Weightlifting Machine Attachment

A weightlifting machine attachment configured to provide support a weight carriage that moves on a carriage support. The weightlifting machine attachment may include a mounting bracket that attaches to a weightlifting machine that comprises a weight carriage and a carriage support. The attachment also includes an arm, where the arm has a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall forming an interior cavity. A supporting insert may be mounted to the arm and received in the interior cavity, where the supporting insert comprises a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/488,287 filed on Mar. 3, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to machines for weightlifting and other exercise, and more specifically to an attachment to a weightlifting machine designed to assist a user in safe use of weightlifting machines.

BACKGROUND

Various different types of weightlifting machines exist, each provide users the ability to perform a weightlifting exercise. Some users of weightlifting machines lift large quantities of weights. When larger quantities of weights are lifted, the risk for damage to the weightlifting machine and/or harm to the user is increased. Damage to a weightlifting machine and/or harm to a user can occur when weights are dropped or become unsupported by a user or the machine. Thus, there is a need for a weightlifting machine attachment to mitigate any damage to the weightlifting machine and/or harm to user when weights are dropped or become unsupported.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

This disclosure may relate to a weightlifting machine attachment comprising: (a) a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a weightlifting machine, where the weightlifting machine comprises a carriage and a carriage support, and where the carriage is movably connected to the carriage support and comprises a plurality of rollers engaging the carriage support, the plurality of rollers including a first roller having a diameter; (b) an arm that has a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall forming an interior cavity, where the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket creating a gap configured to be at least as wide as the diameter of the first roller; and (c) a supporting insert mounted to the arm and received within the interior cavity. The supporting insert may define a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position. The carriage support may include a track that extends vertically upward from a support frame such that the track guides movement of the carriage, where the track includes a plurality of stops to prevent downward movement of the carriage when the carriage contacts one of the plurality of stops. The mounting bracket may also include a first tab configured to contact a first stop of the plurality of stops. The first tab may comprise a forward tab surface, where the forward tab surface is configured to engage a side surface of the first stop. The supporting surface may be configured to be positioned directly beneath a beam of the carriage configured to support a weight, and wherein the supporting surface is configured to engage the beam to support the carriage, such that the beam is located between an outer surface of the carriage support and the rear wall of the arm. In addition, the supporting surface of the supporting insert may include a rounded recess that is configured to receive a beam of the carriage that is configured to support a weight. The supporting surface may further include a raised planar lip that is nearer to the rear wall than the rounded concave recess and a sloped surface that extends between the raised planar lip and the rounded recess. The rounded recess of the supporting surface may have a distal end nearest the raised planar lip and a proximal end opposite the distal end, where the distal end is positioned above than the proximal end. An upper surface of a first arm side wall of the two arm side walls may include a rounded recess. The supporting surface may be positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and an upper surface of a first arm side wall of the two arm side walls. In addition, the supporting insert is formed from a polymeric material and may be releasably mounted to the arm. The interior cavity of the arm that receives the supporting insert may be substantially U-shaped.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a weightlifting machine attachment comprising: (a) a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a weightlifting machine, where the weightlifting machine comprises a carriage and a carriage support, (b) an arm comprising a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall, where the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket; and (c) a supporting insert mounted to the arm, where the supporting insert may include a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position, wherein the supporting surface is positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls. The carriage may be movably connected to the carriage support and comprise a plurality of rollers engaging the carriage support, the plurality of rollers. The supporting surface may be positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls. In addition, the supporting surface may be configured to be positioned directly beneath a beam of the carriage configured to support a weight, and where the supporting surface is configured to engage the beam to support the carriage, such that the beam is located between an outer surface of the carriage support and the rear wall of the arm. The supporting surface of the supporting insert may also include a rounded recess that is configured to receive the beam of the carriage.

Still additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to a weightlifting machine comprising: (a) a carriage support comprising a track that extends vertically upward from a support frame, (b) a carriage movably connected to the carriage support and comprising a plurality of rollers configured to engage the carriage support; and (c) an attachment comprising: (1) a mounting bracket connected to the carriage support, (2) an arm comprising a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall, wherein the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket, and (3) a supporting insert mounted to the arm, wherein the supporting insert includes a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position. The carriage may have a horizontal beam extending outwardly from opposite sides of the carriage. The supporting surface may be positioned beneath the beam of the carriage such that the beam contacts the supporting surface when the carriage is in the resting position, where the beam of the carriage is configured to support a weight. The supporting surface of the supporting insert may include a rounded recess that is configured to receive a portion of the beam of the carriage in the resting position. The carriage support may be configured for connection to a weight rack on a front side thereof, where the beam may be positioned on a rear side of the carriage, and the arm extends rearward and upward from the carriage support to engage the beam of the carriage in the resting position. The supporting surface may be positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls. The supporting surface may be positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls. The arm may have a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall forming an interior cavity, where the supporting insert is received within the interior cavity of the arm.

