Removable lat pull-down seat for an exercise system

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a support frame with a first and second column; a plurality of guide members movably mounted along both columns; and at least one attachment detachably mounted onto either column, thereby securing the at least one attachment to the support frame. The at least one attachment may include a first portion; a second portion extending from the first portion; and a locking mechanism extending from the second portion. The locking mechanism may include at least one stationary locking pin received by either column; and a movable locking pin configured to be received by either column. The at least one attachment is detachably mounted onto either column simultaneously with the plurality of guide members, and at least one of the plurality of guide members positions an operative portion of a weight arrangement at a location along the support frame.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a support frame, the support frame comprising: a first column having opposing front and rear sides; and a second column having opposing front and rear sides; a plurality of guide members configured to be movably mounted along the first column or the second column, wherein at least one of the plurality of guide members are configured to position an operative portion of a weight arrangement at a location along the support frame; and at least one attachment securable to the support frame by detachably mounting onto one of the first column or the second column, wherein the at least one attachment is detachably mounted onto the one of the first column or the second column simultaneously with the plurality of guide members, the at least one attachment comprising: a first portion; a second portion extending from the first portion; and a locking mechanism extending from the second portion, the locking mechanism comprising: a safety hook having a first end with a first end face and a second end with a second end face, the second end face opposing the first end face; a stationary locking pin extending from a surface of the first end face and configured to be received by the one of the first column or the second column; and a movable locking pin extending from a surface of the second end face and configured to be received by the one of the first column or the second column; wherein when the at least one attachment is mounted onto the one of the first column or the second column, the safety hook surrounds at least a portion of the one of the first column or the second column, the surface of the first end face faces the front side of the one of the first column or the second column, the surface of the second end face faces the rear side of the one of the first column or the second column, and the stationary locking pin and the movable locking pin extend in opposing directions.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a seat.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises at least one adjustable leg roller.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises at least one foot plate.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first column and the second column each include a plurality of holes configured to receive at least a portion of the plurality of guide members and at least a portion of the locking mechanism therethrough.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of holes are one inch in diameter.

7. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the movable locking pin is displaceable between a locking position and an opening position.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7, wherein upon displacing the movable locking pin from the locking position to the opening position, the stationary locking pin is received through a first hole of the plurality of holes, permitting the locking mechanism to be rotatably mounted to the one of the first column or the second column.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein upon rotatably mounting the locking mechanism to the one of the first column or the second column, the movable locking pin is displaced from the opening position to the locking position and received through a second hole of the plurality of holes, thereby securing the locking mechanism to the one of the first column or the second column.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the movable locking pin comprises a gripping portion configured to permit a user to displace the movable locking pin between the locking position and the opening position.

11. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the movable locking pin is displaceable within and irremovable from the second end of the safety hook.

12. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first column opposes the second column by at least 40 inches.

13. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide members comprises a first J-hook movably mounted to the first column and a second J-hook movably mounted to the second column.

14. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the weight arrangement comprises: a barbell; and a plurality of weight plates configured to be slidably mounted to the barbell, wherein at least a portion of the barbell is received on the first J-hook and the second J-hook.

15. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the weight arrangement comprises: a handle; an exercise cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the handle and the second end being connected to a portion of the support frame; and at least one movable weight rack operatively connected to the exercise cable, wherein, upon pulling the handle, the at least one movable weight rack moves a distance, and wherein the plurality of guide members position the handle and exercise cable at a desired location along the first column or the second column.

16. An attachment configured to be detachably mounted onto a column of an exercise machine, the column having opposing front and rear sides, the attachment comprising: a first portion configured to be engaged by a user; a second portion extending from the first portion; and a locking mechanism extending from the second portion, the locking mechanism comprising: a safety hook having a first end with a first end face and a second end with a second end face, the second end face opposing the first end face; a stationary locking pin extending from a surface of the first end face and configured to be received by the column; and a movable locking pin extending from a surface of the second end face and configured to be received by the column; wherein when the attachment is mounted onto the column, the safety hook surrounds at least a portion of the column, the surface of the first end face faces the front side of the column, the surface of the second end face faces the rear side of the column, and the stationary locking pin and the movable locking pin extend in opposing directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise machine;

