Abstract: An apparatus that retracts a plunger along an axis about which a handle pivots. The handle has two ends that are perpendicular, the second end having a sidewall with a barrel forming a chamber in which the plunger is slidably mounted. The sidewall has elongated slots through which opposing roller bars that extend from the plunger protrude through. A collar body is rotatably mounted to the second end and has opposing openings with triangular surfaces. The roller bars rest on the triangular surfaces, and when the first end of the handle is rotated about the central axis, the slot sidewalls drive the roller bars around the triangular surfaces, thereby causing axial movement of the plunger away toward the first end of the handle without moving the first end to move out of the plane in which it rotates.

Abstract: A means and method for automatically selecting an amount of weight to be connected to a cable system in a fitness machine. When a dial is rotated to select a weight, a connected computer receives the rotational position information, operates a program to determine the amount of each weight to attach to the cable system and actuates solenoids accordingly to attach the weight to the cable by inserting pins fully into weight stacks to connect weights to a rod connected to a cable. The computer also displays the selected weight on the dial. When the new weight is selected, one or more retracting solenoids draw any inserted pins partially out before any new pins are fully inserted to connect the weights to the rod. This ensures that the system is cleared before attaching any weights to the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus that retracts a plunger along an axis about which a handle pivots. The handle has two ends that are perpendicular, the second end having a sidewall with a barrel forming a chamber in which the plunger is slidably mounted. The sidewall has elongated slots through which opposing roller bars that extend from the plunger protrude through. A collar body is rotatably mounted to the second end and has opposing openings with triangular surfaces. The roller bars rest on the triangular surfaces, and when the first end of the handle is rotated about the central axis, the slot sidewalls drive the roller bars around the triangular surfaces, thereby causing axial movement of the plunger away toward the first end of the handle without moving the first end to move out of the plane in which it rotates.