Cable crossover exercise apparatus

A highly versatile exercise apparatuses is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to a cable crossover exercise apparatus including a central weight stack and opposed extension arms. The invention also relates to a functional lift exercise apparatus including a central weight stack and substantially parallel extension arms. The invention further relates to a cable type exercise apparatus employing a pulley assembly with a 4:1 load ratio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The invention relates to highly versatile exercise apparatuses. More
 particularly, the invention relates to a cable crossover exercise
 apparatus including a central weight stack and opposed extension arms. The
 invention also relates to a functional lift exercise apparatus including a
 central weight stack and substantially parallel extension arms. The
 invention further relates to a cable type exercise apparatus employing a
 pulley assembly with a 4:1 load ratio.
 2. Description of the Prior Art
 The prior art of exercise apparatuses is replete with multipurpose machines
 providing users with a variety of possible exercising positions.
 Unfortunately, the majority of these exercise apparatuses are large,
 cumbersome and difficult to utilize.
 Those skilled in the art will, therefore, appreciate the need for a
 compact, easy-to-use exercise apparatus which provides users with a
 variety of possible exercise positions. The present invention provides
 such an exercise apparatus.
 In addition, these exercise apparatuses commonly employ a weight stack
 actuated by a cable which is pulled by users of the apparatus. Such
 arrangements present significant limitations affecting the usefulness of
 the exercise apparatus. For example, the range of exercises which may be
 performed with such cable actuated apparatuses is sometimes limited by the
 effective length of cable linking the weight stack with the user. In most
 instances, the effective useful length of the cable is limited by the
 height of the weight stack; that is, for each foot the cable is pulled by
 the user, the weight stack must rise a proportional distance. Where the
 rise of the weight stack is substantially equal to the distance which the
 cable is pulled, the effective useful length of the cable is limited to
 only a few feet since building weight stacks any larger would be cost
 prohibitive, as well as structurally undesirable.
 Weight stack based exercise apparatuses also encounter problems as a result
 of the momentum created when the weight plates are lifted under the
 control of a cable. Specifically, when the weight plates are lifted
 upwardly at a fast pace, the generated momentum creates momentary
 reductions and increases in the perceived force encountered by the user of
 the exercise apparatus. Such momentary changes are highly undesirable.
 As a result, a need further exists for an exercise apparatus overcoming the
 shortcomings of prior art cable assemblies. The exercise apparatus should
 provide an extended length of effective cable and reduce the undesirable
 effects of momentum created as the weight plates are moved up and down
 within the weight stack. The present invention provides such an exercise
 apparatus.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an exercise
 apparatus including a resistance assembly and a cable linking a first
 extension arm and a second extension arm to the resistance assembly. The
 first extension arm includes a first end selectively supported adjacent
 the resistance assembly and a free second end from which the first strand
 of the cable system extends for engagement by a user. Similarly, the
 second extension arm includes a first end selectively supported adjacent
 the resistance assembly and a free second end from which the first strand
 of the cable system extends for engagement by a user. The first extension
 arm extends away from the second extension arm, moving the second end of
 the first extension arm away from the second end of the second extension
 arm to define an extended opposed spacing of the first and second strands.
 It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise
 apparatus wherein the first extension arm and the second extension are
 substantially parallel as they extend from the resistance assembly.
 It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
 exercise apparatus wherein the cable passes over a series of pulleys which
 create a 4:1 load ratio for each user handle.
 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
 from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with
 the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the
 invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It
 should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely
 exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
 Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
 limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for
 teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
 With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a functional lift exercise apparatuses 10
 is disclosed. The functional lift exercise apparatus 10 includes a pair of
 parallel extension arms 12, 14 positioned to facilitate a wide range of
 lifting type exercises.