(2) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 having an attachment mounted thereto according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 having an attachment mounted thereto according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 2 in the process of engaging the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4B is a second perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 2 in the process of engaging the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5A is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 2 mounted to the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 5B is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 2 mounted to the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 having the attachments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 mounted thereto; and

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 having the attachments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 mounted thereto with users engaging the exercise machine and attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary aspects of the disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

(11) The present disclosure is directed to, in general, an exercise or weight machine and, more particularly, to a weight ratio arrangement that allows a user to vary a mechanical advantage provided by traditional pulley arrangements on the exercise or weight machines. Certain aspects of the components of the exercise or weight machine and the weight ratio arrangement are illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.

(12) With reference to FIGS. 1, and 5A-7, an exercise machine 10 (also referred to as a weight machine or weightlifting machine) which includes several different exercise stations is shown. The exercise machine 10 includes a support frame 12 that houses several different components of the exercise machine 10, including a weight stack 14. The exercise machine 10 and support frame 12 includes at least two columns 13, 15. It should be understood that although one configuration of a support frame is illustrated in the disclosed embodiment, other configurations of the support frame will be equally suitable for use with the present disclosure. For example, as shown, the support frame 12 is generally a rectangular parallelpiped shape; however it may be triangular prism, a hexagonal prism or another shape conducive to a user 5 using the exercise machine 10 may be used.

(13) In one exercise station, connectors 16, 18 for use with different exercise handles are provided to permit different types of exercises to be performed by different users 5. As shown in FIG. 7, a lat bar 16a and an exercise handle 18a are linked to the connectors 16, 18 and may be provided to the users 5. It is contemplated that other exercise handles or equipment, such as a rope, curl bar, tricep bar, and other equipment known to those having skill in the art may be attached to either connector. The user(s) 5 may pull on the lat bars 16a and the exercise handles 18a, as will be described below, to pull a load supplied by the weight stack 14 for exercising. As shown in FIG. 7, multiple users 5 may engage the exercise machine 10 at one time.

(14) A weight ratio arrangement 30 may be used in the exercise machine 10. The weight ratio arrangement 30 includes an exercise cable 32 and a plurality of pulleys 34 (only one is labeled for clarity). A first end of the exercise cable 32 is connected to the connector 18 and its respective handle 18a. A second opposing end of the exercise cable 32 may be connected to a pulley block or a portion of the support frame 12. The exercise cable 32 is operatively connected to the weight stack 14 so that when a user 5 pulls on the exercise handle 18a, the weight stack 14 moves and thereby provides resistance to the user 5. A second exercise cable 33 may also be used with the weight ratio arrangement 30. This exercise cable 33 has a first end connected to the connector 16 and a second end connected to a pulley block or a portion of the support frame 12. When a user 5 pulls on the lat bar 16a, the weight stack 14 moves and thereby provides resistance to the user 5. The plurality of pulleys 34 may be arranged within the exercise machine 10 so as to engage with either exercise cable 32, 33 and the weight stack 14 in specific ways in order to provide different levels of resistance to the user 5. Various arrangements of the plurality of pulleys 34 and exercise cables 32, 33 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,486,010, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

(15) To help a user 5 perform a desired workout, guiding attachments 40 may be mounted to a portion of the support frame 12. The guiding attachments 40 can help position the exercise cable 32, the connector 18, and exercise handle 18a at a desired location along the support frame 12 depending on the exercise a user 5 desires to perform. The guiding attachment may be placed on the columns 13, 15 of the support frame 12 and be slidable in the vertical direction. The columns 13, 15 may have a plurality of holes 36 (not all holes are labeled for clarity purposes) along one or more sides. It is contemplated that the holes may be any size suitable for their engagement in exercise or weight lifting activities, such as ⅝ inches or 1 inch in diameter.

