Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-07-03
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3739)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254516
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparati for exercising regions of the upper body, and more particularly to an improved shoulder press exercise machine.
2. Related Art
A variety of exercise machines which utilize resistance or strength training have become very popular in recent years. Such strength machines are often used in place of conventional free weights to exercise a variety of muscles within the human body. Most strength machines are designed with the goal of optimizing resistance training benefits to the user by combining adjustable weight resistance with ease of use, while also attempting to maintain proper biomechanical alignment of the user's joints.
While such machines offer convenience and other benefits to the user in comparison to free weights, conventional designs typically include a frame superstructure for providing symmetrical balance and support for various levers and weight components of the machines. Such conventional frame superstructures generally result in machines that are oversized in height, width, and architecture. In addition, many of such conventional machines may be inconvenient to users performing more than one repetition of an exercise with varying weights, as the user is generally required to be physically removed from the machine in order to place weights on, or otherwise select the desired weight force before performing each set. Another limitation found in conventional strength machines utilizing selectable weights is the inability of the user to perform high velocity exercises. In such conventional machines the weights have inertial problems at higher speeds which can result in inconsistent resistance through a complete range of motion, therefore, users are encouraged to perform the exercises slowly. Training at lower velocities produces greater increases in muscular force at slow speeds for the user. Therefore, low velocity training only improves an individual's capabilities at slower speeds. In contrast, training at higher contractal velocities produces increases in an individual's muscular force at all speeds of contraction at and below the training velocity. Therefore, high velocity training improves an individual's functional capabilities at normal contractal velocities, i.e. velocities utilized for activities such as golfing and tennis which are more likely to be a part of every day living. Although there are many forms of strength training which allow for higher velocity training, the resistance mechanisms of such equipment generally do not include selectable weights, these devices do not utilize selectable weights as part of their resistance mechanism, and many users prefer training with selectable weights as opposed to other forms of resistance training, for example, resistance bands.
Conventional resistance equipment may also be limited by designs that prevent users from maintaining the proper biomechanical alignment of joints through a complete range of motion. A variety of machines have been proposed to improve the range of motion of the user, in order to make the exercise performed through the range more effective. Such machines are disclosed in, but not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,589 and 5,273,504. However, the equipment disclosed in such references does not consistently provide proper biomechanical alignment of the user's joints through the complete range of motion.
Therefore, a need exists in the field of resistance training for selectable weight equipment that allows users to maintain the proper biomechanical alignment of joints through a complete range of motion, while performing exercises at high contractal velocities.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the invention there is provided a shoulder press exercise apparatus comprising a selectable weight mechanism and a support member pivotally supporting a pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms. The selectable weight mechanism is disposed in an off-center position relative to the exercise ready seating position of the user, such that the user can readily access and manually adjust/select the degree of weight force from a seated, exercise ready position. The selectable weight mechanism is preferably mounted in a relatively short weight support frame, typically less than about 3.5 feet in height. The four-bar linkage mechanisms are pivotally mounted at their rearward ends about axes which are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane, i.e. are tilted relative to vertical, such that a pair of elongated bars of the four-bar linkage mechanisms travel in planes which are tilted relative to vertical. A pair of handles are rigidly connected to the forward most bar component of the four-bar linkage mechanisms such that the handles follow the same pivoting movement of the forward most bar component, as the four-bar linkage mechanisms are pivoted around the rearward mounted, tilted axes. When utilizing a neutral grip the four-bar linkage mechanisms enable the user to maintain the proper biomechanical alignment of the joints. If a horizontal grip is utilized then the tilted axes maintain the proper alignment of the wrists. The tilted planes through which the four-bar linkage mechanisms travel enable the handles to travel along a slightly curvilinear upward converging path which simulates as natural a human musculoskeletal upward pushing motion as possible. The four-bar linkage mechanisms are preferably mounted to an upright support. A cable and pulley are interconnected between the four-bar linkage mechanisms and the shortened selectable weight mechanism such that as the four-bar linkage mechanisms are pivoted around their corresponding primary axis the selected weight is pulled through a relatively short vertical path, preferably about 1 foot. The distance between the point where the cables are connected to the four-bar linkage mechanisms and the forward most bar of the four-bar linkage mechanisms to which the handles are connected is such that the user has increased leverage control over the pulling of the selected weight resistance.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a shoulder press exercise apparatus that includes a base member and a support member extending from the base member. A pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms are supported by the support member. Each of the pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms includes a primary lever arm pivotable about a primary axis and a follower lever arm pivotable about a secondary axis. The primary axes are disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The primary and follower lever arms lie in a common plane tilted at an angle relative to a vertical plane, which vertical plane is perpendicular to a horizontal plane underlying the base member. The apparatus also includes a weight mechanism operatively associated with the pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms. The primary and follower lever arms travel in the common plane as the pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms are displaced between a first position and a second position while maintaining a correct biomechanical positioning of the user.
In another aspect of the invention, the shoulder press apparatus includes a handle lever arm operatively associated with both of the primary and follower arms of each of the pair of four-bar linkage mechanisms. A handle extends from each handle lever arms, each handle extending outwardly and perpendicularly from the handle lever arm, and curving outwardly and downwardly therefrom at a 90 degree angle. The handles travel in a slightly curvilinear upwardly converging and downwardly diverging path as the four-bar linkage mechanisms are displaced between a first position and a second position, while maintaining the correct biomechanical positioning of the user.
In another aspect of the present invention, the support member includes at least one post member connected to the base member extending upwardly behind a seat. The first and second four-bar linkage mechanisms are supported on the at least one post member above and behind the seat. The primary and follower le
Giannelli Raymond
Leipheimer Jerry K.
CYBEX International, Inc.
Mulcahy John
LandOfFree
Shoulder press apparatus for exercising regions of the upper... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Shoulder press apparatus for exercising regions of the upper..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shoulder press apparatus for exercising regions of the upper... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2522061