GLUTE MACHINE

Abstract

A weight resistance training machine is provided that is used to exercise the glute muscles of a user. The weight resistance training machine includes a carriage member that a user may mount to use the training machine. The carriage member may be mounted on a track system that allows the carriage member to translate linearly when the weight training machine is used. When a foot press bar connected to the carriage member is extended, the carriage member is linear translated by a cable and pulley system to increase the muscle path length during exercise and increase the exercise's efficacy.

Claims

1. A resistance training machine, the machine comprising: a foot press bar that may be pressed by a user of the machine and moved in a first direction; a first cable coupled to the foot press bar at a first attachment point; and a carriage member coupled to the first cable at a second attachment point; wherein when the foot press bar is pressed in the first direction, the carriage member is linearly translated in a second direction.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine includes a second cable and a weight stack, wherein the second cable is coupled to the carriage member at a first attachment point and to the weight stack at a second attachment point such that when the carriage member is linearly translated forwardly, weight is lifted from the weight stack via the second cable.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the carriage member is coupled to a track system on which the carriage member is linearly translatable.

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the track system includes at least one bar on which the carriage member is linearly translatable.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the carriage member includes at least one sleeve member that receives and engages the at least one bar.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine includes an articulating arm member attached to and extending forwardly from the foot press bar.

7. The machine of claim 2, wherein the machine includes a disc member including the second attachment point of the first cable and the first attachment point of the second cable.

8. A resistance training machine, the machine comprising: a user assembly, the user assembly including: a carriage member that a user of the machine may mount when the machine is in use; a track system on which the carriage member is linearly translatable; and a foot press bar coupled with the carriage member by a first cable portion; and a weight stack assembly including a weight stack, wherein the weight stack is coupled with the carriage member by a second cable portion, and wherein when the foot press bar is pressed rearwardly, the carriage member is linearly translated on the track system by the first cable portion and a weight of the weight stack is lifted by the second cable portion.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the user assembly includes a disc member to which each of the first cable portion and the second cable portion are attached.

10. The machine of claim 8, wherein the user assembly includes an articulating arm member attached to the foot press bar.

11. The machine of claim 8, wherein the carriage member includes a kneeling pad.

12. The machine of claim 8, wherein the carriage member includes a handle assembly.

13. A resistance training machine for exercising the glute muscles of a user, the machine comprising: a foot press bar that may be rearwardly pressed by the user of the machine; an articulating member coupled to the foot press bar, the articulating member including an extension member extending therefrom; a first cable attached to the extension member at a first attachment point; a carriage member attached to the first cable at a second attachment point; wherein when the foot press bar is rearwardly pressed, the carriage member is linearly translated forwardly via the first cable.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the machine includes a second cable and a weight stack, wherein the second cable is coupled to the carriage member at a first attachment point and to the weight stack at a second attachment point such that when the carriage member is linearly translated forwardly, weight is lifted from the weight stack via the second cable.

15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the carriage member is coupled to a track system on which the carriage member is linearly translatable.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the track system includes at least one bar on which the carriage member is linearly translatable.

17. The machine of claim 16, wherein the carriage member includes at least one sleeve member that receives and engages the at least one bar.

18. The machine of claim 14, wherein the machine includes a disc member including the second attachment point of the first cable and the first attachment point of the second cable.

19. The machine of claim 13, wherein the carriage member includes a kneeling pad.

20. The machine of claim 13, wherein the carriage member includes at least one of a handle assembly and at least one forearm pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person mounted on a glute machine constructed according to the teachings of the present invention in a start position;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the glute machine and a person mounted thereon in an end position;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the glute machine in the start position without a person mounted thereon;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the glute machine in the end position without a person mounted thereon;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an internal cable and pulley system of the glute machine in the start position;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the internal cable and pulley system of the glute machine in the end position;

[0020] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the glute machine in the start position without a person mounted thereon;

[0021] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the glute machine in the end position without a person mounted thereon;

[0022] FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the glute machine in use without a person mounted thereon;

[0023] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the glute machine in the start position with a person mounted thereon;

[0024] FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the glute machine in the end position with a person mounted thereon;

[0025] FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the glute machine in use with a person mounted thereon;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the glute machine in the start position with a person mounted thereon;

[0027] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the glute machine in the end position with a person mounted thereon; and

[0028] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the glute machine in use with a person mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present disclosure is directed to resistance training exercise equipment, and more particularly to a resistance weight training machine for efficiently and effectively exercising a user's gluteus maximus muscles, referred to herein as glute machine 1. Turning first to FIG. 1, the glute machine 1 is illustrated in a start position. The start position refers to the position that the glute machine 1 is in when at rest or before a person such as person 5 has mounted the glute machine 1 prior to commencing exercise, as will be described below.

