Exercise Machine Having Safety Feature On The Weight Selection Pin
Safety selection pin for weight stack selection system wherein the mid portion of the selection pin is machined down in diameter, forming a shoulder on the edge of the cut out portion. The length of the cut is slightly longer than the diameter of the central stem, or longer than the engaging portion of a link-connector in a “stemless” system, preventing the selection pin from being pulled out during the loaded state of a weight stack exercise machine, thus helping to avoid accidental injuries to users and nearby people.
The present invention relates generally to an improved design and construction of fitness training equipment wherein the selection pin has a safety feature to prevent said selection pin from being accidentally pulled out during loaded state, thus avoiding injuries to the users and potential nearby people.
Selectable amount of weight is commonly found on many fitness training equipment. A popular method is by using a central stem going down the center holes of a stack of weight plates, wherein a selection pin can be inserted through a hole on the side of each weight plate and through the central stem, forming the point of pick-up when users are engaging in exercise or training, as shown in
Another weight selection mechanism contains built-in push-in-switch cartridge system on the weight plate, as shown in
During the fitness equipment's relaxed state, users insert a selection pin, as in
During the fitness equipment's loaded state, however, the selection pin, being of metallic construction and having low surface friction, can be pulled out, causing the fitness equipment to change from loaded state to relaxed state instantly. This instant change from loaded state to relaxed state will result in the free-fall of the selected weight plates, dropping down to the bottom of the stack, likely causing injuries to users or people nearby, especially if the selection pin is pulled out accidentally, or for unknown reasons.
Present invention discloses and claims a safety feature for the selection pin to prevent the pulling out of selection pin from happening when the fitness equipment is in the loaded state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A brief description of the drawings is as follows:
In
In
For weight stacks having built-in selection push-in-switch, present invention works equally well, by having a length of the selection pin machined down in its diameter, as shown in
For the “stemless system”, as in
Claims
1. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising:
- a. A central stem;
- a. A plurality of weight plates stacked vertically each having a central hole to slidably receive said central stem; and,
- c. A safety selection pin that can be slidably fitted through a side hole of each weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of said central stem, forming a shoulder on the safety selection pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine.
2. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising:
- a. A central stem;
- b. A plurality of weight plates where each weight plate further having a built-in push-in/switch for engaging the selection pin into the central stem; and,
- c. A safety selection pin on each of the weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of said central stem, forming a shoulder on the safety pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine.
3. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising:
- a. A plurality of weight plates where each weight plate further having a corresponding link-connector and a corresponding hole on the link-connector and plate for engaging a safety selection pin to select desired weight; and,
- b. A safety selection pin on each of the weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of engaged portion of the link-connector, forming a shoulder on the safety selection pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 18, 2007
Inventor: Guofang Cao (Diamond Bar, CA)
Application Number: 11/279,428
International Classification: A63B 21/06 (20060101); A63B 21/062 (20060101);