PATENT ABSTRACT
An exercise apparatus includes a frame with a pair of vertical guides. A carriage is slidably carried on each of the guides. Each of the carriages has a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism. A horizontal exercise bar is slidably carried on guide rods. First and second cables are coupled to a selectable exercise resistance, each of the cables having an end selectively coupled to either the respective carriage or to a respective bracket at the end of the exercise bar. Secondary brackets on the exercise bar are configured to engage respective ones of the carriage releases and grab the carriage so as to selectively engage and disengage the locking mechanisms upon axial rotation of the exercise bar and raise and lower the carriages with the exercise bar.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 13/915,478 filed Jun. 11, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/229,175 filed Sep. 9, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,100. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to an exercise device having what is commonly known as a Smith bar, wherein exercise resistance is provided by a selectable weight stack, rather than free weights. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Exercise equipment having a cable and pulley system for lifting a stack of weights has been in use for well over a century. Such equipment comes in a wide variety of designs for performing various exercises. Some have adjustable pulley locations where a handle is attached to a cable for pulling without a defined path of movement. Equipment of this type is often referred to as a functional trainer. One type of such exercise equipment, exemplified, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,504, is particularly suited for upper body exercises. This apparatus has an elongated upstanding frame and a carriage that is movable up and down along vertical posts of the frame. The carriage includes one or more pulleys around which a cable is reeved. The cable is further reeved around upper and/or lower pulleys on the frame and is coupled to a source of exercise resistance, such as a plurality of stacked weights. The cable exits the pulley on the carriage and is connected to a handle or similar pulling device. The height of the handle is readily adjustable by moving the carriage on the vertical posts and locking it into position at the selected height. This permits a wide variety of exercises to be performed for exercising muscle groups of the arms and upper body. The amount of exercise resistance is adjusted by selecting more or fewer stacked weights. The range of available exercise resistance is thus determined by the quantity of available weights. 
         [0006]    Another type of exercise apparatus is often referred to as a Smith machine. This device consists of a barbell that is fixed within a pair steel rails, which limit the barbell to only vertical movement. Behind each vertical rail is a series of slots or holes on which the barbell can be hooked. This means that the barbell can be secured at any point, unlike an ordinary barbell that must be re-racked after a set of repetitions. This makes a Smith machine safer for those who lift without a spotter, as one only needs to twist the wrist in order to lock the barbell in place in the event that the weight becomes too great. Most Smith machines also incorporate blocks, pegs, or other devices that can be adjusted to automatically stop the barbell at a predetermined minimum height. Unlike a free-weight barbell, the bar on a Smith machine does not move forward, backward or sideways to any appreciable extent. Because lifting on a Smith machine requires less stabilization by the lifter, lifters can usually lift more weight with a Smith machine than with a free-weight barbell. Conventional Smith machines still utilize free weights loaded onto the bar as the source of exercise resistance. Free weights are not only cumbersome to move and store, but also present severe safety hazards. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable to include a Smith bar as part of a multi-purpose functional trainer and to utilize a selectable weight stack for exercise resistance with the Smith bar rather than free weights. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an apparatus for communicating exercise resistance comprising a carriage assembly with at least one upper and at least one lower pulley. First and second cable ends are reeved around the upper and lower pulleys, respectively, and are coupled to a source of selectable exercise resistance. An exercise member is selectively coupled to the two cable ends such that movement of the exercise member away from the carriage is subject to a first exercise resistance when only one of the cable ends is attached and is subject to a second, greater exercise resistance when both cable ends are attached. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a pulley on a first carriage assembly has a cable end extending from the pulley and another cable end removably attached to the carriage.. The cable ends are coupled to a source of selectable exercise resistance. The cable end extending from the pulley may be used with exercise handles or bars. An exercise member is associated with a second carriage assembly above or below the first carriage assembly. The cable end extending from the pulley can attach to the second carriage to provide a first exercise resistance to the exercise member. If more resistance is desired, the cable end attached to the first carriage may be removed from the first carriage and attached to the second carriage, providing a greater resistance. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, an exercise apparatus includes a frame with a pair of vertical guide rods. A carriage is slidably carried on each of the guide rods. Each of the carriages has a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism. A horizontal exercise bar (a Smith bar) is slidably carried on the guide rods. First and second cables are coupled to a selectable exercise resistance, each of the cables having an end selectively coupled to either the respective carriage or to a respective bracket at the end of the Smith bar. This arrangement allows exercises performed with the Smith bar to utilize the selectable exercise resistance rather than free weights. Actuator brackets on the Smith bar are configured to engage respective ones of the carriage releases so as to selectively engage and disengage the locking mechanisms upon axial rotation of the Smith bar or by hand actuated releases on the Smith bar. The actuator brackets on the Smith bar may be further configured to selectively engage and disengage an overhead frame member upon axial rotation of the bar so that the bar can be stored overhead. The exercise apparatus may further include third and fourth cables coupled to the exercise resistance, each of these cables having an end coupled to a pull point on the first and second pulley carriages, respectively. The brackets on the Smith bar are configured for selective attachment of respective ends of the third and fourth cables. Attaching these cable ends to the Smith bar increases the exercise resistance. In this embodiment, the carriages and the horizontal exercise bar may be on the same guide rods or separate guides so long as the cables can attach to both and the actuator brackets on the horizontal exercise bar are configured to engage a respective lock and release on the carriages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates the cable and pulley arrangement of the exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a carriage assembly and cable bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of an exercise apparatus incorporating another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is another view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is another view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is another view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus incorporating another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the Smith bar of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  in a stowed condition. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the Smith bar of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  after being released from a stowed condition. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of exercise resistance being applied to a movable carriage on the apparatus of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of exercise resistance being applied to the Smith bar of the apparatus of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a detailed view of increased exercise resistance being applied to the Smith bar of the apparatus of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
         [0025]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , exercise apparatus  10  has a frame comprising a central upright  12 , top member  14 , base member  16  and legs  18  and  20 . Footplate  22  is attached between legs  18  and  20 . A lat bar assembly  24  is attached to top member  14 . Selector tubes  26 ,  28  are attached between lat bar assembly  24  and leg  18  and between lat bar assembly  24  and leg  20 , respectively. 
         [0026]    Backrest cushion  30  is attached to central upright  12 , as are right handlebar assembly  32  and left handlebar assembly  34 . Arm cushions  36 ,  38  are attached to handlebar assemblies  32 ,  34 , respectively. 
         [0027]    Carriage assembly  40  is slidably mounted on selector tube  26  and may be positioned at any desired height by means of pull pin  41  engaging with one of a plurality of holes (not shown) in the selector tube. Carriage assembly  42  is similarly slidably mounted on selector tube  28 . A variety of weight resistance exercises may be performed using handles  44  and  46  that are operatively associated with carriage assemblies  40  and  42 , respectively, as more fully described below. Exercise resistance is furnished by a selectorized weight stack  48 . A shroud  49  may partially enclose weight stack  48 . 
         [0028]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the cable and pulley arrangement of apparatus  10  will be described. Looking to the right side of the figure, pulleys  52 R and  54 R are rotatably mounted on carriage assembly  40 . The two ends of cable  50 R are reeved around these two pulleys and are coupled to handle  44 , as will be explained below. Continuing up from pulley  52 R, cable  50 R is reeved around a fixed high pulley  56 R and then around another high fixed pulley  58 R. Cable  50 R then travels downwardly around floating pulley  60 R and then upwardly around high fixed pulley  62 R. Cable  50 R continues down around low fixed pulley  64 R and then around low fixed pulley  66 R. From there, cable  50 R travels upwardly and is reeved around pulley  54 R. The cable and pulley arrangement on the left side of the apparatus is a mirror image of that just described. 
         [0029]    Cable  68  is attached to floating pulley  60 R and travels down and around low fixed pulley  70 R. Cable  68  then travels upwardly and around high fixed pulley  72 R and then back down and around pulley  74  on the top of weight stack  48 . Again, the left side of the apparatus is a mirror image with cable  68  travelling upwardly from pulley  74 , around high fixed pulley  72 L, then downwardly and around low fixed pulley  70 L, and then upwardly to where it is attached to floating pulley  60 L. 