The present disclosure is provided to address this need and other needs in existing weightlifting machines. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To allow for a better understanding of the present disclosure, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weightlifting machine, including one embodiment of an attachment according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weightlifting machine and the attachment of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the weightlifting machine and the attachment of FIG. 1, shown connected to a weight rack assembly;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the weightlifting machine and the attachment of FIG. 1, shown connected to a weight rack assembly illustrated schematically;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carriage of the weightlifting machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the weightlifting machine and the attachment of FIG. 1 with the carriage removed for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the weightlifting machine and the attachment of FIG. 1 with the carriage removed for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a rear-view of the attachment of FIG. 1.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail example embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-4, illustrate a weightlifting machine 30 that includes a support frame 31, a carriage support 40, a weight carriage 50 moveably mounted on the carriage support 40, a cable system 70 (shown schematically in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 3A) operably connecting the weight carriage 50 to a user engaging member (not shown), and one embodiment of an attachment 100 configured to hold and/or support the weight carriage 50. The weightlifting machine 30 is configured such that a user, by exerting force on the user engaging member, pulls the weight carriage 50 upward along the carriage support 40 via the cable system 70, with the weight of the weight carriage 50 providing resistance to the user in this motion. The user engaging member may be a bar, handle, grip, or other member designed for gripping by a user's hands; a strap, belt, harness, or other member designed for engaging a user's torso, or a different member designed to be engaged by a different part of the user's body (e.g., leg, foot, head, etc.) to exert force on the carriage 50 via the cable system 70. The cable system 70 may be configured using a variety of pulleys to redirect the cable of the cable system 70. At least some aspects of the weightlifting machine 30 may be configured as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Additionally, at least some aspects of the weightlifting machine 30, in particular the cable system 70, may be configured as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 11,260,261, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As such, the weightlifting machine 30 may be configured as a belt squat machine such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909, or may be configured as a different type of weightlifting machine with a differently routed cable system 70, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 11,260,261.

The support frame 31 includes a plurality of support frame members that engage the ground or resting surface and/or other structures to support the other components of the machine 30. One of the support frame members 34A extends to the carriage support 40 and connects the carriage support 40 to a weight rack assembly 10. Bracing members 34B are also connected to the support frame member 34A and the carriage support 40 to reinforce the connection between these structures and to stabilize the carriage support 40. As described in greater detail below, the support frame 31 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is configured for connection to a weight rack assembly 10, and this connection partially supports the machine 30. Several of the support frame members have structures for connection of the machine 30 to the weight rack assembly 10 as described herein, including holes for receiving fasteners. The weight rack assembly 10 may comprise a plurality of lateral and vertical beam members arranged in a self-supporting structure with multiple attachments and pulleys that may be used in conjunction with cable system 70. In another embodiment, the support frame 31 may have additional support frame members, including additional feet 27 or other ground-engaging structures to provide the machine 30 as a stand-alone structure independent of a weight rack assembly 10.

The carriage support 40 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 includes a track or guide 41 that extends vertically upward from the support frame 31, such that the weight carriage 50 is mounted on the track 41 and the track 41 guides the movement of the weight carriage 50. The track 41 in this embodiment is formed by a single upright rail 42. In other embodiments, the track 41 may be formed of two or more parallel rails 42 that are engaged with the weight carriage 50. The rail 42 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

The weightlifting machine 30 of FIGS. 1-4 includes one or more pegs 46 connected to the support frame 31 and extending outwardly from the support frame 31 at the base of the carriage support 40 and below the rear of the weight carriage 50. The support frame 31 includes an enlarged base 47 at the bottom of the carriage support 40 to support the track 41, such that the base 47 rests on the ground and the track 41 extends upward from the base 47. The embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 includes two pegs 46 that are connected to the base 47 and extend rearwardly from the base 47, such that the pegs 46 are spaced from each other and located on opposite lateral sides of the track 41. The base 47 of the support frame 31 also has two feet or braces 27 on its lateral ends to improve lateral stability of the base 47 and the carriage support 40.

