MULTI-EXERCISE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a multi-exercise apparatus or system, those two terms hereinafter being used synonomously.

Multi-exercise systems using rotational actuation mechanisms for linearly displacing a resistive force loading are known in the art. However, in some such prior art systems, such as those described in US-A-4505475 and US-A-4500089, the rotational actuation mechanisms are not adjustable in an angular orientation to accommodate differing portions of a user's body when applying a rotative displacement of the force thereon. In other prior art systems, such as those described in US-A-4634127, US-A-4505475 and GB-A-2158632, complicated pulley mechanisms are used to provide a conversation between rotationally applied forces to a linear displacement of resistive force loading. In such prior art systems, the concatenation of working mechanisms are generally complicated and provide for increased hardware costs.

In another prior art system, such as that described in US-A-2855199, the rotational actuation of the user applied force is adjustable through the use of placing weight elements on or off of the displacing mechanism. Such prior art systems do not allow for the user to adjust the resistive force by mere insertion of a pin member into one or more of a plurality of resistive force load coupling mechanisms.

Other prior art exercising systems do not provide for an adjustable seat mechanism for permitting the user to apply the resistance forces when in a sitting position. Still other prior art systems, such as described in US-A-4500089, do not provide for movable seat mechanisms to provide differing orientations for a user applying the force loading.

As a typical prior art system there may be mentioned US-A-4 500 089, cited above, in which a rotational actuation mechanism operating about two parallel axes is used to linearly displace a resistive force loading provided by a pile of weights. Such a system, however, lacks flexibility and adjustability by virtue of the fixed vertical height of the axes of rotation above the base of the unit.

According to the present invention a multi-exercise system is provided in which a resistive force loading is linearly displaced responsive to a force applied by a user via a rotational actuating mechanism and in which an additional level of adjustment is provided for the benefit of the user and to increase the flexibility and adaptability of the apparatus.

In accordance with this invention this is achieved by mounting the rotational actuating mechanism and the resistive force mechanism as a single integral unit, the vertical height of which above the base of the apparatus is selectively adjutable by the user.

The apparatus of this invention is illustrated and described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the multi-exercise system;
• FIG. 2 is a frontal view partially in cut away of the multi-exercise system showing the resistive force mechanism;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially in cut away showing the actuating bar mechanism for the multi-exercise system;
• FIG. 4 is a frontal view, partially in cut away of the rotational actuation mechanism in combination with the resistive force mechanism of the multi-exercise system;
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view partially in cut away of the multi-exercise system taken along the section lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view, partially in cut away of the rotational actuation mechanism taken along the section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view partially in cut away of the resistive force mechanism taken along the section line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the resistive force mechanism taken along the section line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown multi-exercise system 10 for providing a resistive force loading responsive to an applied force by a user. In overall concept, multi-exercise system 10 allows the user to apply a rotational displacement to pad member 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in the direction of arcuate directional arrow 14. Through this displacement, as will be seen in following paragraphs, the rotational displacement of pad member 12 in direction 14 results in a rotational to linear displacement transfer which acts on a resistive force within the system to provide exercise for the user.

Further, system 10 is directed in general concept to an exercising mechanism which provides for a wide variety of exercises for the user and further allows adjustability in the mechanisms to increase the number of exercises and the applicability to a wide range of user physical characteristics. Still further, multi-exercise system 10 allows for a simplied mechanism where the rotary displacement applied by the user is transferred to a linear displacement mechanism through rotation about singular axis 16. Utilization of singular axis 16 provides for a simplified mechanism for multi-exercise system 10 than is known for prior art systems.

Multi-exercise system 10 includes base frame 24 for interfacing with base surface 22 in order to provide system 10 with a stable platform upon which the working mechanisms may be actuated. Base frame 24 may include system floor structural members 30 which extend in horizontal or transverse direction 20 and contiguously interface with base surface 22. Opposing inclined system structural members 26 and 28 extend in an inclined and vertical direction 18 for coupling with system upper structural members 32 which pass in horizontal direction 20. Structural members 26, 28, 30 and 32 are coupled each to the other through structural bolts 34 or some like mechanism, such as welding, however, such is not important to the inventive concept as hererin described, with the exception that the associated structural members be coupled each to the other in a substantially rigid manner and acceptable for the structural loads imposed thereon.

