Variable resistance flexion and extension exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine including a frame and a drive arm pivotedly engaged to the frame, for example, on an upright thereof. A cylinder is mounted at one point to the frame and, at a removed end of a plunger, has links or rod members to engage the removed end of the plunger to the frame and also to the drive arm.

1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 an upright;    a drive arm pivotally mounted to the upright;    a cylinder having a body and a piston including a plunger with a removed end thereon wherein a removed end of the body of the cylinder is attached to the upright;    a first member for pivotal engagement with the upright and pivotal engagement with the removed end of the plunger; and    a second member for pivotal engagement with the drive arm and the removed end of the plunger.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the upright is part of a frame and the frame includes a seat to support the exercise machine user.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the drive arm includes removed end, and at the removed end of the drive arm there is a limb engagement assembly.  
   
   
       4 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame adapted to rest on a support surface;    at least one movable drive arm for pivotal engagement with the frame;    a dampener having a first end and a second end, the dampener including a dampened, movable rod and a body, the body of the dampener for attachment to the frame;    a first link for pivotal engagement to the frame and pivotal engagement with the first end of the dampener; and    a second link for pivotal engagement to the drive arm and pivotal engagement with the first end of the dampener.    
   
   
       5 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    a drive arm pivotally mounted to the frame;    a cylinder having a body and a piston, including a plunger with a removed end thereon,    wherein a removed end of the body of the cylinder is attached to the frame;    a rocker link having a first end pivotally attached to the frame; and    a coupler link having a removed end pivotally attached to the drive arm, the rocker link and the coupler link pivotally attached to said removed end thereof, the rocker link and coupler link comprising a rocker link and coupler link assembly; 
 wherein the removed end of the plunger engages the coupler rocker link assembly  
   
   
   
       6 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    a drive arm pivotally mounted to the frame;    a two member assembly having a first member with a removed end and a near end and a second member with a removed end and a near end, the removed end of the first member pivotally attached to the frame, the removed end of the second member pivotally attached to the drive arm, the two members pivotally attached to one another; and    a resistance mechanism having a first end pivotally mounted to the frame and a second end mounted to the two member assembly.    
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein the resistance mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein the resistance mechanism engages, at the second thereof, one of the first or the second members.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein the second end of the resistance mechanism is engaged to both the first and the second members of the two member assembly at the near ends thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein the two member assembly includes a standoff for receipt of the resistance mechanism thereto.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , further including a fastener and wherein at least one of the near ends of the two member assembly includes a multiplicity of holes for receipt of the fastener therein, which fastener is adapted to engage at least one hole in the other of the near ends to pivotally engage the near ends of the two members one to the other.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  further including a fastener and wherein the drive arm contains at least one hole therein for receipt of the fastener therethrough, the fastener for pivotal engagement with the removed end of the second member of the two member assembly.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  further including a fastener and wherein the frame contains a multiplicity of holes for receipt of the fastener therein for pivotal engagement with removed end of the first member of the two member assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein the first member and the second member are pivotally attached at the near ends thereof.  
   
   
       15 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    a drive arm pivotally mounted to the frame;    a two member assembly having a first member with a removed end and a near end and a second member with a removed end and a near end, the removed end of the first member pivotally attached to the frame, the removed end of the second member pivotally attached to the drive arm, the two members pivotally attached to one another;    a resistance providing device having a first end pivotally mounted to the frame and a second end mounted to the two member assembly, wherein the resistance providing device is a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder; and    wherein the first member and the second member are pivotally attached at the near ends thereof.