Abstract:
A multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    Multi functional physical exercise apparati have been designed in the past to incorporate a variety of different subassemblies into a single machine which enable the user to perform a variety of different exercises different for each subassembly. Such conventional multi functional exercise machines provide a limited number of available exercise routines which themselves are limited in the ranges and types of motions that the user may perform.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise apparati generally and more particularly to an exercise apparatus which enables multiple exercise routines in various positions to exercise various muscles or muscle groups at a single station. The apparatus comprises a central support which anchors at least one and typically at least two arm members which are fixedly attached to the support in a spaced apart relationship such that a user/subject may, at a single location or station, engage a grip or handle provided at the end of each arm, the grip or handle being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such as a weight stack or a free weight.  
           [0003]    The arm(s) are connected to the support in such a manner as to enable the arm(s) to be both rotated and pivoted/tilted. Typically, the arm(s) are rotatable between zero and 180 degree positions in increments (such as increments of twenty degrees) and, typically, the arm(s) are pivotable between zero and forty-five degrees in increments (such as increments of fifteen degrees), wherein the incremental rotation and pivot positions are selectable and reversibly lockable into such incrementally located rotated and pivoted positions by the user.  
           [0004]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.  
           [0005]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted first and second elongated arm mechanisms for pivoting about first and second pivot axes, the arm mechanisms each extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the second elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism having a second end interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull at least one of the handle mechanisms against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.  
           [0006]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame having a pair of opposing sides and a front face, wherein at least one elongated arm mechanism is mounted on the frame mechanism for rotation about an axis extending forwardly from the front face, the arm mechanism extending forwardly from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the front face, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.  
           [0007]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the elongated arm mechanism being mounted to a rotatable member which rotates around the generally horizontal axis, the rotatable member being interconnected to a rotation damping mechanism, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the first end of the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.  
           [0008]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the elongated arm mechanism being mounted to a rotatable member which rotates around the generally horizontal axis, the rotatable member being interconnected to a tension member which opposes rotation of the rotatable member.  
           [0009]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary support mounted on a mounting surface, at least one arm mechanism, one end of the arm being fixedly interconnected to the support at a selected height above the mounting surface, the one end of the arm being coupled to the support such that the arm is both rotatable and pivotable relative to the support, wherein the arm has another distal end which is stationarily positionable in a plurality of selected exercise positions via one or both of rotation and pivoting of the arm.  
           [0010]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, a multiple exercise performance apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame having at least one elongated arm mechanism mounted on the frame mechanism for rotation about an axis extending outwardly from the frame, the arm mechanism extending outwardly from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the first elongated arm mechanism, and a second terminal end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.  
