US 5,348,524 A · Exercise apparatus

Abstract

A non-gravity type resistance exercise apparatus which is small, light weight, highly versatile, safe and easy to use. The apparatus includes a compact, self-contained selectorized resistance module that embodies a plurality of discrete elastomeric cords that can be quickly and easily selectively coupled with a gripping member to provide precise resistance to movement of the gripping member during the performance of a large number of different kinds of exercises by the trainee. The apparatus also uniquely includes a supporting frame of limited height to which a pulley carrying exercise arm is pivotally connected for movement between a lowered, compact storage position to an intermediate position to a raised latissimus exercise position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An exercise apparatus for use by a trainee in the performance of exercises comprising:

(a) body engaging means for engagement by the trainee in the performance of exercises, said body engaging means being movable from a first to a second position;
(b) resistance means for yieldably resisting movement of said body engaging means from said first to said second position, said resistance means comprising a plurality of stretchable cords and a plurality of connector elements connected to said cords;
(c) connector means for selectively interconnecting said resistance means with said body engaging means, said connector means comprising:
(i) a housing having a chamber for receiving said connector elements and a plurality of rollers movable relative to said chamber between a first, retracted position and a second connector element engagement position;
and
(ii) selector means movable relative to said housing for selectively moving said rollers between said first and second positions.

3 more elements

An exercise apparatus for use by a trainee in the performance of exercises comprising:

(a) body engaging means for engagement by the trainee in the performance of exercises, said body engaging means being movable from a first to a second position;
(b) resistance means for yieldably resisting movement of said body engaging means from said first to said second position, said resistance means comprising a plurality of stretchable cords and a plurality of connector elements connected to said cords;
(c) connector means for selectively interconnecting said resistance means with said body engaging means, said connector means comprising:
(i) a housing having spaced-apart walls defining a chamber for receiving said connector elements, said walls having spaced-apart apertures for receiving a plurality of rollers movable relative to said chamber between a first, retracted position and a second connector element engagement position;
(ii) selector means movable relative to said housing for selectively moving said rollers between said first and second positions, said selector means comprising a selector member having spaced-apart walls provided with a plurality of roller engaging bands movable into engagement with said rollers to move said rollers between said first and second positions;
and
(iii) actuating means for moving said selector member toward said housing of said connector means.

4 more elements

An exercise apparatus for use by a trainee in the performance of exercises comprising:

(a) a supporting frame;
(b) an arm assembly pivotally connected to said supporting frame for movement between a lowered position and an upraised position, said arm assembly including a first pulley;
(c) a cable entrained around said first pulley, said cable having first and second ends;
(d) first body engaging means connected to said first end of said cable for movement between a first and second position;
(e) resistance means for yieldably resisting movement of said first end of said cable between said first and second positions, said resistance means comprising:
(i) a first cord supporting member interconnected with said cable;
(ii) a plurality of stretchable cords entrained around said cord supporting member, each said stretchable cord having first and second ends;
(iii) a plurality of connector elements, each said connector element being connected to said first and second ends of one of said stretchable cords and each having spaced apart roller receiving cavities;
and
(f) connector means for selectively connecting said connector elements to said frame, said connector means comprising:
(i) a housing having spaced apart walls provided with a plurality of spaced apart roller receiving openings and a plurality of rollers carried within said roller receiving openings and movable between a first retracted position and a second engagement position;
and
(ii) selector means movable relative to said housing for selectively moving said rollers from said retracted position into said engagement position, said selector means comprising a selector member connected to said frame and movable relative to said housing between first and second positions to move selected rollers of said housing into said engagement position.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Exercise apparatus

Life of this patent

Exercise apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20