined post  24 , and fixing the locking pin into a selected aperture  241  on the inclined post  24 . With the design of the positioning handle  32 , a user can easily relocate the sliding assembly  30  along the inclined post  24  by one-hand operation. The sliding assembly  30 ′ could be operated by a user by the same way as the sliding assembly  30 .  
         [0030]     The exercise machine  10  comprises a seat assembly  50  and a seat back assembly  60  attached to the upright  20 . In a embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 , the seat assembly  50  comprises a seat  53  attached to a seat frame  52 , a fixed plate  54  having apertures  542  and  544  attached to the seat frame  52 , a brace  56  attached to a sliding tube  51  for supporting the seat  53  and the seat frame  52 , and a locking pin  512  attached to the brace  56  for locking the seat  53  into different seat positions. The seat  53  is pivoted to the sliding tube  51  through a pivoting axis  521  which is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface. Therefore, the seat  52  can be rotated into different seat positions along the pivoting axis  521 . While the seat  53  is rotated and the locking pin  512  is positioned into the aperture  542 , the seat  53  is in a first seat position as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . In a same way, the seat  53  is in a second seat position while the seat  53  is rotated and the locking pin  512  is positioned into the aperture  544  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In a preferred embodiment, the seat  53  has a reference plan A therein as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The reference A has a fixed angle related the top surface of the seat  53 . The reference A is substantially parallel to the floor surface while the seat  53  is moved by a user from the first seat position to the second seat position.  
         [0031]     Another embodiment of the seat assembly  50  is that the seat  53  is slidably connected to the sliding tube  51  or the upright  22 . In this embodiment, the pivoting axis  521  is replaced by a pair sliding members and a pair of substantial horizontal rails which are adapted to support the sliding members for a substantial horizon sliding movement of the seat assembly  50 . In a potential energy perspective, the potential energy of the seat  53  of the present invention is substantially unchanged when the seat  53  is moved from the first seat position to the second seat position. In other word, a user only needs to apply an actuating force which is for a purpose to overcome a friction force between the seat assembly  50  and the upright  22  in order to move the seat  53  from the first seat position to the second seat position. If the seat is pivoted to the upright  22 , the friction force is caused by the cylinder surface of the pivoting axis  521 . If the seat is slidably mounted to the upright  22 , the friction force is caused by the surface of the horizontal rails. It is understood that the actuating force is minimal and convenient for a user to move the seat  53  from the first seat position to the second seat position.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  9 , the exercise machine  10  of the present invention includes a cable  421  which is routed around a series of pulleys  426 - 432  having an end  424  connected to a gripping handle  43  ( FIG. 9 ) and the other end connected to the sliding assembly  30 . A cable  421 ′ which is routed around a series of pulleys  426 ′- 432 ′ has an end  424 ′ connected to a gripping handle  43 ′ and the other end connected to the sliding assembly  30 ′. As showed in  FIG. 9 , the exercise machine  10  includes a cable  428  which is first routed around a series of pulleys  434 - 437 , then a pulley  438  which is connected to the weight stack  41  and a series of pulleys  434 ′- 437 ′. The both ends of the cable  428  are connected to a cable  441  which is routed around pulleys  439  and  440 . The cable  441  has an end  425  positioned in front of a footplate  211 .  
         [0033]     Now referring to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the sliding assembly  30  is positioned in different positions, a lower position in  FIG. 9  and an upper position in  FIG. 11 . The inclined post  24  is extended upward from the base frame  20 . It should be noticed that the inclined post  24  is designed to be inclined in a selected direction to create ergonomic advantage of a user when a user is in a sitting position. In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 9 , the inclined post  24  is inclined backward in an orientation of a user in a sitting position. There are two symbiosis advantages of the backward incline. Both the upper and lower positions of the sliding assembly  30  are in their ergonomically correct positions. Because of the backward incline, a backward distance L 1  is created when the sliding assembly  30  is moved from the lower position to the upper position.  
         [0034]     With the backward distance L 1 , the sliding assembly  30  is in back of the shoulder and elbow of the user. That means the sliding assembly  30  in the upper position could have an ergonomically correct position when a user starting to operate an exercise such as chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting position as shown in  FIG. 11 . In a traditional upright post configuration which does not incline the upright post backward, the sliding assembly  30  can only have an ergonomically correct position in either the lower position or the upper position. For example, the upper position of the sliding assembly  30  could be too near the elbow of a user if the upright post is designed to have a better ergonomic position while the sliding assembly  30  is in the lower position. The backward distance L 1  can decrease interference between the swivel brace  33  and the elbow of a user when the user performing exercises such as chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting position with the sliding assembly  30  in the upper position. Because the swivel brace  33  is pivoted to the sliding tube  31 , the swivel brace  33  could be swiveled forward when the cable end  424  is pulled forward. Although the sliding assembly  30 ′ can not be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , it is easy to understand that the sliding assembly  30 ′ may have a same character and operation as the sliding assembly  30 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the present invention with the sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ respectively positioned in the lower positions. It is shown that the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ extending upward from the base frame  20  and  20 ′ are inclined inward to each other.  FIG. 12  shows a front view of the present invention with the sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ respectively positioned in the upper positions. With an inward incline of the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′, an inward distance L 2  is created when the sliding assembly  30  or  30 ′ is moved from the lower position to the upper position. The inward distance L 2  creates some ergonomic advantage for the user to perform exercises such as chest press or pectoral fly in a sitting position. The sliding assembly  30  is near the shoulder of the user when the sliding assembly  30  is in the upper position and it is comfortable for the user to grab the gripping handle  43 . Because of symmetric character of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inclined post  24 ′ and sliding assembly  30 ′ have similar or same configuration, operation and advantages.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a gripping handle  43 L is an alternative embodiment of the gripping handles  43  and  43 ′. The gripping handle  43 L is in an elongated configuration having two ends and an inner portion. The gripping handle  43 L includes outer connectors  431  respectively mounted on the ends of the gripping handle  43 L. It should be noticed that the outer connectors  431  are rotatable around the gripping handle  43 L. The gripping handle  43 L further includes inner connectors  432  which are also rotatably mounted on the inner portion of the gripping handle  43 L. In one operation condition, the sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ are positioned in the highest portions of the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ and the cable ends  424  and  424 ′ are respectively connected to the inner connectors  432 . By connecting the inner connectors  432 , a user can perform an exercise such as a lat pull-down exercise. In another operation condition, the sliding assemblies  30  and  30 ′ are respectively positioned in the lower positions of the inclined posts  24  and  24 ′ and the cable end  424  and  424 ′ are respectively connected to the outer connectors  431 . By connecting the outer connectors  431 , a user can perform an exercise such as a low bar curl shown in  FIG. 13 . Because the inner or outer connectors  431  and  432  are rotatably mounted on the gripping handle  43 L, there is no rotating toque produced on the gripping handle  43 L. It is smoother to use the gripping handle  43 L disclosed to perform the exercises mentioned above.  
         [0037]     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , detail structures of the seat back assembly  60  is disclosed. The seat back assembly  60  includes a back frame  62  having several apertures  613  thereon attached to a seat back  63 , a sliding tube  612  having a locking pin  621 , a sliding tube  61  having a locking pin  611  attached to the sliding tube  612 . The back frame  62  is slidably mounted on the sliding tube  612 . Therefore, positions of the seat back  63  could be adjusted by relocating the locking pin  621  into different locations of the apertures  613 .  
         [0038]     Now referring to  FIGS. 9 and 13 , different exercises of the exercise machine  10  are demonstrated.  FIG. 9  shows a user in a sitting position performing a sitting biceps curl exercise. It is known by people skilled in the art that the exercise is not limited to a biceps curl exercise. The seat  53  is currently in the first seat position. The sliding assembly  30  is positioned in the lower position and the gripping handle  43  is also in its respective lower position. A user puts down forearms to grab the gripping handles  43  and then curls up forearms to overcome the resistance of the weight stack  41  as the phantom line shown in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 13  shows a user in a standing position to operate a low bar curl exercise. In a conventional configuration of a seat unit, a user needs to straddle the seat uint in order to perform an exercise in a standing position. It is sometimes uncomfortable for a user to perform some exercises in a straddling position. There is interference between the seat unit and the user legs. With teaching of the present invention, the seat  53  could be movable between the first seat position and the second seat position. Therefore, a user does not need to straddle the seat assembly  50  to perform some exercises in a standing position and a user can perform some exercises in a standing position without interference of the seat assembly  50 .  
         [0039]     Because the seat  53  can be pivotally connected to the upright  22  and the pivoting axis  521  is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, the actuating force needed to rotate the seat  53  from the first seat position to the second seat position is minimal. A user only needs to overcome a friction force caused by the pivoting axis  521 . It is easy and convenient for a user to move the seat from the first seat position to the second seat position. The reference plan A shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is substantially parallel to the floor surface while the seat is rotated from the first seat position to the second seat position. In other words, potential energy of the seat  53  and the sear frame  52  is substantial unchanged while the seat is rotated from the first seat position to the second seat position.  
         [0040]     In the preferred embodiment, the seat  53  is not occupied in the second seat position but it is still under a scope of the present invention if a user sits on the seat  53  in the second seat position performing some exercises. In other words, the seat assembly  50  disclosed in the present invention could be utilized in a conventional multi-station exercise equipment. The conventional multi-station exercise equipment usually has several separated seat units in front of each station. With teaching of the present invention, the seat assembly  50  could be mounted to the conventional multi-station exercise equipment. The seat assembly  50  could be rotated into different stations for performing different exercises. The seat assembly numbers can be decreased and it is also highly cost efficient applying a rotatable seat assembly in the conventional multi-station exercise equipment.  
         [0041]     While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.  
       Closing  
       [0042]     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.