Abstract:
An adjustable resistance training apparatus that is provided with one or more elongated elastomeric members that are supported by a carrier. The adjustable resistance training apparatus also includes a slide that is configured to be moved along a guided path in response to a force exerted by a user&#39;s body. The slide includes an engagement member that is configured to permit selective engagement to the second end of one or more of the elastomeric members, once positioned by the carrier, to cause the selected elastomeric member or members to be stretched along a second plane in response to movement of the slide along the guided path. The adjustable resistance training apparatus can be coupled to isotonic weights in the form of a selectable weight stack that moves along a second guided path in response to a force exerted by a user&#39;s body or used with plate loaded devices. The combination of resistance tubes and weights results in progressive resistance regardless of the speed of movement of the weight stack.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/169,341, filed Apr. 15, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to resistance training apparatuses and particularly to resistance training apparatuses that use rubber resistance exercise tubes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Use of rubber resistance exercise tubes in connection with a wide variety of exercises is well known in the health and fitness industry. Elastomeric members of this type can be used as part of an exercise training regimen. The rubber resistance exercise tubes are in the form of hollow tubes or solid elastomeric members that provide resistance in response to stretching of the tubes or other elastomeric members. The amount of resistance typically depends upon the thickness, length, and diameter of the elastomeric members. The resistance provided by the exercise tubes does not overload the muscles at the beginning of movement and provides for an increasing resistance throughout the movement. Structures and other devices can be secured to the resistance tubes to provide exercise features and options. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, an adjustable resistance training apparatus includes one or more elongated elastomeric members. The elastomeric members are supported by a carrier that is configured to orient the elastomeric members in a spaced apart relationship to each other. The carrier is adapted to permit movement of the elastomeric members along a first plane and includes a retainer for retaining the first ends of the elastomeric members to the carrier. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the adjustable resistance training apparatus also includes a slide that is configured to be moved along a guided path in response to a force exerted by a user&#39;s body, such as by movement of their arms, legs, or torso. The slide includes an engagement member that is configured to permit selective engagement to the second end of one or more of the elastomeric members, once positioned by the carrier, to cause the selected elastomeric member or members to be stretched along a second plane in response to movement of the slide along the guided path. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the adjustable resistance training apparatus can be coupled to isotonic weights in the form of a selectable weight stack that moves along a second guided path in response to a force exerted by a user&#39;s body or used with plate loaded devices. The slide of the adjustable resistance training apparatus is coupled to the lift rod of the weight stack to allow for stretching of an elastomeric member in response to movement of the lift rod and weight plates. The combination of resistance tubes and weights results in progressive resistance regardless of the speed of movement of the weight stack. 
     Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable resistance training apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure, positioned to lie near a weight stack and showing a rotary carrier having a series of vertically oriented elastomeric members and thimbles positioned around a rotatable support shaft and also showing a slide bar in a first position engaging one of the thimbles attached to the elastomeric members; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the slide bar in a second position stretching one of the elastomeric members; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the carrier showing the series of elastomeric members positioned around the rotatable support shaft, the elastomeric members secured at a first end to a series of retainer anchors and a thimble support plate for supporting the thimbles that are attached to the upper end of the elastomeric members; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a side elevational view of the slide bar shown engaging a thimble with a gripper having a pair of jaws. 
         FIG. 4  is another enlarged perspective view showing the series of thimbles attached to an upper end of the elastomeric members and retained by the circular thimble support plate, and also showing a release pin and knob positioned in one of the slots formed in the thimble support plate for retaining the position of the carrier; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the carrier showing the series of thimbles positioned radially outwardly from the rotatable support shaft and also showing a series of knobs positioned around an adjustment plate; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the carrier and the rotatable support shaft showing a series of elastomeric members extending from staggered retainer anchors, through the adjustment plate to thimble support plate and showing a series of thimbles resting on the thimble support plate; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the adjustable resistance training apparatus positioned to lie near a weight stack showing the routing of a first cable to connect the weight stack to an exercise handle and a second cable to connect the adjustable resistance training apparatus to the lift rod of the weight stack; 
         FIG. 8  is another embodiment of the adjustable resistance training apparatus showing an adjustable cam member that elongate the elastomeric member, which is stretched by the slide bar; 
         FIG. 9  is another embodiment of the adjustable resistance training apparatus showing a curved resistance plate having a series of openings to allow for elongation of the elastomeric member, which is stretched by the slide bar. 