[0030] In the start position, the person 5 is facing downwards. In a preferred embodiment, a resting leg, in this case the right leg 10 of the person 5, may rest on a kneeling pad 15 of the glute machine 1. An active leg 20 of the person 5, which is associated with a glute muscle to be exercised, may be substantially free to move. At least one foot 25 of the person 5 may be placed so that it abuts a foot press bar 30 of the glute machine 1. In the start position, hands 35 of the person 5 preferably grasp a handle assembly 40 associated with the glute machine 1.

[0031] When the person 5 is ready to commence exercise, he or she pushes rearwardly with the active leg 20. As the person 5 pushes rearwardly with the foot 25 of the active leg 20, the foot press bar 30 is similarly pushed rearwardly and upwardly in an arc-like manner. This motion initiates two mechanical processes. First, weight associated with the weight stack 45 of the glute machine 1 is lifted or otherwise activated, thus providing resistance to the glute muscle being exercised. Second, a carriage member 50 on which the person 5 is resting (via the kneeling pad 15) is linearly translated in a forward direction. The specific mechanisms that allow for the weight stack 45 to be lifted and the carriage member 50 to be linearly translated are described in greater detail below.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 2, the glute machine 1 and the person 5 are illustrated in what is referred to herein as the end position. In the end position, the person 5 has extended a foot 25 of the active leg 20 rearwardly, thereby forcing the foot press bar 30 to an extended position. In some embodiments, this extended position may be representative of the maximum distance that the foot press bar 30 is able to rearwardly move. In the end position, a portion 55 of the weight stack 45 has been lifted by mechanisms described below that are initiated by the person 5 extending the foot 25 of his or her active leg 20. This portion 55 of the weight stack 50 is representative of the weight that resists movement of the active leg 20 of the person 5.

[0033] In the end position, the carriage member 50 has also been forwardly linearly translated. With the foot press bar 30 rearwardly extended by the active leg 20, and the person 5 forwardly linearly translated via the carriage member 50, the muscle path length of the glute muscle being exercised is greater than if only the foot press bar 30 were rearwardly extended.

[0034] The embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show only two positions (particularly the start and end positions) that a person 5 and the equipment 1 may assume during exercise. However, as will be appreciated and understood in view of the additional description that follows, a limitless number of positions between those illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are possible depending on the actions and position of a person 5 in any particular exercise repetition. It should be noted that the general movement described above that takes the person 5 and the glute machine 1 into the start and end positions may be reproduced continuously or intermittently to meet the exercise preferences of the person 5 (i.e., carrying out a certain number of repetitions and sets within an exercise session).

[0035] Moreover, it should be noted that the person 5 may perform the exercises described above and below (in greater detail) for the opposite leg (the resting leg 10) by switching the relative positions of the legs 10, 20. More particularly, the active leg 20 may be placed on the kneeling pad 15, while the resting leg 10 is left free to move and subsequently be rearwardly extended. This would of course cause what was originally the rest leg 10 to become the active leg 20, and vice versa.

[0036] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the glute machine 1 is shown in the start position and the end position, respectively. However, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the person 5 is no longer illustrated, and thus details regarding the construction and assembly of the glute machine 1 are more unobstructedly illustrated.

[0037] The glute machine 1 generally may include a user assembly 60 and a weight rack assembly 65. User assembly 60 and the weight rack assembly 65 may be assembled such that they are attached to one another in a side by side configuration. Each of the assemblies 60, 65 may include leg members and foot members to act as a base for the glute machine 1, but alternative embodiments may be constructed using other known or foreseeable structures. More particularly, the legs of the user assembly 60 are provided as angled leg members 70 each having a foot 75, while the leg members of the weight rack assembly 65 are embodied as upright, vertical leg members 80 each having a foot 85. The feet 75, 85 may be level with one another so that when the glute machine 1 is placed on a level surface such as those commonly used in exercise rooms and facilities, the glute machine 1 is level. In alternative embodiments, the feet 75, 85 and/or leg members 70, 80 may be adjustable to change the height of the glue machine 1, or may take any other form.

