Apparatus and Method for Exercising a User's Muscles
The invention is directed to an apparatus for exercising a user's muscles that includes a frame. A platform is attached to the frame, which defines an area on which a user stands. A weight stack is attached to the frame. A lineal shaft is attached to the frame between the platform and the weight stack. A carriage runs on the lineal shaft and is attached to the weight stack by a cable. An extension arm is pivotally connected to the carriage. A handle is attached to the extension arm. The lineal shaft and platform allow the user to adjust the machine to their body by just standing in the position that fits their body. The lineal shaft, carriage, and pivotal connected extension arm provides a resistance curve that fits the user's strength curve.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONExercise machines using weight stacks are known. The advantages of exercise machines using weight stacks include not requiring a spotter, reducing the risk of injury, and not loading and unloading weights. It also provides a more realistic resistance loading than elastic bands or other non-weight exercise machines. Despite this there have been drawbacks with weight machines. For instance, the machine normally defines an exercise path. As a result, the user does not get the fine motor and balance skills required by free weights. There have been attempts to solve this problem, by allowing greater degrees of freedom in certain weight machines. For instance, one rowing machine provides a ball joint to allow the user a wide range of motions. However, most of these solution are very specific to the particular machine and exercise.
Another problem with weight stack machines is that the user is required to make a number of adjustments. For instance, with a standard seated bicep machine the user has to adjust the seat for their height and adjust the position of the pad on which the user's elbow rests. Because the settings are not continuous the position of the seat and elbow pad is a compromise. In a gym setting, these adjustments have to made every time the user wants to use the machine, since the previous user is unlikely to need the same settings.
Another problem with weight stack machines is that they rarely are able to match the machine's resistance curve to the user's strength curve. One of the reasons for this is the adjustments to the machine do not fit the user perfectly. Another reason is that the machine mimics free weights which have a set resistance throughout the exercise. However, the human body does not have a uniform strength curve through the range of motion of an exercise. For instance, humans have less mechanical advantage at the bottom of a squat press and more mechanical advantage at the top of the squat press. Thus the strength curve is not uniform, whereas the resistance of free weights is constant. This results in suboptimal exercising of the user's muscles.
Thus there exists a need for an exercise machine that does not require multiple adjustments before it can be used and matches a resistance curve to the user's strength curve.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONAn apparatus for exercising a user's muscles that overcomes these and other problems includes a frame. A platform is attached to the frame which defines an area on which a user stands. A weight stack is attached to the frame. A lineal shaft is attached to the frame between the platform and the weight stack. A carriage runs on the lineal shaft and is attached to the weight stack by a cable. An extension arm is pivotally connected to the carriage. A handle is attached to the extension arm.
The lineal shaft and platform allow the user to adjust the machine to their body by just standing in the position that fits their body. The lineal shaft, carriage, and pivotal connected extension arm provides a resistance curve that fits the user's strength curve.
The invention is directed to an apparatus for exercising a user's muscles that includes a frame. A platform is attached to the frame, which defines an area on which a user stands. A weight stack is attached to the frame. A lineal shaft is attached to the frame between the platform and the weight stack. A carriage runs on the lineal shaft and is attached to the weight stack by a cable. An extension arm is pivotally connected to the carriage. A handle is attached to the extension arm.
The lineal shaft and platform allow the user to adjust the machine to their body by just standing in the position that fits their body. The lineal shaft, carriage, and pivotal connected extension arm provides a resistance curve that fits the user's strength curve.
In one embodiment, the lineal shaft 18 is connected to the frame 12 by a pair of rubber dampeners 34 at the top and bottom of the lineal shaft 18. The weight stack 16 is surrounded by a shroud 36, in one embodiment. The shroud 36 is made of steel in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the weight stack 16 includes a standard pin 38 attached to the machine by a cable for adjusting the resistance level.
