Abstract:
The exercise apparatus of the invention possesses a small footprint, thus enabling its assembly in a relatively small space. It provides in a single unitary apparatus cooperative components that enable at least 325 different positions of exercise. The apparatus includes a rigid metal frame having a box-like quadrilateral rear section detachably secured to a generally triangular front section that provides a pair of rearwardly inclined support bars on which are adjustably mounted holding elements for supporting components such as barbells. Between the quadrilateral rear section and the triangular front section, is a vertical beam having a multiplicity of vertically spaced mounting apertures, the beam functioning to support an adjustable pulley assembly from which eminates a flexible pull cable. By vertical adjustment of the pulley assembly, the pull cable may be elevated or lowered to change the angle at which a force load is imposed on the muscles of an individual using the apparatus. In conjunction with such adjustable pulley arrangement for modifying the angle of pull on the cable in relation to the user&#39;s body, there is provided a pair of telescopically adjustable foot support plates that form adjustable abutments against which the users feet may be placed. By vertically adjusting the pulley assembly and horizontally adjusting the telescopically adjustable foot plates, hundreds of different exercises may be executed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus that encompasses a relatively small footprint in conjunction with a structure that enables the user to do many different exercises at commercial grade quality utilizing components readily available and stored on the apparatus. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The prior art is replete with many different types of structures that are, for the most part, directed to a specific form of exercise directed to the development of a specific area of the human body. Many of these prior art exercise machines have been developed to replace the traditional bench, bar, and free-weight combination. These machines provide multiple exercise stations and functionality utilizing weight stacks and a variety of non-gravity based exercise resistance components, e.g., fluid cylinders, elastic bands, centrifugal brakes and flexible bows. Machines such as these are often intended to facilitate circuit weight training (CWT). 
   CWT was apparently developed to promote both aerobic and muscular fitness of athletes by requiring that an athlete work varying muscle groups to the point of muscle fatigue. Aerobic conditioning is achieved by loading the cardiovascular system through maintenance of a constant moderate pace throughout and between exercises. A typical circuit may consist for example, of 8–10 exercises, each with 10–15 repetitions, performed three times and lasting a total of 30 minutes. Typically, a maximum of 30 seconds of rest between the exercises is allowed. In order to maintain such a pace, the exercise machine must have a high degree of user friendliness, i.e., the required set-up for each exercise must be simple and enable easy, smooth and rapid transitions between exercises. 
   The apparatus of the present invention enables a user to perform multiple exercises that are designed to exercise multiple areas of the human body. For instance, with the apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention it is possible to exercise muscles of the following muscle groups: pectorals, triceps, biceps, deltoid, trapezium, latissimus dorsi, hamstrings, glutes, quads, back, forearms, abdominal and the Psoas muscle group. The convenient exercise of these muscle groups is enabled because the exercise apparatus of this invention is designed for easy and rapid readjustment of a tension member in relation to a weight stack, easy and rapid readjustment of the amount of weight in the weight stack and incorporates gravity-based free-weight components for use apart from the weight stack and provides for safe use of such components without the need for an attendant. 
   Accordingly, one of the important objects of the present invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus that enables the user to readjust components cooperatively associated with the exercise apparatus in a manner to enable a user to utilize approximately 325 different exercise positions in one apparatus. 
   Another object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus that projects a small footprint, thus enabling use of the assembled apparatus in a relatively small area of a room used for other purposes, such as a bedroom or family room. 
   Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus that incorporates re-adjustable components movably mounted on the apparatus for vertical and horizontal adjustment and incorporating automatically actuated safety locking means when a component is readjusted from one position to another. 
   Still another object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus incorporating an adjustable pulley attachment tethered to a weight stack and cooperable with horizontally retractable and extendable foot pedal components freely adjustable to enable 325 different exercise positions. 
   A still further object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus incorporating integral holders for vertically supporting and storing free weight bars of different lengths and for supporting and storing the weights to be selectively mounted on the weight bars. 
   Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus incorporating vertically inclined frame members on which may be adjustably mounted safety holders for catching a bar during bench press use. 
   Still another object of the invention is the provision of an exercise apparatus incorporating a primary weight stack and secondary incremental weights that may be selectively attached to the primary weight stack to vary the total weight in increments less than five pounds. 
