Patent Publication Number: US-7722513-B2

Title: Dual back pad tilting mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of a back support cushion of a multi-purpose exercise machine. 
   2. Background 
   Exercise machines for performing a variety of different exercises have become widely popular. Such multi-purpose or multi-station exercise machines are relatively compact, but permit exercises to be performed that involve virtually all of the major muscle groups of the body. Such machines typically have a single seat from which many of the exercises are performed. The seat generally comprises separate seat and back cushions, each of which may be adjustable to accommodate different physiques and to more effectively position the body for the various exercises. 
   The back support cushion, which may also be used a chest support cushion for certain exercises, typically requires a broad range of adjustment. Prior art exercise machines have employed a variety of adjustments for back support cushions. These include telescoping adjustment; a single pivot below and behind the cushion as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,456; a single pivot adjustment below and behind the cushion with a loose swivel pivot at the top of the cushion; and a slotted adjustment as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,682. Prior art single pivot adjustments do not provide sufficient adjustment of the back support cushion for a leg extension exercise. The range of adjustment is inherently limited by the nature of the single pivot adjustment mechanism. Back support cushions with telescopic adjustments are more difficult to adjust because of friction and have more slop in the adjustment. A slotted adjustment, such as shown in the &#39;682 patent, is cumbersome to adjust since the entire back support cushion must be dislodged from one slot position and moved into another. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an adjustment mechanism for a back support cushion with two separate pivotal adjustments. One pivot is located above and behind the back support cushion and a second is located below and behind the back support cushion. A two-arm linkage system connects the back support cushion to the exercise machine at the two pivot locations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a multi-purpose exercise machine incorporating the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is another side elevation view of the exercise machine shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating further adjustment of the back support cushion. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   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. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  are side elevation views of a multi-purpose exercise machine  10 . Most of the various exercises that may be performed are done with the operator seated on seat cushion  12  and with the operator&#39;s back positioned against back support cushion  14 . The back support cushion is attached to a rigid frame member  16 , which is attached to sector plate  18 . The back support assembly comprising cushion  14 , frame member  16  and sector plate  18  are pivotally coupled to support member  20  at pivot  22 . Sector plate  18  has a plurality of holes  24  so that the position of the back support cushion relative to support member  20  may be set as desired by the operator inserting a pin (not shown) through a selected one of holes  24  and into a hole in support member  20 . The pin for securing the sector plate in a desired position is preferably a spring-loaded pin within a housing attached to support member  20  (on the side out of view in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Such pins are widely used in the design of exercise equipment. 
   Support member  20  is pivotally coupled to the frame of exercise machine  10  at pivot  26 . The lower end  28  of support member  20  is positioned along frame member  30 , which has a plurality of holes  32 . Support member  20  may be set at a desired position by the operator inserting a pin (not shown) through a hole in the lower end  28  and through a selected one of the holes  32 . Here, again, the pin is preferably a spring-loaded pin of the type described above. 
   The dual pivotal adjustments for back support cushion  14  allow for a variety of positions, both longitudinally and with different angles of recline. Adjustment of the cushion about pivot  26 , which is above and behind the cushion, primarily provides longitudinal adjustment of the cushion for exercises performed with the leg station  40  and press/row arm  42 .  FIG. 1  shows the position of support arm  20  adjusted to provide the most forward position of cushion  14 , whereas  FIG. 2  shows support arm  20  adjusted to provide the most rearward position of the cushion. 
   Adjustment of the back support cushion about pivot  22 , which is below and behind the cushion, primarily provides adjustment of the angle of recline of the cushion for various shoulder, incline and press exercises. The combination of the two pivotal adjustments provides full longitudinal adjustment for comfortable chest support in a seated row exercise and provides numerous varied positions for back and chest positions of any exercise associated with cushion  14 . 
   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.