Abstract:
A weight lifting exercise machine that uses dumbbell weights for the weight resistance and for incremental weight adjustment. Dumbbells are particularly suitable since they are usable both as free weights and as incremental weights for the exercise machine. The machine includes an overall frame that stands on the floor, and at least one vertical guide rail attached to the frame. A dumbbell weight carrier is a assembled to the guide rail. The dumbbell weight carrier has a carriage that engages the guide rail. A dumbbell receptacle is attached to the carriage. The dumbbell receptacle can hold a plurality of dumbbell weights selected according to the overall weight desired by the exercising person. A weight handle is connected to the dumbbell weight carrier. The exercising person engages the weight handle and moves it against the weight resistance of the weight carrier and dumbbell weights loaded thereon.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/223,945 of Philip Martens filed Aug 9, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The benefits of weight lifting exercises in terms of building and maintaining strength, body toning, and general health and endurance, are well known. Free weights are frequently used. Free weights include barbells and hand weights known as dumbbells. The classic dumbbell is a weight exercise device with a short hand grip or bar connected to weights at either end. The dumbbell is meant for use with a single hand. The weight is usually fixed but is sometimes adjustable through addition or subtraction of increments of weight. A dumbbell inventory typically includes pairs of dumbbells of various weights ranging from one to twenty pounds or more. Another type of dumbbell is the block style dumbbell of the type sold under the trademark Powerblock®.  
           [0003]    Weight training machines are frequently used in addition to, or instead of, free weights. The weight training machine safely mimics, to some extent, barbell-type weight lifting. It also permits the user to engage in types of weight resistance exercises not available through the use of free weights alone. The “weight” resistance of the machine is provided by means of a stack of weights, springs, elastic bands, shock absorbers, or even the user&#39;s own body weight.  
           [0004]    The preferred resistance structure for such machines is weights. These take the form of several hundred pounds of stacked weights that are dedicated to the singular purpose of providing resistance for the weight training machine. The weights are permanently or semi-permanently attached to the remainder of the machine. This makes the machine heavy and hard to move. The weight increments are relatively large, whereby a user may tend to overload, which can lead to injury. The weights add to the expense of the machine, even while an inventory of dumbbell weights may be available. The machine weights can contribute to stress on the floor or other supporting surface.  
           [0005]    The other resistance means indicated are generally less desirable than weights but are preferred where either cost and/or weight are factors. For example, in home units, cost is generally considered a factor to the purchaser, and weight becomes a factor in shipping the unit and in subsequent storage by the user. Elastic bands wear out. Springs will fatigue. As is the case with a spring, the resistance offered by an elastic band is not constant but varies proportionate to the amount of deflection. Adjustment ability is limited.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The invention pertains to a weight lifting exercise machine that employs dumbbells for the weight resistance and for incremental weight adjustment. Dumbbells are particularly suitable. They are often available at the exercise location for free weight exercise use, typically in equal weight pairs. Typically the weight range of dumbbells is three pounds to one hundred pounds, although it can be more. The use of dumbbells or other hand weights on the weight lifting machine of the invention eliminates the need for a separate stock of dedicated machine weights.  
           [0007]    The weight lifting machine includes an overall frame that stands on the floor, and at least one upright support post or guide rail. A dumbbell weight carrier is assembled to the guide rail for up and down movement. The carrier includes one or more receptacles to engage the dumbbells, and a carriage connected to the receptacles for movement on the guide rail. Dumbbells can be loaded and unloaded on the dumbbell carrier. The carrier can be connected to a cable, such as a wire rope, a chain or combination thereof. The other end of the cable is connected to a weight handle to be engaged by the exercising person in lifting or lowering the carrier against gravity. Depending on the configuration of the machine, the weight handle is engaged by the hands, feet, legs or the like, to accomplish an exercise routine. In doing so, the weight carrier is lifted and lowered along the guide rail.  
           [0008]    In one form of the invention, the weight handle is connected to the carrier through a pulley system of one or more pulleys that conveniently position the weight handle relative to the user, for example, proximate a bench. The carrier will typically be adapted to carry dumbbells and have a bracket to receive and hold a plurality of dumbbells. There may be one or more dumbbell carriers that move on one or more guide rails. A second weight handle may be connected to the carrier for versatility of the machine.  
