Variable resistance lifting mechanism

Abstract

A variable resistance lifting mechanism for increasing the resistive force during an exercise stroke includes a lever arm pivotally attached to a frame at one end and slidably mounted through a linear bearing sleeve at a position remote from the pivot point. In one embodiment, the linear bearing sleeve is connected by a clevis pin to a housing slidable in a linear manner on guide bars. A bar secured to the housing is adapted to be attached to a predetermined number of weights. The weights are also slidable in a linear manner on the guide bars. In a second embodiment, the linear bearing sleeve is pivotally connected by the clevis pin directly to the bar adapted to the attached to the predetermined number of weights. Pivoting of the lever arm by the user causes pivoting of the sleeve with the lever arm about the remote pivot point and simultaneous linear movement of the sleeve and the attached weights so that the lifting force is distributed over a length of the lever arm and the bending force is distributed over a length of the guide bars.

What is claimed is: .[.1. A variable resistance lifting mechanism, comprising: 
     
        are moved linearly on said guide means..]. 3. .[.The mechanism as defined in claim 2, further comprising.]. .Iadd.A variable resistance lifting mechanism, comprising: a frame having means for guiding the movement of weights;   1ever arm means pivotally attached to said frame at a pivot point and constructed to permit substantially only reciprocation of said lever arm means through a sleeve means when said lever arm means is pivoted by a user;   a pivotable, linear bearing sleeve means for receiving said lever arm means in telescoping relationship, said sleeve means being mounted at a position remote from said lever arm means pivot point, said sleeve means being mounted for linear movement within said guide means and for simultaneous pivotal movement with respect to said frame to maintain alignment with said lever arm, said sleeve means simultaneously distributing a user's lifting forces over a substantial length of the lever arm means during lifting of the lever arm means;   bar weight supporting means pivotally connected to said linear bearing sleeve means;   a plurality of weights slidably mounted for linear movement on said guide means, said weight being adapted to distribute the forces against said guide means over a length of said guide means;   means for attaching a selected number of said weights to said bar means,   whereby pivoting by a user of said lever arm means about its pivot point causes pivoting of said linear bearing sleeve means with respect to said guide means and simultaneous linear movement of said sleeve means and of said weights on said guide means;   a housing slidably mounted on said guide means and adapted to connect said linear bearing sleeve to said bar means, said housing providing further simultaneous distribution of the bending forces over a longitudinal length of said guide means as said weights and housing are moved linearly on said guide means; and .Iaddend.a clevis pin pivotally connecting said linear   
     
     
        bearing sleeve means to said housing. 4. .[.The mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising.]. .Iadd.A variable resistance lifting mechanism, comprising: a frame having means for guiding the movement of weights;   1ever arm means pivotally attached to said frame at a pivot point and constructed to permit substantially only reciprocation of said lever arm means through a sleeve means when said lever arm means is pivoted by a user;   a pivotable, linear bearing sleeve means for receiving said lever arm means in telescoping relationship, said sleeve means being mounted at a position remote from said lever arm means pivot point, said sleeve means being mounted for linear movement within said guide means and for simultaneous pivotal movement with respect to said frame to maintain alignment with said lever arm, said sleeve means simultaneously distributing a user's lifting forces over a substantial length of the lever arm means during lifting of the lever arm means;   bar weight supporting means pivotally connected to said linear bearing sleeve means;   a plurality of weights slidably mounted for linear movement on said guide means, said weight being adapted to distribute the forces against said guide means over a length of said guide means;   means for attaching a selected number of said weights to said bar means,   whereby pivoting by a user of said lever arm means about its pivot point causes pivoting of said linear bearing sleeve means with respect to said guide means and simultaneous linear movement of said sleeve means and of said weights on said guide means; and .Iaddend.a clevis pin pivotally connecting said linear bearing sleeve means to said bar means. .[.5. A variable resistance lifting mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said bar means includes a plurality of pin receiving holes and said bar means passes through apertures in each of said weights, said means for attaching comprising a pin connecting a selected number of said weights to said bar means, whereby said weights simultaneously distribute the lifting forces against said guide means over a longitudinal length of said guide means..].