Uniquely multi-functional exercise device

Abstract

A multi-purpose exercise apparatus used for linear and rotational resistance exercises with varying heights, diameters, angular ranges and planes. The apparatus relates to a frame (frame 430 ) and at least one carriage ( 300 ) supported by and movable on the frame. The carriage ( 300 ) supports at least one spooling force transmitter ( 102 ), and/or at least one translating force transmitter ( 101 ), which is connected to a resistance source (resistance source 494 ) through a flexible connector ( 476 ). The spooling force transmitter ( 102 ) is connected to a rigid arm ( 390 ) to which the user can apply rotational force against the spool and connected resistance. The spooling force transmitter ( 102 ) pivots on a positioning axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the flexible connector ( 476 ) immediately before the connector attaches to the spooling force transmitter ( 101 ). The user can apply force to the translating force transmitter ( 101 ) to perform guided straight-line motions in a variety of directions.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 (a) at least one frame;    (b) at least one spooling force transmitter having a spool rim and a rotational axis;    (c) at least one carriage having a frame adjacent end and a support end, the frame adjacent end adjacent to the frame and the support end supporting at least one spool support, the spool support rotatably supporting the spooling force transmitter's rotational axis in a plurality of fixed positions relative to the frame;    (d) at least one flexible connector having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is fixed to the spooling force transmitter such that the flexible connector contacts the spool rim of the spooling force transmitter;    (e) at least one resistance source applying tension to the flexible connector, whereby a resistance force is transmitted by the flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter;    (f) at least one rigid arm connected to the spooling force transmitter and adapted to receive an exercise force generated by a user, the arm further adapted to, in combination with the spooling force transmitter, permit the user to select a starting angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis of the spooling force transmitter, the resistance force and the exercise force placing opposing torques on the spooling force transmitter, and;    (g) at least a first deflecting pulley and a second deflecting pulley rotatably supported on opposing sides of the flexible connector between the carriage and the spooling force transmitter.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are supported by the spool support.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in  claim 1 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from the start position in a counterclockwise direction.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one start angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid arm to one selectable direction.  
   
   
       5 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 (a) at least one spooling force transmitter having a spool rim and a rotational axis,    (b) at least one first flexible connector having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector attached to the spooling force transmitter such that the connector contacts the spool rim,    (c) at least one frame;    (d) at least one carriage movably mounted on the frame and having a frame adjacent end and a support end, the frame adjacent end adjacent to the frame and support end supporting at least one spool support, the spool support rotatably supporting the spooling force transmitter such that the spooling force transmitter can pivot on its rotational axis, the carriage further supporting the spooling force transmitter to revolve around a positioning axis that is coincident with the flexible connector's longitudinal axis immediately after the connector emerges from the support end of the carriage,    (e) at least one resistance source applying tension to the flexible connector; whereby a resistance force is transmitted by the flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter,    (f) at least one angle locking mechanism for locking the spooling force transmitter at a selected angle around its positioning axis;    (g) at least one rigid arm connected to the spooling force transmitter and adapted to receive an exercise force generated by a user, the arm further adapted to, in combination with the spooling force transmitter, permit the user to select a starting angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis of the spooling force transmitter, the resistance force and the exercise force placing opposing torques on the spooling force transmitter, and    (h) at least a first deflecting pulley and a second deflecting pulley rotatably supported on opposing sides of the flexible connector between the carriage and the spooling force transmitter.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in  claim 5 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are supported by the spool support.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in  claim 5 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from the start position in a counterclockwise direction.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in  claim 5 , further comprising at least one start angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid arm to one selectable direction.  
   
   
       9 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 (a) at least one spooling force transmitter having a spool rim and a rotational axis,    (b) at least one flexible connector having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector attached to the spooling force transmitter such that the connector contacts the spool rim,    (c) at least one frame comprising at least one substantially vertical rigid member;    (d) at least one carriage having a longitudinal axis, a support end and a frame adjacent end, the frame adjacent end having a pivotable on horizontal axis section lockable along the vertical rigid member at a plurality of heights and the pivotable section movable on a horizontal axis pivoting mechanism and lockable at a plurality of angles relative to frame adjacent end, the support end having a spool support supporting the spooling force transmitter such that the spool can pivot on its rotational axis and revolve around a positioning axis that is coincident with the flexible connector's longitudinal axis immediately after the connector emerges from the support end of the carriage,    (e) at least one resistance source applying tension to the flexible connector; whereby a resistance force is transmitted by the flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter,    (f) at least one angle locking mechanism for locking the spooling force transmitter at a selected angle around its positioning axis,    (g) at least one rigid arm connected to the spooling force transmitter and having a rigid user handle for receiving an exercise force, the resistance force and exercise force placing opposing torques on the spooling force transmitter, said handle being positionable at a plurality of perpendicular distances from the spooling force transmitter's rotational axis, said rigid arm adapted to, in combination with the spooling force transmitter, permit the user to select a starting angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis of the spooling force transmitter; and,    (i) at least a first deflecting pulley and a second deflecting pulley rotatably supported on opposing sides of the flexible connector between the carriage and the spooling force transmitter.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are supported by the spool support.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , wherein the deflecting pulleys are positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from the start position in a counterclockwise direction.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one start angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid arm to one selectable direction.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one user pulley rotatably supported by the carriage, the user pulley having a pulley rim, and the second end of the flexible connector contacts, and is guided by, the user pulley's rim toward a user handle to which the second end of the flexible connector is attached.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one locational indicator to indicate the user's position relative to the rest of the apparatus.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one flexible connector coupler which enables the user to attach and detach the flexible connector from the spooling force transmitter, so that the spool can be used as a pulley.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in  claim 9  further comprising at least one angle measurement mechanism for measuring the angle of the spooling force transmitter about its positioning axis.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one angle measurement mechanism for measuring the angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis of the spooling force transmitter.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one speed measurement device which measures a speed with which the flexible connector moves when an exercise force is generated by the user.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one translating force transmitter, the transmitter and carriage adapted such that the transmitter can translate along the longitudinal axis of the carriage.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one vertical axis pivot mechanism which creates within the carriage a pivotable on vertical axis section enabling the positioning of the pivotable on vertical axis section at a plurality of angles relative to the frame adjacent carriage section around a vertical axis.