Exercise machine apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine wherein the apparatus facilitates locking and unlocking of the connection assemblies utilizing rotational movement of the bar member. The apparatus includes a first connection assembly and a second connection assembly operably coupled to guide posts. The connection assemblies include bar receiving members having a bar member 90 operably coupled thereto extending across between the connection assemblies. An engagement member is proximate each connection assembly and is operably coupled with a movement member. The lower end of the movement member is operably coupled to a second portion of a spring pin member. The spring pin member is configured to have the first portion thereof couple with an aperture on guide posts and is movable between a first and second position. Rotation of the bar member facilitates movement of the spring pin member between a first and second position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an attachment for a Smith exercise machine that facilitates utilization of a specialized barbell and further allows a user to place the barbell in a fixed position utilizing rotation of the barbell.BACKGROUND

[0002] The Smith machine, a staple in gyms worldwide, has garnered both acclaim and criticism since its inception in the 1950s by Rudy Smith and Jack LaLanne. This versatile piece of equipment is a fixed-path barbell system designed to enhance safety and control during strength training exercises. Its unique features make it a valuable tool for athletes of all levels, though its efficacy and appropriateness for various exercise goals remain subjects of ongoing debate. The primary advantage of the Smith machine lies in its ability to provide stability and safety. Unlike a free barbell, the bar on a Smith machine is guided by rails, which minimizes lateral movement. This fixed range of motion can be particularly beneficial for beginners who may struggle with balance during complex exercises such as squats or bench presses. Additionally, the machine includes a locking mechanism that allows users to secure the bar quickly in case of muscle failure, reducing the risk of injury when exercising without a spotter. Another benefit is its versatility. The Smith machine can be used for a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups, including squats, lunges, shoulder presses, and rows. Its adaptability makes it an appealing choice for those looking to perform a comprehensive workout with limited equipment. Furthermore, the controlled environment provided by the Smith machine can help users focus on form and muscle activation, potentially enhancing the quality of their workouts.

[0003] Despite its advantages, the Smith machine has notable limitations. The fixed movement pattern, while offering stability, can also lead to unnatural joint angles. This restriction may increase the risk of joint stress over time, particularly if the machine's path does not align with an individual's natural biomechanics. Additionally, the absence of the need to stabilize the bar can result in reduced engagement of stabilizing muscles, which are crucial for functional strength and injury prevention. Critics also argue that reliance on the Smith machine can hinder the development of proper technique in free-weight exercises. For instance, the machine's guided motion removes the balance and coordination required for free-weight squats, potentially leaving users unprepared for transitioning to free weights. The Smith machine is best utilized as a supplementary tool rather than a primary training modality. It can be particularly useful for isolating specific muscles, performing unilateral movements, or as a safe alternative for beginners. Advanced lifters may also use the Smith machine to perform exercises at unconventional angles or to focus on hypertrophy through controlled movements. The Smith machine occupies a unique position in the fitness world but some of its intrinsic flaws provide an opportunity for improvement.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise apparatus that can be operably coupled to a Smith machine wherein the user employs a specialized barbell of the present invention that minimizes the additional space occupied on a power rack and facilitates rapid integrated release of the spring lock.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a Smith exercise machine wherein the present invention includes a first connection assembly and a second connection assembly movably coupled to guide posts.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that facilitates utilization of a barbell with a Smith machine wherein the first connection assembly and the second connection assembly include bar receiving members.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a Smith exercise machine wherein the bar receiving member of the first connection assembly and the second connection assembly include an engagement member extending downward therefrom.

[0008] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that facilitates utilization of a barbell with a Smith machine wherein the engagement members are operably coupled to movement members.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a Smith exercise machine wherein the movement member is operably coupled to a pin member.

[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that facilitates utilization of a barbell with a Smith machine wherein the pin members are biased with a spring.

[0011] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a Smith exercise machine wherein the bar receiving member permits rotation of the bar allowing movement of the pin member from a first position to a second position facilitating fixing a position of the connection assemblies on the guide posts.

[0012] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the bar receiving member; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an exercise apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0020] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

[0022] Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the exercise apparatus 100 is configured to be operably coupled to a Smith exercise machine wherein the guide posts 5,6 thereof are illustrated herein. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the exercise apparatus 100 could be operably coupled to other similar types of exercise machines having guide posts configured to receive pins for positioning of weight bearing elements.

