Exercise Weight Selection Device and Method

Abstract

A device for imparting a resistive force to a connected exercise component is provided. The device includes a frame pivotally supporting a selection arm which has a weight connected to the selection arm by a pin arm. The weight imparts a force resisting rotation of the selection arm by a flexible member engaged with the exercise component. Adjusting the engagement of one end of the pin arm to an arched engagement path along the selection arm adjusts mechanical advantage and the resistive force.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 945,008 filed on Feb. 26, 2014, and is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The present device relates to exercise equipment employed for muscle strengthening. More particularly, the disclosed device and method, relate to a weight lifting device configured for easy resistance adjustment through the provision of an arched member having an easy user-adjustable connection thereto to an underlying weight. A plurality of apertures are positioned across the arched member for insertion of a pin which concurrently adjusts a position on the curved member which communicates variable lifting force from mechanical advantage to the underlying weight. Operatively employing the device herein, when coupled with any external exercise interface such as a handle, a user may easily initially and re-select, and re-select a preferred weight resistance for a particular exercise, and repetitively employ the w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device that is used with exercise machines to provide resistance to movements without causing any sudden movement or noise. It includes a housing that is designed to carry weights and minimize the risk of injury. The device can be easily attached to existing gym equipment and provides a smooth and quiet workout.

Problems solved by technology

As with any loose engagement device, the selector pin is easily lost if it is not tethered to the machine.

Should the tether fail, the selector pin in a gym environment with many different users, tends to become lost, or moved to other weight stacks which also have lost selector pins.

Additionally, the pin can become worn and hard to insert.

Further, in a commercial gym environment misuse of the weight system through improper selector pin insertion or mis-engagement can bend the selector pin.

In either case a damaged or lost selector pin can cripple the entire machine engaged to a particular weight stack.

Other problems can occur over time, even where the selector pin remains proximate to a weight stack and used property.

Because the translating rod engaging the weight stack is frequently engaged to a cable which tends to elongate over repeated use to lift the load of weights engaged to the rod, misalignment frequently occurs between the engagement apertures in the weight plates, and the translating vertical rod.

Such can make it difficult if not impossible to properly position he selector pin through a chosen weight plate and aperture in the translating rod.

This can disable the exercise machine engaged to the weight stack, or at least make it irksome and more time consuming to use.

Other issues exist with conventional weight stack engaged exercise machines which while not mechanically impairing the operation of the machine, can be annoying and even injurious to the user.

During translation of the weight stack during use from a stack-supported position and back, the metal weight plates contact each other and cause significant noise, and over time significant wear.

Additionally, a significant risk of injury is always present during use of weight stack resistance exercise machines.

The pinch point can cause severe injury to the user of the exercise machine, or more often, to a third party who places a digit between the non moving weight and the weight stack being lowered by translation of the rod downward.

While these current leverage style weight machines reduce the need for a variable weight stack and engaging pin, such leverage systems employ a complicated pulley arrangement and serpentine cabling system, along with a multitude of moving parts inherent to such complicated designs.

The employment of numerous cables, rotating pulleys, and other moving parts frequently renders such machines noisy, costly, difficult to maintain.

Further, the presence of numerous cables running over numerous pulleys increases injury potential through the formation of numerous potential pinch points of the cables and pulleys.

Unlike weight stack pinch points, users unfamiliar with cable and pulley operation are frequently unaware of the potential for injury.

Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

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