Exercise machine with adjustable arms rotatable about three axes

Abstract

An exercise machine comprises a frame, a resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise, a pair of arm assemblies connected to said resistance element and pivotally mounted to the frame so as to be rotatable about respective first axes to perform exercise. The first axes of exercise are rotatable about second axes to alter the respective orientation of the first axes of exercise. This will allow a selection of different travel paths for the arm assemblies, such as converging, diverging, or neutral movements. The second axes are rotatable about third axes wherein the orientation of the first axes of exercise can be further altered. This would allow the arm assemblies to be adjusted in towards each other or out further away from each other. The further out the arm assemblies are adjusted from one another, a more pronounced arcuate travel path will be followed during exercise. The arm assemblies have a respective lever arm that can be angularly adjusted to perform pushing or pulling exercises. The resistance element is connected to the arm assemblies wherein a constant tension is maintained on the cable assembly, link assembly, or other means of connection, during adjustments of the preselected travel paths and adjustments of the desired positions of the arm assemblies. During exercise, the assembly connecting the resistance element with the arm assemblies will rotate and self-align to accommodate the preselected travel paths and preselected positions of the arm assemblies.

1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise;    a pair of arm assemblies connected to said resistance;    a first pair of swivel assemblies, each respective said arm assembly pivotally connected to a respective said first swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise; and    a second pair of swivel assemblies, each respective said first swivel assembly pivotally connected to a respective said second swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective second axis wherein rotation of a respective said first swivel assembly will revolve a respective said arm assembly about a respective said second axis and allow selection of a desired travel path for said arm assemblies, wherein said second pair of swivel assemblies are pivotally attached to said frame and are rotatable about a respective third axis, wherein rotation of said second swivel assemblies will bring said arm assemblies in towards each other or out away from each other to provide additional travel path selections for said arm assemblies.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said first pair of swivel assemblies comprises a locking mechanism for locking said arm assemblies in a desired position to prevent rotation about said second axes.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein said locking mechanism on each respective said first swivel assembly comprises a locking plate mounted to one of a respective said first swivel assembly and respective said second swivel assembly and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of a respective said first swivel assembly and respective said second swivel assembly to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate to lock a respective said arm assembly in a desired position.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said second pair of swivel assemblies comprises a locking mechanism for locking said arm assemblies in a desired position to prevent rotation about said third axes.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 4  wherein said locking mechanism on each respective said second swivel assembly comprises a locking plate mounted to one of a respective said second swivel assembly and said frame and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of a respective said second swivel assembly and said frame to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate to lock a respective said arm assembly in a desired position.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein a respective said arm assembly may comprise: 
 a lever arm, said lever arm including at least one handle for gripping by user;    an angular adjustment mechanism, said angular adjustment mechanism providing means to adjust the angular orientation of said lever arm; and    a connection axis to connect resistance to said arm assembly.    
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein an angular adjustment mechanism comprises: 
 a sleeve with a locking pin;    a swivel bracket; and    an arm member, having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and slidingly adjustable into said sleeve with a locking pin, therefore adjustable in a first direction, wherein said sleeve is pivotally attached to said swivel bracket to allow movement of said arm member in a second direction, wherein said swivel bracket is pivotally attached to said lever arm to allow movement of said arm member in a third direction, wherein the angular position of a respective said lever arm is pivotally adjustable about a respective said first axis by unlocking said pin on said sleeve and sliding said sleeve along said arm member and relocking pin in desired location.    
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7  further including a cable assembly connecting said arm assemblies to said resistance device wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally connected to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop;    a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said arm member, wherein a respective said guide pulley assembly and a respective said connecting pulley assembly bumper one another to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said arm members; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       9 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein a respective said angular adjustment mechanism may comprise: 
 an arm member pivotally attached with said lever arm; and    a locking plate mounted to one of said arm member and said lever arm and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of said arm member and said lever arm to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate, wherein a said lever arm can be pivotally rotated and positioned and locked at a desired angle.    
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  further including a cable assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly and a respective link rod, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said link rod at one end and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation, wherein the other end of said link rod is pivotally attached to a respective said arm assembly at said connection axis and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation.    a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally attached to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies bumper each other to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said link rods; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  further comprising a link assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said link assembly comprises: 
 a pair of link rods with at least one axis of rotation on each end, wherein one end of a respective said link rod is connected on a respective said connection axis of a respective said arm assembly; and    a leverage mechanism pivotally attached to said frame, wherein the other end of a respective said link rod is connected to said leverage mechanism, said leverage mechanism is bumpered to prevent rotation in both directions thus supporting said arm assemblies in a rest position, wherein rotation of said leverage mechanism will displace said resistance element; and    wherein said link rods rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling said leverage mechanism to remain in a bumpered position, thus allowing the said link assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said link rods rotate and self-align with said link assembly for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said leverage mechanism returns back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       12 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  wherein said resistance element comprises free weight plates directly mountable to said arm assemblies, each said arm assembly pivotally mounted to a respective said first swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective said first axis to perform exercise, each respective said first swivel assembly comprising a bumper to engage and support a respective said arm assembly when a respective said arm assembly sits in a rest position, wherein a respective said bumper rotates along with a respective said arm assembly during adjustments to the travel path selections and adjustments to the positions of the arm assemblies.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said second swivel assemblies can be adjusted with a crank mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise;    a pair of arm assemblies connected to said resistance;    a pair of swivel assemblies, each respective said arm assembly pivotally connected to a respective said swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise, wherein said swivel assemblies are pivotally attached to said frame and are rotatable about a respective second axis, wherein rotation of said swivel assemblies will alter said first axes, the axes of exercise, and will bring said arm assemblies in towards each other or out away from each other to provide various travel path selections for said arm assemblies; and    means for locking said swivel assemblies, wherein said arm assemblies can be adjusted into a desired position prior to exercise.    
   
