High-low pulley rack system for weight machine

A pulley rack for an exercise machine includes a support frame, an upright extending generally vertically within the support frame, a counterweight having one or more counterweight pulleys, the counterweight moveable in a vertical direction relative to the support frame, one or more guide pulleys mounted to the support frame, a cable end assembly mounted to the upright, and a pull cable having a fixed attachment end connected to the cable end assembly and a pullable end freely passing through the cable end assembly. The pull cable is routed through the cable end assembly, the counterweight pulleys, and guide pulleys such that a force exerted on the pullable end raises the counterweight. A section of the pull cable extends from the pullable end through the cable end assembly and downwardly to one of the guide pulleys mounted below the cable end assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates generally to exercise or weight machines and, more particularly, to an adjustable pulley rack system that allows a user to vary the location of a pull cable for performing exercises on a cable exercise machine.

Description of Related Art

Exercise machines which employ a cable and pulley system attached to a counterweight are well known. Conventionally, cable exercise machines include a support frame to which a moveable counterweight and one or more pulley are mounted. A cable extends vertically from the top of the counterweight and is routed through the one or more pulleys to a free end of the cable. Various attachments, such as D-handles, barbells, or rope handles, may be attached to the free end of the cable.

Resistance training exercises are performed by pulling on the attachment in order to lift the counterweight against the force of gravity. Often, the counterweight is adjustable to allow the user to select the amount of resistance provided.

One of the benefits of cable exercise machines is that they permit a variety of different exercise to be performed, because resistance is provided no matter the direction the user pulls the cable. Thus, cable exercise machines reduce the need for multiple exercise machines which are dedicated to providing resistance in a single direction or useful only for a limited number of exercise motions.

An additional feature of some cable exercise machines is that the attachment point from which the user pulls the cable is moveable along the support frame, so that the exercise machine has greater versatility. For example, the user may move the attachment point to a low position for exercises which require resistance in a downward direction, such a biceps curls or chest flyes. The user may move the attachment point to a high position for exercises which require resistance in an upward direction, such as pulldowns.

However, existing cable exercise machines are limited in that additional components necessary to perform certain exercises, such as bar catches needed for a barbell chess press, cannot be mounted to the cable exercise machine because the pull cable obstructs much of the support frame.

There exists a need for a cable exercise machine which provides the functionality of a moveable attachment point, while allowing other components to be attached to the support fame without obstructing or being obstructed by the pull cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an adjustable pulley rack which is compatible with other components of an exercise machine.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pulley rack for an exercise machine includes a support frame, an upright extending generally vertically within the support frame, a counterweight having one or more counterweight pulleys, the counterweight moveable in a vertical direction relative to the support frame, one or more guide pulleys mounted to the support frame, a cable end assembly mounted to the upright, and a pull cable having a fixed attachment end connected to the cable end assembly and a pullable end freely passing through the cable end assembly. The pull cable is routed through the cable end assembly, the counterweight pulleys, and guide pulleys such that a force exerted on the pullable end raises the counterweight. A section of the pull cable extends from the pullable end through the cable end assembly and downwardly to one of the guide pulleys mounted below the cable end assembly