           [0011]    In accordance with the invention there is provided, in a multiple exercise positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright support having an elongated arm mechanism pivotably and rotatably mounted to the upright support wherein the elongated arm mechanism has a cable interconnected between a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm and a weight resistance mechanism which is actuated by pulling on the handle, a method of performing any one of a selected number of differently positioned or oriented exercises with the apparatus comprising positioning the elongated arm in a selected position of rotation around an axis of rotation of the arm, positioning the elongated arm in a selected position of pivot about an axis of pivot of the arm, manually pulling on the handle so as to exert an opposing force to the weight resistance mechanism through the cable. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The accompanying pictures/drawings depict and disclose examples of the invention and examples of various positions and uses of the invention wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of an apparatus according to the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is front cut-away view of the FIG. 1 apparatus showing the pair of pivotable/rotatable handle positioning arms in selected rotated and pivoted positions and showing the cabling interconnection arrangement with several incremental weight plates in a weight stack being lifted by the pulled out cable from the end of one of the arms;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the FIG. 1 apparatus along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 2, showing the right side pivotable/rotatable arm in an upwardly pivoted position and the weight lifting handle pulled out a certain length resulting in lifting of a certain number of incremental weight plates from the weight stack;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 shows a detail of the relative positioning of the cable and pulley mounted at the pivot position of the right arm of the apparatus in the position of FIG. 3;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a top view along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 4;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the apparatus shown in the position of FIG. 1 showing the details of the rotatable mounting of the pivotable/rotatable arms and the cabling and pulley arrangement interconnections between the handles and the weight stack;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the cabling independent of the frame and arms structures where the handles of both arms are pulled out from the distal ends of the arms;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the cabling independent of the frame and arm structures where the handle of one arm is pulled out and the handle of the of the other arm is not pulled out from the distal end of the arm.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 shows a functional trainer or multi-exercise function apparatus  10  according to the invention comprising a pair of right  20  and left  30  arms which are both pivotable respectively around axes  42 ,  40  and both rotatable respectively around axes  50  and  60 . As shown axes  40  and  42  are collinear/coaxial but do not necessarily need to be collinear or coaxial. The apparatus has a front face  70  in front of which the user normally stands or is otherwise positioned when using the apparatus  10  so as to have manual access to the handles  80 ,  90  held at the distal ends  100 ,  110  of each arm  20 ,  30  respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the arms  20 ,  30  extend forwardly from the front face  70  from a pivot end  120 ,  130  which is/are proximal to the front face  70  to the distal ends  100 ,  110  which are forwardly extending relative to the face  70 ; and the arms  20 ,  30  are rotatable in semi-circular arcs  140 ,  150  around axes  50 ,  60  which project forwardly of the frontal face  70 . As can be readily imagined when the arms are pivoted in a position out of vertical as shown in FIG. 1 for example, the arms  20 ,  30  will travel through a half conical path when rotated fully through the semicircular arcs  140 ,  150 . The upright frame elements,  160 ,  170 , FIG. 6, on which the arms  20 ,  30  are rotatably mounted and the cover  180  and other components are generally mounted are themselves mounted or rigidly attached to leg supports  200 ,  210  which are seated on the ground as shown.  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 2, each arm  20 ,  30  may be rotated around its rotation axis  50 ,  60  into locked rotated positions/increments. As shown in FIG. 2, arm  30  is lockable into rotated positions  149  through  159  which are in  20  degree arcuate increments along the entire  180  degree arcuate travel  150  of arm  30 . The arms may be locked into any incremental arcuate positions and such locked positions may be of any selected incremental size or degree and may be incrementally the same or different from each other. In the embodiment shown, the locked positions are enabled by bushings  270  which are stationarily attached to frame uprights  160 ,  170  having incrementally spaced apertures  149   a,    151   a  et seq., FIG. 1, which correspond to angular positions  149 - 159 , FIG. 2 (apertures corresponding to positions  153 - 159  not labeled/shown in FIG. 1). A pin  181 , FIGS. 1, 3,  4 , which is spring  282  loaded and mounted on rotatable axle flange  300 , FIGS. 1, 4, is manually insertable into any of the apertures (e.g.  149   a,    151   a ) in the flanged portion  270  of cylindrical bushing  272 , the apertures in flange  270  corresponding to positions  