Abstract:
An exercise machine utilizing a dynamically controlled resistance technique. The machine employs two pivoting torque arms. Movement of a first torque arm is initiated by a user while performing an exercise routine. A strap and pulley system is utilized to guide a mobile member along the second torque arm to change the resistance perceived by the user. Weights can be added to the mobile member to further increase the perceived resistance. Hand levers are positioned to be operated by the user, which levers function to effect the movement of the mobile unit at any instant during the exercise routine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/539,321, filed Jan. 28, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to exercise machines. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a weight training machine utilizing two torque arms to vary perceived weight resistance without employing a motor or electronic means.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In keeping with the fitness craze that has been part of the popular culture for the last decade or so, there has been a proliferation of new, exotic exercise machines. However, virtually all of today&#39;s conventional strength equipment is built with significant limitations that fall far short of delivering the means for physical challenges that would optimize the training effect sought by so many people in fitness today. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to perform a set of 10 repetitions on a weightstack machine, where every repetition allows a maximum effort? That is the goal of high intensity training applied to weightstack machines. However, unless there are extraordinary measures taken by the user, it is impossible to achieve this goal in any practical way, on conventional weightstack machines. Thus, conventional machines require greater time and result in wasted (or inefficiently applied) energy for the serious user.  
         [0006]     No matter what group a person is in (the basic maintain-and-stay-fit-group or the eat-sleep-dream-breath-iron-pro-bodybuilder group) there has been both a scientific and pragmatic realization that a fundamental shift to higher-intensity, shorter-duration strength training is the smarter, more economical and more efficient way to exercise. Examples of related art, as cited in the accompanying IDS, disclose conventional systems that utilize electric motors to achieve desired results when performing exercise routines. Also disclosed are systems that employ torque cams, and variable resistance. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose an exercise machine employing a dynamically controlled resistance technique as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is drawn to an exercise machine utilizing a dynamically controlled resistance technique (DCR) The preferred embodiment of the machine employs two pivoting torque arms. Movement of a first torque arm is initiated by a user while performing an exercise routine. It should be pointed out that the first torque arm could be replaced by a clutch mechanism or the like. A strap and pulley system is utilized to guide a mobile member along the second torque arm to change the resistance perceived by the user. As contemplated, weights can be added to the mobile member to further increase the perceived resistance. Hand levers are operated by the user, which levers function to effect the movement of the mobile unit at any instant during the exercise routine.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.  
         [0009]     A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of an (DCR) exercise machine with torque arms according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of pivoting, resistance varying, torque arm according to the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 2B-2H  are cut-away views illustrating the mechanisms housed in the mobile unit according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a partial, perspective view showing a sprocket mounted on a guide rod according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of  FIG. 3A  according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a sprocket according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a sprocket according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a fork and lock piece mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mobile housing unit according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a first end block according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a second end block according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7C  is a cut-away, perspective view that shows the inside of a second end block according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial, perspective view of the two torque arms according to the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are perspective, cutaway views of an exercise initiated torque arm according to the present invention. 
     
    
       [0024]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     Attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  wherein an exercise machine incorporating the present invention is generally illustrated. A frame  12  supports a bench  14  thereon. Bench  14  permits a user to lie in prone position with the user&#39;s legs extended beyond the rear end  14   a  of bench  14  to engage a conventional exercise arm. A pair of control levers  18  (positive),  19  (negative) is supported from the front end  14   b  of the bench. Control lines  18   a ,  18   c  whose purpose will be later explained, extend from respective levers  18 ,  19 . A housing  20  is mounted on frame  12  and extends upwardly therefrom. A board  22  is attached to an exterior surface of the housing. Board  22  has an exterior face with an arc-shaped gear track  24  disposed thereon. A first end  26   a  of a first torque arm  26  is adapted to slidably move along said gear track. A second end  26   b  of torque arm  26  is pivotally attached to housing  20 . A first sprocket  28  is attached for rotary movement at end  26   b . A second sprocket  30  is linked by sprocket chain  32  to sprocket  28 . A second torque arm  34  is coaxially mounted with sprocket  30  for pivoting movement. A mobile unit  52  is mounted for sliding movement on second torque arm  34 . As will be subsequently explained below, the interaction of the above parts function to allow the user to instantly change perceived resistance at any time during the exercise routine.  
         [0026]     Attention is now directed to  FIG. 2A  for a clearer understanding of the structure of second torque arm  34 . An end block  40  defines the proximate end of arm  34 . A first set of coaxially mounted pulleys  42  is disposed adjacent end block  40 . Pulleys  42  are also coaxial with sprocket  30 . A second set of coaxially mounted pulleys  44  is mounted adjacent distal end block  46 . Four guide rods  48 ,  49  connect end block  40  to end block  46  by way of bearing assemblies  46   a  (not shown on block  40 ). A pair of pulley belts  50  is looped around the pulleys for movement thereon. Each belt  50  is provided with evenly spaced holes  50   a  therethrough. A mobile housing unit  52 , having openings for receiving belts  50  and guide rods  48 ,  49  therethrough, is mounted for movement along a path defined by the belts, guide rods and torque arm  34 . An array of pegs  54  (more clearly seen in  FIGS. 2B-2H ) is evenly spaced along each side of the torque arm.  
         [0027]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2B-2H , housing  52  is adapted to move along the torque arm by gravity in accordance to the inclination of the torque arm. Housing  52  encapsulates mechanisms that engage and disengage with the spaced holes  50   a  in belts  50 . The mechanisms comprise upper and lower forks  56 ,  56   a  mounted on each side of the torque arm. The forks are vertically movable so that either the upper fork or the lower fork engages the holes in the belt. Forks  56 ,  56   a  are mounted on respective upper plates  58 , which plates are each provided with a toothed surface. The surface is adapted to be engaged by teeth on upper sprockets  60 . Sprockets  60  are mounted for rotating movement with guide rods  48 . Separator plates  58   a  are movably engaged with spring biased lock pieces  62 . Each lock piece  62  has teeth disposed on its upper end for engaging pegs  54 . Plates  64  separate the upper and lower sprockets. Each separator plate has a toothed surface, which surface is engaged by lower sprockets  60   a . Lower sprockets  60   a  are mounted for rotating movement with guide rods  49 .  
         [0028]     A more detailed view of the sprocket and guide rod arrangement is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-4B . Each guide rod  48 ,  49  has fins  48   a  thereon, which fins are spaced at ninety-degree intervals around the circumference of the guide rods. Each sprocket  60  is provided with slots  60   b  therethrough to receive fins  48   a . An array of ball bearings  60   c  is positioned in the sprocket to insure smooth tracking for the sprocket on the guide rod.  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 5 , an exploded view shows the precise arrangement of the fork and lock piece mechanism. Each lock piece  62  is provided with apertures  62   a  therein for respectively receiving projections  58   c  disposed on the rear face of plate  58   a  and projection  56   c  disposed on the lower fork  56   a . Projections  58   c  and  56   c  are removably received in apertures  62   a . Springs  65  are provided to bias the lock piece and forks in a vertical direction.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 6 and 7 A show detailed, perspective views of mobile housing  52  and end block  46 . Mobile housing  52  is provided with bearing assemblies  52   a  for receiving guide rods  48  therethrough. Torque arm  34  and belts  50  are respectively received through opening  52   b  and slots  52   c . End block  46  has an opening  46   b  therein to receive the end of torque arm  34 .  
         [0031]     As is illustrated in  FIGS. 7B and 7C  end block  40  encompasses plural bearing assemblies  70  therein. Each bearing assembly is adapted to receive a respective guide rod  48  at the top and  49  at the bottom. A series of pulleys  72  is positioned to support guide lines  18   a ,  18   c  thereon. Lines  18   a ,  18   c  extend through control line tubes  18   b  from control levers  18 ,  19  ( FIG. 1 ). Each line  18   a ,  18   c  is attached to the end of a respective guide rod  48 ,  49 . Respective spring members  74  each have a first end  74   a  attached to the outer surface of end block  40  and a second end  74   b  attached to a fin of a respective guide rod. A shield  76  interposes the space between spring  74  and guide rod  48 ,  49 . An opening  40   a  receives the end of torque arm  34 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  show in greater detail the inter action between torque arm  34  and torque arm  26 . The two torque arms are rotatable on respective axles  35  and  27 . As stated above, one end of torque arm  26  is adapted to move along gear track  24 . Pneumatic device  29  enhances the raising and lowering function of arm  26 . As best seen in  FIGS. 10A-10C , torque arm  26  is provided with a gear  80  having apertures  80   a  therein. Gear  80  is rotated on axle  82 . Lock pin  84  is disposed in a cavity defined in torque arm  26 . A control line  18   a  is attached to lock pin  84  and functions to move the lock pin into and out of one of apertures  80   a . A spring  86  biases the lock pin toward the apertures.  FIG. 10   a  shows the lock pin in a locked position.  FIGS. 10   b  and  10   c  show the pin in an unlocked position.  
         [0033]     In operation, the control of resistance is determined by manipulating lever  18  or  19 . If the user desires more resistance the positive lever  18  is squeezed. This action pulls the positive brake line  18   a  and causes the two top guide rods  48  to rotate. Rotation of guide rods  48  forces forks  56  downward to disengage from the top belts and causes forks  56   a  to engage the bottom belts. This movement also disengages the teeth of the lock pieces from the pegs on the torque arm. The mobile unit is now free to move in a direction to achieve more resistance.  
         [0034]     To achieve less resistance, lever  19  is squeezed causing brake line  18   c  to rotate guide rods  49 . This movement will force the lock pieces to disengage their teeth from the pegs on the torque arm.  
         [0035]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.