         FIG. 10  is another embodiment showing the use of a single pulley coupled to the top of the weight stack creating a 2:1 ratio for the weight stack and a single pulley coupled to the slide bar of the adjustable resistance training apparatus for a 2:1 ratio for the slide bar. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, an embodiment with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
     An adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  is shown connected in series to an adjustable weight stack  12 , as shown, for example in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . The adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  can be used alone or in combination with adjustable weight stack  12 . Alternatively, the weight stack can be used without the adjustable resistance training apparatus  10 . Adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  includes a carrier  14  having a series of elastomeric resistance tubes  16 , and a slide unit  18  that works with carrier  14  to selectively engage and stretch resistance tubes  16 . While rubber resistance tubing is shown in the illustrative embodiments, it is contemplated that other materials can also be used to create resistance including solid rubber, bungee cords and the like. 
     Carrier  14 , as shown in the illustrative embodiments, is a rotary device that is configured to allow a user to select a desired resistance tube  16  by rotating carrier  14  in a circular motion, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Carrier  14  functions similar to a carrousel or lazy susan and is configured to move resistance tubes  16  into a desired position so that they can be engaged by slide unit  18 . While a rotary carrier  14  is shown in the illustrative embodiments, it is contemplated that a linear carrier could also be used to permit movement of resistance tubes  16  in a horizontal plane. Carrier  14  is designed with an empty space that does not include a resistance tube  14  so that the weight stack  12  can be used without the resistance training apparatus  10 . 
     Carrier  14  includes thimble support plate  20 , a series of retainers  22 , and an adjustment plate  24  positioned between the thimble support plate  20  and retainers  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Thimble support plate  20 , retainers  22 , and adjustment plate  24  are each coupled to rotatable support shaft  26 . Rotatable support shaft  26 , in the illustrative embodiment, is vertically oriented and pivotally coupled at an upper end  28  to support bracket  30  and at a lower end  32  to support bar  34 . Rotation of carrier  14  causes rotation of rotatable support shaft  26 . 
     Resistance tubes  16  are vertically oriented and positioned around rotatable support shaft  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . While vertically oriented tubes are shown, resistance tubes  16  could also be horizontally oriented or oriented at an angle. Resistance tubes  16  are tubular rubber members that are of various lengths, thicknesses, and diameters to vary the resistance between resistance tubes  16 . Resistance tubes  16  each have a first end  36  that is coupled to retainers  22  and a second end  38  that is coupled to thimbles  40 . Thimbles  40  are spool shaped members that are coupled to one end of resistance tubes  16  and are configured to lie on top surface  42  of thimble support plate  20 . Thimbles  40  are configured to be engaged and lifted by gripper  44  on slide bar  46  of slide unit  18 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
     Thimble support plate  20  of carrier  14  is positioned above retainers  22  and is configured to support thimbles  40  that are coupled to the upper end  28  of resistance tubes  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Thimble support plate  20  is circular in shape and includes a series of openings  48  sized large enough to permit the passage of resistance tubes  16  but small enough to prevent the passage of thimbles  40 . Thimble support plate  20  also includes a series of notches  50  positioned to lie near openings  48 . Notches  50  are configured to accept locking pin  52  of locking unit  54 . 
     Locking unit  54  includes support arm  56  that is coupled to spring loaded locking pin  52  at a first end  58  and to a vertical support arm  60  at a second end  62 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Locking unit  54  includes a knob  64 . Knob  64  is used to disengage locking pin  52  from notch  50  in thimble support plate  20  to allow thimble support plate  20  to be rotated. Once a desired resistance tube  16  is selected, knob  64  can be released to cause locking pin  52  to engage notch  50 . 