(16) As shown, the plurality of holes 36 extend through the columns 13, 15 so that a hole 36 on one side of the columns 13, 15 corresponds to a hole 36 on the opposing side. The holes receive a pin 42, connected to the guiding attachments 40, therethrough. The pin 42 is movable between a locked position where it is received by one of the holes 36 and an open position where it is not. By moving the pin 42 to the open position, the guiding attachments 40 may slide vertically along the columns 13, 15 of the support frame 12 until it is in a desired location. At that point, the pin 42 may be moved to the locked position in order to secure the guiding attachments 40 to the columns 13, 15.

(17) It is contemplated that other attachments such as a J-hook 100 may be attached to the columns 13, 15 via the holes 36 as well. In these instances, the J-hooks 100 attach to the columns 13, 15 in a manner known to those having skill in the art. One J-hook 100 may attach to each column 13, 15 at an equal distance above the ground. In this configuration, a barbell 102 may rest on each J-hook and be supported between the columns 13, 15. This permits plated weights 104 to be slidably mounted onto the barbell 102 and permit a user to engage with the barbell 102 and weights 104 at a desired height above the ground. The J-hooks 100 may be placed at any height a user desires so long as the J-hooks 100 properly interact with the holes 36 and are safely connected to the columns 13, 15. The guiding attachments 40 may be displaced along the columns 13, 15 so that they do not interfere with the use of the barbell 102 when the J-hooks 100 are in use. As shown in FIGS. 1, and 5A-6, both the J-hooks 100 and guiding attachments 40 may engage with the support frame 12 simultaneously. In order to accommodate the J-hooks 100 and barbell 102, the columns 13, 15 may be placed at a desired distance apart from each other. For example, column 13 may be placed at least 40 inches apart from column 15. In another example, column 13 may be placed at least 46 inches apart from column 15.

(18) Unlike the guiding attachment 40, the J-hooks 100 may completely disengage the support frame 12, columns 13, 15, and the plurality of holes 36 when a user desires to reposition the J-hooks 100 at a new location along the columns 13, 15. In other words, instead of being slidably mounted to the columns 13, 15 and/or support frame 12 like the guiding attachment 40, the J-hooks 100 are removably or detachably mounted to the columns 13, 15 and/or support frame 12. While the guiding attachments 40 and J-hooks 100 are described here, it is contemplated that other attachments known to those having skill in the art, such as a barbell safety catch, may be mounted to the columns 13, 15 in place of the guiding attachments 40 and J-hooks 100.

(19) Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, an arrangement for an attachment 50 to the exercise machine 10 is described according to the present embodiment. While the attachment 50 is described as attaching to the exercise machine 10, it is contemplated that the attachment 50 can be attached to any exercise equipment utilizing a similar support column structure as described herein. The attachment 50 can be attached to either column 13, 15 while the guiding attachments 40 and the J-hooks 100 are also attached to their respective columns 13, 15. In this configuration, the exercise machine 10 saves space by allowing a user 5 to perform various exercises while only utilizing one support frame 12 upon which various weight lifting components can be simultaneously attached or utilized.

(20) The attachment 50 may have a first portion 52 and a second portion 54 extending from the first portion 52. The first portion 52 may be designed to be engaged by a user 5 of the exercise machine 10. As shown in FIGS. 2, and 4A-7, the first portion 52 may include a seat 56 and adjustable leg rollers 58 for a user 5 conducting exercises with the lat bar 16a. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the first portion 52 is a foot plate 55. It is contemplated that the first portion may also be any number of accessories that facilitate use of the exercise machine 10 in various ways. Examples of accessories may include, but are not limited to, a back bench, a seat with a chest support, or a seat with an arm-press system.

(21) The second portion 54 of the attachment 50 extends from the first portion 52 and may have a distal end 60 located farthest away from the first portion 52. A locking mechanism 62 may extend from the distal end 60 in order to secure the attachment 50 to the support frame 12 of the exercise machine 10. The locking mechanism 62 may engage with the plurality of holes 36 on the columns 13, 15 of the support frame 12. The column 12 may have one upper hole 36a and a lower hole 36b. The locking mechanism 62 may engage with the columns 13, 15, upper hole 36a, and lower hole 36b in order to secure the attachment 50 to the exercise machine 10.

