US20140106943A1 - Weight Lifting and Selector Pin Assembly - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/062—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/062—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
  • A63B21/0626—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means
  • A63B21/0628—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means for vertical array of weights
  • A63B21/063—Weight selecting means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/0615—User-manipulated weights pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/062—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
  • A63B21/0626—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means
  • A63B21/0628—User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means for vertical array of weights
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/072—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
  • A63B21/075—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle with variable weights, e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/04—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for lower limbs
  • A63B23/0405—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for lower limbs involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/0036—Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
  • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
  • A63B2071/0655—Tactile feedback
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
  • A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
  • A63B21/4034—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by feet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
  • A63B21/4043—Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
  • A63B2208/0228—Sitting on the buttocks
  • A63B2208/0238—Sitting on the buttocks with stretched legs, like on a bed

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a weightlifting system and selector pin component thereof.
• this invention relates to a selector pin assembly, track and/or weight plate for use with body building equipment, and more particularly to a selector pin which is not removable from a car which travels either along a track or within the weight plate bodies which can then be inserted through the car and the track into a throughbore or selection point in a weight plate or through the car directly into the throughbore in order to safely, reliably and easily engage a connection union with a vertically or horizontally running selector stem.
• a traditional weight stack for use on what is known in the commercial fitness industry as “selectorized” or “Nautilus” strength training machines incorporates a weight stack in which similar or identically sized or shaped weight plates are stacked vertically atop one another. Formed into each plate and in identical locations on each plate in the are four throughbores: three throughbores extending vertically from the top surface through to the bottom surface of a given plate and one horizontally extending throughbore from the front surface (i.e., the surface facing the person selecting the weight level for the machine) through to the rear surface opposite the front surface. Two of the three vertical throughbores are of the same size and are located equally and on either side of the third, centrally located and larger vertical throughbore.
• the third, centrally located and larger vertical throughbore is meant to accept a “selector stem” or third and moveable rod which is permanently attached to the topmost or highest plate on the weight stack but which is not permanently attached to any other plate in the stack.
• the selector rod is of at least equal length as the stacked plates forming the weight stack.
• a cable or belt which runs over a pulley or series of pulleys and/or cams and is attached at the other end to the “movement arm” which is the piece of the machine the user moves when performing the desired exercise.
• Formed horizontally through the selector stem are throughbores equal in number and vertically placed in an identical orientation to the horizontal throughbores formed from the front surface to the back surface of each individual weight plate.
• this design is so that when a user wants to select the appropriate amount of resistance or weight desired to perform the exercise, that user inserts a “selector pin” into the horizontal throughbore on the surface of the weight stack and through the throughbore in the selector stem forming a non-permanent, selectable engagement so that when the user moves the movement arm, all plates above the temporary union formed by inserting the selector pin horizontally through the horizontal throughbore and selector stem are lifted vertically and against the force of gravity providing the strength training resistance when the user moves the movement arm and performs the exercise.
• the removable pin also permits the user to easily modify the operation of the apparatus outside the manufacturer's design criteria for the plates and/or weight stack, which can create unacceptable safety risks for the user and/or bystanders.
• the selector pin of the present invention includes a variety of embodiments, but is generally displaced within and is not removable from a moveable car or similar sliding mechanism which is continuously engaged but able to travel continuously the length of a horizontal or vertical weight stack either via a continuous, yet separable segmented track affixed to the surface of the plate body or within a continuous, yet separable cavity running internally within and the length of the weight stack, which is continuous and not separated when the user is not using the exercise apparatus.
• the full weight stack is aligned, and the user may thus select and/or adjust the desired weight amount for exercise.
• the mobility of the car and pin assembly allowing for the selector pin to be inserted into the selector pin throughbore in any weight plate in the weight stack in order to engage or disengage a connecting union with the center post running vertically or horizontally through the center throughbore of the weight stack without allowing the selector pin to ever be removed from the car which in turn is continuously engaged with the track, cavern or recess within the weight stack.
• the selector pin is slightly larger at the tip or has a similar preventive design which allows disengagement from the selector stem and withdrawal from the throughbore and allowing for car travel within the segmented track or continuous cavern, but preventing removal from the car.
• the selector pin has a knob or other gripping surface on the user end, or a vertically rotating or horizontally rotating latch or lever, preventing the pin from being pushed through the car when inserted through the car and into the selector pin borehole for engagement with the centerpost or selector stem.
• the selector pin and car mechanism have spring-loaded ball bearings embedded in the car and grooves cut into the pin which accept the spring-loaded ball bearings which provide the user with tactile sensation when the pin is at its full insertion position or its full extracted position and may also have a locking mechanism further guaranteeing complete insertion and proper union with the centerpost.
• the weights stack features of the present invention includes a number of embodiments.
• stacked weight plates for physical fitness equipment are employed, including a plate body with an upward, radial extending cavity (e.g., a “U-shaped” recess) allowing for acceptance of a horizontal centerbar or selector stem which is affixed to the exercise apparatus only at the movement arm end.
• the centerbar has multiple diametric throughbores to receive a selector pin which passes through a horizontal throughbore disposed intermediate to the opposing surfaces of the plate body and entering into the weight plate at a 90 degree angle to the tangent of the front surface of the weight plate.
• the horizontal bore connects the upward, radial extending cavity with a horizontally running internal cavity.
• a selector pin is movably mounted, but not removable from the movable car traveling within the horizontal internal cavity when the selector pin is disengaged from the selector stem within the radial extending cavity.
• each plate may be independently selected by way of manually or otherwise inserting a selector pin.
• the horizontally stacked weight plates which can be made of steel, lead, iron, rubber, urethane or a composite are of a shape that as the moveable selector pin is engaged into a plate farther from the fixed end, all plates between the selected insertion point and the fixed end of the horizontal selector stem will provide resistance thereby allowing the user to select more or less weight with the use of only a single selector pin and car or sliding mechanism.
• selector pin is engaged with the centerbar or selector stem, all plates between the selected insertion point and the fixed end of the horizontal centerbar will be lifted or moved via a cable, lever, belt, movement arm or lift apparatus or the like.
• horizontally stacked weight plate for physical fitness equipment including a plate body with an upward, radial extending cavity allowing for acceptance of a horizontal centerbar which is affixed to the exercise apparatus only at one end which has multiple diametric throughbores to receive a selector pin which passes through a segmented track connected to the front surface of the weight plate and connected to the central throughbore by a horizontal bore disposed intermediate the opposing surfaces of the plate body and entering into the weight plate through the segmented track at a 90 degree angle to the tangent of the front surface of the weight plate.
• a selector pin is movably mounted, but not removable from the movable car traveling within the segmented track when the selector pin is disengaged from the selector stem within the radial extending cavity.
• each plate may be independently selected by way of manually or otherwise inserting a selector pin.
• the horizontally stacked weight plates which can be made of steel, lead, iron, rubber, urethane or a composite are of a shape that as the moveable selector pin is engaged into a plate farther from the fixed end of the selector stem, all plates between the selected insertion point and the fixed end of the horizontal selector stem will provide resistance thereby allowing the user to select more or less weight with the use of only a single selector pin and car mechanism.
• the selector pin is engaged with the centerbar all plates between the selected insertion point and the fixed end of the horizontal centerbar will be lifted or moved via a cable, lever, belt, movement arm or lift apparatus or the like.
• a vertically stacked weight plate for physical fitness equipment including a plate body with central throughbore for connection and at least one, preferably two, throughbores which pass vertically therethrough for receiving guide rods or the like.
• the plate body additionally has an internal cavity connected to the central throughbore by a horizontal bore disposed intermediate the opposing surfaces of the plate body and entering into the weight plate at a 90 degree angle to the front surface of the weight plate.
• the horizontal bore intersects the central vertical throughbore.
• a selector pin is movably mounted, but not removable from the movable car traveling within the additional internal cavity when the selector pin is disengaged from the center post within the third, center borehole.
• the center post has multiple diametric throughbores to receive the selector pin which passes through the fourth throughbore and forms a connection with the center post.
• each plate may be independently selected by way of manually inserting or otherwise engaging the selector pin when the travelling car is moved to the appropriate level or weight plate.
• all weight plates above the weight plate where the selector pin is inserted or otherwise engaged with the center post will be lifted or moved via a cable, lever, belt, movement arm or lift apparatus or the like.
• a fourth embodiment teaches a vertically stacked weight plate for physical fitness equipment, including a plate body with central throughbore for connection and at least one, preferably two, throughbores which pass vertically therethrough for receiving guide rods or the like.
• the plate body additionally has an external segmented track (e.g., a track which could be retrofitted to existing weight stack configurations), where the track connected to the front surface of the weight plate and connected to the central throughbore by a horizontal bore disposed intermediate the opposing surfaces of the plate body and entering into the weight plate through the segmented track at a 90 degree angle to the front surface of the weight plate.
• the horizontal bore intersects the central vertical throughbore.
