# US 5,350,344 A · Exercise machine

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- Number: US 5,350,344 A
- Document ID: US5350344A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/001,041
- Filed: 1993-01-06
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1993-01-06
- Inventors: Robert M. Kissel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350344A

## CPC

- A63B 21/0628: {for vertical array of weights}
- A63B 21/063: {Weight selecting means}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

An exercise machine includes a weight stack with a plurality of separate weights and a lift bar for vertical movement with the stack. A pin assembly removably secures a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith so that the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin assembly. The pin assembly includes at least one pin operated by a two-position or double action actuator, each pin being movable by its actuator over a predetermined stroke. Each actuator includes a first device for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar and a second device for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding of the weight stack is free of the lift bar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An exercise machine comprising:
a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights vertically disposed with respect to each other;
a lift bar disposed for vertical movement with the stack; and
pin means for removably securing a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith, whereby the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin means;
said pin means including at least one pin operated by an actuator, said pin being movable by its actuator over a predetermined stroke, said actuator including first means for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar, said actuator first means including a first magnet mechanically secured to move with the pin in a first direction upon application of an electrical current to said first coil, and first electrically operable means for positively moving the pin to the extended position, said first electrically operable means having a first coil longitudinally disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pin;
said actuator means further including second means for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding portion of the weight stack is free of the lift bar, the actuator second means including a second magnet mechanically secured to move with the pin in a second direction.

### Claim 2

An exercise machine comprising: a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights vertically disposed with respect to each other;
a lift bar disposed for vertical movement with the stack; and,
pin means for removably securing a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith, whereby the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin means;
said pin means including at least one pin operated by an actuator, said pin being movable by its actuator over a predetermined stroke, said actuator including first means for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar, the actuator first means including first electrically operable means for positively moving the pin to the extended position, said actuator means further including second means for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding portion of the weight stack is free of the lift bar, the actuator second means including second electrically operable means for positively moving the pine to retracted position.

### Claim 3

An exercise machine comprising: a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights vertically disposed with respect to each other;
a lift bar disposed for vertical movement with the stack; and
pin means for removably securing a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith, whereby the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin means;
said pin means including at least one pin operated by an actuator, the actuator including a pair of longitudinally spaced magnets operatively connected to the pin and a pair of electrical coils disposed to operatively interact with the magnets to apply net force to the pin for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar, and for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding portion of the weight stack is free of the lift bar.

### Claim 4

An exercise machine comprising:
a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights vertically disposed with respect to each other;
a lift bar disposed for vertical movement with the stack; and
pin means for removably securing a desired portion of the weight stack to the lift bar for vertical movement therewith, whereby the total weight carried by the lift bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lift bar by the pin means;
said pin means including at least one pin operated by an actuator, said pin being movably by its actuator over a predetermined stroke, said actuator including first means for positively moving the pin to an extended position to removably secure a portion of the weight stack to the lift bar, said first means for positively moving the pin to the extended position including an electrical coil wound in a first sense about the longitudinal axis of the pin, said actuator means further including second means for positively moving the pin to a retracted position in which the corresponding portion of the weight stack is free of the lift bar,
the second means for positively moving the pin to the retracted position including a second electrical coil wound in the sense opposite to the first sense about the longitudinal axis of the pin.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The exercise machine of claim 4 wherein said first and second electrical coils are connected in series, said pin being extended or retracted by reversing the flow of current through said coils.