Mechanism for adjustable arms and seat pad apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for an exercise machine ( 1 ) having a support frame ( 100 ); a resisting structure ( 200 ) for providing a resistance; a seat ( 300 ) for accommodating an exerciser; a structure for adjusting the seat ( 400 ), the seat ( 300 ) being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting a ( 400 ) structure, and the seat adjusting structure ( 400 ) being mechanically coupled to the support frame ( 100 ); left and right arms ( 500 ) being operatively coupled to the resisting structure ( 200 ); and a structure for simultaneously adjusting each arm ( 600 ), each arm ( 500 ) being operatively coupled to the arm adjusting structure ( 600 ), and the arm adjusting structure ( 600 ) being mechanically coupled to the support frame ( 100 ), the exercise machine ( 1 ) being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.

1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a support frame;   means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;   a seat for accommodating an exerciser;   means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;   left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means; and   means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, a certain one arm of the left and right arms being operatively coupled to the simultaneously adjusting means, and the simultaneously adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame, wherein the simultaneously adjusting means being coupled to the certain one arm also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position,   the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.   
   
   
       2 . A machine, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the resisting means comprises a weight stack. 
   
   
       3 . A machine, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises:
 a seat pad; and   a back pad.   
   
   
       4 . A machine, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cable system, wherein each arm comprises:
 a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and   a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm, wherein the cable is operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup.   
   
   
       5 . A machine, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the seat adjusting means comprises:
 a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;   means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and   means for releasing the seat.   
   
   
       6 . A machine, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the telescoping member comprises:
 an outer telescoping member; and   an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member,   the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.   
   
   
       7 . A machine, as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the seat releasing means comprises:
 a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;   a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and   a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted.   
   
   
       8 . A machine, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the simultaneous arm adjusting means comprises:
 right and left barrel members; and   means for releasing the arms being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm.   
   
   
       9 . A machine, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each barrel member comprises:
 an outer barrel member; and   an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.   
   
   
       10 . A machine, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the arm releasing means comprises:
 an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       11 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a support frame;   means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;   a seat for accommodating an exerciser;   means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;   left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means;   means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, a certain one arm of the left and right arms being operatively coupled to the simultaneously adjusting means, and the simultaneously adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame, wherein the simultaneously adjusting means being coupled to the certain one arm also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position; and   a cable system, the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance,   wherein the resisting means comprises a weight stack,   wherein the seat comprises a seat pad and a back pad,   wherein each arm comprises:   a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and   a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm,   wherein the cable is operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup,   wherein the seat adjusting means comprises:   a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;   means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and   means for releasing the seat,   wherein the telescoping member comprises:   an outer telescoping member; and   an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration,   wherein the seat releasing means comprises:   a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;   a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and   a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted,   wherein the arm adjusting means comprises:   right and left barrel members; and   means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm,   wherein each barrel member comprises:   an outer barrel member; and   an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the arm releasing means being mechanically coupled to each arm, and each inner barrel member having a periphery and a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration,   wherein the arm releasing means comprises:   an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       12 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A device for adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:
 right and left barrel members; and   means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled a certain one arm of the pair of arms, wherein the simultaneously releasing means being coupled to the certain one arm also releases the other arm.   
   
   
       16 . A device, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein each barrel member comprises:
 an outer barrel member; and   an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, the arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.   
   
   
       17 . A device, as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the arm releasing means comprises:
 an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       18 . A method of fabricating an exercise machine comprising the steps of:
 providing a support frame;   providing means for resisting a force, whereby a resistance is provided;   providing a seat for accommodating an exerciser;   providing means for adjusting the seat, the seat being operatively coupled to the seat adjusting means, and the seat adjusting means being mechanically coupled to the support frame;   providing left and right arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, and each arm being operatively coupled to the resisting means; and   providing means for simultaneously adjusting the arms, the simultaneously adjusting means providing step comprising operatively coupling a certain one arm of the left and right arms to the simultaneously adjusting means and mechanically coupling the simultaneously adjusting means to the support frame, whereby the simultaneously adjusting means, being coupled to the certain one arm, also actuates the other arm into a symmetric position, the exercise machine being engaged by the exerciser for performing a plurality of movements at a plurality of angles under the resistance.   
   
   
       19 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the resisting means providing step comprises providing a weight stack. 
   
   
       20 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the seat providing step comprises providing a seat pad and providing a back pad. 
   
   
       21 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing a cable system,
 wherein the arms providing step comprises:   providing each arm with a stirrup being disposed at its distal end for facilitating manual grasping by the exerciser; and   providing each arm with a rotatable pulley for accommodating a cable of the cable system and for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the arm, and   wherein the cable providing step comprises operatively coupling the cable to the resisting means and to the stirrup.   
   
   
       22 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the seat adjusting means providing step comprises:
 providing a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;   providing means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and providing means for releasing the seat.   
   
   
       23 . A method, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the telescoping member providing step comprises:
 providing an outer telescoping member; and   providing an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration.   
   
   
       24 . A method, as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the seat releasing means providing step comprises:
 providing a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;   providing a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and   providing a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted.   
   
   
       25 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the arm adjusting means providing step comprises:
 providing right and left barrel members; and   providing means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm.   
   