 The functional lift exercise apparatus 10 further includes a base structure
 16 having a central user support member 18 with a free first end 20 and a
 second end 22 to which a weight stack 24 is secured. Between the first end
 20 and the second end 22, the central user support member 18 includes a
 platform 26 sized, shaped and constructed to support a standing user while
 he or she operates the present functional lift 10. The base structure 16,
 as well as the remaining structural components of the exercise apparatus
 10, are preferably formed from steel, although other materials may also be
 used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
 A single cable 28 links the user handles 30 with the weight stack 24. The
 cable 28 is run through a series of pulleys to provide a 4:1 load ratio
 for each handle 30. In this way, a four hundred pound stack of weight
 plates 32 may be moved by the application of one hundred pounds force at
 each handle 30 of the functional lift 10 (two hundred pounds total force
 when both handles are used simultaneously).
 The 4:1 ratio reduces the inertia of the weight plates 32 by reducing the
 rate of movement of the weight plates 32 compared to the rate of travel at
 the handle 30. Single hand movements allow the handle 30 to move four
 times faster than the weight plates 32 and dual hand movement allows the
 handles 30 to move twice the speed of the weight plates 32.
 The 4:1 ratio also provides single hand movements equal in length to four
 times the travel distance of the weight plates 32. This allows extended
 movements, such as, for example, overhead lift and bicep curls in addition
 to the dead lift movements, to provide users with greater flexibility in
 choosing a desired resistance level.
 Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the weight stack 24 includes a support
 frame 34 with vertical support members 36 aligned to support the stack of
 weight plates 32. The weight plates 32 are supported for movement up and
 down in a conventional manner. In fact, the pulley system, which is
 discussed below in greater detail, is used to lift the weight plates 32.
 The weight stack 24 is covered by a protective sleeve 38 positioned
 thereabout.
 As briefly discussed above, a single cable 28 actuates the weight stack 24
 and controls the movement of the weight plates 32. The central portion 40
 of the cable 28 is passed over first and second central upper pulleys 42,
 44. The central upper pulleys 42, 44 are positioned adjacent the upper end
 of the weight stack 24, although the exact positioning of the central
 upper pulleys 42, 44 may be varied without departing from the spirit of
 the present invention.
 Opposite strands 46, 48 of the cable 28 then extend downwardly within the
 weight stack 24 to respectively engage first and second movement pulleys
 50, 52. The movement pulleys 50, 52 are attached to a coupling member 54
 directly attached to the stack of weight plates 32. In this way, upward
 movement of the movement pulleys 50, 52 causes the coupling member 54 to
 move upwardly, and ultimately lift the weight plates 24 against the force
 of gravity.
 The first and second strands 46, 48 then extend upwardly and respectively
 pass over first and second exit pulleys 56, 58. After passing over the
 exit pulleys 56, 58, and exiting the confines of the weight stack 24, the
 opposite strands 46, 48 extend downwardly until they enter the first and
 second extension arms 12, 14. Although a preferred orientation is
 disclosed for the various pulleys used in accordance with the present
 invention, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exact
 orientation of the pulleys may be varied without departing from the spirit
 of the present invention.
 The first and second extension arms 12, 14 are pivotally coupled to the
 base portion of the weight stack 24 and extend outwardly toward the
 central user support member 18, that is, parallel to the central user
 support member 18. Each extension arm 12, 14 pivots about a pivot axis and
 the pivot axes of the first and second extension arms 12, 14 are
 substantially aligned.
 The first and second extension arms 12, 14 are substantially identical and
 will now be described with reference to the first extension arm 12.
 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first extension arm 12 includes a first
 end 60 and a second end 62. The first extension arm 12 is pivotally
 coupled, at a position near the first end 60 of the extension arm 12, to a
 first side 64 of the weight stack 24 adjacent the base of the weight stack
 24 (the second extension arm 14 is pivotally coupled to the opposite
 second side 66 of the weight stack 24). In fact, the first extension arm
 12 is pivotally coupled in a manner allowing a user to select a desired
 orientation for the first extension arm 12 relative to the weight stack 24
 and to lock the extension arm 12 in place. Movement of the first extension
 arm 12 is controlled by the inclusion of a counterweight 68 at the first
 end 60 of the first extension arm 12.
