Handlebar with adjustable cable

An adjustable handlebar having a handlebar body, a locking mechanism associated with the handlebar body and able to engage a cable, and an engagement-control mechanism to allow control engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of weight training equipment and, more specifically, to the field of weight training equipment having handlebars connected to a weight through a wire or cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weight-training machines are widely used by professional athletes and are becoming increasingly popular with the general population as more people join health clubs or “gyms”. Weight training machines are commonly adjusted to provide a desired resistance when a user utilizes a specific muscle or muscle group. It would be beneficial to improve the efficiency and safety with which weight-training machines may be adjusted by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is provided a handlebar with a cable locking mechanism. The cable locking mechanism may include a first clamping surface of a first clamping member interfacing a second clamping surface of a second clamping member.

According to embodiments of the invention, at least one of the two clamping members may be associated with an urging mechanism adapted to urge the two clamping members towards each other. The urging mechanism may include, for example, an urging spring.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, at least one of the two clamping members may be associated with an engagement-control mechanism controllable by the user.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the engagement-control mechanism may have a pressed mode and a released mode.

According to other exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for adjusting a handlebar The method may include controllably releasing engagement of a cable by a locking mechanism associated with a handlebar body. The method may further include moving the handlebar body to a desired position and controllably resuming engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components included in one element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. It will be appreciated that these figures present examples of embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made toFIG. 1, which schematically illustrates an adjustable handlebar100in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Adjustable handlebar100may include a handlebar body110, and a cable locking mechanism125to. allow locking of a cable130, which may be operatively connected to a weight or a load (not shown inFIG. 1). Adjustable handlebar100may further include an engagement-control mechanism120, which may be operatively associated with cable locking mechanism125as described below. According to other embodiments of the invention, cable130may be any means for operatively associating the handlebar with the weight or load, for example, a chain.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, cable-locking mechanism125may be located in a handlebar cavity132in the proximity of a handlebar aperture134of handlebar body110. Aperture134may allow insertion of cable130into handlebar cavity132.

In some embodiments of the invention, engagement-control mechanism120may be adapted to switch between a closed/locked mode and an open/unlocked mode of cable locking mechanism125as explained in detail below.

Reference is also made toFIG. 2, which schematically illustrates cable-locking mechanism125in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, cable-locking mechanism125may include a first clamping member136interfacing a second clamping member137. First clamping member136may have a first clamping surface126and second clamping member137may have a second clamping surface127. According to some embodiments of the invention, first clamping surface126and second clamping surface127may be positioned opposite to each other, and second clamping member137may be adapted to advance substantially in the direction of first clamping surface126to allow clamping of a cable130passing substantially in between surfaces126and127. First clamping surface126and/or second clamping surface127may be rough and/or jagged surfaces or may be designed in any other way to allow a firm grip of cable130when engaged.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, cable-locking mechanism125may further include an urging mechanism124adapted to urge second clamping member137towards first clamping member136. The urging mechanism may include, for example, an urging spring128for urging members136and137towards one another with sufficient force to allow a firm engagement of surfaces126and127with cable130. Any other device, such as a magnet, may be used to apply a desired force to allow firm engagement of clamping surfaces126and127.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, spring128may be attached to second clamping member137as well as to a tab131which may be attached to an inner surface of handlebar cavity132.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a wire129may pass through spring128and/or through a tab aperture133in tab131and may be used to operatively associate second clamping member137with engagement-control mechanism120(FIG. 1).

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, first clamping member136may be attached to an inner surface of handlebar cavity132. However, it should be understood that according to other embodiments of the invention, first clamping member136may include an urging mechanism, e.g., a mechanism similar to that used for second clamping member137described above, wherein either or both of interfacing surfaces126and127may be active in the locking/engagement of cable130.

Reference is also made toFIG. 3, which schematically illustrates engagement-control mechanism120in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Engagement-control mechanism120may include, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a trigger142, a graded protrusion146and a slidable member144associated with wire129and adapted to slide on graded protrusion146. According to an embodiment of the invention, trigger142may be a depressible control button having a pressed mode and a released mode. In the pressed mode, trigger142may be adapted to drive slidable member144substantially in the direction of a distal end148of graded protrusion146, thereby causing wire129to urge second clamping member137substantially away from first clamping member136, thus opening cable locking mechanism125. This causes spring128to contract and, thus, allows cable130to move substantially freely. Upon release of trigger142, spring128may drive second clamping member137substantially towards first clamping member136, thereby causing clamping surfaces126and127to engage and substantially close cable locking mechanism125. The movement of second clamping member137towards first clamping member136may cause wire129to pull slidable member144substantially in the direction of a proximal end150of graded protrusion146. Slidable member144may be further adapted to push trigger142towards the released mode as it moves towards proximal end150. Slidable member144and graded protrusion146may be further designed to prevent movement of the slidable member past proximal end150.

It should be understood that any other suitable means, known or yet to be devised, may be used to apply pressure onto slidable member144, and that the present invention is not limited to the use of trigger142or similar means.