149 - 159 , by manually pulling backwardly on the head of the pin  181 , releasing the pin and allowing the pin to be spring  282  force inserted into a selected aperture thus locking the rotation position of the rotatable axle  301  around axis  50  into a selected angular position. As shown in FIG. 4, the forwardly extending arm  20  with end portion  24  is pivotably attached at pivot axis  42  to bracket  23  which is in turn fixedly attached to or integrally formed together with the flange portion  300  of the rotatable axle  301 . Axle  301  is rotatably mounted within fixedly attached bushing  272  by any conventional mechanism, e.g. by a rotation enabling bearing  25  interposed between the outer surface of axle  301  and the inner surface of fixedly mounted bushing  272 , FIG. 4. The cylindrically shaped axle  301  is thus attached to arm  20  via bracket  23  as shown in FIG. 5 and arm  20  is thus rotatable around axis  50  by rotation of axle  301  within bushing  272 .  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 , arm  20  is pivotable and lockable into incremental arcs around pivot axis  42 , e.g. into incremental angular positions  330 ,  331 ,  332 , FIG. 3, which correspond to the locking of pin  310 , FIG. 5, into incremental angular apertures  320 ,  321 ,  322  As can be readily imagined, the number, size and degree of the incremental arcuate positions and apertures provided for pivoting movement of arms  20 ,  30  can be varied and selected to be of any desired value. A user can change the pivot position of an arm  240 ,  250  by pulling outwardly on the exposed head of pin  310  to disengage the inner end of the pin  310  from an aperture,  320 ,  321 ,  322 , manually pivoting an arm around an axis  40  or  42  to a position where the pin is in axial alignment with a desired aperture  320 ,  321 ,  322  and releasing the head of the pin  310  allowing the spring  311 , FIG. 5, to snap the tip end of the pin into engagement within the desired pivot position aperture. Preferably the weight of the arms  20 ,  30  is selected to allow the user to readily pivot the arms  20 ,  30  to any desired pivot position around axes  40 ,  42  and to further facilitate such manual pivoting, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, shock absorber or the like  350 , FIG. 3 is provided between mounting bracket  23  and arm  20 ,  30  so as to counterbalance or at least lessen any torque force exerted by the weight of an arm  20 ,  30  around the pivot axes  40 ,  42 .  
         [0024]    As shown by FIGS.  1 - 6 , arms  20 ,  30  can be rotated and pivoted about axes  50 ,  60  and  40 ,  42  such that the distal ends  100 ,  110  of the arms and their associated handles  80 ,  90  can be positioned closer to or further away from the face  70  of the apparatus  10  in a wide variety of upward, sideward and downward positions thus enabling the user to self create or choose an exercise for any desired muscle or muscle group, e.g. a pull down exercise where the handles are positioned as shown in FIG. 1, or a pull up exercise when the arms are rotated to a downward position, or a rowing or pull in exercise when the arms are pivoted to a more horizontally disposed position. As can be readily imagined, the arms  20 ,  30  can be positioned to virtually limitless positions for creating an exercise of the user&#39;s choice/selection. The handles  80 ,  90  can be engaged by the user&#39;s foot/feet, head, elbow, etc. when positioned appropriately relative to the position of the user&#39;s body on the ground or other implement such as a bench on which the user may sit or lie to perform a chest press or sit up or leg or calf press or other exercise as the user may select.  
         [0025]    Incidental rotation of the arms  20 ,  30  when residing in any given position of rotation is controlled by a safety tension mechanism. As shown in the embodiments in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the rotation axle  301  is provided with a flange plate  261 , FIGS. 2, 4, to which is rotatably attached a link  260  which is attached to a cable  251  which is routed around a pulley  252 , FIG. 2, which is attached to a stretchable spring  250  which is connected to the frame member  165 . When an arm is in a zero rotation torque position, position  149 , such as when the arms are in the positions shown in FIG. 1, the flange plate  261  is not rotated around axis  60  and spring or tension member  240  is in a minimum stretch or tension state. In the minimum stretch state, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2 with respect to spring  240 , the spring is nevertheless stretched to a certain degree and under tension in the minimum zero torque position of plate  261  so that the arm  20  is held in a steady state position under the tension of tension member  240  or  250  as the case may be. When an arm is rotated out of the zero torque position, e.g. in position of arm  30  shown in FIG. 2, the tension member  250  is further stretched and the tension increased somewhat relative to the minimum stretch position to account for the added