         [0030]    From  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that pulling on either end of cable  50 R, or on either end of cable  50 L, will be resisted by one-fourth of the weight of weight stack  48 . Pulling on both ends of cable  50 R simultaneously, or on both ends of cable  50 L simultaneously, will be resisted by one-half of the weight of weight stack  48 . 
         [0031]    Details of right side carriage assembly  40  are shown in  FIG. 3 . It will be understood that left side carriage assembly  42  is a mirror image of assembly  40 . A first end  76  of cable  50 R exits between a first upper pulley  52 R on carriage assembly  40  and a first lower pulley  78 R. Similarly, a second end  80  of cable  50 R exits between a second upper pulley  82 R and a second lower pulley  54 R. The first end  76  of cable  50 R is inserted through ball stop  84  and is secured to bracket  86  by bolt  88 . The second end  80  of cable  50 R has a small ball fitting  90  that may be inserted into slot  92  of bracket  86 . If the second end  80  is not secured to the bracket  86 , it is retained between pulleys  82 R and  54 R by ball stop  94 . Handle  44  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is coupled to a bracket  86 . As previously explained, the first end  76  of cable  50 R is secured to bracket  86 , so that pulling on the handle will draw out cable  50 R from between pulleys  52 R and  78 R. Pulling in this manner will be resisted by one-quarter of the weight of weight stack  48 . If ball  90  is inserted into slot  92 , thereby securing the second end  80  of cable  50 R to bracket  86 , pulling on handle  44  will be resisted by one-half of the weight of weight stack  48 . When using one cable end (¼ resistance), the user gets twice the amount of cable travel as when using both cable ends (½ resistance). Functional exercises that simulate body movements of sports activities movements require more travel, whereas traditional training exercises such as lat pull downs require more resistance. 
         [0032]    In a variation of the above-described embodiment, the carriage assemblies could each have two pulleys instead of four. In this case, it would be preferred that the two pulleys would be slightly offset from each other axially so that the cable from either pulley would clear the other pulley during use. In this variation, the upper end of the cable would be reeved around the upper pulley and the lower end of the cable would be reeved around the lower pulley. For example, this could be accomplished by modifying carriage assembly  40  shown in  FIG. 3  to omit pulleys  78 R and  82 R. Suitable cable guides or brackets could then be provided to interface with ball sops  84  and  94  to prevent the cable ends from slipping past pulleys  52 R and  54 R. As in the previously described embodiment, each cable end could be used independently or together to achieve a desired resistance ratio. 
         [0033]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 . A first carriage assembly  102  has a pair of pulleys  104 ,  106  rotatably mounted thereon. First cable end  108  exits between pulleys  104  and  106  and may be coupled to a handle  110  or a bar (not shown) for performing various exercises. The first carriage assembly  102  is adjustable up and down a slider shaft  112  and is lockable at various positions along the slider shaft. A second carriage assembly  114  is disposed on slider shaft  112  above the first carriage assembly  102 . The second carriage assembly  114  has an exercise press bar  116  associated with it. A second cable end  118  is releasably attached to eye  120  on the second carriage assembly  114 . The second carriage assembly slides up and down the slider shaft and may be locked in a stowed position at the top of the slider shaft when not in use as shown in  FIG. 5 . It should be understood that an exercise apparatus incorporating this embodiment of the invention will preferably have two of the previously described arrangements—one each for the left and right sides of the body. 
         [0034]    When using the press bar  116  associated with the second carriage assembly, the second carriage assembly  114  is lowered from its stowed position at the top of the slider shaft and rested on top of the first carriage assembly  102 . Attaching the first cable end to eye  122  on the second carriage assembly  114  with the second cable end attached to eye  124  on the first carriage assembly  102  as shown in  FIG. 6  provides a first exercise resistance to the press bar. Attaching the second cable end to eye  120  on the second carriage assembly as shown in  FIG. 7  provides a second, greater resistance to the press bar. 