Reference is also made toFIG. 4, which schematically illustrates an adjustable handlebar400according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, in addition to elements described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3, handlebar400may further include a cable reel410operatively connectable to cable130. According to further embodiments of the invention, the reel may be disc-shaped and/or may comprise a reel spring412capable of providing sufficient force to wind cable130, for example, around cable reel410. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, cable reel410may be adapted to continuously wind cable130with sufficient force to substantially prevent slacking of cable130and maintain a desired minimum tension of cable130. Reel410may be adapted to wind substantially all the redundant length of cable130, such that, for example when cable locking mechanism125is open and handlebar400is pushed upwards, reel410may continuously wind the cable that may be rendered redundant, such that tension may be maintained at all times Reel410may also be configured to release a sufficient length of cable130when the cable is pulled. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a substantially small amount of force may be sufficient to cause the reel to release a desired length of cable130, In exemplary embodiments of adjustable handlebar400, first clamping member136of adjustable handlebar100ofFIG. 1may be replaced with a round member138, which may have a smooth surface, such that when cable clamping mechanism414is open and handlebar400is moved upward or downward the cable may freely slide in or out of handlebar cavity132. According to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, member138may include a rotatable disc.

Reference is made now toFIG. 5, which schematically illustrates an adjustable handlebar500according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that elements of handlebar500analogous or similar to corresponding elements of handlebars100(FIG. 1) and/or400(FIG. 4) may be identified using the same reference numerals.

According to the embodiment ofFIG. 5, cable130may be coupled to a tension-maintaining weight510which may be designed to maintain a desired minimum tension in cable130, for example, a tension sufficient to pull redundant slack of cable130from cable locking mechanism514. Tension-maintaining weight610may be adapted to pull substantially all the redundant length of cable130. For example, when cable locking mechanism514is open and handlebar500is pushed upwards, weight510may pull the redundant cable, whereby sufficient tension may be maintained in the cable at all times. Tension-maintaining weight510may also be configured to release a desired length of cable130when the cable is pulled. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a substantially small amount of force may be sufficient to cause the tension-maintaining weight to release a desired length of cable130. Tension-maintaining weight510may be loosely and slidably suspended away from the handlebar.

Reference is now made toFIG. 6, which schematically illustrates an adjustable handlebar600according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that elements of handlebar600analogous or similar to corresponding elements of handlebars100(FIG. 1) and/or400(FIG. 4) may be identified using the same reference numerals.

According to the embodiment ofFIG. 6, handlebar600may include a pneumatic cylinder610, which may be positioned within handlebar cavity132, Pneumatic cylinder610may be adapted, when activated, to push second clamping member137substantially in the direction of first clamping member136such that first and second clamping surfaces126and127are engaged Handlebar600may further include a pneumatic pump612, a pipe614connecting pump612and pneumatic cylinder610, and a valve616associated with a release button618. The pneumatic pump may be used to pump air and/or any other suitable displacement substance through pipe614and valve616. Valve616may allow the displacement substance to progress or flow towards pneumatic cylinder610and may prevent the substance from progressing or flowing away from pneumatic cylinder610, thereby causing pressure supplied by pump612to build up on pneumatic cylinder610. Pneumatic cylinder610may push second clamping member137substantially in the direction of first clamping member136. Second clamping member137may be urged substantially towards first clamping member136when a sufficient amount of displacement substance is provided to pneumatic cylinder610by pneumatic pump612. Release button618may be adapted to allow the release of pressure on the pneumatic cylinder, consequently opening cable-locking mechanism620.

Reference is made toFIG. 7, which is a block-diagram schematically illustrating a method for adjusting a handlebar according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The method may include controllably releasing engagement of cable130(FIG. 1) by locking mechanism125(FIG. 1) as indicated at block701. This may be achieved, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, by pulling wire129(FIG. 1) as indicated at block704. According to some of these embodiments, the method may include activating trigger142(FIG. 3) to pull the wire, as indicated at block702.

As indicated at block706, after releasing the engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism, the method may include moving handlebar body110(FIG. 1) to a desired position.

After positioning the handlebar, the method may further include resuming engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism, as indicated at block708. This may be achieved, according to some exemplary embodiments, by urging second clamping member137(FIG. 3) towards first clamping member136(FIG. 3), as indicated at block708A.

The method may also include maintaining a minimal desired tension in the cable, as indicated at block710. This may be achieved according to one embodiment of the invention, by winding redundant slack of the cable, as indicated at block710A According to another embodiment of the invention, this may alternatively be achieved by applying tension maintenance weight510(FIG. 5), as indicated at block7110B.

FIG. 8is a schematic block illustration of an alternative method for adjusting a handlebar according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The alternative method may include controllably releasing engagement of cable130(FIG. 1) by locking mechanism125(FIG. 1) as indicated at block801. This may be achieved, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, by releasing pressure applied by a displacement substance to pneumatic cylinder610(FIG. 6), as indicated at block802.

As indicated at block804, after releasing the engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism, the alternative method may include moving handlebar body110(FIG. 1) to a desired position.

After positioning the handlebar, the method may further include resuming engagement of the cable by the locking mechanism, as indicated at block806. This may be achieved, according to some exemplary embodiments, by pumping displacement substance to re-apply pressure to the pneumatic cylinder, as indicated at block806A.

The alternative method may also include maintaining a minimal desired tension in the cable, as indicated at block808. This may be achieved according to one embodiment of the invention, by winding redundant slack of the cable, as indicated at block808A. According to another embodiment of the invention, this may alternatively be achieved by applying tension maintenance weight510(FIG. 5), as indicated at block808B.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Embodiments of the present invention may include other apparatuses for performing the operations herein. Such apparatuses may integrate the elements discussed, or may comprise alternative components to carry out the same purpose. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.