US 7,070,544 B1Granted

Isolation exercise machine with leverage arm

OwnerRandy Rindfleischinventor

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Abstract

An isolation exercise machine comprises two force stations and a connection mechanism that causes the force stations to rotate in opposite directions in response to applying forces to the force stations. The forces overcome first loads due to weights placed on exercise arms to which the force stations are joined. The force stations are located relative to a support that enables a person on the support to exercise selected pairs of muscles. A leverage arm is attached to the connection mechanism for rotating with one or the other force station. At the end of a concentric muscle function, a spotter applies a small force to the leverage arm. The applied force is converted by the connection mechanism into second loads at the force stations that the person resists during an eccentric muscle function. A counterweight arm and counterweight may be used to cancel out the weight of the leverage arm.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An isolation exercise machine comprising:

a. a frame restable on a floor;
b. first and second rotatable force stations;
c. a connection mechanism rotatable in the frame and connecting the first and second force stations such that the force stations rotate in opposite directions in response to rotating either or both force stations, and wherein the connection mechanism comprises:
i. first and second exercise arms having respective first and second shafts rotatable in the frame, the first and second force stations being joined to the first and second exercise arms, respectively;
and
ii. a drive train connecting the exercise arms shafts to rotate them in opposite directions in response to a person exerting a force on either or both force stations, and wherein the drive train comprises:
first and second sprockets on the first shaft, and third and fourth sprockets on the second shaft;
means for connecting the first and third sprockets to each other;
and means for connecting the second and fourth sprockets to each other and for cooperating with the means for connecting the first and third sprockets to cause the first and second shafts to rotate in opposite directions in response to rotation of either shaft, so that the first and second force stations rotate in opposite directions in response to rotation of either exercise arm;
d. a support mounted to the frame at a selected location that enables a person supported on the support to place selected limbs against the force stations and rotate the force stations in respective first opposite directions in response to the person exerting concentric muscle functions on the force stations, and rotate the force stations in respective second opposite directions in response to the person exerting eccentric muscle functions on the force stations;
e. a leverage arm attached to the connection mechanism to which a selected force is applied while the person exerts the eccentric muscle functions on the force stations;
and
f. at least one first weight placeable on at least one of the connection mechanism and the leverage arm that produces loads on the first and second force stations that resist the concentric muscle functions exerted by the person.

10 more elements

Apparatus for exercising selected pairs of human muscles comprising:

a. a frame restable on a floor;
b. a support mounted to the frame;
c. first and second force stations located relative to the support so as to enable a person supported on the support to place selected limbs against the force stations;
d. a connection mechanism connecting the first and second force stations to each other so as to produce first opposite rotations thereof in response to the person exerting first forces with the selected limbs against the force stations;
e. a leverage arm possessing a leverage arm weight and attached to the connection mechanism, a predetermined force being selectively applied to the leverage arm wherein the leverage arm is selectively contactable with the floor;
and
f. a first weight placeable on at least one of the connection mechanism and the leverage arm that imposes first loads at the first and second force stations that resist the first forces exerted by the person, wherein the predetermined force applied to the leverage arm is converted by the connection mechanism into second loads at the force stations that are additive to the first loads and that are resisted by second forces exerted by the person against the force stations.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.