Dual balance adjustable spring tower apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a spring resistance exercise machine including an adjustable spring carriage and anchor housing and having cable and pulley linkage assemblies attached to a plurality of springs, or other resistance sources. Each cable and pulley linkage assembly, which is independent of the other(s), can be used unilaterally (by one arm or one leg at a time) or bilaterally (by both arms or both legs at a time) during exercise resistance training (that is, training in which both limbs of a pair are used to simultaneously pull a certain resistance).

Claims

1. A vertically standing exercise assembly comprising: a) a lower frame support member; b) a cap member; c) a right cable and pulley linkage assembly and a left cable and pulley linkage assembly; d) a vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly, wherein said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly comprises: i. a top guide plate, wherein said top guide plate is attachably connected to both said right cable and pulley linkage assembly and said left cable and pulley linkage assembly; ii. a bottom anchor plate, wherein said bottom anchor plate is not fixed to said lower frame support member of said exercise assembly; iii. a first spring alignment rail sleeve and a second spring alignment rail sleeve, wherein said first spring alignment rail sleeve and said second spring alignment rail sleeve are both attachably connected to and positioned between said top guide plate and said bottom anchor plate; iv. a plurality of spring members; and, e) a storage spring rack comprising a plurality of additional springs that are not in use, wherein said storage spring rack is positioned on or about said lower frame support member and is positioned in front of said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly.

2. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of eye bolts that connect a first end of said plurality of spring members to said top guide plate.

3. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of eye bolts that connect a second end of said plurality of spring members to said bottom anchor plate.

4. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 3, further comprising a right vertical frame column member and a left vertical frame column member, wherein said right vertical frame column member comprises a right adjustable pulley housing of said right cable and pulley linkage assembly and said left vertical frame column member comprises a left adjustable pulley housing of said left cable and pulley linkage assembly, wherein said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly is positioned on or about said lower frame support member, and said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly is centered between said right vertical frame column member and said left vertical frame column member.

5. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 4, further comprising a left spring alignment rail and a right spring alignment rail, wherein said left spring alignment rail and said right spring alignment rail are both disposed on said lower frame support member and vertically guide said first spring alignment rail sleeve and said second spring alignment rail sleeve of said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly during exercise.

6. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 5, wherein both said top guide plate and said bottom anchor plate of said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly move up and down vertically along both said left spring alignment rail and said right spring alignment rail in order for a user to reach a desired exercise position for said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly.

7. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 6, further comprising a left fastener and a right fastener that are both positioned on said bottom anchor plate, wherein said left fastener and said right fastener secure said bottom anchor plate of said vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly into place in order for a user to perform a desired exercise movement.

8. The vertically standing exercise assembly of claim 7, wherein said top guide plate moves up and down vertically along said left spring alignment rail and said right spring alignment rails during exercise use by way of a tension force that is applied to at least one of said right cable and pulley linkage assembly and said left cable and pulley linkage assembly that is attachably connected to said top guide plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a first (left) side view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a detailed side view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of a vertical frame column member and right adjustable pulley and linkage assembly of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention locked in a bottom position.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention locked in a raised position.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower with pulley assemblies, a tilt platform, and a vertically adjustable spring carriage in accordance with the dual balance system of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7A depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention in operation.

(9) FIG. 7B depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention in operation.

(10) FIG. 7C depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a spring tower exercise assembly equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention in operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of exercise assembly 10 equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention in a bottom position. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a base assembly comprising lower base members 20, parallel base support members 21, and lower frame support member 22 extending between said base support members 21. Said base assembly should beneficially provide a stable and secure foundation for exercise assembly 10, particularly during exercise performance by a user.

