Exercise machine providing for natural movement

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an exercise machine that simulates the natural body movements such as pulling, pushing, pushing up and pulling down. The exercise machine has a weight stack, a closed loop belt/pulley system for actuating the weight stack and a base frame. The exercise machine also has two arm assemblies that are rotatably connected to the base frame at an angle extending away from the base frame providing for a natural converging or diverging motion depending on the orientation of the arm assemblies. A rotatable handle is also attached to the arm assemblies. The weight stack is operably connected to the arm assemblies by the belt/pulley system which is operably connected to a pulley arm which is operably connected to the arm assemblies through a rigid force transfer link that provides for movement in three-dimensions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a base frame;    a load movably attached to said base frame;    an arm assembly operably attached to said base frame to move in an angled direction relative to said frame;    a load actuation system operably attached between said movable load and said arm assembly;    wherein movement of said arm assembly causes said load actuation system to move, which moves said load.    
     
     
         2 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a. Said load actuation system includes a bar operably attached to said frame and a force transfer link operably attached between said arm assembly and said bar.    
     
     
         3 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said force transfer link has a first ball and socket joint at a first end operably connected to said arm assembly.  
     
     
         4 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said force transfer link further comprises a second ball and socket joint at said second end operably connected to said bar.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said operable connection between said arm assembly and said bar is a direct drive connection.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said operable connection between said arm assembly and said pulley bar is an indirect drive connection.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said bar further comprises a short lever arm and a long lever arm, said second end of said force transfer link being operably connected to said short lever arm, and said long lever arm being operably connected to said a load actuation system.  
     
     
         8 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 a. said bar is attached to said frame by a pivotal connection, and movement of said short lever arm by said force transfer link causes said longer lever arm to pivot about said pivotal connection to actuate said load actuation system.    
     
     
         9 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said exercise machine replicates a bench press exercise.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said exercise machine replicates a seated rowing exercise.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said exercise machine replicates a pull-down exercise.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said exercise machine replicates a shoulder press machine.  
     
     
         13 . A belt/pulley system for an exercise machine having a base frame, a load and at least one arm assembly for actuating the load, said belt/pulley system comprising: 
 a load pulley operably attached to said load;    at least one pair of directing pulleys operably attached to said frame;    at least one transverse stack frame pulley operably attached to said frame;    at least one transition pulley operably attached to said frame;    at least one set-up pulley operably attached to said frame;    at least one end pulley operably attached to said arm assembly;    a closed loop belt extending around said load pulley, upwardly to at least one pair of directing pulleys, downwardly to said at least one transverse stack frame pulley, outwardly to said at least one transition pulley, over to said at least one set-up pulley and upwardly to said at least one end pulley, and terminating in an end stop connected to said base frame.    
     
     
         14 . A belt/pulley system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein movement of said arm assembly causes said end pulley to move and through said belt causes said load to be applied to said arm assembly.