Multiplanar exercise device

Abstract

A bilaterally gripped multiplanar exercise device that is ergonomically designed to avoid harmful stresses on the user's body throughout a selected range of exercise motion is disclosed. The invention enables the user to perform multiplanar exercise that cannot be achieved with existing devices or perhaps too difficult to do so. These objects are attained by dispersing an attached tension or force vector (i.e., resistance) to act at a selected ratio at each middle finger grip center so that the user's gripping hands, wrists, and forearms can become an ergonomic multiplanar interface of resistance application to the human body.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 778,563 filed Mar. 27, 2025, of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 18 / 412,945 filed Jan. 15, 2024, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 439,186 filed Jan. 16, 2023.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosed invention relates to exercise equipment and methods of exercising, including tension receiving exercise devices allowing single and multiplanar functional exercise.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In physics, tension is generally described as a pulling force transmitted axially by means of a cable, rope, or similar object. This pulling force transmitted axially through a cable has a direction and magnitude that is commonly referred to as a tension vector. Furthermore, physics states torque is the tendency of a force vector applied to an object to make it rotate about an axis. When the force / tension vector intersects the object's axis, the torque on the object is zero or neutral and as the force / tension vector's perpendicular distance away from the axis increases so does the torque. The force / tension vector's perpendicular distance away from the axis is referred to as the torque-arm.

[0004] Human movement can be described as occurring in three planes that include the frontal plane, sagittal plane, and transverse plane. The frontal plane separates the body into “front and back” and involves movements that occur laterally. The sagittal plane separates the body into “right and left” and involves movements of the body forward and backwards. The transverse plane separates the body into “top and bottom” and involves rotational movements.

[0005] Multiplanar functional exercise is important for several reasons. Human movements that occur in three planes allow us to run, jump, throw, flip, lift, juke, spin, block, and much more. The problem with only training one plane of movement such as the sagittal plane is that when we are subjected to movement in other planes injuries are more likely to occur. For example, ankle sprains that occur in the frontal plane (i.e., lateral movements) are common for athletes who are inefficient at changing direction. Functionality in all planes of motion is not only essential for athletics but also for the everyday activities of living. Training in all three planes of movement will not only help reduce the risk of injury but improve stability, balance, and overall performance. Life and sport demand humans to move efficiently through all planes of motion. By incorporating multiplanar functional exercise this demand can be met.

[0006] Bilaterally gripped tension receiving exercise devices such as the lat pull-down bar, tricep bar, curl bar, and row bar are designed for single plane exercise movements that are mostly limited to a user's sagittal plane. Generally referred to as “cable attachments” and for the purposed of document brevity, these bilaterally gripped tension receiving exercise devices will be also referred to as “bilaterally gripped exercise devices.” These bilaterally gripped exercise devices are typically connected to a tension transmitting cable or an elastomeric member and the tension they transmit has a direction and a magnitude and is referred to in this application as a “tension vector.” Commonly, the tension transmitted is generated from a cable machine's selectorized weight-stack adapted to eliminate inertia issues by utilizing a 2 to 4:1 hoist ratio. At these hoist ratios, stack inertia is synchronized with vigorously performed exercise movements. Furthermore, these bilaterally gripped exercise devices are made of steel, heavy, and typically weigh from 10-20 lbs. Consequently, performable exercises are restricted due to this excessive weight and subsequent inertia problems.

[0007] The bilaterally gripped exercise devices mentioned above are laterally symmetrical about a central plane and have a general architecture that includes bilateral handles, a handle joining assembly, and a tension vector receiving assembly. The central plane is the perpendicular bisector of the space extending between the bilateral handles. The handle joining assembly is typically a central bar or frame structure that extends and joins the bilateral handles. The tension vector receiving assembly is centrally supported by the handle joining assembly and is bisected by the central plane. At its simplest, the tension vector receiving assembly includes an extended flange having a tension engageable hole at its distal end. A more complex alternate tension vector receiving assembly includes an axle supported by the handle joining assembly and extending normal to the central plane. The axle is additionally fitted with a sleeve adapted to rotate about the axle. The sleeve is further adapted with an extended flange having a tension engageable hole at its distal end. This configuration allows the tension engageable hole to rotate about the axle and within the central plane.

[0008] Bilaterally gripped exercise devices create a tension vector acting from where the cable machine's cable emanates and extends through the tension vector receiving assembly to an effective attachment point along the handle joining assembly where it is then transmitted to the bilateral handles. The tension vector's interaction between the design of the tension vector receiving assembly, the handle joining assembly, and spatial bilateral handle configuration determines performable exercises, comfortability, and ergonomics. Common to all the above-mentioned and similar existing bilaterally gripped exercise devices is a tension vector receiving assembly primarily designed to receive tension vectors restricted to the device's central plane. This restriction results from the above-described rotating flanged sleeve having a crude steel on steel sleeve bearing configuration that only accepts radial loads produced by tension vectors restricted to the central plane. Axial loads or thrust loads created by tension vectors acting at an angle to the central plane like those produced by multiplanar functional exercise would cause a binding / sticking effect within the sleeve bearing resulting in an inconsistent resistance application. Additionally, as the tension vector angle departs further away from the central plane its effective attachment point will quickly drift to the opposite handle of the exercise device due to the offset tension attachment point of the extended flange. This creates the opposite handle to unfavorably receive a greater portion of the tension vector. Furthermore, because these bilaterally gripped exercise devices are designed to receive tension vectors restricted to the central plane, their respective performable exercises are therefore largely restricted to the user's sagittal plane.

[0009] Another feature common to all the above mentioned and similar existing bilaterally gripped exercise devices is a tension vector receiving assembly that creates an inherent torque about the bilateral handles. As mentioned above, torque is the tendency of a force or tension vector applied to an object such as the bilaterally gripped exercise device that can cause it to rotate about an axis. This inherent torque is a result of a tension vector receiving assembly delivering an effective tension vector that acts at a distance (i.e., torque-arm) from a hypothetical box drawn about the bilateral handles. When in use this inherent torque will cause the bilaterally gripped exercise device to rotate and find a position of equilibrium (i.e., neutral torque) unless countered by the user's opposing force. Commonly this inherent torque is by design and utilized to ensure the bilaterally gripped exercise device will present an initial ergonomic grip position that will be maintained throughout its range of motion to complement its intended purpose. An example of this is the V-shaped tricep bar where its bilateral handles are located on the opposing sides of the V-shape and the tension vector receiving assembly is welded to the apex (i.e., central plane). The tricep bar's tension vector receiving assembly comprises of an extended flange having a tension vector attachable hole at its distal end. The base of the extended flange is welded to the V's apex with its tension engageable hole and distal end extending past it. When attached to the cable machine's elevated position the tricep bar's configuration will naturally hang as an inverted V and present an initial ergonomic grip position that will be maintain throughout its range of motion to facilitate a tricep extension exercise.

[0010] For a bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise device to correctly facilitate multiplanar functional exercise, it must allow a user the ability to pull, push and rotate it freely about multiple planes of movement while simultaneously applying a balanced tension to each bilaterally gripping hand in a manner that hand torque about the wrists can be largely neutral or easily managed. A large limiting factor when attempting to perform multiplanar functional exercise with current bilaterally gripped exercise devices is the pain experienced about the hand and wrist. This pain results from the stress and resultant strain of managing unfavorable hand torque about the wrist. Currently most bilaterally gripped exercise devices are designed for single plane exercise movements occurring in the user's sagittal plane. In fact, if a user attempted directing these current devices through a multiplanar exercise they would experience unfavorable hand torque about the wrist. This results from a tension vector receiving assembly that at some point along the user's range of motion delivers an effective tension vector that acts at a distance (i.e., torque-arm) from the hypothetical box drawn about the bilateral handles. This torque acts to rotate the bilateral handles to a position of equilibrium that is inline to the tension vector. To accommodate for this, the user must not only overcome the tension vector's “normal” inline tension, but also generate an additional opposing rotational force to maintain a comfortable grip. This relentless state of opposing the unfavorable torque to maintain a comfortable grip, places an additional stress on the user that can result in pain, injury, and limit the type and execution of desired exercises.

[0011] Of all the bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise devices the rope attachment is most commonly utilized to facilitate multiplanar functional exercise. These movements include some form of torso rotation / stabilization where the user grips both ends of the rope and performs a multiplanar exercise. By virtue of allowing the rope to enter the top of the grasping hand and terminate at its bottom, a tension vector is created that can torque the top of the gripping hand and wrist toward the point of cable emanation and the opposite is true if the rope is allowed to enter at the bottom of the hand. Therefore, rope attachment exercise resistance levels are extremely limited due to hand torque about the wrist. Even at small resistance levels this torque can cause unfavorable hand and wrist pain that may result in injury and limit the type and execution of desired exercises. It is important to point out that the rope attachment's handle joining assembly is the flexible rope itself and by virtue of its flexible characteristic sets it into a different category than that of the disclosed invention.

[0012] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise device that addresses the above-described issues by providing a largely torque-free, balanced, ergonomic tension-application for the performance of single and multiplanar functional exercise. There is also a need for the new methods of exercise that can be facilitated with such devices.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiplanar bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise device (referred to as a “multiplanar exercise device”) that is ergonomically designed to avoid unnatural stresses on the user's body while facilitating single and multiplanar functional exercise.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that actively receives a tension vector from all selected exercise angles and simultaneously applies a balanced tension application to each bilaterally gripping hand in a manner that hand torque about the wrists can be largely neutral or easily managed.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that enables a user to perform exercises that cannot be accomplished with existing devices or maybe more difficult, painful, or uncomfortable to do so.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that by bilaterally gripping the present invention an active supporting bridge is formed across the upper-torso / shoulder-girdle that aids in maximizing the strength expressed during multiplanar functional exercise.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that accommodates the universal athletic position (i.e., athletic ready position) where a natural bilateral grip angle is generally 60 degrees from horizontal with opposing palms facing down and thumbs up and at a shoulder's width apart.

[0018] A further object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that with respect to tension application to a gripping hand, recognizes the significance that the two axes of hand rotation intersect at the wrist's capitate bone which is located at the base of the middle finger's metacarpal bone and therefore inline to both the middle finger's grip circle and grip center.

[0019] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that allows an exercise pull-phase (i.e., gripping hands & wrists under tension), an exercise push-phase (i.e., gripping hands & wrists under compression), and an exercise transition-phase (i.e., transition from a pull or push-phase and vice versa) that can be ergonomically performed singularly or in any combination thereof.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that facilitates optional handle designs that can accommodate a user's preferred size, shape, and or tactile requirements.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that allows the user to quickly rotate / transition from a pull-phase grip 180-degrees about the tension vector's effective attachment point and immediately establish a push-phase grip (and vice versa).

[0022] A further object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that is lightweight, strong, durable, and adds no significant mass and related inertia issues to an exercising user.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that facilitates specific spatial handle configurations that can be either static or while in use actively directed by the user to accommodate for exercise specific movements and or user specific ergonomic requirements.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that facilitates a largely neutral torque state about the gripping hands, wrists, and forearms during an exercise's pull and push-phase grips.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that allows users to selectively stand, sit, lie, or kneel and perform multiplanar functional exercises.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that during the transition from a pull-phase grip to a push-phase grip and vice-versa, allows the user to selectively lessen exposure time to unfavorable torque about the gripping hands, wrists, and forearms.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that allows the user to efficiently select proper ergonomic grip positions prior to initiating exercise.

[0028] Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplanar exercise device that can also selectively deliver different ratios of the attached tension vector to the bilaterally gripping hands.

[0029] The multiplanar exercise device of the present invention is adapted to receive a tension transmitting cable like that provided by “cable machines” readily available in the strength and conditioning industry. These tension transmitting cables or similar tension providing devices such as elastomeric members (e.g., elastic tubing, bands, or bungee cord) transmit a tension that has a direction and a magnitude and is referred to in this application as a tension vector. Generally, the multiplanar exercise device of the present invention is symmetrical about a central plane and has a general design that includes a pair of handles each having a grip point, a handle joining assembly, and a tension vector receiving assembly. The central plane is a perpendicular bisector of the space and a line extending between opposing grip points.

[0030] To ergonomically design a multiplanar exercise device that maximizes the expression of multiplanar functional strength while minimizing pain and associated injury, it is paramount to understand the anatomy of a gripping hand, wrist, and forearm. This understanding begins with the notion that the multiplanar exercise device can be engineered to manipulate a centrally attached tension vector to act from any point about each bilateral handle. Therefore, to satisfy the general ergonomic goal of finding ways to make strenuous, often repetitive work, less likely to cause muscle and joint injuries one must consider what is the best point about each bilaterally gripped handle that the centrally attached tension vector should act from. These best points will be referred to as the grip points and are symmetrically located about the central plane. To resolve this, one must examine the musculoskeletal system of the gripping hand, wrist, and forearm to recognize a natural inline geometry of three anatomical features. This natural inline geometry occurs when the gripping hand is squarely supported on the forearm in a neutral state exhibiting neither “flexion or extension” or “ulna or radius deviation” about the wrist. The first and perhaps the most important inline anatomical feature to recognize is a middle finger grip center and it is essentially the central point of a middle finger grip circle that wraps around a handle. The second inline anatomical feature is a wrist's capitate bone located in line to the middle finger grip center and at the base of the middle finger's metacarpal bone. Moreover, the wrist's capitate bone is also where two axes of hand rotation uniquely intersect. These axes of hand rotation include a flexion / extension axis and an ulna / radius deviation axis. The third inline anatomical feature is a forearm's effective structural length. When these three anatomical features (middle finger grip center, wrist's capitate bone, and the forearm's effective structural length) become collinear with the applied tension vector acting at each handle's grip point, an ergonomic neutral torque state about each gripping hand is provided.

[0031] For the above collinear relationship to exist and create the neutral torque state, the user must establish a bilateral grip where each middle finger grip center coincides with respective grip points. Therefore, the grip points must be located at a point along each handle's longitudinal centerline to allow coincidence with respective middle finger grip centers. Consequently, grip points represent the preferred location for a user to establish respective middle finger grip centers. In addition, the tension vector's effective attachment point must coincide with the bisecting point of a line extending between the grip points. This line will be referred to as a grip point line and the point bisecting it will be referred to as a pivot point. When the tension vector's effective attachment point coincides with the pivot point of the grip point line it allows the transmitted tension vector to create a balanced parallel tension vector at each grip point that acts parallel to and with half the magnitude of the centrally attached tension vector. Accordingly, when each middle finger grip center coincide with respective grip points, each parallel tension vector can simultaneously intersect the axes of hand rotation at the capitate bone and become collinear with the forearm's effective structural length whereby preventing the formation of a torque-arm about the capitate bone and subsequent torque about each gripping hand. This ergonomic neutral torque state allows maximum expression of multiplanar functional strength by facilitating a torque-free, balanced, comfortable, ergonomic tension-application about the bilaterally gripping hands, wrists, and forearms.

[0032] Additionally, the above ergonomic neutral torque state exists in two exercise phases: the first when the gripping hands and wrists are under tension from the applied tension vector and is referred to as a pull-phase; and the second when the gripping hands and wrists are under compression from the applied tension vector and is referred to as a push-phase. A third exercise phase referred to as a transition-phase are all the remaining exercise phases that are not largely in a pull or push-phase. During transition-phases the potential of hand torque about the wrists peaks when the tension vector approaches a plane that extends along the grip point line and is largely normal to the forearm's effective structural length. These peak torque loads acting on the gripping hands occur between the transition (i.e., transition-phase) from a pull to push-phase or vice versa and when reach an uncomfortable level they can be managed to facilitate the performance of multiplanar functional exercise.

[0033] To manage these peak torque loads the present invention utilizes the tension vector receiving assembly that functions to direct the incoming tension vector from performed exercise angles to the bisecting pivot point of the grip point line. This combined with each middle finger grip center coinciding with respective grip points, creates a unique torque-free pivot point state in which the user can freely rotate / tilt the gripped handles 3-dimensionally about the pivot point. The pivot point state allows the user to quickly rotate a pull-phase exercise grip 180-degrees about the pivot point and immediately establish a push-phase exercise grip (and vice versa). This 180-degree grip rotation about the pivot point can be quickly executed to limit the user's exposure to any harmful torque about the gripping hands and wrists. In addition, to aid in the performance of this 180-degree grip rotation, the user can impart excess inertia to a weight-stack based tension vector allowing it to effectively float through peak hand torque transition-phases whereby alleviating potential pain and associated injury. Therefore, during the pull, transition, and push-phases of multiplanar functional exercise the present invention provides a balanced pain-free ergonomic tension-application about the gripping hands, wrists, and forearms to facilitate their performance.

[0034] As discussed above, the present invention's tension vector receiving assembly functions to direct the attached tension vector from performed exercise angles to a single point referred to as the pivot point. The pivot point is that point that bisects the line (i.e., grip point line) that extends between grip points. To accomplish this the tension vector receiving assembly must be designed to prevent an unfavorable drift / departure of the tension vector's effective attachment point from the pivot point during multiplanar exercise. An example of unfavorable drift can result from an offset tension attachment point that rotates (i.e., rotating flanged sleeve) about the grip point line while receiving a multiplanar tension vector whose incoming angle largely departs from the central plane. More specifically, as the tension vector angle departs further from the central plane its tension vector's effective attachment point will quickly drift down the grip point line towards the opposite handle. As a result, the opposite handle will receive a greater portion of the tension vector. Furthermore, during exercise transition-phases the rotating flanged sleeve can become hung-up on a 180-degree grip rotation and suddenly flip to realign whereby causing an unfavorable jolt and inconsistent tension application.

[0035] When resolving the above issues, many factors must be considered to properly design a reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective tension vector receiving assembly that can direct the attached tension vector from performed exercise angles to the pivot point of the grip point line. Although the present invention provides several alternate embodiments of the tension vector receiving assembly, one preferred embodiment utilizes a rotating trunnion sleeve that supports two intersecting perpendicular axes of rotation that intersect at the pivot point and having one axis collinear to the grip point line.

[0036] More specifically, this embodiment of the present invention is a multiplanar exercise device generally including the pair of handles (i.e., bilateral handles) each having the grip point adapted to receive the middle finger grip center, the central plane, the handle joining assembly, the tension vector receiving assembly, a central axle supporting a 1st axis of rotation, the tension vector, the grip point line, a middle finger grip marker, the middle finger grip circle, a rotating trunnion sleeve supporting the 1st and a 2nd axis of rotation, the pivot point, a tension vector attachment assembly, a line of tension, and a swivel assembly forming an optional 3rd axis of rotation. The bilateral handles (i.e., pair of handles) are spaced at a shoulder's width apart with opposing natural grip angles of 60 degrees from horizontal and adapted to be gripped with opposing palms facing down and thumbs up. The central plane is a perpendicular bisector of the space and a line extending between opposing grip points. The handle joining assembly includes the bilateral handles, a pair of opposing handle joining members and the central axle. The bilateral handles are joined together at their top terminal ends by the handle joining members which extend and join to the central axle. The central axle forms the 1st axis of rotation and intersects each bilateral handle's longitudinal centerline at the above opposing 60 degrees. These bilateral points of intersection are the grip points where the potential of hand torque about the wrist caused by the applied tension vector can be largely neutral or easily managed. The line extending between the grip points is the grip point line and is collinear to the central axle's 1st axis of rotation. The visible and or tactile middle finger grip markers are adapted to the handle's surface and represent the effective location of each grip point. These grip markers enable the user to quickly establish a correct grip by concentrically positioning their middle finger grip circle about them whereby allowing their middle finger grip center to become superimposed with respective grip points. The rotating trunnion sleeve is supported by a series of double row angular contact ball bearings mounted centrally about the central axle and are capable of efficiently managing both radial and bi-directional axial loads. This arrangement allows the rotating trunnion sleeve to concentrically rotate about the central axle's 1st axis of rotation and the collinear grip point line. Furthermore, the rotating trunnion sleeve is furnished with a pair of 180 degree opposing trunnions that form the 2nd axis of rotation. This 2nd axis of rotation is coplanar to the central plane and is also a perpendicular bisector of the grip point line that extends between the grip points. Similarly, the 1st axis of rotation and the collinear grip point line is also a perpendicular bisector of the distance that spans along the 2nd axis of rotation between the trunnion axles. The intersection point of the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation coincides at the bisecting pivot point of the grip point line. The 2nd axis of rotation is supported by the 1st axis of rotation and rotates with and about the 1st axis. Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation rotates, the supported 2nd axis of rotation will rotate / swing with it. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation can still rotate independently.

[0037] Each trunnion axle supports a pulley made of high bearing grade plastic that rotates about the 2nd axis and is supported between a lower thrust surface at the base of each trunnion axle and an upper thrust surface provided by a trunnion axle terminating screw mounted cap. The tension vector attachment assembly is attached to the pulleys whereby allowing it to rotate about the 2nd and 1st axis of rotation. The tension vector attachment assembly includes the pulleys, a tension transmitting structure, a tension vector attachable member, and an optional 3rd axis of rotation. The tension transmitting structure is referred to as a yoke and acts as a bridge / span that connects the rotating pulleys together and forms a clearance feature. The clearance feature provides clearance to allow the tension transmitting structure / yoke to rotate about the trunnion assembly's 2nd axis of rotation without interference. Similarly, the clearance feature also allows the tension transmitting structure / yoke to largely rotate about the 1st axis of rotation (i.e., handle joining assembly) without interference. More specifically, the tension transmitting structure / yoke is formed by twelve strand UHMWPE rope (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope) and modified with a locked Brummel eye-splice at each end. Each eye-splice is adjusted to have an interference fit over each pulley and come to rest in a respective pulley groove. When the multiplanar exercise device is in use, the UHMWPE rope assembly (i.e., tension transmitting structure / yoke) becomes tensioned and forms a V-shaped tension transmitting structure / yoke. This V-shaped tension transmitting structure / yoke preferably has a length that extends past a handle's distal end. Benefits of this construction and length include (1) a strong narrow profile combined with the extended V-shaped clearance that provides less interference with the multiplanar exercise device and subsequent greater exercise angles and (2) a soft nondestructive exterior of the UHMWPE rope or an optional protective nylon sleeve that may occasionally sweep against the gripping hands or an interfering surface of the multiplanar exercise device.