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the cable end assembly is vertically slideable along the upright.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the cable end assembly is lockable in a plurality of positions along the upright.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the cable end assembly is lockable in any of a plurality of holes in the upright.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the cable end assembly includes a pivot pin permitting rotation of at least a portion of the cable end assembly about an axis parallel to the upright.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the pulley rack further includes a bar catch mounted to the upright and adapted to support a barbell at a predetermined height.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the pulley rack further includes a safety spotter arm mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly and adapted to prevent the barbell from dropping below a second predetermined height.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the cable end assembly is mounted to the upright at a bottom location of the upright, the barbell rests on the bar catch mounted above the cable end assembly, and the pullable end of the pull cable is affixed to the barbell such that force exerted vertically on the barbell raises the counterweight.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the pull cable is routed through one of the guide pulleys between a first of the counterweight pulleys and a second of the counterweight pulleys.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, a pulley rack for an exercise machine includes a support frame, a counterweight having one or more counterweight pulleys, the counterweight moveable in a vertical direction relative to the support frame, one or more guide pulleys mounted to the support frame, a cable end assembly moveably mounted to the upright, a first cable section extending from a fixed connection at the cable end assembly to a first of the counterweight pulleys, and a second cable section extending downwardly from a pullable connection at the cable end assembly around one of the guide pulleys and to the first of the counterweight pulleys. The counterweight is vertically moveable by a force exerted on the pullable connection of the second cable section. Movement of the cable end assembly along the upright does not move the counterweight.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, wherein the first cable section extends upwardly from the fixed connection to one of the guide pulleys.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the first cable section extends around a second of the counterweight pulleys between the cable end assembly and the first of the counterweight pulleys.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the first cable section extends around one of the guide pulleys between the first of the counterweight pulleys and the second of the counterweight pulleys.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the first cable section extends around one of the guide pulleys between the cable end assembly and the first of the counterweight pulleys.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the pulley rack further includes a bar catch mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly, the bar catch adapted to support a barbell at a predetermined height.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the pulley rack further includes a safety spotter arm mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly and adapted to prevent the barbell from dropping below a second predetermined height.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the first cable section and the second cable section define a continuous length of cable.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, a method of operating an exercise machine includes moving a cable end assembly along an upright of a support frame, wherein the cable end assembly has a fixed attachment to a first end of a pull cable, and wherein a second end of the pull cable is pullable through the cable end assembly, and locking the cable end assembly in one of a plurality of positions along the upright. The pull cable, between the first end and the second end, extends downwardly from the cable end assembly and is routed through one or more guide pulleys mounted to the exercise machine and one or more counterweight pulleys mounted to a moveable counterweight. Moving the cable end assembly along the upright does not alter the position of a counterweight.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes exerting a force on the second end of the pull cable to raise the counterweight, wherein the counterweight is raised regardless of the direction of the force exerted on the second end of the pull cable.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes attaching a barbell to the second end of the pull cable, the barbell adapted to rest on at least one bar catch mounted to the upright.

The invention is further defined by the following clauses:

Clause 1: A pulley rack for an exercise machine, the pulley rack comprising: a support frame; an upright extending generally vertically within the support frame; a counterweight having one or more counterweight pulleys, the counterweight moveable in a vertical direction relative to the support frame; one or more guide pulleys mounted to the support frame; a cable end assembly mounted to the upright; and a pull cable having a fixed attachment end assembly and a pullable end freely passing through the cable end assembly; wherein the pull cable is routed through the cable end assembly, the counterweight pulleys, and guide pulleys such that a force exerted on the pullable end raises the counterweight, and wherein a section of the pull cable extends from the pullable end through the cable end assembly and downwardly to one of the guide pulleys mounted below the cable end assembly.

Clause 2: The pulley rack of clause 1, wherein the cable end assembly is vertically slideable along the upright.

Clause 3: The pulley rack of clause 1 or 2, wherein the cable end assembly is lockable in a plurality of positions along the upright.

Clause 4: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the cable end assembly is lockable in any of a plurality of holes in the upright.

Clause 5: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the cable end assembly comprises a pivot pin permitting rotation of at least a portion of the cable end assembly about an axis parallel to the upright.

Clause 6: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a bar catch mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly, the bar catch adapted to support a barbell at a predetermined height.

Clause 7: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising a safety spotter arm mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly, the safety spotter arm adapted to prevent the barbell from dropping below a second predetermined height.

Clause 8: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the cable end assembly is mounted to the upright at a bottom location of the upright, wherein the barbell rests on the bar catch mounted above the cable end assembly, and wherein the pullable end of the pull cable is affixed to the barbell such that force exerted vertically on the barbell raises the counterweight.

Clause 9: The pulley rack of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the pull cable is routed through one of the guide pulleys between a first of the counterweight pulleys and a second of the counterweight pulleys.

Clause 10: A pulley rack for an exercise machine, the pulley rack comprising: a support frame; a counterweight having one or more counterweight pulleys, the counterweight moveable in a vertical direction relative to the support frame; one or more guide pulleys mounted to the support frame; a cable end assembly moveably mounted to the upright; a first cable section extending from a fixed connection at the cable end assembly to a first of the counterweight pulleys; and a second cable section extending downwardly from a pullable connection at the cable end assembly around one of the guide pulleys and to the first of the counterweight pulleys; wherein the counterweight is vertically moveable by a force exerted on the pullable connection of the second cable section; and wherein movement of the cable end assembly along the upright does not move the counterweight.

Clause 11: The pulley rack of clause 10, wherein the first cable section extends upwardly from the fixed connection to one of the guide pulleys.

Clause 12: The pulley rack of clause 10 or 11, wherein the first cable section extends around a second of the counterweight pulleys between the cable end assembly and the first of the counterweight pulleys.

Clause 13: The pulley rack of any of clauses 10 to 12, wherein the first cable section extends around one of the guide pulleys between the first of the counterweight pulleys and the second of the counterweight pulleys.

Clause 14: The pulley rack of any of clauses 10 to 13, wherein the first cable section extends around one of the guide pulleys between the cable end assembly and the first of the counterweight pulleys.

Clause 15: The pulley rack of any of clauses 10 to 14, further comprising a bar catch mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly, the bar catch adapted to support a barbell at a predetermined height.

Clause 16: The pulley rack of any of clauses 10 to 15, further comprising a safety spotter arm mounted to the upright above the cable end assembly, the safety spotter arm adapted to prevent the barbell from dropping below a second predetermined height.

Clause 17: The pulley rack of any of clauses 10 to 16, wherein the first cable section and the second cable section define a continuous length of cable.

Clause 18: A method of operating an exercise machine, comprising: moving a cable end assembly along an upright of a support frame, wherein the cable end assembly has a fixed attachment to a first end of a pull cable, and wherein a second end of the pull cable is pullable through the cable end assembly; and locking the cable end assembly in one of a plurality of positions along the upright; wherein the pull cable, between the first end and the second end, extends downwardly from the cable end assembly and is routed through one or more guide pulleys mounted to the exercise machine and one or more counterweight pulleys mounted to a moveable counterweight; and wherein moving the cable end assembly along the upright does not alter the position of a counterweight.

Clause 19: The method of clause 18, further comprising exerting a force on the second end of the pull cable to raise the counterweight, wherein the counterweight is raised regardless of the direction of the force exerted on the second end of the pull cable.

Clause 20: The method of clause 18 or 19, further comprising attaching a barbell to the second end of the pull cable, the barbell adapted to rest on at least one bar catch mounted to the upright.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to exercise or weight machines and, more particularly, to an adjustable high-low pulley rack that allows a user to vary the location of a pull cable for performing exercises on a cable exercise or weight machine. Certain aspects of the components of the exercise or weight machine and the high-low pulley rack system are illustrated inFIGS. 1-12.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, an exercise machine10including a high-low pulley rack100is shown. The exercise machine10includes a support frame12to which the counterweights200and the components of the high-low pulley rack100are attached. In particular, the high-low pulley rack100includes uprights101, cable end assemblies110, and pull cables121. The exercise machine10as illustrated inFIG. 1shows a pair of high-low pulley racks100arranged in tandem on the exercise machine10. However, it is to be understood that in other aspects, a single high-low pulley rack100may be used.

Referring now toFIG. 2, each upright101includes a plurality of indexing holes102spaced vertically along the upright101. The plurality of index holes102cooperate with a popper pin111of the cable end assembly110to lock the cable end assembly110to the upright101. The popper pin111of the cable end assembly110can be locked into any one of the plurality of index holes102, permitting the user to position the cable end assembly110at a desired vertical position on the upright101.

Referring now toFIG. 3, each cable end assembly110of the high-low pulley rack system100includes the popper pin111, an upper end pulley112, and a lower end pulley113. The upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113are arranged on opposing sides of the pull cable121, such that the pull cable121is supported whether it is pulled downwardly or upwardly by a user. If the pull cable121is pulled downwardly by the user, the pull cable121at least partially engages the lower end pulley113. Conversely, if the pull cable121is pulled upwardly, the pull cable121at least partially engages the upper end pulley112. The cable end assembly110may include a pivot pin114which permits the upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113to rotate about an axis parallel to the upright101. In this manner, the upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113may self-align horizontally in the direction which the pull cable121is pulled.

With continued reference toFIG. 3, a fixed end connection122of the pull cable121is attached to the cable end assembly110. A pullable end123of the pull cable121freely passes through the cable end assembly110between the upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113. The pullable end123includes a retention device124which prevents the pullable end123from slipping backward through the upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113. The retention device124may be, for example, a ball encompassing a portion of the pull cable121which it too large to pass between the upper end pulley112and the lower end pulley113.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the pull cable121is routed from the fixed end connection122, through the counterweight200, and back to the pullable end123at the cable end assembly110. More specifically, the pull cable121is routed through one or more guide pulleys130mounted to the support frame12of the exercise machine10and one or more counterweight pulley131mounted to the counterweight200. Each of the guide pulleys130and counterweight pulleys131changes the direction of the pull cable121. A first section121aof the pull cable121extends from the fixed end connection122at the cable end assembly110to one of the counterweight pulleys131, such that the weight of the counterweight200imparts tension to the pull cable121. The first section121aof the pull cable121may be routed around one or more of the guide pulleys130to provide additional guidance and stabilization to the first section121a. A second section121bof the pull cable121extends from one of the counterweight pulleys131to the pullable end123of the pull cable121, such that the tension imparted on the pull cable121by the counterweight200induces the pullable end123of the pull cable121towards the cable end assembly110. The second section121bextends downwardly from the cable end assembly110such that other components of the exercise machine10may be mounted to the upright101above the cable end assembly110without obstructing or being obstructed by the second section121b. The second section121bof the pull cable121may be routed around one or more of the guide pulleys130to provide additional guidance and stabilization to the second section121b.

With continued reference toFIG. 5, the cable routing arrangement of the pull cable121described above allows the cable end assembly110to be adjusted vertically along the upright101as desired by the user. When the popper pin111of the cable end assembly110is released and the cable end assembly110is moved up or down the upright101, the pull cable121travels freely over the guide pulleys130and the counterweight pulleys131without moving the counterweight200.

Referring now toFIG. 6-9, the exercise machine10is shown with the high-low pulley rack100is arranged for the user50to perform a chest press exercise. A barbell30is positioned on bar catches31mounted to the uprights101. Additionally, safety spotter arms32are mounted to the uprights101below the bar catches31. The cable end assemblies110are attached to the uprights101in a position below the bar catches31and safety spotter arms32. The pullable ends123of the pull cables121are routed around the upper end pulley112of the cable end assemblies110, and the pullable ends123are clipped to the barbell30such that pushing the barbell30upwards imparts tension to the pull cables121. Referring now toFIG. 10, if sufficient force is exerted against the barbell30by the user50, the force transmitted through the pull cables121raises the counterweight200.

Referring now toFIG. 11, the exercise machine10is shown with the high-low pulley rack system100is arranged for the user50to perform a pulldown exercise. The cable end assemblies110are attached to the uprights101in a position above the user50, and a bar or other gripping device40is attached to the pullable ends123of the pull cables121. The pullable ends123are routed around the lower end pulley113of the cable end assemblies110, and the user50exerts downward force on the pull cables121to raise the counterweight200.

Various embodiments of the counterweights200may be used with the high-low pulley rack100.FIGS. 1-11illustrate a trolley arrangement for the counterweight200. Referring back toFIGS. 1 and 7, a trolley201houses the counterweight pulleys131. The trolley slides up and down a guide of the support frame12as the pull cable121is pulled by the user50. The trolley201may have one or more pegs202projecting generally outwardly such that standard weightlifting plates203may be loaded onto the pegs202.

Alternatively, the counterweights200may be a weight stack arrangement, as shown inFIG. 12. The weight stack arrangement includes a plurality of plates211having axially aligned bores which slide along one or more guide shafts212connected to the support frame12. A carrier213houses the counterweight pulleys131. A pin214or other locking mechanism may be used to fix one or more of the plurality of plates211to the carrier213. Thus, when the pull cable121is pulled, the carrier213and any plates211fixed to the carrier213provide resistance to the user50.

While various aspects of the high-low pulley rack100were provided in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these aspects without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other aspect. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.