Patent ID: 8257231

Claim:
A locking assembly for use in an exercise device, the locking assembly comprising: a member having a member sidewall with an elongated cross-sectional shape with a major axis extending across a widest portion of the elongated cross-sectional shape from a first end portion to a second end portion and bifurcating the member sidewall into a first side portion and a second side portion; a member receiving assembly comprising a sidewall defining an interior channel configured to slidably receive the member, and a first engagement member disposed inside the interior channel, the member being slidable within the interior channel back and forth along a predetermined sliding path, the sidewall of the member receiving assembly comprising a through-hole providing access into the interior channel, the second end portion of the member sidewall being adjacent the through-hole when the member is received inside the interior channel, the first engagement member being configured to engage portions of both the first side portion and the second side portion of the member sidewall located toward the first end portion of the member sidewall; a cam pivotally coupled to the member receiving assembly and configured to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a cam follower assembly positioned between the cam and the member at the through-hole of the sidewall of the member receiving assembly, the cam follower assembly having a movable second engagement member assembly configured to be biased by the cam, the movable second engagement member assembly comprising first and second force distribution members disposed at the through-hole formed in the sidewall, each of the first and second force distribution members having a projection extending toward the member, the projection of the first force distribution member being adjacent to the first side portion of the member sidewall and the projection of the second force distribution member being adjacent to the second side portion of the member sidewall, when the cam is pivoted into the locked position, the cam biases the movable second engagement member assembly toward the member to move the projection of the first force distribution member into locking engagement with the first side portion of the member sidewall and the projection of the second force distribution member into locking engagement with the second side portion of the member sidewall to apply a locking force to the first and second side portions of the member sidewall located toward the second end portion of the member sidewall, and thereby lock the member within the member receiving assembly and prevent the member from sliding along the predetermined sliding path, when the cam is pivoted into the unlocked position, and the cam does not bias the movable second engagement member assembly to apply the locking force to the first and second side portions of the member sidewall, and thereby releasing the member within the member receiving assembly and permitting the member to slide along the predetermined sliding path.