   The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be apparent from the following description and the drawings. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated and described since it may be embodied in various forms within the scope of the appended claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In terms of broad inclusion, the exercise apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention is distinguished in that it possesses a small footprint, thus enabling its assembly in a relatively small space or room which may be used for other purposes, and provides in a single unitary apparatus cooperative components that enable at least 325 different positions of exercise for use by the user. Broadly, the apparatus embodies a rigid metal frame having a generally box-like quadrilateral rear section detachably secured to a generally triangular front section that provides a pair of rearwardly inclined support bars on which are adjustably mounted holding elements for supporting free-standing functional exercise components such as barbells. Interposed between the quadrilateral rear section and the triangular front section, is a vertical beam having a multiplicity of vertically spaced mounting apertures, the beam functioning to support a selectively adjustable pulley assembly from which eminates a flexible pull cable. By vertical adjustment of the pulley assembly, the pull cable may be elevated or lowered to change the angle at which a force load is imposed on the muscles of an individual using the apparatus for exercise purposes while sitting on the base support surface of the apparatus. In conjunction with such adjustable pulley arrangement for modifying the angle of pull on the cable in relation to the user&#39;s body, there is provided a pair of horizontally mounted telescopically adjustable foot support plates that may be adjusted closer to or farther from the plane coincident with the vertical support beam for the pulley assembly and which form adjustable plate abutments against which the user&#39;s feet may be placed. Thus, by vertically adjusting the pulley assembly and horizontally adjusting the telescopically adjustable foot plates, the angle of the cable that runs through the pulley assembly and ultimately to the weight stack and to the proximate end of which is attached a laterally extending bar or grip component, hundreds of different back exercises may be executed, with the change from one exercise position to another being accomplished in a matter of seconds. This is important because the different positions stress the muscle groups in a slightly different manner and actually change the force load placed on a muscle group based on the angle of the cable in relation to the user. The user thus has access to hundreds of different exercise positions for the body using one apparatus having a small footprint. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus shown in partially exploded form. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the exercise apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of the exercise apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus. 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view illustrating the supporting framework of the exercise apparatus in assembled form but devoid of exercise components. 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the support framework shown in  FIG. 6  but illustrating the framework in partially exploded form. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the assembled exercise apparatus. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in assembled form resting on a support surface and with exercise components mounted thereon. 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus shown in reduced scale. 
       FIG. 11  is a right side elevational view in the direction of arrow  11  in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of one of the inclined beams forming the front frame section of the rigid frame. 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the ramp for guiding a lock pin into an associated aperture. 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary elevational view of the vertically adjustable pulley block assembly shown locked to a vertical beam. 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary perspective of the pulley assembly of  FIG. 14  and illustrating the digitally manipulable lock pin for locking the pulley assembly at a selected vertical height. 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of one of the barbell catch beams slidably and adjustably mounted on a vertical frame beam. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the barbell catch beam shown in  FIG. 16  and illustrating the manner of vertical adjustment of the catch beam. 
       FIG. 18  is a fragmentary side elevational view of a telescopically adjustable foot support plate assembly shown fully retracted in full lines and fully extended in broken lines. 
       FIG. 19  is a fragmentary perspective view of the telescopically mounted foot support plate assembly shown fully extended in full lines and fully retracted in broken lines. The view is taken in the direction of the arrow  19  in  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevational view illustrating the twenty-five different heights to which the adjustable pulley block may be translated together with a showing of the different angles at which tension may be applied to the cable when the foot support plate assemblies are fully retracted. 
       FIG. 21  is a view similar to  FIG. 20  but illustrating the foot support plate assemblies fully extended so as to reduce the angularity between the cable and the person exercising to thus exercise different groups of muscles. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In terms of greater detail, and referring to the drawings, reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings in which is illustrated in perspective the exercise apparatus of the invention shown in assembled form in  FIG. 1  and in partially exploded form in  FIG. 2 . As there seen, the exercise apparatus is designated generally by the numeral  2 , and includes a rear frame portion designated generally by the numeral  3  and which comprises a pair of rear laterally spaced vertical beams  4  and  6 , joined at their top and bottom ends by laterally extending top and bottom beams  7  and  8 , respectively. The rear frame portion  3  is generally comprised of a box-like frame section which in addition to the elements described above also includes a second front pair of laterally spaced vertical beams  9  and  12  which are also joined top and bottom by transverse beams  13  and  14 , respectively. Joining the two quadrilateral frames thus formed, and retaining them in a fore-and-aft spaced relationship as shown, are short spacer beams  16  and  17  at the top of the frame and  18  and  19  at the bottom of the frame. All of these frame elements that form the generally rectangular box-like rear frame section are integrally welded so that an extremely rigid rear frame section is formed. 