(12) Left vertical frame column member 173 and right vertical frame column member 273 extend upward from said base assembly. In a preferred embodiment, said vertical frame column members 173 and 273 are oriented substantially vertically and parallel to each other. Further, each of said vertical frame column members 173 and 273 can include a plurality of space-apart transverse bores 175 and 275, respectively; said bores 175 and 275 are beneficially spaced apart at desired intervals. Cap member 24 is disposed on the upper ends of said substantially vertical and substantially parallel frame members 173 and 273. In addition, cap member 24 is disposed on the upper ends of substantially vertical and substantially parallel spring carriage alignment rails 182 and 282.

(13) Still referring to FIG. 1, vertically adjustable spring-loaded carriage assembly 30 is positioned within said exercise assembly 10. Although said spring assembly 30 can be placed in any number of different vertically oriented locations without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, said spring assembly 30 is beneficially positioned on or about lower frame support member 22 and centered between parallel vertical frame column members 173 and 273. Spring assembly 30 comprises left spring alignment rail 182 and right spring alignment rail 282. Said spring alignment rails 182 and 282 are disposed on lower frame support member 22 and extend from lower frame support member 22 to cap member 24. Further, spring carriage alignment rails 182 and 282 beneficially guide a plurality of springs 31 during exercise and support a top guide plate member 35 of a tilt platform 80, a plurality of spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251, and a bottom anchor plate 45. Parallel linkage assemblies, comprising left cable 101 and right cable 201, and a plurality of pulley assemblies discussed in more detail below, is disposed on and/or around said support frame members of exercise assembly 10, and connected to spring assembly 30.

(14) Spring assembly 30 comprises tilt platform 80 attachably connected to and relatively evenly balanced in a center position on the top guide plate 35. Rotatable connecting bolt 82 allows tilt platform 80 to substantially “tilt” or lean from side to side during exercise performance. Tilt platform 80 supports left tilt platform pulley assembly 130 and right tilt platform pulley assembly 230, wherein both tilt platform pulley assemblies 130 and 230 are mounted on rotatable mounting pins 135 and 235 that enable tilt platform pulley assemblies 130 and 230 to lean from side to side during exercise performance.

(15) As depicted in FIG. 1, left cable 101 extends through left adjustable pulley assembly 110, over left upper front pulley assembly 120, under left tilt platform pulley assembly 130, over left upper rear pulley assembly 140 and under left lower pulley assembly 150. Left cable 101 is anchored to left adjustable pulley assembly 110. Similarly, right cable 201 extends through right adjustable pulley assembly 210, over right upper front pulley assembly 220, under right tilt platform pulley assembly 230, over right upper rear pulley assembly 240 and under right lower pulley assembly 250. Although not visible in FIG. 1, right cable 201 is anchored to right adjustable pulley assembly 210.

(16) Left cable 101 and right cable 201 are two separate cables that are separately connected to spring assembly 30 by way of connecting to the top of tilt platform 80. As a result, when left cable 101 and right cable 201 are separate and independent from one another, but are working together in order to lift a load, any “uneven” contribution of force exerted by the limbs working simultaneously in a bilateral motion will be indicated in the cable tension during exercise performance, wherein said “uneven” contribution can be viewed by the position of tilt platform 80 in relation to the top guide plate 35 of spring assembly 30. Thus, when both limbs contribute force evenly, tilt platform 80 will be in a substantially horizontal position and relatively parallel to the top guide plate 35 of spring assembly 30.

(17) FIG. 2 depicts a first (left) side view of an exercise assembly 10 equipped with a dual balance system and a vertically adjustable spring carriage of the present invention. It is to be noted that while an opposite (right) side view of said exercise assembly 10 is not illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 herein, said opposite (right) side view of said exercise assembly is to mirror the image depicted in FIG. 2. A base assembly comprises lower base members 20, base support members 21, and lower frame support member 22, and provides a stable and secure foundation for exercise assembly 10.

(18) Left vertical frame member 173 and right vertical frame member 273 extend upward from said base assembly. Said left and right vertical frame members 173 and 273 are oriented substantially vertically and include a plurality of spaced-apart transverse bores 175 and 275. Said bores 175 and 275 can be beneficially spaced apart at desired intervals. Cap member 24 is disposed on the upper ends of said substantially vertical and substantially parallel left and right frame members 173 and 273.

(19) Vertically adjustable spring loaded carriage assembly 30, which comprises steel spring resistance for training, is positioned within said exercise assembly 10. In a preferred embodiment, said spring assembly 30 comprises a plurality—typically five (5)—of steel spring members 31. Said spring members 31 can be combined in a number of different variations in order for a user to quickly and efficiently select a desired level of resistance to be pulled by adjusting the particular spring members 31 that are being used. Moreover, spring loaded carriage assembly 30 comprises a storage spring rack 33 in order to hold and store springs 31 that are not in use. Storage spring rack 33 is beneficially positioned on or about lower frame support member 22, centered between parallel vertical frame column members 173 and 273, and beneficially positioned in front of spring-loaded carriage assembly 30 for easy accessibility to said springs 31.

(20) As depicted in FIG. 2, left adjustable pulley assembly 110 is slidably disposed along a portion of the length of left vertical frame member 173. Similarly, although not depicted in the Figures, right adjustable pulley assembly 210 is slidably disposed along a portion of the length of right vertical frame member 273. Left cable 101 and right cable 201 are disposed on and/or around said support frame members of exercise assembly 10 through a system of pulleys and connected to tilt platform 80 and spring assembly 30.

(21) Left cable 101 extends through left adjustable pulley assembly 110, over pulleys 121 and 122 of left upper front pulley assembly 120, under left tilt platform pulley assembly 130, over pulleys 141 and 142 of left upper rear pulley assembly 140 and under left lower pulley assembly 150. Distal end 103 of left cable 101 is anchored to bracket member 111 of left adjustable pulley assembly 110; the position of left adjustable pulley assembly 110 can be selectively adjusted relative to left vertical frame member 173.

(22) Although not depicted in the Figures herein, right cable 201 extends through right adjustable pulley assembly 210, over pulleys 221 and 222 of right upper front pulley assembly 220, under right tilt platform pulley assembly 230, over pulleys 241 and 242 of right upper rear pulley assembly 240 and under right lower pulley assembly 250. As depicted in FIG. 3, distal end 203 of right cable 201 is anchored to bracket member 211 of right adjustable pulley assembly 210; the position of right adjustable pulley assembly 210 can be selectively adjusted relative to right vertical frame member 273. A left handle member 102 is attached to proximate end 104 of left cable 101, while right handle member 202 is attached to proximate end 204 of right cable 201.

(23) Still referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the arrows depict the direction of travel when a user engages in exercise activity using exercise assembly 10. Specifically, the arrows on FIG. 2 depict the travel direction of left cable 101 when a user pulls on left handle 102 with left limb. Similarly, the arrows on FIG. 3 depict the direction of travel of right cable 201 when a user pulls on right handle 202 with right limb.

(24) FIG. 3 depicts a detailed side view of a portion of a right vertical frame column member 273 and right adjustable pulley assembly 210 and linkage assembly of the present invention. Right cable 201, having handle member 202 attached at proximate end 204, extends through pulleys 214 of right adjustable pulley assembly 210. Right adjustable pulley assembly 210 has housing section 212 slidably disposed on right vertical column member 273. Said housing section 212 can be selectively secured in place using adjustment pin 213, which can be received within transverse bores 275. (Although not visible in FIG. 3, said right cable 201 extends over pulleys 221 and 222 of right upper front pulley assembly 220, under right tilt platform pulley assembly 230, over pulleys 241 and 242 of right upper rear pulley assembly 240 and under right lower pulley assembly 250).

(25) Distal end 203 of right cable 201 is anchored to bracket member 211 of right adjustable pulley assembly 210 which, in turn, can be adjustably positioned relative to right vertical frame member 273.

(26) FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of exercise assembly 10 equipped with a dual balance system and vertically adjustable spring carriage 30 of the present invention in a bottom position. A base assembly comprises a lower base assembly. Said lower base assembly depicted in FIG. 4 is slightly different than the base assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 to illustrate that the specific design of said base assembly is generally not essential to the function of exercise assembly 10, so long as said base assembly provides a stable and secure foundation for such exercise assembly 10. Vertical frame members 173 and 273 extend upward from said base assembly. Said vertical frame members 173 and 273 are oriented substantially vertically and parallel to each other and include a plurality of spaced-apart transverse bores 175 and 275. Cap member 24 is disposed on the upper ends of said substantially vertical frame members 173 and 273 and on the upper ends of said substantially vertical spring pulley assembly 130.

(27) Vertically adjustable spring loaded carriage assembly 30 comprises a plurality of centrally positioned and equidistantly spaced apart spring members 31. Left adjustable pulley assembly 110 is slidably disposed on left vertical frame member 173, while right adjustable pulley assembly 210 is slidably disposed on right vertical frame member 273. A linkage assembly having independently functioning left cable 101 and right cable 201 is disposed on and around said support frame members of exercise assembly 10 (including, without limitation, over left upper rear pulley assembly 140 and right upper rear pulley assembly 240), and connected to tilt platform 80.

(28) Vertically adjustable spring loaded carriage assembly 30 comprises a storage spring rack 33 in order to hold and store springs 31 that are not in use. Storage spring rack 33 is beneficially positioned on or about lower frame support member 22, centered between parallel vertical frame column members 173 and 273, and beneficially positioned behind said spring loaded carriage assembly 30 for easy accessibility to said springs 31.

(29) FIG. 5 depicts a rear perspective view of exercise assembly 10 equipped with a dual balance system and vertically adjustable spring carriage 30 of the present invention locked in a raised position. Although not depicted in FIG. 5, storage spring rack 33 is affixed to a top of lower frame support member 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring back to FIG. 4, when the vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly 30 is in a bottom position, affixed on a top of lower frame support member 22, the proximal ends of cables 101 and 201, along with handle members 102 and 202, are positioned in close proximity to adjustable pulley assemblies 110 and 210, respectively.

(30) Referring to FIG. 5, when vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly 30 is raised vertically along spring alignment rails 182 and 282 and locked into place with twist lock fasteners 146 and 246, the proximal ends of cables 101 and 201, along with handle members 102 and 202, drop (lower) downward and away from adjustable pulley assemblies 110 and 210, respectively. By adjusting the fixed position of the spring carriage 30, a user can determine how close or how far the handle members 102 and 202 are located in relation to the adjustable pulley assemblies 110 and 210.

(31) The ability to adjust the usable cable lengths 101 and 201 by the user offers several advantages, including but not limited to: (1) prevention of over-stretching of steel springs during exercise use which affects the resilience and life of the springs; (2) tension (resistance) curve of the steel springs approximates the strength curve of the working muscles during many exercise movements; (3) ease of use—the user can get into starting exercise position and perform exercise movements with greater ease, efficiency, and safety; (4) there are no dead spots (no tension) anywhere in the full range of motion during exercise performance; (5) there is no need for extra attachments or extensions for hands or feet to perform certain exercise movements; and (6) the ability to adjust cable length takes into account different body sizes and limb lengths of the users.

(32) FIG. 6 depicts a front view of vertically adjustable spring loaded carriage assembly 30 with tilt platform 80 attached to top guide plate member 35 via a connecting rotatable mounting pin 82. Further, spring assembly 30 comprises left and right tilt platform pulley assemblies 130 and 230 attached to tilt platform 80 in accordance with the dual balance system of the present invention.

(33) In the preferred embodiment, spring assembly 30 comprises a plurality of spring members 31 that permit a variety of different resistance levels to be pulled and utilized. Spring loaded carriage assembly 30 further comprises a face plate member 38, wherein said face plate member 38 can generally be manufactured from a clear, plastic material. Said exercise assembly 10 comprises an adjustable spring carriage 30 that can be positioned (or locked into position) or re-positioned anywhere along said alignment rails 182 and 282. Said adjustable spring carriage 30 comprises top guide plate member 35, rubber cushion members 165 and 265, and spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251, which are positioned between top guide plate 35 and bottom anchor (support) plate 45. The spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 are not connected or attached to said top guide plate 35 or said anchor plate 45. Said spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 are used to separate top guide plate 35 and bottom anchor plate 45 in order for a carriage to be formed as one single unit. Said carriage support plate (anchor plate) 45 is not fixed to base 22 of said exercise frame—said anchor plate 45 is part of said moveable and adjustable spring carriage assembly 30.

(34) Vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly 30 comprises top guide plate member 35 that is attachably connected to tilt platform 80 via center rod connecting pin 81 and rotatable connecting bolt 82. Moreover, top guide plate member 35 comprises top guide plate bushings 167 and 267 for ease of movement of top guide plate 35 along spring alignment rails 182 and 282 during use. Top guide plate member 35 further comprises a plurality of eye bolts 36a that connect a first end 32 of resistance springs 31 to top guide plate member 35. Moreover, second end 34 of resistance springs 31 connects to a plurality of eye bolts 36b that are fastened to a top surface of bottom anchor plate 45. When springs 31 are connected to top guide plate 35 and bottom anchor plate 45, said springs 31 are ready to be used.

(35) Bottom anchor plate member 45 comprises a plurality of eye bolts 36b, bottom anchor plate bushings 168 and 268 for ease of movement of bottom anchor plate 45 along spring alignment rails 182 and 282 during use in order to lock into a selected position. Furthermore, bottom anchor plate 45 comprises two twist lock fasteners 146 and 246 that enable a trainee to lock and unlock bottom anchor plate 45 to spring alignment rails 182 and 282, as needed, thereby being able to position or re-position vertically moveable carriage assembly 30 anywhere along alignment rails 182 and 282. The position of vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly 30 on spring alignment rails 182 and 282 determines the cable length available for exercise use.

(36) Said bottom anchor plate 45 also houses five eye bolts 36b, which maintain the springs 31 in a fixed position as they are stretched by the moving top guide plate 35 during exercise performance. Spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 act as spacers and thus remain in place on top of the fixed bottom anchor plate 45, while top guide plate 35 moves vertically up and down, thereby stretching the springs 31 during exercise performance.

(37) During exercise use, bottom anchor plate 45 is locked into position on a selected spot along spring alignment rails 182 and 282. Top guide plate 35 moves up and down vertically along spring alignment rails 182 and 282 during exercise use. The steel springs 31 attached to eye bolts 36a on top guide plate 35 are stretched upwards during exercise use. The second end of resistance springs 34 attached to eye bolts 36b remain stationary, along with bottom anchor plate 45, which is locked into place by twist lock fasteners 146 and 246 on left spring alignment rail 182 and right spring alignment rail 282.

(38) In the bottom resting position, bottom anchor plate 45 rests on lock collar 166 for left spring alignment rail 182 and lock collar 266 for right spring alignment rail 282, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This creates a space between the bottom side of anchor plate 45 and surface of frame support member 22. A user or trainee simply places his or her hand under bottom anchor plate 45, which also acts as a support base for vertically adjustable spring carriage 30. Said trainee lifts spring carriage assembly 30 vertically into a desired position on spring alignment rails 182 and 282 for exercise use. Twist lock fasteners 146 and 246 lock and unlock bottom anchor plate 45 to spring alignment rails 182 and 282. (It is to be observed that lock collars 166 and 266 for alignment rails 182 and 282 are not visible in FIG. 6). Bottom anchor plate 45 also serves as a support plate for the activated (working) springs 31, spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251, rubber cushions 165 and 265, top guide plate 35, tilt platform 80, and tilt platform assemblies 130 and 230.

(39) Further, vertically adjustable spring carriage assembly 30 comprises a left spring alignment rail sleeve 151 mounted on left spring alignment rail 182, a right spring alignment rail sleeve 251 mounted on right spring alignment rail 282, wherein said spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 are positioned and resting on top side of bottom anchor plate 45. The bottom end of spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 are not affixed or connected by any means such as welding to the bottom anchor plate 45. Top end of spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 support rubber cushions 165 and 265, which act as shock absorbers for top guide plate 35 when it is lowered toward the top of the respective spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251. Spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 separate the top guide plate 35 from bottom anchor plate 45 when the spring carriage assembly 30 is both at rest and activated for exercise.

(40) Although not depicted in the Figures herein, spring alignment rail sleeves 151 and 251 each comprise a plurality of internally pressed bushings at a top end and a bottom end for ease of movement when spring assembly is moved vertically along spring alignment rails 182 and 282, and locked into position for exercise use.

(41) In the preferred embodiment, tilt platform 80 is mounted to top guide plate member 35 by means of a rotatable mounting pin 82. Tilt platform 80 comprises clevis mounting bracket 88 having rotatable mounting pin 82. Further, tilt platform 80 supports left tilt platform pulley assembly 130 and right tilt platform pulley assembly 230. Top guide plate member 35 acts as a base or support for tilt platform 80. Additionally, top guide plate member 35 acts as a connector plate for resistance springs 31, which are attachably connected to top guide plate member 35 and bottom anchor plate 45 via a plurality of eye bolts 36. Moreover, top plate member 35 acts as a vertical guide plate for a user during exercise performance.

(42) In addition, in the preferred embodiment, left tilt platform pulley assembly 130 comprises pulley wheel 131 rotatably disposed within pulley housing 132; said pulley wheel 131 is rotatable about pulley axle 133. Pulley housing 132 is mounted to tilt platform 80 using clevis mounting bracket 134 having rotatable mounting pin 135. Mounting pin 135 is rotatable within said clevis bracket 134. Similarly, right tilt platform pulley assembly 230 comprises pulley wheel 231 rotatably disposed within pulley housing 232; said pulley wheel 231 is rotatable about pulley axle 233. Pulley housing 232 is mounted to tilt platform 80 using clevis mounting bracket 234 having rotatable mounting pin 235. Mounting pin 235 is rotatable within said clevis bracket 234.

(43) Left cable 101 is disposed around left tilt platform pulley wheel 131, while right cable 201 is disposed around right tilt platform pulley wheel 231. It is to be observed that when left cable 101 is taut (such as when said cable is under tension), left tilt platform pulley assembly 130 is in a substantially upright position. In other words, left pulley member 131 is oriented in a substantially vertical plane. Similarly, when right cable 201 is taut (such as when said cable is under tension), right tilt platform pulley assembly 230 is in a substantially upright position. The amount of force exerted by each limb on its respective cable (i.e., left cable 101 for left limb and right cable 201 for right limb) will determine the position of tilt platform 80 in relation to top plate 35 of spring carriage assembly 30. In the start position of the exercise movement, it is necessary to have a sufficient amount of force exerted by each limb on their respective cables in order to place the pulley wheels 131 and 231 in a substantially vertical plane, thus placing tilt platform 80 in a relatively horizontal position.

(44) Further, it is to be observed that tilt platform pulley housings 132 and 232 can rotate about clevis pivot pins 135 and 235, respectively, allowing such mounting means to act as swivel bushings. This rotational ability allows the pulley wheels 131 and 231 to remain substantially vertical during exercise performance, as long as there is a sufficient initial force output along the cables by the limbs.

(45) As such, if a greater upward force is acting upon left tilt platform housing 132, the left side of tilt platform 80 will “raise” in a relatively upward direction and right side of tilt platform 80 will “drop” in a relatively downward direction. This tilt indicates that a left limb is exerting more force than a right limb. Thus, a user, by observing the position of tilt platform 80 during exercise performance, can correct the force output of the limbs in order to place tilt platform 80 in a desired substantially horizontal position. This visual observation by the user in “real time” during exercise performance can train the user's brain and nervous system by means of a visual biofeedback system in order to correct strength imbalance between the left and the right limbs. As a result, over a period of time, the “weak” side can become equal in strength to the “dominant” (strong) side. Both sides will then be able to contribute equally and evenly to the overall strength output during such bilateral exercise performance.

(46) As noted herein, left and right cable and pulley linkage assemblies of exercise assembly 10 are independent from one another; that is, such cables and pulleys split resistance from spring assembly 30 into two equal halves, with fifty (50%) percent resistance for each side (left and right). As such, said resistance from spring assembly 30 is evenly split between a user's left and right limbs during bilateral exercise performance.

(47) Because such parallel left and right cable and pulley linkage assemblies of the present invention operate independently from each other, a user immediately receives an indication if one limb (left or right) is contributing more effort than the other limb during bilateral exercise. Such indication includes, without limitation, a cable on the “weaker” side becoming slack which, in turn, results in tilt platform 80 “tilting” to the weaker side. The user is able to use this visual cue to exert more force with the weaker limb and less force with the stronger limb in order for tilt platform 80 to balance along top plate member 35 in a relatively horizontal position, thereby indicating equal contributions from both limbs.

(48) The biofeedback system of the present invention (including, without limitation, tilt platform 80) enables a user to receive real-time visual feedback during exercise performance. Specifically, said biofeedback system of the present invention provides data to a user to indicate how much each limb is contributing to the overall work effort during bilateral exercise. Further, such biofeedback system of the present invention allows a user to “even out” strength imbalance between the two limbs, and train a user to “lead with the weak side” in order to build strength in said weak side, while decreasing the force output of the dominant side so that said dominant side does not overpower said weak side during bilateral exercise.

(49) FIGS. 7A through 7C depict side views of a user engaging and operating an exercise assembly 10 equipped with the dual balance system of the present invention through multiple different exercise movements. In the preferred embodiment, the exercise assembly 10 of the present invention comprises a spring loaded carriage assembly 30, wherein said spring assembly 30 further comprises a moveable carriage that houses five (5) detachable spring members 31. Said spring members 31 are color coded to indicate resistance level. The same combination of spring members 31 are used for both upper body (arms) and lower body (legs), and said spring members 31 are vertically positioned within said spring carriage assembly 30, which glides vertically along spring alignment rails 182 and 282.

(50) In the preferred embodiment, said cable and pulley linkage systems are oriented in a manner that splits resistance from said spring assembly 30 into two equal halves, with fifty (50%) percent resistance for each limb during bilateral exercise performance. Thus, the work needed by a user to perform the exercise movement by the two limbs working simultaneously is shared equally. The total resistance can be provided by one spring 31 or a combination of the five springs 31. As such, said cable and pulley linkage systems also allow said user to use one limb at a time to perform an exercise movement.

(51) Because such cable and pulley linkage assemblies of the present invention operate independently from each other, said user immediately receives an indication if one limb (arm or leg) is contributing more effort than the other limb during bilateral exercise. Such indication includes, without limitation, a cable on the “weaker” side become slack which, in turn, results in a resistance being off-balance and a user seeing that the resistance being pulled is off-balance.

(52) In the preferred embodiment, the dual balance exercise assembly 10 of the present invention permits a user to work both sides of the body in a coordinated, dynamic manner using bilateral resistance training. In addition to other benefits, such balanced training can also significantly improve physical therapy outcomes. By challenging a user's nervous system, muscles and connective tissues work together to achieve balanced effort. As a result, a user's body learns how to strengthen the weaker side by integrating and strengthening the mind-body connection.

(53) The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.