rotational torque force exerted by the weight of an arm  20 ,  30  through axle  301  to plate  261 . Preferably the added tension which the tension member  240 ,  250  undergoes throughout the entirety of the complete arc of rotation of plate  261  is small relative to the maximum tension which the tension member is capable of withstanding or exerting. Preferably the tension which the tension member  240 ,  250  exerts through to the plate  261  against rotation of an arm  20 ,  30  in any given position of rotation of plate  261  along arc  150  is less than about ten percent of the maximum tension or upper tension limit value of the tension member. In any event, when an arm is rotated to any position along arc  150  and in any pivot position along arc  333 , the tension exerted by the tension member  240 ,  250  is sufficient to hold the arm in whatever rotated and pivoted position in which it may be residing at the moment, i.e. the weight of the arm  20 ,  30  and the rotation torque force which the arm may exert on axle  301  in any given rotation and pivot position, is counterbalanced by the opposing tension in tension member  240 ,  250  such that arm is held in such position and will not drift downwardly or upwardly in the absence of the user&#39;s applying a manual or other torque rotation force to an arm. Preferably a user may easily and smoothly rotate an arm to any desired position of rotation against the rotation controlling tension force exerted by the tension member.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 shows a cabling arrangement for interconnecting the handles  80 ,  90  to the weight resistance mechanism  380 . As shown, a single flexible cable  390  is connected between the handles  80 ,  90 , the cable  390  being routed through the arms  20 ,  30  and through/past the pivot positions where the pivot axes  40 ,  42  are located. The single cable  390  is further routed around a series of pulleys  391 - 399  which are all mounted such that when either handle  80 ,  90  is pulled outwardly from the distal ends of the arms, the cable  390  necessarily pulls downwardly on pulley  395  which is connected to a second cable  410  which is routed around pulleys  411 ,  412  and interconnected at its distal end  415  to the frame member  178 . As pulley  395  is pulled downwardly, pulley  412  is pulled upwardly. Pulley  412  is connected to the weight resistance mechanism  380  and, when pulley  412  is pulled upwardly, the weight resistance mechanism  380  is pulled upwardly along with pulley  412  via the weight bearing rod  287 , FIG. 2, thus creating the opposing force to the user&#39;s pulling on one or both of the handles. As can be readily imagined and shown in FIG. 7, both handles can be pulled outwardly at the same time, both such pulling motions,  425 ,  426  resulting in a simultaneous downward pulling  418 ,  419  on pulley  395  and concomitant lifting  417  of pulley  412 . Similarly, pulling  435 , FIG. 8, on a single handle results in downward pulling force  421  on pulley  395 . As shown, all of the routing pulleys for the single cable  390  which extend between the handles, i.e. pulleys  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394  and  396 ,  397 ,  398 ,  399  and the routing pulley  411  are connected or anchored to a stationary component of the apparatus. Pulleys  395  and  412  are floating enabling upward pulling of the weight resistance mechanism  380 .  
         [0027]    As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 the terminal ends of the cable  390  are provided with stops  500  attached to cable  390 . Follower pulleys  420  are also mounted on the ends  100 ,  110  of arms  20 ,  30  so as to cooperate with pulleys  391  to provide an interference mechanism for stops  500  thus limiting the backward movement of the terminal ends of cable  390  (to which the handles  80 ,  90  are attached) beyond the position of pulleys  391 ,  420  and  399 ,  420 .  
         [0028]    The weight resistance mechanism  380  shown in the embodiment of the Figures comprises a stack of incremental weights any selected number of which a user can interconnect to pulley  412  before beginning an exercise, e.g. by inserting a pin through a lateral aperture which is provided in each of the incremental weights in the stack and continuing through a complementarily aligned aperture provided in the rod  287 , FIG. 2, for each incremental weight, the weight bearing rod  287  being interconnected to pulley  412 . Other weight resistance mechanisms can be provided such as free weights, a high tension springs, a high tension stretch or compression member, a force resistance rotating mechanism, a container fillable with a selected amount of fluid or the like.  
         [0029]    The horizontal foot supports  210 ,  200  are rigidly connected to the upright frame supports  160 ,  170  at a generally right angle and have a length extending from the point of connection  515 , FIG. 6 selected to safely oppose any rotating torque force around the point of connection  515  that might tend to tip the upright supports  160 ,  170  over.