System structural members 26, 28, 30 and 32 may be formed of steel channels, tubing, angle-irons, or some like configuration not important to the inventive concept as herein described. Additionally, the aforementioned structural members 26-32 may be formed of aluminum or some like metal or other material where the only restriction is that such provide sufficient structural integrity to accept the loads applied by system 10 as well as the applied forces by the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6-8, there are shown fixed vertical frame members 36 and 38 extending in vertical direction 18 and displaced each from the other in horizontal direction 20. Frame members 36 and 38 are important to the inventive concept as herein described, since such provide for a displacement frame section upon which operating mechanisms are displaceably actuated as will be described in following paragraphs. Frame members 36 and 38 as seen in FIG. 1 are secured to system floor structural member 30 and system upper structural member 32 through bolts 34. Frame members 36 and 38 may be formed of metallic tubing or some like configuration, and formed of steel, aluminium, or some like metallic composition, not important to the inventive concept as herein described, with the exception that such provide for structural integrity responsive to the loads imposed thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and particularly to FIG. 4, there is shown resistive force mechanism 40 which is adapted to be fixedly secured to frame members 36 and 38 as well as displaceable with respect thereto and is used for transferring user applied force to the resistive force loading. Resistive force mechanism 40 includes an upper frame member 42 and a lower frame assembly 44. The lower frame assembly 44 includes a first portion 46 and a second portion 48, as is shown in FIG 4. The second portion 48, is fixedly secured to the upper frame member 42 by tubular sleeve members 50 and 52 which pass around and are slidably displaceable with respect to the fixed vertical frame members 36 and 38.

Thus, the upper frame member 42 may be welded or otherwise coupled to the tubular sleeve member 50, as shown in FIG. 4. Tubular member 50 (as well as tubular member 52) passes in vertical direction 18 to the second portion 48 of the lower frame assembly 44 where such is welded or otherwise coupled to a lower frame member 54 forming part of the second portion 48 of the lower frame assembly 44. The lower frame member 54 extends in transverse or horizontal direction 20 and is fixedly secured on opposing ends thereof to the tubular sleeve members 50 and 52.

In this manner, it is seen that a vertical displacement in direction 18 of the upper frame member 42 is transmitted through the tubular sleeve members 50 and 52 and correspondingly and responsively, displaces the second portion 48 of the lower frame member assembly 44 and in particular the lower frame member 54. It is further important to note that upper frame member 42 and the second portion 48 of the lower frame assembly 44 slidingly or otherwise displaceingly pass over base bar frame members 36 and 38. Although shown as a bar member, it is clearly seen that the lower frame member 54 may be formed in a channel-like configuration, as is clearly seen in FIG. 5. Thus, the upper frame member 42 and second portion 48 of the lower frame assembly 44 are vertically displaceable with respect to base bar frame members 36 and 38, as a unit.

The second portion 48 of the lower frame assembly 44 includes a fixed intermediate frame member 56 which is vertically secured to and vertically displaced from the lower frame bar member 54. The intermediate frame member 56 is rigidly and fixedly secured to the lower frame member 54 by connecting structural members 58 and 60 which extend in vertical direction 18 and are welded or otherwise fixedly secured on opposing ends thereof to the intermediate frame member 56 and lower frame member 54. The coupling and configuration for members 56 and 54 is clearly seen in FIG. 2. In this manner, it is seen that vertical displacement of the upper frame member 42 results in a corresponding and responsive vertical displacement of the lower frame member 54 as well as the identical displacement of the intermediate frame member 56, since all of these component elements are rigidly coupled each to the other.

Resistive force mechanism 40 further includes a vertically movable intermediate frame member 62 which is displaceably coupled to the lower frame member 54 as well as it is displaceably coupled to the upper frame member 42.

The movable intermediate frame member 62 is clearly seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and may be generally U-shaped in contour, as is seen in FIG. 2, and formed of a horizontally directed channel member 64 rigidly secured on opposing horizontal ends to vertically directed housing channel members 66 and 68. As is seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, vertically directed housing channel members 66 and 68 pass around the tubular sleeve members 50 and 52 and are displaceable with respect thereto through roller members 70. In this manner, the movable intermediate frame member 62 may be displaceably actuated with respect to the fixed intermediate frame member 56 from a contiguous position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to a displaced position, as is shown in FIG. 2.

