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Continous tensioning system for fitness apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, Including Stationary Support For Weight, Having Guide Around Or Through WeightContinous tensioning system for fitness apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070135272, Continous tensioning system for fitness apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/597,554 filed Dec. 8, 2005 from which priority is claimed, and is hereby incorporated by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to a fitness apparatus, and more particularly, to a tensioning system for a fitness apparatus. [0004] Many fitness apparatus use various arrangements of cable and pulley systems to provide weight training exercises. Generally, a cable is engaged at one end with a resistance member, such as a weight stack, and engaged with a user interface, such as a bar, at the other end. The length of the cable is engaged with a set of pulleys, which allow the cable to efficiently transmit resistance from the resistance member to the user interface. In operation, the user engages the user interface to repeatedly raise and lower the resistance member by way of the cable and pulley system. [0005] It is desirable that the cable and pulley system move smoothly and provide a substantially constant resistance to the user interface over the full range of motion. However, frequent use of fitness apparatus and the high forces placed of the cable causes the cable to stretch, which adversely affects the performance of the fitness apparatus by introducing slack into the cable and pulley system. As a result, the stretched cable will not work effectively over the full range of motion of the interface. The user may have to engage and move the interface a distance before the cable and pulley system begin transmitting the resistance to the interface, sometimes referred to as a "dead-spot". If allowed to stretch enough, the cable can become loose enough that it disengages from the pulleys. Routine maintenance must be performed on such fitness apparatus to reduce slack in the cable and pulley system as the cable continues to stretch. [0006] Therefore, what is needed is a device that maintains tension on the cable and pulley system to compensate for cable stretch. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: [0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a fitness apparatus, which is provided with a tensioning system constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the fitness apparatus; [0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the tensioning system of FIG. 1; [0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the tensioning system; [0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the tensioning system; and [0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the tensioning system; [0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the tensioning system; and [0015] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged side view of the fitness apparatus with a fifth alternate embodiment of the tensioning system. [0016] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the present invention, generally referred to as a fitness apparatus 10, is shown having a tensioning system 12. The fitness apparatus 10 includes a frame 14 for supporting a resistance member 16, such as weights, and a cable and pulley system 18 that connects between the resistance member 16 and first and second interface members 22 and 24. A user can select a desired resistance of the resistance member 16, such as by selecting the desired weight (ie. 20lb, 40 lb, etc.), and engage either the first interface member 22 or second interface members 24 to perform various fitness exercises. For various reasons, there may be some slack or looseness present in the cable and pulley system 18, such as stretching in the cables 26 and 28 due to repeated use. The tensioning system 12 mounts to the frame 14 and engages the cable and pulley system 18 to apply a biasing force to maintain proper tension and eliminate any slack in the cable and pulley system 18 (FIG. 3). [0019] The frame 14 includes a base 30 with a first leg 32 extending upwardly from a rear portion of the base 30 in a generally vertical orientation and a second leg 34 extending upwardly from about a middle portion of the base 30 in a generally vertical orientation (FIG. 1). An arcuately-shaped upper portion of the second leg 34 extends generally rearward to connect to an upper portion of the first leg 32 for additional support. A seating arm 36 extends generally forward from a lower portion of the second leg 34 in a generally horizontal orientation to support a seat 38. The seating arm 36 should be positioned at an appropriate height for seating, preferably about one third of the height of the second leg 34. A backrest 39 is attached to the second leg 34 at a location above and corresponding to the seat 38. Continue reading about Continous tensioning system for fitness apparatus... Full patent description for Continous tensioning system for fitness apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Continous tensioning system for fitness apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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