Abstract:
An exercise machine includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame; a backrest mounted to the frame above the seat, the seat and backrest being configured to receive a seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally parallel first and second axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the movement arms is configured to engage at least one of the elbows, forearms and hands of the user and is movable, within a range of motion plane that is generally normal to the first and second axes of rotation, between an extended position and a flexed position. The range of motion plane forms an angle of between about 30 and 80 degrees with the backrest.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/299,676, filed 20 Jun. 2001, entitled “Weight Training Machine for Exercising the Upper Chest Muscles.” 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise machines, and more specifically to exercise machines that exercise the chest muscles of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Exercise devices, and in particular weight training machines, typically include one or more mechanical members that the user repeatedly moves along a prescribed path for exercise. Conventionally, movement of the mechanical member is resisted in some fashion (often by weights) to render the movement more difficult and thereby intensify the exercise. The movement of the mechanical member determines what muscle or muscle groups are to be involved in the exercise. 
     One popular exercise movement for weight training is the so-called “pec fly” motion, in which an exerciser moves his arms from an extended position, in which the arms extend sideways from the shoulder, to a flexed position, in which the arms are moved in front of the chest. This exercise movement tends to work, inter alia, the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, and serratus anterior muscles of the upper body. 
     Some pec fly machines include a frame, a seat that is mounted to the frame, and a pair of movement arms that are pivotally mounted to the frame. The user sits on the seat, extends his upper arms sideways from his shoulders, engages the movement arms with his elbows, forearms, or hands, and moves his upper arms (and, in turn, the movement arms) to the flexed position in front of his chest. This movement is resisted by weights or other resistance system. 
     In a typical pec fly machine, the user is seated and the movement arms pivot such that the plane of motion of the user&#39;s arms generally parallel to the plane defined by the user&#39;s shoulders. This movement is carried out by flexure of the pectoralis major, a fan-shaped muscle, the wider end of which is attached to the sternum. The portion of the pectoralis major that experiences the brunt of the exercise is that portion that is generally parallel with the plane of motion. As a result, the plane of motion of the typical pec fly machine described above described above can provide exercise for the upper portion of the pectoralis major, but typically does not not provide intense exercise for the lower portion of the pectoralis major (which is typically the thicker and more massive portion of the muscle). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pec fly machine that can enable a user to exercise the lower portion of the pectoralis major intensely. In one embodiment, a machine of the present invention includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame; a backrest mounted to the frame above the seat, the seat and backrest being configured to receive a seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally parallel first and second axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the movement arms is configured to engage at least one of the elbows, forearms and hands of the user and is movable, within a range of motion plane that is generally normal to the first and second axes of rotation, between an extended position, in which the seated user&#39;s upper arms are extended sideways from the shoulders, and a flexed position, in which the user&#39;s upper arms are extended forwardly from the shoulders. The range of motion plane forms an angle of between about 30 and 80 degrees with the backrest. The resistance system provides resistance to rotation of the movement arm units relative to the frame as they move from the extended position to the flexed position. In this configuration, the exercise machine can intensify the exercise for the lower pectoralis major muscles of the upper chest. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the range of motion plane forms an angle of between about 40 and 60 degrees (preferably 50 degrees) with the backrest. It is preferred that the backrest be generally perpendicular to the seat. In other embodiments, the movement arms are configured to be engaged by the elbows of the user and include a swing arm and a rotary arm pivotally interconnected with the swing arm about a swing arm axis of rotation that is generally parallel with the first and second axes of rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise machine of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the exercise machine of  FIG. 1 , with the extended exercise position being shown in bold line and the flexed position being shown in phantom line. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the frame, seat assembly, and movement arm assemblies of the exercise machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the weight stack of the exercise machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the belt/pulley system of the exercise machine of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Referring to the figures, an exercise machine, designated broadly at  10 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5 . The machine  10  includes a frame  12 , a seat assembly  14 , a weight stack  16 , a pair of movement arm units  18   a ,  18   b , and a belt/pulley system  20 . These components are described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , the frame  12  includes a longitudinal base member  22 , a transverse base member  24  that abuts and extends transversely from the longitudinal base member  24 , a longitudinal arch  26  that is attached at either end to the ends of the longitudinal base member  22 , and a transverse support  28  that rises from the outer end of the transverse member  24  and extends horizontally to abut the longitudinal arch  26 . A movement arm support  30  extends downwardly and rearwardly from an intermediate position on the longitudinal arch  26  to attach to the longitudinal base member  22  just rearwardly of the transverse base member  24 . A pulley support  32  extends upwardly and rearwardly from an intermediate location on the movement arm support  30  to attach to the rear upright portion of the longitudinal arch  26 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1–3 , an upper pulley bracket  34  is mounted to the underside of the longitudinal arch  26  adjacent the transverse support  28 . Similarly, a large pulley bracket  36  is mounted to the underside of the transverse support  28 . A transitional pulley bracket  38  is mounted to the upper surface of the pulley support  32 . Also, upper and lower movement arm brackets  40 ,  42  are mounted to the underside of the movement arm support  30 . 
