Path adjustable exercise arms

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 and respective second axes to adjust the travel path of the arm assemblies. Moveable pulleys with at least two axes of rotation connect resistance to the arm assemblies. The moveable pulleys rotate and align when travel path adjustments are made to the arm assemblies and during exercise. The moveable pulleys also bumper against guide pulley assemblies to provide the arm assemblies a rest position. The rotation of the moveable pulleys allows the connection assembly connecting the resistance element to the arm assemblies to maintain a substantially constant tension when travel path adjustments are made.

1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise;    a pair of arm assemblies pivotally mounted to the frame and connected to said resistance element, each said arm assembly rotatable about a respective first axis to perform exercise and rotatable about a respective second axis to adjust the travel path of the respective arm assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  further comprising a path adjustment mechanism to adjust the travel path of said arm assemblies.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the path adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of swivel assemblies for mounting said arm assemblies to said frame for rotation about said second axes, wherein each of said arm assemblies is pivotally connected to a respective swivel assembly about said first axes.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3  wherein said path adjustment mechanism further includes a locking mechanism for locking said arm assemblies in a desired position to prevent rotation about said respective second axes.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 4  wherein said locking mechanism on at least one swivel assembly comprises a locking plate mounted to one of said frame and said swivel assembly and having a plurality of apertures, and a locking pin mounted to the other of said frame and said swivel assembly to engage a selected aperture of said locking plate to lock said arm assembly in a desired position.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 3  wherein at least one swivel assembly includes means to limit rotation of said swivel assembly about each said second axis.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein said means to limit rotation comprises a pin mounted to one of said swivel assembly and said locking plate, and a slot in the other of said swivel assembly and said locking plate.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  further including a cable assembly connecting said arm assemblies to said resistance device.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8  wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a moveable pulley assembly, having at least two axes of rotation and comprising at least one pulley, pivotally mounted to each arm assembly for rotation about a connection axis;    at least two guide pulleys connected to said frame;    a cable passing around said moveable pulley assemblies on said arm assemblies and said guide pulleys on said frame; and    wherein said moveable pulley assemblies rotate to align with guide pulleys to align said cable when the travel path of said arm assemblies is adjusted and during the travel path of exercise.    
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  wherein said guide pulleys are pivotally attached to said frame.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  wherein said moveable pulley assemblies bumper against said guide pulleys to provide a rest position for the said arm assemblies.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  wherein said moveable pulley assemblies bumper against said frame to provide a rest position for said arm assemblies.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise machine of  claim 8  wherein said cable assembly comprises: 
 a connecting member, pivotally connected to each arm assembly and rotatable about at least to axes of rotation;    at least two guide pulleys connected to said frame;    a cable passing around said guide pulleys on said frame and connecting into said connecting members; and    wherein said connecting members rotate to align with said guide pulleys to align said cable when the travel path of said arm assemblies is adjusted and during the travel path of exercise.    
   
   
       14 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein each arm assembly includes a lever arm and an angular adjustment mechanism to adjust the angular position of the lever arm.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein the angular adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment arm pivotally connected to said swivel assembly, said lever arm being angularly adjustable relative to said adjustment arm.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise machine of  claim 15  wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises an aperture plate mounted to one of said adjustment arm and said lever arm and having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a locking pin mounted to the other of said adjustment arm and said lever arm for engagement with a selected aperture of said aperture plate.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  further including a link assembly connecting each said arm assembly to said resistance device.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise machine of  claim 17  wherein said link assembly comprises a respective link member pivotally connected with at least two axes of rotation to a respective arm assembly for rotation about a connection axis.  
   
   
       19 . The exercise machine of  claim 18  wherein the other end of each said link member is pivotally connected with at least two axes of rotation to a connection axis on a leverage mechanism wherein displacing the leverage mechanism displaces the resistance element.  
   
   
       20 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said resistance element comprises a weight stack.