Multi-functional weight training machine with horizontal and vertical axes of rotation

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a frame, a pair of arm assemblies, a pair of handle units, a coupling unit, and a resistance-imparting unit. Each of the arm assemblies has an arm and a mounting unit connected with the frame and the proximal end of the arm. The mounting units are configured such that the arm can pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis, the movement about the first axis being over a range of at least 50 degrees. The handle units are associated with a respective one of the distal ends of the arms and are moveable away from that distal end. The coupling unit is attached to each of the pair of handle units. The resistance-imparting unit is attached to the coupling unit and resists movement of the handle units away from the distal ends of the arms.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a frame;    a pair of arm assemblies, each having:    an arm having a proximal and a distal end; and    a mounting unit connected with the frame and the proximal end of the arm, the mounting unit being configured such that the arm is free to pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis, the movement about the first axis being over a range of at least 50 degrees;    a pair of handle units, each of the handle units being associated with a respective one of the distal ends of the arms and being moveable away from that distal end;    a coupling unit attached to each of the pair of handle units; and    a resistance-imparting unit attached to the coupling unit that resists movement of the handle units away from the distal ends of the arms.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move between preselected locking positions about their respective first axes.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 2 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move between preselected locking positions about their respective second axes.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move about their respective first axes over a range of at least 50 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 2 , wherein each of the mounting units includes a generally horizontally-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining the preselected locking positions to which the arm may move about its respective first axis.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 3 , wherein each of the mounting units includes a generally vertically-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining the preselected locking positions to which the arm may move about its respective second axis.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit comprises a flexible member attached to at least one of the handle units and operatively associated with the resistance-imparting unit.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 8 , wherein the flexible member is attached to both handle units.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 1 , wherein each arm includes a handle bracket rotatably attached to its respective distal end for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the arm defined between the proximal and distal ends of the arm.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a frame;    a pair of arm assemblies, each having:    an arm having a proximal and a distal end; and    a mounting unit connected to the frame and the proximal end of the arm, the mounting unit being configured such that the arm is free to pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis;    a pair of handle units, each of the handle units being associated with a respective one of the distal ends of the arms and being moveable away from that distal end;    the mounting units further being configured such that when both arms are moved to substantially horizontal positions, the handle units are free to move to inwardmost positions that are no more than 10 inches from each other;    a coupling unit attached to each of the pair of handle units; and    a resistance-imparting unit attached to the coupling unit that resists movement of the handle units away from the distal ends of the arms.    
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the arms are free to rotate about their respective first axes over a range of at least 50 degrees.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move between preselected locking positions about their respective first axes.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move between preselected locking positions about their respective second axes.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move about their respective first axes over a range of at least 80 degrees.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 13 , wherein each mounting unit includes a generally horizontally-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining positions to which the arms may move about their respective first axes.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 14 , wherein each mounting unit includes a generally vertically-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining positions to which the arms may move about their respective second axes.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein the coupling unit comprises a flexible member attached to at least one of the handle units and operatively associated with the resistance-imparting unit.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 19 , wherein the flexible member is attached to both handle units.  
     
     
         21 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 11 , wherein each arm includes a handle bracket rotatably attached to its respective distal end for rotation about a longitudinal axis defined between the proximal and distal ends of the arm.  
     
     
         22 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a frame;    a pair of arm assemblies, each having:    an arm having a proximal and a distal end; and    a mounting unit connected to the frame and the proximal end of the arm, the mounting unit being configured such that the arm is free to pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis, the mounting unit including a generally horizontally-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining preselected locking positions to which the arm may move about the first axis, and a generally vertically-oriented plate with a series of apertures, the series of apertures defining preselected locking positions to which the arm may move about the second axis;    a pair of handle units, each of the handle units being associated with a respective one of the distal ends of the arms and being moveable away from that distal end;    a coupling unit attached to each of the pair of handles; and    a resistance-imparting unit attached to the coupling unit that resists movement of the handles away from the distal ends of the arms.    
     
     
         23 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 22 , wherein the mounting units are configured such that the arms move about their respective first axes over a range of at least 50 degrees.  
     
     
         24 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 22 , wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.  
     
     
         25 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 22 , wherein the coupling unit comprises a flexible member attached to at least one of the handle units and operatively associated with the resistance-imparting unit.  
     
     
         26 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 25 , wherein the flexible member is attached to both handle units.  
     
     
         27 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 22 , wherein each arm includes a handle bracket rotatably attached to its respective distal end.  
     
     
         28 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a frame;    a pair of arm assemblies, each having:    an arm having a proximal and a distal end, and further including a handle bracket rotatably attached to its distal end about an axis defined by the proximal and distal end of the arm; and    a mounting unit connected to the frame and the proximal end of the arm, the mounting unit being configured such that the arm is free to pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis;    a pair of handle units, each of the handle units being associated with a respective one of the handle brackets and and being moveable away from that handle bracket;    a coupling unit attached to each of the pair of handle units; and    a resistance-imparting unit attached to the coupling unit that resists movement of the handles away from the distal ends of the arms.    
     
     
         29 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 28 , wherein the resistance-imparting unit comprises a weight stack.  
     
     
         30 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 28 , wherein the coupling unit comprises a flexible member attached to at least one of the handle units and operatively associated with the resistance-imparting unit.  
     
     
         31 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 30 , wherein the flexible member is attached to both handles.  
     
     
         32 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 30 , wherein each handle bracket includes two pulleys, and the flexible member passed between the two pulleys.  
     
     
         33 . The exercise machine defined in  claim 32 , wherein the two pulleys are distally offset from each other.