   Detachably secured to the rear frame section thus formed is a front frame section designated generally by the numeral  21  and including a pair of laterally spaced vertically extending rearwardly inclined front beams  23  and  24 , each of the front beams  23  and  24  being provided with a series of vertically spaced component mounting apertures  26  and  27 , respectively, the upper peripheral edge portion of each aperture being ramped as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the purpose of which is hereinafter explained. Additionally, the top end portions of the inclined beams  23  and  24  are welded to the proximate associated ends of the rearwardly extending horizontal beams  28  and  29 , respectively, while the distal ends of the horizontal beams  28  and  29  are detachably secured by appropriate bracket means to the associated confronting beam  13 . In like manner, the lower ends of the inclined beams  23  and  24  are welded to the proximate ends, respectively, of laterally spaced rearwardly extending horizontal base beams  31  and  32 , the distal ends of both of which horizontal base beams  31  and  32  are detachably secured by appropriate bracket means to the associated lower end of the rear frame section, specifically to the vertical beams  9  and  12  and the horizontal base beam  14 . Additionally, to provide lateral stability between the side frame members of the front frame portion, the upper ends of the inclined beams  23  and  24  are joined by a transversely extending exercise component designated generally by the number  33  and comprising a segmented exercise bar including a central section  34  opposite ends of which are integrally joined by corresponding laterally extending and angularly positioned end members  36  and  37 , the opposite ends of which are detachably secured by appropriate brackets to the upper end portions of the inclined beams  23  and  24  and/or to the rearwardly extending beams  28  and  29  as shown. 
   Continuing with a description of the exercise apparatus  2 , reference is made to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , wherein it is shown that the rear frame portion  3  of the apparatus also includes a medianly positioned vertical support beam designated generally by the numeral  41 , the beam  41  being provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures  42  that penetrate from one side of the beam to the other side of the beam. The beam  41  is welded at its top end to the transverse beam  13  and at its lower end is welded to the transverse base beam  14 . The medianly positioned vertical support beam  41  is spaced medianly between the two side beams  9  and  12  and lies in a plane common with the beams  9  and  12 . Additionally, referring specifically to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it is noted that another vertical support beam  43  is provided rearwardly of top and bottom beams  7  and  8 , and is retained in this relationship by spacer beams  44  and  46 , so that the beam  43  lies in a plane coincident with the vertical beam  41  but spaced rearwardly therefrom, the plane coincident with the vertical beams  41  and  43  being perpendicular to the plane coincident with the vertical support beams  9  and  12 . The spacer beams  44  and  46  integrally connect the upper and lower ends of vertical beam  43  to the rear surfaces of the transverse beams  7  and  8 , respectively. 
   The rear frame portion also includes a medianly positioned rearwardly extending spacer beam  47  disposed integrally between the laterally extending beam  13  and the parallel laterally extending beam  7 . This rearwardly extending beam forms a support structure for a fixed first pulley block having multiple sheaves and designated generally by the numeral  48 . An adjustable second pulley block, also having multiple sheaves, is designated generally by the numeral  49  and is adjustably mounted for selective slidable movement vertically on the vertical beam  41 . Aligned locking pins  50  are provided on this adjustable pulley block that normally lock the adjustable pulley block in a selected position and which may be selectively retracted to enable the adjustable pulley block to be raised or lowered through preferably at least twenty-five different positions determined by the spacing of the series of apertures  42  with which the aligned locking pins normally automatically engage through spring action and a ramped edge portion of each aperture that guides the lock pin into the aperture. It will thus be seen that a cable  51 ′ that “tracks” or runs through the fixed pulley block  48  and the vertically adjustable pulley block  49  and which is adapted to be grasped at its proximate end by a user, may be changed in its angle in relation to the user through at least twenty-five different angles. 
   Again referring to  FIG. 3 , it is noted that the exercise apparatus includes a weight stack designated generally by the numeral  51 , the weight stack being made up of multiple superimposed individual metal weight plates  52 , each preferably marked with a specific weight indicia. The weight stack is confined in the space between the rear surface of the vertical beam  41  on which the pulley block  49  is mounted, and is guided in its vertical movement by vertically extending laterally spaced guide rods  53  that extend between the lower transversely extending base beam  8  and the upper transverse beam  7 . The end of the cable  51 ′ attached to the weight stack may be relocated by the user to control the number of weight plates and thus the total weight that the user chooses to lift. It should be noted that adjustable pulley block  49  may be adjusted for the full length of the support beam  41  without creating slack in the cable, which is always taut. 
   To enable a user of the exercise apparatus to modify the angle of pull on the cable and thus stress the different muscle groups, the apparatus is provided with a pair of telescopically adjustable laterally spaced foot plate assemblies or abutment plates designated generally by the numeral  54  and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  18  and  19 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it will be noted that the telescopically adjustable footplate assemblies are mounted on the top surface of the laterally or transversely extending base beams  8  and  14  on opposite sides of the vertically extending beam  41  on which the adjustable pulley block  49  is slidably mounted. Each of the telescopically adjustable foot plate assemblies  54  includes an elongated tubular metal sleeve  55  having a square cross-section, conveniently slidably or otherwise adjustably superimposed on a slide bracket plate  56  that extends between the two base beams  8  and  14  and which is provided with two spaced ring extensions  56 ′ that slidably surround the sleeve  55 . A lock pin  56 ″ is provided on one of the rings and is digitally manipulable to engage or disengage the slidable sleeve  55  through a ratcheting arrangement. The outer sleeve  55  is arranged to slidably receive a second tubular sleeve  57  that is adapted to slide within the tubular sleeve  55  between a completely retracted position and an extended or deployed for use position extending forwardly of the base beam  14 . 
   The upper wall of the second slidable tubular sleeve  57  is provided with a series of aligned and spaced apertures  58  while the sleeve  55  is provided with a spring-pressed normally engaged lock pin  59  that engages a selected one of the spaced apertures  58  when the inner slidable sleeve is deployed but which lock pin may be selectively disengaged from the aperture in the inner sleeve to enable readjustment of the inner sleeve to place the foot plate of that assembly a selected distance forwardly from the base beam  14 . When the inner slidable sleeve  57  is deployed to its outermost position ( FIG. 19 ), an abutment disposed between the inner slidable sleeve  57  and the sleeve  55  limits the extent of projection of the inner slidable sleeve. To provide further extension of the telescopically deployable structure, a third slidable sleeve having a series of aligned apertures in its top wall may be slidably disposed within the second slidable sleeve  57 . Again, a selectively actuated spring-pressed locking device may be interposed between such sleeves and actuable to incrementally limit the extent of deployment of the added sleeve in relation to the second sleeve. In general, in a preferred embodiment, this system of telescopically mounted and selectively actuable foot plate assemblies may be adjusted incrementally through numerous positions from a retracted position abutting the base plate  14  to a fully deployed position approximately two feet away from the base plate  14 . 
   It will thus be understood that by incrementally adjusting the height of the adjustable pulley block  49  between its upper limit and its lower limit as determined by the spacing of the apertures  42  each of which is identified by a numerical indicia, and by selectively adjusting the positions of the foot plates in relation to the base beam  14 , i.e., toward or away therefrom, many different incrementally increased or decreased angles of extension may be provided between the user and the axis of the cable issuing from the pulley block  49  and on which cable the user is imposing a tensive force. 
   While the structure described above and illustrated in the drawings is particularly useful for performing exercises that involve lifting various weights from a weight stack from whatever position the user chooses to use, it should be noted that the exercise apparatus of this invention is also capable of being used in conjunction with free-standing weights such as barbells of various weights. In this connection, the apparatus may be utilized by a user lying prone on the supporting surface that supports the exercise apparatus, or by utilizing the apparatus in conjunction with a horizontal bench press, an inclined bench press, a declining bench press, a seated military press or a behind-the-neck press, each of these and many other exercises utilizing a barbell. The apparatus is provided with appropriate retention sockets  66  for retaining the bars for barbells in an upright position for easy access, and is also provided with laterally extending support rods  67  extending cantilever fashion outwardly from the vertical beams that form a part of the rear frame section and on which weights for barbells as illustrated may be stored. 