(22) Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the locking mechanism 62 used to lock the attachment 50 to the support frame 12 will now be described. The locking mechanism may have a first plate 64 extending upward from the distal end 60. A stationary locking pin 66 may extend from a face of the first plate 64 in the distal direction toward the columns 13, 15. When securing the attachment 50, the stationary locking pin 66 is received by the upper hole 36a on the columns 13, 15. The locking mechanism 62 may also have a safety hook 68 extending from the distal end 60 in the distal direction. The safety hook 68 is shaped so as to hook around and engage the columns 13, 15 when the attachment 50 is engaged with the exercise machine 10. The safety hook 68 may include the first plate 64. For example, if the columns 13, 15 are of a substantially square shape, then the safety hook 68 may engage with three sides of the columns 13, 15, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. If the columns 13, 15 are of a substantially circular shape, then the safety hook may engage with approximately 75% of the circumference of the circular columns 13, 15. A movable locking pin 72 may extend from a second plate 65 of the safety hook 68. Specifically, the movable locking pin 72 may extend from a face of the second plate 65. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first plate 64 and the second plate 65 oppose each other, so that the stationary locking pin 66 and the movable locking pin 72 extend in opposite directions from their respective faces of the safety hook 68. In this configuration, the safety hook 68 may wrap around the columns 13, 15 and be tightly secured thereto by both the stationary locking pin 66 and the movable locking pin 72. The movable locking pin 72 may be received by the lower hole 36b on the columns 13, 15. As shown in the figures and as just described, the movable locking pin 72 is received by the lower hole 36b on the side of the columns 13, 15 opposite the side where the upper hole 36a receives the stationary locking pin 66. The movable locking pin 72 may have a gripping portion 74 for a user 5 to pull back in order to permit the locking pin 72 to have the necessary clearance from the columns 13, 15 before the movable locking pin 72 is to be released and received by the lower hole 36b.

(23) In order to engage the attachment 50 with the exercise equipment 10, the attachment 50 must be turned at an angle from its upright position. This permits the stationary pin 66 to be received by the upper hole 36a without the safety hook 68 interfering with the columns 13, 15. The direction in which the attachment is to be turned, clockwise or counterclockwise, is determined by the configuration of the safety hook 68. The attachment 50 may be turned in a direction, so that when it is turned back to its upright position, the safety hook 68 hooks around and engages the columns 13, 15. The gripping portion 74 may be pulled back in order to permit the movable locking pin 72 to have the necessary clearance from the columns 13, 15 to allow the attachment 50 to be turned back to its upright position. When the attachment 50 is returned to its upright position, the gripping portion 74 is released, and the movable locking pin 72 may then be received by the lower hole 36b. While the attachment 50 is described as being engaged with the exercise equipment 10 having a support frame 12 and columns 13, 15 as described above, it is also contemplated that the attachment 50 may be used with different exercise equipment having similar support frames and columns as those described herein.

(24) Referring now to FIG. 7, an exercise machine 10 with two users 5 utilizing two attachments 50 engaged with the support frame 12 is shown. The support frame 12 of the exercise machine 10 has multiple columns 13, 15 which can be used to engage the attachments 50. The first attachment 50 may include a seat 56 and adjustable leg rollers 58. The user 5 may sit on the seat 56. Their legs may be pressed up and against the adjustable leg rollers 58 to limit movement. While seated, the user 5 may pull the lat bar 16a which pulls the exercise cable 330 which is attached to the weight stack 14. The weight stack 14 provides resistance to a user's 5 movements when they pull the lat bar 16a. The second attachment 50 may include a foot plate 55. The user 5 may sit on a bench, chair, or other device to provide support while they rest their feet on and press their feet against the foot plate 55. While engaging the foot plate 55, the user 5 may pull an exercise handle 18a which pulls the exercise cable 32 attached to another weight stack 14. The weight stack 14 provides resistance to a user's 5 movements when they pull the exercise handle 18a.

(25) While various aspects of the exercise machine 10 and attachment 190 were provided in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these aspects without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other aspect. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.