Patent Publication Number: US-11389690-B2

Title: Multi-use fitness machine and methods of use

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/731,077, filed on Sep. 13, 2018. The application referred to in this paragraph is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates generally to fitness machines, and, more particularly, to multi-use fitness machines that are well-suited for lunge and squat-style exercises and methods of use thereof. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Lunges and squats are popular exercises practiced around the globe to tone and build muscle in the human lower body. Squats and similar exercises are often performed using squat racks or a multipurpose Smith machine. These devices have been a staple piece of gym equipment since the 1950s. Smith machines consist of a barbell that is fixed within steel rails allowing only vertical or near-vertical movement. Some Smith machines have the barbell counterbalanced. The machine can be used for a wide variety of exercises though it is most commonly used to perform “Smith machine squats.” 
     Lunges and similar exercises are typically performed without a rack, for example along a stretch of path where the user modifies a normal walking motion to achieve the lunge motion. A lunge can refer to any position of the human body where one leg is positioned forward with knee bent and foot flat on the ground while the other leg is positioned behind. It is used by athletes in cross-training for sports and by weight-trainers as a fitness exercise. A lunge can be performed using bodyweight alone. However, weight trainers may seek to increase the difficulty using either dumbbells or kettlebells held in each hand, or a barbell held atop the neck and shoulders. 
     These known exercise devices suffer from several disadvantages. For example, use of the Smith machine has been criticized by many strength trainers as it forces the user to adopt an unnatural straight-up-and-down bar path which can put shear stress on the knees or back. Lunge exercises can cause pain in the knees, which is sometimes caused by lateral imbalance during the exercise. 
     Thus, there is a need for a device in the fitness industry that does not suffer from these and other drawbacks. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a fitness machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up of a front portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top-down view of the back left portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top-down view of the back right portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the top back right portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the bottom back left portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the left interior side of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top-down view of the left front portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the back left exterior of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 11  is a close-up view of the back right interior of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 12  is a close-up view of the front left interior of the machine. 
         FIG. 13  is view of the front left exterior portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top down view of the front right portion of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 15 a    shows a user in the upright standing ready position in the exercise space of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 15 b    shows a user&#39;s left leg extended forward and the user&#39;s right knee bent toward the floor while using the machine  100 . 
         FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    show another method of use of the machine  100 . 
         FIG. 17  shows a view from the interior of a front right portion of another fitness machine  200  according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  shows a view from the exterior of a front right portion of the fitness machine  200 . 
         FIG. 19  is a close-up view of the top right portion of the machine  200 . 
         FIG. 20  is a view from the interior of the front right portion of the machine  200 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another fitness machine  300  according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     It is understood that when an element can be referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “above”, “lower”, “beneath”, and “below”, and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a fitness machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The machine  100  comprises a frame  102  that provides the basic structure of the machine  100 . In one embodiment, the frame  102  comprises four horizontal beams  102   a  and four vertical beams  102   b , creating a rectangular interior space for the user to stand. At least one handle  104  is included that slides forward and backward along at least one horizontal guide rail  106 . In this particular embodiment, there are two handles  104  connected, one each, to two horizontal guide rails  106  are movably connected to four vertical guide rails  108  such that the horizontal guide rails  106  freely slide up and down the vertical guide rails  108 , ensuring that the horizontal guide rails  106  maintain a parallel relationship with the floor throughout the entire range of motion during use. Sleeves  110  allow the horizontal guide rails  106  to easily slide up and down along the vertical guide rails  108 . 
     Each horizontal guide rail  106  is connected to a corresponding weight beam  112  such that they move up and down together. In this embodiment, the front end  112   a  of each weight bar  112  is connected to a first cable  120  which lifts the weight bar  112  as the user lifts the horizontal guide rail  108  with the handles  104 . The first cable  120  is connected at one end to the top side of the weight bar  112  at the front end  112   a  and at the other end to the moving pulley  123 . A second cable  121  is connected at the front end to the bottom side of the sleeve  110  which pulls the cable up with the horizontal guide rails as the user pulls up on the handles  104 . The other end of the second cable  121  is connected to the bottom side of the sleeve  110  on the back end of the guide rail  106  and fed through the bottom horizontal beam to the front end where it is connected to a plurality of feed pulleys  122 . Following the action of the pulleys  122 ,  123 , the weight bar  112  is moved up at the same time the horizontal guide rails  106  are moved up. As shown, the cables  120 ,  121  are fed through a series of pulleys  122 ,  123  which can be arranged in various (block and tackle) configurations to provide a mechanical advantage if desired. More or fewer pulleys and/or cables can be used to achieve a particular mechanical effect. It is understood that many different cable/pulley configurations are possible. 
     The back end  112   b  of the weight beam  112  is pivotally connected to the vertical beam  102   b  at the pivot  114  such that it can rotate within a vertical plane while remaining at a fixed height, allowing the weight beam front end  112   a  to move up and down with the guide rail  106 . Each weight beam  112  includes a cylindrical horn  116  where weight plates may be attached to adjust the weight of the weight beam  112 . 
     An optional platform  118  is included between the two lower horizontal beams  102   a  to provide a steady surface for the user to stand on during performance of the exercises. The platform  118  may be padded or may include grips to keep the user&#39;s feet from sliding on its surface. In some embodiments, the platform  118  may be removed altogether, allowing the user to stand on the floor beneath the machine to perform the exercises. 
     Embodiments of the machine  100  can be installed as a stand-alone piece of equipment, or they can be integrated with another machine, for example, a squat rack, a multipurpose fitness machine, or a Smith machine. In either configuration, the machine  100  may be adjustable to accommodate users of varying height. For example, in one embodiment, the frame vertical beams  102   b  may comprise vertical legs that telescope along a plurality of lockable positions, allowing the vertical range of motion of the handles  104  to be adjusted as necessary. 
       FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the machine  100 . Here pivots  114  are shown providing the rotatable connection between the vertical beams  102   b  and the weight bars  112 . The bottom back side feed pulleys  122  are also shown. Optional top back side pulleys  125  may be used to provide counterbalance to the system, reducing the starting weight (i.e., the weight a user must lift to move the weight bar  112  when the horn  116  is not loaded). 
       FIG. 3  is a close-up of a front portion of the machine  100 . The cables  120 ,  121 , feed pulleys  122 , and the moving pulley  123  are shown in detail. It is understood that embodiments of the machine  100  are not limited to any particular cable-and-pully configuration. Instead, it is intended that other configurations may be used to provide various mechanical advantages or effects. 
       FIG. 4  is a top-down view along the vertical guide rail  108  of the back left portion of the machine  100 . The back side feed pulley  122  is shown which guides the cable  121  from its connection underneath the sleeve  110  through the bottom horizontal beam to the front end of the machine  100  where it is joined in the pulley system. 
       FIG. 5  is a top-down view along the vertical guide rail  108  of the back right portion of the machine  100 . The back side feed pulley  122  is shown which guides the cable  121  from its connection underneath the sleeve  110  through the bottom horizontal beam to the front end of the machine  100  where it feeds into the front feed pulleys  122 . 
       FIG. 6  is a view of the top back right portion of the machine  100 . The top back side pulley  125  which may be used for optional counterbalance is shown. 
       FIG. 7  is a view of the bottom back left portion of the machine  100 . The horizontal guide rail  106  is connected to the sleeve with carriage  124 . The carriage may include cable connectors  128  on the front and or back sides to provide connection to multiple cables if, for example, counterbalance is used. 
       FIG. 8  is a view of the left interior side of the machine  100 . The handle  104  is connected to the horizontal guide rail  106  with a handle sleeve  126  which allows the handle to slide back and forth. 
       FIG. 9  is a top-down view of the left front portion of the machine  100 . The first cable  120  is shown connected to the top side of the weight bar front end  112   a . The second cable  121  is shown feeding up from the feed pulleys  122  to a connection with the moving pulley  123  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the back left exterior of the machine  100 . The pivot  114  is shown connecting the weight bar  112  to the back vertical support beam  102   b . Also shown, is the second cable  121  which is connected to the carriage  124  via the cable connector  128 . The cable  121  is fed through back feed pulley  122  and the bottom horizontal support beam  102   a  to the front feed pulleys  122 . 
       FIG. 11  is a close-up view of the back right interior of the machine  100 . 
       FIG. 12  is a close-up view of the front left interior of the machine. The carriage  124  and cable connector  128  are shown. 
       FIG. 13  is view of the front left exterior portion of the machine  100 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top down view of the front right portion of the machine  100 . 
     In one method of using the machine  100 , the motion mimics the lunge action that a user experiences when performing a lunge-style exercise, as best shown in  FIGS. 15 a    and  15   b.    
       FIG. 15 a    shows a user in the upright standing position with both handles  104  gripped.  FIG. 15 b    shows the user&#39;s left leg extended forward and the user&#39;s right knee bent toward the floor. During the exercise, the handles  104  slide along the horizontal guide rails  106  allowing the user&#39;s hands and arms to move comfortably in a lateral direction to accommodate the forward and backward motion of the body during the lunge. The horizontal guide rails  106  move up and down along the vertical guide rails  108  to allow the user&#39;s hands and arms to move vertically during the exercise. Thus, the user&#39;s hands and arms are in a comfortable, natural position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise. The handles  104  and the horizontal guide rails  106  significantly improve the user&#39;s balance during the exercise, eliminating unnecessary stress on the knees, hips, and lower back. The counterweight system ensures that the starting weight is manageable for all users. One suitable starting weight is approximately 17 lbs., although it is understood that the starting weight may be easily adjusted as desired. 
       FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    show another method of use of the machine  100 . This motion mimics a kettlebell squat-style motion, where both legs are bent in unison. It is understood that the machine may be used for any number of additional exercises not specifically disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 17-20  show another embodiment of a multi-use fitness machine  200  according to the present disclosure. The machine  200  is similar to the machine  100  in many respects and shares several elements in common which are indicated using the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the weight beam  212  has a segmented shape. A front segment  212   a  is horizontal when the weight beam  212  is in the resting position as show in the  FIG. 17 . A second segment  212   b  is angled up away from the floor. The third segment  212   c  is horizontal but higher above the floor than the first segment  212   a . The second segment  212   b  joins the first and second segments  212   a ,  212   c . The segmented weight beam  212  distributes the weight more efficiently and improves the overall balance of the machine  200 . 
     In this embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 17 , a third cable  220  is connected through a top side pulley  222  to a counterweight (not shown) which is housed within the front vertical support beam  102   b . The counterweight is connected via cable  220  to the carriage  124  of the horizontal guide rail  106  to provide counterbalance, reducing the starting weight for the user. 
       FIG. 21  shows another embodiment of a multi-use fitness machine  300  according to the present disclosure. The machine  300  is similar to the machines  100 ,  200  in many respects and shares several elements in common which are indicated using the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the weight beam  312  has the same segmented shape as the weight beam  212  in the machine  200 . However, the horizontal support beams  302   a  of the machine  300  are also segmented to run alongside the weight beams  312 , giving the machine  300  a more streamlined look and improving the overall balance of the machine  300 . All cables are shown disconnected in this figure. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.