Modular resistance assembly for exercise machines
AssigneeProform Fitness Products, Inc.
InventorsCurt G. Bingham, S. Ty Meason
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A resistance assembly useful to provide resistance to exercise movements performed by a user on an exercise machine includes a pair of spool-like ends disposed within a resilient loop which passes around a portion of each spool end. Each spool end is configured as a hollow open-ended cylinder with planar, annular flanges extending from both ends of the cylinder. A shield extends from a segment of one of the annular flanges of each spool end. Each spool end is composed of first and second interfitting spool parts, each comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder with one of two flanges extending therefrom. The resistance of the assembly can be varied by exchanging the resilient loop for any of a plurality of loops having different resistive properties.
Claims18
For use with a machine having movable structure for operation by the user relative to fixed structure, a removably resistance assembly to resist movement of said movable structure, said removable resistance assembly comprising:
- first connecting means for removably connection to said machine at a first position on said movable structure, said movable structure having first receiving means to receive said first connecting means;
- second connecting means for removably connection to said machine at a second position on said fixed structure spaced from said first position, said first position and said second position being movable relative to each other upon movement of said movable structure, said fixed structure having second receiving means to receive said first connecting means;
- and
- a loop elastically deformable and positioned about the first said connecting means and said second connecting means for elastic deformation upon relative movement of said first connecting means relative to said second connecting means.
For use with a machine having movable structure and a first extension member positioned on said movable structure and movable therewith for operation by the user relative to fixed structure having a plurality of second extension members secured thereto each spaced from the other, and said first extension member being a cylindrical shaped finger and said second extension member being a cylindrically shaped finger, a resistance assembly to resist movement of said movable structure, said resistance assembly comprising:
- first connecting means for connection to said first extension member on said movable structure, said first connecting means including first securing means to retain said loop thereto and first shield means connected thereto to inhibit movement of said loop away from said first connecting means, and said first connecting means being a spool with a cylindrical aperture formed therein sized to slidably and snugly fit over said first extension member, and said first securing means having a first flange secured to one end of said spool to extend radially outward therefrom, and a securing spool sized to slidably and snugly interconnect with said spool, said securing spool having a second flange appended thereto to extend radially therefrom;
- second connecting means for connection to one of said fixed extension members on said fixed structure, said second extension member being movable relative to said first extension member upon movement of said movable structure, said second connecting means including second securing means to retain said loop thereto and second shield means connected thereto to inhibit movement of said loop away from said second connection means;
- and
- a loop elastically deformable and positioned about said first connecting means and said second connecting means for elastic deformation upon movement of said first connecting means relative to said second connecting means.
In combination, a machine having movable structure with a first extension member secured thereto and movable therewith, said moveable structure being operably by the user relative to fixed structure having a second extension member secured thereto in the performance of exercises, and a resistance assembly to resist movement of said movable structure relative to said fixed structure, said resistance assembly comprising:
- first sleeve means for connection to said first extension member, said first sleeve means being sized to snugly and slidably receive said first extension member therethrough;
- second sleeve means for connection to said second extension member, said second sleeve means being sized to snugly and slidably receive said second extension member therethrough;
- an elastically deformable member positioned about said first sleeve means and said second sleeve means to extend therebetween, said elastically deformable member being elastically deformable upon relative movement of said moveable structure relative to said fixed structure in the performance of exercises.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.