Abstract:
Disclosed are adjustable exercise machines, apparatuses, and systems. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically include an adjustable, reversible mechanism that utilizes pivoting arms and a floating pulley. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically are configured for performing pushing and pulling exercises and may provide for converging and diverging motion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The field of the invention relates to exercise machines and apparatuses for strength training that utilize resistance mechanisms. 
     Exercise machines and apparatuses are known in the art including those that utilize resistance mechanisms such as a weight stack and a pulley system. A typical exercise machine includes a frame, a resistance mechanism mounted on the frame, and one or more exercise outlets that are functionally connected to the weight stack. Pulleys and cables are commonly used to functionally connect the weight stack to the exercise outlets. 
     Many exercise machines are designed for use in areas that are either multipurpose or smaller than a traditional gymnasium, for example, a home, apartment, or hotel room. These area restrictions make it increasingly important to conserve space by reducing the size of the exercise machines as well as incorporating multiple functions into one machine. Providing an exercise machine that allows an exerciser to perform different exercise movements using a single resistance mechanism therefore is desirable. Furthermore, adjustable exercise machines and apparatuses are desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed are exercise machines, apparatuses, systems, as well as methods for making and using the disclosed exercise machines, apparatuses, systems. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically include an adjustable, reversible mechanism which may be configured to provide for converging and diverging motion. 
     The disclosed exercise apparatuses may include: (a) first and second arms that rotate about a common rotational axis, the first and second arms having a fixed orientation with respect to each other; (b) a resistance mechanism (e.g., a weight stack); (c) a fixed pulley; (d) a cable extending through the fixed pulley and coupling the second arm to the resistance mechanism; (e) a floating pulley engaging the cable; (f) a docking device for docking the floating pulley; and (g) an engaging device that is coupled to the second arm at a location distal from the rotational axis. As the first and second arms are rotated about the rotational axis in one direction, the engaging device engages the floating pulley and the second arm pulls the cable against the resistance mechanism. As the first and second arms are rotated about the rotational axis in the opposite direction, the docking device docks the floating pulley and the second arm pulls the cable against the resistance mechanism. The first arm alternatively may be referred to as a work arm or a press arm. The second arm alternatively may include a cam and may be referred to as a cam arm. 
     The exercise apparatuses may include an adjustment mechanism that allows for adjustment of the fixed orientation between the first and second arms. The fixed orientation may be adjustable through an angle α or β (e.g., of about 0-180 degrees or preferably about 0-90 degrees in some embodiments). A suitable adjustment mechanism may include a slotted plate and a retractable pin for adjustably coupling the first and second arms at the fixed orientation. 
     The floating pulley typically engages the cable at a position between the fixed pulley and the second arm and is movable about the common rotational axis. The fixed pulley typically is stationary about the common rotational axis. The fixed pulley may be mounted to a frame or preferably may be mounted to a third arm that is configured for mounting the apparatus to a frame and which alternatively may be referred to as a mounting arm. The mounting arm may be linear or may be angled in shape having a first end that is positioned at an angle relative to the other end at an elbow joint. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be adjustably mounted to a frame via a mounting arm which rotates in an arcuate path about a mounting axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the disclosed machines and apparatuses may include a mounting plate and a retractable pin for adjusting the mounting arm about a mounting axis of rotation. 
     Also disclosed are exercise machines that may include: (a) a frame; (b) a seat for a user mounted to the frame; and (c) at least one exercise apparatus as disclosed herein mounted to the frame. Optionally, the disclosed apparatus may be adjustably mounted to the frame via a mounting arm. Optionally, the disclosed machines or apparatuses may be configured for converging and diverging motion. Preferably, the disclosed exercise machines are configured such that the user can perform pushing exercises and pulling exercises without having to change seating orientation on the machine (e.g., where the user sits facing forward throughout). The disclosed exercise machines also may be configured for performing upper body exercises, torso exercises, lower body exercises, or combinations thereof with the user having to change seating orientation on the machine. In some embodiments, the machines include two or more exercise apparatuses as disclosed herein, which optionally may move independently. The exercise machine may be configured for performing pushing exercises and pulling exercises for the upper body, the torso, and the lower body, without the user having to change seating orientation on the machine. In some embodiments, the exercise machine may be configured for performing a combination of exercises without the user having to change seating orientation on the machine (e.g., a chest press, a shoulder press (e.g., a military press), a lateral pull, a low row, a leg press, a leg extension, and a leg curl). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus having a work arm adjusted to a proximal position relative to a cam arm at an angle α. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated in one direction about a rotational axis. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated further in one direction about the rotational axis. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus having a work arm adjusted to a distal position relative to a cam arm at an angle β. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated in one direction about a rotational axis. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIGS. 4 and 5  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated further in one direction about the rotational axis. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine as disclosed herein comprising two exercise apparatuses and displaying forward rotational direction of motion of the work arm and cam arm of one of the apparatuses relative to a seat. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a partial sectional view of an exercise machine comprising an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 11  shows a partial sectional view of the exercise machine of  FIG. 10  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated in a rearward rotational direction relative to a seat. 