   
       15 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein said locking means on each respective said swivel assembly comprises a locking plate mounted to one of a respective said swivel assembly and said frame and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of a respective said swivel assembly and said frame to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate to lock a respective said arm assembly in a desired position.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein a respective said arm assembly may comprise: 
 a lever arm, said lever arm including at least one handle for gripping by user;    an angular adjustment mechanism, said angular adjustment mechanism providing means to adjust the angular orientation of said lever arm; and    a connection axis to connect resistance to said arm assembly.    
   
   
       17 . The exercise machine of  claim 16  wherein an angular adjustment mechanism comprises: 
 a sleeve with a locking pin;    a swivel bracket; and    an arm member, having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and slidingly adjustable into said sleeve with a locking pin, therefore adjustable in a first direction, wherein said sleeve is pivotally attached to said swivel bracket to allow movement of said arm member in a second direction, wherein said swivel bracket is pivotally attached to said lever arm to allow movement of said arm member in a third direction, wherein the angular position of a respective said lever arm is pivotally adjustable about a respective said first axis by unlocking said pin on said sleeve and sliding said sleeve along said arm member and relocking pin in desired location.    
   
   
       18 . The exercise machine of  claim 17  further including a cable assembly connecting said arm assemblies to said resistance device wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally connected to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop;    a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said arm member, wherein a respective said guide pulley assembly and a respective said connecting pulley assembly bumper one another to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said arm members; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       19 . The exercise machine of  claim 16  wherein a respective said angular adjustment mechanism may comprise: 
 an arm member pivotally attached with said lever arm; and    a locking plate mounted to one of said arm member and said lever arm and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of said arm member and said lever arm to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate, wherein a said lever arm can be pivotally rotated and positioned and locked at a desired angle.    
   
   
       20 . The exercise machine of  claim 19  further including a cable assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly and a respective link rod, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said link rod at one end and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation, wherein the other end of said link rod is pivotally attached to a respective said arm assembly at said connection axis and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation.    a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally attached to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies bumper each other to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said link rods; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       21 . The exercise machine of  claim 19  further comprising a link assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said link assembly comprises: 
 a pair of link rods with at least one axis of rotation on each end, wherein one end of a respective said link rod is connected on a respective said connection axis of a respective said arm assembly; and    a leverage mechanism pivotally attached to said frame, wherein the other end of a respective said link rod is connected to said leverage mechanism, said leverage mechanism is bumpered to prevent rotation in both directions thus supporting said arm assemblies in a rest position, wherein rotation of said leverage mechanism will displace said resistance element; and    wherein said link rods rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling said leverage mechanism to remain in a bumpered position, thus allowing the said link assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said link rods rotate and self-align with said link assembly for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said leverage mechanism returns back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       22 . The exercise machine of  claim 19  wherein said resistance element comprises free weight plates directly mountable to said arm assemblies, each said arm assembly pivotally mounted to a respective said swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective said first axis to perform exercise, each respective said swivel assembly comprising a bumper to engage and support a respective said arm assembly when a respective said arm assembly sits in a rest position, wherein a respective said bumper rotates along with a respective said arm assembly during adjustments to the travel path selections and adjustments to the positions of the arm assemblies.  
   
   
       23 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein said second swivel assemblies can be adjusted with a crank mechanism.  
   
