Torso Functional Trainer

Abstract

The Torso Functional Trainer is a functional trainer exercise machine that uses a strong frame and cables connected to form two or more circles from the resistance to the ends to be pulled or pushed by the user using rotating bars (arms) with handles, and a resistance feature, such as a weight stack, to allow a set of bars mounted to a carriage and to a column, and rotating to allow one or both cables protruding from the carriage to be pulled by the user from the top or bottom of the carriage using the bars around a set of rollers through the use of a carabiner and bar attached hook, the pulling of the cables shrinks the circles one, or both, or others, at a time to act with force to the resistance feature to create resistance, such as lifting the weight stack, the mounted carriage on the column which has a shape to surround or connect to the column (around the column—partially or fully) also has rollers or ball bearings to slide along the column and holes on the column and a hole and pin on the carriage to allow it to fix to the column at many points, and bars (arms) connected to a carriage and connected so as to rotate with a starting point selectable by means of a pin and pin holes arranged in a semi-circle for each arm (bar) parallel to a semi-circle of rollers, the length of the cable can vary because the distance from the top of the frame where the column (post) is to the rear carriage (the purpose is to allow pulleys that can vary in length from the top of the frame) can be at a different height than the arm (bar) carriage as each are passable to each other.

Description

PRIOR ART

[0001] Functional Trainer CA 2402130 Expired Cybex

[0002] Exercise Apparatus PCT / US2002 / 036383 Granted Keiser CorporationDESCRIPTION PRIOR ART EXPLANATION

[0003] Most prior art has a revolving wheel or cam that synchronizes pulling the cable (flexible element) with the revolving, connected to, bar(s) with handle, can be cam portion synthesized, by sliding perpendicular rollers, (mounted ends on the plate(s) parallelly connected to the user bar with handle axle(s)) along a path from positions shown of equal distance apart in a half circle to, any number sliding to the center (axle of user bar with handle, telescoping with optional spiral overlapping hooks at the end of each section for the cable when in functional trainer use) until almost in contact with each other secured by a pin (or double pin which may be magnetic) inserted into a pinhole to lock each individually sliding mount plate (passing through a rectangular entrance with the portion of slidable strip after the roller narrower and passing through another smaller rectangular entrance), also varying the strength of the vibration when desired, also, the user handles can start from either side of the half circle plate of rollers and travel to the other side, or from any portion of, and, with the face and connected mount, pinhole and rollers, plates all together mounted on the handle (sized to accomodate) of the partial surround bar carriage, which the post may accommodate more than one of any carriage, when not using a full surround carriage but not limited to, and in another instance with either type of carriage, a lockable hinge(s) of the lower portion of bar carriage handle and connected the lower portion of the together mounted plates, with optional lockability top non-hinged not permanentally connected of handle and together combined plates, for use from the user positioned below but not limited to, with a post(s) or frame member brace behind and perpendicular to the vertical or like vertical post for the hinged portion when the top is opened so the orientation of the together mounted plates (with any additional rollers to facilitate the cables) for use from below (but not limited to) is perpendicular to the vertical and may lock to the brace with a pin to the brace, or a pin and housing for multiple pinholes on either side of a protruding, upward before opening, strip with pinhole and with a rotating strip, connected to the brace, and, the post(s) or frame member(s) or column(s) (shaped (portion) for one, full, or more partial surround carriages) or part of the frame perpendicular to the vertical post, angled or curved but not limited to (rectangular tube shaped or cylindrical but not limited to as any frame member or bar or other listed user connection or servicing of) (cylindrical and or, cylindrical connections top and bottom, for the multiple carriages shaped post(s) allowing rotation for multiple user connections or with multiple posts or columns or frame member(s) or portions )hosting a cable carriage(s) (with hooks or spiral hooks) or hooks carriage(s) for a pulley(s) for a cable(s), and, for resistance bands or tubes, also, has one or more of any carriages includes from upwards or downwards the hooks carriage(s) for (optional multiple) pulley(s) or the pulleys carriage(s) for length, (ratio, carriage travel, cable to length at user), selection by the user, from top and bottom nonpassable on the same portion of the post, one or more times (to pulleys) for selection of maximum length available to facilitate one or more cable carriages, bars include with multiple posts side by side, a bar carriage(s) on each post with one or more bar(s) with a handle such as for pressing or pulling or, rotating, multiple dimensions in any combination but not limited to, such as a rear extension fixed connected to the bar carriage perpendicular to the vertical and connected by an, axle or, knuckles, plural in combinations and or in number of bars with handle(s) (single post), and, rotatable in orientation to be used from the other direction (rear extension forward) of the frame otherside and machine, with the horn(s) which can be on a bar carriage for bar positioning which can be a combination of rectangular tubing shape bar carriage portion surrounding a cylindrical carriage other portion on a cylindrical portion of bar with handle but not limited to, allowing the horn not to block rotating to the otherside, also rotating (fully or partially) on the bar but not limited to, such as rotating in place in combination, and or, the rear extension and bar with handle connecting to the carriage on the inside closest to the other post, and, with any bar carriage that travels as exercise having a button, or squeezable lever handle, on the handle to toggle a protruding pin into the ladder hole of the post (holes cut to form rungs between the holes) or pinhole(s) or jhook holes to lock the bar carriage to the post temporarily for isometric exercise and release to continue, could sometimes function as an emergency brake if needed, so, this machine houses many components and groups of, to provide many services of types of exercises and customization to the user such as this instance providing chest and deltoid flys and rear deltoid flys and latissimus flys and, hip lifts from standing to front and gluteus from leg raised to behind (with removable stopper removed) and functional trainer, also, with the bar carriage for mounting not slidable or slidable but with attachable features, such as bars, but not limited to, also, bar carriages with hooks that are slidable with a handle attachedDESCRIPTION