         FIG. 12  shows a partial sectional view of an exercise machine having a work arm adjusted to a proximal position relative to a cam arm. 
         FIG. 13  shows a partial sectional view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 12  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated in a forward rotational direction relative to a seat. 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein and indicating a direction of motion whereby the cam arm engages the floating pulley. 
         FIG. 15  shows a partial perspective view of a cam arm of an exercise apparatus having engaged the floating pulley as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 16  shows a partial perspective view of a mounting arm of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 17  shows a partial perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein an indicating adjustable positions for a work arm relative to a cam arm. 
         FIG. 18  shows a partial perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein mounted on a frame via a mounting arm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus  10  as disclosed herein. The apparatus  10  includes a first arm  12 , which alternatively may be referred to as a work arm (or a press arm), and a second arm  20 , which alternatively may be referred to as a cam arm. The work arm and cam arm rotate about a common rotational axis which may be defined by a pivot pin  34 . The work arm includes a grip  14  (alternatively referred to as a handle, contact, or user interface point) which preferably is oriented transversely to the work arm, for moving the arm rotationally forward or rotationally backward and which may be configured for contact by a user (e.g., by a user&#39;s hand or by a user&#39;s foot). In  FIG. 1 , the work arm is adjusted to a proximal position relative to the cam arm  20  via a slotted plate  16  and a retractable pin  18  at an angle α. The cam arm includes a cam  22  which is located distal to the rotational axis and preferably includes a curvilinear bottom surface  23 . The cable of a pulley system  26  is coupled to the cam arm at a termination point  24  which preferably is located at an end or corner of the cam  22 . The cam arm includes an engaging device  30  for engaging a floating pulley  28  which device is located at a position that is distal to the rotational axis  34 . The apparatus includes a third arm  36  for mounting the apparatus on an exercise machine which alternatively may be called a mounting arm. The mounting arm  36  is rotationally adjustable via a mounting plate  40  and a retractable pin  38  which may be positioned on an upright portion of a frame for an exercise machine. A fixed pulley  32  and docking device  42  are mounted on the mounting arm. The floating pulley  28  is positioned in the docking device  42  and in the engaging device  30  of the cam arm  20 . When the exercises apparatuses disclosed herein are utilized, the floating pulley  28  will be positioned in the docking device  42 , the engaging device  30 , or in both of the docking device  42  and in the engaging device  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  after the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  have been rotated in a forward rotational direction about an axis as indicated by the provided arrows  43 ,  45 . As the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  are rotated in the forward rotational direction, the cam arm  20  engages the floating pulley  28  about its axle via the engaging device  30  and removes the pulley from the docking device  42 . The cam arm  20  pulls the cable  26  against the resistance mechanism  47  (e.g., a weight stack) which thereby is raised.  FIG. 3  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated further in the forward rotational direction. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of another embodiment of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein, for example as in  FIG. 1 . However, in  FIG. 4  the work arm  12  is adjusted to a distal position relative to the cam arm  20  via the slotted plate  16  and the retractable pin  18  at an angle β.  FIG. 5  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4  after the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  have been rotated in a rearward rotational direction about an axis as indicated by the provided arrows  49 , 51 . As the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  are rotated in the rearward rotational direction, the cam arm  20  disengages the floating pulley  28  and the floating pulley  28  remains docked in the docking device  42  about its axle. Further, as the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  are rotated in the rearward rotational direction, the cable  26  contacts the curvilinear bottom surface  23  of the cam  22 . The cam arm  20  pulls the cable  26  against the resistance mechanism  47  (e.g., a weight stack) which thereby is raised.  FIG. 6  shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of  FIGS. 4 and 5  after the work arm and cam arm have been rotated further in one direction about a rotational axis. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine as disclosed herein. The exercise machine includes two exercise apparatuses  10   a ,  10   b  that preferably can move independently. The exercise machine includes a frame having upright portions  50   a ,  50   b  to which the exercises apparatuses  10   a ,  10   b  are mounted. The exercise machine also includes a seat mounted to the frame and having a back portion  52  and a seat portion  54 . As indicated in  FIG. 7 , the work arm  12   a  and cam arm  20   a  of the exercise apparatus on the right of the machine  10   a  have been moved to a forward rotational direction relative to the exercise seat as indicated by the forward pointing arrow  55 . The cam arm  20   a  of the exercise apparatus on the right of the machine has engaged the floating pulley  28   a  and has pulled the cable  26   a  forward. 
