Multi-function exercise machine

Abstract

A multi-function exercise machine includes a base structure that defines an exercise position. A lever is provided on the base structure for pivotal movement about an axis. The axis is located between opposite end portions of the lever. A handle is associated with the lever so as to be engaged by an exerciser to move the handle about the axis in an upward direction to a raised position and in a downward direction toward to a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position. A first connector is provided on one end portions of the lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the handle in the upward direction. A second connector is provided on the opposite end portion of the lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-function exercise machine comprising: 
 a base structure defining an exercise station for an exerciser;    a first lever provided on the base structure for pivotal movement about a first axis, the first axis being located between opposite end portions of the first lever;    a handle associated with the first lever, the handle for the first lever being positioned proximate a first side of the exercise station so as to be engaged by the exerciser to move the handle about the first axis in an upward direction toward a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position;    a first connector provided on one end portion of the first lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the handle in the upward direction; and    a second connector provided on the other end portion of the first lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a support structure extending from the first lever to support a weight selectively thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein the first connector includes a first support structure extending from the one end portion of the first lever to support a weight selectively thereon and the second connector includes a second support structure extending from the other end portion of the first lever to support a separate weight selectively thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein the first lever is counterbalanced so as to be maintained selectively in either of the raised position and the lowered position when no resistance is selectively applied thereto.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein the first axis is angled downward relative to horizontal toward the exercise station.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein the first axis is aligned at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a vertical midplane through the machine.  
     
     
         7 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1   , wherein the handle associated with the first lever is spaced vertically above the base structure a distance sufficient to be engaged by the exerciser at the exercise station in a generally standing position.  
     
     
         8 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 1    further comprising a second lever provided on the base structure for pivotal movement about a second axis; and 
 a handle associated with the second lever, the handle for the second lever being positioned proximate a second side of the exercise station so as to be engaged by the exerciser to move the handle about the second axis in an upward direction toward a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position.  
 
     
     
         9 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 7   , wherein the second lever moves independent of the first lever and the second axis is located between opposite end portions of the second lever, the multi-purpose exercise machine further including a first connector provided on one end portion of the second lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the handle in the upward direction, and a second connector provided on the other end portion of the second lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction.  
     
     
         10 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 8   , wherein each connector includes a support structure capable of supporting a weight selectively thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 9   , wherein a vertical midplane is defined longitudinally through the exercise station between the first side and the second side, the first axis and the second axis each being aligned at a nonperpendicular angle relative to the vertical midplane.  
     
     
         12 . A multi-function exercise machine comprising: 
 a base structure defining an exercise station for an exerciser, the exercise station having a first side and a second side;    a first lever provided on the base structure proximate the first side of the exercise station for pivotal movement about a first axis;    a second lever provided on the base structure proximate the second side of the exercise station for pivotal movement about a second axis;    the first lever and the second lever each having a handle associated therewith, the handle for the first lever being positioned proximate a first side of the exercise station so as to be engaged by the exerciser to move the handle about the first axis in an upward direction toward a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position, and the handle for the second lever being positioned proximate a second side of the exercise station so as to be engaged by the exerciser to move the handle about the second axis in an upward direction toward a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position;    first means for applying a resistance against pivotal movement by the exerciser of the first lever to resist movement selectively in either of the upward direction and the downward direction; and    second means for applying a resistance against pivotal movement by the exerciser of the second lever to resist movement selectively in either of the upward direction and the downward direction.    
     
     
         13 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 11   , wherein the first lever moves independent of the second lever.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-function machine of    claim 11   , wherein the first axis is located between opposite end portions of the first lever and the first resistance applying means for the first lever includes a first connector provided on one end portion of the first lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the lever in the upward direction, and a second connector provided on the other end portion of the first lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction; and further wherein the second axis is located between opposite end portions of the second lever and the second lever includes a handle adapted to be engaged by the exerciser to move the handle about the second axis in an upward direction toward a raised position and in a downward direction toward a lowered position, a first connector provided on one end portion of the second lever to apply selectively a first resistance against movement of the handle in the upward direction, and a second connector provided on the other end portion of the second lever to apply selectively a second resistance against movement of the handle in the downward direction.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 13   , wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector of the first lever and the second lever, respectively, includes a support structure extending therefrom to support a weight selectively thereon.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 13   , wherein each connector includes a support structure capable of supporting a weight selectively thereon.  
     
     
         17 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 13   , wherein the first lever and the second lever each is counterbalanced so as to be maintained selectively in either of the raised position and the lowered position when no resistance is selectively applied thereto.  
     
     
         18 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 11   , wherein a vertical midplane is defined longitudinally through the exercise station between the first side and the second side, the first axis and the second axis each being aligned at a nonperpendicular angle relative to the vertical mldplane.  
     
     
         19 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 17   , wherein the first axis and the second axis each is angled downward relative to horizontal toward the exercise station.  
     
     
         20 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 11   , wherein the handle associated with the first lever and the handle associated with the second lever each is spaced vertically above the base structure a distance sufficient to be engaged by the exerciser at the exercise station in a generally standing position.  
     
     
         21 . The multi-function exercise machine of    claim 11   , wherein the base structure is configured to allow access to the exercise station with the exerciser positioned in a wheel chair.