Patents by Inventor Parker E. Mahnke

Parker E. Mahnke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4793608
    Abstract: A multipurpose exercise machine for accomplishing progressive resistance exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Marcy Fitness Products
    Inventors: Parker E. Mahnke, Ron Sheltra
  • Patent number: 4744559
    Abstract: A free-standing multi-station progressive resistance exercise apparatus which is small, light weight, highly versatile and easy to use. The apparatus includes a main frame comprising a central guide column, a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along the central guide column, a stack of weights disposed below the carriage, a selector bar extending between the weights and the carriage for interconnecting a selected number of weights with the carriage, a body engaging handlebar connected to the carriage for vertical movement of the carriage relative to the guide column; a second frame including back to back guide tracks for guiding the vertical travel of first and second sheaves and first and second cable systems operably connected to a plurality of remote body engaging members for use in performing a wide variety of arm and leg exercises, the cable systems interconnecting the body engaging members with the weights via the sheaves and the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Parker E. Mahnke, Ron Sheltra
  • Patent number: 4678185
    Abstract: A bench type exercise device which can be readily adjusted into several different starting positions to permit the performance of a wide variety of body exercises in a sitting position, a prone position, and a reclined position. The device is provided at the outboard end with a body engaging subassembly which, in a lowered position, can be used for various leg exercises such as leg extensions and which, in a raised position can be used for the performance of various arm exercises such as arm curls. The device further embodies remotely located weight stack, or other resistance providing mechanism, which is uniquely interconnected with the body engaging subassembly by means of an adjustable linkage assembly to provide a constant, uniform and predeterminable resistance to pivotal movement of the body engaging elements whether the elements are disposed in a lowered or elevated position and whether the device is being used for the performance of leg exercises or arm exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4566691
    Abstract: An exercise bench for use by a trainee in the performance of free weight exercises using a barbell type apparatus including an elongate bar with weights carried on either end thereof. The bench includes a first frame assemblage having a pair of spaced apart upstanding members, including cradle-like supports for supporting the elongate bar of the barbell apparatus and a second frame assemblage. The second frame assemblage includes a seat portion and back portion, a part of the seat portion being uniquely disposed forwardly of the plane of said upstanding members and a part being disposed rearwardly thereof. The back portion is also rearwardly spaced apart from the plane of the upstanding members so that, with the barbell apparatus being supported on said support cradles, the trainee can sit on said seat portion facing the elongate bar of the apparatus and lean against the back portion with his upper torso positioned between the elongate bar and the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4546970
    Abstract: A resistance exercising machine having a similarly configured triangularly shaped main frame adapted to carry at least one stack of weights and a pivoted engagement mechanism which is operably coupled with the weights and is adapted to be engaged by the trainee to cause a controlled movement of the mechanism relative to the main frame against the urging of the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4423865
    Abstract: An exercise bench for use in performing free weight exercises which includes interconnected first and second tubular frame members which cooperate to provide a base frame for the planar benches which support the trainee. The first frame member is substantially "U" shaped having transversely spaced apart upstanding legs which are interconnected by a rigid cross-member. The second centrally disposed frame member having at least one ground engaging support leg and a longitudinally extending support element disposed in a crossing relationship with the rigid cross-member of the first frame. This longitudinally extending support element supports the fixed and an adjustable planar bench portions which portions are hingeably interconnected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4339125
    Abstract: A progressive resistance exercising machine having a single, substantially vertical guide column adapted to guide a reciprocating member which is provided with a laterally outwardly extending lifting arm engageable by the trainee. Both the guide column and a weight selector bar to which the reciprocating member is connected extends through centrally disposed apertures formed in a plurality of weights positioned substantially directly below the selector bar. When the selector bar is selectively interconnected with one or more weights in the weight stack, a lifting force exerted on the lifting arm will cause the reciprocating member and the selector bar to move upwardly against the urging of the weights. As the reciprocating member is moved upwardly, the central guide column accomplishes the function of uniquely guiding the travel of both the reciprocating member and the selector bar as well as constraining the path of travel of the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Tim M. Uyeda, Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4317566
    Abstract: A progressive resistance exercising machine having a single, substantially vertical guide column adapted to guide a vertically reciprocative carriage provided with a laterally outwardly extending lifting arm engageable by the trainee. The design of the highly compact machine is unique in that the guide column, as well as a weight selector bar which is connected to the carriage, extends through centrally disposed apertures formed in a plurality of weights positioned substantially directly below the carriage. When the selector bar is selectively interconnected with one or more weights in the weight stack, a lifting force exerted on the lifting arm will cause the carriage and the selector bar to move upwardly against the urging of the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Tim M. Uyeda, Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 4199139
    Abstract: An improved exercising apparatus specifically designed to permit, in a single compact unit, barbell type, lifting exercises as well as pull type, muscle toning exercises. Incrementally selectable, vertically movable weights are raised and lowered either by the exertion of vertical straight line forces on a vertically adjustable body engaging means removably connected to a vertically movable carriage which is directly coupled with the weights, or alternatively by the exertion of pull type forces on a second body engaging means coupled with the weights through a system of pulleys which reduces the amount of force required to raise the weights by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Parker E. Mahnke, Anthony J. DeMaeo
  • Patent number: 4101124
    Abstract: An improved, lightweight, compact exercising apparatus wherein the exerciser positions himself on a carriage and exerts forces against his own weight by pulling or pushing the carriage along an inclined track assembly. At the upper end of the track assembly there is affixed a pair of guide sleeves which telescopically receive the legs of a U-shaped track elevator member. Movement of the guide sleeves up and down the legs of the elevator member varies angle of inclination of the track assembly. A unique locking mechanism is provided for locking the upper end of the track assembly at selected positions along the legs of the elevator member. The locking mechanism is a generally U-shaped member formed of a yieldably resilient material. Each side of the U-shaped member has a generally L-shaped free end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: 3971555
    Abstract: An exercising machine comprising an upright supporting structure having vertical tracks, a vertically reciprocative carriage mounted in and guided by the tracks, adjustable resistance supported in the upright structure between the tracks below the carriage and connected directly to the carriage, and body-engaging member which is adjustable to different starting positions.The novel exercising machine does not utilize ropes, cables, pulleys, etc., but rather, embodies a direct connection between the carriage and the resistance. With such an arrangement, the machine is simple to operate, occupies a minimum of floor space, and requires minimum maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: D284297
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Parker E. Mahnke
  • Patent number: D298057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Parker E. Mahnke, Ron Sheltra