The weight carriage 50 in FIGS. 1-4 includes a carriage body 51 that is moveably mounted on the track 41 of the carriage support 40 by one or more track-engaging structures 52, with one or more weight mounts 56 connected to the carriage body 51 to support and/or engage removable weights. The track-engaging structure(s) 52 in FIGS. 1-4 include rollers 53 that are positioned to engage the rail 42 and define a passage 54 through the carriage body 51, such that the track 41 extends through the passage 54 in the carriage body 51. In this configuration, the track 41 and rail 42 thereof are surrounded on all sides by the carriage 50 and are engaged on at least two sides by the carriage 50. In another embodiment, the rollers 53 may be positioned on the left and right sides of the track 41 and may engage the left and right outer surfaces 43 of the rail 42. The carriage 50 in FIGS. 1-3 has four total rollers 53, with two rollers 53 on each side of the passage 54. Each of the rollers 53 has an axle 55 that defines an axis of rotation of the roller 53, and all of the rollers 53 in this embodiment rotate freely on parallel axes. The carriage body 51 includes two plates 57 that are parallel and spaced from each other, and the rollers 53 are connected to the two plates 57 and extend between the two plates 57. The plates 57 define the lateral sides of the passage 54, with the rollers 53 defining the front and rear sides of the passage 54. The rollers 53 provide the sole points of engagement between the carriage 50 and the track 41 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3B. It is understood that the axles 55 of the rollers 53 extend completely through each roller 53 and between the plates 57 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. In another embodiment, the axle 55 of each roller 53 may be defined by a pair of spindles or other rotary structure on each end of the roller 53.

In another embodiment, the weight carriage 50 may include track-engaging structures 52 that engage the track 41 in a different manner, and the track 41 may include complementary structures for such engagement. For example, the track 41 may include rails, flanges, grooves, lips, or other structures that are engaged by track-engaging structures 52 of the carriage 50, such as rollers, wheels, clamps, etc.

The carriage 50 in FIGS. 1-4 is configured to move by translation up and down along the track 41, and the rollers 53 roll against the outer surfaces of the rail 42 during this movement. The track 41 has stops 45 near the bottom of the rail 42 that prevent further downward movement of the carriage 50 when the carriage 50 contacts one of the stops 45, establishing a lowermost position of the carriage 50 in normal operation. Additionally, the carriage 50 has an engagement member 66 at the front of the carriage 50. The engagement member 66 in the example shown in FIGS. 1-4 is a bar or peg that extends between the plates 57 at the front of the carriage 50. The carriage 50 in this embodiment further includes projections 67 on the plates 57 extending outward from the front of the carriage 50, and the engagement member 66 extends between the projections 67 to position the engagement member 66 forward of the track 41. The carriage 50 in this embodiment has a single beam 68 engaged with recesses in both plates 57 of the carriage body 51 that forms two weight mounts 56 extending laterally outward on left and right lateral sides of the carriage body 51, each of which is configured to support and/or engage various free weights. In other embodiments, the carriage 50 may have one or more weight mounts 56 having a different configuration. The carriage 50 and the weight or weights engaged therewith may be considered to form a moveable weight assembly to provide resistance for a weightlifting exercise. The carriage 50 also has a cable connection 61 configured for connection to the cable system 70 to exert force on the carriage 50. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4, the cable connection 61 is located at the center of the beam 68, but may be positioned elsewhere in other configurations. In some examples, the carriage support 40 may be configured for connection to a front side of a weight rack 10, where the beam 68 is positioned on a rear side of the carriage 50, and the arm 120 of the attachment member 100 extends rearward and upward from the carriage support 40 to engage the beam 68 of the carriage 50 in the resting position.

An attachment 100 is configured to hold and/or support the weight carriage 50 when the carriage 50 is in a desired resting position, wherein the carriage 50 travels upward on the track 41 from the resting position. The attachment 100 attaches to the weightlifting machine 30 on the carriage support 40 via a mounting bracket 110. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 110 attaches directly to the track 41 of the carriage support 40. The mounting bracket 110 attaches to the carriage support 40 below the resting position of the carriage 50. The mounting bracket 110 can be attached to the carriage support 40 by various means and/or connecting structures and techniques. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 110 attaches to the carriage support by the use of bolts 105. The attachment 100 may alternately be used in connection with a weightlifting machine 30 that has a moveable locking mechanism as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909, to create a resting position located below the height at which the moveable locking mechanism supports the carriage 50.

