Resistance training exercise apparatus

The invention relates to resistance training exercise apparatus, including press arm resistance training exercise apparatus.

Resistance training exercise apparatus, including press arm resistance training exercise apparatus, are known in the prior art. In one form of the latter, a user sits on a seat and against a backrest supported on a frame and engages a press arm and moves it back and forth in pivotal movement about a pivot point in an exercise routine resisted by a resistance mechanism.

The present invention arose during continuing development efforts in the above technology.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of resistance training exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , in a different exercise position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 from a different angle.

FIGS. 1 , 2 . show resistance training exercise apparatus 10 including a frame 12 , a user support including a seat 14 and/or a backrest 15 mounted to the frame for supporting a user, and a resistance mechanism 16 mounted to the frame, for example a weight stack as is known. A first pivot arm is provided by a boom arm 18 pivotally mounted to the frame. Boom arm 18 has an anchor segment 20 pivoting along a first arc 22 about a first pivot point 24 . Pivot point 24 is on the frame. A second pivot arm is provided by a press arm 26 coupled to resistance mechanism 16 by cable 28 , FIGS. 3 , 4 , and pivotally mounted to anchor segment 20 of boom arm 18 and pivoting along a second arc 30 about a second pivot point 32 . Pivot point 32 is at anchor segment 20 of boom arm 18 and is movable therewith along first arc 22 upon pivoting of boom arm 18 about first pivot point 24 . The user may adjustably vary the location of second pivot point 32 of press arm 26 relative to flame 12 by pivoting boom atm 18 about first pivot point 24 . In one embodiment, boom arm 18 is initially adjustable by the user to a selected pivoted position about first pivot point 24 relative to the frame to select a desired position of second pivot point 32 and the angle of press arm 26 relative to the user supported by seat 14 and backrest 15 , whereafter the user engages press arm 26 and moves it back and forth in pivotal movement about second pivot point 32 in an exercise routine. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the selected pivoted position of the boom arm 18 along the first arc 22 can be selectively fixed by a conventional bracket 29 and pin 31 connection. The pivoting of boom arm 18 about first pivot point 24 changes the location of second pivot point 32 of press arm 26 relative to the user supported on seat 14 and against backrest 15 , without having to change the position of seat 14 and without having to change the position of backrest 15 .

Resistance mechanism 16 is coupled via cable 28 to press arm 26 at a first location 34 spaced from second pivot point 32 . Press arm 26 has one or more grips 36 , 38 at a second location 40 spaced from second pivot point 32 and grippable by the user. In one embodiment, first and second locations 34 and 40 are at different positions along press arm 26 . First location 34 is spaced from second pivot point 32 by a first distance. Second location 40 is spaced from second pivot point 32 by a second distance. In one embodiment, the noted second distance is greater than the noted first distance. In another embodiment, the noted second distance is equal to the noted first distance. In another embodiment, the noted second distance is less than the noted first distance.

Boom arm 18 pivots about a first pivot axis extending through first pivot point 24 on the frame. Second pivot point 32 is coupled to resistance mechanism 16 by the noted cable 28 extending along the noted first pivot axis through first pivot point 24 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second pivot point 32 is located vertically higher than the first pivot point 24 relative to the user support throughout travel of the second pivot point 32 along the first, arc 22 . Cable 28 is trained around one or more pulleys 42 , 44 and attached to press arm 26 at a cable attachment point 46 spaced from second pivot point 32 . Pulleys 42 , 44 are mounted to boom arm 18 and pivot therewith about first pivot point 24 . Pulleys 42 , 44 each mounted to boom arm 18 enable resisted movement of press arm 26 relative to boom arm 18 without changing the length of cable 28 . One or more pulleys such as 48 may be mounted to the frame to guide the cable for attachment to the weight stack 16 , as is known. A second resistance mechanism, which in one embodiment may be a gas cylinder 50 , is coupled to boom arm 18 , e.g. mounted between the frame and the boom arm, and aids adjustment pivoting of boom arm 18 by the user to a desired position. Boom arm 18 has a distal end 52 distally opposite first pivot point 24 . In one embodiment, anchor segment 20 is adjacent distal end 52 .

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different configurations, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, only if the terms “means for” or “step for” are explicitly recited in the respective limitation.