[0023] The present invention includes a first connection assembly 10 and a second connection assembly 15 having a bar member 90 operably coupled therebetween. The first connection assembly 10 and second connection assembly 15 are identically constructed and as such the discussion herein pertaining to the first connection assembly 10 should be understood to apply to the second connection assembly 15. The first connection assembly 10 includes plate members 20 that are operably coupled utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to welding or mechanical fasteners. The plate members 20 surroundably mount the guide post 5. Connection assembly 10 is configured to slidably traverse along the guide post 5 in an upwards-downwards motion. The first connection assembly 10 utilizes friction reducing members 22 to provide ease of travel in an upwards-downwards path along the guide post 5. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the friction reducing members 22 could be manufactured from nylon rollers or other similar elements.

[0024] The first connection assembly 10 includes bar receiving member 30. The bar receiving member 30 is configured to operably coupled to bar member 90. Bar receiving member 30 includes securing member 32 wherein securing member 32 is cylindrical in shape and hollow so as to receive a portion of the bar member 90 therein and provide retention thereof. Bar receiving member 30 is operably coupled to the bar member 90 in a manner to allow partial rotation of the bar member 90 as is further discussed herein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the bar receiving member 30 could be constructed in alternate manners to achieve the desired objective discussed herein. The first connection assembly 10 includes plate support member 40 mounted to support plate 27 extending outward therefrom being perpendicular thereto. The plate support member 40 is cylindrical in shape and is configured to receive and retain conventional weight lifting plates thereon. While a plate support member 40 is illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the bar member 90 could be a conventional barbell that is releasably secured to the bar receiving member 30.

[0025] The bar receiving member 30 has integrally formed therewith a first engagement member 50 and a second engagement member 55 The first engagement member 50 is secured to bar member 90 proximate the first connection assembly 10. The first engagement member 50 extends downward from the bar member 90 having a first leg portion 51 and a second leg portion 52 with void 53 intermediate thereto. The first leg portion 51 and second leg portion 52 are configured to engage member 56 secured to the movement member 60 wherein the first leg portion 51 and second leg portion 52 are adjacent opposing sides of the movement member 60. Movement member 60 has an upper end 61 and lower end 62 and is planar in manner being pivotally mounted to the first connection assembly 10 with pin 64.

[0026] Lower end 62 of movement member 60 is operably coupled to spring pin member 70. Spring pin member 70 includes first portion 71 secured within housing 80. Second portion 72 of the spring pin member 70 is integrally formed with the first portion 71 extending outward therefrom through the housing 80 and operably coupled to the lower end 62 of the movement member 60. Spring pin member 70 is biased towards guide post 5 utilizing spring 73 so as to journal spring pin member 70 into an aperture in the guide post 5 so as to maintain a fixed position on the guide post 5. The spring pin member 70 in its first position is biased inwards towards the guide post 5 in order to facilitate the journaling of the first portion 71 into an aperture of the guide post 5 so as to maintain a fixed position of the first connection assembly 10.

[0027] In order to facilitate the movement of the spring pin member 70 to its second position, the bar member 90 is rotatably moved so as to change the orientation of the engagement member 50. Movement member 60 pivotally moves about pin 64 and as such the lower end 62 operably coupled with second portion 72 moves the spring pin member 70 away from the guide post 5 releasing the first portion 71 from an aperture in the guide post 5 allowing the first connection assembly 10 to traverse along the guide post 5 in an upwards-downwards motion. The rotation capability of the bar member 90 facilitates an ability for a user of the exercise apparatus 100 to lock and unlock the position of the first connection assembly 10 and second connection assembly 15 with only a slight rotation of the bar member 10.

[0028] While the bar member 90 is illustrated herein being operably coupled between the first connection assembly 10 and second connection assembly 15, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first connection assembly 10 and second connection assembly 15 could have operably coupled thereto smaller independent barbells providing operation of the first connection assembly 10 and second connection assembly 15 independently. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the spring pin member 70 can be secured in its second position so as to remain disengaged from the aperture in the guide post 5 allowing for alternate equipment and or weights to be operably coupled thereto and permit use thereof. By way of example but not limitation, cables could be operably coupled to the first connection assembly 10 or second connection assembly 15 and utilized with the spring pin member 70 locked in its second position.