     Those skilled in this art will appreciate that the frame  12  may take alternative forms. For example, additional base and upright members may be employed, or certain components may be formed from multiple pieces. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1–3 , the seat assembly  14  includes a seat bracket  44  that supports a seat  45 . The seat bracket  44  engages an adjustable seat track  46  that is attached to the front surface of the longitudinal arch  26 ; interaction between the seat bracket  44  and serrations in the track  46  enable the height of the seat  45  to be adjusted, with a handle  47  facilitating adjustment of the height of the seat  45 . Also, a spring  48  attaches between the seat bracket  44  and a bracket  48   a  attached to the movement arm support  30  to bias the seat  45  upwardly, thereby providing a snug fit for the seat  45 . A backrest  49  is fixed to the forward surface of the longitudinal arch  26  above the seat  45  and is substantially vertical in orientation, such that it is generally perpendicular to the seat  45 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the weight stack  16  includes a set of weights  52  arranged in a vertical stack just above the transverse base member  24 . A lifting rod  53  extends vertically through apertures in the weights  52  and is configured to receive a pin inserted between individual weights  52  that enables the user to select the number of weights to be used in the exercise. The weight stack  16  also includes guide rods  54  that extend vertically through the weights  52  to guide the weights  52  along a vertical path during exercise. Weight stacks of this variety are well known to those skilled in this art and need not be described in detailed herein. In addition, the machine  10  includes a set of auxiliary weights  56  that slide along a vertical guide rod  58  and that can be temporarily connected with the selected weights  52  to provide incremental weight during exercise. Again, auxiliary weight systems of this type are well known to those skilled in this art and need not be described in detail herein. An exemplary machine having such a weight stack is a leg extension machine available from Nautilus HPS, Inc. (Independence, Va.) under the trade name NITRO™. 
     Those skilled in this art will appreciate that other resistance systems may be employed with the present invention. For example, other weight stack configurations, friction-imparting devices, variable viscosity devices, air drag-based resistance devices, and the like, may also be employed with a machine of the present invention. Exemplary resistance devices include those illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,810,696; 4,708,338; 4,720,093; 5,033,733; 4,542,897; 4,298,893; 4,805,901; 4,790,528; 4,786,049; 5,031,900; 4,775,145; 4,589,656; and 4,659,074, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1–3 , each of the movement arm assemblies  18   a ,  18   b  includes a cylindrical mounting hub  60 , a tripartite swing arm  62 , a rotary arm  63 , and an engagement pad  64 . Each mounting hub  60  includes mounting pins  61  that extend longitudinally from each end thereof and that are received in slots  41 ,  43  in the upper and lower movement arm brackets  40 ,  42 , thereby defining a respective axis of rotation A 1 , A 2 . The swing arm  62  is mounted to the forward end of the hub  60 . Each swing arm  62  terminates in a forward segment  62   a  that extends in a direction parallel to that of the axes A 1 , A 2 . The L-shaped rotary arm  63  has a sleeve bearing  65  that is rotatably attached to the forward segment  62   a , a transitional segment  66 , and a pad segment  67  extends in a direction parallel to the axes of rotation A 1 , A 2 . Each rotary arm  63  is free to rotate about a respective rotary arm axis of rotation B 1 , B 2 . The engagement pad  64  fits upon the pad segment  67  and is free to rotate thereon; the engagement pad  64  provides a location for the exerciser to place his elbows during exercise. 
