Programmable exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine has automatic and programmable resistance selection apparatus with vertically aligned weights that are selectable by rotably engaging a lift pin to select each weight stack. The exercise machine further includes a control panel from which the number of weights to be lifted can be ordered by the user. Alternatively the number of weights being lifted may be programmed from a remote location.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a substantially vertical guide rod;    a set of weights arranged in a vertically stacked relationship and movable along said guide rod;    a motor-driven selector having a plurality of positions, said selector being arranged and constructed to engage only one of said weights in each position;    a motor coupled to said selector, said motor being arranged to selectively shift said selector between said positions thereby selecting said number of weights, while at the same time not being mounted to be carried by the weights; and    a lifting member having a distal and a proximal end, said distal end being coupled to said weights to lift a number of said weights as determined by said selector when a force is applied to said proximal end.    
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said weights are aligned to define a passageway and said selector is disposed in said passageway.  
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2  wherein each said weight has a coupling element extending into said passageway and said selector is adapted to selectively engage said coupling element.  
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3  wherein the coupling elements are offset for each weight, with each weight being uniquely associated with coupling elements having predetermined angles.  
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4  further comprising a control unit in communication with the motor to transmit a selection signal to the motor to shift said selector to select the number of weights.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the selector comprises 
 a sleeve placed so as to ride on said guide rod;  
 an array of lifting pins placed on said sleeve to engage said coupling element; and  
 a lifting plate coupled to the distal end of the elongated member and having an opening through which said sleeve is secured.  
 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the weights do not put a load on the motor as the weights are selected.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7  wherein the motor is a stepper motor.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a plurality of weights, said weights being stacked in a vertical arrangement and defining a cavity extending through said weights, each weight having a coupling member extending into said cavity, said coupling members being angularly offset from each other, said weights being movable vertically along a vertical axis;    a motor-driven selector, disposed in said cavity and having a plurality of angular positions, said selector engaging only one of said weights in each said angular position;    an elongated member having a proximal end adapted to be held by a user and a distal end coupled to said weights, wherein when the user applies a force on said elongated member, a number of said weights are moved vertically, said number being determined by the position of said selector;    an actuator coupled to said selector, said actuator being adapted to move said selector to one of said angular positions in response to commands, said actuator including an electric motor adapted to rotate said selector to one of said positions in response to said commands, said electric motor being mounted as to not be carried by the weights.    
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  further comprising a controller in communication with the actuator to retain said commands and upon request transfer said commands to the actuator.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10  wherein said controller has a keypad interface to receive said commands from said user.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11  wherein the controller has a network interface to receive the commands from an external computing system.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein the commands detail an exercise regimen.  
     
     
         14 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a substantially vertical guide rod;    a first set of weights arranged in a stacked relationship and movable along said guide rod;    a first motor-driven selector having a first plurality of positions, said first selector being arranged and constructed to engage only one weight of said first set of weights in each position;    a second set of weights arranged in a stacked relationship and movable parallel to said guide rod;    a second motor-driven selector having a second plurality of positions, said secondary selector being arranged and constructed to engage only one of said secondary weights in each position of said second plurality of positions;    an elongated member having a distal and a proximal end, said distal end being coupled to said weights to lift a first number of said first weights and a second number of said second weights as determined by said first and second selectors when a force is applied to said proximal end;    a first stepper motor coupled to said first selector, said first motor being arranged to selectively shift said first selector between said positions thereby selecting said first number, said first motor mounted as to not be carried by said first set of weights; and    a second stepper motor coupled to said second selector, said second motor being arranged to selectively shift said second selector between said positions thereby selecting said second number, said second motor mounted as to not be carried by said secondary weights.    
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 14  wherein said first set of weights are aligned to define a first passageway and said second set of weights is nested in said first passageway.  
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 14  wherein said first and second sets of weights each define a first and second passageway, respectively, and wherein said fist selector is disposed in said first passageway and said second selector is disposed in said second passageway.  
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 16  wherein each said weights weight has a tab extending into one of said passageways and each said selector is adapted to selectively engage said tab.  
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17  wherein the tabs of each set are angularly offset with each weight of each set being associated with a corresponding angular tab position.  
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18  further comprising a control unit in communication with said motors to transmit a selection signals to each said motor to select said first and second numbers.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  further comprising 
 a lifting plate coupled to the distal end of the elongated member and a coupling member connecting said plate to said selectors.  
 
     
     
         21 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein the primary and secondary selectors comprise: 
 a sleeve placed riding on said vertical guide rail and secured in an opening through; and  
 an array of lifting pins placed on said sleeve to selectively engage said coupling element.  
 
     
     
         22 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein weights do not put a load on the stepper motors as the weights are selected.  
     
     
         23 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a substantially vertical guide rod;    a set of weights arranged in a vertical stacked relationship and movable along said guide rod;    a selector having a plurality of positions constructed to engage only one of said weights in each position;    a lifting member having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end being coupled to said weights to lift a number of said weights as determined by said selector when a force is applied to said proximal end; and    a control panel for controlling the selector, said control panel being remote from the rest of the machine.    
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 23  wherein the control panel is connected to the rest of the machine by a cable.  
     
     
         25 . The machine of  claim 23  wherein the control panel is connected to the rest of the machine by an RF link.