The mounting bracket 110 may have structure to create a foundation to help support the carriage support 40. The mounting bracket 110 may include a pair of bracket side walls 114 that engage the sides of the carriage support 40 and a front wall 116 extending between the pair of bracket side walls 114. The bracket side walls 114 and front wall 116 of the mounting bracket 110 may be substantially C-shaped or U-shaped as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9, but may have a different configuration in other embodiments. The bracket side walls 114 may include one or more holes 112 configured to receive bolts, pins, or other structures for connection to the carriage support 40 and/or the weightlifting machine 30.

Each bracket side wall 114 may include a tab 117 that extends upward from an upper surface of each bracket side wall 114. The tabs 117 may have a forward tab surface 118 and an upper tab surface 119. In some embodiments, the forward tab surface 118 and the upper tab surface 119 may be adjacent each other and may also be substantially perpendicular to each other. The forward tab surface 118 of each tab 117 may contact or confront a stop side surface 48 of the stop 45. In some cases, the carriage 50 may be dropped by a user causing a large force to be created when the carriage 50 contacts the stops 45 and the supporting insert 140. Each tab 117 contacting the stop side surface 48 of the stop 45 helps to counter any rotational forces caused by carriage 50 contacting the supporting insert 140. Additionally, each tab 117 may be configured to engage the carriage 50 to help support the carriage in a resting position. For instance, the upper tab surface 119 may contact or confront a wall or surface of the carriage 50 to help support the carriage 50 when it is in a resting position. When the mounting bracket 110 is attached to the weightlifting machine 30, the upper tab surface 119 of each tab 117 may be substantially coplanar with an upper stop surface 49 of the stop 45. In some examples, each tab 188 may only have a portion of the upper tab surface 119 that is substantially coplanar with a portion of the upper stop surface 49 of the stop 45 (i.e. the upper tab surface 119 and the upper stop surface 49 may be located at the same height such that both the upper tab surface 119 and the upper stop surface 49 may contact and engage the carriage 50 to help support the carriage in a resting position). Alternatively, the upper tab surface 119 may be spaced below the upper stop surface 49 such that the carriage 50 does not contact the upper tab surface 119.

An arm 120 may extend from the mounting bracket 110 upwards towards the carriage 50 to help support the carriage 50 when it is in a rest position. The arm 120 extends to a point directly below the beam 68 of the carriage 50 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. Additionally, the arm 120 extends away from the front wall 116 of the mounting bracket 110 and away from the carriage support 40 and weightlifting machine 30. The arm 120 may include a rear wall 125A and two arm side walls 125B extending from the rear wall 125A toward the mounting bracket 110. The two arm side walls 125B may connect to the front wall 116 of the mounting bracket 110. The rear wall 125A and the two arm side walls 125B may create an interior cavity 126. In some embodiments, the arm 120 may be substantially C-shaped or U-shaped, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9. In other embodiments, the arm 120 may form a square tube, or may create a different configuration.

The arm 120 may extend from the mounting bracket 110 to create a gap 130 between the arm 120 and the front wall 116 of the mounting bracket 110. In addition, the gap 130 may also be created between the arm 120 and the carriage support 40 and the weightlifting machine 30. The gap 130 may be wider than the diameter of a roller 53. Because gap 130 is wider than the diameter of the roller 53, the arm 120 does not impede the movement the roller 53, and therefore the carriage 50, on the track 41. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2B, the lowermost and rearmost roller 53 are received within the gap 130 between the arm 120 and the carriage support 40 when the carriage 50 is in the resting position. The gap 130 therefore allows the carriage 50 to reach its resting position unimpeded.

