Said machine having reversible assembly to vary lifting angle of Smith machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a Smith machine having a pair of reversible bottom support brackets mountable in a first position such that an upright assembly is in a first upwardly extending orientation, or in a second position such that the upright assembly is in a second upwardly extending orientation, the lifting angle of the Smith machine can be changed; and a pair of upright assemblies that provide safety latches that can each be mounted in a forward facing orientation or a rearward facing orientation such that a user can select rotation to lock the lift lever in place.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 435,719, filed on December 28, 2022, of the same title, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an exercise machine commonly known as a Smith machine. Background Art

[0004] The Smith machine is a common weightlifting / fitness equipment. It acts as a safety system for those lifting a weighted barbell by providing multiple vertical pressing positions in which the barbell can be secured. Smith machines are commonly used to perform squats, standing deadlifts, and bench press exercises. Smith machines also stabilize the barbell during the lift and can help prevent the user from dropping the barbell on themselves. Essentially, a Smith machine is similar to a cage that provides a defined lifting path for a weighted barbell. Smith machines have a series of vertical recessed resting positions on which the barbell (or barbell latch or lever) can rest, allowing the user to stop at multiple lifting heights during the lift and place the barbell into one of the recesses as desired. Smith machines typically have a locking mechanism that allows the user to lock the barbell at a desired vertical height by simply rotating a locking lever attached to the bar into any of these vertical recesses.

[0005] Typically, the lifting path in a barbell Smith machine is either a straight vertical path (i.e., 90 degrees from the ground) or a slightly angled vertical path (usually 83 degrees from the ground). Different people prefer different vertical path angles. Unfortunately, the vertical lift angle is defined by the geometry of the specific Smith machine used by different people. In short, some Smith machines have one vertical lift angle, while other Smith machines have different vertical lift angles.

[0006] Instead, it would be desirable to provide a single Smith machine that could be shipped to a customer, wherein the machine components could be assembled in different configurations, allowing the user to select their desired lift angle when they first assembled the machine.

[0007] Secondly, some Smith machine locking mechanisms lock the barbell lever into a pushed position in a vertical notch by rotating the top of the barbell forward. In contrast, other Smith machines lock the barbell lever into position in a vertical notch by rotating the top of the barbell backwards / rearwards. There is no standardization in the industry. Half of the machines operate one way, and the other half operate another way.

[0008] Instead, it would be desirable to provide a single Smith machine that could be shipped to a customer, wherein the machine components could be assembled in different configurations so that when the user first assembled the machine, they could choose which way to rotate the barbell so that it locked into its resting position. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In a preferred aspect, the system provides a Smith machine comprising:

[0010] (a) a pair of upright assemblies;

[0011] (b) a pair of support assemblies, wherein each support assembly is connected to one of the pair of upright assemblies;

[0012] (c) a pair of reversible bottom support brackets, wherein each reversible bottom support bracket connects one of the upright assemblies to one of the support assemblies, and

[0013] wherein each reversible support bracket is mountable in a first position such that the upright assembly is in a first upwardly extending orientation, or in a second position such that the upright assembly is in a second upwardly extending orientation, and

[0014] wherein each of the upright assemblies is individually mountable into a forward-facing orientation or a rearward-facing orientation; and

[0015] (d) a lifting rod spanning between the pair of upright assemblies.

[0016] In one preferred aspect, the first upwardly extending orientation is at 90 degrees to the floor surface. In another preferred aspect, the second upwardly extending orientation is at 83 degrees to the floor surface.

[0017] In a preferred aspect, the bottom support bracket is generally L-shaped.

[0018] In a preferred aspect, each upright assembly comprises:

[0019] a lever rest mount having a series of lever rest push positions;

[0020] a barbell sliding post positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the lever rest mount;

[0021] a slider located on the barbell sliding post, the slider supporting one of the ends of the barbell; and

[0022] a locking lever sized to be received into any one of the range of lever rest positions on the lever rest mount, wherein rotation of the barbell rotates the locking lever into one of the range of lever rest positions; and

[0023] A counterweight system provides an upward force on the slider on the barbell sliding post.

[0024] Preferably, the counterweight system comprises a pair of pulleys, a weight and a cable passing through the pair of pulleys (all disposed within the body of the upright assembly). The cable is connected to the weight and the slider.

[0025] One advantage of this system is that users can assemble identical components to construct a Smith machine with either a first lift angle (e.g., 90 degrees) or a second lift angle (e.g., 83 degrees). This allows the manufacturer to manufacture and supply the same component parts to all customers, who select their preferred lift angle by assembling the parts the first time.