   
       24 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise;    a pair of arm assemblies connected to said resistance;    a pair of swivel assemblies, each respective said arm assembly pivotally connected to a respective said swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise, wherein said swivel assemblies are pivotally attached to said frame and are rotatable about a respective second axis, wherein rotation of said swivel assemblies will alter said first axes, the axes of exercise, and will revolve said arm assemblies about said second axes to provide travel path selections for said arm assemblies; and    means for locking said swivel assemblies, wherein said arm assemblies can be adjusted into a desired position prior to exercise.    
   
   
       25 . The exercise machine of  claim 24  wherein said locking means on each respective said swivel assembly comprises a locking plate mounted to one of a respective said swivel assembly and said frame and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of a respective said swivel assembly and said frame to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate to lock a respective said arm assembly in a desired position.  
   
   
       26 . The exercise machine of  claim 24  wherein a respective said arm assembly may comprise: 
 a lever arm, said lever arm including at least one handle for gripping by user;    an angular adjustment mechanism, said angular adjustment mechanism providing means to adjust the angular orientation of said lever arm; and    a connection axis to connect resistance to said arm assembly.    
   
   
       27 . The exercise machine of  claim 26  wherein an angular adjustment mechanism comprises: 
 a sleeve with a locking pin;    a swivel bracket; and    an arm member, having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and slidingly adjustable into said sleeve with a locking pin, therefore adjustable in a first direction, wherein said sleeve is pivotally attached to said swivel bracket to allow movement of said arm member in a second direction, wherein said swivel bracket is pivotally attached to said lever arm to allow movement of said arm member in a third direction, wherein the angular position of a respective said lever arm is pivotally adjustable about a respective said first axis by unlocking said pin on said sleeve and sliding said sleeve along said arm member and relocking pin in desired location.    
   
   
       28 . The exercise machine of  claim 27  further including a cable assembly connecting said arm assemblies to said resistance device wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally connected to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop;    a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said arm member, wherein a respective said guide pulley assembly and a respective said connecting pulley assembly bumper one another to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said arm members; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies, said arm members, and said connecting pulley assemblies rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       29 . The exercise machine of  claim 26  wherein a respective said angular adjustment mechanism may comprise: 
 an arm member pivotally attached with said lever arm; and    a locking plate mounted to one of said arm member and said lever arm and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of said arm member and said lever arm to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate, wherein a said lever arm can be pivotally rotated and positioned and locked at a desired angle.    
   
   
       30 . The exercise machine of  claim 29  further including a cable assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a pair of connection members, each respective connection member includes a respective connecting pulley assembly and a respective link rod, each said connecting pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached and pivotally connected to a respective said link rod at one end and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation, wherein the other end of said link rod is pivotally attached to a respective said arm assembly at said connection axis and rotatable about at least one axis of rotation.    a pair of guide pulley assemblies pivotally attached to said frame, each respective said guide pulley assembly having a bumper or bumper stop attached wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies bumper each other to support a respective said arm assembly in a rest position;    a cable passing around said guide pulley assemblies on said frame and said connecting pulley assemblies on said link rods; and    wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies to remain bumpered with one another, thus allowing the said cable assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said guide pulley assemblies and said connection members rotate and self-align with said cable for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said guide pulley assemblies and said connecting pulley assemblies return back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       31 . The exercise machine of  claim 29  further comprising a link assembly connecting said resistance to said arm assemblies wherein said link assembly comprises: 
 a pair of link rods with at least one axis of rotation on each end, wherein one end of a respective said link rod is connected on a respective said connection axis of a respective said arm assembly; and    a leverage mechanism pivotally attached to said frame, wherein the other end of a respective said link rod is connected to said leverage mechanism, said leverage mechanism is bumpered to prevent rotation in both directions thus supporting said arm assemblies in a rest position, wherein rotation of said leverage mechanism will displace said resistance element; and    wherein said link rods rotate to align during travel path selection adjustments, thus enabling said leverage mechanism to remain in a bumpered position, thus allowing the said link assembly to maintain a substantially constant tension; and wherein said link rods rotate and self-align with said link assembly for the preselected travel paths during exercise; and wherein the said leverage mechanism returns back into a bumpered position at the end of exercise to support the said arm assemblies in a rest position.    
   
   
       32 . The exercise machine of  claim 29  wherein said resistance element comprises free weight plates directly mountable to said arm assemblies, each said arm assembly pivotally mounted to a respective said swivel assembly and rotatable about a respective said first axis to perform exercise, each respective said swivel assembly comprising a bumper to engage and support a respective said arm assembly when a respective said arm assembly sits in a rest position, wherein a respective said bumper rotates along with a respective said arm assembly during adjustments to the travel path selections and adjustments to the positions of the arm assemblies.