[0029] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts wherein the exercise apparatus comprises:a first connection assembly, said first connection assembly being movably coupled to a first guide post on the exercise machine, said first connection assembly having a plurality of plate members operably coupled and surroundably mounted to the first guide post, said first connection assembly further having a bar receiving member, said bar receiving member configured to operably coupled with a bar member proximate a first end thereof, said first connection assembly having a movement member, said movement member having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said movement member being operably coupled with a first engagement member integrally formed with said bar member proximate said first end thereof, said movement member having a lower end, said lower end of said movement member being operably coupled with a pin member, said pin member being movable between a first position and a second position, said pin member having a portion thereof journaled into an aperture of said first guide post in said first position;a second connection assembly, said second connection assembly being movably coupled to a second guide post on the exercise machine, said second connection assembly having a plurality of plate members operably coupled and surroundably mounted to the second guide post, said second connection assembly further having a bar receiving member, said bar receiving member of said second connection assembly configured to operably coupled with the bar member proximate a second end thereof, said second connection assembly having a movement member, said movement member of said second connection assembly having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said movement member of said second connection assembly being operably coupled with a second engagement member integrally formed with said bar member proximate said second end thereof, said movement member of said second connection assembly having a lower end, said lower end of said movement member of said second connection assembly being operably coupled with a pin member, said pin member of said second connection assembly being movable between a first position and a second position, said pin member of said second connection assembly having a portion thereof journaled into an aperture of said second guide post in said first position; andwherein rotational movement of the bar member facilitates movement of the pin member of the first connection assembly and the pin member of the second connection assembly from the first to a second position.

2. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 1, wherein said first engagement member extends downward from the bar member proximate the first end, said first engagement member having a first leg portion and a second leg portion with a void therebetween, wherein said first leg member and said second leg member are adjacent opposing sides of the movement member of the first connection assembly.

3. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 2, wherein the pin member of the first connection assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being captively maintained in a housing with a said first portion configured to journal into an aperture on the first guide post, said second portion of said pin member extending outward from said housing and operably coupled with the lower end of said movement member of the first connection assembly.

4. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 3, wherein the pin member of the second connection assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of said pin member of said second connection assembly being captively maintained in a housing with a said first portion of said pin member of said second connection assembly configured to journal into an aperture on the second guide post, said second portion of said pin member of said second connection assembly extending outward from said housing of said second connection assembly and operably coupled with the lower end of said movement member of the second connection assembly.

5. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 4, wherein said second engagement member extends downward from the bar member proximate the second end, said second engagement member having a first leg portion and a second leg portion with a void therebetween, wherein said first leg member and said second leg member of said second engagement member are adjacent opposing sides of the movement member of the second connection assembly.

6. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 5, wherein rotational movement of the bar member moves the pin member of the first connection assembly and the pin member of the second connection assembly to their second position so as to disengage the pin member of the first connection assembly from the first guide post and disengage the pin member of the second connection assembly from the second guide post.

7. The exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts as recited in claim 6, wherein in the second position of the pin member of the first connection assembly and the pin member of the second connection assembly the first connection assembly and the second connection assembly traverse in an upwards-downwards motion on the first guide post and second guide posts respectively.

8. An exercise apparatus configured to be operably coupled to an exercise machine having guide posts wherein the exercise apparatus comprises:a first connection assembly, said first connection assembly being movably coupled to a first guide post on the exercise machine, said first connection assembly having a plurality of plate members operably coupled and surroundably mounted to the first guide post, said first connection assembly further having a bar receiving member, said bar receiving member configured to operably coupled with a first bar member, said first bar member being independently coupled to said first connection assembly, said first connection assembly having a movement member, said movement member having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said movement member being operably coupled with a first engagement member integrally formed with said bar member proximate said first end thereof, said movement member having a lower end, said lower end of said movement member being operably coupled with a pin member, said pin member being movable between a first position and a second position, said pin member having a portion thereof journaled into an aperture of said first guide post in said first position;a second connection assembly, said second connection assembly being movably coupled to a second guide post on the exercise machine, said second connection assembly having a plurality of plate members operably coupled and surroundably mounted to the second guide post, said second connection assembly further having a bar receiving member, said bar receiving member of said second connection assembly configured to be operably coupled a second bar member, said second bar member being independently coupled to said second connection assembly, said second connection assembly having a movement member, said movement member of said second connection assembly having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said movement member of said second connection assembly being operably coupled with a second engagement member integrally formed with said bar member proximate said second end thereof, said movement member of said second connection assembly having a lower end, said lower end of said movement member of said second connection assembly being operably coupled with a pin member, said pin member of said second connection assembly being movable between a first position and a second position, said pin member of said second connection assembly having a portion thereof journaled into an aperture of said second guide post in said first position;wherein rotational movement of the bar member facilitates movement of the pin member of the first connection assembly and the pin member of the second connection assembly from the first to a second position; andwherein rotational movement of the first and second bar members facilitates movement of the pin member of the first connection assembly and the pin member of the second connection assembly from the first to a second position, respectively.

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