Bench press apparatus

Abstract

A bench press apparatus is provided with a barbell having weights, a counterweight, a cable whose one end is connected to the barbell with the other end connected to the counterweight, the cable movably supported by a frame, a barbell stopper for stopping a downward movement of the barbell, and a weight load reduction unit for reducing a weight load applied to an exerciser by the weights in order for the exerciser to exercise with a reduced weight load.

1 . A bench press apparatus comprising: 
 a barbell having weights;    a counterweight;    a cable whose one end is connected to the barbell with the other end connected to the counterweight, the cable movably supported by a frame;    a barbell stop means for stopping a downward movement of the barbell; and    a weight load reduction means for reducing a weight load applied to an exerciser by the weights in order for the exerciser to exercise with a reduced weight load.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barbell stop means comprises: 
 counterweight teeth formed on one lateral surface of the counterweight;    a housing having a pair of guide roller supporting the other lateral surface of the counterweight, the counterweight vertically movable through the housing;    a pedal switch manipulated by the exerciser for triggering stopping of a downward movement of the barbell;    a cylinder adapted to protrude a rod in response to a manipulation of the pedal switch by the exerciser; and    a teeth brake horizontally movable through the housing, the teeth brake having brake teeth engageable with the counterweight teeth and mounted to the rod.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the counterweight teeth and the brake teeth have an inclined teeth shape which permits a downward movement of the counterweight when they are engaged with each other.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weight load reduction means comprises: 
 a control means through which the exerciser sets predetermined conditions of a protruding speed, a pressing force and a protruding distance;    a pedal switch manipulated by the exerciser;    a cylinder means adapted to protrude a rod according to the predetermined conditions when the pedal switch is manipulated; and    a sheave held at an end of the rod to depress the cable.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the weight load reduction means comprises: 
 a control means through which the exerciser sets predetermined conditions of a protruding speed, a pressing force and a protruding distance;    a pedal switch manipulated by the exerciser;    a cylinder means adapted to protrude a rod according to the predetermined conditions when the pedal switch is manipulated; and    a sheave held at an end of the rod to depress the cable.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the weight load reduction means comprises: 
 a control means through which the exerciser sets predetermined conditions of a protruding speed, a pressing force and a protruding distance;    a pedal switch manipulated by the exerciser;    a cylinder means adapted to protrude a rod according to the predetermined conditions when the pedal switch is manipulated; and    a sheave held at an end of the rod to depress the cable.