[0038] Preferably, the user assembly 60 and the weight rack assembly 65 are connected at a lower portion 90 of the glute machine 1, although other structures are envisioned. More particularly, in the embodiment of the glute machine 1 illustrated herein, the user assembly 60 and the weight rack assembly are connected by a central cross brace 100 (see FIG. 4) and a front cross brace 105.

[0039] An upper portion 95 of the glute machine 1 as shown does not include any direct connections between the user assembly 60 and the weight rack assembly 65. With no connections between the user assembly 60 and the weight rack assembly 65 at the upper portion 95 of the glute machine 1, it is often easier for a person such as the person 5 to mount and unmount the glute machine 1 to exercise. However, an upper direct connection may be used where desired or useful for more stability.

[0040] Turning to the weight rack assembly 65, the weight stack 45 associated with the weight rack assembly 65 may be substantially similar to weight stacks that are commonly used and well understood in the art of exercise equipment. However, other suitable resistance structures are also envisioned. As will be described in great detail herein below, when the foot press bar 30 is pressed rearwardly, a portion (embodied as portion 55 in FIG. 4) is lifted from the weight stack 45 to resist a glute muscle of the person using the glute machine 1. The cable and pulley system that lifts the weight stack 45 and any portion thereof such as the portion 55 is described in greater detail herein below.

[0041] The carriage member 50 may be linearly translatable such that it is in a more rearward position (closer to the foot press bar 30) in the start position and more forwardly (closer to the front cross brace 105) in the end position. The carriage member 50, as referenced above, preferably includes each of the kneeling pad 15 as well as the handle assembly 40 for gripping by a person 5. Moreover, the carriage member preferably includes optional wrist or forearm pads 108 upon which a person such as the person 5 may place and rest his or her forearms when using the glute machine 1.

[0042] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carriage member 50 is assembled to the glute machine 1 such that it is substantially above and in line with the leg members 70. By having the carriage member 50 assembled within the glute machine 1 above the leg members 70, the leg members 70 provide additional support to the carriage member 50 as it substantially supports the weight of the person 5. The manner in which the carriage member 50 translates between its back or rear position and its front position is described in greater detail below.

[0043] An articulating arm member 110 may be positioned between the carriage member 50 and the weight stack assembly 65. The articulating arm member 110, as shown, preferably extends upwardly and rearwardly from the front cross brace 105, though other paths for the arm member 110 are foreseeable. In a preferred embodiment, the articulating arm member 110 preferably includes each of a first arm section 115, second arm section 120 and a third arm section 125. The first arm section 115, which is rigidly attached to the front cross brace 105, may extend upwardly therefrom. In this embodiment, the first arm section 115 preferably remains fixed during use of the glute machine 1. The second arm section 120 is then preferably hingedly attached to the first arm section 115 and extends rearwardly therefrom. Similarly, the third arm section 125 is preferably hingedly attached to the second arm section 120 and extends rearwardly therefrom. Moreover, the foot press bar 30 would preferably be perpendicularly attached to the third arm section. It may project inwardly toward the carriage member 50 so that when a person has mounted the glute machine 1 to exercise, and his or her legs such as the legs 10, 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are rearwardly extended, they may come into contact with the foot press bar 30.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the second arm section 120 of the articulating arm member 110 also includes an extension arm member 130 that is located near a middle section 135 of the arm section 120. The arm extension member 130 preferably is fixedly attached to the second arm section 120, for example by bolts 140, though other attachment means are contemplated herein. Motion of the articulating arm member 110, its sections 115, 120, 125, and the extension member 130 are described in greater detail herein below when also describing in greater detail the underlying cable and pulley system that together with the articulating arm member 110 and the carriage member 50 generates the movements of the glute machine 1.

[0045] Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, a cable and pulley assembly, which preferably drives the motion of the carriage member 50 and the lifting of the weight stack 45, is shown and illustrated. When the glute machine 1 is in the start position illustrated in FIG. 5, the extension member 130 is preferably received and retained within a retaining member 145 extending rearwardly and attached to the first arm section 115 of the articulating arm member 110. The retaining member 145 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6, where it is provided that the retaining member 145 comprises two portions. A first retaining member 150 is provided on the arm extension member 130, while a second retaining member 155 is provided on the first arm section 115. In one embodiment, retainer portions 150, 155 may be magnetized so that they are selectively coupled to one another, but other embodiments of the retaining member 145 are also contemplated herein.

