Exercise machine with adjustable range of motion

Abstract

An exercise machine, components of an exercise machine, methods of operating an exercise machine, and methods related to building an exercise machine that allow for the performance of multiple different upper torso strength exercises, where the range of motion of a user utilizing the machine during the performance of an exercise is confined in the performance of a particular upper torso press exercise, but is altered to a different range of motion, and confined to that new range of motion, when the machine is configured to perform a new exercise.

1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a first arm being rotatable about a first axis of rotation by applying force to a first handle connected to said first arm; and    a second arm being rotatable about a second axis of rotation by applying force to a second handle connected to said second arm;    wherein said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation are non-parallel and lie in a rotational plane;    wherein said first handle is moveable along a first extension vector; and    wherein said second handle is moveable along a second extension vector, said first extension vector and said second extension vector lying in an extension plane and being non-parallel to each other and to both said first and said second axis of rotation.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said extension plane is non-parallel with said rotational plane.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said extension plane is inclined relative to said rotational plane.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said extension plane is declined relative to said rotational plane.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said extension plane is parallel to said rotational plane.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 45 degrees or less.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or less.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said rotational plane and said tube plane intersect at an angle of about 20 degrees.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the angle between said extension vectors, is greater than the angle between said axes of rotation.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said first arm can move independently to said second arm.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said exercise machine is used to exercise a human being's upper torso.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a first handle rotatable about a first axis of rotation, said first handle being moveable along a first extension vector wherein said first extension vector forms a first line on a first cone formed about said first axis of rotation wherein said first line has a first endpoint which is closer to said first axis of rotation than a second endpoint of said first line is to said first axis of rotation; and    a second handle rotatable about a second axis of rotation, said second handle being moveable along a second extension vector wherein said second extension vector forms a second line on a second cone formed about said second axis of rotation wherein said second line has a second endpoint which is closer to said second axis of rotation than a second endpoint of said second line is to said second axis of rotation;    wherein said first cone and said second cone intersect;    wherein said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation lie in a rotational plane;    wherein said first extension vector and said second extension vector lie in an extension plane; and    wherein said extension plane intersects said rotational plane.    
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said extension plane is inclined relative to said rotational plane.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said extension plane is declined relative to said rotational plane.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said extension plane is the same plane as said rotational plane.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 45 degrees or less.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or less.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said rotational plane and said tube plane intersect at an angle of about 20 degrees.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said exercise machine is used to exercise a human being's upper torso.  
     
     
         20 . A method of constructing an exercise machine comprising: 
 supplying a frame;    providing a first axis of rotation;    providing a second axis of rotation intersecting said first axis of rotation at an intersection point;    defining a first extension vector along which a first handle of said exercise machine can extend, said first extension vector being a line on the surface of a first cone, said first cone having said first axis of rotation as its axis, and said first line having an endpoint closer to said first axis of rotation than any other point on said first line;    defining a second extension vector along which a second handle of said exercise machine can extend, said second extension being a line on the surface of a second cone, said second cone having said second axis of rotation as its axis, and said second line having an endpoint closer to said second axis of rotation than any other point on said second line;    defining an extension plane including said first extension vector and said second extension vector;    defining a rotational plane including said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation;    assembling said exercise machine by: 
 aligning said extension plane to be non-parallel to said rotational plane;  
 connecting said first handle to a first arm and said first arm to said frame such that said first arm and said first handle rotate about said first axis of rotation; and  
 connecting said second handle to a second arm and said second arm to said frame such that said second arm and said second handle rotate about said second axis of rotation.