The attachment 100 includes a supporting surface 160 configured to engage a portion of the carriage 50 to support the carriage 50 at its resting position. The supporting surface 160 may be positioned at the end of the arm 120 in one embodiment. In the configuration of FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9, the attachment 100 includes a supporting insert 140 that is mounted on the arm 120 and defines, at least in part, the supporting surface 160. The interior cavity 126 of the arm 120 is configured to receive the supporting insert 140. The supporting insert 140 can be releasably mounted to the arm 120 by various means. In some embodiments, the supporting insert 140 attaches to the arm 120 by the use of bolts 145 that extend through at least one of the side arm side walls 125B. Alternatively, the supporting insert 140 may be connected with bolts extending through the rear wall 125A, or using adhesives, or other means known to one skilled in the art. The supporting surface 160 may be positioned to be positioned directly below the beam 68 of the carriage 50. As discussed above, the beam 68 of the carriage 50 may help to define or may form the two weight mounts 56 extending laterally of the carriage body 51 that are configured to support a weight. The beam 68 may be located between an outer surface of the track 41 of the carriage support 40 and the rear wall 125A of the arm 120. The supporting surface 160 is contoured to engage the rounded beam 68 of the carriage 50 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. The supporting surface 160 may positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall 125A and the two arm side walls 125B in order for the beam 68 to contact the supporting surface 160 to prevent contact of the beam 68 with the rear wall 125A or the either of the arm side walls 125B. In this configuration, the supporting surface 160 may have a raised planar lip 162 at the rear (spaced furthest from the carriage support 40 and nearer to the rear wall 125A) and a rounded concave recess 163 located forward of the lip 162 (in a direction towards the front wall 116 of the mounting bracket 110), with a sloped surface 164 extending from the lip 162 to the recess 163. In some examples, a distance between the upper surface 127 of the rear wall 125A of the arm 120 and the raised lip 162 may be substantially constant. The rounded concave recess 163 may have a distal end 165 nearest the raised planar lip 162 and a proximal end 166 opposite the distal end 165, where the distal end 165 may be positioned above or higher than the proximal end 166 (i.e. a vertical distance from the distal end 165 to the upper surface 127 of the rear wall 125A is greater than a vertical distance of the proximal end 166 to the upper surface 127 of the rear wall 125A). In addition, an upper surface 128 of each side arm 125B may include a rounded concave recess 129 that corresponds with the location of the recess 163 of the supporting surface 160. The sloped surface 164 helps to guide the rounded beam 68 into the rounded recess 163 when the carriage 50 contacts the insert 140, such that the recess 163 may receive the beam 68. This configuration of the supporting surface 160 assists in enabling a consistent and secure engagement point for the carriage 50 on the supporting surface 160.

The supporting insert 140 extends vertically upward from the arm 120 to position the supporting surface 160 slightly above the distal end of the arm 120 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9. In this position, the supporting surface 160 is located at a point directly below the beam 68 of the carriage 50, such that the supporting insert 140 is configured to engage the beam 68 of the carriage 50. When the carriage 50 is in its resting position, the beam 68 is resting on the supporting surface 160 of the supporting insert 140. In some embodiments, the supporting insert 140 and/or supporting surface 160 are made of a different material than the beam 68, such as a polymer, including various plastics, rubber, or fiber-reinforced plastic or other composites. For example, in some embodiments the supporting insert 140 and/or supporting surface 160 is made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A polymer is used to avoid any unnecessary friction and wear on the beam 68 of the carriage 50 that could be caused by the beam 68 resting on the supporting surface 160. In addition, the polymeric material may help to dampen any sound or impact forces if the carriage 50 is dropped onto the supporting insert 140 by a user. Other materials, including metal, could be used in other embodiments. In another embodiment, the supporting surface 160 may be configured to additionally or alternately engage a different structure of the carriage 50 to support the carriage 50 in the resting position. It is understood that differences in the construction and configuration of the carriage 50 may necessitate different configurations of the attachment 100 to support such a carriage 50.

Various embodiments of attachments 100 and weightlifting machines 30 and have been described herein, which include various components and features. In other embodiments, the attachment 100 and/or the machine 30 may be provided with any combination of such components and features. As an example, in one embodiment, the machine 30 may be provided without certain features described herein. It is also understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the attachment 100 and weightlifting machines 30 described herein may be constructed with similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different ornamental appearances.

The configurations of weightlifting machines and the components thereof shown and described herein provide advantages over existing weightlifting machines. The configuration of the attachment to the carriage support and the carriage provides for safe movement during exercise with a variety of different weights, including relatively large amounts of weight. The configuration of the attachment as a whole permits the attachment to be used with a stand-alone machine or easily integrated into a weight rack assembly. Additionally, the attachment provides support for the carriage directly below the point where the majority of the weight is loaded (i.e., the beam serving as a weight plate holder), which avoids exerting excessive torque on the carriage when the carriage is stopped. Such excessive torque may cause damage to the rollers and/or other parts of the carriage, in particular if the carriage is dropped from a height and creates a significant impact. Still other advantages are easily recognized by those skilled in the art.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “upper,” “side,” “rear,” “proximal,” “distal,” and the like, as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention, unless explicitly specified by the claims. “Integral joining technique,” as used herein, means a technique for joining two pieces so that the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques such as welding, brazing, soldering, or the like, where separation of the joined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A weightlifting machine attachment comprising:

a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a weightlifting machine, wherein the weightlifting machine comprises a carriage and a carriage support, wherein the carriage is movably connected to the carriage support and comprises a plurality of rollers engaging the carriage support, the plurality of rollers including a first roller having a diameter;
an arm, wherein the arm has a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall forming an interior cavity, wherein the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket creating a gap configured to be at least as wide as the diameter of the first roller; and
a supporting insert mounted to the arm and received within the interior cavity, wherein the supporting insert defines a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position.

2. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the carriage support includes a track that extends vertically upward from a support frame such that the track guides movement of the carriage, and wherein the track includes a plurality of stops to prevent downward movement of the carriage when the carriage contacts one of the plurality of stops; and

wherein the mounting bracket further includes a first tab configured to contact a first stop of the plurality of stops.

3. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 2, wherein the first tab includes a forward tab surface; and

wherein the forward tab surface is configured to engage a side surface of the first stop.

4. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is configured to be positioned directly beneath a beam of the carriage configured to support a weight, and wherein the supporting surface is configured to engage the beam to support the carriage, such that the beam is located between an outer surface of the carriage support and the rear wall of the arm.

5. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of the supporting insert includes a rounded recess that is configured to receive a beam of the carriage that is configured to support a weight.

6. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 5, wherein the supporting surface of the supporting insert further includes a raised planar lip that is nearer to the rear wall than the rounded recess and a sloped surface that extends between the raised planar lip and the rounded recess.

7. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 6, wherein the rounded recess of the supporting surface has a distal end nearest the raised planar lip and a proximal end opposite the distal end, and wherein the distal end is positioned above the proximal end.

8. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of a first arm side wall of the two arm side walls includes a rounded recess.

9. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and an upper surface of a first arm side wall of the two arm side walls.

10. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the supporting insert is formed from a polymeric material.

11. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the supporting insert is releasably mounted to the arm.

12. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the arm that receives the supporting insert is substantially U-shaped.

13. A weightlifting machine attachment comprising:

a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a weightlifting machine, wherein the weightlifting machine comprises a carriage and a carriage support, wherein the carriage is movably connected to the carriage support and comprises a plurality of rollers engaging the carriage support, the plurality of rollers;
an arm comprising a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall, wherein the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket; and
a supporting insert mounted to the arm, wherein the supporting insert includes a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position, wherein the supporting surface is positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls.

14. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 13, wherein the supporting surface is positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall and the two arm side walls.

15. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 13, wherein the supporting surface is configured to be positioned below a beam of the carriage, wherein the beam of the carriage helps define a mount configured to support a weight and wherein the beam is located between an outer surface of a track of the carriage support and the rear wall of the arm.

16. The weightlifting machine attachment of claim 15, wherein the supporting surface of the supporting insert includes a rounded recess that is configured to receive the beam of the carriage.

17. A weightlifting machine comprising:

a carriage support comprising a track that extends vertically upward from a support frame;
a carriage movably connected to the carriage support and comprising a plurality of rollers configured to engage the carriage support;
an attachment comprising: a mounting bracket connected to the carriage support; an arm comprising a rear wall and two arm side walls extending forward from the rear wall, wherein the two arm side walls connect to the mounting bracket; and a supporting insert mounted to the arm, wherein the supporting insert includes a supporting surface configured to engage the carriage to support the carriage in a resting position.

18. The weightlifting machine of claim 17, wherein the carriage has a horizontal beam extending outwardly from opposite sides of the carriage, and wherein the supporting surface is positioned beneath the beam of the carriage such that the beam contacts the supporting surface when the carriage is in the resting position; and

wherein the beam of the carriage is configured to support a weight.

19. The weightlifting machine of claim 18, wherein the supporting surface of the supporting insert includes a rounded recess that is configured to receive a portion of the beam of the carriage in the resting position.

20. The weightlifting machine of claim 18, wherein the carriage support is configured for connection to a weight rack on a front side thereof, wherein the beam is positioned on a rear side of the carriage, and the arm extends rearward and upward from the carriage support to engage the beam of the carriage in the resting position.

21. The weightlifting machine of claim 17, wherein the supporting surface is positioned above an upper surface of the rear wall.

22. The weightlifting machine of claim 17, wherein the two arm side walls extend forward from the rear wall forming an interior cavity, and wherein the supporting insert is received within the interior cavity of the arm.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240293722
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2024
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2024
Inventors: Bryan Adams (Columbus, OH), William Hanniger (Columbus, OH), Ahmik Jones (Upper Arlington, OH)
Application Number: 18/444,170
Classifications
International Classification: A63B 71/00 (20060101); A63B 21/062 (20060101);