 With reference to FIG. 3, the first extension arm 12 includes a locking
 hole 70. The locking hole 70 is located adjacent a pivot hole 72 through
 which a pivot pin 74 passes to pivotally couple the first extension arm 12
 to the weight stack 24. The locking hole 70 is aligned with a series of
 flange holes 76 formed on a semicircular flange 78 of the weight stack 24.
 The semicircular flange 78 is positioned substantially parallel to the
 plane in which the first extension arm 12 rotates as it moves relative to
 the weight stack 24.
 In practice, and as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, a
 locking pin 80 is passed though an aligned locking hole 70 and flange hole
 76 to lock the extension arm 12 at a desired angular orientation relative
 to the weight stack 24. When a user desires to change the angular
 orientation of the first extension arm 12, the locking pin 80 is simply
 removed and the locking hole 70 is aligned with another flange hole 76 at
 which time the locking pin 80 is once again inserted in position to lock
 the first extension arm 12 relative to the weight stack 24.
 The second end 62 of the first extension arm 12 is fitted with a pivoting
 pulley 82 which guides the first strand 46 of the cable 28 as it exits the
 first extension arm 12. With reference to the prior discussion regarding
 the pulley assembly employed in accordance with the present invention,
 once the first strand 46 of the cable 28 passes over the exit pulley 56
 and moves downwardly into engagement with the extension arm 12, the first
 strand 46 passes over a guide pulley 84 located at the first end 60 of the
 first extension arm 12. The first strand 46 of the cable 28 passes over
 the first guide pulley 84 and enters the tubular passageway formed in the
 first extension arm 12.
 Upon reaching the second end 62 of the first extension arm 12, the first
 strand 46 passes over the pivoting pulley 82 and is ready for engagement
 by a user of the present apparatus. The distal end of the first strand 46
 of the cable 28 may be fitted with a wide variety of handles 30 known to
 those skilled in the art.
 The pivoting pulley 82 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. Each pivoting
 pulley 82 includes a frame 86 with a central pivot 88 for rotatably
 supporting a pulley member 90. The frame 86 is formed so as to cover the
 pulley member 90 and thereby prevent undesired access with the pulley
 member 90 as the cable 28 passes thereover. The frame 86 is further
 provided with a counterweight 92 opposite the pulley member 90.
 The frame 86 further includes a cylindrical coupling member 94 shaped and
 dimensioned for pivotal attachment to the second end 62 of the first
 extension arm 12. The cylindrical coupling member 94 provides an opening
 through which the cable 28 passes as it extends from the extension arm 12
 toward the pulley member 90. In this way, the cable 28 passes along the
 axis about which the pivoting pulley 82 pivots relative to the extension
 arm 12 to provide greater freedom of motion as an individual attempts to
 draw the cable 28 in various directions during exercise.
 Since the pivoting pulley 82 permits a great degree of flexibility with
 regard to the angle at which the cable 28 is drawn from the extension arm
 12 the inclusion of the present pivoting pulleys 82 at the distal end of
 each extension arm 12, 14 greatly increases the flexibility of the present
 exercise apparatus.
 The respective ends of the first and second strands 46, 48 are each
 provided with stop members 96, 98. As those skilled in the art will
 readily appreciate, the stop members 96, 98 control motion of the single
 cable 28 to allow exercise by pulling the first strand 46 alone, the
 second strand alone 48, or both strands at the same time.
 In use, and after the first and second extension arms are properly
 positioned in a desired orientation, the use stands upon the central
 member, grips the handles secure to the ends of the respective strands and
 performs desired lifting exercises.
 With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, a cable crossover exercise apparatus 110 is
 disclosed. As with the functional lift exercise apparatus 10, the cable
 crossover exercise apparatus 110 includes a pair of extension arms 112,
 114 positioned to facilitate a wide range of lifting type exercises. In
 contrast to the functional lift exercise apparatus 10, and as will be
 discussed in greater detail below, the extension arms 112, 114 of the
 cable crossover 110 extend in opposite directions to provide the user with
 access to cable ends positioned for gripping when a user fully extends his
 or her arms outwardly in opposite directions.
 The cable crossover exercise apparatus 110 includes a base structure 116
 having a central support member 118 upon which a weight stack 124 is
 secured. In this way, the weight stack 124 forms the center of the cable
 crossover exercise apparatus 110 as the first and second extension arms
 112, 114 extend outwardly away from the weight stack 124 in opposite
 directions.
 As with the functional lift exercise apparatus 10, a single cable 128 links
 the user handles 130 to the weight stack 124. The cable 128 is run through
 a series of pulleys to provide a 4:1 load ratio for each handle. In this
 way, a four hundred pound weight stack may be moved by the application of
 one hundred pounds force at each handle 130 of the cable crossover 110
 (two hundred pounds total force when both handles are used
 simultaneously).
 With reference to FIG. 6, the weight stack 124 secured to the central
 support member 118 includes support frame 134 having vertical support
 members 136 aligned to support a stack of weight plates 132. The weight
 plates 132 are supported for movement up and down in a conventional
 manner. In fact, the pulley system, which is discussed below in greater
 detail, is used in lifting the weight plates 132. The weight stack 124 is
 covered by a protective sleeve 138 positioned thereabout.
 When force is applied by the user, the cable 128 lifts the stack of weight
 plates 132. The central portion 140 of the cable 128 is passed over first
 and second central upper pulleys 142, 144. The central upper pulleys 142,
 144 are positioned adjacent the upper end of the weight stack 124,
 although the exact positioning of the central upper pulleys 142, 144 may
 be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
 First and second strands 146, 148 of the cable 128 then extend downwardly
 within the weight stack 124 to respectively engage first and second
 movement pulleys 150, 152. The movement pulleys 150, 152 are attached to a
 coupling member 154 directly coupled to the stack of weight plates 132. In
 this way, upward movement of the movement pulleys 150, 152 causes the
 coupling member 154 to move upwardly, and ultimately lifts the weight
 plates 132 upwardly against the force of gravity.
 The first and second strands 146, 148 then extend upwardly and respectfully
 pass over first and second exit pulleys 156, 158. After passing over the
 exit pulleys 156, 158, and exiting the confines of the weight stack 124,
 the opposite strands 146, 148 extend downwardly until they enter the first
 and second extension arms 112, 114 which are discussed below in greater
 detail. Although a preferred orientation is disclosed for the various
 pulleys used in accordance with the present invention, those skilled in
 the art will readily understand that the exact orientation of the pulleys
 may be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
 The first and second extension arms 112, 114 are pivotally coupled to a
 central portion of the weight stack 124 and extend outwardly from the
 central support member 118. The first and second extension arms 112, 114
 respectively rotate about a first axis and a second axis, which are
 positioned to orient the first and second extension arms 112, 114 in an
 opposed relationship. Specifically, the first and second extension arm 112
 and 114 extend toward a user at a slight angle relative to a vertical
 plane in which the weight stack 124 lies. In this way, the ends of the
 extension arms 112, 114 are moved from the stack to improve user access to
 the present apparatus 110 while exercising. As those skilled in the art
 will readily appreciate, the exact angular orientation of the arms is not
 critical and may be varied slightly without departing from the spirit of
 present invention.
 The extension arms 112, 114 are substantially identical and will now be
 described with reference to the first extension arm 112. The first
 extension arm 112 includes a first end 160 and a second end 162. In
 accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each
 the first arm 112 is approximately 32 inches from pivot point 174 to the
 end of the table, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that
 the length of the first extension arm 112 may be varied slightly without
 departing from the spirit of the present invention.
