| Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes -> Monitor Keywords |
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Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axesRelated 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 Weight, And Flexible Force Transmitting Linkage ElementExercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070093364, Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is being filed as a continuation-in-part (CIP) to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/346,528 filed Feb. 2, 2006, which is filed as a continuation-in-part (CIP) to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/254,576 filed Oct. 20, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] Various types of exercise machines for strengthening and conditioning the body are known. One type of exercise machine, referred to herein as a weight machine, exercises the user's muscles by having the user push, pull, or otherwise move an exercise assembly that is connected to a resistance device, such as a stack of weights. The exercise machine may include one or more exercise assemblies, each designed to exercise a specific muscle group. Some exercise assemblies may be configured by the user to perform more than one exercise. [0003] Common weight-lifting exercises include press and pull exercises. In press and pull exercises, the user pushes or pulls a pair of arms connected to a weight stack or other resistance device. The arms typically move along a fixed path that may converge or diverge during the exercise. There are a number of drawbacks with conventional press and pull exercise machines. In most prior press and pull exercise machines, the travel path of the arms is fixed. There are a number of reasons why a person may want to change the travel path of the arms. First, the user may want to adjust the arms to follow a path that is comfortable for the user. Second, the user may want to adjust the path of the arms to perform different exercises. Thus, there is a need for a press/pull-type exercise machine that enables the user to adjust the travel path of the arms. [0004] Another drawback with conventional press and pull exercise machines is that press and pull exercises are typically performed at different machines or at different stations on a multi-station exercise machine. Having multiple machines or stations to perform both press and pull exercises increases the cost of the exercise equipment, as well as the space needed to house the exercise equipment. Thus, it would be desirable to perform both press and pull exercises at a single station on the same exercise machine. SUMMARY [0005] The present invention provides a press/pull exercise machine with means to adjust the travel path of the arm assemblies, the position of the arm assemblies, and the angular orientation of the lever arms while maintaining a constant tension with resistance during these variations. Variations in the travel paths of the arm assemblies, positions of the arm assemblies, and angular orientations of the lever arms allow for different exercises and different flexibility levels. The exercise machine comprises a frame and an exercise assembly, wherein the exercise assembly comprises, two pairs of swivel assemblies, a pair of arm assemblies pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a respective first axis to perform exercise, and a resistance device and a connecting assembly operatively connecting the arm assemblies to the resistance device. One or two pairs of respective swivel assemblies can be adjusted to rotatably alter the orientation of a respective first axis, the axis of exercise. The connecting assembly may comprise a cable assembly, a link assembly, or a combination of the two. Also, free weights could be directly mounted to the arm assemblies. [0006] Each arm assembly may comprise a lever arm with one or more handles for gripping by the user during exercise and an angular adjustment mechanism which may comprise an arm member to adjust the angle of the lever arm. The connecting assembly may comprise a connection member connected to a connection axis of the angular adjustment mechanism, and/or lever arm to connect resistance. [0007] The arm assemblies are mounted to the frame in a manner that allows the user to adjust the travel path of each arm assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, each arm assembly is pivotally connected to a respective first swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise. Each respective first swivel assembly is pivotally connected to a respective second swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective second axis so that the arm assemblies can revolve about the second axes so the user can preselect a desired travel path. This rotation alters the orientation of each respective first axis of exercise. The revolving of the arm assemblies allows a selection of neutral, converging or diverging paths. Once the desired path is selected, each respective first swivel assembly can be locked into position via a locking mechanism. Each respective second swivel assembly is pivotally connected to the frame and rotatable about a respective third axis. Rotating the second swivel assemblies about the third axes will move the arm assemblies in towards each other or out away from each other. This rotation further alters the orientation of each respective first axis of exercise. Also, the further apart the arm assemblies are adjusted from one another, a more pronounced arcuate path will be followed by the arm assemblies during exercise. The second swivel assemblies can be locked into position via locking mechanisms once the arm assemblies desired positions and paths are chosen. [0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the above mentioned exemplary embodiment can be made without the first swivel assemblies, wherein the arm assemblies are pivotally mounted to the second swivel assemblies and are rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise. The second swivel assemblies are pivotally attached to the frame and are rotatable about a respective said third axis of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein rotation of second swivel assemblies about the third axes will bring the arm assemblies in towards each other or further apart from each other. This rotation alters the orientation of each respective axis of exercise. Also, the further apart the arm assemblies are adjusted from one another, a more pronounced arcuate path will be followed by the arm assemblies during exercise. The second swivel assemblies can be locked into position via locking mechanisms once the arm assemblies desired positions and