Abstract
A resistance machine for exercising is provided. In particular, the machine is compact, lightweight, and modular to allow for ease of transportation and storage. The multifunction machine is also capable of providing variable, constant, and high resistance for many types of resistance training methods, such as powerlifting. The machine includes at least one resistance mechanism having one or more resistance plates serially connected to a spool assembly. The main function of the resistance mechanism is to transfer the torque generated within the resistance plates to tension a cable. Resistance plates are connected to the spool assembly via a series of serial connector shafts.
Claims
1. A resistance mechanism comprising a. a spool comprised of a first encasing and a first shaft rotatably fixed to said first encasing, the first encasing containing a first encasing connection port and the first shaft containing a first shaft connection port; b. a first cable wound about the first shaft with a first end fixed to the first shaft and a second end routed through the first encasing; c. at least one resistance plate connected in series on an end of the spool, each resistance plate comprises i. a second encasing and a second shaft rotatably fixed to said second encasing, the second encasing containing second encasing connection ports on first and second ends thereof and the second shaft containing second shaft connection ports on first and second ends thereof, wherein the second encasing connection ports and second shaft connection ports connect to the respective connection ports of the adjacent resistance plate and/or the spool; and ii. at least one resistance device contained within at least one resistance plate wherein the resistance device is positioned to resist the relative motion between the second shaft and the second encasing.
2. The resistance mechanism of claim 1, wherein a second cable is attached to the second end of the first cable.
3. The resistance mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a resistance device contained within the first encasing and positioned to resist the relative motion between the first shaft and the first encasing.
4. The resistance mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a. a clutch mechanism within the first encasing wherein the clutch is configured to engage or disengage the first shaft to the second shaft; and b. an actuator configured to control the clutch.
5. The resistance mechanism of claim 4, wherein the actuator is operated by a remote control remotely connected to the actuator.
6. The resistance mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a 360-degree pulley that is rotatably fixed to the first encasing wherein the second end of the first cable is routed through the 360-degree pulley.
7. The resistance mechanism of claim 1, wherein the resistance device is a constant torque spring.
8. An exercise machine comprising the resistance mechanism of claim 1.
9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein each resistance mechanism is connected to a structural element.
10. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the structural element is a platform, seat, bench, overhead extension, barbell, handle, fixed stake, or combinations thereof.
11. The exercise machine of claim 8, further comprising a. a rail system fixed to a structure; and b. a rail connector that slides along the rail system, the resistance mechanism being attached to the rail connector.
12. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein a. the first encasing is attached to the rail connector; and b. the second end of the first cable is attached to a barbell, handle, or other human interface device.
13. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein a. the first encasing is attached to a barbell, handle, or other human interface device; and b. the second end of the first cable is attached to the rail connector.
14. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein a second cable is attached to the second end of the first cable.
15. The exercise machine of claim 8, further comprising a resistance device contained within the first encasing and positioned to resist the relative motion between the first shaft and the first encasing.
16. The exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising a. a clutch mechanism within the first encasing wherein the clutch is configured to engage or disengage the first shaft to the second shaft; and b. an actuator configured to control the clutch.
17. The exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the actuator is operated by a remote control remotely connected to the actuator.
18. The exercise machine of claim 8, further comprising a 360-degree pulley that is rotatably fixed to the first encasing wherein the second end of the first cable is routed through the 360-degree pulley.
19. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the resistance device is a constant torque spring.
20. A resistance mechanism comprised of a. a takeup shaft; b. a spool shaft; c. an encasing rotatably fixed to the takeup shaft and the spool shaft; d. at least one resistance device, such as a spring, resistance band, or electrical motor, contained within the encasing positioned to resist the relative motion of the takeup shaft and the encasing; e. a cable wound about the spool shaft on a first end and routed through the encasing on a second end; f. a transmission that connects the takeup shaft to the spool shaft and controls the gear ratio between the shafts; and g. a means to alter the gear ratio output of the transmission, such as a dial.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numerals and wherein:
[0048] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine wherein all major subassemblies are present;
[0049] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine wherein all major subassemblies are present;
[0050] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the resistance mechanism wherein all major resistance generating subassemblies are present;
[0051] FIG. 4 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the resistance mechanism showing the female ends of torque transferring components;
[0052] FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the resistance mechanism showing the male ends of torque transferring components;
[0053] FIG. 6 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a resistance plate;
[0054] FIG. 7 is an isometric exploded view of an embodiment of the spool mechanism;
[0055] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a user engaging in a squat exercise using an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine in an arrangement optimal for such exercises;
[0056] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a user engaging in a bench press exercise using an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine in an arrangement optimal for such exercises;
[0057] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a user engaging in a standing fly exercise using an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine in an arrangement optimal for such exercises;
[0058] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a user engaging in a lat pulldown exercise using an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine in an arrangement optimal for such exercises;
[0059] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a user engaging in a squat exercise using an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine with inelastic cable extensions;
[0060] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the resistance mechanism including a clutch and electrical input for the engagement of the inelastic cable.
[0061] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of structural components used in an embodiment of the resistance machine configured for storage or transportation;
[0062] FIG. 15 is an isometric exploded view of an embodiment of the resistance machine configured for storage or transportation;
[0063] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the resistance mechanism using a continuously variable transmission to vary its output resistance;
[0064] FIG. 17 is an front view of an embodiment of the resistance mechanism using a continuously variable transmission to vary its output resistance;
[0065] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the resistance machine using an integrated resistance mechanism configured for standing exercises;
[0066] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the resistance machine using an integrated resistance mechanism configured for bench exercises; and
[0067] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the resistance machine using an integrated resistance mechanism configured for storage or transportation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments of the invention are not limited to the detailed arrangements shown. The invention is capable of achieving similar results in other arrangements not shown. Additionally, the terminology used to describe the arrangements is for description only. The following terms and their associated meanings are explicitly defined below for the reader.
[0069] The following list of components are referenced in the figures:
TABLE-US-00001 51. Platform base 52. Hinge 53. Platform 54. Rail 55. Mount 56. Rail assembly 57. Spool encasing 58. Spool 59. Inelastic cable 60. 360-degree pulley 61. Serial connector shaft 62. Spool assembly 63. Resistance plate encasing 64. Constant force spring 65. Storage shaft 66. Resistance plate 67. Bench leg 68. Bench seat 69. Bench back 70. Bench frame 71. Bench adjustor 72. Bench 73. Overhead extension base 74. Overhead extension wall 75. Overhead extension arm 76. Overhead extension 77. Inelastic cable extension 78. Barbell 79. Handle 80. Straight bar 81. Platform legs 82. Rubber stopper with hook 83. Resistance machine 84. Takeup shaft 85. Clutch 86. Actuator 87. Remote control 88. Resistance mechanism 89. Ball bearing 90. Dial 91. Pulley belt 92. Variable pulley 93. Shaft 94. Rack 95. Pinion 96. Fixed mount 97. Cable arm 98. Cable arm positioner 99. Cable arm slider 100. Resistance machine encasing 101. Double-sided wing 102. Constant torque spring assemby 103. Encasing connection
[0070] As used herein, similar reference numerals indicate similar elements. When more than one of the same elements are mentioned, lower case letters are used after the numbers to indicate each of the elements. For example, 66a indicates a first resistance plate and 66b indicates a second resistance plate, with each resistance plate having different features.
[0071] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the various parts of an exemplary embodiment of a resistance machine 83 configured in a fully assembled setup. At least one resistance mechanism 88 may be present in the resistance machine 83. Each resistance mechanism 88 functions to transfer force provided by resistance devices to the user via an inelastic cable 59. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform 53 sits unfolded, offset from the ground via platform legs 81, to act as an anchoring point for an unfolded bench 72 and an overhead extension 76. Rail assemblies 56 are fixed to the platform 53 on either side and function to attach the resistance mechanisms 88 to the platform 53. The resistance mechanism 88 attaches to an attachment point 55 which sits on and translates along a rail 54 to change the position of the resistance mechanisms 88 along the platform 53. The bench 72 rests on top of the platform 53 to utilize the platform's connection to the resistance mechanisms 88. The overhead extension 76, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is in the extended position and attaches to the platform 53 underneath the platform 53. The overhead extension 76 has a series of connection points (not illustrated) along an overhead extension arm 75 and an overhead extension wall 74. The resistance mechanism 88 is able to attach to the various attachment points on the overhead extension 76 as well as the attachment points 55 on the rail assemblies 56.
[0072] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show an exemplary embodiment of the resistance mechanism 88 wherein resistance plates 66 are serially connected to a spool assembly 62. The main function of the resistance mechanism 88 is to transfer the torque generated within the resistance plates 66 to tension in the inelastic cable 59. Resistance plates 66 are connected to the spool assembly 62 via a series of serial connector shafts 61. Within the resistance plate 66, each serial connector shaft 61 has a female end and a male end, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. The spool assembly 62 serial connector shaft 61 only has female ends to allow connections from resistance plates 66 on either end of the serial connector shaft 61. The male ends of serial connector shafts 61 slot into the female ends, thereby allowing any number of resistance plates 66 to be connected to a spool assembly 62. It is also clear that resistance plates 66 may have any level of resistance, demonstrated by the 25 lb resistance plate 66a and 50 lb resistance plate 66b, allowing for any size of incremental resistance change. Other resistances may also be used, such as 2.5 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, 35 lb, 100 lb, etc. Larger increments of resistance are beneficial for high resistance exercise to allow for quick setup, whereas smaller resistance increments allow for low resistance exercises to be possible and for precise increments to be achieved.
[0073] To engage the resistance within the resistance plates 66, the resistance plates 66 must also have a connection to fix the resistance plate encasing 63 to adjacent encasings. The resistance plate encasing 63 directly adjacent to the spool assembly 62 must have a similar connection to the spool encasing 57. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, male encasing connections 103a and female encasing connections 103b may be used to lock adjacent resistance plate encasings 63 to one another as well as the spool encasing 57 which has female encasing connections 103b. The resistance plate encasing connections 103 preferably have a quick release mechanism, such as a button, to quickly lock and unlock the connection to adjacent resistance plates 66. Without a connection to the adjacent resistance plate encasing 63, there is no force to stop the resistance plate 66 from rotating with the serial connector shaft 61. When all components are connected in both encasing connections 103 and serial connector shaft 61 connections, rotation of the spool assembly 62 and resistance plates 66 are prevented by the structure that the spool encasing 57 is connected to and the user is containing their weight on.
[0074] FIG. 6 shows the interior of an embodiment of the spool assembly 62 which functions to transfer rotational resistance of the resistance plate(s) 66 (described below) to translational resistance. An inelastic cable 59, which has a rubber stopper with hook 82 fixed to one end, is wound about a spool 58. The spool 58 is directly fixed to the serial connector shaft 61 to match their rotations. The spool encasing 57 encloses the interior components and has connection points along its front and back faces to allow resistance plate encasings 63 to be temporarily affixed to the spool encasing 57, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The ends of the serial connector shaft 61 protrude through the spool encasing 57 to allow connection to the resistance plate(s) 66. Additionally, an attachment point along the bottom of the spool encasing 57 temporarily affixes the spool assembly 62 to an external structure, such as the rail assembly 56. The rubber stopper with hook 82 temporarily affixes handle attachments to the inelastic cable 59. When the user pulls on the inelastic cable 59, the inelastic cable 59 unwinds from the spool 58, causing the spool to rotate 58. The tension in the inelastic cable 59, and therefore the resistance felt by the user, is determined by the total torque on the serial connector shaft 61 and the radius of the spool 58. The inelastic cable 59 exits the spool casing 57 by passing through a 360-degree pulley 60 which rotates freely about the top of the spool encasing 57, allowing the user to pull at different angles away from the spool assembly 68 without causing friction or wear on the inelastic cable 59.
[0075] FIG. 7 shows the interior of an embodiment of the resistance plate 66 wherein several constant force springs 64 are fixed in parallel to a single takeup shaft 84. Although FIG. 7 illustrates four (4) constant force springs 64, a resistance plate 66 may include one or more constant force springs 64 depending on the desired resistance. For example, each resistance plate 66 may include one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), or more constant force springs 64. The amount of constant force springs 64 is only limited by the size of the resistance plate 66. Each of the constant force springs 64 is housed on a storage shaft 65 to maintain their position relative to the resistance plate encasing 63 while the constant force springs 64 rotate. The takeup shaft 84 is directly fixed to the serial connector shaft 61 to match their rotations. When the serial connector shaft 61 is rotated via the spool assembly 62, the constant force springs 64 are wound around the takeup shaft 84, causing the constant force springs 64 to resist the rotation of the serial connector shaft 61. Different quantities or sizes of constant force springs 64 may be used to produce different resistances. The torque output of the resistance plate 66 is primarily affected by the number, width, thickness, and diameter of constant force springs 64 as well as the radius of the takeup shaft 84.
[0076] FIG. 8 shows a user performing a squat exercise with an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the fewest possible structural support elements are present. The user stands upon the platform 53 with a barbell 78 attachment resting on the user's shoulders. The barbell 78 is attached on either end to inelastic cables 59 via rubber stoppers with hooks 82. The inelastic cables 59 originate from the spool assembly 62. Resistance from the resistance mechanisms 88 is engaged as the inelastic cables 59 are unspooled by the act of the user squatting. In this case, one 50 lb resistance plate 66b is present in both resistance mechanisms 88, so the user feels a constant 100 lbs of force throughout the exercise. The resistance mechanisms 88 are attached to the platform 53 via the rail assemblies 56, so the resistance mechanisms 88 translate with low friction along the edge of the platform, aligned with the user's lifting path, to prevent perpendicular forces from acting on the barbell 78.
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a user performing a bench press exercise with an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the fewest possible structural support elements are present. The user lays upon the bench 72 and holds the barbell 78, pushing upwards away from their chest. The barbell 78 is attached on either end to inelastic cables 59 via rubber stoppers with hooks 82. The inelastic cables 59 originate from the spool assembly 62. Resistance from the resistance mechanisms 88 is engaged as the inelastic cables 59 are unspooled by the act of the user pushing the barbell 78. In this case, one 25 lb resistance plate 66a and one 50 lb resistance plate 66b are present in both resistance mechanisms 88, so the user feels a constant 150 lbs of force throughout the exercise. The resistance mechanisms 88 are attached to the platform 53 via the rail assemblies 56, so the resistance mechanisms 88 translate with low friction along the edge of the platform, aligned with the user's lifting path, to prevent perpendicular forces from acting on the barbell 78.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows a user performing a standing fly exercise with an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the fewest possible structural support elements are present. The user stands upon the platform 53 and holds a handle 79 attachment in either hand, pulling the handle 79 towards the center of their body while maintaining a constant arm length. The handles 79 are attached to the inelastic cables 59 via rubber stoppers with hooks 82. The inelastic cables 59 originate from the spool assembly 62. Resistance from the resistance mechanisms 88 is engaged as the inelastic cables 59 are unspooled by the act of the user pulling the handles 79. In this case, one 50 lb resistance plate 66b is present in both resistance mechanisms 88, so the user feels a constant 100 lbs of force throughout the exercise. The resistance mechanisms 88 are temporarily affixed to the sides of the overhead extension 76, and as such, the resistance mechanisms 88 do not translate throughout the exercise.
[0079] FIG. 11 shows a user performing a lat pulldown exercise with an exemplary embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the fewest possible structural support elements are present. The user sits upon the bench 72 and holds the straight bar 80, pulling towards their chest. The straight bar 80 is attached in the center to an inelastic cable 59 via a rubber stopper with hook 82. The inelastic cable 59 originates from the spool assembly 62. Resistance from the resistance mechanism 88 is engaged as the inelastic cable 59 is unspooled by the act of the user pulling the straight bar 80. In this case, one 25 lb resistance plate 66a and one 50 lb resistance plate 66b is present in the resistance mechanism 88, so the user feels a constant 75 lbs of force throughout the exercise. The resistance mechanism 88 is temporarily affixed to the top of the overhead extension 76, and as such, the resistance mechanism 88 does not translate throughout the exercise.
[0080] Although FIGS. 8-11 show examples of various exercises performed on the resistance machine 83, the resistance machine 83 is not limited to those exercises. Other exercises, such as shoulder press, lateral raise, deadlift, leg curls, quad curls, lunges, triceps pulldown, bicep curls, seated rows, shrugs, incline bench press, decline bench press, and bent over rows, may be performed on the resistance machine 83 and are within the scope of the invention.
[0081] Not shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 is a method to adjust the starting position of the inelastic cable 59. FIGS. 12 and 13 show two different methods to adjust the starting position of the inelastic cable 59. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein inelastic cable extensions 77 are used to position the starting point of the inelastic cable 59 at the user's shoulders when they are at the lowest position of the squat exercise. The inelastic cable extensions 77 are attached on a first end to the barbell 78 and on a second end to the rubber stopper with hook 82. This allows the user to comfortably position the barbell on their shoulders without needing to engage resistance to position the barbell 78.
[0082] FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the resistance mechanism 88 which uses a method to remotely disengage resistance plates 66 from the spool assembly 62 to allow the inelastic cable 59 to be unspooled with low resistance, such as 5 lbs, from the constant torque spring assembly 102. The constant torque spring assembly 102 is an assembly which includes a constant force spring 64, storage shaft 65, and takeup shaft 84, similar to that shown in FIG. 7, wherein the takeup shaft 84 is affixed to the spool's 58 shaft. The remote control 87 communicates with the actuator 86 to control the clutch 85. The remote control 87 may take the form of a simple battery-powered button, phone app, or other electronic device. The actuator 86 may take the form of a linear solenoid device or similar product which functions to translate forwards and backwards when an electrical signal is received. The clutch 85 contains a clutch plate and a flywheel (not illustrated) and functions to couple or uncouple two shafts in series based on the position of the actuator, allowing the shafts to rotate at the same speed when coupled or at different speeds when uncoupled. When the clutch plate is pressed against the flywheel, the frictional force between the clutch plate and flywheel couples their respective shafts to rotate together. In contrast, when the clutch plate is not pressed against the flywheel, there is no frictional force, and their respective shafts rotate uncoupled from one another. The clutch 85 is affixed in series with the spool 58 on a first end via a shaft 61 and any number of resistance plates 66 on a second end via another shaft 61. When the user requests disengagement from the resistance plates 66, the remote control 87 sends an electrical signal to the actuator 86 which actuates the clutch 85 to uncouple the serial connections between the shafts 61. In this disengaged state, the spool rotates without the resistance from the resistance plates 66. Therefore, the user can position the handle 79 in an appropriate position to start the exercise, while only feeling resistance from the constant torque spring assembly 102 and not the resistance plates 66. The constant torque spring assembly 102 provides a low resistance to wind the inelastic cable 59 back around the spool 58 when the user needs to adjust the position of the handle 79 to be closer to the spool 58. Without a constant torque spring 102, the user would be unable to position the handle closer to the spool 58. When the user requests engagement of the resistance plates 66, the remote control 87 sends an electrical signal to the actuator 86 which actuates the clutch 85 to connect the serial connections between the shafts 61. In this engaged state, the user feels the full resistance from the resistance plates 66 and can begin the exercise.
[0083] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the structural components of an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 configured for storage or transportation to demonstrate its capacity to meet such demands. Because the platform 53, bench 72, and overhead extension 76 are each separable components, they are able to be folded and recombined in a different configuration than the configurations used for exercise. The modular structures allow the system to be storable, transportable, and provide the user with many different forms of exercise. The platform 53 has central hinges 52 that allow the platform 53 to fold downwards, halving the length of the platform 53. The bench 72 has hinges 52 to allow the bench legs 67 to fold towards the bench frame 70 and a central hinge 52 to fold the bench 72 upwards, halving the length of the bench 72. The overhead extension arm 75 telescopes down into the supports along the side of the overhead extension wall 74. Hinges 52 connecting the overhead extension base 73 to the overhead extension wall 75 allow the overhead extension base 73 to fold around the overhead extension wall 74 and be flush with the back of the overhead extension wall 74. The platform 53, bench 72, and overhead extension 76 combine into a compact structure, with overall dimensions comparable to that of a suitcase.
[0084] FIGS. 16 and 17 show an alternative embodiment of the resistance mechanism 88 which utilizes a continuously variable transmission to change the resistance of the machine as opposed to the resistance plate 66 design embodied in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Multiple constant force springs 64 are placed on a storage drum 65, which is affixed to an encasing (not illustrated) that is fixed in space. The end of the constant force springs 64 are attached to a takeup shaft 84. The takeup shaft 84 is affixed to an input shaft 93a, which is connected to an encasing (not illustrated) via ball bearings 89 on either end that are affixed to the encasing. The ball bearings allow the input shaft 93a to rotate. The input shaft 93a is also affixed to a first variable pulley 92a. A second variable pulley 92b is positioned across from the first variable pulley 92a so that their respective center axes are approximately parallel. The first and second variable pulleys 92 are connected to one another via a pulley belt 91. The second variable pulley 92b is affixed to an output shaft 93b, which is connected to the encasing via a ball bearing 89 on either end, allowing the output shaft 93b to rotate. A spool 58, with an inelastic cable 59 wound around the spool 58, is also affixed to the output shaft 93b. When the inelastic cable 59 is unwound by the user, the output shaft 93b transfers the rotation from the spool 58 to the second variable pulley 92b. The belt 91 transfers the rotation of the second variable pulley 92b to the first variable pulley 92a, thus causing the input shaft 93a to rotate. The input shaft 93a transfers rotation to the takeup shaft 84, which winds the constant force springs 64 about the takeup shaft 84. Thus, the constant force springs 64 resist the rotation of the spool 58, resulting in tension in the inelastic cable 59 that is proportional to the torque on the output shaft 93b. To change the amount of torque transferred from the input shaft 93a to the output shaft 93b, the radius of the variable pulleys 92 can be changed via the dial 90. Certain combinations of radii between the first variable pulley 92a and second variable pulley 92b change the gear ratio between the input shaft 93a and output shaft 93b. Different gear ratios change the amount of torque transferred through the variable pulleys 92. A dial 90 is affixed to a pinion 95 on one end and is positioned through the encasing on a second end. The pinion 95 meshes with a rack 94 so that when the pinion 95 rotates via the dial 90, it translates the rack 94. Because the dial 90 is positioned through the encasing, the dial 90 rotates without translating with the rack 94. The rack 94 is connected to one end of both variable pulleys 92. The translational motion of the rack 94 controls the radii of the variable pulleys 92 by translating one end of the variable pulley 92 closer or farther from its central axis. To maintain constant belt 91 tension, the variable pulleys 92 must translate in opposite directions at the same time. For example, if the radius of the first pulley 92a increases, the radius of the second variable pulley 92b must decrease a proportional amount, such that the belt 91 tension remains constant. Therefore, the dial 90 can adjust the radii of the variable pulleys 92 and, as a byproduct of the new gear ratio, adjust tension in the inelastic cable 59.
[0085] FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 show different configurations of an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the resistance mechanism 88 is fully enclosed and integrated into the structure of the resistance machine 83. Two separate resistance mechanisms 88 reside in either of the resistance mechanism encasings 100, wherein an embodiment of the resistance mechanism 88, which varies resistance with a dial 90, is implemented. The inelastic cables 59, which contain the tension of the resistance mechanism 88, are routed through either cable arm 97 to position the rubber stopper with hook 82 on the cable arm slider. The cable arms 97 are adjustable positioned on either side of the resistance mechanism encasing 100 to allow the user to adjust the position on the inelastic cable 59 for different workouts. The double-sided wings 101 have a rigid face on a first side and a soft face on a second side, allowing the user to perform both standing exercises and laying exercises. Hinges 52 connect the double-sided wing 101 to the resistance machine encasing 100 to change configurations.
[0086] FIG. 18 shows a platform configuration of an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the user is able to stand on the resistance machine 83. The user would add an attachment to the rubber stoppers with hooks 82 and pull the attachment away from the resistance machine 83 while standing on the resistance mechanism encasing 100 and the rigid face of the double-sided wing 101. Resistance is engaged as the attachment is pulled and, because the user contains their weight on the resistance machine 83, the system is stable.
[0087] FIG. 19 shows a bench configuration of an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the user is able to lay or sit on the resistance machine 83. Bench legs 67 unfold from the resistance mechanism encasing 100 to offset the resistance machine 83 from the ground. The user would add an attachment to the rubber stoppers with hooks 82 and pull the attachment away from the resistance machine 83 while sitting or laying on the soft face of the double-sided wing 101. Resistance is engaged as the attachment is pulled and, because the user contains their weight on the resistance machine 83, the system is stable.
[0088] FIG. 20 shows a folded configuration of an embodiment of the resistance machine 83 wherein the user is able to store or transport the resistance machine 83. A hinge 52 connects the resistance mechanism encasings 100 and allows the resistance mechanism encasings 100 to fold together. The cable arms 97 also fold via another hinge 52. Therefore, the integrated resistance machine 83 is compact, with overall dimensions comparable to that of a suitcase.
[0089] Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.