   
       26 . A method, as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the barrel members providing step comprises:
 providing each barrel member with an outer barrel member; and   providing each barrel member with an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the arm releasing means being mechanically coupled to each arm, and each inner barrel member having a periphery and a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating registration.   
   
   
       27 . A method, as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises:
 providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       28 . A method, as recited in  claim 18 ,
 wherein the cable system providing step comprises providing a cable being operatively coupled to the resisting means and to the stirrup,   wherein the seat adjusting means providing step comprises:   providing a telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat and to the support structure;   providing means for springing being disposed in the telescoping member; and   providing means for releasing the seat,   wherein the telescoping member providing step comprises:   providing an outer telescoping member; and   providing an inner telescoping member being slidably disposed in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the seat, the outer telescoping member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, the springing means providing a spring force to the inner telescoping member, the seat releasing means being mechanically coupled to the outer telescoping member, and the outer and inner telescoping members each having a respective plurality of tap holes formed therethrough for facilitating a registration,   wherein the seat releasing means providing step comprises:   providing a seat release handle having proximal and distal ends;   providing a seat release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the seat release handle; and   providing a seat release spring being operatively coupled to the seat release bar, the seat release bar being actuated by the seat release handle via the seat release spring, the seat release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the seat release bar curved portion being disposed through an outer telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of outer telescoping member tap holes and an inner telescoping member tap hole of the plurality of inner telescoping member tap holes, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the seat is adjusted,   wherein the arm adjusting means providing step comprises:   providing right and left barrel members; and   providing means for releasing each arm being mechanically coupled each arm,   wherein each barrel member providing step comprises:   providing an outer barrel member; and   providing an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, each arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.   wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises:   providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       29 - 31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . A method of fabricating a device for simultaneously adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:
 providing right and left barrel members; and   providing means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled to a certain one arm, wherein the simultaneously releasing means providing step comprises coupling the simultaneously releasing means to the certain one arm for also releasing the other arm.   
   
   
       33 . A method, as recited in  claim 32 , wherein each barrel member providing step comprises:
 providing an outer barrel member; and   providing an inner barrel member being disposed in the outer barrel member, the arm being rotationally coupled to each inner barrel member, each outer barrel member being mechanically coupled to the support frame, each inner barrel member having a periphery, a certain one inner barrel member having a plurality of detents formed thereon for facilitating a registration, and the certain one inner barrel member corresponding to the certain one arm.   
   
   
       34 . A method, as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the arm releasing means providing step comprises:
 providing an arm release handle having proximal and distal ends;   providing an arm release bar having proximal and distal ends and being mechanically coupled to the arm release handle; and   providing an arm release spring being operatively coupled to the arm release bar, the arm release bar being actuated by the arm release handle via the arm release spring, the arm release bar having a curved portion disposed at its distal end, the arm release bar curved portion being disposed in an inner barrel member detent, whereby the registration is effected, and whereby the arm is adjusted.   
   
   
       35 . A device for simultaneously adjusting a pair of arms, comprising:
 right and left barrel members; and   means for simultaneously releasing the arms being mechanically coupled a certain one arm of the pair of arms, wherein the simultaneously releasing means providing step comprises coupling the simultaneously releasing means to the certain one arm for also releasing the other arm.   
   
   
       36 . A device, as recited in  claim 35 ,
 wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a pair of grooved reels, each grooved reel comprising at least one groove for accommodating a pair of belts, the pair of belts being disposed in a general “figure-eight” configuration within the at least one groove, and   wherein the pair of grooved reels comprises a certain one reel, the certain one reel comprising a feature for accommodating a sleeve disposed around a pin portion.   
   
   
       37 . A device, as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a certain one inner barrel member, the certain one inner barrel member comprising a registration structure having a plurality of registration features therein formed, the registration structure being stationary in relation to the pair of grooved reels. 
   
   
       38 . A device, as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the pair of grooved reels mechanically cooperate with one another via the pair of belts being disposed within the at least one groove. 
   
   
       39 . A device, as recited in  claim 38 ,
 wherein each belt of the pair of belts comprises a pair of terminal portions,   wherein each terminal portion of each belt is disposed in an opposing reel,   whereby the actuation of a certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one reel,   whereby the other reel is simultaneously actuated, and   whereby the pair of arms are simultaneously adjusted.   
   
   
       40 . A device, as recited in  claim 35 ,
 wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a pair of gears, each gear of the pair of gears being in mechanical cooperation with the other gear,   wherein the pair of gears comprises a certain one gear, the certain one gear comprising a feature for accommodating a sleeve disposed around a pin portion.   
   
   
       41 . A device, as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the right and left barrel members comprise a certain one inner barrel member, the certain one inner barrel member comprising a registration structure having a plurality of registration features therein formed, the registration structure being stationary in relation to the pair of gears. 
   
   
       42 . A device, as recited in  claim 41 , wherein each gear of the pair of grooved gears mechanically cooperates with the other gear via each gear having cooperating teeth. 
   
   
       43 . A device, as recited in  claim 42 , whereby the actuation of the certain one inner barrel member actuates the certain one gear, and whereby the other reel is simultaneously actuated, and whereby the pair of arms are simultaneously adjusted.