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Path adjustable exercise armsRelated 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 ElementPath adjustable exercise arms description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070093365, Path adjustable exercise arms. 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. 11/384,958 filed Mar. 20, 2006, which is 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 types 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. In recent years, some manufacturers of strength training equipment have designed and manufactured some exercise machines wherein the arms follow a converging path for pushing exercises and a diverging path for pull exercises. Some still design and manufacture exercise machines wherein the arms follow a traditional neutral path. Having to choose which machine to use or to purchase for the consumer has become difficult. This is a drawback for prior press and pull exercise machines. There are a number of reasons why a person may want alternate fixed travel paths for 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. For example, the user may want to perform converging pushing exercises and neutral pulling exercises. Also, the user may want to perform pushing movements using alternate fixed paths or pulling movements using alternate fixed paths to vary the muscles being used. Thus, there is a need for a press and pull exercise machine that enables the user to adjust the travel path of the arms. [0004] Another drawback with conventional press and pull exercise machines that offer converging or diverging paths 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 exercise increases the cost of the exercise equipment, as well as the space needed to house the exercise equipment. Thus, it would be desirable to vary an exercise routine by performing alternate fixed path movements for 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 arms. The press/pull exercise machine comprises a frame, 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. In one embodiment, the resistance element comprises a stack of weights connected to the arm assemblies by a cable assembly. The connecting assembly may comprise a cable assembly, a link assembly, or a combination cable and link assembly. [0006] The arm assemblies may comprise a lever arm which may include one or more handles for gripping by user during exercise, an arm member to adjust the angle of the lever arm, and a connection member connected to the arm member 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 mounted to its own swivel assembly that allows the arm assembly to rotate about a respective second axis to adjust the travel path of the arm assemblies. Rotation of the arm assemblies about the respective second axes changes the travel path of the arm assemblies. Each swivel assembly may include a locking mechanism to lock the arm assembly in a fixed position during exercise. The user can adjust the travel path of the arm assembly by unlocking the swivel assembly, rotating the swivel assembly about the second axis to a desired position, and relocking the swivel assembly in the new position. Patent application Ser. No. 11/346,528 wherein Roger Batca is the inventor explains how the two swivel assemblies can be linked together wherein adjusting one swivel assembly will adjust the other swivel assembly in the opposite direction. [0008] In another aspect of the invention, in one embodiment, a cable assembly connects the arms to a stack of weights. To accommodate changes in the travel path adjustments and movements of the arm assemblies, the cable assembly includes one or more pulleys pivotally connected to the frame and/or arms so as to self-align when adjustments are made to the travel path of the arms as well as the movement of the arms during exercise. In another embodiment, a link assembly or combination link and cable assembly connects the arms to a stack of weights. To accommodate changes in the travel path adjustments and movements of the arm assemblies, the link or link and cable assembly includes one or more pulleys and/or links pivotally connected to the frame and/or arms so as to self-align when adjustments are made to the travel path of the arms as well as the movement of the arms during exercise. [0009] In another aspect of the invention, the arms include first and second sections that are pivotally connected together. The user can adjust the angle between the first and second sections. [0010] In another aspect of the invention, one or more bumpers are included to provide a rest position for the arm assemblies during path adjustments to the arms and when not in use. In one embodiment, a moveable pulley with at least two axes of rotation is pivotally connected to a respective arm member, and bumpers against a respective guide pulley assembly attached to the frame. The guide pulley assembly may be pivotally attached. In another embodiment, the arm assemblies bumper against a frame member. In another embodiment, the arm assemblies bumper against a respective swivel assembly. All three embodiments allow the connecting assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension for all travel path adjustments of the arm assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine according to the present invention from the back. [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary press/pull exercise machine according to the present invention from the front. [0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating components of the exercise assembly and the connecting assembly. [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a fixed guide pulley assembly bumpering respective moveable pulley assemblies. [0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating bumpers attached to a respective fixed guide pulley assembly and bumpers attached to respective moveable pulley assemblies. [0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a swiveling guide pulley assembly, respective moveable pulley assemblies, and a frame bumper. [0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a fixed guide pulley assembly, respective moveable pulley assemblies, and a frame bumper. [0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a swiveling guide pulley assembly, respective moveable pulley assemblies, and respective bumpers on respective swivel assemblies. [0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a fixed guide pulley assembly, respective moveable pulley assemblies, and respective bumpers on respective swivel assemblies. [0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a press/pull exercise machine with a fixed guide pulley assembly bumpering a leverage assembly which is adjustably linked to respective arm assemblies. Continue reading about Path adjustable exercise arms... Full patent description for Path adjustable exercise arms Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Path adjustable exercise arms 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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