Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Rowing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-14
2001-07-24
Yu, Mickey (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Rowing
C482S097000, C482S098000, C482S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264585
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a direct drive exercising apparatus consisting of few link members interconnected together and having few moving parts and providing a substantially constant load throughout the entire range of motion of the exercising apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
Various exercising apparatus are known and including apparatus which do not utilize pulleys, belts, cables and cams. An advantage of such systems is that they require very little maintenance, they have been break-downs and are long lasting. Examples of such apparatus are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,116,062; 5,554,090; 5,304,107; and 3,917,262. However, there are problems associated with these apparatus and some of these problems comprise irregular resistance or load provided through the connections between the weight stack and the user element throughout a range of exercising motion by a user. Many of these devices also do not provide a “feeling” to the user that he is lifting or pushing weights. Another problem with some of these devices is that they do not provide a high level of safety due to interconnections being disposed too close to the hands or arms or legs of the user person. A still further problem is that some of these devices do not provide easy entry and exit access to the user as well as minimal adjustment requirements to adapt the machine to a user's stature. A still further disadvantage of some of these machines is that due to their mechanical complexities it is sometimes difficult for the user to ascertain how to use the machine.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a direct drive exercising apparatus which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a direct drive exercising apparatus which is simple in construction, simple to use, utilizes few moving parts, is reliable and long lasting, requires little maintenance and ensures smooth operation throughout an entire range of motion while providing a substantially constant load.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a direct drive exercising apparatus which delivers to the user a feeling simulating weight lifting all within the safety of the machine.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a direct drive exercising apparatus which comprises a support frame for supporting the apparatus on a floor surface. An attachment frame is immovably secured to the support frame and projects thereabove. A user exercising station is disposed relative to the attachment frame. A weight stack is slidingly retained on an elongated guide restraining means. The guide restraining means is fixedly and immovably mounted at a lower end thereof. The weight stack has a plurality of weight elements of predetermined weight. Each weight element has means to connect same at a desired location along an elongated carrier member. A connector secures a weight element at the desired location. A weight stack connecting means is pivotally connected to the carrier member and pivotally connected at an end to an intermediate link means. The intermediate link means is immovably secured to a force transmitting means which is pivotally connected to the attachment frame. A user engaging member is secured to the force transmitting means to impart pivotal movement thereto. The intermediate link means applies an upward force on the stack connecting means to cause pivotal displacement of the stack connecting means and to lift a stack of selected ones of the weight elements in a guided manner along the elongated guide restraining means.
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Schwarzenegger, Arnold, Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, Simon & Schuster, Inc., NY, p. 495, 1985.
Houle Guy
Hwang Victor
Swabey Ogilvy Renault
Yu Mickey
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