       FIG. 8  shows another perspective view of the exercise machine of  FIG. 7  with the cam arm  20   a  of the exercise apparatus on the right of the machine having engaged the floating pulley  28   a  and having pulled the cable  26   a  forward. The mounting arms  36   a ,  36   b  are shown as being angular in shape and having a first end that is positioned at an angle relative to the other end at an elbow joint  58 , which configuration may permit converging and diverging motion for the working arm of the apparatus towards or away from a sagittal plane that bisects the user. 
       FIG. 9  shows a side view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  of an exercise machine that includes an exercise apparatus  10  mounted to an upright portion of a frame  50  of the exercise machine. The work arm  12  is adjusted to an intermediate position relative to the cam arm  20 . In some embodiments, this positioning may be suitable for a user performing a leg press exercise. 
       FIG. 10  shows a partial sectional view of an exercise machine that includes an exercise apparatus  10  mounted to an upright portion of a frame  50 . The work arm  12  is adjusted to a more proximal position relative to the cam arm  20  in comparison to the positioning shown in  FIG. 9 . This positioning may be suitable for a user performing a low row.  FIG. 11  shows a partial sectional view of the exercise machine of  FIG. 10  after the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  have been rotated in a rearward rotational direction relative to the seat  52  as indicated by the provided arrows  61 ,  63 , thus pulling the cable  26  which contacts the curvilinear bottom face  23  of the cam  22  and raises the weight stack  92 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial sectional view of an exercise machine having a work arm  12  adjusted to a proximal position relative to a cam arm  20 . This positioning may be suitable for a user performing a decline press.  FIG. 13  shows a partial sectional view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 12  after the work arm  12  and cam arm  20  have been rotated in a forward rotational direction relative to the seat  52  as indicated by the provided arrows  65 ,  67 . The cam arm  20  has engaged the floating pulley  28  via the engaging device  30  at the floating pulley axle and has removed the floating pulley  28  from the docking device  42 , thereby pulling the cable  26  forward and raising the weight stack  92 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a partial perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein and indicating a direction of motion  71  whereby the cam arm  20  has engaged the floating pulley  28  via the engaging device  30  at the floating pulley axle  29  and pulled the cable  26  forward. The cam  22  and the engaging device  30  pass between the cover plates  60   a ,  60   b  as the work arm  12  and the cam arm  20  are moved forwardly or backwardly in a rotational direction. 
       FIG. 15  shows a partial perspective view of a cam arm  20  of an exercise apparatus having engaged the floating pulley  28  via the engaging device  30 . In  FIG. 15 , the engaging device includes a pair of brackets  31   a ,  31   b  having pairs of teeth  33   a ,  33   b  on a forward side with a gap therebetween  35   a , 35   b  for engaging the floating pulley  28  at the floating pulley axle  29  and removing the floating pulley from the docking device  42  when the engaging device  30  is moved in a forward rotational direction  73 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a partial perspective view of a mounting arm  36  of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein. A docking device  42  is mounted on the mounting arm  36  and includes a pair of brackets  37   a ,  37   b  having pairs of teeth  39   a ,  39   b  (not shown) on a forward side with a gap therebetween for docking the floating pulley  28  at the floating pulley axle  29 . A system of fixed pulleys  32  also are mounted on the mounting arm  36 . The mounting arm  36  further may include a cover plate  60  for the docking device  42  and system of fixed pulleys  32 . In some embodiments, the brackets of the engaging device  30  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) may pass outside of the brackets for the docking device to engage the axle of the floating pulley and remove the floating pulley from the docking device when the engaging device  30  is moved in a forward direction. 
       FIG. 17  shows a partial perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein and indicating adjustable positions for the work arm  12  relative to the cam arm  20 . The work arm  12  is adjustable via a slotted plate  16  and a retractable pin  18 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of an exercise apparatus as disclosed herein mounted on an upright portion of a frame  50  via a mounting arm  36 . The mounting arm  36  is adjustably rotational in an arc about a mounting axis  90  via a slotted mounting plate  70  and retractable pin  80 . The mounting axis  90  is approximately perpendicular to an upright portion of the frame  50 . The mounting arm is angled and includes a first end positioned at an angle relative to the other end at an elbow joint  58 . The rotational axis defined by the pivot pin  34  is at an angle relative to the rotational mounting axis  90 , providing for converging and diverging motion for the working arm of the exercise apparatus towards or away from a sagittal plane that bisects the user. 
     The disclosed exercise machines may be multifunctional and configured for performing multiple exercises at a single setting. In some embodiments, the exercise machine may be configured at a single setting for performing one or more of: a shoulder press when the working arm is pushed and a lateral pull down when the working arm is pulled; a super incline press when the working arm is pushed and a super high row when the working arm is pulled; an incline press when the working arm is pushed and a high row when the working arm is pulled; a chest press when the working arm is pushed and a row when the working arm is pulled; a decline press when the working arm is pushed and a low row when the working arm is pulled. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different configurations, systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible.