CENTRIFUGAL FORCE MACHINE
An exercise device including one or more rotatable members that allow a user to perform various exercises with a broad freedom of motion.
This invention relates generally to exercise devices. More particularly, this invention relates to exercise devices for cooperating with free weights and weight stacks.
BACKGROUNDWeightlifting machines are available for various exercises to reduce or eliminate the need for a spotter. However, such machines lack the broad range of motion necessary to accommodate a user for use with a variety of unrelated exercises used to work various portions of a user's body. What is needed, therefore, is a machine capable of eliminating the need for a spotter while, at the same time, allowing for a broad range of motion for various exercises using a single exercise device.
SUMMARYThe above and other needs are met by an exercise device machine that allows for a broad range of motion using a plurality of exercise techniques. In a preferred embodiment, the exercise device is configured for use with free weights or selectively engagable plate weight stacks for various arm exercises. However, it will be understood that the invention may also be adapted for a variety of other resistance sources and exercises for working the chest, back, legs, abs, and other body features.
In one embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, and a resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first guide member base end and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base.
A similar embodiment further includes a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the first guide member base end and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base.
In another embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end connected to a lower pivot member, wherein the pivot member is pivotally connected to the base), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member, an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, and a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the lower pivot member and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member and the second guide member relative to the base.
In a preferred embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end connected to a lower pivot member, wherein the pivot member is pivotally connected to the base), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, an elongate second guide member, a stabilizing member movable along the second guide member and connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member, an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, an elongate second weight rail including a second weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail and the second weight rails for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member, and a pulley system selectively connectable to the slide member and the weight carriage. The slide member is selectively engagable with the weight carriage by the use of a removable engagement member. In this embodiment, the engagement member preferably remains engaged when the pulley system is not in use; the engagement member is removed during exercises in which the pulley system is in use. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the lower pivot member and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member and the second guide member relative to the base.
Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
With reference to
The exercise device 10 also includes a slide member 18 that is movable along the first guide member 14, an attachment structure 20 for attaching an exercise engagement member, and, preferably, a stabilizing structure 22 for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member 18 along the first guide member 14. The exercise device 10 also includes a resistance interaction structure 24 for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member 18 along the first guide member 14. An example of slide member 18 may include a linear bearing or other similar structure known to those skilled in the art.
During exercise, a user urges the slide member 18 along the length of the first guide member 14. Depending on the type of exercise motion employed by said user, the first guide member 14 freely rotates about imaginary axis Z, rotating in concert with said user's motion. The stabilizing structure 22, if present, impedes rotary motion of the slide member 18 relative to the first guide member 14, thereby minimizing undesired rotation of the slide member 18 relative to the first guide member 14. The stabilizing structure 22 is not a necessary element of the embodiment shown in
The attachment structure 20 may be any structure known to those skilled in the art for attaching an exercise engagement member to the slide member 18. For example, the attachment structure 20 may include a handle, a ring, a bolt, a clip, or other similar structure. In the embodiment shown in
Exercise device 38 also includes a stabilizing structure that, in this embodiment, is in the form of an engagement member 46 for selectively connecting the slide member 18 to a resistance interaction structure that, in this embodiment, includes a weight carriage 48. The engagement member 46 is engagable with the slide member 18 at first engagement port 47 and may, for example, be a bolt or a pin. Engagement member 46 is further engagable with the weight carriage 48 at second engagement port 49. By connecting the slide member 18 to the weight carriage 48 using the engagement member 46, any exercise that moves slide member 18 along the length of the first guide member 14 will also move the weight carriage 48 and any weight thereon along the length of second guide member 40. The connection between the slide member 18 and the weight carriage 48 also provides stability, keeping the slide member 18 from rotating about the first guide member 14. The weight carriage 48 in this embodiment further includes a weight stack 50 including a plurality of weight plates, an elongate core member 52 oriented vertically along the weight stack 50, and a selection pin 54 for insertion along the weight stack 50 and the core member 52 to engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack 50 with the core member 52. Though a specific weight stack structure is described herein for illustration, those skilled in the art appreciate that any known weight stack system may be used with various embodiments of the invention described herein.
As with exercise device 38, lower pivot member 126 is pivotally connected to the base 12 by the pivotal connector 17 such that the lower pivot member 126 is rotatable from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees and, more preferably, about 360 degrees in either direction R or direction S about imaginary axis Z. In a preferred embodiment, exercise device includes an upper frame member 130, preferably attached to the base member 12, such that the upper pivot member 128 is pivotally connected to the upper frame member 130 by an upper pivotal connector 132. The upper pivotal connector 132 may be substantially identical to the lower pivotal connector 17.
Exercise device 100 also includes a slide member 134 that is movable along the first guide member 102. The slide member 134 includes an attachment structure 136 in the form of a latch. However, the attachment structure 136 may be any structure known to those skilled in the art for attaching an exercise engagement member to the slide member 134 including a handle, a ring, a bolt, a clip, or other similar structure. An exercise engagement member is any exercise appendage such as a cable and handgrip, a rope for pulling, a bar for pulling or pushing, or any other similar exercise appendage used at workout stations known to those skilled in the art.
A stabilizing structure 138 in the form of a sliding stabilizer that is movable along the second guide member 108 and connected to the slide member 134. The stabilizing structure 138 prevents the slide member 134 from rotating about the first guide member 102 during exercises in which a user urges the slide member 134 downward toward the first guide member base end 104.