   To render the exercise apparatus of the invention particularly useful for use with free-standing barbell type of weights, and the various types of exercises that are accomplished with barbells, and specifically to provide a measure of safety for the user while using barbells, and referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  11 ,  12 ,  16  and  17 , it will be seen that each of the vertical upright members  9  and  12  is provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures  68 . Additionally, slidably mounted on each of the vertical upright members  9  and  12  is a vertically adjustable “catch” bracket designated generally by the numeral  69 , and including a body portion  71  slidably enveloping the associated vertical upright member and provided with a locking device  72  manipulable to engage or disengage an aperture  68  in the associated vertical upright members so as to lock the “catch” bracket in a selected position when the locking device  72  is engaged, and permit the “catch” bracket to be selectively slidable vertically upwardly or downwardly when the locking device is disengaged. 
   Formed integrally with the bracket body  71 , or secured thereto by welding, and projecting forwardly therefrom, is a catch arm designated generally by the numeral  73 . The catch arm constitutes a generally rectangular tubular unit forming a part of the bracket  71 , and is provided with an inclined face at its distal end. Welded over the open distal end of the catch arm  73  is a face plate  74  the bottom edge of which is flush with the bottom edge of the catch arm, but which projects upwardly beyond the top surface  76  of the catch arm in a lip  77  as illustrated. The projecting lip prevents a barbell resting on the catch arms from rolling forwardly off the catch arms. It will thus be seen that while an exercise is being performed with a barbell within the footprint of the exercise apparatus, and the person exercising is unable during an exercise session to elevate the barbell to a desired height because of fatigue, all that is required to prevent injury to the user is to permit the barbell to straddle the two laterally spaced catch arms  73  and thus cause the barbell to fall on the catch arms rather than on the user&#39;s chest or neck. It should be understood that the vertical adjustability of these catch arms enables a person to exercise either lying prone on the floor, or seated on a bench, or lying prone on a bench, the elevation of the catch arms being adjusted to be at a convenient height that corresponds to the height from which the barbells will be elevated. 
   In like manner, and again referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 ,  11 ,  12 ,  16  and  17 , each of the inclined support beams  23  and  24  are each provided with a pair of vertically adjustable barbell catch assemblies designated generally by the numerals  81  and  82 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the pair of barbell catch assemblies  81  are mounted higher on the associated support members  23  and  24  so as to accommodate a barbell that is being used by a person that is standing within the footprint of the exercise apparatus. On the other hand, the pair of barbell catch assemblies  82  are positioned lower on the associated inclined member for two reasons: first, they form a safety device to intercept a barbell intended to be rested on assemblies  81  if it is accidently or inadvertently dropped by the person exercising. In this regard, it is noted that such a barbell descending out of control below the assemblies  81  from the hands of the person exercising will first contact the front face of the associated support beams  23  and  24  because of the incline of these support beams, and will ultimately be intercepted by the catch arm assemblies  82 . 
   Referring to the catch arm assemblies  81 , it will be seen that each is provided with a body portion  83  that slidably envelops the associated inclined beam  23  or  24 , and each is provided with a locking device  84  that may be selectively digitally manipulated to engage or disengage the slidable arm assemblies  81  from the associated support beams to enable vertical adjustment of the catch arms along the beams. Each of the catch arm assemblies also includes a forwardly projecting abutment  86  the distal end of which is provided with a flat plate  87  welded to the projecting abutment  86  and providing a lip  88  that projects beyond the upper surface of the catch arm as illustrated. As previously discussed in connection with the catch brackets  69 , the projecting lip  88  prevents a barbell from rolling off of the catch arm assemblies  81  when placed thereon. It will thus be seen that if a barbell is placed on the catch arms  81  when a person exercising is fatigued, it is prevented from rolling off of the catch arms. 
   In like manner, the catch arm assembly  82  is provided with a body portion  89  that slidably envelops the associated beam  23  or  24 , and is also provided with a lock device  91  that may be digitally manipulated to engage or disengage a selected aperture  27  formed in the face of the support beams  23  and  24 . This catch arm assembly is also provided with a forwardly projecting catch arm designated generally by the numeral  92  and having an upper surface  93  intercepted by an angularly extending end plate  94  provided with a lip  96  that prevents a barbell from rolling off of the catch arm when placed thereon. It should be understood that this lower position catch arm assembly is particularly useful when a person is exercising in a prone position on his back and lifting a weighted barbell. It should also be understood that in each case where apertures are utilized to be engaged by a locking pin, a peripheral edge portion of the aperture is sloped so that the spring pressed pin will automatically engage the aperture, thus eliminating the need for the user to hunt for the aperture, thus minimizing the time and effort to complete an adjustment. 
   Having thus described the invention what is believed to be new and novel and sought to be protected by letters patent is as follows.