• a selector pin is movably mounted, but not removable from the movable car which travels and is continuously engaged along the external track when the selector pin is disengaged from the center post within the third, center borehole.
• the center post has multiple diametric throughbores to receive the selector pin which passes through a selector pin throughbore and forms a connection with the center post.
• each plate may be independently selected by way of manually or otherwise inserting the selector pin when the travelling car is moved to the appropriate level or weight plate.
• one object of the present invention is to provide a component for a weight lifting system which prevents the loss of a selector pin and the misuse of a weight training machine resulting from the loss thereof.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a selector pin and related car or holder thereof which enables the continuous connection of the selector pin to a weight lifting device.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide a track or groove in a weight stack for a selector pin to enable the improved selection of a desired weight to be lifted.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for the easy engagement of a selected weight level so as to reduce the possibility of an improper mating of the selector pin and the weight stack, thereby reducing the possibility of any in situ failure of the weight lifting machine.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a weight lifting machine that can eliminate the need for belts, pulleys or similar devices for transferring energy for the movement of a weight stack.
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a weight plate assembly known in the prior art.
• FIG. 2 is a front view of the weight plate stack with guide rods and a selector stem as known in the prior art.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective in situ view of the weight plate stack with guide rods and selector stem shown of FIG. 2 in the assembled condition with the selector pin in the engaged position.
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a weight plate and selector pin engagement as known in the prior art
• FIG. 5 shows a side view of a weight stack assembly in accordance with some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 shows a side view of a weight stack assembly in accordance with some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in operation wherein the user has selected to lift all weights in the stack, leaving the tray empty.
• FIG. 7 shows a side view of a weight stack assembly in accordance with some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in operation wherein the user has selected to lift only a portion of the weights in the stack, leaving the remaining weight plates in the tray.
• FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the weight plate and selector pin engagement in accordance with some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the selector pin showing the knob and slider features for engaging with the weight plate cavity of some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the weight stack engaging the movement arm while at rest in the tray as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a side view of a weight plate as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a weight plate as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a profile view of a weight plate as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the weight stack partially engaged with the selector stem as shown in FIG. 7 .
• FIG. 15 is an exposed side view of an engaged selector pin and weight stack in operational engagement with the pivot point and movement arm plate as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is an exposed side view of an disengaged selector pin and weight stack in operational engagement with the pivot point and movement arm plate as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 a - b are exposed profile views of the selector pin car and track, respectively as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 a - b are exposed profile views of the selector pin and selector pin car in disengaged and engaged positions, respectively, as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 19 a - b are exposed profile views showing details of the selector pin and the stubby plunger used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 20 a - b are side and exposed side views of the stubby plunger, including the ball bearing component used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 a - b are exploded profile views showing the selector pin and cart combination and the weight plate with cart cavity as used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the selector pin and cart and weight stack as details in FIG. 21 a - b.
• FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of an attachable selector pin track used in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 24 is a front view showing the detail of track elements of the attachable selector pin track shown in FIG. 23 .
• FIG. 25 is a top view showing the profile of a track element as shown in FIG. 24 .
• FIG. 26 is a side view of a selector pin and selector pin cart for use the some preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 27 a - b is a front view of the selector pin cart are front and top profile views of the selector pin cart of FIG. 26 in operational engagement with the attachable selector pin track shown in FIG. 25 .
• FIGS. 1-4 A typical weight lifting apparatus 10 as known in the prior art is shown by way of example in FIGS. 1-4 .
• such an apparatus 10 includes a weight stack assembly 20 , a movement assembly 40 for receiving work or force from a user, and a pulley system 50 to facilitate or translate the gravitational force from the weight stack assembly 20 so as to provide resistance to the movement assembly 40 .
• the movement assembly 40 typically includes a movement arm 42 which is displaced by the user during exercise, and a pivot point 44 which permits rotation of the user's force against the resistance of the weight stack assembly.
• the weight stack assembly 20 typically comprises a selector pin 22 so that the user can select the appropriate level of weight or resistance, a series of guide rods 24 for aligning and supporting the weight stack assembly 20 during exercise, and a series of plates 26 , each plate having a weight plate throughbore 28 for receiving a selector pin 22 .
• a selector pin 22 so that the user can select the appropriate level of weight or resistance
• a series of guide rods 24 for aligning and supporting the weight stack assembly 20 during exercise
• a series of plates 26 each plate having a weight plate throughbore 28 for receiving a selector pin 22 .
• the connection between the selector pin 22 and the cable 52 of pulley system 50 is accomplished by a selector stem 30 .