[0038] The tension vector attachable member comprises of the swivel assembly that is adapted to engage a central apex of the V-shaped UHMWPE rope and provide a 3rd axis of rotation for a bearing mounted swivel eye. The line of tension is created by virtue of attaching the tension vector to the swivel eye (i.e., tension vector attachable member) while the gripping user opposes it. The line of tension extends from the swivel eye and bisects the V-shaped clearance feature from the central apex to the pivot point. Furthermore, the line of tension is (1) perpendicular to the 2nd axis of rotation, (2) swivels about the 2nd and the 1st axis of rotation and (3) actively stays collinear with the attached tension vector, the pivot point, and the 3rd axis of rotation. This active collinear alignment is accomplished by the tension vector opposing the user and simultaneously (1) driving the pulley-mounted tension vector attachment assembly to rotate about the 2nd axis of rotation, (2) driving the central trunnion sleeve and the tension vector attachment assembly to rotate about the 1st axis of rotation and (3) driving the swivel eye to rotate about the 3rd axis of rotation as subsequent torque equilibrium is maintained about each axis. Therefore, this arrangement allows the tension vector receiving assembly to direct the incoming tension vector from performed exercise angles to the pivot point along the grip point line and provides numerous advantages that will be discussed.

[0039] The swivel eye's 3rd axis of rotation accommodates for the subsequent torque equilibrium between (1) the independent rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and (2) the inherent twist / lay that exists along the length of the attached tension transmitting cable or elastomeric member. Furthermore, many tension vector supplying machines (i.e., cable machines) include a swivel at their terminal engagement link that may reduce or eliminate the need for the tension vector attachment assembly to redundantly accommodate for this 3rd axis of rotation. This allows for a nonrotating tension vector attachable member or simply directly attaching the swiveling terminal engagement link to the central apex of the V-shaped tension transmitting structure / yoke (of the UHMWPE rope assembly).

[0040] An advantage of the present invention is that it can direct the incoming tension vector from all selected exercise angles to the pivot point along the grip point line and apply a balanced tension to bilaterally gripping hands in a manner that hand torque about the wrist can be largely neutral or easily managed.

[0041] Another advantage of one preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the tension vector receiving assembly utilizes two intersecting perpendicular axes of rotation that can direct the incoming tension vector from all selected exercise angles to the pivot point along the grip point line and apply a balanced tension to bilaterally gripping hands in a manner that hand torque about the wrist can be largely neutral or easily managed.

[0042] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a balanced parallel tension vector at each bilateral grip point that acts parallel to and with half the magnitude of the incoming tension vector. When each parallel tension vector become collinear with its respective middle finger grip center, capitate bone, and the forearm's effective structural length they create an ergonomic neutral torque state. This ergonomic neutral torque state allows maximum expression of multiplanar functional strength by facilitating a torque-free, balanced, comfortable, ergonomic tension-application about the gripping hands, wrists, and forearms.

[0043] Another advantage of the present invention is that the ergonomic neutral torque state allows maximum expression of multiplanar functional strength during the pull and push-phase of multiplanar exercise.

[0044] A further advantage of the present invention is that by allowing the middle finger grip center to coincide with respective grip points and by simultaneously directing the tension vector from performed exercise angles to the pivot point of the grip point line, a pivot point state is provided. When this condition of unique point coincidence is met, the pivot point state allows the user to freely rotate / tilt the handles 3-dimensionally about the pivot point. Moreover, the pivot point state allows the user to quickly rotate a pull-phase exercise grip 180-degrees about the pivot point and immediately establish a push-phase exercise grip (and vice versa).

[0045] Another advantage of the present invention is that the 180-degree grip rotation about the pivot point can be quickly executed, as to limit the user's exposure to any harmful torque about the gripping hands and wrists that may reach an uncomfortable level when transitioning from a pull-phase exercise grip to a push-phase exercise grip (and vice versa).

[0046] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is constructed of ultra-strong lightweight materials like molded composites, UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) rope, high-pressure die-casting alloys, or CNC machined parts like that made of 7075-T6 aluminum. By utilizing these processes and materials, weight savings approaching five times less than current similar devices can be achieved and effectively produce a multiplanar exercise device weighing between 3 to 4 pounds with a working load limit of 500 pounds.

[0047] Another advantage of the present invention is that the middle finger grip marker adapted to each handle's surface represent the effective location of each ergonomically determined grip point. These visible and or tactile grip markers enable the user to quickly establish a correct grip by concentrically positioning their middle finger's grip circle about them, whereby allowing their middle finger grip center to become superimposed with respective grip points. As a result of having the correct grip, both the neutral torque state and the pivot point state about the gripping hands, wrists, and forearms can exist and benefit the user's ability to perform multiplanar functional exercise.

[0048] Yet another advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a pair of bilateral handle posts to facilitate interchangeable handle designs that can accommodate a user's preferred size, shape, or tactile requirements.

[0049] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the invention, which taken with the accompanying drawings disclose several embodiments of the disclosed invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a top isometric view exemplifying general components and assemblies of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of the present invention exemplifying grip point geometry and additional features.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of the present invention exemplifying grip point geometry and axial rotation of respective components and assemblies of FIG. 2.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of three sequential exercise positions (FIGS. 4A, 4B, &4C) exemplifying a user performing a multiplanar functional exercise with the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a sequential exercise position utilized to execute the pull-phase of the multiplanar functional exercise of FIG. 4.

[0056] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a sequential exercise position utilized to execute the transition-phase of the multiplanar functional exercise of FIG. 4.

[0057] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a sequential exercise position utilized to execute the push-phase of the multiplanar functional exercise of FIG. 4.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a front view exemplifying a user's left and right middle finger grip circles and centers coinciding respectively with middle finger grip markers and grip points of the present invention during the pull-phase of exercise.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a top left isometric view exemplifying the user's left and right hand gripping the present invention during the pull-phase of exercise when both the neutral torque state and torque free pivot point state exist.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a top left isometric view exemplifying the user's left and right hand gripping the present invention during the push-phase of exercise when both the neutral torque state and torque free pivot point state exist.

[0061] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-7.

[0062] FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of an alternate grip assembly of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the handle joining assembly.

[0064] FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of the trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0065] FIG. 11A is a detailed isometric view of the swivel housing of FIG. 11.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a top view of the present invention exemplifying the section view locations of FIGS. 13 & 14.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a section view of the present invention taken at the FIG. 13 section line shown in FIG. 12.

[0068] FIG. 13A is a detailed section view of the trunnion assembly of FIG. 13.

[0069] FIG. 14 is a section view of the present invention taken at the FIG. 14 section line shown in FIG. 12.

[0070] FIG. 14A is a detailed section view of the swivel assembly of FIG. 14.

[0071] FIG. 14B is a detailed section view of the trunnion assembly of FIG. 14.

[0072] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternate trunnion assembly of the present invention.

[0073] FIG. 15A is a section view of the alternate trunnion assembly taken at the FIG. 15A section line shown in FIG. 15.

[0074] FIG. 16 is an exploded isometric view of the alternate trunnion assembly shown in FIG. 15.

[0075] FIG. 17 is a top isometric view of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention exemplifying an alternate tension vector attachment assembly.

[0076] FIG. 17A is a detailed isometric view of the alternate tension vector attachment assembly of FIG. 17 exemplifying the addition of a clamp.

[0077] FIG. 18 shows three trunnion-based multiplanar exercise devices of the present invention each exemplifying an alternative rigid yoke-based tension vector attachment assembly.

[0078] FIG. 18A is a top isometric view of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention exemplifying an alternative rigid yoke-based tension vector attachment assembly adapted with an alternative tension vector attachable member illustrated as a hole.

[0079] FIG. 18B is a top isometric view of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention exemplifying an alternative rigid yoke-based tension vector attachment assembly adapted with a sewn runner and a quick link.

[0080] FIG. 18C is a top isometric view of the trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention exemplifying an alternative rigid yoke-based tension vector attachment assembly adapted with a swivel eye assembly.

[0081] FIG. 18D is a top isometric view of an alternate trunnion-based multiplanar exercise device of the present invention exemplifying a tapered union of the central axle and the handle joining members, and an alternative rigid yoke-based tension vector attachment assembly adapted with a pair of cone of clearance stops and an alternative tension vector attachable member illustrated as a U-shaped link.

[0082] FIG. 18E is a top isometric view of FIG. 18D exemplifying a cone of clearance, the pair of cone of clearance stops, and a tension vector link shown in hidden lines attached to the U-shaped link.

[0083] FIG. 18F is a top isometric view of FIG. 18D exemplifying a cone of clearance, the pair of cone of clearance stops, and a tension vector link shown in hidden lines attached to an optional tension vector attachable member (shown in hidden lines as a quick link) that is in turn attached to an optional tension transmitting structure (shown in hidden lines as a sewn runner) that is in turn attached to the U-shaped link.

[0084] FIG. 18G is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 18D-18F exemplifying the trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly adapted with the alternate tension transmitting rigid yoke structure.

[0085] FIG. 19 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a fairlead / orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0086] FIG. 19A is a section view of the alternate embodiment taken at the FIG. 19A section line shown in FIG. 19.

[0087] FIG. 20 is a bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 19 exemplifying the fairlead / orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0088] FIG. 20A is a detailed isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 20 exemplifying the fairlead / orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0089] FIG. 21 is a partially exploded top isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 19.

[0090] FIG. 22 is a partially exploded bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 19.

[0091] FIG. 23 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0092] FIG. 23A is a bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 23 exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0093] FIG. 23B is a detailed isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 23A exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0094] FIG. 23C is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 23-23B exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0095] FIG. 24 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly wherein the clevis nut of FIGS. 23-23C is replaced by a similar functioning eye nut and the tension vector attachment assembly is replaced by a clevis-to-clevis link.

[0096] FIG. 24A is a bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 24 exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0097] FIG. 24B is a detailed isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 24A exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0098] FIG. 24C is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 24-24B exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly utilizing the eye nut and clevis-to-clevis link.

[0099] FIG. 25 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly shown in FIGS. 24-24C invertedly mounted to the handle joining member to accommodate for a largely hemispherical source of tension vectors that fall above the multiplanar exercise device.

[0100] FIG. 25A is a bottom isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 25 exemplifying the invertedly mounted clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0101] FIG. 25B is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 25 & 25A exemplifying the invertedly mounted clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0102] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a flag block-based tension vector receiving assembly, an offset 2nd axis of rotation, and an effective tension vector attachment point drift.

[0103] FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 26.

[0104] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the features of the flag block shown in FIGS. 27& 26.

[0105] FIG. 29 is a partially exploded top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an independent grip point axis at each grip point that is collinear to the handle's longitudinal centerline.

[0106] FIG. 29A is a section view of the alternate embodiment taken at FIG. 29A section plane shown in FIG. 29.

[0107] FIG. 30 is a partially sectioned top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying the independent grip point axis at each grip point that is collinear to the handle's longitudinal centerline initially shown in FIGS. 29 & 29A and an additional independent grip point axis that is collinear to the grip point line.

[0108] FIG. 30A is a section view of the alternate embodiment taken at FIG. 30A section plane shown in FIG. 30 exemplifying the independent grip point axis that is collinear to the handle's longitudinal centerline.

[0109] FIG. 30B is a detailed isometric view of the partially sectioned area FIG. 30B of the FIG. 30 exemplifying the independent grip point axis that is collinear to the grip point line.

[0110] FIG. 31 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an independent grip point axes at each grip point that is perpendicular to both the handle's longitudinal centerline and the grip point line.

[0111] FIG. 32 is a partially exploded top isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 31 exemplifying the assembly of the independent grip point axes of FIG. 31.

[0112] FIG. 33 is a top isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 31 exemplifying axial rotation of respective components and assemblies.

[0113] FIG. 34 is a partially sectioned top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying the independent grip point axes initially shown in FIG. 31-33 and the independent grip point axis that is collinear to the grip point line initially shown in FIGS. 30 & 30B.

[0114] FIG. 34A is a detailed isometric view of the partially sectioned area FIG. 34A of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 34 exemplifying the independent grip point axis that is collinear to the grip point line.

[0115] FIG. 35 is a top isometric view of an articulated & optimized alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplified by FIGS. 31-33 where a modified version of the trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly shown in FIGS. 18D-18G is utilized.

[0116] FIG. 36 is a partially exploded top isometric view of the optimized alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 35.

[0117] FIG. 37 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0118] FIG. 37A is a top view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 37 comparing angular rotation about the 2nd axis of rotation of the ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly shown in FIG. 37 and the trunnion-based tension vector receiving assemblies disclosed in this document.

[0119] FIG. 37B is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying the ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly shown in FIGS. 37 & 37A.

[0120] FIG. 38 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0121] FIG. 38A is a detailed isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38 exemplifying the orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0122] FIG. 38B is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a linear orifice array-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0123] FIG. 38C is a detailed isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38B exemplifying the linear orifice array-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0124] FIG. 38D is a top isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38B exemplifying the linear orifice array-based tension vector receiving assembly supporting a swiveled pulley block and looped flexible tension transmitting member.

[0125] FIG. 38E is a top isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38B exemplifying the linear orifice array-based tension vector receiving assembly rotated 90 degrees about the pivot point line and supported by a thin section of the handle joining assembly.

[0126] FIG. 38F is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38E exemplifying an offset handle joining assembly.

[0127] FIG. 38G is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 38E exemplifying the tension vector attachment assembly wrapped around the thin section of the handle joining assembly and creating an effective tension vector attachment point drift.

[0128] FIG. 39 is a top isometric view of an articulated alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly.

[0129] FIG. 39A is a top view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 39 exemplifying an attached landmine accessory.

[0130] FIG. 39B is a partially exploded top isometric view of FIG. 39A exemplifying the construction and attachment of the landmine accessory.

[0131] FIG. 40 is a top isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly adapted with an inverted trunnion axle and having independent grip point axes that are collinear to the grip point line.

[0132] FIG. 40A is a top isometric view of an articulated embodiment of the alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplified by FIG. 40.

[0133] FIG. 40B is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 40 exemplifying the section view location of FIG. 40C and including an axle-less rotating trunnion shown with hidden lines.

[0134] FIG. 40C is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 40 taken at the FIG. 40C section line shown in FIG. 40B.

[0135] FIG. 40D is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 40 including an axle-less rotating trunnion shown with hidden lines.

[0136] FIG. 40E is a top isometric view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 40-40D where the tension vector attachment assembly includes an extended clevis bar.

[0137] FIG. 40F is an exploded top isometric view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 40E with the axle-less rotating trunnion shown with hidden lines.

[0138] FIG. 40G is a top isometric view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 40-40D where the tension vector attachment assembly includes a rigid yoke assembly rotatably supported by the axle-less rotating trunnion.

[0139] FIG. 40H is an exploded top isometric view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 40G with the axle-less rotating trunnion shown with hidden lines.

[0140] FIG. 41 is a top isometric view of an articulated alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly adapted with an inverted trunnion axle and having independent grip point axes that are (1) collinear to the grip point line (2) perpendicular to the grip point line, and (3) collinear to the longitudinal centerline of the handles.

[0141] FIG. 41A is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 41.

[0142] FIG. 42 is a top isometric view of an articulated alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying an axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly adapted with a rigid yoke assembly and having independent grip point axes that are collinear to the grip point line.

[0143] FIG. 42A is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 42 including an axle-less rotating trunnion shown with hidden lines.

[0144] FIG. 43 is a top isometric view of a narrow grip alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a fairlead-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0145] FIG. 43A is a partially sectioned top isometric view of the narrow grip alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 43.

[0146] FIG. 43B is an exploded isometric view of the partially sectioned alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 43A.

[0147] FIG. 44 is a top isometric view of a parallel narrow grip alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a fairlead-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0148] FIG. 44A is a partially sectioned top isometric view of the parallel narrow grip alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 44.

[0149] FIG. 44B is an exploded isometric view of the partially sectioned alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 44A.

[0150] FIG. 45 is a top isometric view of a narrow grip alternate embodiment of the present invention exemplifying a flag block-based tension vector receiving assembly.

[0151] FIG. 45A is an exploded isometric view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 45 including a flag block and a handle joining member shown with hidden lines.REFERENCE NUMBERS1 Tension vector source point

[0153] 2 Grip point geometry

[0154] 3 Central plane

[0155] 4 Grip point

[0156] 4A Shifted grip point

[0157] 5 Grip point line

[0158] 5A Shifted grip point line

[0159] 6 Pivot point

[0160] 7 Tension vector

[0161] 8 Effective tension vector attachment point

[0162] 9 Effective tension vector attachment point drift

[0163] 10 Parallel tension vector

[0164] 11 Longitudinal centerline (of bilateral handle)

[0165] 12 Gripping hand

[0166] 13 Wrist

[0167] 14 Forearm

[0168] 15 Middle finger grip center

[0169] 16 Middle finger grip circle

[0170] 17 Capitate bone (of wrist)

[0171] 18 Flexion / extension axis (of wrist)

[0172] 19 Ulna / radius deviation axis (of wrist)

[0173] 20 Forearm's effective structural length

[0174] 21 User

[0175] 22 Multiplanar functional exercise

[0176] 23 Exercise pull-phase

[0177] 24 Exercise push-phase

[0178] 25 Exercise transition-phase

[0179] 26 Neutral torque state

[0180] 27 Pivot point state

[0181] 28 Handle (bilateral handle)

[0182] 29 1st axis of rotation

[0183] 30 2nd axis of rotation

[0184] 31 3rd axis of rotation

[0185] 32 Handle joining assembly / member

[0186] 33 Tension vector receiving assembly

[0187] 34 Trunnion assembly

[0188] 35 Fairlead / orifice assembly

[0189] 36 Clevis / eye nut assembly

[0190] 37 Flag block assembly

[0191] 38 Tension vector attachment assembly / member

[0192] 39 Tension transmitting structure / member (e.g., flexible / rigid yoke structure, sewn runner, UHMWPE rope)

[0193] 39A Optional tension transmitting structure / member (e.g., sewn runner)

[0194] 39B Additional tension transmitting structure / member (e.g., sewn runner)

[0195] 40 Tension vector attachable member / feature (e.g., swivel eye / quick link / hole / sewn runner looped end)

[0196] 40A Optional tension vector attachable member (e.g., swivel eye / quick link / hole / sewn runner looped end)

[0197] 41 Central apex (of V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly / rigid yoke)

[0198] 42 Line of tension

[0199] 43 Clearance feature (of trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly)

[0200] 44 Textured Surface (e.g., knurl of handle)

[0201] 45 Threaded screw hole (of handle / interchangeable handle post for handle screw)

[0202] 46 Pin hole (of handle / interchangeable handle post for handle pin)

[0203] 47 Middle finger grip marker (of handle / interchangeable handle for middle finger grip circle)

[0204] 47A Shifted middle finger grip marker

[0205] 48 Joining face (of handle / interchangeable handle post for handle joining member)

[0206] 49 Interchangeable handle post (for interchangeable handle)

[0207] 50 Interchangeable handle

[0208] 51 Handle joining member

[0209] 52 Handle screw hole (of handle joining member for handle screw)

[0210] 53 Pin hole (of handle joining member for handle pin)

[0211] 54 Central axle screw hole (of handle joining member for central axle screw)

[0212] 55 Joining face (of handle joining member for handle)

[0213] 56 Joining face (of handle joining member for central axle)

[0214] 57 Handle screw

[0215] 58 Handle pin

[0216] 59 Central axle

[0217] 60 Central axle screw

[0218] 61 Threaded screw hole (of central axle for central axle screw)

[0219] 62 External retaining ring grooves (of central axle for external retaining ring)

[0220] 63 Bearing support face (of central axle for bearing)

[0221] 64 Joining face (of central axle for handle joining member)

[0222] 65 Bearing (double row angular contact bearing)

[0223] 66 External retaining ring

[0224] 67 Rotating trunnion sleeve / trunnion

[0225] 68 Bearing stop (of rotating trunnion sleeve)

[0226] 69 Internal retaining ring groove (of rotating trunnion sleeve)

[0227] 70 Bearing support face (of rotating trunnion sleeve)

[0228] 71 Trunnion axle (of rotating trunnion sleeve / trunnion)

[0229] 72 Pulley thrust face (of rotating trunnion sleeve for pulley)

[0230] 73 Joining face (of trunnion axle for pulley cap)

[0231] 74 Threaded screw hole (of trunnion for pulley cap screw)

[0232] 75 Internal retaining ring

[0233] 76 Pulley cap

[0234] 77 Pulley cap screw hole (of pulley cap for pulley cap screw)

[0235] 78 Joining face (of pulley cap for rotating trunnion sleeve)

[0236] 79 Pulley thrust face (of pulley cap for pulley)

[0237] 80 Pulley cap screw

[0238] 81 Locked Brummel eye-splice (of V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly)

[0239] 82 Pin passage (of V-shaped UHMWPE rope for central apex lock pin)

[0240] 83 Protective nylon sleeve (for V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly & sewn runner)

[0241] 84 Pin hole (of protective nylon sleeve for apex lock pin)

[0242] 85 Pulley (e.g., UHMWPE rope yoke pulley / rigid yoke pulley)

[0243] 86 Pulley groove (of pulley for locked Brummel eye-splice)

[0244] 87 Pulley bore (of pulley for trunnion axle)

[0245] 88 Pulley thrust face(s) (of pulley)

[0246] 89 Swivel assembly

[0247] 90 Swivel housing halves

[0248] 91 Central apex retention groove (of swivel housing)

[0249] 92 Central apex pin groove (of swivel housing)

[0250] 93 Threaded screw hole (of swivel housing for swivel housing screw)

[0251] 94 Screw hole (of swivel housing for swivel housing screw)

[0252] 95 Thrust bearing recess (of swivel housing)

[0253] 96 Sleeve bearing groove (of swivel housing)

[0254] 97 Joining face (of swivel housing)

[0255] 98 Swivel housing screw

[0256] 99 Central apex lock pin

[0257] 100 Swivel axle bolt

[0258] 101 Bolt head

[0259] 102 Threaded end

[0260] 103 Thrust bearing (e.g., needle / roller thrust bearing)

[0261] 104 Thrust bearing washer (for needle / roller thrust bearing)

[0262] 105 Sleeve bearing (e.g., DU® / bronze / nylon sleeve bearing)

[0263] 106 Washer

[0264] 107 Threaded hole (of swivel eye for threaded end of swivel bolt axle)

[0265] 108 Needle / roller / DU bearing

[0266] 109 Thrust washer (e.g., molybdenum disulfide filled nylon plain washer / DU® washer)

[0267] 110 Girth hitch knot

[0268] 111 Clamp

[0269] 112 Integrated bore (of rigid yoke structure)

[0270] 113 Fairlead

[0271] 114 Bent ear (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0272] 115 Handle screw washer

[0273] 116 Central hole (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0274] 117 Screw hole (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0275] 118 Swiveling pin housing

[0276] 119 Mounting screws (of fairlead assembly)

[0277] 120 Central orifice (of fairlead)

[0278] 121 Longitudinal centerline (of central orifice)

[0279] 122 Radiused circumference (of central orifice)

[0280] 123 Threaded screw hole (of fairlead)

[0281] 124 Screw holes (of swiveling pin housing)

[0282] 125 Swiveling pin recess (of swiveling pin housing)

[0283] 126 Swiveling pin

[0284] 127 Clevis / eye nut

[0285] 128 Handle screw hole (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0286] 129 Central hole (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0287] 130 Clevis / eye nut axle screw (for 1st axis of rotation)

[0288] 131 Screw hole (of handle joining assembly / bar)

[0289] 132 Bearing Housing

[0290] 133 Bearing (Double row angular contact ball bearing)

[0291] 134 Clevis / eye nut axle (for 2nd axis of rotation)

[0292] 135 Bearing (roller / needle bearing)

[0293] 136 External retaining ring

[0294] 137 Screw

[0295] 138 Bearing pocket (of bearing housing)

[0296] 139 Threaded hole (of bearing housing)

[0297] 140 Bearing bore (for 1st axis of rotation)

[0298] 141 Longitudinal centerline (of bearing bore)

[0299] 142 Central threaded hole (of clevis / eye nut for clevis / eye nut axle screw)

[0300] 143 Flange (of clevis)

[0301] 144 Axle bore (of clevis / eye nut for 2nd axis of rotation)

[0302] 145 Flag block

[0303] 146 Sleeve bore (of flag block)

[0304] 147 Longitudinal centerline (of sleeve bore)

[0305] 148 Midplane (of flag block)

[0306] 149 Slot (of flag block)

[0307] 150 Flange (of flag block)

[0308] 151 Collinear axle bore (of flag block)

[0309] 152 Needle / roller bearing

[0310] 153 Flag block axle

[0311] 154 Washer

[0312] 155 External retaining ring

[0313] 156 Offset 2nd axis of rotation

[0314] 157 Offset distance (of offset 2nd axis of rotation from pivot point)

[0315] 158 Looped end (of sewn runner)

[0316] 159 Independent grip point axis (collinear to handle's longitudinal centerline)

[0317] 160 Independent grip point axis (collinear to grip point line)

[0318] 161 Independent grip point axis (perpendicular to handle's longitudinal centerline and grip point line)

[0319] 162 Central longitudinal bore (of handle)

[0320] 163 Flanged bearing

[0321] 164 Handle shaft

[0322] 165 Collared threaded post (of handle shaft)

[0323] 166 Nut

[0324] 167 Nut cap

[0325] 168 Collared portion (of collared threaded post)

[0326] 169 Joining face (of collared portion)

[0327] 170 Integral wrench flats (of collared portion)

[0328] 171 Thrust face (of collared portion)

[0329] 172 Reduced threaded post (of handle shaft)

[0330] 173 Thrust washer

[0331] 174 Nut

[0332] 175 Thrust face (of thrust washer)

[0333] 176 Bearing (double row angular contact bearing)

[0334] 177 Flange portion (of handle joining member)

[0335] 178 Two-hole attachment

[0336] 179 Screw

[0337] 180 Threaded hole (of central axle)

[0338] 181 Joining face (of flange portion)

[0339] 182 Joining face (of central axle)

[0340] 183 Bearing pocket (of flange portion)

[0341] 184 Bearing stop (of bearing pocket)

[0342] 185 Internal retaining ring

[0343] 186 Bearing bore (of bearing)

[0344] 187 Axle screw

[0345] 188 Central threaded hole (of central axle)

[0346] 189 Bearing pocket (of distal end of handle joining member)

[0347] 190 Bearing (double row angular contact bearing)

[0348] 191 Bearing stop (of bearing pocket)

[0349] 192 Internal retaining ring

[0350] 193 Bearing bore (of bearing)

[0351] 194 Handle Yoke

[0352] 195 Two-hole attachment

[0353] 196 Screw

[0354] 197 Threaded holes (of handle)

[0355] 198 Axle screw

[0356] 199 Axle screw hole (of yoke)

[0357] 200 Spacer

[0358] 201 Nut

[0359] 202 Nut cap

[0360] 203 Distal end (of V-shaped rigid yoke structure)

[0361] 204 Slot (of yoke pulley)

[0362] 205 Set screw

[0363] 206 Collinear holes (of yoke pulley slot)

[0364] 207 Threaded hole (of V-shaped rigid yoke structure)

[0365] 208 Pin (for U-shaped link / V-shaped rigid yoke structure)

[0366] 209 Three collinear holes (of V-shaped rigid yoke structure / U-Shaped link)

[0367] 210 Tension vector link (of typical tension vector source)

[0368] 211 Tapered union (of central axle / handle joining members)

[0369] 212 Opposing tapered ears (of handle joining members)

[0370] 213 Reverse tapered surface (of central axle or axled ball)

[0371] 214 Cone of clearance

[0372] 215 Cone of clearance stop

[0373] 216 Stop pin (of trunnion sleeve)

[0374] 217 Stop face (of yoke pulley)

[0375] 218 Protective hood (of yoke pulley)

[0376] 219 Flanged DU bearing

[0377] 220 2nd axis of rotation clevis (of clevis-to-clevis link)

[0378] 221 Tension vector clevis (of clevis-to-clevis link)

[0379] 222 Pin (of clevis-to-clevis link)

[0380] 223 Central taper (of pin)

[0381] 224 Range of motion stop

[0382] 225 Loading slot (for sewn runner)

[0383] 226 Retaining slot (for sewn runner)

[0384] 227 Ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly

[0385] 228 Axled ball

[0386] 228A Center (of axled ball)

[0387] 229 Necked axle

[0388] 230 Threaded hole (of necked axles)

[0389] 231 Threaded ball housing

[0390] 232 Threaded stud portion

[0391] 232A Longitudinal centerline (of threaded stud portion)

[0392] 233 Ring portion

[0393] 234 Internal spherical bearing race

[0394] 234A Center (of internal spherical bearing race)

[0395] 235 Screw (for tapered union)

[0396] 236 Screw hole (of handle joining member)

[0397] 237 Point of interference

[0398] 238 64-degree angle line

[0399] 239 86-degree angle line

[0400] 240 140-degree angle line

[0401] 241 Central orifice

[0402] 242 1st locked Brummel eye-splice

[0403] 243 2nd locked Brummel eye-splice

[0404] 244 Hole (of orifice)

[0405] 245 Upper radiused circumference (of orifice)

[0406] 246 Lower radiused circumference (of orifice)

[0407] 247 Longitudinal centerline (of orifice)

[0408] 248 Swiveling attachment assembly

[0409] 249 Swiveling pin

[0410] 250 Swiveling sleeve

[0411] 251 Hollow (of swiveling sleeve)

[0412] 252 Threaded pin hole (of swiveling sleeve)

[0413] 253 Bearing surface (of swiveling sleeve)

[0414] 254 Bearing supporting surface (of handle joining assembly)

[0415] 255 Linear orifice array

[0416] 256 Optional orifice

[0417] 257 Locked Brummel eye-splice

[0418] 258 Pulley

[0419] 259 Pulley block

[0420] 260 Bisecting point

[0421] 261 Retaining ring

[0422] 262 Thin section (of handle joining assembly)

[0423] 263 Trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly

[0424] 264 Applied force vector (at interface)

[0425] 265 Transmitted force vector (at pivot point)

[0426] 266 Parallel force vector (at grip points)

[0427] 267 Arm pulley

[0428] 268 3rd axis bearing flange

[0429] 269 Screw

[0430] 270 Bearing (double row angular contact bearing)

[0431] 271 Bearing bore (of 3rd axis bearing flange)

[0432] 272 Internal retaining ring

[0433] 273 Groove (for internal retaining ring)

[0434] 274 Torsional detent

[0435] 275 Spacer

[0436] 276 Applied force vector interface (of spacer)

[0437] 277 Fastening assembly

[0438] 278 Bolt / screw (of fastening assembly)

[0439] 279 Nut (of fastening assembly)

[0440] 280 Landmine accessory

[0441] 281 Tube (of landmine accessory)

[0442] 282 Open end (of tube)

[0443] 283 Closed end (of tube)

[0444] 284 Milled slot and hole (of tube)

[0445] 285 Threaded boss (of tube)

[0446] 286 Screw knob (of landmine accessory)

[0447] 287 Axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly

[0448] 288 Axle-less rotating trunnion

[0449] 289 Bearing (double-row angular contact bearing)

[0450] 290 Inner race (of bearing)

[0451] 291 Outer race (of bearing)

[0452] 292 Screw

[0453] 293 Threaded hole (of axle-less rotating trunnion)

[0454] 294 Spacer washer

[0455] 295 Threaded bearing pocket (of handle joining member)

[0456] 296 Bearing nut

[0457] 297 Internal detents (of bearing nut)

[0458] 298 Independent rotation arrows

[0459] 299 Hole (of handle joining member)

[0460] 300 Inverted-trunnion axle

[0461] 300A Inverted-trunnion axle assembly

[0462] 301 Inverted trunnion axle bore (of axle-less rotating trunnion)

[0463] 302 Inverted trunnion axle bearing

[0464] 303 Washer

[0465] 304 External retaining ring

[0466] 305 Retaining groove (of inverted trunnion axle)

[0467] 306 Looped end (of sewn runner)

[0468] 307 Looped end (of sewn runner)

[0469] 308 O-ring keeper

[0470] 309 Upper clearance feature (of clearance feature)

[0471] 310 Lower clearance feature (of clearance feature)

[0472] 311 V-shaped clearance feature (of clearance feature)

[0473] 312 Angle line

[0474] 313 Rotation stop

[0475] 314 Stop pin

[0476] 315 Threaded bearing pocket (for Independent grip point axis 161)

[0477] 316 Bearing (double row angular contact)

[0478] 317 Bearing nut

[0479] 318 Bearing (single row angular contact)

[0480] 319 Bearing Pocket

[0481] 320 Threaded shaft

[0482] 321 Flanged spacer

[0483] 322 Handle mounting hole (of handle yoke)

[0484] 323 Screw (for handle)

[0485] 324 Axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly

[0486] 325 Rigid yoke assembly

[0487] 326 Trunnion spacer axle

[0488] 327 3rd axis flange

[0489] 328 Yoke arm

[0490] 329 Axle screw

[0491] 330 3rd axis flange screw

[0492] 331 Thrust washer

[0493] 332 Axle bearing

[0494] 333 Axle bore (for 2nd axis of rotation)

[0495] 334 3rd axis fastener bore

[0496] 335 Applied force vector interface

[0497] 336 Torsional detent feature

[0498] 337 Fastener (for force vector generating device)

[0499] 338 Stop pin

[0500] 339 Stop face

[0501] 340 Narrow grip embodiment

[0502] 341 Fairlead base

[0503] 342 Threaded central orifice

[0504] 343 Sewn runner retention pin

[0505] 344 Sewn runner retention pin groove

[0506] 345 Sewn runner passage

[0507] 346 Pin cap

[0508] 347 Pin cap screws

[0509] 348 Supported length (of sewn runner)

[0510] 349 Flanged plain bearing

[0511] 350 Short central axle

[0512] 351 Lock pin

[0513] 352 Axle screw

[0514] 353 Retaining screw

[0515] 354 Sewn runner loop bearing

[0516] 355 Extended clevis bar

[0517] 356 Eye end (of extended clevis bar)

[0518] 357 Thrust washer

[0519] 358 Clevis end (of extended clevis bar)

[0520] 359 Pin

[0521] 360 Extra-wide double-row angular contact bearing

[0522] 361 Bearing pocket

[0523] 362 Internal retaining ring

[0524] 363 Retaining groove

[0525] 364 Rigid yoke assembly

[0526] 365 Threaded spacer axle

[0527] 366 Long-threaded spacer

[0528] 367 Short spacer

[0529] 368 ScrewDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0530] The present invention is a multiplanar bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise device for performing single and multiplanar functional exercise. In the following description, the multiplanar bilaterally gripped tension vector receiving exercise device is generally referred to as a “multiplanar exercise device.” The multiplanar exercise device is adapted to attach to a tension transmitting cable like that provided by “cable machines” readily available in the strength and conditioning industry. The tension utilized by these cable machines may be derived from weight plates, hydraulics, pneumatics, magnetics, electromagnetics, or centrifugal flywheels to mention a few. These “tension vector sources” that include the aforementioned cable machines or similar devices such as elastomeric members (e.g., elastic tubing, bands, or bungee cords) transmit a tension vector that has a direction and a magnitude and is referred to in this application as a tension vector 7 (see FIGS. 2-7, 17, 18D-18F, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 24A, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37 & 38). Furthermore, these tension vector sources support points in space where tension vectors 7 emanate from and are referred to in this application as a tension vector source point 1 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0531] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the multiplanar exercise device is suited for use with a variety of exercise equipment and may exist in multiple embodiments. The multiplanar exercise device utilizes a fundamental architecture to transmit an attached tension vector 7 to a pair of bilaterally gripped handles 28. This fundamental architecture is generally referred to as a grip point geometry 2 and comprises of the pair of handles 28 each having a grip point 4 adapted to receive a middle finger grip center 15, a central plane 3, a handle joining assembly 32, a grip point line 5, the tension vector 7, a tension vector receiving assembly 33, a pair of parallel tension vectors 10, an ergonomic neutral torque state 26, a torque-free pivot point state 27, and a user's gripping hands 12. The multiplanar exercise device is generally symmetrical about the central plane 3, as shown in FIG. 1. The central plane 3 is a perpendicular bisector of the space and the grip point line 5 extending between the grip points 4. The handle joining assembly 32 spans between and supports the bilateral handles 28. Furthermore, the handle joining assembly 32 supports the tension vector receiving assembly 33 about the central plane 3.

[0532] In the following description, FIGS. 1-16 show one preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing a trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33. FIGS. 17-38G show alternate embodiments of the multiplanar exercise device of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows the general components and assemblies of the present invention, FIGS. 2 & 3 illustrate the features of grip point geometry 2 without the user's gripping hands 12, FIGS. 4-4C exemplify a user 21 performing a multiplanar functional exercise 22 with the present invention, FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the features of grip point geometry 2 with the user's gripping hands 12, and FIGS. 8-14B show exploded, sectioned, and detailed views of the components and assemblies of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIGS. 15-16 show an alternate trunnion assembly 34. FIGS. 17-17A show an alternate tension vector attachment assembly 38 for the trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 1-16. FIGS. 18-18C illustrate alternate tension vector engagement assemblies 38 for the trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 1-16. FIGS. 18D-18G illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing an alternate trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 and an alternate handle joining assembly 32. FIGS. 19-22 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a fairlead / orifice 113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 and an alternate handle joining assembly 32. FIGS. 23-25B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a clevis 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 and an alternate handle joining assembly 32. FIGS. 26-28 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a flag block 145 based tension vector receiving assembly 33. FIGS. 29-36 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing independent grip point axes 159, 160, &161. FIGS. 37-37B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly 227. FIGS. 38-38G illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing an orifice-based tension vector receiving assembly 33. FIGS. 39-39B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263.

[0533] Referring to FIGS. 2-7, to ergonomically design the multiplanar exercise device that maximizes the expression of multiplanar functional strength while minimizing pain and associated injury it is paramount to understand the anatomy of the gripping hand 12, a wrist 13, and a forearm 14 (see FIGS. 4-7). This understanding begins with the notion that the multiplanar exercise device can be engineered to manipulate the attached tension vector 7 to act from any point about each bilateral handle 28. Therefore, to satisfy the general ergonomic goal of finding ways to make strenuous, often repetitive work, less likely to cause muscle and joint injuries one must consider what is the “best point” about each bilaterally gripped handle 28 that the centrally attached tension vector 7 should act from. The “best point” will be referred to as the grip point 4. To resolve this, one must examine the musculoskeletal system of the gripping hand 12, wrist 13, and forearm 14 to recognize a natural inline geometry of three anatomical features. As shown in FIGS. 4-7, this natural inline geometry occurs when the gripping hand 12 is squarely supported on the forearm 14 in a neutral state exhibiting neither “flexion or extension” or “ulna or radius deviation” about the wrist 13. The first and perhaps the most important inline anatomical feature to recognize is a middle finger grip center 15 and it is essentially the central point of a middle finger grip circle 16 that wraps around the handle 28. The second inline anatomical feature is a wrist's 13 capitate bone 17 located in-line to the middle finger grip center 15 and at the base of a middle finger's metacarpal bone (see FIGS. 6 & 7). Moreover, the wrist's 13 capitate bone 17 is where two axes of hand rotation uniquely intersect. These axes of hand rotation include a flexion / extension axis 18 and an ulna / radius deviation axis 19 (see FIGS. 6 & 7). The third inline anatomical feature is a forearm's effective structural length 20 (see FIGS. 6 & 7). When these three anatomical features (middle finger grip center 15, capitate bone 17, and the forearm's effective structural length 20) become collinear with the attached tension vector 7 acting at each handle's grip point 4, the ergonomic neutral torque state 26 about each gripping hand 12 is provided (see FIGS. 4-7 except 4B).

[0534] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, for the above collinear relationship to exist and provide the neutral torque state 26, the user 21 must establish bilateral grips 12 where each middle finger grip center 15 coincides with respective grip points 4. Therefore, the grip points 4 must be located at a point along a longitudinal centerline 11 of each handle 28 to allow coincidence with respective middle finger grip centers 15. Consequently, grip points 4 represent the preferred location for a user to establish respective middle finger grip centers 15. Furthermore, the attached tension vector's 7 effective point of attachment along the handle joining assembly 32 is referred to as an effective attachment point 8 of the tension vector 7. The tension vector effective attachment point 8 preferably coincides with a bisecting point of a line extending between the grip points 4. This line is referred to as the grip point line 5 and the point bisecting it is referred to as the pivot point 6 (see FIGS. 2-3 & 5-7). (Refer to FIG. 26 for additional understanding of the attached tension vector effective attachment point 8 exhibiting a drift / departure 9 from the pivot point 6). When the effective attachment point 8 of the tension vector 7 coincides with the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5, it allows the tension vector 7 transmitted through the multiplanar exercise device to create a balanced parallel tension vector 10 at each grip point 4 that acts parallel to and with half the magnitude of the attached tension vector 7 (see FIGS. 2-3 & 5-7). Consequently, when each middle finger grip center 15 coincide with respective grip points 4, each parallel tension vector 10 can simultaneously intersect the axes of hand rotation at the capitate bone 17 and become collinear with the forearm's effective structural length 20 whereby preventing (1) the formation of a torque-arm about the capitate bone 17 and (2) any subsequent torque about each gripping hand 12 (see FIGS. 4A, 4C, 5-7). When this condition is met, grip point geometry 2 allows the ergonomic neutral torque state 26 to exist. The neutral torque state 26 exists in two exercise phases: the first when the gripping hands 12 and wrists 13 are under tension from the applied tension vector 7 and is referred to as an exercise pull-phase 23 (see FIGS. 2, 4A, 5 & 6); and the second when the gripping hands 12 and wrists 13 are under compression from the applied tension vector 7 and is referred to as an exercise push-phase 24 (see FIGS. 2, 4C & 7). Therefore, during the exercise pull-phase 23 and push-phase 24 the neutral torque state 26 allows maximum expression of multiplanar functional strength by facilitating a torque-free, balanced, comfortable, ergonomic tension / compression-application about the gripping hands 12, wrists 13, and forearms 14.

[0535] Referring to FIGS. 3 & 4B, a third exercise phase referred to as a transition-phase 25 are all the remaining exercise phases that are not largely in the pull 23 or push-phase 24. During the exercise transition-phase 25 the potential of gripping hand 12 torque about the wrists 13 peaks when the attached tension vector 7 approaches a plane (not shown) that extends along the grip point line 5 and is largely normal to the forearm's effective structural length 20 (see FIG. 3). These peak torque loads acting on the gripping hands 12 occur between the transition (i.e., exercise transition-phase 25, see FIGS. 3 & 4B) from the exercise pull-phase 23 to push-phase 24 or vice versa and when reach an uncomfortable level can be managed to facilitate the performance of multiplanar functional exercise 22.

[0536] Referring again to FIGS. 3 & 4B, to manage these peak torque loads that occur during exercise transition-phases 25, the present invention utilizes the balanced parallel tension vectors 10 at each grip point 4 acting equally about the pivot point 6. This combined with each middle finger grip center 15 coinciding with respective grip points 4, creates the unique torque-free pivot point state 27 in which the user 21 can freely rotate / tilt (i.e., without torque) the gripped handles 28 3-dimensionally about the pivot point 6. This torque free state of rotation about the pivot point 6 (i.e., pivot point state 27) results from the absence of a torque-arm being formed because the tension vector 7 intersects all selected axes of rotation / tilt at the pivot point 6. As depicted in FIGS. 4-7, the pivot point state 27 allows the user 21 to quickly rotate a pull-phase 23 exercise grip 180-degrees about the pivot point 6 and immediately establish a push-phase 24 exercise grip (and vice versa). This 180-degree grip rotation about the pivot point 6 can be quickly executed to limit the user's 21 exposure to any harmful torque about the gripping hands 12 and wrists 13 during exercise transition-phases 25 (see FIG. 4B). In addition, to aid in the performance of this 180-degree grip rotation the user 21 can impart excess inertia to a weight-stack based tension vector 7 allowing it to effectively float through peak hand torque transition-phases 25 whereby alleviating potential pain and associated injury. Grip point geometry 2 allows the pivot point state 27 to exist and be accessible during all three exercise phases (pull-phase 23, push-phase 24, and transition-phase 25) as long as the middle finger grip centers 15 largely coincide with respective grip points 4. Therefore, the pivot point state 27 can be selectively utilized by the user 21 any time during exercise to facilitate the performance of multiplanar functional exercise (see FIGS. 4-7).

[0537] Referring to FIGS. 2-7, grip point geometry 2 is the fundamental architecture utilized by the present invention to transmit the attached tension vector 7 through the multiplanar exercise device to each grip point 4 and ultimately to the user's 21 gripping hands 12. For the user to utilize the advantages of grip point geometry 2 their middle finger grip centers 15 must largely coincide with respective grip points 4 (see FIGS. 4-7). When this condition of grip coincidence is met, grip-point geometry 2 provides the balanced parallel tension vector 10 acting at each grip point 4 allowing both the neutral torque state 26 and the pivot point state 27 to be accessible and facilitate multiplanar functional exercise 22.

[0538] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, users 21 whose middle finger grip centers 15 are established at an offset from respective grip points 4 will experience unfavorable gripping hand torque about the wrist during the pull-phase 23, push-phase 24, and transition-phase 25 of multiplanar functional exercise 22. As the offset of the established middle finger grip center 15 increases from respective grip points 4, so will the unfavorable gripping hand torque about the wrist. Even small incremental offsets of the middle finger grip center 15 from respective grip points 4 can be detected by the user due to the manifestation of unfavorable gripping hand torque about the wrist. To neutralize unfavorable gripping hand torque due to the offset of middle finger grip centers 15 from respective grip points 4 the user should use a re-grip method. The re-grip method comprises of the user 21 while preferably in the exercise pull-phase 23 can simply re-grip along the handle's longitudinal length until gripping hand torque about the wrist abates and the neutral torque state 26 is established. The re-grip method to establish the neutral torque state 26 about the gripping hands is typically performed at the onset of exercise just as the user starts feeling the initial tension transmitted to the gripping hands 12 and may take as little as a second to complete. This re-grip method to establish the neutral torque state 26 about the gripping hands 12 will also accommodate for anatomy anomalies that are specific to the user 21. Furthermore, the middle finger grip marker 47 is a quick grip reference aid to largely attain coincidence between the user's middle finger grip centers 15 and respective grip points 4. Subsequently, the user may utilize the re-grip method to fine tune their grip and establish the neutral torque state 26.

[0539] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, grip point geometry 2 can provide an almost endless number of alternate embodiments of the present invention. This is a result of grip point geometry 2 being able to facilitate a vast number of bilateral handle 28 orientations as long as the handle joining assembly 32 supports the handles 28, so the user's middle finger grip centers 15 can coincide with respective grip points 4. These handle orientations can include any 3-dimensional configuration and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical about the central plane 3 (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, these handle 28 orientations may be fixed, selectively adjustable, or actively directed during use by the user 21. If these handle 28 orientations are selectively adjustable or actively directed during use by the user 21, the handle joining assembly 32 must support the bilateral handles 28, so they are restricted to pivot about the grip points 4 whereby maintaining established middle finger grip center 15 coincidence with respective grip points 4 (see FIGS. 30-36).

[0540] Referring generally to FIGS. 3, 11, 18-18G, 19-22, 23-25B, and 29-38A, the tension vector receiving assembly 33 of the disclosed invention functions to largely direct the attached tension vector 7 from performed exercise angles to a single point referred to as the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5. To accomplish this, the tension vector receiving assembly 33 must be designed to prevent the unfavorable drift / departure 9 of the effective tension vector attachment point 8 from the pivot point 6 during multiplanar exercise (see effective attachment point 8 drift / departure 9 of FIG. 26). In addition to preventing drift / departure 9 of the effective tension vector attachment point 8 from the pivot point 6 during multiplanar exercise 22, many factors must be considered to properly design a reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective tension vector receiving assembly 33. Furthermore, for the purpose of conceptual visualization, if the pivot point 6 is at the center of a sphere, it would be preferred for the tension vector receiving assembly 33 to be capable of receiving / servicing the tension vector 7 from all points that fall on the sphere's surface, except for those points that create an in-line interference with the multiplanar exercise device or the gripping user. This conceptual sphere model where the pivot point 6 is the center of the sphere, will be used to describe the serviceability of the tension vector receiving assembly 33 to receive the tension vector 7 about its 3-dimensional space. The present invention provides several alternate embodiments of the tension vector receiving assembly 33. These embodiments of the tension vector receiving assembly 33 range from those that receive the tension vector 7 from all points that fall on the conceptual sphere's surface (i.e. spherical, see FIGS. 1-18G & 29-37B), to points restricted to a conceptual hemisphere's surface (i.e. hemispherical, see FIGS. 19-25B & 38-38G) (except for those points that create an in-line interference with the multiplanar exercise device or the gripping user). The physical profile (i.e., form factor) of the multiplanar exercise device must be minimized to lessen its in-line interference. Therefore, provisions such as a narrowly-cut and tapered handle joining member 51 exemplified in FIGS. 1-18, and 18D-18G are provided. Furthermore, hemispherical tension vector receiving assemblies 33 shown in FIGS. 19-25B & 38-38G, can be supported by the handle joining assembly 32 to serve a desired hemisphere about the pivot point 6.

[0541] Referring to FIGS. 1-25B & 29-38G, a preferred embodiment of the tension vector receiving assembly 33 includes two intersecting perpendicular axes of rotation. The 1st axis of rotation 29 is supported by the handle joining assembly 32 and is preferably either collinear or perpendicular to the grip point line 5. When the 1st axis of rotation 29 is supported by the handle joining assembly 32 to be collinear to the grip point line 5, the “spherical” tension vector receiving assembly 33 can be facilitated (see FIGS. 1-18G & 29-37B). Alternately, when the 1st axis of rotation 29 is supported by the handle joining assembly 32 to be perpendicular to the grip point line 5, the “hemispherical” tension vector receiving assembly 33 can be facilitated (see FIGS. 19-25B & 38-38G).

[0542] Referring now to FIGS. 1-25B & 29-38G especially FIG. 3, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 is supported by the 1st axis 29 so that the 2nd axis of rotation 30 is (1) perpendicular to the 1st axis 29, (2) intersects the 1st axis 29 at the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5, and (3) rotates / swivels with and about the 1st axis 29. Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation 29 rotates, the supported 2nd axis of rotation 30 will rotate / swing with the 1st axis of rotation 29. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can still rotate independently (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 is attached to the 2nd axis of rotation 30 so that when the tension vector attachment assembly 38 is attached to the tension vector 7 and opposed by the user 21, a line of tension 42 is created that is (1) perpendicular to the 2nd axis of rotation 30, (2) swivels about the 2nd axis 30 and 1st axis of rotation 29, and (3) actively stays collinear with the attached tension vector 7, the pivot point 6, and an optional 3rd axis of rotation 31. This active collinear alignment of the line of tension 42, the attached tension vector 7, the pivot point 6, and the optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the user 21 whereby creating torque / rotation about the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30 as subsequent torque equilibrium is maintained. Therefore, this allows the tension vector receiving assembly 33 to direct the incoming tension vector 7 from performed exercise angles to the pivot point 6 along the grip point line 5. The optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 accommodates for the subsequent torque equilibrium between (1) the independent rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and (2) the inherent twist / lay that exists along the length of the attached tension transmitting cable or elastomeric member.

[0543] Referring now to FIGS. 1-16, where a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown utilizing the spherical tension vector receiving assembly 33. As mentioned above the “spherical” tension vector receiving assembly 33 can direct the tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5 from all points about the multiplanar exercise device except for those points that create an in-line interference with the multiplanar exercise device or the gripping user 21. This spherical tension vector receiving assembly 33 is uniquely suited to accommodate multiplanar functional exercise where pull 23, push 24, and transition-phase 25 exercise grips can be rapidly cycled from all possible incoming tension vector 7 angles (see FIGS. 2-7). More specifically, this embodiment of the present invention generally includes the pair of handles 28 (i.e., bilateral handles) each having the grip point 4 adapted to receive the middle finger grip center 15, the central plane 3, the handle joining assembly 32, the tension vector receiving assembly 33, a central axle 59 supporting the 1st axis of rotation 29, the tension vector 7, the grip point line 5, a middle finger grip marker 47, the middle finger grip circle 16, a rotating trunnion sleeve 67 supporting the 1st 29 and the 2nd axis of rotation 30, the pivot point 6, a tension vector attachment assembly 38, the line of tension 42, and the optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 formed by a swivel assembly 89 (see FIGS. 4-7).

[0544] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the pair of handles 28 (i.e., bilateral handles) each having the grip point 4 adapted to receive the middle finger grip center 15 are spaced at a shoulders width apart with opposing natural grip angles of 60 degrees from horizontal. The bilateral handles 28 are adapted to be gripped with opposing palms facing down and thumbs up. This natural bilateral grip angle of 60 degrees from horizontal with opposing palms facing down and thumbs up and at a shoulder's width apart, accommodates the universal athletic position (i.e., athletic ready position) from which so many multiplanar functional exercises originate. The bilateral handles 28 have a textured surface 44 (e.g., knurled / dimpled) and are preferably made of a CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum, a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite.

[0545] Referring to FIGS. 8 & 9 and especially FIGS. 10, 13 & 13A, the handle joining assembly 32 comprises of the bilateral handles 28, the handle joining members 51, and the central axle 59. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) The bilateral handles 28 are joined together at their top terminal ends by the handle joining members 51 which extend and join to the central axle 59. The handle joining members 51 are preferably made of a CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum, a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite. More specifically, each handle 28 is fastened to its respective handle joining member 51 by a screw 57 that extends through a hole 52 at the distal end of each handle joining member 51. The screws 57 are then subsequently threaded into a threaded hole 45 of each handle 28 and tightened. As the screws 57 are tightened, a joining face 55 of each handle joining member 51 is clamped together with a respective joining face 48 of each handle 28 whereby joining the bilateral handles 28 to respective handle joining members 51 (see FIG. 13). Furthermore, a pin 58 is adapted to engage a pin hole 46&53 of the handles 28 and handle joining members 51 respectively and prevent rotation of the handle about the joining screw 57 (see FIG. 13). An alternate grip assembly depicted in FIG. 9, shows an interchangeable handle post 49 attachable to the handle joining member 51 by the same method used (i.e., threaded hole 45, pin hole 46, & joining face 48) as the above bilateral handles 28. The interchangeable handle post 49 is preferably made of a CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum, or a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite. Each interchangeable handle post 49 is adapted to receive an interchangeable handle 50 that utilize an interference slip-fit for retention. Other forms of retention may include a cap mounted on the distal end of the interchangeable grip posts 49. The interchangeable handles 50 have the textured surface 44 and are preferably made of a thermoplastic rubber / polyurethane and can be designed to accommodate the user's preferred size, shape, or tactile requirements. Included in the interchangeable handle 50 design is the middle finger grip marker 47 having a visible and or tactile element (see FIG. 9).

[0546] Referring to FIG. 8 and especially FIGS. 10, 13 & 13A, each handle joining member 51 is fastened to the central axle 59 by two screws 60 that extend through respective holes 54 at the proximal end of each handle joining member 51. The screws 60 are then subsequently threaded into respective threaded holes 61 of the central axle 59 and tightened. As the screws 60 are tightened, a joining face 56 of each handle joining member 51 are clamped together with a respective joining face 64 of the central axle 59 and whereby forming the handle joining assembly 32 (see FIG. 10).

[0547] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the central axle 59 forms the 1st axis of rotation 29 and intersects each bilateral handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 at the above opposing 60 degrees. These bilateral points of intersection are the grip points 4 where the potential of hand torque about the wrist caused by the applied tension vector 7 can be largely neutral or easily managed. The bilateral handles 28 and their supporting handle joining member 51 are designed to provide adequate gripping space for the middle finger grip circle 16 at the middle finger grip marker 47 (i.e., location of grip points 4), as well as for the gripping thumb, index, ring, and pinky finger (see FIGS. 5-7& especially 5). Furthermore, the bilateral handles 28 and their supporting handle joining member 51 can be adapted to accommodate for a wide range of gripping hand sizes. The line extending between the grip points 4 is the grip point line 5 and is collinear to the 1st axis of rotation 29 formed by the central axle 59. The visible and or tactile middle finger grip markers 47 are adapted to the handle's surface and represent the effective location of each grip point 4. These middle finger grip markers 47 enable the user 21 to quickly establish a correct grip by concentrically positioning their middle finger grip circle 16 about them whereby allowing their middle finger grip center 15 to become superimposed with respective grip points 4 (see FIGS. 5-7).

[0548] Referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 13-14, 14B and especially FIGS. 11 & 13A, the tension vector receiving assembly 33 is comprised of a trunnion assembly 34, the tension vector attachment assembly 38, and the optional swivel assembly 89 forming the 3rd axis of rotation 31. The tension vector receiving assembly 33 is supported by a bearing support face 63 located about the central portion of the central axle 59. The trunnion assembly 34 is essentially symmetrical about its center and comprises of the central axle 59, a series of three bearings 65, the rotating trunnion sleeve 67 supporting a pair of 180 degree opposing trunnion axles 71, a pair of pulleys 85, a pair of pulley caps 76, and a pair of pulley cap screws 80. More specifically, the series of three bearings 65 are mounted about the bearing support face 63 of the central axle 59 and retained by a pair of external retaining rings 66 that engage respective retaining grooves 62 of the central axle 59. Furthermore, the bearing support face 70 of the rotating trunnion sleeve 67 is adapted to be pressed over the series of three bearings 65 up to an integral bearing stop 68 of the rotating trunnion sleeve 67. The rotating trunnion sleeve 67 is then further retained to the bearings 65 by an internal retaining ring 75 that engages an integral retaining groove 69 of the rotating trunnion sleeve 67. This arrangement securely retains the trunnion assembly 34 to the bearings 65 and to the central axle 59 as to allow the trunnion assembly 34 to concentrically rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (i.e., grip point line 5) formed by the central axle 59 (see FIGS. 11 & 13A). (Alternate or additional rotating trunnion sleeve 67 retention may include a bearing adhesive and or appropriate bearing lock nuts threaded to the central axle 59 and or the rotating trunnion sleeve 67.) In addition, the series of three bearings 65 are preferably double row angular contact bearings capable of efficiently managing both radial and bi-directional axial loads placed on the trunnion assembly 34 by the attached tension vector 7 and the opposing user 21.

[0549] Still referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 13-14, &14B, the rotating trunnion sleeve 67 is furnished with the pair of 180 degree opposing trunnion axles 71 that form the 2nd axis of rotation 30. The 2nd axis of rotation 30 is coplanar to the central plane 3 and is also a perpendicular bisector of the grip point line 5 that extends between the grip points 4. Similarly, the 1st axis of rotation 29 and the collinear grip point line 5 is also a perpendicular bisector of the distance that spans along the 2nd axis of rotation 30 between the trunnion axles 71. Therefore, the intersection point of the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30 coincides at the bisecting pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5.

[0550] Still referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 13-14, 14B and especially FIGS. 11 & 13A, a bore 87 of each pulley 85 is adapted to rotate about its respective trunnion axle 71 (i.e., 2nd axis of rotation 30) and is preferably made of a high bearing grade plastic like a molybdenum disulfide filled nylon. Furthermore, the pulleys 85 are adapted with opposing thrust faces 88 that bear against a lower thrust surface 72 at the base of each trunnion axle 71 and an upper thrust surface 79 provided by the trunnion axle 71 terminating pulley cap 76. Each trunnion axle 71 terminating pulley cap 76 is fastened to the distal end of its respective trunnion axle 71 by a screw 80 that extends through a hole 77 at the center of the pulley cap 76. The screws 80 are then subsequently threaded into a threaded hole 74 of each trunnion axle 71 and tightened. As the screws 80 are tightened, a joining face 78 of each pulley cap 76 is clamped together with a respective joining face 73 of each trunnion axle 71. This arrangement securely retains the pulleys 85 between the thrust faces 72&79 while simultaneously allowing the pulleys 85 to rotate about respective trunnion axles 71 (i.e., 2nd axis of rotation 30).

[0551] Referring to FIGS. 8, 11, &14-14B and especially FIG. 11, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 is comprised of the opposing pulleys 85, a tension transmitting structure 39, a tension vector attachable member 40, and the optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 provided by the swivel assembly 89. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) The tension vector attachment assembly 38 is attached to the pulleys 85 whereby allowing it to rotate about the 2nd and the 1st axis of rotation 30&29 (see also FIG. 3). The tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 acts as a bridge / span that connects the rotating pulleys 85 together and forms a clearance feature 43. The clearance feature 43 provides clearance to allow the tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 to rotate about the trunnion assembly 34 (i.e., 2nd axis of rotation 30) without interference. Similarly, the clearance provided by the clearance feature 43 also allows the tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 to largely rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (i.e., handle joining assembly 32) without interference. The tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 is formed by a length of twelve strand UHMWPE rope (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope) and modified with a locked Brummel eye-splice 81 at each end (as shown in FIGS. 1-14B). (An alternate tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 design made of a rigid strong light weight material like 7075-T6 aluminum will also be disclosed.) This light-weight ultra-strong rope assembly (i.e., tension transmitting structure / yoke 39) is commonly called a dog-bone resulting from having an eye-splice at each end and can also be referred to as a flexible yoke structure 39 (see FIGS. 8, 11, &14-14B). Each eye-splice 81 is adjusted to have an interference fit over each pulley 85 and come to rest in a respective pulley groove 86 (see also FIGS. 13A & 14B). When the multiplanar exercise device is in use, the flexible yoke structure 39 (i.e., tension transmitting structure / yoke 39) becomes tensioned and forms a V-shaped tension transmitting structure 39 with a U-shaped central apex 41. The V-shaped tension transmitting structure / yoke 39 preferably has a length where the central apex 41 extends past the distal end of the handle's 28. Benefits of this V-shaped tension transmitting structure 39 include (1) a strong narrow profile combined with the extended V-shaped clearance feature 43 that provides less interference with the multiplanar exercise device and subsequent greater exercise angles and (2) a soft nondestructive exterior of the flexible yoke structure 39 or an optional protective nylon sleeve 83 that may occasionally sweep against the gripping hands 12 or an interfering surface of the multiplanar exercise device.

[0552] Referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 11A, 14, &14A, the tension vector attachable member 40 is shown as a swivel eye 40 supported by the swivel assembly 89. The swivel assembly 89 includes a swivel housing 90 comprising of two halves 90 preferably made of a CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum, a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite. Each swivel housing half 90 is adapted with symmetrical features to engage the central apex 41 and support the swivel eye 40 to rotate about the 3rd axis of rotation 31 (see FIGS. 1-3, 6, &7). Furthermore, the two halves 90 are fastened together by two screws 98 that extend through screw holes 94 of one swivel housing half 90. The two screws 98 are subsequently threaded into respective threaded holes 93 of the other swivel housing half 90 and tightened. As the screws 98 are tightened, a joining face 97 of each half 90 is clamped together whereby firmly maintaining the swivel assembly 89.

[0553] Still referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 11A, 14, &14A, the symmetrical features of the two halves 90 that engage the central apex 41 include a central apex retention groove 91 and a central apex pin groove 92. The central apex retention groove 91 is adapted to engage the central apex 41 of the UHMWPE rope 39 with or without the optional protective nylon sleeve 83 (see FIG. 14A). The central apex pin groove 92 is adapted to engage a central apex lock pin 99. The central apex lock pin 99 extends through a pin passage 82 at the central apex 41 of the twelve strand UHMWPE rope 39 (see FIGS. 11 & 11A). The pin passage 82 is created by separating six strands of the twelve strand UHMWPE rope 39 to be positioned on either side of the central apex lock pin 99 (see FIGS. 11 & 14A). If the optional protective nylon sleeve 83 is utilized a pin hole 84 is adapted to the sleeve 83 as to allow the central apex lock pin 99 to be simultaneously positioned in the pin hole 84 and pin passage 82. The central apex lock pin 99 prevents the central apex 41 from sliding in the central apex retention groove 91 and therefore maintains the symmetry and functionality of the tension vector attachment assembly / yoke 38 as shown in FIG. 14.

[0554] Still referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 14, and especially FIGS. 11A & 14A the symmetrical features of the two swivel housing halves 90 that support the swivel eye 40 to rotate about the 3rd axis of rotation 31 include a thrust bearing recess 95 and a sleeve bearing groove 96. The sleeve bearing groove 96 is designed to support a swivel axle bolt 100 (i.e., 3rd axis of rotation 31) fitted with a sleeve bearing 105 as to accommodate rotational radial loads occurring perpendicular to the length of the swivel axle bolt 100. The thrust bearing recess 95 is adapted to support the swivel axle bolt 100 fitted with a needle-roller thrust bearing 103“sandwiched” between two harden thrust bearing washers 104. This “sandwiched” needle-roller thrust bearing 103 assembly is further “sandwiched” between a head 101 of the swivel axle bolt 100 and the thrust bearing recess 95 as to accommodate for rotational thrust / axial loads occurring along the length of the swivel bolt axle 100 (i.e., 3rd axis of rotation 31).

[0555] Still referring to FIGS. 8, 11, 11A, 14, &14A, a threaded end 102 of the swivel axle bolt 100 extends out of the swivel housing 90 and is fitted with a washer 106. The threaded end 102 is then treated with an adhesive thread locker and subsequently threaded to a threaded hole 107 of the swivel eye 40 (leaving an appropriate free-running clearance about the washer 106) as shown in FIG. 14A.

[0556] Referring to FIGS. 1-14B, when the swivel assembly 89 mounted swivel eye 40 is attached to the tension vector 7 and opposed by the gripping user 21 the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 is tensioned and creates the line of tension 42. The line of tension 42 extends from the swivel eye 40 and bisects the V-shaped clearance feature 43 from the central apex 41 to the pivot point 6. Furthermore, the line of tension 42 is (1) perpendicular to the 2nd axis of rotation 30, (2) swivels about the 2nd and 1st axis of rotation 30&29, and (3) actively stays collinear with the attached tension vector 7, the pivot point 6, and the optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 (provided by the swivel assembly 89). This active collinear alignment is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the user 21 whereby simultaneously (1) driving the pulley 85 mounted tension vector attachment assembly 38 to rotate about the 2nd axis of rotation 30, (2) driving the trunnion assembly 34 and the tension vector attachment assembly 38 to rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 and (3) driving the swivel eye 40 to rotate about the 3rd axis of rotation 31 as subsequent torque equilibrium is maintained about each axis (29, 30, &31). The optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 accommodates for the subsequent torque equilibrium between (1) the independent rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and (2) the inherent twist / lay that exists along the length of the attached tension transmitting cable or elastomeric member (i.e., Tension vector 7). Therefore, this arrangement of the spherical trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 (shown in FIGS. 1-14B) can direct the incoming tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5 from all points about the multiplanar exercise device, except for those points that create an in-line interference with the multiplanar exercise device or the gripping user 21.

[0557] Referring to FIGS. 15-16, where an alternate trunnion assembly 34 is shown for the spherical trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 as shown in FIGS. 1-14B and as discussed above. The alternate trunnion assembly 34 (see FIGS. 15, 15A, &16) is similarly constructed as the trunnion assembly 34 shown in FIGS. 1-14B and especially FIGS. 11, 13A, &14B. The alternate trunnion assembly 34 adds a pair of independent trunnion axles 71 preferably made of hardened stainless steel, a pair of needle-roller bearings 108, a pair of pulleys 85 preferably made of anodized 7075-T6 aluminum, and a pair of thrust washers 109 for each pulley 85 in an overall effort to decrease friction and increase component performance and lifespan. The hardened stainless steel trunnion axles 71 are preferably made of a 440C stainless steel and are adapted to provide a bearing surface for the needle-roller bearings 108. The two pairs of thrust washers 109 are preferably made of a high bearing grade plastic like a molybdenum disulfide filled nylon or a steel backed Teflon® infused porous sintered bronze (e.g., DU® washer) and are adapted to provide a high-performance thrust bearing surface for the pair of anodized 7075-T6 aluminum pulleys 85. Furthermore, the alternate trunnion assembly 34 utilizes only two bearings 65 as compared to the three bearings 65 utilized by the above trunnion assembly 34 shown in FIGS. 1-14B and especially FIGS. 11, 13A.

[0558] Referring to FIGS. 17 & 17A, the swivel assembly 89 of FIGS. 1-14 has been replaced by a quick link 40 (i.e., tension vector attachable member 40) and directly attached to the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 (i.e., tension transmitting structure 39). More specifically, this alternate tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 17 & 17A, utilizes the UHMWPE rope assembly 39 tied directly to the quick link 40 at the central apex 41 with a girth hitch knot 110. Furthermore, the UHMWPE rope assembly 39 can accommodate for a certain amount of twist within and along its 12-strand fibrous construction that translates into an effective amount of “available rotation” about the 3rd axis of rotation 31. When torque equilibrium along the 3rd axis of rotation 31 is required between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay, the above “available rotation” may accommodate for it with minimal performance degradation. This alternate spherical trunnion 67 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 17 & 17A is inexpensive, lightweight, and reliable, and is an effective and efficient alternate. Lastly, a method to lock the girth hitch knot 110 in place may be required to ensure the girth hitch knot 110 maintains both its position at the central apex 41 and the subsequent functionality / symmetry of the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 with respect to the line of tension 42. As shown in FIG. 17A, one lock method may include a clamp 111 that clamps the two sides of the UHMWPE rope together as they immediately exit the girth hitch knot 110. Other lock methods may include a protective rubber or Velcro® cover (not shown) tightly fitted over the knot 110, a heat-shrink cover (not shown), a lockstitch (not shown), an infused adhesive (not shown), or a resilient coating (not shown) that would prevent the knot 110 from migrating from the central apex 41.

[0559] FIG. 18 shows three alternate tension vector engagement assemblies 38 attached to the trunnion assembly 34 where the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 of FIGS. 1-17A has been replaced by an alternate rigid yoke structure 39 (i.e., tension transmitting structure 39). The alternate rigid yoke structures 39 are preferably made of a CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum, or a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite. The rigid yoke structures 39 shown in FIG. 18 replace the pulleys 85 of FIGS. 1-17A by providing an integrated bore 112 at each proximal end of the rigid yoke structure 39 that are adapted with a bearing feature to rotate about respective trunnion axles 71. Similar to the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 of FIGS. 1-17A, the rigid yoke structures 39 of FIG. 18 include the clearance feature 43 to prevent interference with the trunnion assembly 34 and the supporting handle joining assembly 32 during use.

[0560] FIG. 18A shows the rigid yoke structure 39 with an integrated tension vector attachable member 40 illustrated by a hole 40 located at the central apex 41 of the rigid yoke structure 39. Hence, it is important to understand that the tension vector attachment assembly 38 can be integrated into one component, where the rigid yoke structure 39 can include the integrated tension vector attachable member 40, the clearance feature 43, and the integrated bores 112 adapted with bearing features to rotate about respective trunnion axles 71. The hole 40 arrangement offers very little rotation capacity about the 3rd axis of rotation 31. As a result, a swiveling terminal engagement link attached to the tension vector 7 would be relied upon to accommodate for torque equilibrium between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay.

[0561] FIG. 18B shows the rigid yoke structure 39 with an optional tension transmitting structure 39A illustrated as a sewn runner 39A attached at the central apex 41 of the rigid yoke structure 39. (In this application a sewn runner is created by sewing a webbing section into a loop.) The tension vector attachable member 40 is illustrated as a quick link 40 and is attached at the distal end of the sewn runner 39 (see FIG. 18B). With respect to the rotation capacity about the 3rd axis of rotation 31, the sewn runner 39A like the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 offers a certain amount of twist within and along its fibrous construction that translates into an effective amount of “available rotation”. When torque equilibrium along the 3rd axis of rotation 31 is required between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay, the above “available rotation” can accommodate for it without any noticeable performance degradation.

[0562] FIG. 18C shows the rigid yoke structure 39 with a swivel assembly 89 mounted to the central apex 41 of the rigid yoke structure 39. The swivel assembly 89 shown in FIG. 18C provides a swivel eye 40 (i.e., tension vector attachable member 40) located at the distal end of the swivel assembly 89 that functions like the swivel assembly 89 discussed and illustrated in FIGS. 1-14A. With respect to the rotation capacity about the 3rd axis of rotation 31, the swivel assembly 89 can fully accommodate for torque equilibrium along the 3rd axis of rotation 31 between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay.

[0563] Although the rigid yoke structures 39 of FIG. 18 are functional alternates, their rigid structure and mass can cause self-destructive collisions between the rigid yoke structure 39 and the handle joining assembly 32 during use. These self-destructive collisions occur when exercise angles of the incoming tension vector 7 cause the tracking rigid yoke structure 39 to interfere / collide with the handle joining assembly 32. Conversely, the slippery, smooth, and flexible nature of the V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 shown in FIGS. 1-17A can readily glide over the radiused edges of the handle joining assembly 32, largely without mutual damage.

[0564] Referring now to FIGS. 18D-18G, that illustrate a preferred embodiment of a trunnion based 34 multiplanar exercise device having a V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 similar to those shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, &18C but with additional features. First it is important to mention that the rigid yoke structures 39 of FIGS. 18A-18G effectively eliminate the moment / tilting load that the pulleys 85 shown in FIGS. 1-17A experience during use. This moment / tilting load is caused by the flexible V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 of FIGS. 1-17A relying on the lower & upper thrust surfaces 88 of the pulleys 85 to maintain the pulleys 85 positions between respective thrust faces 72 of the trunnion 67 and the thrust faces 79 of the pulley caps 76. Consequently, when the pulleys 85 experience moment / tilting load, the subsequent contact against thrust faces 72&79 result in friction that decreases the performance of V-shaped UHMWPE rope assembly 39 of FIGS. 1-17A. Conversely, because the rigid yoke structures 39 of FIGS. 18A-18C are rigid, they effectively eliminate the moment / tilting load about the integrated bores 112 by maintaining the integrated bores 112 positions and preventing them from tilting and effectively deliver only a radial load about the trunnion axles 71. As shown in FIGS. 18D-18G, each distal end 203 of the V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 is adapted to be received and secured to a slot 204 in a yoke pulley 85 by a set screw 205 that extends through a pair of collinear holes 206 of the slot 204 and a threaded hole 207 at each distal end 203 (see FIG. 18G). (It is understood that the V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 shown in FIGS. 18D-18G could be integrated with the yoke pulleys 85 but due to manufacturing constraints are expected best produced as separate components.) Similar to the rigid yoke structures 39 of FIGS. 18A-18C, the V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 and attached yoke pulleys 85 of FIGS. 18D-18G also effectively eliminate the moment / tilting load about the yoke pulleys 85 by delivering only a radial load about the trunnion axles 71.

[0565] Still referring to FIGS. 18D-18G, the tension vector attachable member 40 is shown as a U-shaped link 40 (preferably made of a strong durable 17-4 PH Stainless Steel) attached to the apex of the V-shaped rigid yoke 39 by a pin 208, two external retaining rings 136 and three collinear holes 209 as shown in FIG. 18G. One benefit of this tension vector attachment assembly 38 (i.e., U-shaped link 40, V-shaped rigid yoke 39, yoke pulleys 85, and clearance feature 43) includes a short overall length that largely preserves the range of motion of cable machines illustrated as a tension vector link 210 shown in FIG. 18E. Conversely, the range of motion of cable machines can be adjusted by incorporating optional tension transmitting structures 39A (e.g., sewn runner) and optional tension vector attachable members 40A (e.g., quick link) as shown in FIG. 18F. Another benefit of this tension vector attachment assembly 38 includes the detachable / attachable U-shaped link 40 that allows the addition of optional tension transmitting structures 39A and optional tension vector attachable members 40A as shown in FIG. 18F.

[0566] Still referring to FIGS. 18D-18G and in an effort to lessen the interference between the V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 with the handle joining members 51 during use, a tapered union 211 is utilized where a pair opposing tapered ears 212 are adapted to the proximal end of each opposing handle joining member 51. A reverse tapered surface 213 is adapted to the distal ends of the central axle 59 and are joined together to respective opposing tapered ears 212 by a central axle screw 60 shown in FIGS. 18D & 18G. In addition, the tapered union 211 includes a gap that remains between the non-tapered surfaces that ensures a rigid union of tapered surfaces 212&213. These tapered unions 211 are not only extremely secure but they register the opposing handle joining members 51 and respective handles 28 so they are fixed in the same plane as shown in FIGS. 18D-18F. Furthermore, another benefit of the tapered union 211 is that it creates a very low profile around which the V-shaped rigid yoke 39 and attached U-shaped link 40 can rotate about and therefore minimizing a cone of clearance 214 and maximizing greater angles of exercise (see FIGS. 18E & 18F). To maintain the cone of clearance 214 so contact / interference and subsequent damages do not occur between respective components a cone of clearance stop 215 is utilized and comprises of a stop pin 216, a stop face 217, and a protective hood 218. More specifically, each yoke pulley 85 is adapted with opposing stop faces 217 that are synchronized to stop against the stop pin 216 mounted to opposing sides of the trunnion sleeve 67 (see FIG. 18D). The radial position of the stop faces 217 about the yoke pulleys 85 determine the amount of clearance the cone of clearance 214 provides. Furthermore, the protective hood 218 largely prevents pinched fingers from occurring when the multiplanar exercise device is handled around the trunnion assembly 34. Overall, the trunnion 34 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 18D-18G presents an efficient, rugged, and reliable design.

[0567] Perhaps the simplest yet least durable alternate tension vector receiving assembly 33 could be an orifice / hole in the handle joining assembly 32 that allows an attached ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope (UHMWPE rope, e.g., 12 strand AmSteel® / Dyneema® rope) or sewn runner (i.e., tension transmitting structure 39) to extend from it at the pivot point 6. The UHMHPE rope or sewn runner could be further adapted with a locked Brummel eye-splice or sewn loop respectfully on the end that extends from the orifice / pivot point and provide a means (i.e., tension vector attachable member 40) to attach the tension vector 7 to. In order for this arrangement to direct the attached tension vector 7 from performed exercise angles to the pivot point 6, the UHMWPE rope / sewn runner would be required to endure extreme repetitive bending at the pivot point. This extreme repetitive bending at the pivot point 6 would cause the rope / sewn runner to fail and prove to be an unreliable design. To prevent this premature failure of the rope or sewn runner, modifications to the orifice / hole such as the addition of radiused edges will be discussed in the following.

[0568] An alternate multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 19-22 utilizes a fairlead / orifice 113&35 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 that uniquely supports the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30. More specifically, the fairlead 113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 comprises of the handle joining assembly 32, a fairlead / orifice assembly 35, and the tension vector attachment assembly 38. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) The handle joining assembly 32 comprises of a handle joining bar 32 adapted at each end with a bent ear 114 and each having a handle screw hole (not shown) and a pin hole (not shown). The handle joining bar 32 is preferably made of a laser cut Hardox 450® steel plate (175,000 psi yield strength) or similar strength material. Each bent ear 114 is adapted to support the handle 28 by the same means utilized by the trunnion 67&34 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 8 & 10 except for the addition of a handle screw washer 115. Still referring to FIGS. 19-22 and especially FIG. 21, the handle joining bar 32 (i.e., handle joining assembly 32) additionally provides a central hole 116 for a sewn runner 39 (i.e., flexible tension transmitting member 39) to extend through and two central screw holes 117 to attach the fairlead assembly 35 to the handle joining bar 32.

[0569] Still referring to FIGS. 19-22, the fairlead assembly 35 includes the fairlead 113, a swiveling pin housing 118, and two mounting screws 119. The fairlead 113 is preferably made of a polished anodized aluminum that supports a central orifice 120 that has a length that extends perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and a longitudinal centerline 121 that intersects the pivot point 6 (see FIGS. 19A & 20A). In addition, a preferred orientation of the longitudinal centerline 121 of the central orifice 120 is coplanar to the plane that contains the longitudinal centerline 11 of each handle 28. Furthermore, the central orifice 120 includes a polished radiused circumference 122 (see FIGS. 19A & 20A). Additionally, the fairlead 113 includes two threaded screw holes 123 and exterior edges that are both radiused and polished. The swiveling pin housing 118 includes two screw holes 124 and a swiveling pin recess 125 (see FIGS. 22 & 19A). As shown in FIG. 21, the fairlead assembly 35 is attached to the handle joining bar 32 by inserting each screw 119 through the respective screw hole 124 of the swiveling pin housing 118, and then through the respective screw hole 117 of the handle joining bar 32, and then screwed into the respective threaded hole 123 of the fairlead 113 and tightened.

[0570] Referring to FIGS. 19-22 and especially FIGS. 19A & 21, the fairlead 113 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 includes the sewn runner 39 having an engageable loop at each end, the quick link 40 attached to the distal loop of the sewn runner 39, a swiveling pin 126 inserted through the proximal loop of the sewn runner 39 that extends up through the central orifice 120 (of the fairlead 113) and the central hole 116 (of the handle joining bar 32), and an optional protective nylon sleeve 83 (see FIGS. 19A & 21). While attaching the fairlead assembly 35 to the bar 32, one of the looped ends of the sewn runner 39 along with the donned optional protective nylon sleeve 83 is passed up through both the central orifice 120 (of the fairlead 113) and the central hole 116 (of the bar 32), then the swiveling pin 126 is inserted into the looped end of the sewn runner 39 as shown in FIGS. 19A & 21.

[0571] When attached to the tension vector 7 and opposed by the gripping user, the fairlead 113 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 19-22 becomes tensioned and the longitudinal centerline 121 of the central orifice 120 becomes the 1st axis of rotation 29, and similarly the radiused circumference 122 of the central orifice 120 creates the 2nd axis of rotation 30. More specifically, the 1st axis of rotation 29 is developed by the section of tensioned sewn runner 39 that spans from the swiveling pin 126 to the tangent edge of the radiused circumference 122 of the central orifice 120 (see FIG. 19A). The 1st axis of rotation 29 is perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and intersects the pivot point 6. The 2nd axis of rotation 30 is formed by the section of tensioned sewn runner 39 that is supported by the radiused circumference 122 of the central orifice 120. The 2nd axis of rotation is (1) perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29, (2) intersects the 1st axis 29 at the pivot point 6, and (3) rotates / swivels with & about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (see FIGS. 20 & 20A). Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation 29 rotates, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 will rotate / swing with and about the 1st axis of rotation 29. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can still rotate independently.

[0572] Referring to FIGS. 19 & 19A, it is important to understand that the 2nd axis of rotation created by the radiused circumference 122 can only support 90 degrees of rotation from the longitudinal centerline 121. This 90-degree limitation results from as soon as the tensioned sewn runner 39 rotates further than 90 degrees, any further contact with the fairlead 113 will cause the tension vector 7 or the line of tension 42 to depart from the pivot point 6 and degrade performance. Consequently, the fairlead 113 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 can rotate 360 degrees about the 1st axis of rotation 29 but only 180 degrees about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (see FIG. 19-20A). Therefore, this fairlead 113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 is limited to receiving the tension vector 7 from those points on a conceptual hemisphere where the pivot point 6 is the hemisphere's center as shown in FIG. 19. Furthermore, the serviceable tension vector 7 receivable hemisphere about the pivot point 6 can be selected by adapting the handle joining assembly 32 to support the fairlead assembly 35 in the direction of the selected hemisphere. More specifically, the handle joining assembly 32 (i.e., handle joining bar 32) must be designed to support the fairlead 113 so that the longitudinal centerline 121 of the central orifice 120 is directed to the selected hemisphere.