[0004] Resistance Training Machines are exercise machines that apply resistance to a user's movements, and should be adjustable to accommodate individuals of different physical sizes, and for use in different types of exercise, and should be quickly and easily adjustable, this is important for public gyms, as people of different sizes may use the same resistance training machine in rotation, this exercise machine uses cables connected to form two or more circles from the resistance to the ends to be pulled by the user using rotating bars with some handle(s) or leg(s) or other bar(s) or ropes or belts or harnesses or straps and a resistance feature, such as a weight stack, to allow a set of bars (arms) mounted to a carriage and to a column, and rotating to allow one or both cables protruding from the carriage to be pulled by the user using the bars around a set of carriage-mounted rollers and through the use of a carabiner and bar hook, the pulling of the cables shrinks the circles one, or both, or others, at a time to act with force to the resistance feature to create resistance, which may be constant or variable (pulsing, or alternating, or stepping, or cycling, and / or repeating and any combination of), and by mechanical (rollers spaced, placed, and shapes of layout) or electric motor(s) which may include a safety brake and or a brake for a portion, variable, of the resistance above but not limited to the power of the motor, (emulated cam(s) and constant or variable resistance, and Partial resistance, so hybrid resistance of adding or subtracting resistance, with assisting, variable and changing while in use, and, any combination of), or lifting the weight stack (mechanical), The mounted carriage(s) on the column (in another instance, have the capacity and extensibility for additional mounted features, which changes the holes, shapes of, and patterns of, all or some of sides of the post / column), which has a shape to surround (partial or fully, so, as to be slidable, passable or stackable) or connect to the column and also has rollers or ball bearings to slide along the column and holes on the column and a hole and pin on the carriage to allow it to fix to the column at many points, the purpose being to have different starting points on the column (post) and different starting points of the telescoping arms (two or more sections) for rotating with a pin(s), depending on the user size and the selected exercise, because of user effort on the handles, etc. as exercise, and also the machine in another instance is a functional trainer with the ability (the instances include optionally) to alter the length of the cable and separately but can be combined, resistance ratio changes, by additional pulleys and cables, and roller systems making use of an optional additional carriage(s) and include but not limited to strategy(s) of redundant parallel portions of the cable system from user interaction to the resistance element or portion(s) of, or the user interaction mechanismBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Drawing FIG. 1—figures B to I, when listing more than one partial surround carriage, the carriages are slidable and passable to each other and more than one carriage of any type may be on the same portion of the post either above or below

[0006] Fig A—side view and pulleys (one instance only shown—the carriage is a placeholder)

[0007] 1. Post / column

[0008] 2. Carriage(s)—six instances are shown in additional figures

[0009] 3. Frame

[0010] 4. Cable(s) (elongated flexible element)

[0011] 5. Pulley(s)

[0012] 6. Resistance element—weight stack (pin not shown)

[0013] Fig B—one instance four partial surround carriages shown, other instances may be on the same post

[0014] 1. Bar carriage handle

[0015] 2. Bar carriage

[0016] 3. Pulley carriage, optionally with hook(s)

[0017] 4. Cable carriage

[0018] 5. Bar carriage handle, shown with optional hook(s) and pulleys (usually for the other bar

[0019] 6. carriage)

[0020] Fig C—one instance four carriages shown, other instances may be on the same post

[0021] Fig D—one instance three carriages shown, other instances may be on the same post

[0022] Fig E—one instance three carriages shown, other instances may be on the same post

[0023] Fig F—one instance two carriages shown, other instances may be on the same post

[0024] Fig G—one instance three carriages shown with Fig K, other instances may be on the same post

[0025] Fig H—carriage

[0026] Fig I—one cable to a carabiner with a large hook portion of the carabiner connected to the cable and the hook that opens for connecting, (this connection completes / continues the loop not to be fooled by the terminal connection)

[0027] Fig J—two cables to a carabiner with a pulley portion of the carabiner connected to the cable and the hook that opens for connecting, (this connection completes / continues the loop not to be fooled by the terminal connection)

[0028] Fig K—box with rollers on axles with a cable wrapped through rollers at a perpendicular angle causing one or two cable portions to be accessible to the same hook

[0029] 1. Box frame

[0030] 2. Rollers

[0031] 3. Frame connection to carriage

[0032] 4. Axle

[0033] 5. Terminal connection of cable

[0034] 6. Cable, possible third connection of cable portion

[0035] 7. Pulley(s), start of the loop to the optional change of ratios

[0036] Fig L—optional upgrade of pulley(s) for the hook carriage

[0037] 1. Cable

[0038] 2. Pulley

[0039] 3. Hook, for connecting to the hook carriage hook(s)

[0040] 4. Ring hooks, for Fig I and Fig J, are interchangeable, depending on the ratio desired

[0041] 5. Frame, housing for the assembled parts

[0042] Drawing FIG. 2—front view partial

[0043] Fig A—post and carriage(s) with plates and arms shown

[0044] 1. Post / column

[0045] 2. Pinhole

[0046] 3. Plate of mounted rollers

[0047] 4. Plate of pinholes (the pin not shown has a long portion, strong, above the pinhole to block the movement of the arm / bar—starting position)

[0048] 5. Roller

[0049] 6. Pinhole

[0050] 7. Slot(s) for the exit of the cables from the carriage using rollers (only one shown, each side) on all four sides positioned to prevent any contact with the carriage

[0051] 8. Pinhole for long pin through the carriage and post

[0052] 9. Axle—axis point for the arm

[0053] 10. Arm (three sections from the axis point of telescoping arm portions to the attachment mechanism)

[0054] 11. Pinhole—where Fig D is attached

[0055] 12. Arm middle portion

[0056] 13. Arm—where Fig D is attached

[0057] 14 Arm—where the attachment mechanism connects to Fig C handles for one hand, two hands, squat, or thigh

[0058] 15. Attachment mechanism connects to Fig C handles for one hand, two hands, squat, or thigh

[0059] 16. Carabiner

[0060] 17. Cable (flexible element)

[0061] 18. Hook (not shown) on other side for carabiner

[0062] 19. Carriage with mounted plates (pinhole plates forward or protrude more than the rollers plates with rollers plates behind the pinhole plates)

[0063] Fig B Attachment that holds user interaction portions for exerting against / with

[0064] 1. Pinhole—for Fig F short pin

[0065] 2. Attachment hole

[0066] 3. Attachment for the arm end to connect to handles Fig C

[0067] Fig C User interaction portions for exerting against / with

[0068] 1. Pinhole

[0069] 2. Handle for one hand

[0070] 3. Handle for two hands with hook(s) to connect to other attachments

[0071] 4. Handle (telescoping with pin) with a foam pad extra thick for thigh or squat

[0072] Fig D Fixed pin, stays on the bar

[0073] 1. Ball handle to pull for release using a spring to hold the pin extended

[0074] 2. Pin

[0075] 3. Attachment of pin to arm

[0076] Fig E

[0077] 1. Rollers

[0078] Fig F

[0079] 1. Pins shafts

[0080] 2. Blocks of pins to prevent travel, portion of pin shaft between blocks is to stop the bar for starting position

[0081] Drawing FIG. 3—top view (only three instances are shown)

[0082] Fig A

[0083] 1. Pin connects carriage to the linear guide (post, or column) (not shown in front)

[0084] 2. Carriage instance shown is one carriage

[0085] 3. Post (column) with pinholes

[0086] 4. Ball bearings with housings (could be rollers)

[0087] 5. Plate for semi-circle arrangement of rollers—only one roller shown, each side

[0088] 6. Roller(s)

[0089] 7. Pin for the starting position of the arm (bar) shown inserted and before insertion

[0090] 8. Arm (bar)—telescoping shown not at full length with Attachment for the arm end to connect to handles and other portions described

[0091] 9. Hook for a carabiner on the end of the cable

[0092] 10. Plate for semi-circle arrangement of pinholes—pins shown

[0093] 11. Pin block for space to stop the arms / bar(s) for the starting position also penetrates both plates rollers and pinholes

[0094] 12. Cables

[0095] 13. Carabiner(s)—to connect to the hook either above or below

[0096] Fig B

[0097] 1. Pin for locking the partial surround carriage to the portion of post (column)

[0098] 2. Rollers in box for the cables to enter the partial surround carriage for cables to exit to the carabiners

[0099] 3. Partial surround carriage of post (column) with pin for locking to the post and these carriages may pass to different heights

[0100] 4. Ball bearing to allow the carriages to slide along the post

[0101] 5. Partial surround pulley carriage of post (column) with pin for locking to the post and these carriages may pass to different heights

[0102] 6. Rollers in box—exit to the carabiners for cables

[0103] 7. Post (column)—shaped for multiple carriages

[0104] 8. Pulleys (housing to stop any disconnect or drooping, not shown) allow the cable to vary in length so attaching to the hooks is easier and so starting positions vary

[0105] 9. Carabiners

[0106] 10.Carriage additional material to fit the same additions to the carriage as Fig A

[0107] Fig C

[0108] 1. Pin for locking the partial surround carriage to the portion of post (column)

[0109] 2. Rollers in box for the cables to enter the partial surround carriage for cables to exit to the carabiners

[0110] 3. Partial surround carriage of post (column) with pin for locking to the post and these carriages may pass to different heights

[0111] 4. Ball bearing to allow the carriages to slide along the post

[0112] 5. Partial surround carriage of post (column) with pin for locking to the post and these carriages may pass to different heights

[0113] 6. Rollers in box—exit to the carabiners for cables

[0114] 7. Post (column)—shaped for multiple carriages

[0115] 8. Hooks for cable(s) connected to the carabiner with an additional instance of a pulley (housing to stop any disconnect or drooping, not shown), these allow the cable to vary in length so attaching to the hooks is easier and so starting positions vary

[0116] 9. Carabiners

[0117] 10. Carriage additional material to fit the same additions to the carriage as Fig A

[0118] Fig D Partial view shows the rollers not shown in other views so the other portions can be seen

[0119] Drawing FIG. 4—Frame side partial view with pulleys, cables, carriage (placeholder), resistance feature, and resistance modifier motor, hybrid resistance

[0120] Fig A

[0121] 1. Pulleys

[0122] 2. Carriage

[0123] 3. Cables

[0124] 4. Motor

[0125] 5. Weight stack

[0126] Fig B—Post / column can be multiple shapes for multiple carriages and / or rectangular square tube with many different shaped holes on any side

[0127] 1. Post

[0128] 2. Pinholes

[0129] 3. pinholes, align horizontally

[0130] 4. Ladder holes, two or more rectangular holes with rungs between

[0131] 5. Large pinholes for jhooks

Claims

1. A resistance training machine comprising,A resistance training machine wherein a carriage coupled by surrounding (fully or partially) with the top and bottom of the carriage open, to and for the post (column—linear guide) to pass through, within a frame housing also the resistance element and all connecting pulleys and cables, which may allow for Ratios of distance of cable pulled compared to cable travel of force against the resistance element because of the size of travel of the handle(s).