• the selector stem 30 is typically permanently attached to the weight plate 26 which is at the top of the stack.
• the selector stem further includes a series of throughbores 32 which receive the selector pin 22 extending through the weight plate throughbore 28 .
• the weight stack assembly 20 further includes a selector stem bore 34 and guide rod bores 36 for receiving the selector stem 30 and guide rods 24 , respectively.
• the weight lifting apparatus includes a movement assembly 140 comprising movement arm 142 and pivot point 144 , a weight stack assembly 120 (which is supported at rest by tray 125 ), and a selector stem 130 .
• the selector stem 130 extends horizontally and is integral with or attached directly to the movement arm 142 , and is preferably permanently attached to and inseparable from the movement arm.
• the weight stack assembly comprises a series of weight plates 126 , and the “first” plate (i.e., the weight plate 126 closest to movement arm 142 ) may be permanently attached to the union of the movement arm 142 and the selector stem 130 which, when moved around a pivot point 144 , makes the movement arm heavier at the selector stem end than at the pivot point end.
• the selector stem 130 and the first plate travel upwards against the force of gravity to provide resistance to the user.
• each individual weight plate 126 is of a similar or identical size and shape and are arranged in a horizontal stack, in similar fashion to books on a bookshelf. As shown in FIG. 10 , the weight plates 126 at rest are located in a basket or tray 125 or the like, which is permanently attached to and immoveable from the weight lifting apparatus 110 . As shown in FIGS. 8-9 and 11 , each of the weight plates 126 include an identical, “U shaped” upward radiating cavity 121 so as to permit movement of the selector stem 130 when a given weight plate is not selected. Each weight plate further includes an additional frontward radiating, contoured cavity 127 which forms a track.
• the engagement of the frontward radiating cavity 127 and the selector pin 122 and slider 123 creates a track for engagement such that the selector pin can be moved from one weight plate 126 to another, while preventing the selector pin 122 from being removed from the weight stack assembly 120 .
• Each weight plate 126 plate has a selector pin throughbore 133 connecting the frontward radiating cavity 127 with the upward radiating cavity to as to be able to receive selector pin 122 .
• the selector stem contains a selector pin throughbores 132 such that the selector pin may traverse the weight plate 126 and selector stem 130 when in the engaged position.
• this embodiment also includes the use of a configuration for a weight plate 126 that provides for horizontal stacking such that a single selector pin 122 , when engaged, can support the lifting of multiple weight plates 126 .
• Each weight plate 126 when viewed from front position, preferably includes an overlapping flange 134 or similar shape that overlaps and forms a union with the lower portion of the adjoining weight plate 126 farther away from the union of the movement arm 142 and the selector stem 130 , and is overlapped by and a union is formed by the upper portion of the adjoining weight plate 126 closer to the union of the movement arm 142 and the selector stem 130 .
• the farthest weight plate 126 from the union of the movement arm 142 and the selector stem 130 is of similar or identical size and shape as the other plates in the weight stack 120 but, being the farthest plate in the stack from the union of the movement arm and the selector stem has no farther plate to form a union with and instead overlaps and forms a union with the tray 125 .
• FIGS. 15 and 16 show the engagement and disengagement of the selector pin 122 in this embodiment.
• the selector stem 130 and permanently attached “First Plate” end of the movement arm due to the force of gravity, come to rest within the upwardly radiating cavity 121 of weight plates 126 , which in turn are held solidly and reliably in place by their overlapping flanges 134 and the tray 125 .
• the user selects the desired amount of resistance by withdrawing the selector pin into the “disengaged position” and sliding the selector pin 122 using the slider which is sized to slide along the channel formed by the accumulation of front facing cavities 127 formed by the weight plates.
• the combination of the selector pin 122 and slide 123 is moved outward away from the union of the selector stem 130 and the movement arm 142 , and inward towards the union of the selector stem 130 and movement arm 142 if he desires less resistance (less weight). Then the user inserts the selector pin 122 into the “engaged position” through the selector pin throughbore 132 of the weight plate 126 and through the selector pin throughbore 132 in the selector stem 132 , the throughbores being properly spaced in order to form a mechanical union between selector pin 122 , weight plate 126 and selector stem 130 . The user then performs the exercise and is provided resistance based on the number of weight plates 126 located between the insertion point of the selector pin 122 and the union of the movement arm 142 and selector stem 130 due to the overlapping design of the weight plates 126 .