[0573] Still referring to FIGS. 19-22, while in use the fairlead 113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 directs the attached tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 by allowing the tensioned sewn runner 39 to slide on the polished anodized surface of the central orifice 120 and maintain a collinear relationship between the attached tension vector 7, the sewn runner 39, the line of tension 42, and the pivot point 6. In order to maintain this collinear relationship the sewn runner 39 is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the gripping user, causing the section of the sewn runner 39 that is supported by the central orifice 120 and the swiveling pin 126 to respond and rotate about the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30. When rotation about the 1st axis of rotation 29 occurs the swiveling pin 126 (preferably a hardened stainless steel dowel pin) and the surrounding looped end of the sewn runner 39 rotates together causing the swiveling pin 126 to slide on the supporting surface of the handle joining bar 32. This sliding is facilitated by the hardened dowel pin sliding against the hardened surface (Hardox 450® steel plate) of the handle joining bar 32 which results in a polished surface of the handle joining bar 32. In addition, to maintain the position of the swiveling pin 126 in the loop of the sewn runner 39, the swiveling pin housing 118 provides a swiveling pin recess 125 (see FIGS. 19A & 22). The swiveling pin recess 125 allows the swiveling pin 126 to swivel / rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 while maintaining the position of the swiveling pin 126 in the loop of the sewn runner 39 (see FIGS. 19A, 21 & 22). When rotation about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 occurs, the sewn runner 39 wraps either on or off the surface of the radiused circumference 122 of the central orifice 120.

[0574] Still referring to FIGS. 19-22, the clamping structure of the fairlead assembly 35 provides an additional feature of significantly increasing the strength of the central portion of the handle joining bar 32. This increased strength of the central portion of the handle joining bar 32 results from the formation of two bending moments being created; one on either side of the fairlead assembly 35 in contrast to a single central bending moment if the fairlead assembly 35 was not utilized. As a result, the clamping structure of the fairlead assembly 35 increases the strength of the handle joining bar 32 and provides a weight savings by requiring a lighter weight handle joining bar 32.

[0575] Still referring to FIGS. 19-22, it is important to understand that the opposing hemisphere that FIG. 19 services can be facilitated by simply designing the handle joining member 32 to support an inverted fairlead assembly 35 so that the pivot point 6 is properly positioned along the grip point line 5.

[0576] Still referring to FIGS. 19-22, although the fairlead 35&113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 is a viable design, friction ultimately will cause this design to require maintenance. This results from the friction occurring between the fibers of the sewn runner 39 themselves, and the fairlead 113 due to the bending, sliding, and twisting of the sewn runner 39 that occurs at the central orifice 120 (of the fairlead 113) during use. Eventually, wear due to friction will require both the sewn runner 39 and fairlead 113 to be replaced. To prevent the friction that occurs about the central orifice 120, the integration of ball / roller bearings to support the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30 will be discussed in the following.

[0577] An alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 23, 23A, 23B, &23C utilizes a clevis nut 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 where the 1st axis of rotation 29 is supported by a clevis assembly 36 to be perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and intersect the pivot point 6. Furthermore, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 is supported by the clevis 127 to be (1) perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation, (2) intersect the 1st axis 29 at the pivot point 6, and (3) rotates / swivels with & about the 1st axis of rotation 29. Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation 29 rotates, the clevis 127 supported 2nd axis of rotation 30 will rotate / swing with the 1st axis of rotation 29. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can still rotate independently. More specifically, the clevis nut 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 comprises of the handle joining assembly 32, the clevis assembly 36, and the tension vector attachment assembly 38 (see FIG. 23C). (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) The handle joining assembly 32 comprises of the handle joining bar 32 adapted at each end with a bent ear 114 and each having a handle screw hole 128 and a pin 58 hole. The handle joining bar 32 is preferably made of a laser cut Hardox 450® steel plate (175,000 psi yield strength) or similar strength material. Each bent ear 114 is adapted to support the handle 28 by the same means utilized by the trunnion 34&67 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 8 & 10 except for the addition of a handle screw washer 115 (see FIG. 23C). Still referring to FIGS. 23-23C and especially FIG. 23C, the handle joining bar 32 (i.e., handle joining assembly 32) additionally provides a central hole 129 for the clevis 127 and a clevis axle screw 130 to extend through, and two central mounting holes 131 to attach the clevis assembly 36 to the handle joining bar 32.

[0578] Referring to FIGS. 23-23C, the clevis assembly 36 includes a bearing housing 132, the clevis axle screw 130, a bearing 133, the clevis 127, a clevis axle 134, two roller / needle bearings 135, two external retaining rings 136, and two mounting screws 137. The bearing housing 132 is preferably made of 7075-T6 aluminum or similar lightweight strength material and is adapted with a bearing pocket 138 and two threaded holes 139. The ball bearing 133 is preferably a double row angular contact ball bearing capable of efficiently managing both radial and bi-directional axial loads. The bearing housing 132 is attached to the handle joining bar 32 by the two screws 137 that extend up through the holes 131 of the handle joining bar 32 and subsequently screwed into the threaded holes 139 of the bearing housing 132 and tightened.

[0579] Still referring to FIGS. 23-23C, the bearing pocket 138 of the bearing housing 132 is adapted to retain the ball bearing 133 concentrically above the central hole 129 of the handle joining bar 32. A bore 140 of the ball bearing 133 creates the 1st axis of rotation 29 so that it is perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and intersects the pivot point 6. In addition, a preferred orientation of a longitudinal centerline 141 of the bore 140 of the ball bearing 133 is coplanar to the plane that contains the longitudinal centerline 11 of each handle 28 as shown in FIGS. 23 & 23A.

[0580] Still referring to FIGS. 23-23C, the clevis 127 as shown in FIG. 23C is attached to the ball bearing 133 by extending the clevis axle screw 130 through the bore 140 of the ball bearing 133 and subsequently screwed into a central threaded hole 142 of the clevis 127 and tightened. The clevis 127 is preferably made of 7075-T6 aluminum or similar lightweight strength material. The clevis 127 is generally U-shaped and is adapted with a flange 143 positioned on each side of the central threaded hole 142 (see FIGS. 24B & 23C). Each flange 143 retains the roller / needle bearing 135 in an axle bore 144. Subsequently, the clevis axle 134 (preferably made of hardened stainless steel) is inserted into the roller / needle bearings 135 and retained to the clevis 127 by an external retaining ring 136 attached at each end of the clevis axle 134 as shown in FIGS. 24B & 23C. The clevis nut 127 supported clevis axle 134 creates the 2nd axis of rotation 30 and is (1) perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29, (2) intersects the 1st axis 29 at the pivot point 6, and (3) rotates / swivels with & about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (see FIGS. 23 & 23B). Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation 29 rotates, the clevis nut 127 supported 2nd axis of rotation 30 will rotate / swing with the 1st axis of rotation 29. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation (i.e., clevis nut 127) is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can still rotate independently.

[0581] Still referring to FIGS. 23-23C, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 comprises of the tension transmitting structure 39 shown as the sewn runner 39 and the tension vector attachable member 40 shown as the quick link 40. The span between the opposing flanges 143 of the clevis 127 allows the looped end of the sewn runner 39 to engage the clevis axle 134 as shown in FIG. 23B. While in use the clevis 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 directs the attached tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 by allowing the tensioned sewn runner 39 (i.e., line of tension 42) to maintain a collinear relationship with the attached tension vector 7 and the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5. In order to maintain this collinear relationship, the sewn runner 39 is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the gripping user, causing the tensioned sewn runner 39 to simultaneously rotate about the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30 as torque equilibrium about each axis is preserved. This interaction results in the active collinear relationship of the tension vector 7, the sewn runner 39, the line of tension 42, and the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5 (see FIGS. 23-24B).

[0582] FIG. 23 shows the 1st axis of rotation 29 that supports 360 degrees of rotation and the 2nd axis of rotation 30 that supports 180 degrees of rotation. Therefore, the clevis 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 23-23C is limited to receiving the tension vector 7 from points on a conceptual hemisphere where the pivot point 6 is the hemisphere's center as shown in FIG. 23. Furthermore, the tension vector 7 serviceable hemisphere about the pivot point 6 can be selected by adapting the handle joining assembly 32 to support the clevis assembly 36 in the direction of the selected hemisphere. More specifically, the handle joining assembly 32 (i.e., handle joining bar 32) must be designed to support the longitudinal centerline 141 of the bore 140 of the ball bearing 133 in the direction to the selected hemisphere. It is important to note that a clevis designed with longer flanges 143 can support a deeper slot allowing the sewn runner 39 to rotate more than 180 degrees about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 and add to the hemisphere's area that can receive the tension vector 7.

[0583] Still referring to FIGS. 23-23C, the bearing housing 132 of the clevis assembly 36 provides an additional feature of significantly increasing the strength of the central portion of the handle joining bar 32. This increased strength of the central portion of the handle joining bar 32 results from the formation of two bending moments being created; one on either side of the clevis assembly 36 in contrast to a single central bending moment if the clevis assembly 36 was not utilized. As a result, the bearing housing 132 of the clevis assembly 36 increases the strength of the handle joining bar 32 allowing a weight savings by requiring a lighter weight handle joining bar 32.

[0584] The clevis nut 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIG. 23-23C eliminates the friction issues that affect the fairlead / orifice 113 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIG. 19-22. More specifically, with the addition of the ball & roller bearings 133&135, the clevis 127 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 eliminates friction between components about the 1st & 2nd axis of rotation 29&30. This arrangement makes the clevis nut 127 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIG. 23-23C a viable alternate design that is reliable, lightweight, and likely inexpensive to manufacture. Consequently, when compared to the likely more expensive spherical trunnion 34&67 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 1-17A & 18D-18G, the hemispherical clevis 36&127 based multiplanar exercise device could present a practical alternative.

[0585] Referring now to FIGS. 24-24C where a clevis based 36 multiplanar exercise device (similar to the one described above and shown in FIGS. 23-23C) largely serves a hemispherical exercise envelope for those exercises where the tension vector source points 1 emanate from below a user's waist (see FIGS. 4-4C). On the contrary, and now referring to FIGS. 25-25B where a clevis based 36 multiplanar exercise device (similar to those shown in FIGS. 23-24C) largely serves a hemispherical exercise envelope for those exercises where the tension vector source points 1 emanate from above a user's waist (e.g., pulldown).

[0586] Referring now to FIGS. 24-25B, and in an effort to optimize the clevis 36 based multiplanar exercise device of FIGS. 23-23C where the clevis nut 127 is replaced by a similar functioning eye nut 127 and more importantly, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIG. 23C is replaced by a tension vector engagement member 38 shown in FIGS. 24-25B. More specifically, instead of having two flanges143 like the clevis nut 127 of FIGS. 23-23C to support the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (i.e., axle bore 144) the eye nut 127 of FIGS. 24-25B has only one flange to support the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (i.e., axle bore 144). The tension vector engagement member 38 shown in FIGS. 24-25B is illustrated as a clevis-to-clevis link 38 where respective clevises are 90-degrees to each other and include a 2nd axis of rotation clevis 220 and a tension vector clevis 221. The clevis-to-clevis link 38 is attached to the eye nut 127 by an eye nut axle 134 extending through a pair of flanged DU bearings 219 and the axle bore 144 of both the axle nut 127 and the 2nd axis of rotation clevis 220, and then secured by a pair of external retaining rings 136 (see FIGS. 24C & 25B). The opposite end of the clevis-to-clevis link 38 supports the tension vector clevis 221 that when engaged with a pin 222 having a central taper 223 and secured with a pair of external retaining rings 136, creates the tension vector attachable feature 40 to which the tension vector link 210 of a typical cable machine can attach to (see FIGS. 24 & 25). The 90-degree offset orientation of the clevises 220&221 of the clevis-to-clevis link 38 allows the tension vector link 210 to present a low profile of engagement that decreases interference with the surrounding handle joining assembly 32 resulting in a greater exercise envelope. During use the eye nut 127 and the clevis-to-clevis link 38 are each adapted with a range of motion stop 224 that contact each other and prevents the clevis-to-clevis link 38 from over rotating and causing unfavorable contact and subsequent damage with surrounding components. The central taper 223 of the pin 222 provides a self-locating feature where the attached tension vector link 210 will automatically locate to and maintain proper positioning so interference is avoided. Furthermore, the short overall length of the clevis-to-clevis link 38 largely preserves the intended range of motion of cable machines while also being able to accept a variety of optional tension transmitting structures 39A and optional tension vector attachable members 40A as shown in FIGS. 24C & 25B.

[0587] An alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 26-28 is similar to the trunnion 67 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 1-18G except for the trunnion 67 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 is replaced by a flag block 145 based tension vector receiving assembly 33. It is important to understand that the flag block 145 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 does not adhere to the rules of grip point geometry 2 because it suffers from the drift 9 of the effective tension vector attachment point 8 due to an offset 2nd axis of rotation 156 (see FIG. 26). Although the flag block 145 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 26-28 fails to satisfy the elements of grip point geometry 2, it may present commercial value. Perhaps the effects of the effective tension vector attachment point 8 drift 9 may be a desirable feature and therefore the flag block 145 based multiplanar exercise device must be discussed.

[0588] Referring to FIGS. 26-28, the alternate flag block 145 based multiplanar exercise device utilizes the same handle joining assembly 32 shown in FIG. 10 and as discussed above. Alternately, the trunnion assembly 34 of FIGS. 1-17 is replaced by a flag block assembly 37 shown in FIGS. 26 & 27. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) Referring to FIG. 28, the flag block 145 comprises of a sleeve bore 146, a longitudinal centerline 147 of the sleeve bore 146, a midplane 148 that is coplanar to the longitudinal centerline 147, a slot 149, a flange 150 on each side of the slot 149, and a collinear axle bore 151 adapted to each flange 150 and positioned perpendicular to the midplane 148. The slot 149 and opposing flanges 150 of the flag block 145 are positioned symmetrically about the midplane 148. Like the rotating trunnion sleeve 67 of FIGS. 1-17, the sleeve bore 146 of the flag block 145 is adapted to engage the bearings 65 as to allow the sleeve bore 146 to concentrically rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (i.e., grip point line 5) formed by the central axle 59. Each flange 150 retains a roller / needle bearing 152 in the collinear axle bore 151. Subsequently, a flag block axle 153 (preferably made of harden stainless steel) is inserted into the roller / needle bearings 152 and retained to the flag block 145 by a washer 154 and an external retaining ring 155 at each end of the flag block axle 153 as shown in FIGS. 26 & 27.

[0589] Still referring to FIGS. 26-28 and especially FIG. 26, the flag block 145 supported flag block axle 153 creates an offset 2nd axis of rotation 156 that is (1) perpendicular to both the 1st axis of rotation 29 and to the midplane 149 of the flag block 145, (2) coplanar to the central plane 3, and (3) positioned at an offset distance 157 from the pivot point 6 of the grip point line 5. The tension vector attachment assembly 38 comprises of the tension transmitting structure 39 shown as the sewn runner 39 and the tension vector attachable member 40 shown as the quick link 40. The tension vector attachment assembly 38 is attached to the flag block assembly 37 by extending the flag block axle 153 through a looped end 158 of the sewn runner 39 while it is placed in the slot 149 of the flag block 145. The flag block axle 153 is subsequently fastened to the flag block 145 by the washers 154 and the external retaining rings 155.

[0590] Still referring to FIGS. 26 & 27, when the tension vector 7 is attached to the quick link 40 and opposed by the user, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 becomes tensioned causing it to simultaneously (1) becomes collinear along the line of tension 42 to the tension vector 7, (2) rotates about the offset 2nd axis of rotation 156 and (3) rotates with the flag block 145 about the 1st axis of rotation 29 while torque equilibrium about each axis 156&29 is maintained. While in use the flag block 145 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 directs the attached tension vector 7 to the effective tension vector attachment point 8 that falls along the grip point line 5. As the incoming angle of the tension vector 7 increases from the central plane 3, so does the drift 9 as shown in FIG. 26. Similarly, as the offset distance 157 of the offset 2nd axis of rotation 156 increases from the pivot point 6 so does the drift 9 as shown in FIG. 26. More specifically, when the user opposes the tension vector 7, the line of tension 42 is created along the sewn runner 39 and extends past the flag block axle 153 where it intersects the grip point line 5 at the effective tension vector attachment point 8 (see FIG. 26). If the incoming tension vector 7 departs from the central plane 3 the effective tension vector attachment point 8 will depart from the pivot point 6 and create the drift 9 of the effective tension vector attachment point 8. Therefore during multiplanar exercise, the “shifting” drift 9 of the effective tension vector attachment point 8 provides an unbalanced and inconsistent resistance to the gripping hands. Like the trunnion 67 based multiplanar exercise device (shown in FIGS. 1-18G), the flag block 145 based multiplanar exercise device (shown in FIGS. 26-28) can also accommodate the spherical tension vector 7 receiving area discussed above (except for those points that create an in-line interference with the multiplanar exercise device or the gripping user).

[0591] As mentioned above, grip point geometry 2 can facilitate a vast number of bilateral handle 28 orientations as long as the handle joining assembly 32 supports the handles 28, so the user's middle finger grip centers 15 can coincide with respective grip points 4. These handle 28 orientations can include any 3-dimensional configuration and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical about the central plane 3 (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, these handle 28 orientations may be fixed, selectively adjustable (e.g., integrated detent system), or actively directed during use by the user 21. If these handle 28 orientations are actively directed during use by the user 21, the handle joining assembly 32 must support the bilateral handles 28, so they are restricted to pivot about the grip points 4 whereby maintaining established middle finger grip center 15 coincidence with respective grip points 4 (see FIGS. 29-36).

[0592] Referring now to FIGS. 29-36, grip point geometry 2 can further facilitate multiplanar functional exercise, by allowing independent handle 28 rotation about axes that intersect the grip points 4. These axes of independent handle rotation that intersect the grip points 4 will be referred to as an independent grip point axis 159, 160, &161. Independent grip point axes 159, 160, &161 can accommodate for independent gripping hand movements that include (1) supination, (2) pronation, (3) ulna or radius deviation about the wrist, (4) flexion or extension about the wrist, and (5) any combination thereof. Furthermore, these and other independent gripping hand movements can simultaneously occur while the multiplanar exercise device experiences both translational and rotary motion in the performance of multiplanar functional exercise. Two independent grip point axes 159&160 that are readily accommodated by grip point geometry 2 includes (1) the independent grip point axis 159 shown in FIGS. 29-30A that is collinear to the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and (2) the independent grip point axis 160 shown in FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A that is collinear to the grip point line 5. Another independent grip point axis 161 of particular significance is shown in FIGS. 31-36 and is perpendicular to both (1) the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and (2) the grip point line 5. All other independent grip point axes not shown can be supported like the independent grip point axis 161 shown in FIGS. 31-36, but at angles of grip point 4 intersection other than those described above.

[0593] The independent grip point axis 159 that is collinear to the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and shown in FIGS. 29-30A, comprises of the handle 28 having a central longitudinal bore 162 adapted to support a flanged bearing 163 at each end, and a handle shaft 164 assembly mounted to the handle joining member 51 and adapted to receive the central longitudinal bore 162 supported flange bearings 163 of the handle 28. More specifically, the proximal end of the handle shaft 164 is fitted with a collared threaded post 165 that is adapted to extend through the handle screw hole 52 of the handle joining member 51 and secured with a nut 166 and nut cap 167 as shown in FIGS. 29-30A. A collared portion 168 of the collared threaded post 165 provides (1) a joining face 169 to tighten the shaft up to the handle joining member 51, (2) an integral wrench flats 170 to aid in tightening the nut 166, and (3) a thrust face 171 for the flange bearing 163 to rotate on. The distal end of the handle shaft 164 is fitted with a reduced threaded post 172 adapted to support a thrust washer 173. The thrust washer 173 is adjustably secured to the reduced threaded post 172 by a nut 174 as to provide an appropriate running clearance between respective flange bearings 163 and (1) the thrust face 171 of the collared portion 168 and (2) a thrust face 175 provided by the thrust washer 173. This flange bearing 163 supported handle 28 and handle shaft 164 assembly can accommodate both radial and bi-directional axial / thrust loads during handle 28 rotation about the independent grip point axis 159. Bilateral gripping hand movements accommodated by the independent grip point axis 159 shown in FIGS. 29-30A include flexion or extension about the wrist and any combination thereof.

[0594] The independent grip point axis 160 that is collinear to the grip point line 5 and shown in FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A, generally comprises of a bearing 176 mounted to the proximal end of one handle joining member 51 and bolted concentrically to the adjacent end of the central axle 59 whereby providing independent rotation of the bilateral handles 28 about the grip point line 5. The bearing 176 is preferably a double row angular contact bearing capable of efficiently managing both radial and bidirectional axial / thrust loads applied to this region when the user opposes the tension vector 7. More specifically, each handle joining member 51 includes a flange portion 177 adapted to facilitate attaching the handle joining member 51 to the respective distal end of the central axle 59.

[0595] Still referring to FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A, one flange portion 177 of the handle joining members 51 includes a two-hole attachment 178 where a screw 179 (shown in hidden lines) is extended into each hole 178 (shown in hidden lines) and screwed into a respective threaded hole 180 (shown in hidden lines) located at the distal end of the central axle 59. As the screws 179 are tightened and a respective joining face 181 of the flange portion 177 is clamped together with a respective joining face 182 of the central axle 59 a secure attachment is provided (see FIG. 32 for best understanding of two-hole attachment 178). In addition, this secure attachment aligns the respective grip point 4 of the attached handle 28 to maintain a collinear relationship with the grip point line 5.