           [0009]    The weight lifting machine can include a bench to support the user, lying or sitting, while engaging the weight handle in a pulling action against the weight resistance. The bench can optionally be pivotally connected to the machine frame so as to be folded into the overall frame of the machine during non-use to save room. In another form of the invention, the user engaging the weight handle lifts against the weight resistance, as when doing squats or military presses. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one form of a weight lifting exercise machine according to the invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the weight lifting exercise machine of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the weight lifting exercise machine of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3A is a view of the exercise machine of FIGS. 1 through 3 showing the seat support beam pivoted up and out of the way;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dumbbell carrier of the weight lifting exercise machine of FIG. 1 with a portion broken away for purposes of illustration;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4A is a perspective view like that of FIG. 4 showing an alternative dumbbell carrier configuration having two vertical guide rails;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of the dumbbell carrier of FIG. 4;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dumbbell carrier of FIG. 5 taken along the line  6 - 6  thereof;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a weight lifting exercise machine according to another form of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a weight lifting exercise machine according to a yet further form of the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8A is a modification of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 8;.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dumbbell carrier of the weight lifting exercise machine of FIG. 7; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a weight lifting exercise machine according to a still further form of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 a weight lifting exercise machine according to one form of the invention, indicated generally at  10 . Machine  10  has an overall frame  11  with a first upright member comprised as a support and guide rail  12 ; and a second upright front support member  14 . An overhead beam  15  connects the upper ends of the support members  12 ,  14  and overhangs the front support member  14 . A frame stand includes a horizontal lateral leg  16  connected to a longitudinal horizontal leg  18  in a “T” shape. The lower ends of the support members  12 ,  14  are connected to the longitudinal leg  18 . A foot brace  25  is assembled to the end of the leg  18  opposite its connection to the lateral leg  16 .  
         [0024]    An exercise station includes an horizontal bench support beam  20  pivotally connected to and extending forward from the lower portion of the second upright structural member  14 . The outer end of the support beam  20  is connected to a vertical leg  21  attached to a horizontal leg  29 . A weight bench includes a seat  22  attached to the support beam  20 , and a backrest  23 . Backrest  23  is positioned adjacent to seat  22  and is connected at one end to a hinge structure  24  so that it can be pivoted up and down, or from the upright position shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, to a flat horizontal position. The back rest  23  is held upright by a U-shaped rod  26  that interconnects with notches in a positioning bracket  27 .  
         [0025]    A dumbbell carrier is assembled to the guide rail  12  for up and down sliding movement on the guide rail. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, carrier  30  carries a dumbbell weight  31 . The structure of carrier  30  is more particularly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The carrier  30  has dumbbell racks or receptacles comprised as a pair of brackets  33 ,  34  positioned in back to back relationship and separated by a carriage structure. Each bracket has a plurality of openings for receipt of the bar of a dumbbell. First bracket  33  has side plates  35 ,  36  connected by a back plate  38 . A first side plate  35  has a series of vertically spaced, hook-shaped edge openings  39 A,  40 A,  42 A. Second side plate  36  has a corresponding plurality of edge openings  39 B,  40 B,  42 B. Each of the edge openings defines a pocket for receipt of a section of a dumbbell bar. The bar of the dumbbell is engageable in a pair of corresponding openings. A plurality of such bars can be accommodated by each bracket. The openings are upwardly open and hook-shaped to inhibit unintended disengagement of the bar from the bracket. The second bracket  34  similarly has side plates  43 ,  44  and a back plate  46 . The second bracket  34  also has a plurality of hook-shaped edge openings arranged in corresponding pairs.  
         [0026]    The first and second carrier brackets  33 ,  34  are connected to a carriage structure for movement up and down the guide rail  12 . This carriage structure includes the backplates  38 ,  46  of the brackets  33 ,  34 , and sidewall structures  47 ,  48 . Each of the sidewall structures  47 ,  48  includes a channel shaped member connected to the backplates  38 ,  46  of brackets  33 ,  34  by nut and bolt assemblies  50 . The backplates and sidewall structures form a guide opening  54  that is slightly oversized with respect to the cross-sectional dimensions of the guide rail  12 . This permits up and down sliding movement of the dumbbell carrier  30  on the guide rail  12 . Downward movement of the carrier  30  is stopped by stop members  57 .  
