Magnetically guided exercise devices and systems

Abstract

A strength training apparatus comprises a frame. In addition, the strength training apparatus comprises an elongate guide member including a magnet. Further, the strength training apparatus comprises a weight plate including a guide bore through which the guide member is disposed that includes a magnet corresponding to the magnet of the guide member. The magnet of the guide bore and the magnet of the guide member are oriented to produce repulsive magnetic forces between the weight plate and the guide member.

1 . A strength training apparatus including:
 a frame;   an elongate guide member including a magnet;   a weight plate including a guide bore through which the guide member is disposed that includes a magnet corresponding to the magnet of the guide member;   where the magnet of the guide bore and the magnet of the guide member are oriented to produce repulsive magnetic forces between the weight plate and the guide member.   
   
   
       2 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the magnet of the weight plate and the magnet of the guide bore maintain a gap between the inner surface of the guide bore and the outer surface of the guide member as the weight plate moves along the guide member. 
   
   
       3 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the magnet of the guide member includes a magnetic insert disposed within a recess provided in the outer surface of the guide member. 
   
   
       4 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the magnet of the guide bore includes a magnetic insert disposed within a recess provided in the outer surface of the guide member. 
   
   
       5 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 2  wherein:
 the guide member includes a plurality of magnetic inserts, each magnetic insert disposed in a recess provided in the outer surface of the guide member;   the weight plate includes a plurality of magnetic inserts, each magnetic insert disposed in a recess provided in the inner surface of the guide bore;   each magnetic insert of the guide member is positioned opposite one of the magnetic inserts of the guide bore; and   the magnetic inserts in the guide member are oriented to repel the magnetic inserts in the guide bore.   
   
   
       6 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the entire outer surface of the guide member includes a magnet. 
   
   
       7 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the entire inner surface of the guide bore includes a magnet. 
   
   
       8 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the guide member is made from a magnetic material. 
   
   
       9 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the weight plate is made from a magnetic material. 
   
   
       10 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 2  further including a plurality of guide members and a plurality of guide bores through the weight plate, each guide member disposed in one of the guide bores. 
   
   
       11 . A strength training apparatus including:
 a weight plate including a magnet;   an elongate guide member disposed adjacent and spaced apart from the weight plate and including a weight plate facing surface including a magnet corresponding to the magnet of the weight plate;   where the magnet of the guide member and the magnet of the weight plate are oriented to produce repulsive magnetic forces between the weight plate and the guide member to maintain the gap therebetween.   
   
   
       12 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the magnet of the guide member includes a magnetic insert disposed within a recess provided in the weight plate facing surface of the guide member. 
   
   
       13 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the magnet of the weight plate includes a magnetic insert disposed within a recess provided in the outer surface of the weight plate. 
   
   
       14 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 13  wherein:
 the guide member includes a plurality of magnetic inserts, each magnetic insert disposed in a recess provided in the weight plate facing surface of the guide member;   the weight plate includes a plurality of magnetic inserts, each magnetic insert disposed in a recess provided in the outer surface of the weight plate;   each magnetic insert of the guide member is positioned opposite one of the magnetic inserts of the weight plate; and   the magnetic inserts in the guide member are oriented to repel the magnetic inserts in the guide bore.   
   
   
       15 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 14  including a plurality of guide members and wherein the weight plate is rectangular and one of the guide members is positioned at each corner of the weight plate. 
   
   
       16 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 15  wherein each guide member has an L-shaped cross section disposed about one of the corners of the weight plate. 
   
   
       17 . The strength training apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the guide member is made from a magnetic material. 
   
   
       18 . A method for guiding the movement of a weight plate of a weight training machine including:
 positioning an elongate guide member adjacent the weight plate;   creating a gap between the guide member and the weight plate; and   generating a repulsive magnetic force between the guide member and the weight plate.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further including moving the weight plate relative to the guide member and substantially maintaining the gap between the guide member and the weight plate by using the repulsive magnetic force. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further including positioning the guide member through a guide bore provided in the weight plate.