         [0035]    The configuration shown in  FIGS. 4-7  could be reversed with the second carriage assembly located below the first carriage assembly, in which case an exercise bar attached to the second carriage assembly could be used as a pull bar. In this case, the stowed position for the second carriage assembly would be at the bottom of the slider shaft. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exercise apparatus  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Apparatus  200  is a functional trainer with multiple pull points for performing a wide variety of exercises. Two wide, adjustable pull points  201 L and  201 R, shown here with D-handles, are provided on carriages  202 L and  202 R, respectively. The pull points are coupled to respective selectable weight stacks  204 L and  204 R by paired cable and pulley systems similar to those used on apparatus  10  described above. The carriages are vertically slidable on vertical members  212 L and  212 R, respectively, and include a sleeve that encircles guide rods  206 L and  206 R, respectively. The carriages may be locked at a desired height by means of respective release levers  208 , which couple to pins (not shown) that engage holes  210  in vertical members  212 L and  212 R. 
         [0037]    When carriages  202 L and  202 R are positioned at a mid height, pull points  201 L and  201 R may be used to perform such exercises as standing chest presses, incline presses, decline presses, flys and close grip presses. When the carriages are positioned low, near the bottom of guide rods  206 L and  206 R, pull points  201 L and  201 R can be used to perform exercises such as shoulder presses, squats, bicep curl, lateral raise and front delt. When the carriages are positioned high on the guide rods, these pull points can be used to perform a wide lat pull down. 
         [0038]    Apparatus  200  includes a Smith bar  220 . As will be explained more fully below, the Smith bar can be coupled to the weight stacks  204 L and  204 R to perform exercises commonly performed on conventional Smith machines, such as squats, dead lifts, bench press, incline press, shoulder press, decline press and upright row. Coupling the selectable weight stacks to the Smith bar eliminates the need to use free weights, as is the case with conventional Smith machines. 
         [0039]    When not in use, the Smith bar  220  is stowed on overhead pulley support members  222 L and  222 R by means of secondary brackets  224 L and  224 R, each of which functions as a catch to engage respective pins  226  on the pulley support members as seen in  FIG. 9 . An additional safety lock can be swiveled under the Smith bar to prevent falling if the Smith bar is accidentally rotated. The Smith bar  220  rotates axially just like a conventional Smith bar and may be removed from its stowed position by rotating the bar to disengage the secondary brackets from pins  226  as seen in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0040]    To perform exercises with the Smith bar, carriages  202 L and  202 R are first brought to a mid position at equal heights on guide rods  206 L and  206 R. The Smith bar is then removed from its stowed position and brought down to the carriages. Cable ends  228 L and  228 R, which are normally hooked onto the respective carriages as seen in FIG.  11 , are unhooked from the carriages and slid over to hook onto the Smith bar end brackets  225 L and  225 R as seen in  FIG. 12 , thereby coupling the Smith bar to the weight stacks. Secondary brackets  224 L and  224 R attached to the Smith bar function as release actuators to engage the carriage release levers  208  so that rotating the bar allows the carriages to move up and down on the guide rods using the Smith bar to move them. This release, move and lock feature allows the carriages to work as a safety when performing exercises such as squats. The bar and carriages are first lowered to a desired safety position. Then the bar is rotated to release the levers  208  and lock the carriages in place. The selected exercise weights remain attached to the bar by virtue of the cable ends  228 L and  228 R being hooked onto the bar end brackets  225 L and  225 R. When done exercising, the bar is brought back down to pick up the carriages. The exerciser then stands up and allows the carriages to lock into place. The Smith bar may then be left with the carriages or brought to the top and stored on pins  226 . An additional safety lock may be engaged with the Smith bar when stored. 
         [0041]    As with the exercise apparatuses described above in connection with  FIGS. 1-7 , apparatus  200  incorporates a weight multiplier for doubling the exercise resistance applied to Smith bar  220 . To engage the weight multiplier, the cable ends  230 L and  230 R of pull points  201 L and  201 R are attached to bar end brackets  225 L and  225 R, respectively, as seen in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0042]    It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.