Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Exercise apparatus, for example of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,976, is provided with a resistance source for exerting a counterforce to the force applied by the user. This resistance source includes at least two of (1) means, such as a 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 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 resistance source comprises at least two of (1) means for removably holding one or more weights, (2) means for removably attaching one or more springs, and (3) means for attaching one or more dampers.  
   
   
       2 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said resistance source includes at least one weight, removably held by said weight holding means.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said resistance source 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 resistance source 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 resistance source includes at least one damper, coupled to said attaching 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, adapted to be inserted in an opening in one or more weights.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for removably holding one or more weights is a substantially horizontal surface, upon which weights may be placed.  
   
   
       14 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for removably holding one or more weights is a substantially vertical bar, adapted to be inserted in an opening in one or more weights.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a frame having at least one cable exit point through which is passed a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cable being located outside the frame and being attached to a gripping 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 said resistance source such that when the proximal end of the cable is pulled by a user, the resistance source exerts a counterforce thereto.  
   
   
       16 . Exercise apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 (a) a frame;    (b) a cable arranged in the frame and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cable being located outside the frame and being attached to a gripping device that enables a user to exert a tensile force to the cable by pulling the cable in a desired direction, the distal end of the cable being located within the frame;    (c) a resistance source, located within the frame and adapted to be coupled to the distal end of the cable, such that when the proximal end of the cable is pulled by a user, the resistance source exerts a counterforce to the cable, said resistance source including: 
 (1) a plurality of weights arranged in a weight stack, one or more of said weights being adapted to move upward when lifted by the cable;  
 (2) a retaining member disposed above said weight stack-and coupled to the distal end of the cable so as to move upward when lifted by the cable, said retaining member having at least two of (i) first means for removably attaching an upper end of a tension spring, (ii) second means for retaining a separate weight; and (iii) third means for selectively coupling to said weight stack; and  
 (3) fourth means disposed on the frame for removably attaching a lower end of the tension spring.  
   
   
   
       17 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of weights in said weight stack each have two vertical holes therein and wherein said resistance source further comprises two parallel rods that extend substantially vertically though said holes in said weights, whereby said weights are constrained and guided by said rods to move substantially vertically.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said retaining member includes a substantially horizontal plate.  
   
   
       19 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said first means is a hook for removably attaching said tension spring.  
   
   
       20 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said second means is a rod adapted to be passed through a hole in said separate weight.  
   
   
       21 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 20 , wherein said rod extends substantially vertically.  
   
   
       22 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 20 , wherein said rod extends substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       23 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said fourth means is a hook for removably attaching said tension spring.  
   
   
       24 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said tension spring is at least one elastic band.  
   
   
       25 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said retaining member further comprises a pulley, and wherein said cable is passed around said pulley at its distal end.  
   
   
       26 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 16 , wherein said cable is connected directly to said retaining member.  
   
   
       27 . In exercise apparatus having a fixed frame with a frame member, a movable member arranged in the frame and adapted for movement by a user, and a source of resistance arranged in the frame and connected to said movable member, a removable device for removably connecting a tension spring to provide at least a portion of said source of resistance.  
   
   
       28 . The removable device recited in  claim 27 , comprising: 
 (a) an U-shaped bracket having a threaded hole therein, and means for attachment of one end of said tension spring; and    (b) a threaded bolt inserted in said hole, the threads of said bolt mating with the threads of said hole, to clamp the U-shaped bracket to the frame member.    
   
   
       29 . In exercise apparatus having a frame and a stack of weights, a removable device for removably connecting a tension spring to a topmost weight in said weight stack, said device comprising: 
 (a) an elongate bar having means for attachment of one end of said tension spring, said bar being adapted to extend across, and to be clamped onto, a top surface of said topmost weight, said bar having at least one hole therein;    (b) at least one S-shaped clamp adapted to be inserted between said topmost weight and a lower weight in said weight stack, said clamp having at least one hole therein; and    (c) a bolt, adapted to be passed through said openings in said bar and said clamp, for securing said bar and said clamp together.    
   
   
       30 . The exercise apparatus recited in  claim 29 , wherein said frame has a frame member, and further comprising a removable device for removably connecting an opposite end of said tension spring to the frame, said device comprising: 
 (a) an U-shaped bracket having a threaded hole therein, and means for attachment of said opposite of said tension spring; and    (b) a threaded bolt inserted in said hole, the threads of said bolt mating with the threads of said hole, to clamp the U-shaped bracket to the frame member.