Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Exercise apparatus, for example 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 a handle such that it is raised upward when the handle is pushed or pulled-by a user, and (b) means for exerting a counterforce resistance in the downward direction on the force transfer device when the force transfer device is lifted upward. According to the invention, this resistance exerting means includes at least one of (1) means, such as a substantially horizontal 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 removably attaching one or more damping devices.

1 . In exercise apparatus comprising a source of resistance to motion and a handle, connected to said source of resistance, for movement by a user, the improvement wherein the source of resistance comprises, in combination: 
 (a) force transfer means connected to said handle; 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 apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said weight holding means.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise apparatus 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 apparatus recited in  claim 3 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise apparatus 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 apparatus recited in  claim 3 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise apparatus 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 apparatus recited in  claim 7 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 7 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise apparatus 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 apparatus 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 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for removably holding one or more weights is a substantially horizontal bar.  
   
   
       13 . 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.    
   
   
       14 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 13 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one weight, removably held by said holding means.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 13 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one tension spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 15 , wherein said tension spring includes an elastic elongate member.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 16 , 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.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 15 , wherein said tension spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       19 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 13 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one compression spring, removably attached to said attaching means.  
   
   
       20 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 19 , wherein said compression spring is a bendable rod.  
   
   
       21 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 19 , wherein said compression spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       22 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 13 , wherein said means for exerting a counterforce includes at least one damper, coupled to said force transfer means.  
   
   
       23 . The exercise equipment recited in  claim 22 , wherein said damper is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper and electromagnetic resistance means.