Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Exercise apparatus of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,976 is provided with (a) a specially designed “force transfer device” which is coupled to the distal end(s) of the tension cable(s) such that it is raised upward when the proximal end of a cable is pulled by a user, and (b) means for exerting a counterforce in the downward direction on the force transfer device when the force transfer device is raised upward by a cable. According to the invention, this counterforce exerting means includes at least one of ( 1 ) a substantially horizontal, cylindrical rod or the like for removably holding one or more weights, ( 2 ) at least one hook or the like for removably attaching one or more springs, and ( 3 ) means for attaching one or more damping devices.

1 . In exercise equipment including a housing having a structural surface defining a prescribed concave arcuate contour, at least three cable exit points positioned along the structural surface, each exit point having passed therethrough a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each cable being located outside the structural surface and being attached to a device that enables a user to exert a tensile force to the cable by pulling the cable in any desired direction, the distal end of each cable extending downward and being coupled to a common source of resistance such that when the proximal end of each cable is pulled by a user, the source of resistance exerts a counterforce to such cable, and means for retaining each cable in a retracted position, when it is not being pulled by a user, even when one or more other cables are pulled by a user; the improvement wherein the source of resistance comprises, in combination: 
 (a) force transfer means coupled to the distal end of each cable so as to be raised upward when the proximal end of one or more of said cables is pulled by a user; and    (b) means for exerting a counterforce on said force transfer means when said force transfer means is raised upward, said counterforce exerting means including at least one of means for removably holding one or more weights, means for removably attaching one or more springs, and means for attaching one or more dampers.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said holding means.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one tension spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 3 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 4 , wherein said elongate member has a shape selected from the group consisting of a rod, a tube, a band, a strap and a flat strip.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 3 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one compression spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 7 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 7 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one damper, coupled to said force transfer means.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 10 , wherein said damper is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper and electromagnetic resistance means.  
   
   
       12 . In exercise equipment including a frame having a track extending along a prescribed arcuate path; a movable trolley having an exit point for a cable, said trolley being repositionable to fixed positions along the track; said cable extending through said exit point and having a proximal end, located outside the track and attached to a device that enables a user to exert a tensile force to the cable, and a distal end coupled to a source of resistance; means for maintaining a length of the cable between its proximal end and the exit point through which it passes substantially constant, independently of the position of the trolley along the track, when no tensile force is applied thereto by a user; and a one-step combination trolley locking and cable take-up mechanism for controlling the position and retraction of the cable to maintain the proximal end of the cable close to the trolley when the trolley is repositioned and no tensile force is applied by the user; the improvement wherein the source of resistance comprises, in combination: 
 (a) force transfer means coupled to the distal end of said cable so as to be raised upward when the proximal end of said cable is pulled by a user; and    (b) means for exerting a counterforce on said force transfer means when said force transfer means is raised upward, said counterforce exerting means including at least one of means for removably holding one or more weights, and means for removably attaching one or more springs and means for attaching one or more dampers.    
   
   
       13 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 12 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said holding means.  
   
   
       14 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 12 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one tension spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 14 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 15 , wherein said elongate member has a shape selected from the group consisting of a rod, a tube, a band, a strap and a flat strip.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 14 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 12 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one compression spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       19 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 18 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       20 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 18 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       21 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 12 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one damper, coupled to said force transfer means.  
   
   
       22 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 21 , wherein said damper is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper and electromagnetic resistance means.  
   
   
       23 . In exercise equipment including a framed housing having a curved path, at least one cable exit point selectively positioned along the curved path, said exit point having passed therethrough a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being located outside the curved path and attached to means that enables a user to exert a tensile force to the cable against a selected resistance, with the distal end being coupled to a source of said selected resistance, such that when the proximal end of the cable is pulled by a user, the resistance exerts a counterforce at the distal end; and cable take-up means, disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, for maintaining the length of the cable between its proximal end and the exit point through which it passes substantially constant, independent of the position of the exit point along the curved path, when no tensile force is applied thereto by a user; the improvement wherein the source of resistance comprises, in combination: 
 (a) force transfer means coupled to the distal end of said cable so as to be raised upward when the proximal end of said cable is pulled by a user; and    (b) means for exerting a counterforce on said force transfer means when said force transfer means is raised upward, said counterforce exerting means including at least one of means for removably holding one or more weights, means for removably attaching one or more springs, and means for attaching one or more dampers.    
   
   
       24 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 23 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said holding means.  
   
   
       25 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 23 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one tension spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       26 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 25 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       27 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 26 , wherein said elongate member has a shape selected from the group consisting of a rod, a tube, a band, a strap and a flat strip.  
   
   
       28 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 25 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       29 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 23 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one compression spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       30 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 29 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       31 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 29 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       32 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 23 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one damper, coupled to said force transfer means.  
   
   
       33 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 32 , wherein said damper is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper and electromagnetic resistance means.  
   
   
       34 . In exercise equipment including a housing having a structural surface defining a prescribed contour, multiple cable exit points positioned along the structural surface, each exit point having passed therethrough a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each cable being located outside the structural surface and being attached to a device that enables a user to exert a tensile force to the cable by pulling the cable in any desired direction, the distal end of each cable being coupled to a common source of resistance such that when the proximal end of each cable is pulled by a user, the resistance exerts a counterforce to such cable, and means for retaining each cable in a retracted position, when it is not being pulled by a user, even when one or more other cables are pulled by a user; the improvement wherein the source of resistance comprises, in combination: 
 (a) force transfer means coupled to the distal end of each cable so as to be raised upward when the proximal end of one or more of said cables is pulled by a user; and    (b) means for exerting a counterforce on said force transfer means when said force transfer means is raised upward, said counterforce exerting means including at least one of means for removably holding one or more weights, means for removably attaching one or more springs, and means for attaching one or more dampers.    
   
   
       35 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 34 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said holding means.  
   
   
       36 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 34 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one tension spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       37 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 36 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       38 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 37 , wherein said elongate member has a shape selected from the group consisting of a rod, a tube, a band, a strap and a flat strip.  
   
   
       39 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 36 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       40 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 34 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one compression spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       41 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 40 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       42 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 40 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       43 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 34 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one damper, coupled to said force transfer means.  
   
   
       44 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 43 , wherein said damper is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper and electromagnetic resistance means.