     Adjustment plate  24  of carrier  14  is positioned below thimble support plate  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Adjustment plate  24  includes a series of openings  66  that are adapted to permit the passage of resistance tubes  16 . Adjustment plate  24  also includes a series of adjustment knobs  68  positioned around the perimeter of adjustment plate  24 . In this embodiment, there is one adjustment knob  68  per resistance tube  16 . Adjustment knobs  68  aid a user in rotating and positioning carrier  14 . 
     Retainers  22  of carrier  14  are in the form of a series of arms that extend at different height intervals from rotatable support shaft  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Retainers  22  secure second end  38  of resistance tubes  16 . The position of retainers  22  is dependent upon the length of a particular resistance tube. Retainers  22  include a notch  70  that is used to permit the changing of resistance tubes  16  should the tubes need to be replaced. 
     Rotatable support shaft  26  includes a safety stop  72  positioned above thimble support plate  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Safety stop  72  limits the range of movement of slide bar  46  to prevent overstretching of elastomeric tubes  16 . Safety stop  72  includes a notch  74  that permits gripper  44  of slide bar  46  to pass safety stop  72  when no elastomeric tube is selected. Carrier  14  is designed with a vacancy, as designated by arrow  76 , which allows adjustable weight stack  12  to be used alone without the adjustable resistance training apparatus  10 . 
     Thimbles  40  are coupled to first end  36  of elastomeric tubes  16  and are configured to be engaged by gripper  44  of slide bar  46 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a . Thimbles  40  each include a top flange  76 , a spaced apart bottom flange  78  and a mid-region  80 . Thimbles  40  also include a central bore  82  configured to permit the passage of elastomeric tube  16 . End of elastomeric tube  16  is tied or plugged to lock tube to thimble  40 . 
     Gripper  44  includes a pair of jaws  84  that are configured to be positioned within mid-region  80  beneath top flange  76  of thimbles  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a . When slide bar  46  is raised, jaws  84  engage top flange  76  to cause thimble  40  to be raised and elastomeric tube  16  to be stretched. If no tube  16  is selected then slide bar  46  moves upwardly without stretching a tube. The space between gripper  44  and thimble  40  permit the thimbles  40  to pass through gripper  44  as carrier  14  is rotated. Slide bar  46  includes a cable fitting  86  that allows slide bar  46  to be coupled to a cable  90 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Slide unit  18  includes slide bar  46  that is coupled to the bottom of a lift rod  88  of adjustable weight stack  12  by use of cable  90 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Lift rod  88  includes a series of openings that correspond to openings in the weight plates  92  of the weight stack. To select a desired amount of weight, a user inserts a locking pin into an opening in a weight plate  92 . Slide bar  46  of slide unit  18  moves along a guided path controlled by guide rods  94 ,  96 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . While slide unit is configured to stretch one tube, it is contemplated that slide unit could also stretch multiple tubes at the same time to increase resistance. 
     Guide rods  94 ,  96  of the disclosed embodiment are parallel and vertically oriented, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Guide rods  94 ,  96  are secured at a lower end by a lower bar bracket  98  and are secured at an upper end by an upper bar bracket  100 . Slide bar  46  includes guides  102 ,  104  that slide along guide rods  94 ,  96 . While guide rods  94 ,  96  are shown oriented in a vertical direction it is contemplated that they can be mounted in a horizontal direction to match a set of horizontally extending elastomeric tubes  16 . 
     Adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  is combined with a cable system that is configured to couple a handle  106  or other exercise device to the adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  and the adjustable weight stack  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Handle  106  is coupled to lift rod  88  by use of cable  108 . Pulling handle  106  causes upward movement of lift rod  88 , the selected weight plates  92 , and slide bar  46  to cause the stretching of a selected elastomeric tube  16 . 
     Cable  108  extends from handle  106  through adjustable pulleys  110 ,  112 , over a first set of top pulleys  114 ,  116  and down to double pulley  118 , which is attached to lift rod  88 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Cable  108  passes over lift pulley  120 , back around double pulley  118  and up and over a second set of top pulleys  122 ,  124 . Cable  108  next passes under bottom pulley  126  and is secured to cable clamp  128 . 
