Variable-resistance cable training assembly and methods of use

Abstract

A cable training assembly disposable within a portable housing includes a cable configured for pulling by a user and a screw mechanism configured to deflect at least one spring. The deflection of the spring exerts a retraction force on the cable in opposition to a force exerted on the cable by the user. A selector assembly includes a knob that is rotatable by the user to select or deselect a spring acting on the cable.

1 . A selector assembly for use with an exercise device, the exercise device including a cable training assembly, the cable training assembly including a cable and at least one spring, the selector assembly comprising:
 a user-engageable member operatively coupled to at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the at least one spring via an intermittent gearing system when a user adjusts the user-engageable member.   
     
     
         2 . The selector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement of the at least one locking mechanism with the at least one spring causes deflection of the at least one spring. 
     
     
         3 . The selector assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the deflection of the at least one spring exerts a retraction force on the cable. 
     
     
         4 . The selector assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the selector assembly further comprises a retainer member defining a bore configured to receive the at least one spring. 
     
     
         5 . The selector assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the intermittent gearing system comprises a plurality of gear rings configured to control movement of a plurality of ball bearings associated with each one of the plurality of gear rings into and out of the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The selector assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the selector assembly is adjustable between a first position, in which the at least one spring is engaged with the plurality of ball bearings, and a second position, in which the at least one spring translates freely through the bore. 
     
     
         7 . The selector assembly of  claim 5 , wherein, when the cable is pulled by a user, the at least one spring is caused to deflect when the plurality of ball bearings are engaged with the at least one spring. 
     
     
         8 . The selector assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the user-engageable member is a rotatable knob. 
     
     
         9 . The selector assembly of  claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the knob comprises indicia allowing the user to select an amount of retraction force to be exerted by the at least one spring on the cable as the user adjusts the knob. 
     
     
         10 . The selector assembly of  claim 8 , wherein, in a first rotational position of the knob, the ball bearings associated with a first gear ring of the plurality of gear rings are positioned inside the bore, while the ball bearings associated with a second and third gear ring of the plurality of gear rings are positioned outside of the bore. 
     
     
         11 . The selector assembly of  claim 10 , wherein, in a second rotational position of the knob, the first gear ring is configured to rotate upon engaging a first rib of the intermittent gearing system, causing the ball bearings associated with the first gear ring to move outside the bore. 
     
     
         12 . The selector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein, in the second rotational position of the knob, the second and third gear rings are configured to rotate upon engaging a second rib and a third rib, respectively, of the intermittent gearing system, causing the ball bearings associated with the second and third gear rings to move inside the bore. 
     
     
         13 . The selector assembly of  claim 12 , wherein, in a third rotational position of the knob, the first gear ring is configured to rotate upon engaging a fourth rib of the intermittent gearing system, causing the ball bearings associated with the first gear ring to move inside the bore. 
     
     
         14 . The selector assembly of  claim 4 , wherein, when the cable is pulled by a user, the at least one spring is prevented from deflecting when the at least one spring travels freely through the bore.