In this manner, it is seen that when the movable intermediate frame member 62 is in contiguous contact with the fixed intermediate frame member 56 and the lower frame member 54, vertical movement or displacement of the upper frame member 42, causes a responsive reversible vertical displacement of the lower frame member 54, the fixed intermediate frame member 56, as well as the movable intermediate frame member 62, on the fixed vertical frame members 36 and 38. As will be described in the following paragraphs when an applied force is provided by a user, and the upper frame member 42 as well as the lower frame assembly lower portion 44 are fixedly secured to the vertical frame members 36 and 38, the movable intermediate frame member 62 is vertically displaceable with respect to the lower frame member 54 in a resistive force loading application.

Second lower portion bar member 54 is displaceably coupled to the first lower portion housing member 62.

In particular, the lower frame member 54 is elastically coupled to the movable intermediate frame member 62 through a multiplicity of elastic cord members 72 secured on opposing ends thereof to the movable intermediate frame member 62 and the lower frame member 54. Elastic cord members 72 may be coupled to ine lower frame member 54 by securement of elastic cord block members 74 as is clearly seen in FIG. 4. Block members 74 may be individual blocks having a dimension greater than an opening formed in the lower frame member 54. The particular manner and mode of securement is not important to the inventive concept as herein described, with the exception that cord members 72 be coupled to the lower frame member 54.

The utilization of a plurality of elastic cord members 72 allows for varying a resistive force loading between the movable intermediate frame member 62 and the lower frame member 54. Thus, the plurality of elastic cord members 72 are secured on one end to the lower frame member 54 and are releasably secured on an opposing end to the movable intermediate frame member 62. The releasable securement mechanism is provided by fixedly securing elastic cord members 72 to anchor block members 76 shown in FIGS 2, 4 and 5, which rest on the floor of the fixed intermediate frame member 56 and are releasably securable to the movable intermediate frame member 62.

Block pin members 78 are manually insertable through openings 80 formed in cord block members 76 and through corresponding and aligned openings formed in a back wall of the movable intermediate frame member 62, as is clearly seen in FIG. 5. In this manner, block members 76 may be fixedly secured to the movable intermediate frame member 62. Elastic cord members 72 are freely displaceable in vertical direction 18 through openings 82 formed in the fixed intermediate frame member 56. Thus, as can be clearly seen by one skilled in the art, insertion of varying numbers of block pin members 78 into securement with the movable intermediate frame member 62 allows for a varying force loading to be applied for displacement of the movable intermediate frame member 62 at the discretion of the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, there is shown rotational actuation mechanism 84 which is rotationally coupled to the upper frame member 42 for linearly displacing the movable intermediate frame member 62 in vertical direction 18 with respect to the second portion 48 of resistive force mechanism 40 responsive to a rotational actuation force applied by the user. Rotational actuation mechanism 84 is rotatable about singular axis 16 and is rotationally coupled to front and back structural portions 90 and 92 of the upper frame member 42 through a rotatable shaft member 94.

Pulley member 86 is coupled to pulley cord member 88 which is secured on opposing ends thereof to the movable intermediate frame member 62 and to pulley member 86, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4. The particular coupling mechanism of pulley cord member 88 is not important to the inventive concept as herein described, with the exception that such be fixedly secured on opposing ends to each of the members 62 and 86.

Pulley cord member 88 is vertically aligned by pulley rollers 96 through which pulley cord member 88 passes. Additionally, pulley member 86 includes channel 98 within which pulley cord 88 passes and is rolled upon pulley member 86.

Rotational actuation mechanism 84 further includes user actuated lever arm 100 which is rotationally actuatable by the user to cause a responsive rotation of rotatable shaft member 94 fixedly coupled to pulley member 86. In this manner, rotation of the user actuated lever arm 100 causes a responsive rotation of pulley member 86 which rolls pulley cord member 88 onto pulley member 86 and causes a responsive vertical displacement of the movable intermediate frame member 62. The amount of force necessary to displace the movable intermediate frame member 62 is a function of the number of elastic cords 72 which are coupled thereto, as has previously been described.

User actuated lever arm 100 is rigidly secured to first disk member 102 as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. First disk 102 is rotatably displaceable with respect to rotatable shaft member 94. Second disk member 104 is rigidly secured to rotatable shaft member 94 and is rotatably displaceable with respect to first disk member 102.