• This embodiment provides several benefits. Because the union of the movement arm 142 , selector stem 130 and first plate 126 is an integrated, there is no need for pulleys, cables or belts between the source of resistance and the movement arm 142 . The resistance is effectively and safely put on the movement arm 142 itself. Unlike the traditional weight stack 20 , this embodiment has less moving parts and therefore there is less likelihood for mechanical failure and subsequent injury making it inherently safer. Additional design safety comes from the fact that since there are no pulleys, belts or cables, there are no “pinch points” caused by these mechanisms which exist as “necessary evils” on the traditional horizontal weight stack. Further benefit is derived from the fact that due to the fact that there are no guide rods requiring lubrication. With fewer moving parts, breakable mechanisms, or the like, the invention will be less expensive to manufacture and maintain than the traditional horizontal weight stack.
• the embodiment only requires the use of one, non-removable selector pin 122 mechanism versus several.
• the invention is thereby more intuitive and eliminates potential injury and confusion due to inappropriate resistance selection and the need to engage more than one selection mechanism or a different selection mechanism to select a different amount of resistance. Additionally, since there are fewer selection mechanisms and since all plates are of identical size, weight and shape, the cost of manufacture will be less.
• this embodiment also represents a significant improvement for several reasons. Due to the tray 125 and flange 134 /overlapping weight plate 126 design, the weight stack assembly 120 is permanently attached to the weight lifting apparatus 110 , eliminating the need for the user to locate, gather, lift up and load matching weight plates onto each of the two the movement arms of the equipment which is how current “plate loaded” equipment must be made ready for exercise. This process in and of itself is dangerous as numerous injuries have resulted from the act of loading and unloading the “plate loaded” equipment.
• this embodiment eliminates the need for not only the purchase of weight plates by the health club owner, but storage racks for those weight plates as well. It also leads to a neater and better organized and safer exercise environment. It is a common occurrence for not all users to unload the traditional “plate loaded” equipment after completing their exercise session, leaving the next potential user in the unsafe or compromised position of having to unload the weight plates from the loaded piece of equipment to achieve the desired amount of weight or resistance or, in the event that the loaded weight plates are too heavy to unload, simply get discouraged and not use the piece of exercise equipment at all.
• the present invention includes other embodiments which include other types of weight stack assemblies, even including prior art weight lifting assemblies such as those discloses in FIGS. 1-4 .
• the invention can simply address embodiments which rely upon a selector pin 122 which uses a car 160 or similar sliding mechanism to engage a track 164 or similar channel, but includes a stubby plunger 162 or similar bias and detent mechanism for permanently retaining the selector pin 122 in the car 160 , and in turn in the track 164 .
• FIGS. 17-20 the invention can simply address embodiments which rely upon a selector pin 122 which uses a car 160 or similar sliding mechanism to engage a track 164 or similar channel, but includes a stubby plunger 162 or similar bias and detent mechanism for permanently retaining the selector pin 122 in the car 160 , and in turn in the track 164 .
• the selector pin includes grooves 166 , with the groove furthest from the knob for a “disengaged” position, and the groove closes to the knob for an “engaged” position.
• the stubby plunger 162 is permanently fixed inside the car 160 and includes a ball bearing 168 which is biased inwards by a spring (not shown).
• the ball bearing 168 couples with a groove 166 to provide a locking mechanism for the “engaged” or “disengaged” positions.
• the selector pin 222 and car 224 combination can be sized to fit within a contoured cavity 228 located within a conventional shaped vertically stacked group of weight plates.
• the car includes ball bearings 225 to slide up and down the weight stack 220 until the user selects a desired weight plate corresponding to a desire weight level.
• the present invention can be used with a selector pin and cart which in connected to a weight stack via an attachable track.
• the track 360 is comprised of individual track elements 362 which are permanently affixed to corresponding weight plates 326 in a weight stack 320 , each track element 326 having a selector pin throughbore 364 , and each element being capable of locking or connecting to other, similar elements using male 366 and female 368 connectors.
• the track provides a channel for a cart 324 to slide through, the cart having ball bearings 325 to enable sliding up and down the track to the desired level in the track 360 corresponding to a desired level in the weight stack 320 , such that the selector pin 322 (which is permanently connected to cart 324 ) can extend through the selector pin throughbore 364 and the weight plate 326 , using grooves 370 to facilitate engaged and disengaged positions.
• the cart and track connection could be configured such that the cart surrounds the track, instead of being contained within a channel of the track.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

Description

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Cited By (19)

Citations (3)

• 2012
  • 2012-10-17 US US13/653,852 patent/US20140106943A1/en not_active Abandoned

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