Exercise machine

Abstract

A physical development exercise machine is comprised of a longitudinally elongated, extruded metal column rigidly preferably attached to a vertical support, such as a wall, in spaced separation therefrom. The column includes a plurality of longitudinal, parallel tracks. A weight carriage is engaged for reciprocal movement in the vertical track located on the side of the column opposite the user. At least a first turning pulley slide, and preferably a second turning pulley slide are engaged in other of the vertical tracks. An upper pulley is mounted at the upper end of the column. Turning pulley slide locks are provided to releaseably immobilize the slides upon which the turning pulleys are mounted relative to the elongated column. A single weight-lifting cable is employed and is attached to the weight carriage and looped through the upper pulley and one or more of the turning pulleys.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A physical development machine comprising: 
 a longitudinally elongated column having upper and lower ends supported in a vertical orientation and including a plurality of elongated vertical tracks defined thereon,    an upper pulley mounted at said upper end of said column for rotation about a horizontally oriented axis,    a weight carriage engaged for reciprocal movement in one of said vertical tracks,    a first turning pulley slide engaged in at least one other of said vertical tracks for longitudinal movement to a selected vertical elevation,    a first turning pulley slide lock for releaseably immobilizing said first turning pulley slide relative to said elongated column,    a first turning pulley mounted on said first turning pulley slide for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation, and    a cable having opposing ends, one of which is attached to said weight carriage and the other of which is accessible for the application of longitudinal, tensile force, and said cable is looped about both said upper and first turning pulleys.    
     
     
         2 . A physical development machine according to  claim 1  wherein said elongated column has a back side, an opposite front side, and opposing lateral sides oriented at right angles to both said back and front sides and said vertical track engaged by said weight carriage is located on said back side of said elongated column.  
     
     
         3 . A physical development machine according to  claim 2  wherein said vertical track in which said first turning pulley slide is engaged is located on one of said lateral sides of said elongated column.  
     
     
         4 . A physical development machine according to  claim 2  wherein said upper pulley is offset by an acute angle from parallel alignment with said lateral sides of said elongated column.  
     
     
         5 . A physical development machine according to  claim 4  wherein still another of said vertical tracks is defined in said front side of said elongated column and further comprising a second turning pulley slide engaged in said vertical track in said front side of said column for longitudinal movement to a selected position therealong, a second turning pulley slide lock for releaseably immobilizing said second turning pulley slide relative to said elongated column, and a second turning pulley mounted on said second turning pulley slide for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation.  
     
     
         6 . A physical development machine according to  claim 5  further comprising a turning pulley swivel bracket carrying said second turning pulley and coupled to said second turning pulley slide for rotation relative thereto about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         7 . A physical development machine according to  claim 4  further comprising a top mounting beam projecting forward from said elongated column in parallel alignment with said lateral sides of said column, and said top mounting beam has at least one track-engaging flange that is engaged in at least one of said elongated vertical tracks defined on said column.  
     
     
         8 . A physical development machine according to  claim 7  further comprising a cantilevered pulley mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis from said top mounting beam and a cantilevered pulley swivel bracket carrying said cantilevered pulley and coupled to said top mounting beam for rotation relative thereto about an upright axis.  
     
     
         9 . A physical development machine according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one purchase-enhancing pulley between said weight carrier and said upper pulley and about which said cable is looped to increase the mechanical advantage of tensile force exerted on said free end of said cable.  
     
     
         10 . A physical development machine according to  claim 1  wherein said elongated column is an extruded metal member having a uniform cross-sectional shape along its length.  
     
     
         11 . A muscle development machine comprising: 
 an elongated column having upper and lower ends and formed with at least first and second longitudinal tracks thereon,    upper and lower mounting brackets that are respectively fastened to said upper and lower ends of said column to firmly hold said column in upright alignment a horizontally spaced distance from an upright vertical support, whereby said first track faces said upright vertical support and said second track is disposed to face in a different direction from said first track,    an upper pulley mounted for rotation about a horizontally aligned axis atop said upper end of said column,    a weight carrier mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement along said first track,    at least one pulley carriage slide mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement along said second track,    at least one releaseable pulley carriage lock for immobilizing said pulley carriage slide at a selected position along said second track,    at least one turning pulley mounted on said pulley carriage slide for rotation about a horizontal axis, and    a cable attached to said weight carrier, looped over said upper pulley, and looped over said turning pulley.    
     
     
         12 . A physical development machine according to  claim 11  wherein said elongated column is formed with a third longitudinal track thereon, an additional pulley carriage slide mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement along said third longitudinal track, an additional releaseable pulley carriage lock for immobilizing said additional pulley carriage slide at a selected position along said third track, and an additional turning pulley mounted on said additional pulley carriage slide for rotation about a horizontal axis.  
     
     
         13 . A physical development machine according to  claim 12  wherein said upper mounting bracket includes a top mounting beam projecting in a direction away from said vertical support and a cantilevered pulley secured to said top mounting beam remote from said upright support for rotation about a horizontal axis.  
     
     
         14 . A physical development machine according to  claim 13  further comprising a cantilevered pulley swivel bracket carrying said cantilevered pulley and coupled to said top mounting beam for rotation relative thereto about an upright axis.  
     
     
         15 . A physical development machine according to  claim 12  further comprising a turning pulley swivel bracket carrying said additional turning pulley and coupled to said additional pulley carriage slide for rotation relative thereto about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         16 . A physical development machine according to  claim 12  wherein said column has a back side facing said upright support, an opposite front side, and a pair of mutually parallel lateral sides oriented perpendicular to said front and back sides, and said first track is located on said back side of said column, said second track is located on one of said lateral sides of said column, and said third track is located on said front side of said column.  
     
     
         17 . A physical development machine according to  claim 11  wherein said elongated column is an extruded metal member having a uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length.  
     
     
         18 . A muscle development machine comprising: 
 upper and lower mounting brackets for attachment to an upright support,    a longitudinally elongated column having a plurality of channeled sides, each having an elongated track defined thereon, said column having upper and lower ends respectively secured to said upper and lower mounting brackets, whereby said mounting brackets hold said elongated column in a vertical orientation spaced horizontally from said upright support,    a weight carrier engaged in one of said tracks on one of said channeled sides of said column for longitudinal reciprocal movement therealong,    an upper pulley located atop said column for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation,    a turning pulley carriage slide engaged in one of said tracks of another of said channeled sides of said column for longitudinal reciprocal movement therealong,    a releaseable carriage pulley lock for engaging said turning pulley carriage at a selected longitudinal location along said column, and    a cable having a secured end attached to said weight carrier and looped about both said upper pulley and said turning pulley and having an opposite, free end accessible to a user.    
     
     
         19 . A physical development machine according to  claim 18  further comprising a releaseable clip at said other end of said cable for attachment to different limb-engaging accessories.  
     
     
         20 . A physical development machine according to  claim 18  further comprising at least one purchase-enhancing pulley interposed between said weight carrier and said upper pulley and about which said cable is looped to increase the mechanical advantage of tensile force exerted on said free end of said cable.