Patent ID: 7909745

Claim:
An adjustable resistance exercise device comprising a support frame; at least one cable receiving spool rotatably coupled to the support frame; at least one cable coupled to the cable receiving spool, wherein a length of the cable is coiled around the cable receiving spool in a retracted position and wherein the length of the cable extends from the cable receiving spool in an extended position, wherein the cable receiving spool is rotatable in a winding direction when the cable is being retracted toward the retracted position, and wherein the cable receiving spool is rotatable in an unwinding direction when the cable is being extended toward the extended position; at least one adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism operably coupled to the cable receiving spool to apply an adjustable resistance force to the cable receiving spool and to apply a retraction force to the cable receiving spool independent of the adjustable resistance force, wherein the resistance force resists rotation of the cable receiving spool in the unwinding direction to resist extension of the cable toward the extended position when the cable receiving spool is rotating in the unwinding direction, wherein the resistance force is applied only when the cable receiving spool is rotating in the unwinding direction, and wherein the retraction force causes the cable receiving spool to rotate in the winding direction to retract the cable toward the retracted position when the cable receiving spool is rotating in the winding direction; and a housing including a top surface for receiving part of a user, wherein the housing houses the frame, the cable receiving spool, and the adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism, wherein the housing includes an aperture that receives the cable and allows the cable to extend and retract, and wherein the at least one cable receiving spool lies substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing such that an axis of rotation of the cable receiving spool is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the housing.