Patent ID: 7037246

Claim:
A variable resistance exercising device using a rod moveable in an exercising direction and a plurality of extension springs selectively deployable to resist movement of the rod in the exercising direction, the device comprising: a) a plurality of links interconnectable with the springs and arranged around the rod; b) a dedicated one of the links being connected to the rod to move with the rod; c) a remainder of the links being arranged in a stack extending from the connected.link toward a base in a direction opposite to the exercising motion; d) each of the springs having a fixed end connected to the base and a moveable end operatively connected to one of the links; e) the remaining links being formed to allow springs to pass through a link nearer to the base to reach a link arranged farther from the base; f) each of the remaining links having a hole, and the rod having a series of holes registering with the link holes when the rod is in a home position; g) a pin insertable through any one of the link holes into a corresponding rod hole to pin any one of the remaining links to the rod; and h) any link disposed in the exercising direction from a pinned link being moved with the rod when the rod moves in the exercising direction, and any link disposed on a base side of a pinned link remaining in place when the rod moves in the exercising direction so that selecting the link to be pinned to the rod also selects the number of extension springs that are deployed to resist movement of the rod in the exercising direction without requiring any change in spring end connections.