[0596] Still referring to FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A, the other flange portion 177 includes a bearing pocket 183 (shown in section) adapted to retain the bearing 176 between a bearing stop 184 and an internal retaining ring 185. Furthermore, the bearing pocket 183 retains a bearing bore 186 of the bearing 176 so that the bearing bore 186 is collinear to the grip point line 5 when an axle screw 187 extends through the bearing bore 186 and is screwed and tightened into a central threaded hole 188 of the central axle 59 located collinear to the grip point line 5 and at the other distal end of the central axle 59. This bearing 176 assembly (shown in section) provides independent rotation of the gripped handles about the grip point line 5 (i.e., independent grip point axis 160). Bilateral gripping hand movement accommodated by the independent grip point axis 160 shown in FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A include independent ulna or radius deviation about the wrist and any combination thereof. Conversely, when in FIGS. 34 & 34A the user drives the longitudinal centerlines 11 of the handles 28 to become collinear to the grip point line 5 (via the independent grip point axis 161), independent ulna or radius deviation about the wrist is replaced with independent flexion or extension about the wrist and any combination thereof.

[0597] The independent grip point axis 161 shown in FIGS. 31-34& especially 32 is perpendicular to both (1) the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and (2) the grip point line 5. To provide the independent grip point axis 161 the distal end of the handle joining member 51 is adapted with a bearing pocket 189 designed to retain a bearing 190 between a bearing stop 191 of the bearing pocket 189 and an internal retaining ring 192. The bearing 190 is preferably a double row angular contact bearing capable of efficiently managing both radial and bidirectional axial / thrust loads applied to this region when the user opposes the tension vector 7. Furthermore, the bearing pocket 189 retains a bearing bore 193 of the bearing 190 so that the bearing bore 193 intersects the grip point 4 of a yoke 194 supported handle 28 and is also perpendicular to both the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and the grip point line 5. The handle 28 is attached to the yoke 194 with a two-hole attachment 195 where a screw 196 is extended into each hole 195 and screwed into a respective threaded hole 197 of the handle 28 and tightened. Although the yoke 194 shown in FIGS. 31-34 attaches at both ends of the handle 28, an alternate yoke design includes a narrow yoke structure positioned between each side of the gripping middle finger and the adjacent index and ring finger, or a single sided structure that supports the handle 28 from one end. As best shown in FIG. 32, the independent grip point axis 161 is provided when an axle screw 198 is extended through an axle screw hole 199 of the yoke 194, a spacer 200, the bearing 190, and subsequently secured with a nut 201 and a nut cap 202. Bilateral gripping hand movement accommodated by the independent grip point axes 161 shown in FIGS. 31-34 include independent supination and pronation and any combination thereof. Referring to FIGS. 31-34, when initially gripping a multiplanar exercise device that bilaterally incorporates the independent grip point axis 161, it is best to initially grip the handles 28 when their longitudinal centerlines 11 are largely parallel to each other and with the forearms generally collinear to the respective axis 161. This initial grip protocol allows the independent grip point axes 161 to properly accommodate for independent gripping hand supination and pronation.

[0598] Referring now to an alternate embodiment of FIGS. 31-33 and illustrated by FIGS. 35-36 where a multiplanar exercise device utilizes a pair of independent grip point axes 161 to accommodate for independent gripping hand supination and pronation. In an effort to optimize the trunnion 34 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 35-36, features of the tension vector receiving assembly 33 and handle joining assembly 32 employed by the trunnion 34 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 18D-18G are utilized. These features include the V-shaped rigid yoke 39, yoke pulleys 85, clearance feature 43, cone of clearance 214, cone of clearance stops 215, and the tapered unions 211 of the handle joining members 51 (i.e., opposing tapered ears 212) and the central axle 59 (i.e., reverse tapered surface 213). More specifically, the trunnion 34 based multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 35 & 36 employs a modified version of the V-shaped rigid yoke structure 39 where an additional tension transmitting structure 39B (i.e., sewn runner 39B) is adapted to be inserted into a loading slot 225 and retained in a retaining slot 226. As shown in FIGS. 35 & 36, a quick link 40 is attached to the distal end of the sewn runner 39B to provide a tension vector engagement member 40 for a tension vector link 210 (as shown in FIG. 18F) of a tension vector 7 to attach to. Still referring to FIGS. 35 & 36, when the features of the tension vector attachment assembly 38 is combined with the features of the trunnion assembly 34, the cone of clearance 214 (as shown in FIG. 18G) plus the soft / flexible nature of the sewn runner 39B largely prevent destructive contact between interfering parts (e.g., the tension vector attachment assembly 38& the handle joining members 51). Another feature utilized by the multiplanar exercise device illustrated in FIGS. 35-36 includes the tapered unions 211 of the handle joining members 51 (i.e., opposing tapered ears 212) and the central axle 59 (i.e., reverse tapered surfaces 213) rigidly joined together with a central axle screw 60.

[0599] These tapered unions 211 are not only extremely secure but they register the opposing handle joining members 51 so they are fixed in the same plane as shown in FIGS. 35-36. In addition, the handle joining members 51 are preferably made of a CNC machined 7075-T6 aluminum, a high-pressure die-casting alloy, or a lightweight molded plastic composite optimized by removing unnecessary material / weight while maintaining strength (as shown in FIGS. 35 & 36).

[0600] Still referring to FIGS. 35 & 36, another independent grip point axis consideration is combining the independent grip point axis 159 that is collinear to the handle's longitudinal centerline 11 and a secondary independent grip point axis (e.g., axis 161) that largely allows the bilateral axes 159 to become collinear to each other along the grip point line 5. This condition can allow the user's initial grip to become unsynchronized with the secondary independent grip point axis (e.g., axis 161) if the multiplanar exercise device inadvertently rotates about the collinear axes 159. When the user's initial grip becomes unsynchronized with the secondary independent grip point axis (e.g., axis 161) the multiplanar exercise device will no longer function properly. For this combination of independent grip point axes to function properly together, design measures would have to be incorporated that would restrict the bilateral axes 159 from becoming largely collinear.

[0601] Referring now to an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein FIGS. 37-37B illustrate a ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly 227. The ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly 227 generally comprises of a threaded ball housing 231 adapted to receive an axled ball 228. A center 228A of the axled ball 228 coincides with the pivot point 6 and preferably comprises of a precision ground heat-treated stainless-steel ball having a necked axle 229 extending bilaterally from the center 228A of the axled ball 228. The necked axles 229 are collinear to the 1st axis of rotation 29 and the grip point line 5. Each distal end of the necked axles 229 are adapted with a threaded hole 230 and a reverse tapered surface 213 (like that utilized in FIGS. 18D-18G & 35-36) to create a tapered union 211 with an opposing tapered ears 212 of each handle joining member 51. Subsequently and as shown in FIGS. 37 & 37B, a screw 235 is inserted thru a hole 236 in each handle joining member 51 and secured to respective threaded holes 230 as to maintain the tapered union 211 and each handle 28 position. The threaded ball housing 231 is preferably made of steel and comprises of a threaded stud portion 232 and a ring portion 233 (see FIG. 37B). The ring portion 233 is fitted with an internal spherical bearing race 234 and is adapted to engage and provide a bearing surface to the axled ball 228. A longitudinal centerline 232A (i.e., 3rd axis of rotation 31) of the threaded stud portion 232 intersects a center 234A of the internal spherical bearing race 234 and the engaged axled ball 228 (see FIGS. 37 & 37B). As shown in FIG. 37, this well-known ball-joint arrangement provides the threaded ball housing 231 with the following three axes of rotation: (1) 360 degrees of rotation about the 1st axis of rotation 29, (2) limited rotation about the 2nd axis of rotation 30, and (3) limited rotation about the 3rd axis of rotation 31. The angle of rotation about the 2nd 29& 3rd 31 axes are determined by when the ring portion 233 of the threaded ball housing 231 abuts against the opposing necked axles 229 as shown as points of interference 237 in FIG. 37A.

[0602] Still referring to FIGS. 37-37B and especially FIG. 37A, the ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly 227 presents a simple and compelling design, but its limited angle of rotation about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can limit its utility. More specifically, even a high-misalignment commercially available ball-joint rod end will typically provide only 64 degrees of angular rotation as shown between angle lines 238 of FIG. 37A. The optimized ball-joint design 227 of FIGS. 37-37B provides 86 degrees of angular rotation as shown between angle lines 239 of FIG. 37A. Although this optimized ball-joint design 227 exceeds the industry standard angular rotation by 34%, it is still insufficient in providing the required angular rotation demanded by many multiplanar exercises. Therefore, the optimized ball-joint design 227 is likely not a viable alternative to the 140 degrees of angular rotation provided by the trunnion-based tension vector receiving assemblies 34 disclosed in this document and shown between angle lines 240 of FIG. 37A. In addition, the 86 degrees of angular rotation of the ball-joint design 227 can be incrementally increased by (1) increasing the ratio of the diameter of the axled ball 228 to the diameter of the necked axles 229 and (2) by decreasing the width of the ring portion 233 of the threaded ball housing 231 while providing sufficient strength and axled ball 228 engagement within the internal spherical bearing race 234. Furthermore, in designing for increased angular rotation of the ball-joint design 227, the area of opposing bearing surfaces is minimized and can produce an unfavorable phenomenon called stick-slip. Stick-slip occurs between opposing bearing surfaces when they alternately stick together and then slide over one another due to friction being overcome by an applied force and subsequently produces unwanted mechanical jerking and decreased performance. Still referring to FIGS. 37-37B, an internally threaded link 40 is threaded and secured to the threaded stud portion 232 of the threaded ball housing 231 and is adapted to engage a tension vector link 210 as shown in FIG. 37. Subsequent to attaching to the tension vector link 210, the transmitted tension vector 7 drives the threaded ball housing 231 about the available rotation of the axled ball 228 so that the transmitted tension vector 7 becomes collinear with the longitudinal centerline 232A (i.e., 3rd axis of rotation 31) of the threaded stud portion 232 and the pivot point 6 (i.e., the center 228A of the axled ball 228). Furthermore, the threaded stud portion 232 (i.e., tension transmitting structure 39) acting with the internally threaded link 40 (i.e., tension vector attachable member 40) forms the tension vector attachment assembly 38 as shown in FIGS. 37 & 37B.

[0603] An alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 38-38A utilizes a tension vector receiving assembly 33 similar to the fairlead / orifice assembly 35 shown in FIGS. 19-22 where the fairlead 113 supports the central orifice 120 that in turn supports the sewn runner 39. More specifically, the multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 38-38A utilizes the tension vector receiving assembly 33 comprising of a central orifice 241 supported by the handle joining assembly 32, and a flexible tension transmitting member 39. When compared to the fairlead / orifice based 35 tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 19-22, the central orifice 241 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 38-38A functions the same way except for the central orifice 241 is integrated directly into the handle joining assembly 29. The flexible tension transmitting member 39 in FIGS. 38-38A is illustrated as a UHMWPE rope 39 such as a readily available 12 strand AmSteel® or Dyneema® rope. The UHMWPE rope 39 comprises of a 1st locked Brummel eye-splice 242 at one end of the UHMWPE rope 39 and a 2nd locked Brummel eye-splice 243 at the other end of the UHMWPE rope 39. The central orifice 241 is supported by the handle joining assembly 32 and comprises of a hole 244 having an upper 245 and a lower 246 radiused circumference (see FIG. 38A). The hole 244 further comprises of a longitudinal centerline 247 that is both perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and intersects the pivot point 6. The UHMWPE rope 39 is attached to the handle joining assembly 32 by a swiveling attachment assembly 248 comprising a swiveling pin 249 and a swiveling sleeve 250 comprising a hollow 251, a threaded pin hole 252, and a bearing surface 253. To assemble the swiveling attachment assembly 248, the 1st eye-splice 242 is inserted into the hollow 251 followed by simultaneously securing the swiveling pin 249 into the threaded pin hole 252 and through the 1st eye-splice 242, while the 2nd eye-splice 243 is exiting the bearing surface 253 side of the swiveling sleeve 250 as shown in FIG. 38A. The assembled swiveling attachment assembly 248 is then mounted to the handle joining assembly 32 by first inserting the 2nd eye-splice 243 into the upper radiused circumference 245 side of the central orifice 241. The 2nd eye-splice 243 is then extended from the lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241 until the bearing surface 253 of the swiveling sleeve 250 fully contacts a bearing support surface 254 of the handle joining assembly 32. A slidable interference fit between the UHMWPE rope 39 and the hole 244 of the central orifice 241 largely retains the assembled swiveling attachment assembly 248 to the handle joining assembly 32. Instead of attaching the tension vector 7 directly to the 2nd eye-splice 243, the wear resistant quick link 40 is preferably utilized to avoid harmful wear to the fibrous UHMWPE rope 39 and provides a durable tension vector 7 attachment point. The lower radiused circumference 246 and the diameter of the hole 244 are appropriately sized with respect to the size of the flexible tension transmitting member 39 so that when the user opposes the tension vector 7, the line of tension 42 that is created largely intersects the pivot point 6 from all serviceable angles during exercise (as shown in FIGS. 38-38A).

[0604] When attached to the tension vector 7 and opposed by the gripping user, the central orifice 241 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 38-38A becomes tensioned and the longitudinal centerline 247 of the central orifice 241 becomes the 1st axis of rotation 29, and similarly the lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241 creates the 2nd axis of rotation 30. More specifically, the 1st axis of rotation 29 is developed by the section of tensioned UHMWPE rope 39 that spans from the swiveling pin 249 to the tangent edge of the lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241 (see FIG. 38A). The 1st axis of rotation 29 is perpendicular to the grip point line 5 and intersects the pivot point 6. The 2nd axis of rotation 30 is formed by the section of tensioned UHMWPE rope 39 that is supported by the lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241. The 2nd axis of rotation is (1) perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29, (2) intersects the 1st axis 29 at the pivot point 6, and (3) rotates / swivels with & about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (see FIGS. 38 & 38A). Therefore if the 1st axis of rotation 29 rotates, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 will rotate / swing with and about the 1st axis of rotation 29. Conversely, if the 1st axis of rotation is stagnated, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 can still rotate independently.

[0605] Still referring to FIGS. 38-38A, it is important to understand that the 2nd axis of rotation created by the lower radiused circumference 246 can only support 90 degrees of rotation from the longitudinal centerline 247. This 90-degree limitation results from as soon as the tensioned UHMWPE rope 39 rotates further than 90 degrees, any further contact with the handle joining assembly 32 will cause the tension vector 7 or the line of tension 42 to depart from the pivot point 6 and degrade performance. Consequently, the central orifice 241 based tension vector attachment assembly 38 can rotate 360 degrees about the 1st axis of rotation 29 but only 180 degrees about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (see FIG. 38-38A). Therefore, this central orifice 241 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 is limited to receiving the tension vector 7 from those points on a conceptual hemisphere where the pivot point 6 is the hemisphere's center as shown in FIG. 38. Furthermore, the tension vector 7 receivable hemisphere about the pivot point 6 can be selected by adapting the handle joining assembly 32 to support the central orifice 241 in the direction of the selected hemisphere. More specifically, the handle joining assembly 32 (i.e., handle joining bar 32) must be designed to support the central orifice 241 so that the longitudinal centerline 247 of the central orifice 241 is directed to the selected hemisphere.

[0606] Still referring to FIGS. 38-38A, the handle joining assembly / bar 32 is preferably made of 7075-T6 aluminum so the central orifice 241 can support a polished anodized surface. (an alternative central orifice 241 material may include an UHMWPE plastic) While in use the central orifice 241 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 directs the attached tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 by allowing the tensioned UHMWPE rope 39 to slide on the polished anodized surface of the central orifice 241 and maintain a collinear relationship between the attached tension vector 7, the UHMWPE rope 39, the line of tension 42, and the pivot point 6. In order to maintain this collinear relationship, the UHMWPE rope 39 is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the gripping user, causing the section of the UHMWPE rope 39 that is supported by the swiveling attachment assembly 248, and the hole 244 and lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241 to respond and rotate about the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30.

[0607] Still referring to FIGS. 38-38A, to accommodate for rotation about the 1st axis of rotation the following occurs: (1) The UHMWPE rope 39 that is supported by the hole 244 and the lower radiused circumference 246 slides concentrically about the longitudinal centerline 247 (i.e., 1st axis of rotation) of the central orifice 241. (2) The swiveling attachment assembly 248 rotates together about the longitudinal centerline 247 (i.e., 1st axis of rotation) causing the bearing surface 253 of the swiveling sleeve 250 to rotate on the bearing supporting surface 254 of the handle joining bar 32. This rotation is facilitated by the bearing surface 253 being composed of a high bearing grade plastic sliding on the polished anodized bearing supporting surface 254 of the handle joining bar 32. An optional design to this “thrust washer” style bearing configuration that likely exhibits unfavorable stick-slip, would be the utilization of a largely frictionless needle thrust bearing assembly. To accommodate for rotation about the 2nd axis of rotation 30, the UHMWPE rope 39 simply wraps either on or off the surface of the lower radiused circumference 246 of the central orifice 241 as shown in FIG. 38A. With respect to the rotation capacity about the 3rd axis of rotation 31, the UHMWPE rope 39 offers a certain amount of twist within and along its fibrous construction that translates into an effective amount of “available rotation”. When torque equilibrium along the 3rd axis of rotation 31 is required between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay, the above “available rotation” can accommodate for it without any noticeable performance degradation.

[0608] An alternative method to attach the 1st eye-splice 242 to the handle joining assembly 32 shown in FIGS. 38-38A, may include simply utilizing a screw to anchor the 1st eye-splice 242 to the handle joining assembly 32 and then directing the UHMWPE rope 39 down through the central orifice 241. This method may cause premature wear of the UHMWPE rope 39 particularly about the section supported in the hole 244 of the central orifice 241 where a twisting action along the UHMWPE rope 39 would be required to accommodate rotation about the 1st axis of rotation 29.

[0609] In order for the central orifice 241 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 38-38A to direct the attached tension vector 7 from performed exercise angles to the pivot point 6, the UHMWPE rope 39 must endure extreme repetitive bending at the pivot point 6. This extreme repetitive bending at the pivot point 6 will cause the UHMWPE rope 39 to prematurely wear and ultimately fail at this location. Although the premature failure of the UHMWPE rope 39 is a negative, this simple inexpensive design could incorporate a “replacement strategy” of the UHMWPE rope 39 that customers may adopt.

[0610] Now referring to FIGS. 38B & 38C where an optional linear orifice array 255 supported by the handle joining assembly 32 is shown. The linear orifice array 255 comprises of a series of optional orifices 256 linearly align to each side of the central orifice 241 as shown in FIG. 38B. Functionally identical to the central orifice 241 shown in FIGS. 38-38A, the central orifice 241 shown in FIGS. 38B & 38C is also adapted to direct the tension vector 7 to the pivot point 6 when opposed by the gripping user. The series of optional orifices 256 are functionally identical to the central orifice 241 with one exception that they direct the tension vector 7 to selected points along the grip point line 5 other than the pivot point 6. Identical in function to the swiveling attachment assembly 248 shown in FIGS. 38-38A, the swiveling attachment assembly 248 shown in 38B &38C is supplied with an alternative sewn runner 39 instead of the UHMWPE rope 39. By selectively loading the swiveling attachment assembly 248 shown in FIGS. 38B & 38C in an optional orifice 256, the user can change the percentage of resistance delivered to each gripping hand. For example, the tension vector 7 may deliver 100 pounds of resistance and one gripped handle 28 may receive 30 percent while the other would receive 70 percent depending on the position of the optional orifice 256 chosen. The central orifice 241 delivers 50 percent of the total resistance delivered by the tension vector 7 to each grip point 4 of the gripped handles 28. An alternative embodiment to the linear array 225 shown in FIG. 38B may include a linear engageable feature that replaces all the orifices 256&241 and is adapted to support a slidable orifice that can be positioned and locked along the length of the linear engageable feature.

[0611] Referring now to FIG. 38D, where the optional linear orifice array 255 is utilized and supports an optional orifice 256 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 where a looped UHMWPE rope 39 extends from any one optional orifice 256 to another or from any one optional orifice 256 to the central orifice 241 for a desired resistance application effect. More specifically, the looped UHMWPE rope 39 is terminated at both ends with a locked Brummel eye-splice 257 each of which extends up the selected optional orifice 256 or central orifice 241 and attached to a respective swiveling attachment assembly 248 as utilized in FIGS. 38-38C and shown in FIG. 38D. Additionally, the looped UHMWPE rope 39 is guided around a pulley 258 that is supported by a pulley block 259. Furthermore, the pulley block 259 also supports a swiveling-eye 40 that is adapted to rotate about the 3rd axis of rotation 31 (see FIG. 38D). When the swiveling-eye 40 is attached to the tension vector 7 and actively opposed by the gripping user, the pulley 258 will rotate along the looped UHMWPE rope 39 as the tension forces transmitted by the looped UHMWPE rope 39 on either side of the pulley 259 are automatically maintained in equilibrium. This action creates the line of tension 42 that is collinear to the tension vector 7 and the 3rd axis of rotation 31. However, with respect to a bisecting point 260 along the grip point line 5 and between respective attached orifices 256 (or 241 if selected), the line of tension 42 exhibits a certain amount of tension vector attachment point drift 9 to either side of the bisecting point 260 as shown in FIG. 38D. The commercial value of this looped UHMWPE rope 39 and pulley block 259 design shown in FIG. 38D is questionable and offers the following limited benefits. The looped UHMWPE rope 39 provides two points of bending, one at each orifice 256 (or 241 if selected) that share the tension bending forces and extends the service life of the looped UHMWPE rope 39. The swiveling-eye 40 that is integrated in the pulley block 259 and adapted to rotate concentrically about the 3rd axis of rotation 31 provides torque equilibrium between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting cable lay.

