Space-Saving Exercise Equipment

Abstract

The invention concerns exercise apparatus having a weight source ( 18 ) operably connected to a plurality of manual actuators ( 28, 32 ) by a cable and pulley system. The cable and pulley system ( 12 ) has a plurality of pulley wheels ( 16 ), a supporting frame ( 10 ) for the weight source ( 18 ) and pulley wheels ( 16 ), and a cable ( 22 ) defining a force path from the weight source ( 18 ) over the pulley wheels ( 16 ). The pulley wheels ( 16 ) and frame ( 10 ) are provided in a common plane with the weight source ( 18 ) at least when the exercise apparatus is not in use. The manual actuators ( 28, 32 ) are provided at spaced locations along the path defined by the cable ( 22 ) and are actuatable in a direction away from the common plane when in use. The frame ( 10 ) may supported in an up right orientation for use by a support structure, e.g. a wall, and may occupy a minimal space/depth.

1 . Exercise apparatus comprising:
 a weight source operably connected to a plurality of manual actuators by a cable and pulley system comprising   a plurality of pulley wheels,   a supporting frame for the weight source and pulley wheels, and   a cable defining a force path from the weight source over the pulley wheels,   wherein the pulley wheels and frame are provided in a common plane with the weight source at least when the exercise apparatus is not in use, and the manual actuators are provided at spaced locations along the path defined by the cable and are actuatable in a direction away from the common plane when in use.   
     
     
         2 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a two-dimensional frame structure with a plurality frame members all extending in a direction within the common plane. 
     
     
         3 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the exercise apparatus including the frame, weight stack and pulley wheel has a depth dimension of less than 300 mm or less than 150 mm. 
     
     
         4 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame is supported in an upright orientation for use by a support structure. 
     
     
         5 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a fastener for attachment of the frame to a planar support structure such that the common plane is substantially parallel with the planar support structure. 
     
     
         6 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the planar support structure comprises a wall. 
     
     
         7 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight source comprises a stack of weights aligned with the common plane and having a depth dimension of less than 150 mm or 100 mm. 
     
     
         8 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of manual actuators is connected to one of a plurality of fixed locations along the length of the cable by a connector. 
     
     
         9 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable comprises a common cable connected at one end to the weight source, wherein the apparatus further comprising one or more branching cable attached to a fixed location along the length of the common cable. 
     
     
         10 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 9 , comprising a plurality of branching cables, each attached to spaced locations along the length of the common cable. 
     
     
         11 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein one or more manual actuator is attached to a branching cable so as to apply tension to the common cable via the branching cable in use. 
     
     
         12 . Exercise apparatus according to any one of  claims 9 - 11 , wherein the one or more branching cable passes around a corresponding branching pulley wheel. 
     
     
         13 . Exercise apparatus according to any one of  claims 9 - 11 , wherein the one or more branching cable terminates at a connection to the frame or a counterweight. 
     
     
         14 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a variety of manual actuator types. 
     
     
         15 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the manual actuators are releasably connectable to the cable. 
     
     
         16 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of connection formations along its length. 
     
     
         17 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable comprises one or more swivel connectors along its length to relieve cable twist in use. 
     
     
         18 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one pulley wheel rotates about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the common plane and at least one further pulley wheel rotates about an axis that is off-set from the first axis. 
     
     
         19 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one further pulley wheel is adjacent a manual actuator in the path of the cable. 
     
     
         20 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more cable guide is provided on the frame. 
     
     
         21 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the cable guide comprises a runner attached to the cable so as to constrain movement of the cable to a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         22 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the manual actuator comprises a bar or a single handle, stirrup or a pair of handles/stirrups connected to a location on the cable. 
     
     
         23 . Exercise apparatus according to any of  claims 1  to  21  wherein the manual actuator comprises a linear actuator or a pivoting/rotating actuator. 
     
     
         24 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable and pulley system comprises one or more counterweight suspended by the cable, e.g. part way along its length. 
     
     
         25 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the pulley system and/or frame is movable relative to the remainder of the pulley system and/or frame between an operative condition and a storage condition. 
     
     
         26 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the exercise equipment comprises a seat that folds out from the frame. 
     
     
         27 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the exercise apparatus is mounted in or to a wall surface of a building. 
     
     
         28 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a cover, such that it is hidden from view when not in use. 
     
     
         29 . Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises further exercise apparatus that may be attached to the frame, but not part of the pulley system. 
     
     
         30 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the further exercise apparatus comprises a separate weight or resistance source. 
     
     
         31 . Exercise apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein resistance provided in the further exercise apparatus is elastic or magnetic resistance. 
     
     
         32 . Exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings