Exercise devices – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-28
2003-04-22
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Miscellaneous
C482S908000, C403S109300, C403S109600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06551226
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to adjustment apparatus for adjusting the height or position of parts of an exercise machine, such as load engaging parts including exercise arms or cables, or non-load engaging parts such as seats or back pads.
In order to accommodate users of various shapes and sizes, exercise equipment has traditionally had adjustable components. Seats, back pads, platforms, exercise arms, and cable ends used for attaching various handles or grips are all typically adjustably mounted. This provides the user with the ability to tailor the machine or bench to fit their specific needs. This is particularly useful in a commercial setting such as a health club, because of the many different users having access to the equipment. Convenience, durability and safety are three important factors in the design and implementation of component adjustability.
Adjustable parts or components of exercise machines are normally mounted on one of a pair of telescoping adjustment tubes, with an adjuster on the other tube for engaging the first tube to secure the part in a selected position. There are two major categories of adjuster: stationary and movable. Stationary adjusters are fixed in place and are part of the equipment framework. Movable adjusters are designed to travel with the part that is being adjusted. Within these two categories are two sub-categories: adjusters that directly engage and disengage an adjuster tube (single stage) and those that require a secondary link or connection (two stage). In each of these sub-categories there are adjusters which have fixed incremental settings, and those without fixed settings.
Adjusters without fixed incremental settings provide infinite adjustability anywhere along the adjustment path. They can be quicker and easier to use because the user does not have to locate a fixed position when making the adjustment. There are generally three types of infinite adjusters. The first type of infinite adjuster uses a threaded tension knob to apply pressure to hold the adjusting member in place. The user simply turns the knob to secure or release the adjustable member. Although this type of adjuster is easy to use and inexpensive, it has a number of flaws. First, the threaded end of the adjuster mars the finish on the inner adjusting tube, and severe over-tightening can strip the threads and require replacement. Secondly, if the knob loosens during use, the adjusted part will slip, which may cause injury to the user. Also, in commercial use, it is common for one user to over-tighten the knob, making it difficult for others to loosen it. Finally, adjustment positions cannot be easily documented or repeated. If a user finds an ideal position one day, it will be almost impossible for the user to place the part in exactly the same position on subsequent uses of the equipment. It is important when exercising to know your positioning on each piece of equipment. Full range of motion, amount of pre-stretch, and axis of rotation positioning are all determined by the exercise arm, platform, seat or back pad positioning. If the user is not in the proper position, they will not receive the full benefit from the exercise, and could even risk potential injury.
The threaded tension knob adjuster is a single stage or direct engagement adjuster. Because it relies solely on the amount of tension applied by the user, it can never be used safely on a load engaging adjustable member.
The second type of infinite adjuster uses leverage and the weight of the adjusting part itself to wedge or secure it in place. This is another example of a single stage adjuster, and is a movable type of adjuster. In order to make the adjustment, a user must lift the free end of the adjustable part, thereby releasing its weight and allowing the adjuster to move. One problem with this design is that, once tension is released, gravity and the weight of the part (platform, seat, exercise arm, or the like) can make it hard to control. The user must be paying attention and use both hands or the part could fall. If the front end of an unoccupied seat is accidentally bumped, the seat could drop and damage the equipment or cause injury. This is a safety liability and this type of adjuster should only be used on non-load engaging members. This adjuster also has problems due to lack of position identification and repeatability.
The third type of infinite adjuster is an assisted adjuster. This uses a gas shock to move and hold the adjustable member in place. It is generally used for non-load bearing seat and back pad adjustments because the adjustment length is limited to the displacement or stroke of the gas shock device. It requires the strength of the shock device's internal system to hold the adjuster in place. While it works well for adjustment in one direction, into the extended position of the shock device, it requires force, such as the user's body weight, to push against the assisting device or shock in the opposite direction. Because of this, it is difficult to make adjustments unless the user is in the exercise position. This type of adjuster is relatively expensive to produce and maintain or service. Also, it is a two-stage system which requires use of a cable to connect the adjustment lever to the gas shock, and has the same problem as the other infinite adjusters with position identification and repeatability.
Gas shocks without cable connectors can also be used in conjunction with fixed incremental single stage adjusters such as pull-pins, in order to offset the weight of the part being adjusted. This can permit position identification. However, the problems of adjustment distance and expense of the device still arise in this type of adjuster.
Fixed incremental adjusters, while providing fewer adjustment positions, are more secure and provide the ability for the user to accurately, identify, and repeat, an adjustment position. They utilize a direct pinning system to lock the adjustable member in place. There are generally six types of fixed adjusters.
The first type of fixed adjuster is a straight through pin which extends through a single through hole on an outside tube into one of a series of holes on an inner telescoping tube. A straight pin adjuster of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,283 of Stevens. This adjuster is a single stage adjuster which can be used on both load engaging and non-load engaging members of an exercise machine. The part or component to be adjusted may be secured to either the inner or the outer telescoping tube, with the other tube being fixed to the framework of the machine. This is a simple and effective way to lock the adjustable member in place. Because the adjusted part is secured in a fixed location, its position can easily be identified and repeated. The disadvantage of this design is that the pin can work itself loose and back out. This will cause a seat to drop or an exercise arm to come loose, which can cause serious injury. Another disadvantage is that the pin is easily misplaced, because it is not attached to the equipment, and this renders the equipment inoperable.
The second type of fixed adjuster uses a spring-loaded pull pin to replace the straight pin. Again, this is a single stage adjuster which can be used on both load engaging and non-load engaging adjustable members. In this design, a hole is drilled in one wall of the outer of two telescoping tubes, and the pull pin barrel is welded over the hole. The pull pin is a spring-tensioned plunger with a knob on one end, and is secured in the barrel with the knob protruding from the outer end of the barrel. The inner telescoping tube has a series of incrementally spaced pinning holes. The pull pin is pulled back against the spring, one of the two tubes is adjusted to the desired position, and the pull pin is released to extend through the opening in the outer tube and an aligned opening in the inner tube. The adjusted part is held securely in place, and the spring tension prevents the pin from working loose. The adjusted position i
Hockridge Bruce
Webber Randall T.
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Hoist Fitness Systems
Hwang Victor
Richman Glenn E.
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