Dual function exercise machines with bi-directional resistance

Abstract

Exercise machines for performing exercises that are resisted in the push and pull directions, the machines having at least one user support, at least one user engagement actuator, and a one directional flywheel operatively connected to a braking mechanism for providing resistance to the push and pull exercises. A drive system operatively connects the at least one user engagement actuator to the one directional flywheel, the drive system can be configured such that more or less force is required to move the at least one user engagement actuator in the push direction than to move the at least one user engagement actuator in the pull direction. The resistance of the push direction can be less than, greater than, or equal to the resistance of the pull direction. Resistance to the motion of the at least one user engagement actuator can be adjusted prior to or during operation of the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual function exercise machine with bi-directional resistance comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) two user supports mounted on the support frame;   c) at least two drive axles mounted on the support frame;   d) at least one first pulley rigidly mounted on each of the at least two drive axles and at least one second pulley rigidly mounted on each of the at least two drive axles.   e) at least one user engagement actuator operatively connected to each of the at least two drive axles;   f) a flywheel axle common to the two user supports and mounted on the support frame and a one-directional flywheel common to the two user supports and mounted on the flywheel axle;   g) a braking mechanism operatively engaged with the common one-directional flywheel for providing resistance to the rotation of the common one-directional flywheel;   h) at least two first one-way clutches operatively connected to the common flywheel axle and at least two second one-way clutches operatively connected to the common flywheel axle;   i) a first flexible component operatively connecting each of the at least one first pulley to each of the at least two first one-way clutches and a second flexible component operatively connecting each of the at least one second pulley to each of the at least two second one-way clutches,   wherein movement of any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction causes rotation of one of the at least two drive axles, the common flywheel axle, and the common one directional flywheel,   wherein movement of any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a second motion pull direction causes rotation of one of the at least two drive axles, the common flywheel axle, and the common one directional flywheel, and   wherein the braking mechanism operatively engaged with the common one-directional flywheel creates resistance to any motion of any of the at least one user engagement actuators.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein relatively equal amounts of force are required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first push direction or a second pull direction. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first pulley rigidly mounted on each of the at least two drive axles is of a first diameter and the at least one second pulley rigidly mounted on each of the at least two drive axles is of a second diameter that is larger or smaller than the diameter of the at least one first pulley rigidly mounted on the each of the at least two drive axles. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein a first amount of force is required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction and a second amount of force is required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a second motion pull direction that is greater or less than the first amount of force required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein movement of a first of the at least one user engagement actuator does not impede the movement of any other of the at least one user engagement actuator such that each of the at least one user engagement actuator can independently and collectively rotate the common one directional flywheel. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein movement of a first of the at least one user engagement actuator does not impede the movement of any other of the at least one user engagement actuator such that each of the at least one user engagement actuators can independently and collectively rotate the common one directional flywheel. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the machine is configured such that a single user can operate the machine. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the machine is configured such that a single user can operate the machine. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the machine is configured such that two users can operate the machine. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the machine is configured such that two users can operate the machine. 
     
     
         11 . A dual function exercise machine with bi-directional resistance comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) two user supports mounted on the support frame;   c) a drive axle operatively connected to each of the two user supports;   d) a first pulley rigidly mounted on each respective drive axle and a second pulley rigidly mounted on each respective drive axle.   e) at least one user engagement actuator operatively connected to each respective drive axle;   f) a flywheel axle common to the two user supports and mounted on the support frame and a one-directional flywheel common to the two user supports and mounted on the flywheel axle;   g) a braking mechanism operatively engaged with the common one-directional flywheel for providing resistance to the rotation of the common one-directional flywheel;   h) at least two first one-way clutches operatively connected to the common flywheel axle and at least two second one-way clutches operatively connected to the common flywheel axle;   i) a first flexible component operatively connecting each respective first pulley to each of the at least two first one-way clutches and a second flexible component operatively connecting each respective second pulley to each of the at least two second one-way clutches,   wherein movement of any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction causes rotation of at least one of the drive axles, the common flywheel axle, and the common one directional flywheel,   wherein movement of any of the at least one user engagement actuator in a second motion pull direction causes rotation of at least one of the drive axles, the common flywheel axle, and the common one directional flywheel, and   wherein the braking mechanism operatively engaged with the common one-directional flywheel creates resistance to any motion of any of the at least one user engagement actuators.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein relatively equal amounts of force are required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first push direction or a second pull direction. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first pulley rigidly mounted on each of the drive axles is of a first diameter and the second pulley rigidly mounted on each of the drive axles is of a second diameter that is larger or smaller than the diameter of the first pulley rigidly mounted on each of the drive axles. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein a first amount of force is required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction and a second amount of force is required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a second motion pull direction that is greater or less than the first amount of force required to move any of the at least one user engagement actuators in a first motion push direction. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein movement of a first of the at least one user engagement actuator does not impede the movement of any other of the at least one user engagement actuator such that each of the at least one user engagement actuator can independently and collectively rotate the common one directional flywheel. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein movement of a first of the at least one user engagement actuator does not impede the movement of any other of the at least one user engagement actuator such that each of the at least one user engagement actuator can independently and collectively rotate the common one directional flywheel. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the machine is configured such that a single user can operate the machine. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein the machine is configured such that a single user can operate the machine. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the machine is configured such that two users can operate the machine. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein the machine is configured such that two users can operate the machine.