[0026] A second advantage of this system is that users assemble identical components to construct a Smith machine, wherein the barbell can be locked at a vertical height by rotating it forward or backward, depending on the user's decision. This way, the manufacturer only needs to manufacture and supply the same components to all customers, wherein the customer selects their preferred locking rotation by how they assemble the components for the first time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present Smith machine system having an 83 degree lift angle and a series of forward facing thrust notches.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side elevation of a Smith machine.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and 2 Front elevation of a Smith machine.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figures 1 to 3 Rear elevation of a Smith machine.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figures 1 to 4 A top view of a Smith machine.

[0032] Figure 6A and 6B Shows alternative lift angles achieved by placement of bottom support brackets. ( Figure 6A Corresponding to Figures 1 to 5 device, and Figure 6B Corresponding to Figure 9 device).

[0033] Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the system with various components removed to illustrate the different lift angles achieved by positioning the bottom support brackets.

[0034] Figure 8A is a perspective view of one of the upright assemblies.

[0035] Figure 8B corresponds to Figure 8A A side elevation view of the assembly with the exterior sides removed to reveal the interior components.

[0036] Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the present Smith machine system having a 90 degree lift angle and a series of forward facing thrust notches.

[0037] Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the present Smith machine having a 90 degree lift angle and a series of rearward facing push notches.

[0038] Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the present Smith machine having an 83 degree lift angle and a series of rearward facing push notches.

[0039] Figure 12A and 12B Shown are alternative lift angles achieved by positioning a second embodiment of the bottom support bracket.

[0040] Figure 13 yes Figure 12A and 12B A side elevation view of an embodiment of a 2000-1000 scissor lift with various components removed to illustrate the different lift angles achieved by positioning the bottom support brackets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figures 1 to 6A A first preferred embodiment of the present Smith machine system is shown having an 83 degree lift angle and a series of forward facing thrust notches as described below.

[0042] The present Smith machine 10 preferably includes a pair of upright assemblies 20 and a pair of support assemblies 30. Each support assembly 30 is connected to one of the pair of upright assemblies 20. According to the present system, a pair of reversible generally L-shaped bottom support brackets 40 are provided, and each reversible bottom support bracket 40 connects one of the upright assemblies 20 to one of the support assemblies 30, as shown. Importantly, each reversible support bracket 40 can be installed in a first position ( Figures 1 to 6A ), so that the upright assembly is in a first upwardly extended orientation, or is mounted in a second position ( Figure 6B 、 9 and 10) such that the upright assembly is in a second, upwardly extending orientation. In a preferred aspect, the first, upwardly extending orientation is 90 degrees from the base surface, and the second, upwardly extending orientation is 83 degrees from the base surface. In alternative embodiments encompassed by the present system, the second, upwardly extending orientation can be from 80 to 85 degrees.

[0043] like Figure 3 、 4 5, the present system preferably includes a top assembly 50 for holding the two upright assemblies 20 in a vertically extended position parallel to one another, as shown. The top assembly 50 can connect the upper portions of the upright assemblies 20 together, or the upper portions of the support assemblies 30 together, or even the upper portions of both the upright assemblies 20 and the support assemblies 30 together, all within the scope of the present system.

[0044] As can also be seen, the upright assemblies 20 can each be mounted in a forward facing orientation ( Figures 1 to 6B , 9, 12A and 12B) or facing backward and oriented upward ( Figure 10 and 11 As defined herein, facing "forward" means when the rest / push notch 70 faces the front of the machine (e.g., Figures 1 to 6B , 9, 12A and 12B), and the face "rearward" is when the rest / push recess 70 faces the rear of the machine (for example: Figure 10 and 11 A lifting rod 80 is also provided which spans between the pair of upright assemblies 20.

[0045] Figure 6A and 6B Shows alternative lift angles achieved by placement of bottom support brackets. ( Figure 6A Corresponding to Figures 1 to 5 device, and Figure 6B Corresponding to Figure 9 device).

[0046] Figure 7is a side elevation view of the system with various components removed to illustrate the different lift angles achieved by placing the bottom support bracket 40. In this example, support bracket 40B is mounted on Figures 1 to 6B , 9, 11, 12A and 12B positions so that the lifting angle is 90 degrees (86.5 ± 3.5 degrees). Also in this example, the support bracket 40A is installed Figure 9 and 10 The support bracket 40 is in the position.

[0047] Figure 8A is a perspective view of one of the upright assemblies, and Figure 8B corresponds to Figure 8A , wherein the outside of the assembly is removed to show the internal components. Preferably, each upright assembly 20 includes a lever rest mount 71 having a series of lever rest push positions or recesses 70.