     Cable  90  couples slide bar  46  of adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  to lift rod  88  of weight stack  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Cable  90  is coupled to cable fitting  86  at a first end and passes over upper pulleys  130 ,  132 . Cable  90  next passes under bottom pulley  134  and connects to the bottom of lift rod  88 . Movement of lift rod  88  in an upward direction causes upward movement of slide bar  46 . 
     Strength training device, which includes adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  and adjustable weight stack  12  includes vertical frame members  136 ,  138  and upper horizontal frame members  140 ,  142 . Training device also includes outboard frame member  144 , which includes adjustable collar  146 . Pulleys  110  are coupled to adjustable collar  146 . Adjustable weight stack  12  includes slide  148  and guide rods  150 ,  152  to guide weight stack  12  along a linear path. While a weight stack system is shown, it is contemplated that the adjustable resistance training apparatus can be used with all forms of mass-based load strength conditioning devices. 
     In use, a user pulls out knob  64  of carrier  14  to disengage pin  52  from notch  50  of thimble support plate  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Once pin  52  is disengaged from slot  50 , the user grabs one of the knobs  68  and rotates carrier  14  in a horizontal plane until a desired resistance tube  16  is selected. Once a desired resistance tube  16  is selected, the user releases knob  64  to lock pin  52  within the slot  50  of thimble support plate  20 . Selecting a tube causes the corresponding thimble  40  of the tube to be positioned within gripper  44  of slide bar  46 . If the user decides to not incorporate the rubber resistance training into their workout then the carrier  14  is positioned so that no tube is selected. 
     Once the desired resistance tube  16  is selected, a user next selects the number of weight plates  92  they wish to lift. Once the desired weight is selected, the user begins their workout by pulling handle  106 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Pulling handle  106  causes weight plates  92  and lift rod  88  to be raised, which in turn causes slide bar  46 , gripper  44 , and thimble  40  to go upward in a vertical plane, stretching the selected resistance tube  26 . If the user did not select a resistance tube  16  then only the slide bar  46  and gripper  44  move with movement of handle  106 . 
     In another embodiment, a cam member  200  is used to elongate resistance tube  16 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 8 . Rotation of cam  200  is caused by drive wheel  202 , which is coupled to adjustment cable  204 . Drive wheel  202  and cam  200  rotate about shaft  206  in response to movement of cable  204 . Pulling cable  204  in direction  208  causes clockwise rotation of drive wheel  202  and cam  200  in direction  210  to cause elongation of resistance tube  16 . Once a proper cam position is selected, slide bar  46  and gripper  44  together stretch resistance tube  16  in direction  212  during a workout. 
     In yet another embodiment, a curved resistance plate  300  is used to elongate resistance tube  16 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 . Resistance plate  300  includes a series of openings  302  that are configured to accept pin  52  of knob  64 . Resistance plate  300  rotates about shaft  304  to cause the elongation of resistance tube  16 . Resistance plate  300  includes knob  306  to allow resistance plate  300  to be rotated about shaft  304  when knob  64  is pulled. Resistance tube  16  is coupled to resistance plate  300  at end  308 . Once resistance plate  300  is moved to a desired position, resistance tube  16  can be stretched by slide bar  46 . If no opening  302  is selected, resistance plate  300  is free to rotate with movement of resistance tube  16 . 
     In another embodiment, a single pulley  310  is coupled to weight stack  12  and is connected to cable  108 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 10 . The use of single pulley  310  creates a 2:1 ratio when lifting weight stack  12  with cable  108 . In this embodiment, adjustable resistance training apparatus  10  includes a single pulley  312  that is coupled to slide unit  18  that works with cable  90  to stretch resistance tubes  16 . Cable  90  instead of terminating at slide unit  18 , terminates at location  314  at upper horizontal frame member  142 . The use of pulleys  310 ,  312  changes the lifting characteristics of weight stack  12  and adjustable resistance training apparatus  10 . 
     Various features of the disclosure have been shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiment, however, it is understood that these arrangements merely illustrate, and that the disclosure is to be given its fullest interpretation.