 The first extension arm 112 is pivotally coupled, at a position near the
 first end 160 of the extension arm 112, to a semicircular flange assembly
 178 secured to the front of weight stack 124. The semicircular flange
 assembly 178 includes a pair of opposed flat plates and is mounted to lie
 within the plane in which the first extension arm 112 rotates as it moves
 relative to the weight stack 124. Movement of the first extension arm 112
 is controlled by the inclusion of a counterweight 168 at the first end 160
 of the first extension arm 112.
 The first extension arm 112 is pivotally coupled in a manner allowing a
 user to select a desired orientation for the extension arm 112 and lock
 the extension arm 112 in place. Specifically, the first extension arm 112
 includes a locking hole 170 located adjacent a pivot hole 172 through
 which a pivot pin 174 passes to pivotally couple the first extension arm
 112 to the semicircular flange assembly 178, and ultimately, the weight
 stack 124. The locking hole 170 is aligned with a series of flange holes
 176 formed in the semicircular flange assembly 178 of the weight stack
 124.
 In practice, and as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, a
 locking pin 180 is passed though an aligned locking hole 170 and flange
 hole 176 to lock the first extension arm 112 at a desired angular
 orientation relative to the weight stack 124. When a user desires to
 change the angular orientation of the first extension arm 112, the locking
 pin 180 is simply removed and the locking hole 170 is aligned with another
 flange hole 176 at which time the locking pin 180 is once again inserted
 in position to lock the first extension arm 112 relative to the weight
 stack 124.
 The second end 162 of the first extension arm 112 is fitted with a pivoting
 pulley 182 to guide the first strand 146 of the cable 128 as it exits the
 first extension arm 112. With reference to the prior discussion regarding
 the pulley assembly employed in accordance with the present invention,
 once the first strand 146 of the cable 128 pass over the exit pulley 156
 and moves downwardly into engagement with the first extension arm 112, the
 first strand passes over a guide pulley 184 located at the first end 160
 of the first extension arm 112. The first strand 146 of the cable 128
 passes over the first guide pulley 184 and enters the tubular passageway
 formed in the first extension arm 112.
 In an attempt to reduce the tightening or loosening of the cable 128 as the
 first extension arm 112 is rotated, the first guide pulley 184 is
 positioned to ensure that the cable tension does not vary as the extension
 arm 112 is rotated. Specifically, and with reference to FIG. 9, the first
 guide pulley 184 is positioned to ensure that A:D=A:F=A:H.
 Upon reaching the second end 162 of the first extension arm 112, the first
 strand 146 passes over the pivoting pulley 182 and is ready for engagement
 by a user of the present apparatus 110. The distal end of each strand 146,
 148 of the cable 112 may be fitted with a wide variety of handles 130
 known to those skilled in the art.
 The pivoting pulley 182 is substantially the same as that disclosed in FIG.
 4 and discussed above in substantial detail. Since the pivoting pulley 182
 permits a great degree of flexibility with regard to the angle at which
 the cable 128 is drawn from the first extension arm 112, the inclusion of
 the present pivoting pulley 182 at the distal end of each extension arm
 112, 114 greatly increases the flexibility of the present exercise
 apparatus.
 The respective ends of the first and second strands 146, 148 are each
 provided with stop members 196, 198. As those skilled in the art will
 readily appreciate, the stop members 196, 198 control motion of the single
 cable to allow exercise by pulling the first strand 146 alone, the second
 strand 148 alone, or both strands at the same time.
 In use, and after the extension arms are properly positioned in a desired
 orientation, the user stands in front of the weight stack, grips the
 handles secure to the ends of the respective strands and performs desired
 lifting exercises.
 While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be
 understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such
 disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and
 alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the
 invention as defined in the appended claims.