2. A resistance training machine according to claim 1 wherein elongated flexible element(s) (cables) connected to form two or more circles from the resistance element through pulleys or rollers and along the linear guide to exit the carriage, through the openings with rollers to protect the cables, to the arms that mirror each other and have a pivot axis at the end closest to the carriage allowing the flexible element to travel along rollers in a semi-circle and a handle at the end of the bars away from the carriage for the user.

3. A resistance training machine according to claim 2 wherein pulling of the elongated flexible elements (cables) connected to form two or more circles from the resistance element to the ends which are to be connected to arms and handles, shrinks the circles, one or both, or many, at a time to act with force to the resistance element to create resistance, (eg: lifting the weight stack), and carabiners on the end away from being attached to the carriage, (which surrounds (partially or fully), that travels along the linear guide (column) and fixes with a pin to the linear guide), which attaches to arms (in one instance may vary their length to match each other and the limb length of the user) who mirror each other and have a pivot axis at the end attached to the carriage allowing the flexible element (pulled cables) when attached to the arms from the carriage to travel along rollers in a semi-circle and in another instance the flexible elements form two or more circles (or virtual circles (eg two cables synchronized by some electric motor(s) to act like a circle described) from the resistance element through pulleys to the ends which are to be connected to arms with handles for exercise.

4. A resistance training machine according to claim 3 wherein the bars may telescope (into two or more sections) at the ends away from the carriage so the handles may fit comfortably considering the length of the user's limbs.

5. A resistance training machine according to claim 4 wherein the carriage is slidable along the linear guide and connects to the bars which rotate, the carriage has a hole for a pin to connect it to the linear guide at many points and the bars have a semicircle or half circle plate or both each side, which also has pin holes along the semi-circular side for a pin to limit the range of motion of the bars (a starting point), which also has rollers along the semi-circular side for the cable(s) to travel along from the carriage slots with rollers, around the plate roller(s) to the hook on the rear of the arms (telescoping bars)—the side away from the user, and the bars are connected to the carriage as is the plate(s) however the bars are connected by a pivot point to allow rotation and may have stoppers at the top and bottom of the plate to limit movement as does the pin.

6. A resistance training machine according to claim 5 wherein a resistance element is acted upon by a force of rotating the bar(s), which may be a weight stack, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, bo(w)(s), springs, resistance bands or tubes, an electric motor(s), magnetic or friction brake, or combination of.

7. A resistance training machine according to claim 4 and claim 5 wherein the travel along the rollers by the cable is an almost consistent resistance (pulsing, or alternating, or stepping, or cycling, and / or repeating and any combination of), which is a strategy employed to help train the muscles but is not limited to the rollers and may be employed using other means such as electric motor(s), or magnetic or brake controlled such as a computer or user selection.

8. A resistance training machine according to claim 5 and claim 7 where in another instance the slidable carriages on the column which both have a shape to partially surround or connect to the column (around the column) also have rollers or ball bearings to slide along the column and holes on the column and a hole and pin on the carriage to allow it to fix to the column at many points, each are passable to each other, and bars (arms) connected to a front carriage and connected so as to rotate with a starting point selectable by means of a pin and pin holes arranged in a semi-circle for each arm (bar) parallel to a semi-circle of rollers, the length of the cable can vary because the distance from the top of the frame where the column (post) is, to the rear carriage (the purpose is to allow pulleys that can vary in length from the top of the Frame; the cable travels down from the top to and around a pulley and up to the top) can be at a different height than the arm (bar) carriage to vary the length of the cable from the front carriage to the variable starting position to connect the cable carabiners to the arm (bar) hooks.

9. A resistance training machine according to claim 6 and claim 7 and 8 wherein the cable ends protruding from the carriage and may be connected to stoppers and then carabiners can be connected to a bar, a handle(s), a rope, a belt, a strap, as a functional trainer.

10. A resistance training machine wherein the carriage and all things attached to the carriage are balanced by a cable from the carriage over a frame mounted pulley connected to a counter weight of the same weight as the carriage and all things attached to the carriage.

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