         [0027]    Means can be provided, if necessary, to facilitate movement of the carrier  30  on guide rail  12 , such as rollers, grease, or the like. As shown, pads of low friction material are in place to facilitate movement of carrier  30  on rail  12 . Referring to FIG. 6, sidewall structure  48  has an end wall  49  and a short overlapping interior wall  51 . A slide pad  52  of Teflon® or similar low friction material is fastened to interior wall  51  in confronting relationship to rail  12 . In like fashion, slide pads  53  are fastened to the interior surfaces of the back plates  38 , 46  of brackets  33 , 34 .  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 2, the standard dumbbell  31  has end weights  55  connected by a dumbbell bar  56 . The hook-shaped openings or pockets  39 ,  40 ,  42  are adapted to secure the dumbbell bar  56  in place. A number of dumbbells can be stacked in the bracket. As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier can accommodate six dumbbells, three in each bracket. More or less could be provided. Dumbbells of various weights can be loaded on to the carrier  30  according to the exercise prerogative of the user. For example, two forty-pound dumbbells can be loaded onto the carrier  30 , along with two ten-pound dumbbells and one five-pound dumbbell for a total loaded weight of  105  pounds plus the weight of the carrier  30 . Weight increments can be added and subtracted according to the weights of the various dumbbells available.  
         [0029]    Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 3, a main weight handle  58  is connected to the carrier  30  so that movement of the weight handle  58  moves the carrier  30  against the influence of gravity. The connection between the weight handle and the carrier can be a system of levers, linkages, cables, belts, a combination thereof, or other such connecting means capable of transmitting a tension force. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the weight handle is connected to the carrier  30  through a cable and pulley system. The cable can be wire, rope, chain, or the like or any combination thereof, capable of transmitting a tension force.  
         [0030]    The weight handle is readily detachable and interchangeable with other weight handles. For example, another weight handle can be shorter, or fashioned of rope. A weight handle could be fashioned as a head harness for neck exercise, or as a harness to fit other body parts according to the specialized exercise routine.  
         [0031]    A main cable  59  is fastened at one end to an eye clip  60  that is attached to the carrier  30  (FIG. 4). The other end of main cable  59  is fastened to another eye clip  62  that is centrally attached to the weight handle  58 . The intermediate segment of main cable  59  is trained over a pulley system which includes first, second and third pulleys,  63 ,  64  and  65 , that are mounted in the overhead beam  15 . The overhead beam  15  can be a box beam with downwardly open slots so that pulley axles can be mounted between the sidewalls and carry pulleys as shown. The beam  15  extends forward from the front support member  14 . The weight handle  58  is positioned off of the forward tip of overhead beam  15  where it can be pulled away from overhead beam  15  in an action that lifts the carrier  30  along the guide rail  12 . Return movement of the weight handle  58  is stopped by the overhead beam  15 .  
         [0032]    Bench support beam  20  is removable from the overall frame  11  when not in use in order to provide clearance for the exercising person so approach the weight handle  58  standing. The inside end of beam  20  has a bracket  67  that engages a segment of the second support member  14  of frame  11 . A pin  68  passes through aligned holes in the bracket  67  and support member  14  to secure the beam in place. The support beam is removable simply by removal of the pin  68  and moving the beam  20  away from the frame. Additionally, bench support beam can be pivoted upwardly about pin  68  as shown and described with respect to FIG. 3A.  
         [0033]    A secondary weight handle system lends versatility to the machine  10 . A secondary cable  71  is connected at a fixed end to frame  11  as at leg  18  of the frame stand. The opposite end of secondary cable  71  is connected to a second weight handle  72 . A pulley block  74  carries an upper pulley  75  and a lower pulley  76 . A segment  59 A of the main cable  59  is trained over upper pulley  75 . The segment  59 A is located between the first and second pulleys  63 ,  64  of the pulley system of the first weight handle  58 . The secondary cable  71  is trained over the lower pulley  76  of pulley block  74 . A sixth pulley  78  is mounted at the lower end of the second support post  14  of frame  11 . A seventh pulley  79  is mounted in the vertical leg  21  that is attached to the support beam  20 . The secondary cable  71  extends from the lower pulley  76  to the sixth pulley  78  and then over the seventh pulley  79  to the connection at the second weight handle  72 .  
         [0034]    The second weight handle  72  shown in the configuration of FIGS. 1 through 3 is adapted for engagement by the ankles and lower legs of the exercising person. Leg pads  81 ,  82  are fastened to the ends of the second weight handle  72 . The second weight handle  72  is connected to the lower end of a pivot arm  83 . Pivot arm  83  is pivotally connected to the upper end of a support member  85 . The lower end of support member  85  is fastened to the end of the horizontal support beam  20 . A padded support bar  86  is also connected to the support member  85 .  
         [0035]    The second weight handle  72  is engagable by the legs and ankles of the exercising person. The exercising person can be sitting on the seat  22  facing the support member  85 . The ankles engage the pads  81 ,  82  on the second weight handle  72  in a lifting motion. This lifts the carrier  30  through the secondary cable  71 . Alternatively, the exercising person can stand facing the machine and engage the back of the ankle on one of the pads  81 ,  82  one leg at a time. From FIGS. 1 through 3, it may easily been seen that the second weight handle  72  could be configured to be manually grasped by the exercising person and lifted to mimic lifting a barbell. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of the invention of the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein the bench support beam  20  is pivoted about the pin  68  to a position up against the second support member  14  and out of the way. A strap  73  or other suitable holding structure secures the bench support in the stored position. A secondary weight handle  72 A is available at the lower end of the second support member  14 . A foot brace  25  is assembled to the end of the leg  18  for use by a sitting exercising person.  
         [0036]    Another form of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 and indicated generally at  10 A. The machine  10 A is like the machine  10  shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 with the exception of a modified dumbbell carrier  30 A. The machine  10 A has a frame  11  including a first upright guide post and rail  12 , a second upright support member  14 , and an overhead horizontal beam  15 . Frame  11  is supported on a stand which includes horizontal legs  16 ,  18 . A support beam  20  carries a seat  22  with a back rest  23 . A weight handle  58  is connected through a cable  59  to the carrier  30 A. A second weight handle  72  is connected by a secondary cable  71  to the weight carrier  30 A for manipulation as described above.  
         [0037]    The carrier  30 A differs from the carrier  30  in that it only has a single receptacle bracket for engagement of dumbbells. The carrier  30 A has a bracket  88  with side plates  89 ,  90  that have vertically spaced, hook-shaped edge openings arranged in pairs for receipt of dumbbell handles. The bracket  88  has a back plate  92  that together with sidewall structure  93  forms a carriage up and down movement on the guide rail  12 . Dumbbells like the dumbbell  94  can be loaded on the carrier  88  according to the weight preference of the exercising person.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4A shows another weight carrier-guide rail configuration wherein two guide rails are provided. Many existing weight machines currently employ a weight system using a pair of parallel guide rails, whereby the present invention can be retrofitted to such machines. The weight carrier is shown generally at  30 B and a pair of vertical guide rails are shown in phantom at  12 B and  12 C. The weight carrier  30 B has a top plate  37  fastened between the side walls  46 A,  47 A. Top plate  37  has a pair of guide rail mounting openings  41 A,  41 B. The guide rails  12 B,  12 C are engaged in the openings  41 A,  41 B for up and down movement of the carrier on the guide rails.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 shows a yet further form of the invention indicated generally at  10 B. The form of the invention at  10 B differs from the earlier form of the invention indicated generally at  10  in FIGS. 1 through 3 in the structure of the dumbbell carrier and in the configuration of the exercise station. Otherwise the machines are the same. Machine  10 B has a frame  11  that includes a first support member or guide rail  12  and a second upright support member  14  connected by an overhead beam  15 . Legs  16  and  18  stabilize the frame. A dumbbell carrier  30 B is connected to the main cable  59  that is trained over pulleys attached to the overhead beam  15  and then to the main weight handle  58 .  
         [0040]    The dumbbell carrier  30 B is adapted to carry hand weights or dumbbells having a box-like configuration, of the type sold under the trademark Powerblock®. The dumbbell carrier  30 B is more particularly shown in FIG. 9. The dumbbell carrier  30 B includes a carriage structure to straddle and ride along the guide rail  12 . The carriage structure includes lateral side wall structures  96 ,  97  connected to back plates  98 ,  99  by bolts  116 . A pair of receptacle baskets  101 ,  102  are connected respectively to the back plates  98 ,  99 . Each basket  101 ,  102  is adapted to carry one or more of the block style dumbbells  100 . For example, the basket  101  has a flat base or tray  104  connected to a back wall  103  which is in turn connected to a back plate  98  by bolts  108 . Basket  101  has inclined side walls  105 ,  106  and a front lip  107  for confining weights placed on the tray  104  of the basket  101 . An eye clip  110  is connected to the dumbbell carrier  30 B for connection to the main cable  59  of machine  10 B.  