In order to use the tricep machine 10 the user first adjusts the resistance level of the weight stack 16. The user then stands on the platform 14 with their feet about shoulder width apart. The user then grabs the handle 32 and pulls the handle downward. The user can adjust the resistance profile over the exercise stroke by standing closer or nearer the weight stack 16. Note that as the user pulls down on the handle the carriage 24 travels down the lineal shaft 18. This causes the angle between the extension arm 30 and the carriage 24 to change. As the user pulls the handle down the angle between the extension arm and the handle moves from a large angle to almost zero and then a large angle again. As a result, the resistance curve goes from a high resistance to a low resistance and back to a higher resistance because of this change in angle and this matches the users the strength while performing this exercise.
Since the user is standing there is no need to adjust seat heights or any other adjustment. This makes it easy for multiple users to rotate through the machine and reduces the time the machine is not being used for exercising.
In order to use the bicep machine the user stands on the platform 14 and lifts the handle 32 causing the user's hands to rotate from fully extended until their hands are adjacent to their chest. Note that angle between the lineal shaft 18 and the extension handle 30 is changes during the exercise stroke. This occurs because of the angle of the lineal shaft 18 and the fact that the carriage 24 is pivotally attached to the extension arm 30. As a result, the resistance curve starts with a higher resistance, is lower in the middle and then higher again at the end of the exercise stroke and this matches the users the strength while performing this exercise.
In operation the user adjusts the weight stack 16 to the desired resistance level. The user then stands on the platform 14 facing toward from the weight stack 16. The user squats and places their shoulders against the shoulder pads 78. The user then straightens their legs. The angle of the carriage 24 and the cable 20 changes to match the user's strength curve to the resistance curve of the machine 70. In this case the resistance curve starts at the lowest and increases throughout the exercise stroke. The squat machine 70 also requires the user to perform the exercise with proper form, keeping the user to back straight throughout the stoke.
Thus there has been described an exercise machine that is easy to use, matches a user's strength curve to the resistance curve, and requires a minimal number of adjustments. This machine more effectively works the user's muscles and is able to be used by more athletes in a given period of time.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for exercising a user's muscles, comprising:
- a frame;
- a platform attached to the frame defining an area on which a user stands;
- a weight stack attached to the frame;
- a lineal shaft attached to the frame between the platform and the weight stack;
- a carriage running on the lineal shaft and attached to the weight stack by a cable;
- an extension arm pivotally connected to the carriage; and
- a handle attached to the extension arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lineal shaft is essentially vertical.
3. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lineal shaft is canted at an angle.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lineal shaft slopes away from the platform and essentially extends along the center longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a rubber dampener between the lineal shaft and the frame.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform is roughly triangular.
7. An apparatus for exercising a user's muscles comprising:
- a frame;
- a weight stack attached to the frame;
- a lineal shaft attached to the frame;
- a carriage traveling on the lineal shaft attached to the weight stack by a cable; and
- an extension arm pivotally attached to the carriage.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including a platform attached to the frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a resistance curve essentially matches a strength curve.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lineal shaft is essentially vertical.
11. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the lineal shaft slopes away from the weight stack.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the platform is diamond shaped.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, further including a dampener between the lineal shaft and the frame.
14. The apparatus of claim 7, further including a shroud enclosing the weight stack.
15. A method of exercising a user's muscles comprising the steps of:
- standing on a platform;
- setting a resistance level;
- grabbing a handle attached to a carriage running on a lineal shaft; and
- moving the handle causing the carriage to move along the lineal shaft.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of standing on the platform includes selecting a position wherein a resistance curve essentially matches a strength curve.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of grabbing the handle does not include adjusting a handle length.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of standing on the platform includes the step of selecting a diamond shaped platform.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step grabbing the handle includes the step of selecting the lineal shaft to be essentially vertical.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of selecting the lineal shaft to be essentially vertical includes the step of selecting the lineal shaft to slope away from the platform.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 2, 2011
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2012
Inventor: Roy Richard Simonson (Colorado Springs, CO)
Application Number: 13/078,959
International Classification: A63B 21/062 (20060101);