First disk member 102 is secured to second disk member 104 by insert therethrough of disk member pin 106 through a pair of aligned disk openings 108 formed through disk members 102 and 104. As can be seen, disk openings 108 pass in a substantially 360° manner around disk members 102 and 104 and in this way, user actuated lever arm 100 may be angularly positioned in an initial setting or positional location at the discretion of the user. Disk member pin 106 may pass through pin housing 110 and may be coupled thereto by a spring loading mechanism internal to pin housing 110, however, such is not important to the inventive concept as is herein described. The important consideration being that the user actuated lever arm 100 may be rotated to a predetermined angular displacement at the discretion of the user prior to use of multiexercise system 10. Once the user actuated lever arm 100 has been placed in a particular angular position, pin member 106 is insertable through a predetermined pair of openings 108 formed through first disk member 102 and second disk member 104. Once this coupling has been accomplished, rotation of user actuated bar member 100 due to the fact that second disk member 104 is rigidly coupled to rotatable shaft member 4, allows responsive rotation of pulley member 86 when user actuated lever arm 100 is similarly displaced.

User actuated lever arm 100 includes user bar member 112 and user tubular member 114. User tubular member 114 is slidable on user bar member 112 to allow adjustment of the length of the user actuated lever arm 100 in its extended length dimension. User bar member 112 includes a plurality of user bar member openings 118 displaced each from the other as is clearly seen in FIGS. 3 and 6.

User pin member 116 insertable through user pin member housing 120 which is secured to user tubular member 114 is insertable through and alignable with one of the user bar member openings 118 to allow adjustment in the overall length of user actuated lever arm 100 at the discretion of the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, there is further shown vertical adjustment mechanism 122 for releasably securing resistive force mechanism 40 to base frame 24 and,in particular, to the vertical frame members 36 and 38 at a predetermined vertical location at the discretion of the user. Vertical adjustment mechanism 122 includes handle members 124 adapted to be gripped by the user for lowering and raising resistive force mechanism 40 on the vertical frame members 36 and 38. End walls 130 couple the front and back structural portions 90, 92 of the upper frame member 42 in rigid constrainment.

Vertical adjustment pin members 126 are displaceably insertable through end walls 130 into one of a plurality of vertically displaced openings 128 formed through the vertical frame members 36 and 38 as is seen in FIG. 4. In this manner, vertical adjustment pin members 126 may be removed from insertion through openings 128 and handle members 124 gripped by the user may be vertically displaced. Vertical displacement of handle members 124 allows responsive movement or displacement of the upper frame member 42, which is rigidly coupled to the lower trame assembly 44 and particularly the lower frame member 54 through tubular sleeve members 50 and 52. Displacement of the lower frame member 54 causes a responsive displacement to the movable intermediate frame member 62 which rollingly engages tubular sleeve members 54 and 52 and rests on the fixed intermediate frame member 56, as is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the user has reached the appropriate vertical location necessary for his or her use, vertical adjustment pin members 126 are then re-inserted through openings 128 and the inner frame member 42 is securely fixed to the vertical frame members 36 and 38.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown adjustable seating mechanism 132 included in multi-exercise system 10. Adjustable seating mechanism 132 provides for back rest member 134 and seat rest member 136 adjustable in a plurality of positional locations. Adjustable seating mechanism 132 is utilizable by a user in the event that the user is doing various seating exercises.

Adjustable seating mechanism 132 is displaceable in horizontal or transverse direction 20 with respect to base frame 24 at the discretion of the user. Adjustable seating mechanism 132 includes seating floor frame members 138 and vertically directed seating frames 140 coupled to top of bar member 142.

Both back rest 134 and seat rest 136 are coupled to top bar frame member 142 at pivot point 144 to allow rotation of seat rest 136 and back rest 134 about pivot point 144.

Arcuate back rest adjustment bar 146 includes a plurality of back rest adjustment bar openings 148 wherein one of bar openings 148 may have inserted therethrough bolts 154 for coupling arcuate back rest adjustment bar 146 to top bar frame member 142. In this manner, back rest 134 may be angularly adjusted at the discretion of the user in fixed angular position with respect to substantially horizontal directed top bar frame member 142.

Similarly, arcuate seat rest adjustment bar 150 includes a plurality of seat rest adjustment bar openings 152 through which bolts 154 may couple such to top bar frame member 142 to angularly adjust seat rest 136 at the discretion of the user.

Back rest 134 may include padded back rest 156 and rigid back rest frame 158 to which arcuate back rest adjustment bar 146 may be rigidly secured through bolting or some like mechanism. Similarly, seat rest 136 may include seat rest padded member 160 which rests upon seat rest structural member 162 to which arcuate seat rest adjustment bar 150 is fixedly secured. In this manner, both back rest 134 and seat rest 136 may be responsively inclined in an individual manner at the discretion of the user.