[0048] The barbell slide post 90 is positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the lever rest mount 70. The slider 90 preferably runs up and down along the barbell slide post 90 and supports one of the ends of the barbell 80. The locking lever 96 is sized to fit into any one of a series of lever rest positions 70 on the lever rest mount 71. Rotating the barbell 80 rotates the locking lever 94 into one of the series of lever rest positions 70. Therefore, in operation, when the user has positioned the barbell 80 at a desired height, the barbell 80 can simply be rotated, causing the locking lever 96 to rotate into the appropriate position, thereby securing the barbell 80 at the desired height. A slider stop 95 is also preferably located at the bottom of the barbell slide post 90 to stop the downward movement of the slider 92 when the slider 92 rests on top of the slider stop 95.

[0049] The upright assembly 20 preferably also includes a weight system 100 that provides an upward force on the slider on the barbell slider 90. The weight system 100 includes a pair of pulleys 102 and 104, a weight 106, and a cable 108 that passes through the pair of pulleys and is connected to the weight 106 and the slider 92. Figure 8A As seen in FIG, pulleys 102 and 104, weight 106, and cable 108 can all be housed within the body of upright assembly 20. (With cable 108 gradually being pulled out of the body of upright assembly as barbell 80 is lowered).

[0050] Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the present Smith machine system having a 90 degree lift angle and a series of forward facing notches 70 . Figure 10is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the Smith machine having a 90 degree lift angle and a series of rearward facing push notches. The user assembling the system simply decides when they assemble the system whether they want the notches 70 to face forward ( Figure 9 ) or facing backwards( Figure 10 As can be seen, the upright assembly 20 can be easily bolted into either position (using the same placement of the bottom support bracket 40).

[0051] When in Figure 9 When in the posterior position, the user rotates the top of the barbell 80 in a rearward direction to lower the lower lever 96 into the recess 70. Conversely, when in the Figure 10 , the user rotates the top of the barbell 80 in a forward direction to lower the lever 96 into the notch 70. This way, when the user first assembles the system, they have the advantage of selecting their preferred locking rotation direction (i.e., forward or rearward).

[0052] Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the Smith machine having an 83 degree lift angle and a series of rearward facing notches 70. In this embodiment, the upward assembly 20 is mounted on a Figure 10 The same position as in FIG, but the position of the bottom support bracket 40 is flipped.

[0053] Figure 12A and 12B An alternative lift angle achieved by positioning a second embodiment of bottom support bracket 45 is shown. Figure 13 yes Figure 12A and 12B 45B with various components removed to illustrate the different lift angles achieved by placing bottom support brackets 45A or 45B.

Claims

1. A Smith machine comprising: (a) a pair of upright assemblies; (b) a pair of support assemblies, wherein each support assembly is connected to one of the pair of upright assemblies; (c) a pair of reversible bottom support brackets, wherein each reversible bottom support bracket connects one of the upright assemblies to one of the support assemblies, and wherein each reversible support bracket is mountable in a first position such that the upright assembly is in a first upwardly extending orientation, or in a second position such that the upright assembly is in a second upwardly extending orientation, and wherein the upright assemblies are each mountable in a forward-facing orientation or a rearward-facing orientation; and (d) a lifting rod spanning between the pair of upright assemblies.

2. The Smith machine according to claim 1, further comprising: (e) a top assembly that holds the upright assemblies parallel to each other in a vertically extended position.

3. The Smith machine of claim 2, wherein the top assembly connects together upper portions of the upright assembly or upper portions of the support assembly.

4. The Smith machine of claim 1 , wherein the first upwardly extending orientation is at 90 degrees to the base plate surface.

5. The Smith machine of claim 1, wherein the second upwardly extending orientation is 80 to 85 degrees from the base plate surface.

6. The Smith machine of claim 5, wherein the orientation is 83 degrees from the base plate surface.

7. The Smith machine of claim 1 , wherein the bottom support bracket is generally L-shaped.

8. The Smith machine of claim 1 , wherein each upright assembly comprises: a lever rest mount having a series of lever rest push positions; a barbell sliding post positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the lever rest mount; a slider located on the barbell sliding post, the slider supporting one of the ends of the barbell; and a locking lever sized to be received into any one of the range of lever rest positions on the lever rest mount, wherein rotation of the barbell rotates the locking lever into one of the range of lever rest push positions; and A counterweight system provides an upward force on the slider on the barbell sliding post.

9. The Smith machine of claim 8, wherein the counterweight system comprises: a pair of pulleys; heavy objects; and A cable passes through the pair of pulleys, the cable being connected to the weight and the slider.

10. The Smith machine of claim 9, wherein the pulleys, weights, and cables are all disposed within the body of the upright assembly.

11. The Smith machine of claim 8, further comprising: A slider stopper is located at the bottom of the barbell sliding column and is used to stop the downward movement of the slider.

Images