         [0041]    Referring back to FIG. 8, the exercise station  112  includes a pair of horizontal, parallel tracks  113 ,  114  and a seat assembly  115  mounted for sliding of movement on the tracks. Seat assembly  115  faces frame  11  and is adapted to travel back and forth on the tracks relative to the frame. Foot supports  117 ,  118  are mounted at the inward ends of the tracks  113 ,  114 . Suitable connecting structure  119  releasably connects the tracks  113 ,  114  and the foot supports to the frame  11 .  
         [0042]    A secondary weight handle  121  is connected to the free end of the secondary cable  71  where it is trained over the pulley  78  assembled in the second frame support member  14 . The inward limit of travel of the secondary weight handle  121  is the second support member  14 . Pulling on the secondary weight handle  121  away from the frame  11  raises the weight carrier  30 B and any weights carried thereon through the secondary cable  71  trained over the pulley block assembly  74 .  
         [0043]    In use of the machine  10 B, the exercising person optionally engages either the main weight handle  58  or the secondary weight handle  121 . When engaging secondary weight handle  121 , the exercising person is seated on the seat assembly  15  with feet engaging the foot supports  117 ,  118 . The exercising person engages the secondary weight handle  121  and pulls it away from the frame  11 , continuing the exercise routine by moving the secondary weight handle  121  away from and toward the frame  11  against the weight offered by the dumbbell carrier  30 B. A collection of one or more dumbbells is assembled on the trays of the baskets  101 ,  102 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 8A shows a modification of the exercising machine of FIG. 8. The sliding seat assembly has been removed and a short seat assembly  109  has been installed. Short seat assembly is assembled to the second support member  14  beneath the main weight bar  58 . Hold down pads  111  are also assembled to the second support member  14  positioned for engagement by the thighs of the exercising person seated on short seat assembly  109  and pulling on weight handle  58 .  
         [0045]    A still further form of a weight lifting exercise machine according to the invention is shown in FIG. 10 and indicated generally at  124 . The machine  124  includes an overall frame  125  that is relatively tall and open at the front. A stand for frame  125  includes front legs  126 ,  127 and back legs  133 ,  136 . Each of the front legs  126 ,  127  has a front foot  129 ,  130  engaging the supporting surface, and a horizontal section  131 ,  132  extending rearward from the foot. Back legs  136 ,  133  connect respectively at the base of each to the horizontal sections  131 ,  132  of the front legs  129 ,  130 . Back legs  136 ,  133  are connected brace  138 . Each back leg  136 ,  133  extends upwardly and is inclined forwardly, terminating in an upper horizontal section  134 ,  135 . The ends of the upper sections  134 ,  135  are connected by an overhead beam  137 .  
         [0046]    First and second generally vertical guide rails  141 ,  143  carry first and second weight carriers  149 ,  150 . Weight carriers  149 ,  150  ride up and down on the guide rails  141 ,  143 . A weight handle  145  is connected at first and second ends respectively to the first and second carriers. The weight carriers can be loaded with dumbbells as the dumbbell  153 . The weight handle  153  is lifted against the weight resistance of the carriers and any weights carried by the carriers.  
         [0047]    A first vertical track member  139  is parallel to and spaced from the first guide rail  141 . A second such track member  142  is disposed in similar fashion to the second guide rail  143 . The guide rails and track members are connected to the horizontal leg sections  134 ,  135  of the back legs, at their upper ends. The lower ends are connected to the horizontal sections  131 ,  132  of the front legs. Each of the track members has a vertical slot facing the corresponding guide rail. Ends of the weight handle  145  have first and second guide members  146 ,  147 , that have pegs or fingers  148 ,  152  that ride in the slots of the track members for safety and stability when lifting and lowering the weight handle  145 .  
         [0048]    In use of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of dumbbells are loaded onto the weight carriers  149 ,  150  to achieve a desired total weight. The exercising person stands in front of the frame  125  and grasps the weight handle  145 . Frame  125  is relatively tall so as to permit the exercising person to stand under the overhead beam  137 . The exercising person lifts the weight handle  145  against the weight afforded by the dumbbells located on the weight carriers. The exercising person can engage in weight lifting exercises of the type normally accomplished with a barbell. The path of the weight handle is confined to up and down movement, a safety consideration.