Exercise device 100 includes weight carriage 140 as well as a pulley system 142. The pulley system 142 further includes first pulley wheel 144, second pulley wheel 146, and elongate strand 148 (including first strand end 150 selectively connectable to the weight carriage and second strand end 152 selectively connectable to the slide member 134). Strand 148 may include a cable, a strap, a rope, or any other similar elongate material or materials that may be used along one or more pulley wheels. The weight carriage 140 preferably includes a core member 154 and a top plate 156. Weight carriage 140 also includes a first guide port 158 along the first weight rail 114 and a second guide port 160 along the second weight rail 120. The core member 154, the top plate 156, the first guide port 158 and the second guide port 160 are preferably welded together as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Exercise device 100 is well suited for exercises in which a user urges slide member 134 from a position closer to the first guide member top end 106 to a position closer to the first guide member base end 104. However, exercise device 100 could also be used for exercises in which a user urges slide member 134 from a position closer to the first guide member base end 104 to a position closer to the first guide member top end 106. For example, in the embodiment shown in
As shown in
In addition to the specific embodiments described herein, other embodiments—variations of the embodiments described above—exist that include supplemental structures similar to the dual structure shown in
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Claims
1. An exercise device, comprising wherein during exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base member.
- a. a base member;
- b. an elongate first guide member including a first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member;
- c. a first pivotal connector connected to the first guide member base end and pivotally connected to the base member;
- d. a slide member movable along the first guide member;
- e. an attachment structure connected to the slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; and
- f. a resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member,
2. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
3. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the resistance interaction structure comprises at least one weight accumulation extension member extending from the slide member for attaching one or more free weights to the slide member.
4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising wherein during exercise a user urges the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, with the connection between the supplemental first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the supplemental first guide member relative to the base member.
- a. a supplemental first guide member including a supplemental first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member;
- b. a supplemental slide member movable along the supplemental first guide member;
- c. a supplemental first pivotal connector connected to the supplemental first guide member base end and pivotally connected to the base member;
- d. a supplemental attachment structure connected to the supplemental slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; and
- e. a supplemental resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member,
5. An exercise device, comprising wherein during exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the first pivot member relative to the base member.
- a. a base member;
- b. an elongate first guide member including a first guide member base end;
- c. a first pivot member connected to the first guide member base end;
- d. a first pivotal connector connected to the first pivot member and pivotally connected to the base member;
- e. a slide member movable along the first guide member;
- f. an attachment structure connected to the slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member;
- g. an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the first pivot member; and
- h. a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail, the resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member,
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
7. The stabilizing structure of claim 5, further comprising an engagement member for selectively connecting the slide member to the weight carriage to engage the resistance interaction structure with the slide member.
8. The stabilizing structure of claim 5, further comprising:
- a. an elongate second guide member including a second guide member base end; and
- b. a slide member stabilizer movable along the second guide member and connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
9. The weight carriage of claim 7, further comprising:
- a. a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates;
- b. an elongate core member oriented vertically along the weight stack, selectively engagable with the engagement member; and
- c. a selection pin for insertion along the weight stack and the core member to physically engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack with the core member.
10. The exercise device of claim 8, further comprising:
- a. a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates;
- b. an elongate core member oriented vertically along the weight stack, selectively engagable with the engagement member;
- c. a selection pin for insertion along the weight stack and the core member to physically engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack with the core member; and a pulley system connecting the slide member to the weight carriage, whereby the weight carriage provides resistance to the downward movement of the slide member along the first guide member.
11. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising an elongate second weight rail including a second weight rail base end connected to the first pivot member.
12. The exercise device of claim 6, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end and a first weight rail top end.
13. The exercise device of claim 8, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end, a first weight rail top end, and a second guide member top end.
14. The pulley system of claim 13 further comprising:
- a. a first pulley wheel connected to the second pivot member;
- b. a second pulley wheel connected to the second pivot member; and
- c. an elongate strand located along the first pulley wheel and the second pulley wheel, wherein the strand includes a first strand end and a second strand end, and wherein the first strand end is selectively connectable to the weight carriage and the second strand end is selectively connectable to the slide member.
15. The pulley system of claim 12 wherein the first strand end is attached to the weight carriage and the second strand end is attached to the slide member.
16. The exercise device of claim 11, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end, a second guide member top end, a first weight rail top end, and a second rail top end.
17. The exercise device of claim 10 further comprising an engagement member for selectively connecting the slide member stabilizer to the weight carriage to engage the weight carriage.
18. The exercise device of claim 16, further comprising:
- a. a frame member; and
- b. a second pivotal connector, wherein the second pivot member is pivotally connected to the frame member.
19. The exercise device of claim 18 wherein the frame member is attached to the base member.
20. The exercise device of claim 19, further comprising wherein during exercise a user urges the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, with the supplemental stabilizing structure inhibiting rotational movement of the supplemental slide member relative to the supplemental first guide member and the connection between the supplemental first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the supplemental first pivot member relative to the base member.
- a. a supplemental elongate first guide member including a supplemental first guide member base end;
- b. a supplemental first pivot member connected to the supplemental first guide member base end;
- c. a supplemental first pivotal connector connected to the supplemental first pivot member and pivotally connected to the base member;
- d. a supplemental slide member movable along the supplemental first guide member;
- e. a supplemental attachment structure connected to the supplemental slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member;
- f. a supplemental stabilizing structure connected to the supplemental slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the supplemental slide member relative to the supplemental first guide member;
- g. an elongate supplemental first weight rail including a supplemental first weight rail base end connected to the supplemental first pivot member; and
- h. a supplemental resistance interaction structure including a supplemental weight carriage movable along the supplemental first weight rail for providing resistance to the movement of the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member,
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2008
Inventors: Suzanne R. Vittone (Hurley, WI), Larry W. Vittone (Hurley, WI), William M. Vittone (Oak Ridge, TN)
Application Number: 11/627,010
International Classification: A63B 21/062 (20060101);