[0046] When the glute machine 1 is activated by a person such as the person 5 (not illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6), the foot press bar 30 is extended rearwardly by the force exerted by the person 5 and his or her foot associated with the glute muscle being exercised. As the foot press bar 30 is rearwardly extended, the third arm section 125 is preferably similarly rearwardly (and somewhat upwardly) extended along an arc-like path. Because the third arm section 125 and the second arm section 120 are hingedly attached with one another, the second arm section 120 is also moved rearwardly and upwardly. This may result in the extension arm member 130 moving rearwardly and upwardly. The general motion of the foot press bar 30, third arm section 125, second arm section 120, and arm extension member 130 may be extrapolated by seeing the relative position of those same components in FIGS. 5 and 6. Moreover FIGS. 9, 12, and 15 described below show those same various components when the glute machine 1 is in use.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, two cables preferably operate together with various pulleys and guides to drive the motion of the carriage member 50 and the weight stack 45. More particularly, a first cable member 160 drives the carriage member 50 upon activation of the foot press bar 30 by a person. A second cable 165 may then translate the movement driven by the foot press bar 30 to the carriage member 50 from the carriage member 50 to the weight stack 45.

[0048] Turning first to the first cable 160, the cable 160 is attached to the arm extension member 130 at a first attachment point 170. The attachment point 170 is located at a distal end portion 175 of the arm extension member 130 opposite from where the arm extension member 130 is attached to the second arm section 120. However, other attachment points are envisioned. In a preferred embodiment, the first cable 160 is fixedly or semi-permanently attached to the arm extension member 130 at the first attachment point 170. At a second attachment point 180, the first cable 160 is preferably fixedly or semi-permanently attached to the carriage member 50.

[0049] The second attachment point 180 is preferably on a disc member having two attachment points as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, though other attachment means are also foreseeable. Thus, a first attachment point 185 for the second cable 165 is also provided on disc member 190. Each of the first cable 160 and the second cable 165 are fixedly attached to the first attachment point 185. The second cable 165 has its first attachment point 185 where it is attached to the disc member 190 and also a second attachment point 195 where it is attached to the weight stack 45. Pulleys that help cause motion and/or lifting of the carriage member 50 in the weight stack 45, as well as guide members that help to keep the cables 160, 165 in their appropriate positions and alignments, are described below. While one cable system comprising the cables 160, 165 and various pulleys and guides used to drive the same are described below, one skilled in the art would appreciate and recognize that there are a number of ways in which the cable system made up of the cables 160, 165 may operate, and the system described below is exemplary in nature along and is not restrictive as to the variety of mechanisms and/or methods that may be utilized.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first cable 160 extends from its first attachment point 170 toward the first arm section 115 where a first pulley 200 is provided around which the first cable 160 is wrapped and redirected into the arm section 115 downwardly along the remainder of the length of the first arm section 115 such that the cable is guided through an interior portion of the first section 115. Toward a bottom, interior portion of the arm section 115, a guide member 205 is provided that may help to ensure that the first cable 160 stays on track. The first cable 160 preferably continues downwardly through the arm section 115 past the guide member 205 until it is received and engaged by a second pulley member 210.

[0051] The second pulley member 210 may be fixedly attached to the front cross brace 105. The second pulley member 210 helps redirect the first cable member 160 so that it is no longer traveling downwardly and instead is traveling outwardly in the direction of the carriage member 50 as well as the legs 70. In doing so, the first cable 160 remains contained in an interior of existing structures of the glute machine 1 and thus is guided from within the arm section 115 to within the front cross brace 105. The first cable 160 continues in the outward direction toward the leg members 70 until it reaches a third pulley member 215 located at a distal end 220 of the front cross brace 105.

[0052] The third pulley member 215 may then redirect the first cable 160 rearwardly toward the foot press bar 30. The first cable 160 may continue in this direction until it is attached to the carriage member 50 at the second attachment point 180 on the disc member 190.

[0053] With the first cable 160 fixedly attached to the carriage member 50, when the foot press bar 30 is extended rearwardly, the first cable 160 preferably acts on the carriage member 50 and causes it to translate forwardly. More particularly, a track system on which the carriage member is arranged allows the carriage member 50 to translate forwardly in a linear manner, as described and illustrated in greater detail in the figures that follow.

[0054] Turning now to the second cable 165, when the carriage member 50 is linearly translated via the first cable 160 in the manner described above, the second cable 165 is also preferably pulled. Like the first cable 160, the second cable 165 is guided and leveraged using a number of pulleys. The pulley system that guides movement of the second cable 165 is described below in one embodiment, but alternative embodiments that guide the cable 165 are also envisioned herein.

[0055] A first pulley 225 is provided that is attached to rear leg 70A of the user assembly 60. The pulley 225 preferably redirects the second cable 165 downwardly and toward the front direction until reaching a second pulley 230. In the distance between the first pulley 225 and the second pulley 230, the first cable 165 is preferably guided within the interior of a cross bar 235 connecting the rear leg 70A to a front leg 70B. The second pulley 230 may redirect the second cable 165 toward the weight stack assembly 65 by directing the second cable 165 through the central cross brace 100.

[0056] A third pulley 240 may be located at the intersection of the central cross brace 100 and a cross bar 245 that connects the legs 80 to one another. The third pulley 240 redirects the second cable 165 upwards along the weight stack 45 until reaching a fourth pulley 250 attached to an upper cross bar 255 connecting the legs 80 at their upper portion.

[0057] The fourth pulley 250 may redirect the second cable 165 downwardly until it is attached to the weight stack 45 at the attachment point 195. Thus, the second cable 165 may act to lift the weight stack 45 (or a portion thereof depending on a user's preference) when the carriage member 50 is linearly translated in a forward direction by the foot press bar 30.

[0058] In FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the glute machine 1 is shown in the start position, end position, and in use, respectively. In FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the same positions are shown and illustrated, however with the person 5 mounted thereon. As such, various detail relating to the components and processes described hereinabove are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 7-12. More particularly, the carriage member 50, and its ability to translate in a linear fashion when the glute machine 1 is in use, is illustrated in FIGS. 7-12.

[0059] When the first cable 160 is activated by pushing rearwardly on the foot press bar 30, the carriage member 50 is put into motion in the manner described above. The carriage member 50 is preferably mounted on a track system 260. The track system 260 may be comprised of two substantially straight and bar members 265 that are parallel to one another and indirectly attached to the legs 70A, 70B via bracket members 270A, 270B, respectively (see FIG. 7). The carriage member 50, and more particularly, a lower portion 275 of the carriage member 50, preferably includes two sleeve members 280 for receiving and guiding the two parallel bar members 265 therein. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate one sleeve member 280 receiving one track member 265 therein because those drawings are illustrating an elevation view of the glute machine 1, but earlier drawings described hereinabove illustrate both sleeve members 280 having received the track members 265.

[0060] Preferably, the sleeves 280 have a diameter just greater than that of the parallel bars 265 that make up the track system 260. Thus, the sleeve members 280 which are rigidly attached to the carriage member 50 are preferably able to slide the length of the track system 260 by sliding along the bars 265 that make up the track system 265 when the first cable 160 drives movement of the carriage member 50 by way of the foot press bar 30. Other mechanisms for substantially linearly translating the carriage member 50 that are known or foreseeable in the art are also contemplated herein.

[0061] As shown and illustrated, the bar members 265 are substantially straight. Thus, when the carriage member 50 is driven to translate by way of the first cable 160, the carriage member 50 preferably travels in a substantially linear path along the track system 260. The person 5 (and more particularly, an upper body 285 of the person 5) translates linearly forward with the carriage member 50 when in use. This motion preferably places the person 5 in the start position, end position, and positions in between illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, respectively.

[0062] With the carriage member 50 linearly translated forwardly in the manner shown in FIG. 15, the upper body 285 of the person 5 is also preferably linearly translated forwardly while the active leg 20 of the person 5 is extended rearwardly. This extension of the upper body 285 of a person 5 relative to the active leg 20 preferably extends the muscle length of a glute that is exercised during any given workout repetition. Increased muscle length during resistance training preferably increases the efficacy of a workout, and more particularly, in the case of the embodiment described herein, a workout aimed at improving strength of a glute muscle.

[0063] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.