# US 10,864,401 B2 · Load-adjusting device and locking device

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- Number: US 10,864,401 B2
- Document ID: US10864401B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/739,505
- Filed: 2016-06-23
- Published: 2018-07-05
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-23
- Applicants: Kraftig Industries Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Michael Schween
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864401B2

## CPC

- A63B 21/0626: {with substantially vertical guiding means}
- A63B 1/00: Horizontal bars
- A63B 21/0056: {using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes}
- A63B 21/0628: {for vertical array of weights}
- A63B 21/0724: {Bar-bells; Hand bars}
- A63B 21/078: Devices for bench press exercises {, e.g. supports, guiding means}
- A63B 21/0783: {Safety features for bar-bells, e.g. drop limiting means}
- A63B 21/151: {Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains}
- A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies}
- A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand}
- A63B 21/4049: {Rotational movement}
- A63B 23/1209: {Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously}
- A63B 23/1218: {Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement}
- A63B 71/0054: {Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers (mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00)}
- A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane}
- A63B 2023/0411: {Squatting exercises}
- A63B 2071/0081: {Stopping the operation of the apparatus}
- A63B 2209/08: magnetic
- A63B 2220/53: Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
- A63B 2220/801: Contact switches
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

A load-adjusting device for adjusting a load movably mounted to a frame of an exercise apparatus is provided. The device comprises a counterbalance; and a controller, wherein the counterbalance is configured to connect with the load in response to operation of the controller. Operation of the controller may configure the load-adjusting device between an unassisted configuration wherein the counterbalance is not in operative connection with the load, and an assisted configuration wherein the counterbalance is operatively connected with the load. A locking device for selectively constraining a movable component of an exercise apparatus is also provided. The locking device is suitable for use with the load-adjusting device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A load-adjusting device for adjusting a load movably mounted to a frame of an exercise apparatus, the device comprising:
a counterbalance;
a controller, wherein the counterbalance is configured to attach to the load in response to operation of the controller; and
a holding member, wherein the counterbalance is connectable to the holding member;
wherein the counterbalance is substantially stationary relative to the frame of the exercise apparatus to which the device is mounted when connected to the holding member, and movable relative to the frame of the exercise apparatus when disconnected from the holding member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the device is configurable between an unassisted configuration wherein the counterbalance is not in operative connection with the load, and an assisted configuration wherein the counterbalance is operatively connected with the load.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The load-adjusting device of claim 2, wherein in the assisted configuration the load is reduced by the device, and in the unassisted configuration the load is substantially unaffected by the device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a pulley, and when the load and the counterbalance are operatively connected, the counterbalance applies a force to the load via the pulley.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The load-adjusting device of claim 4, wherein the counterbalance and the load are releasably connectable via a connecting member of the pulley, and wherein operative connection of the load with the counterbalance requires connection of the counterbalance with the load via the connecting member of the pulley.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises one or more releasable locking devices for restraining movement of the load and/or the counterbalance relative to the frame of the exercise apparatus to which the load-adjusting device is mounted.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The load-adjusting device of claim 6, wherein the device comprises a locking device connected to the counterbalance and/or a locking device connected to the load.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance of the device comprises: a counterbalance mounting portion; and a counterbalance receiving portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The load-adjusting device of claim 8, wherein the counterbalance mounting portion is movably mounted to the frame of the exercise apparatus to which the device is mounted and/or rigidly engaged with a connecting member of a pulley of the load-adjusting device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The load-adjusting device of claim 8, wherein the receiving portion of the counterbalance facilitates adjustment of the force exerted by the counterbalance on the load and/or is configured to receive one or more weights.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance of the device comprises a counterbalance connecting portion for connecting with the holding member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the counterbalance comprises a counterbalance connecting portion for connecting with the holding member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The load-adjusting device of claim 12, wherein the counterbalance connecting portion facilitates engagement of the counterbalance with the holding member, the holding member including an electromagnet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, wherein operation of the controller signals one or more locking devices of the load-adjusting device to lock or unlock the locking devices.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The load-adjusting device of claim 1, operation of the controller signals the holding member to connect or disconnect the counterbalance from the holding member.

### Claim 16

A method of adjusting a load movably mounted to an exercise apparatus, comprising:
operating a controller;
attaching a counterbalance to the load according to the operation of the controller;
and
adjusting the load,
wherein the counterbalance is connectable to a holding member, wherein the counterbalance is substantially stationary relative to a frame of the exercise apparatus to which the device is mounted when connected to the holding member, and movable relative to the frame of the exercise apparatus when disconnected from the holding member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein connecting the counterbalance to the load includes the step of unlocking a locking device mounted to the counterbalance or disconnecting the counterbalance from the holding member.