Arm extension machine

Abstract

The subject invention provides a triceps exercise machine which minimizes the torque on a user's shoulders throughout the range of motion. The exercise machine applies a pulling force to the user's arms, the magnitude and direct of which remains substantially constant, such that as the users' hands rotate about the user's elbow the effective toque on the user's elbows and shoulders remains substantially constant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine for exercising a user's upper arm muscles comprising: 
 a frame; and    an input assembly pivotally connected to the frame and engagable by the user, the input assembly imparting an effective torque on the user's shoulders, the effective torque on the user's shoulders remaining substantially constant through the range of motion.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the input assembly imparts an effective torque on the user's elbows, the effective torque on the user's elbows remaining substantially constant through the range of motion.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the effective torque on the user's shoulders is substantially similar to the effective torque on the user's elbows.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the input assembly comprises a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the frame, a pair of trailing arms pivotal connected to the linkage assembly, and a pair of handles connected to the pair of trailing arms opposite the linkage assembly, such that the handles are positioned above the user's shoulders.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine according to  claim 4 , wherein handles are pivotally connected to the trailing arms, such that the user's hands remain substantially perpendicular to the user's forearms through the range of motion.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises at least one vertical support member pivotally connected to the frame, wherein the pair of trailing arms are pivotal connected to the at least on vertical support member opposite the frame.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: 
 a horizontal shaft pivotally connected to the frame and rotatable about a horizontal axis;    at least one lower vertical support extending from the horizontal shaft;    a horizontal support affixed to the pair of lower vertical supports, opposite the horizontal shaft; and    at least one upper vertical support affixed to the horizontal support, wherein the pair of trailing arms are pivotally attached to the upper vertical support opposite the horizontal support.    
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: 
 a main linkage bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the frame and the second end includes a horizontal pivot bar defining a horizontal axis and a pair of hinge mechanism each defining a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis, wherein the trailing arms are affixed to the hinge mechanisms, such that the trailing arms are rotatable about the horizontal pivot bar's horizontal axis and about the hinge mechanism's perpendicular axis;    a secondary linkage bar pivotal connected to the frame; and    a cross linkage bar pivotally interposed between the main linkage bar and the corresponding pivot axis.    
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user support structure including: 
 a seat mounted to the frame;    a backrest mounted to the frame above and behind the seat; and    a pair of elbow supports pivotally connected to the frame behind the backrest, each including an elbow pad such that the elbow pads are positionable in front of the backrest.    
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance mechanism operably connected to the input assembly.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine for exercising a user's upper arm muscles comprising: 
 a frame;    an input assembly including a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the frame, a pair of trailing arms pivotally connected to the linkage assembly, and a pair of handles connected to the pair of trailing arms opposite that the linkage assembly, such that the handles are positioned above the user's shoulders; and    a resistance mechanism operably connected to the input assembly.    
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the input assembly imparts an effective torque on the user's shoulders, the effective torque on the user's shoulders remaining substantially constant through the range of motion.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the input assembly imparts an effective torque on the user's elbows, the effective torque on the user's elbows remaining substantially constant through the range of motion.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the effective torque on the user's shoulders is substantially similar to the effective torque on the user's elbows.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising a user support structure having: 
 a seat mounted to the frame;    a backrest mounted to the frame above and behind the seat; and    a pair of elbow supports pivotally connected to the frame behind the backrest, each including an elbow pad such that the elbow pads are positionable in front the backrest.    
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein handles are pivotally connected to the trailing arms, such that the user's hands remain substantially perpendicular to the user's forearms through the range of motion.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises at least one vertical support member pivotally connected to the frame, wherein the pair of trailing arms are pivotal connected to the at least on vertical support member opposite the frame.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: 
 a horizontal shaft pivotally connected to the frame and rotatable about a horizontal axis;    at least one lower vertical support extending from the horizontal shaft;    at horizontal support affixed to the pair of lower vertical supports, opposite the horizontal shaft; and    a at least one upper vertical support affixed to the horizontal support, wherein the pair of trailing arms are pivotally attached to the upper vertical support opposite the horizontal support.    
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: 
 a main linkage bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the frame and the second end includes a horizontal pivot bar defining a horizontal axis and a pair of hinge mechanism each defining a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis, wherein the trailing arms are affixed to the hinge mechanisms, such that the trailing arms are rotatable about the horizontal pivot bar's horizontal axis and about the corresponding pivot axis;    a secondary linkage bar, pivotally connected to the frame; and    a cross linkage bar pivotally interposed between the main linkage bar and the secondary linkage bar.    
     
     
         20 . An arm extension machine for exercising the upper arm muscles, comprising: 
 a frame disposed to be placed on a surface,    a load mechanism providing a load,    a seat and a backrest coupled to the frame, each defining a common plane of symmetry, the plane of symmetry being perpendicular to the surface,    first and second arms coupled to the frame and oriented substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry and the surface, each having 
 a proximal and a distal end portion, and  
 a handle disposed at the proximal end portion,  
   first and second linkages, each linkage having a first pivot and a second pivot,    the distal end portion of the first arm being rotatably coupled to the first linkage to 
 rotate the first arm about the first pivot of the first linkage to define a first plane of motion, and to  
 rotate the first arm about the second pivot of the first linkage to define a second plane of motion,  
   the first plane of motion being substantially perpendicular to the surface and parallel to the plane of symmetry, the second plane of motion being substantially parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, and    the distal end portion of the second arm being rotatably coupled to the second linkage to 
 rotate the second arm about the first pivot of the second linkage to define a third plane of motion, and to  
 rotate the second arm about the second pivot of the second linkage to define a fourth plane of motion,  
 the third plane of motion being substantially perpendicular to the surface and parallel to the plane of symmetry, the fourth plane of motion being substantially parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the plane of symmetry.