paths are chosen. [0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the above mentioned exemplary embodiment can be made without the second swivel assemblies, wherein the arm assemblies are pivotally mounted to the first swivel assemblies and rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise. The first swivel assemblies are pivotally attached to the frame and are rotatable about a respective said second axis of the first exemplary embodiment. This rotation will alter the orientation of each respective axis of exercise. Also, this rotation will revolve the arm assemblies about the second axes so the user can preselect a desired travel path. The revolving arm assemblies allows a selection of neutral, converging or diverging paths. Once the desired path is selected, each respective first swivel assembly can be locked into position via a locking mechanism. [0010] In another aspect of the invention, the angular orientation of the lever arms, the travel path of the arm assemblies, and the position of the arm assemblies can be adjusted while the connecting assembly connecting the arm assemblies to the resistance element maintains a substantially constant tension. Also, the arm assemblies, connection members, and guide pulley assemblies will rotate and self-align during exercise. In one embodiment, a cable assembly connects a stack of weights to the arm assemblies. A respective arm assembly includes a respective arm member which is slidingly attached to a respective lever arm by a sleeve that will rotate on at least two axes of rotation wherein the angular orientation of the lever arm can be adjusted by pivoting the lever arm and locking the sleeve onto a desired location on the arm member. The arm member is also pivotally attached to a connecting pulley assembly with at least one axis of rotation. The connecting pulley assembly is connected to resistance and also bumpers against a respective guide pulley assembly, which is pivotally attached to the frame. The connecting pulley assemblies and the guide pulley assemblies bumpering one another provides a rest position for the arm assemblies. To accommodate adjustments in the angular orientation of the lever arm, adjustments in the travel path selections, and adjustments in positions of the arm assemblies, the guide pulley assemblies, the connecting pulley assemblies, and the arm members rotate and self-align, thus enabling the connecting pulley assemblies and guide pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the cable assembly to maintain a constant tension. During exercise, to accommodate the preselected adjustments discussed above, the guide pulley assemblies, the connecting pulley assemblies, and the arm members rotate and self-align with the cable assembly. This aspect of the invention can be used on any of the first three embodiments of the invention. [0011] In another embodiment of the invention, a respective arm assembly includes a respective arm member that is pivotally attached to a respective first or second swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis of exercise. The arm member is also pivotally attached with a respective lever arm, wherein the angular orientation of the lever arm can be adjusted via a locking mechanism. The arm member is also pivotally attached to a link rod at a connection axis with at least one axis of rotation. A connecting pulley assembly is also pivotally attached to the link rod. The connecting pulley assembly is connected to resistance and also bumpers against a respective guide pulley assembly, as in the previous embodiment. The connecting pulley assemblies and guide pulley assemblies bumpering one another provides a rest position for the arm assemblies. To accommodate adjustments in the travel path selections and adjustments in positions of the arm assemblies, the guide pulley assemblies, the connection members, which include the connecting pulley assemblies, rotate and self-align, thus enabling the connecting pulley assemblies and guide pulley assemblies to remain bumpered, thus enabling the cable assembly to maintain a constant tension. During exercise, to accommodate the preselected adjustments discussed above, the guide pulley assemblies, the connection members, which include the connecting pulley assemblies, rotate and self-align with the cable assembly. This embodiment can be used on any of the first three embodiments of the invention. [0012] In another embodiment of the invention, a respective arm assembly includes a respective arm member that is pivotally attached to a respective first or second swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis of exercise. The arm member is also pivotally attached with a respective lever arm, wherein the angular orientation of the lever arm can be adjusted via a locking mechanism. The arm member is also pivotally attached to a link rod at a connection axis with at least one axis of rotation. The other end of the link rod is pivotally attached to a leverage mechanism wherein the leverage mechanism is bumpered to provide a rest position for the respective arm assembly. To accommodate adjustments in the travel path selections and adjustments in positions of the arm assemblies, the link rods rotate and self align, thus enabling the leverage mechanism to remain in a bumpered position, thus enabling the connection assembly to maintain a constant tension. During exercise, to accommodate the preselected adjustments discussed above, the link rods rotate and self-align. [0013] In another embodiment of the invention, free weights can be directly loaded to the arm assemblies to provide resistance using any of the above mentioned embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine according to the present invention from the front. [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine according to the present invention from the back. [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine from the front with the arms configured for a pull exercise. [0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine from the back with the arms configured for a pull exercise. [0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary exercise assembly and a portion of a cable assembly. [0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating exemplary swiveling assemblies and respective locking mechanisms. [0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary exercise assembly. Continue reading about Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes... Full patent description for Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes 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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