Single Apparatus Converging/Diverging Exercise Machine

Abstract

Principles of exercise machine construction, an exercise machine, components of an exercise machine, and methods related to exercising on or constructing an exercise machine that allows for the performance of multiple different exercises, where the user utilizes related arcs of an arm with a fixed path of motion for the different exercises. Generally the arcs will be utilized for both pull-type exercises and push-type exercises and/or for diverging and converging exercises.

1 . An exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   a resistance object;   a first arm attached to a first positioning system and moveable between a plurality of fixed positions on said first positioning system, said first positioning system being moveably attached to said frame to rotate about a first axis and being connected to said resistance object;   a second arm attached to a second positioning system and moveable between a plurality of fixed positions on said second positioning system, said second positioning system being moveably attached to said frame to rotate about a second axis and being connected to said resistance object;   a first handle attached to said first arm; and   a second handle attached to said second arm;   wherein, when said first arm and said second arm are rigidly connected to said positioning system at a first position in said plurality of positions, said first handle and said second handle, when engaging resistance provided by said resistance object, converge together; and   wherein, when said first arm and said second arm are rigidly connected to said positioning system at a second position different from said first position in said plurality of positions, said first handle and said second handle, when engaging resistance provided by said resistance object, diverge apart.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein each of said positioning systems comprises a pin plate. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2  wherein said first arm and said second arm are attached to said pin plate via a second and third axis of rotation respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3  wherein none of said first axis, said second axis, said third axis, and said fourth axis are parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 2  wherein said pin plates are non-parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5  wherein said pin plates are arranged to converge toward a midpoint of said machine when moving from front to back. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said first axis and said second axis are non parallel. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7  wherein said first axis and said second axis intersect at an angle of between about 90 and about 110 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein said first axis and said second axis interest at an angle of about 100 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said first axis and said second axis lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10  wherein said plane of said axes is positioned less than 7 degrees from the vertical. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein said plane is positioned about 2 degrees from the vertical. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said resistance object comprises at least one of: a weight stack, a spring, a piston, an elastomeric member, a compression box or panel, a gravity resistance, or a frictional resistance. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said frame includes an overhead portion where said first and said second positioning systems are moveably attached. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said handles trace a fixed path. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said handles trace a guided path.