Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/395,194, filed Sep. 14, 1999, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,323. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the functional lift exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the functional lift exercise apparatus along the line  2 — 2  in FIG. 1 with the weight stack shown in partial cross section; 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the first end of the extension arm; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pivoting pulley; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the cable crossover exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the cable crossover exercise apparatus with the weight stack shown in partial cross section; 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the flange assembly of the cable crossover exercise apparatus; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the cable crossover exercise apparatus; and 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic showing the relative orientation of cable a guide pulley. 
    
    
     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.