     The movement arm assembly  18   b  differs from the movement arm assembly  18   a  in that the movement arm assembly  18   b  also includes a cam  70  that rotates about the axis A 2 . The cam  70  has a perimeter camming surface  71  that is generally normal to the axis of rotation A 2 . 
     Those skilled in this art will appreciate that other configurations for the movement arm assemblies  18   a ,  18   b  may be employed with the present invention. For example, the movement arm assemblies  18   a ,  18   b  may be configured with a swing arm that lacks a pivotally interconnected rotary arm. Also, a movement arm assembly  18   a ,  18   b  may be configured to engage the forearm or hand of the user. The configuration of the cam  70  may differ, particularly if a different resistance curve for exercise resistance is desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the belt/pulley system  20  includes a belt  80  that is attached to the lifting member  53  of the weight stack  16 . The belt  80  extends upwardly to engage a pulley  84  that is mounted to the large pulley bracket  36 , horizontally to engage an upper pulley  88  mounted to the upper pulley bracket  34 , downwardly to engage a transitional pulley  90  that is mounted to the transitional pulley bracket  38 , and forwardly to engage a diverting pulley  92   a  mounted to the upper surface of the pulley support  32 . The belt  80  terminates by wrapping around the rear-facing portion of the camming surface  71  of the cam  70 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the belt/pulley system  20  also includes two belts  92 ,  94  that form a figure-8 around the mounting hubs  60 . More specifically, each belt  92 ,  94  is fixed at one end to a respective mounting hub  60 , passes around the front surface thereof, travels to the rear surface of the opposite mounting hub  60 , and is fixed thereto. 
     The skilled artisan will recognize that other systems for interconnecting the weight stack to the movement arm units may be employed. For example, cables or chains may be substituted for belts. As another alternative, pulley locations may differ, and/or other varieties of components that can engage a belt and support a change of direction thereof, such as rollers, gears, sprockets, or stationary cams, may also be employed with this invention. 
     In operation, the exerciser selects a desired number of weights  52  from the weight stack  16 . He then sits on the seat  45  and grasps the engagement pads  64  in the crooks of his elbows (see  FIG. 2 ). Exercise is carried out by pulling the engagement pads forwardly and toward the center of the chest (shown in  FIG. 2  in phantom line). Because the rotary arms  63  are free to rotate relative to the swing arms  62 , the pad  64  can remain in the crook of the exerciser&#39;s elbow, thereby following an arcuate path of variable radius. This path defines a plane  P  that is generally normal to the axes of rotation A 1 , A 2 , B 1 , B 2  which in turn defines an angle α of between about 30 and 80 degrees (preferably between about 40 and 60 degrees, and more preferably about 50 degrees) with the backrest  49 . As a result of this angular relationship, the exercise has the effect of working the lower portion of the pectoralis major muscle in a more intense manner than many other weight training machines designed to exercise the muscles of the upper chest. In addition, the exercise works the upper portion of the pectoralis major, the anterior deltoid, and the serratus anterior. 
     As the rotary arms  63  move forwardly and inwardly, the swing arms  62  rotate relative to the upper and lower movement arm brackets  40 ,  42 . Notably, the mounting hubs  60  rotate with the swing arms  62 ; the figure-8 belts  92 ,  94  synchronize the motion of the swing arms  62  by keeping the rotation of the mounting hubs  60  of each swing arm  62  essentially the same. 
     Also, as the movement arm assembly  18   b  rotates, in turn the cam  70  rotates (clockwise as viewed from the front of the machine  10 ). Rotation of the cam  70  causes the belt  80  to be taken up on the camming surface  71 . This “shortening” of the belt  80  draws the selected weights  52  upwardly, thereby providing resistance to the exerciser. The resistance experienced by the exerciser can be modified during the exercise “stroke” by changing the configuration of the camming surface  71 . 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.