Upper torso exercise machine

Abstract

The subject invention provides an upper body exercise machine with increased longitudinal and lateral range of motions. As described herein, the exercise machine contains dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms enabling a user emulate the natural biomechanical motion associated with free weights, while maintaining the stability of an exercise machine. The dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms permit the handles to be independently or in combination moved forward (i.e., longitudinally) and inward (i.e., laterally) in a relationship selected by the user. Consequently, the user can grasp the handles and push forward and inward in the natural actuate path. Alternatively, the user can select another path to give the muscles a different workout.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An upper torso exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    a pair of dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms independently mounted to the frame; and    a pair of arms mounted one each to the pair of dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms.    
     
     
         2 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms each comprise a primary hinge having a primary axis of rotation and a secondary hinge having a secondary axis or rotation, wherein the primary axes of rotation are not parallel and are in a skewed orientation to the frame, and the secondary hinges are affixed to the primary hinges such that the secondary axes of rotation are skewed from the primary axes of rotation.  
     
     
         3 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the primary hinges includes a primary bearing tube and the secondary hinge includes a secondary bearing tube, wherein the secondary bearing tubes are affixed to the primary bearing tubes.  
     
     
         4 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the arms are connected to the secondary hinges.  
     
     
         5 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user support structure including: 
 a seat mounted to the frame; and    a backrest mounted to the frame above and behind the seat.    
     
     
         6 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the pair of dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms are mounted above the user support structure.  
     
     
         7 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the pair dual axis, dual hinge mechanisms are mounted behind the user support structure.  
     
     
         8 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the arms each include a handle.  
     
     
         9 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance mechanism operable connected to the arms.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise machine for exercising muscles of the upper torso comprising: 
 a frame;    a user support structure;    a pair of primary hinges mounted to the frame defining a pair of non-parallel primary axes of rotation in skewed orientation to the frame;    a pair of secondary hinges mounted to the pair of primary hinges defining a pair of nonparallel secondary axes of rotation in a skewed orientation to the pair of primary axes of rotation;    a pair of arms mounted to the pair of secondary hinges; and    a resistance mechanism operable connected to the pair of arms.    
     
     
         11 . The upper torso machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the primary hinges includes a primary bearing tube and the secondary hinge includes a secondary bearing tube, wherein the secondary bearing tubes are affixed to the primary bearing tubes.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the user support structure includes: 
 a seat mounted to the frame; and    a backrest mounted to the frame above and behind the seat.    
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the pair of primary hinges are mounted above the seat and above the backrest.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the user support structure includes a horizontal bench.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the pair of primary hinges is mounted behind the horizontal bench.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise machine for exercising the muscles of the upper torso of a user by resisting displacement of the user's limbs comprising; 
 a frame;    a seat mounted to the frame;    a backrest mounted to the frame above and behind the seat, wherein the backrest defines a plane;    a first primary hinge mounted to the frame defining a first primary pivot axis, wherein the first primary pivot axis is in a skew orientation to the backrest plane;    a first secondary hinge mounted to the first primary hinge defining a first secondary pivot axis, wherein the first secondary pivot axis in a skew orientation to the first primary pivot axis; and    a first arm mounted to the first secondary hinge.    
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , further comprising a resistance mechanism operable connected to the first arm.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , further comprising; 
 a second primary hinge mounted to the frame defining a second primary pivot axis, wherein the second primary pivot axis is in skewed orientation to the backrest plane and is in a non-parallel, non-planar orientation to the first primary pivot axis;    a second secondary hinge mounted to the second primary hinge defining a second secondary pivot axis, wherein the second secondary pivot axis in a skewed orientation to the second primary pivot axis and in a non-parallel, non-planar orientation to the first secondary pivot axis; and    a second arm mounted to the second secondary hinge, wherein the resistance means is operable connected to the second arm.    
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine according to  claim 18 , where the angle between backrest plane and the first and second primary pivot axes is between about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine according to  claim 18 , where the angle between first and secondary primary pivot axes and the first and second secondary pivot axes is between about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees.  
     
     
         21 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a loading mechanism: and    a pair of opposing arms couples to the loading mechanism so as to be movable along a user defined converging path that can be translated laterally with respect to each other.