[0612] Referring now to FIGS. 38E-38G, where the linear orifice array 255 supported by the handle joining assembly 32 shown in FIGS. 38B & 38C is essentially rotated 90 degrees about the grip point line 5 and is supported by an offset handle joining assembly 32 as shown especially in FIG. 38F. Although the optional orifices 256 and central orifice 241 shown in FIGS. 38E-38G have a much longer hole 244 section and service a different hemisphere, they function identically to those described in FIGS. 38B & 38C with the exception of a couple of alternate features that include the following. Instead of utilizing the swiveling attachment assembly 248 shown in FIGS. 38-38C, a simplified retaining ring 261 is employed to anchor the 1st locked Brummel eye-splice 242 at the upper radiused circumference 245 as shown in FIGS. 38E-38G. Referring specifically to FIG. 38G, due to a thin section 262 of the handle joining assembly 32 that supports the linear orifice array 255, a largely spherical exercise service region can be provided with limited performance degradation. More specifically, the tension vector attachment assembly 38 can extend past the hemispherical exercise service region and wrap around the thin section 262 of the handle joining assembly 32 and direct the tension vector 7 to an effective tension vector attachment point 8 that largely falls a distance 9 either directly above or below the engaged orifice 256 or 241 (see FIG. 38G). (the distance 9 is the same as the effective tension vector attachment point drift 9) The effect of the effective tension vector attachment point drift 9 shifts the grip points 4 and the middle finger grip marker 47 the distance 9 along the longitudinal centerlines 11 to shifted grip points 4A and shifted middle finger grip markers 47A as shown in FIG. 38G. The effect of shifting grip points 4 creates an inconsistent torque state about the gripping hands 12 and wrists 13 during exercise that users may disapprove of. Furthermore, the UHMWPE rope 39 (or similar component) would be required to endure extreme bending leading to premature failure and likely prevent commercial adoption.

[0613] Other alternate embodiments of the present invention may include a tension vector receiving assembly 33 (such as the trunnion 34, fairlead / orifice 35, clevis 36, or ball-joint 227 based tension vector receiving assemblies 33) that is positioned or selectively positioned along the grip point line 5 at points other than the pivot point 6. This would create an effective tension vector attachment point 8 along the grip point line 5 that does not exhibit drift 9 and may provide a desired exercise effect. Another alternate embodiment of the present invention may include a multiplanar exercise device that has multiple bilateral handles 28 whereby providing alternative gripping hand 12 positions. Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention may include the tension vector attachment assembly 38 adapted to engage more than one tension vector 7 at a time. Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention may include the tension vector attachment assembly 38 adapted to engage a bracket mounted pulley having a tension vector 7 guided around it and whereby effectively creating two tension vector source points 1 for a desired exercise effect. Still, yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention may include a force transducer and display that measures forces received by the multiplanar exercise device as the user opposes the tension vector 7.

[0614] Although all the above embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-25B & 29-38G utilize grip point geometry 2 to apply the attached tension vector 7 to the gripping hands of the user; it must be understood that grip point geometry 2 can also apply a variety of other force vectors besides the tension vector 7 that acts collinear to the 3rd axis of rotation 31 and line of tension 42. These force vectors can be generated by a variety of force vector generating devices that include the following: (1) a “landmine” device where one end of an Olympic barbell is adapted to pivot about floor level and the other end is selectively loaded with weight plates providing a force vector to a lifting user, (2) a selectorized weight-stack based exercise device adapted with a lever that transmits a force vector to an engageable embodiment of the present invention, (3) a plate-loaded based exercise device adapted with a lever that transmits a force vector to an engageable embodiment of the present invention, (4) an elastic / resilient-based exercise device adapted with a lever that transmits a force vector to an engageable embodiment of the present invention, and (5) a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromagnetic-based exercise device adapted with a lever that transmits a force vector to an engageable embodiment of the present invention. Force vector generating exercise devices can include a predetermined or user-directed path of motion and transmit force vectors that include a push, pull, torsional, or any combination thereof and at any angle to the pivot point 6 or 3rd axis of rotation 31.

[0615] Referring now to FIGS. 39-39B, that show an alternative embodiment of the present invention where a robust trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263 that includes an example of an applied force vector 264, a transmitted force vector 265, a pair of arm pulleys 267 joined together by a 3rd axis bearing flange 268 and four screws 269, the clearance feature 43, a bearing 270 (shown as a double row angular contact ball bearing), a bearing bore 271, an internal retaining ring 272 and a receiving groove 273, a pair of optional torsional detents 274, a spacer 275 providing an applied force vector interface 276, and a fastening assembly 277 adapted to attach a selected force vector generating device to the applied force vector interface 276 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 39-39B. More specifically, the trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263 utilizes a robust rigid yoke assembly (that includes the pair of arm pulleys 267 joined together by the 3rd axis bearing flange 268 and four screws 269) that can effectively transmit the applied force vector 264 from the interface 276 to the pivot point 6 (i.e., effective attachment point 8) via the trunnion assembly 263 and create the transmitted force vector 265. Subsequently, the transmitted force vector 265 acting at the pivot point 6 (i.e., effective attachment point 8) is then transmitted through the handle joining assembly 32 and creates a balanced parallel force vector 266 at each grip point 4 that acts parallel to and with half the magnitude of the transmitted force vector 265. Another feature of the trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263 includes the optional torsional detents 274 that when selectively engaged to corresponding pins of a force vector generating device can transmit torsional force about the 3rd axis 31 and effectively lockout the independent rotation provided by the bearing 270. This independent rotation detent-lockout can also be selectively adapted to the 2nd 30 and 1st axis of rotation 29 for a desired effect.

[0616] Referring now to FIG. 39A, that shows the force vector receiving embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 39 where the trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263 is attached to a landmine accessory 280 adapted to facilitate the performance of landmine exercise while providing the benefits of the disclosed invention. More specifically, the landmine accessory 280 comprises of a strong metal tube 281 adapted to receive an Olympic barbell at an open end 282 and at the other end a closed end 283 having an internal milled slot and hole 284 adapted to engage a bolt 278 (of the fastening assembly 277) as to maintain position and prevent rotation of the bolt 278 (as shown in FIGS. 39A & 39B). To attach the landmine accessory 280 to the applied force vector interface 276, the bolt 278 is inserted into the tube 281 and positioned at the milled slot and hole 284 (as shown in FIG. 39A) and then extended through both the spacer 275 and the bearing 270 that is retained within the bearing bore 271 by the internal retaining ring 272 and the receiving groove 273 (as shown in the partially exploded view FIG. 39B). After extending past the end of the bearing 270, the bolt 278 is tightened with a nut 279 whereby firmly securing the landmine accessory 280 to the applied force vector interface 276 of the trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263. Furthermore, a threaded boss 285 is fixed to the tube 281 and is adapted to receive a screw knob 286 that collectively provide a method to secure the landmine accessory 280 to the Olympic barbell by tightening the screw knob 286 on to the inserted surface of the Olympic barbell. When mounted to the force vector receiving embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 39-39B and to the Olympic barbell, the landmine accessory 280 shown in FIGS. 39A & 39B will provide adequate room for selected weight plates and facilitate the performance of landmine exercise while providing the benefits of the disclosed invention. Other disclosed alternative embodiments of the present invention that are a candidate for force vector receiving conversion include the clevis-based tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 24-25B and ball-joint based tension vector receiving assembly 227 shown in FIGS. 37-37B.

[0617] As a general review, the central placement of the tension vector receiving assembly 33 between the bilaterally gripped handles 28 enables the multiplanar exercise device to direct the tension vector 7 conveying member and related components away from largely interfering with the gripping hands 12 during multiplanar use. Furthermore, the handle-joining assembly 32 is configured to transmit the applied tension vector 7 from the pivot point 6 along diverging paths to each grip point 4. This process generates, at each grip point 4, a parallel component of the applied tension vector 7, referred to in this document as the parallel tension vector 10. The parallel tension vectors 10 act parallel to and in the same direction as the incoming tension vector 7. Their magnitudes are determined by multiplying the magnitude of the applied tension vector 7 by a ratio: the distance along the grip point line 5 from the pivot point 6 to the opposing grip point 4, divided by the total length of the grip point line 5. The sum of these two ratios is equal to one. Unlike the tension vector 7, which is transmitted through both the transmitting member and the attachment assembly 38 that present themselves in a concrete physical form, parallel tension vectors 10 act without material embodiment. As a result, the parallel tension vectors 10 operate without the possibility of physical interference with either the gripping user or the multiplanar exercise device. This design uniquely provides features that include the limitation of torque and the ergonomic neutral-torque state about a respective wrist. By minimizing the possibility of injury through proper resistance application, the multiplanar exercise device facilitates optimal expression of strength.

[0618] Referring now to FIGS. 40-40D, that show an alternative embodiment of the present invention where grip point geometry 2 utilizes an axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287. The axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 is implemented to reduce manufacturing cost and enhance functionality of the above disclosed trunnion assemblies 34 by replacing the rotating trunnion sleeve 67 and the central axle 59 with an axle-less rotating trunnion 288. By incorporating two opposing bearings 289 (see FIG. 40D) mounted to its distal ends, the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 provides the 1st axis of rotation 29 without requiring the “pass through” central axle 59 shown in FIGS. 8, 11, 15-16, &18G. (In this document, the rotating trunnion 288 is referred to as “axle-less” because the central axle 59 is no longer required to “pass through” it to facilitate the 1st axis of rotation 29. Instead the two opposing bearings 289 serve alternatively as the axle for the 1st axis 29.)

[0619] It is important to mention that the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 is disposed between opposing handle-supporting portions of the handle-joining assembly 32 (see FIGS. 40-40D). Each opposing handle-supporting portions of the handle-joining assembly 32 includes a handle-joining member 51 and an attached handle 28. The opposing bearings 289, the rotating trunnion 288, and the handle joining assembly 32 together define the 1st axis of rotation 29 that is collinear with the grip point line 5. Each opposing bearing 289 mounted to the distal ends of the rotating trunnion 288 cooperate to rotatably join a respective opposing handle-supporting portion of the handle joining assembly 32 such that the rotating trunnion 288 and the opposing handle-supporting portions are independently rotatable about the 1st axis of rotation 29 (see FIGS. 40-40D). Consequently, this opposing bearing 289 arrangement inherently provides independent grip point axes 160 that are collinear to the grip point line 5.

[0620] As shown in FIGS. 40-40D, the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 enhances functionality by utilizing space within the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 that was previously occupied by the central axle 59. This alternate embodiment offers several benefits that include the following: 1) it allows for fewer components, resulting in weight reduction, cost savings, and better overall performance; 2) it permits a highly compact design of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 and related components; 3) the reclaimed space can accommodate a compact inverted-trunnion axle assembly 300A that provides the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (see FIG. 40D); and 4) its design inherently provides independent grip point axes 160 that are collinear to the grip point line 5.

[0621] It is important to review that grip point geometry 2 can further facilitate multiplanar functional exercise, by allowing independent handle 28 rotation about axes that intersect the grip points 4. As stated previously, these axes of independent handle rotation that intersect the grip points 4 are referred to as independent grip point axes 159, 160, &161 initially shown in this document in FIGS. 29-29A, 30-30B, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, &36. As previously stated, (1) the independent grip point axis 159 is collinear to the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11; (2) the independent grip point axis 160 is collinear to the grip point line 5; and (3) the independent grip point axis 161 is perpendicular to both the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and the grip point line 5. All other independent grip point axes not shown can be supported like the independent grip point axis 161 shown in FIGS. 31-36, but at angles of grip point 4 intersection other than those described by independent grip point axes 159, 160, and 161.

[0622] The axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 shown in FIGS. 40-40D inherently provides the independent grip point axis 160 that is collinear to the grip point line 5 and is similar to that provided by the trunnion-based 34 tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A. Instead of using a single bearing 176 mounted collinear to the grip point line 5 (as shown in FIGS. 30, 30B, 34, &34A) to provide the independent grip point axis 160, the alternative embodiment 287 of FIGS. 40-40D utilizes a bearing 289 mounted at each end of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288. These bearings 289 provide rotation collinear to the grip point line 5 (i.e., 1st axis of rotation 29) and are preferably a double-row angular contact bearing that can accommodate for sufficient axial, radial, and moment loads. The inner race 290 of each bearing 289 are mounted to the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 by a screw 292, a threaded hole 293 of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288, and a spacer washer 294, as shown in FIGS. 40C & 40D. The outer race 291 of each bearing 289 (as shown in FIGS. 40C & 40D) are adapted to engage a threaded bearing pocket 295 that is integrated with the handle joining member 51 and secured by a bearing nut 296 as shown in FIGS. 40C & 40D. The bearing nuts 296 are tightened and loosened by a specialized tool that engages a pair of internal detents 297 (see FIG. 40D). This bearing 289 arrangement creates both the 1st axis of rotation 29 and the independent grip point axis 160 by allowing the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 and the opposing handle joining members 51 to rotate independently along the grip point line 5 (see independent rotation arrows 298 shown in FIGS. 40 & 40A). It is important to mention that the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 40-40D can readily support the independent grip point axes 159 (as shown in FIGS. 29-30A) where the handles 28 are adapted to rotate about their longitudinal centerlines 11.

[0623] Still referring to FIGS. 40-40D, to assemble the handle joining members 51 to the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 each bearing 289 are first placed into respective threaded bearing pockets 295 of the handle joining members 51 and secured with the bearing nut 296 as shown in FIG. 40C. Each of these handle joining member 51 assemblies are then mounted to the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 by passing respective screws 292 first through a hole 299 of the handle joining members 51, then secondly through the bearing 289, then thirdly through the spacer washer 294, and then fourthly threaded into the respective threaded hole 293 of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 and tightened as shown in FIGS. 40C & 40D. The handles 28 are fastened to the distal ends of the handle joining members 51 by a screw 57, a handle screw hole 52, a handle pin 58 to prevent rotation of the handle 28, and a threaded screw hole 45 of the handle 28 as shown in FIGS. 40C & 40D.

[0624] Still referring to FIGS. 40-40D, another advantage that the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 provides is an extremely efficient design of the 2nd axis of rotation 30. This is accomplished by implementing the inverted-trunnion axle 300 that eliminates the opposing trunnion axles 71 and related supporting components of the above disclosed trunnion assemblies 34 shown in FIGS. 8,11,15A, 16, &18G. More specifically, the 2nd axis of rotation 30 (shown in FIGS. 40-40D) is created by further adapting the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 with an inverted trunnion axle bore 301 that both intersects and is perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29 or grip point line 5. The inverted trunnion axle bore 301 is divided by a clearance feature 43 that is integrated with the axle-less rotating trunnion 288. On the upper and lower side of the clearance feature 43 the inverted trunnion axle bore 301 is adapted to receive an inverted trunnion axle bearing 302 preferably comprising of a DU / sleeve / plain bearing (as shown in FIGS. 40C-40D) or a needle-roller bearing. The inverted trunnion axle bearings 302 are further adapted to receive the inverted-trunnion axle 300 that extends through the inverted trunnion axle bearings 302 and is retained by a washer 303, an external retaining ring 304, and a retaining groove 305 positioned at each end of the inverted-trunnion axle 300 (as shown in FIGS. 40-40D). The section where the inverted-trunnion axle 300 extends through the clearance feature 43 is centrally located perpendicularly to the grip point line 5 and allows the inverted-trunnion axle 300 to engage a looped end 306 of a sewn runner 39 (i.e., tension vector attachment assembly 38). The tension vector attachment assembly 38 includes the sewn runner 39 comprising of the looped end 306 and a looped end 307 engaged with a quick link 40 and an O-ring keeper 308 that maintains the positioning of the quick link 40 about the looped end 307.

[0625] Still referring to FIGS. 40-40D, the alternative embodiment 287 controls the location of where the line of tension 42 of the tension vector attachment assembly 38 intersects the grip point line 5 by (1) where the engaged looped end 306 rotates about the inverted-trunnion axle 300 (i.e., 2nd axis of rotation 30) along the grip point line 5; and (2) where an upper clearance feature 309 and a lower clearance feature 310 of the clearance feature 43 actively maintains the central position of the engaged looped end 306 along the exposed length of the inverted-trunnion axle 300. By positioning these two controls along the grip point line 5 the alternative embodiment 287 can direct the line of tension 42 to a desired location along the grip point line 5, whereby allowing a desired ratio of the tension vector 7 to be distributed to respective parallel tension vectors 10 at grip points 4. For example, if 50 percent of the tension vector 7 is desired to be distributed to respective parallel tension vectors 10 at grip points 4, the line of tension 42 would be directed to the midpoint of the grip point line 5 by positioning the two controls at the midpoint of the grip point line 5. Therefore, each parallel component (i.e., parallel tension vectors 10) of the applied tension vector 7 has a magnitude equal to the magnitude of the applied tension vector 7 multiplied by a factor equal to the distance measured along the grip point line 5 from the pivot point 6 to the grip point 4 opposite that component divided by the total length of the grip point line 5, and when the two factors are added together they equal one. The pivot point 6 is the designed / desired location of where the line of tension 42 intersects the grip point line 5 and is referred to as the pivot point 6 because it facilitates a “pivot point” where the present invention can naturally pivot during a transition from an exercise pull-phase 23 to a push-phase 24 or vice-versa (it is important to mention that the multiplanar exercise device can also be directed by the user to pivot about any performable path or point). To accommodate for the rotation of the tension vector attachment assembly 38 about the 2nd axis of rotation 30, the clearance feature 43 provides a V-shaped clearance feature 311 that delivers a generous 146 degrees of angular rotation shown between angle lines 312 in FIG. 40B. An additional means to direct the line of tension 42 to a desired location along the grip point line 5 (i.e., pivot point 6) includes utilizing a combination of different length handle joining members 51 that can change the length of the grip point line 5 and effectively shift the pivot point 6 (i.e., effective tension vector attachment point 8) along the grip point line 5.

[0626] To use the alternative embodiment 287 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 40-40D, the user first connects a tension member conveying a tension vector 7 (i.e., resistance) to the quick link 40 of the tension vector attachment assembly 38. The user then grips the handles 28 so that their respective middle finger grip circles 16 coincide with the middle finger grip markers 47 thereby allowing the user's middle finger grip centers 15 to coincide with respective grip points 4 (refer to FIGS. 5-7). When the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIGS. 40-40D is attached to the tension member conveying the tension vector 7 and opposed by the user 21, the line of tension 42 is created that is (1) perpendicular to the 2nd axis of rotation 30, (2) swivels about the 2nd axis 30 and 1st axis of rotation 29, and (3) actively stays collinear with the attached tension vector 7, the pivot point 6, and the 3rd axis of rotation 31. This active collinear alignment of the line of tension 42, the attached tension vector 7, the pivot point 6, and the 3rd axis of rotation 31 is driven by the tension vector 7 opposing the user 21 thereby creating torque / rotation about the 1st and 2nd axis of rotation 29&30 as subsequent torque equilibrium is maintained. Therefore, this allows the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 to “spherically” direct the incoming tension vector 7 from performed exercise angles to the pivot point 6 along the grip point line 5. The 3rd axis of rotation 31 accommodates for the subsequent torque equilibrium between (1) the independent rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and (2) the inherent twist / lay that exists along the length of the attached tension transmitting cable, elastomeric member, or other tension transmitting member. With respect to the rotation capacity about the 3rd axis of rotation 31, the sewn runner 39 offers a certain amount of twist within and along its fibrous construction that translates into an effective amount of “available rotation”. When torque equilibrium along the 3rd axis of rotation 31 is required between the rotation of the multiplanar exercise device and the tension transmitting member lay, the above “available rotation” can accommodate for it without any noticeable performance degradation.

[0627] Referring now to FIGS. 40E & 40F, where FIG. 40E is a top isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 40-40D. FIG. 40F is an exploded top isometric view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 40E. The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 40E & 40F utilizes the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 of FIGS. 40-40D but with the following options: 1) The tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 40E & 40F includes an extended clevis bar 355 having an eye 356 and two thrust washers 357 at one end designed to securely engage the inverted-trunnion axle 300 (between the upper & lower clearance feature 309&310 as similarly shown in FIG. 40C) and at the opposite end, a clevis 358 is connected to a looped end 306 of a sewn runner 39. This connection is achieved by inserting a pin 359 through both the clevis 358 and the looped end 306, followed by securing it with two retaining rings 304. The other looped end 307 of the sewn runner 39 is attached to a quick link 40, which is held in place by an O-ring keeper 308. Each component is explicitly joined to the next, ensuring a clear and secure assembly for tension transmission. When compared to the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIGS. 40-40D, the extended clevis bar 355 of the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIGS. 40E & 40F provides a rigid moment arm that when loaded with an opposing tension vector 7 can cause related components of the 1st 29 and 2nd axis of rotation 30 to react quicker and with more authority than those components solely driven by a “flexible” sewn runner 39 as shown in FIGS. 40-40D. The rigid moment arm of the extended clevis bar 355 may prove to be a valuable option. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) 2) Instead of using the narrower double-row angular contact bearings 289 shown in FIGS. 40-40D, the alternative design shown in FIGS. 40E & 40F utilizes extra-wide double-row angular contact bearings 360. The outer race 291 of each extra-wide double-row angular contact bearing 360 is retained to a respective bearing pocket 361 (of a handle joining member 51) by an internal retaining ring 362 and a retaining groove 363. Along with the retaining ring 362 and groove 363, a retaining adhesive or compound can also be used to further secure the outer race 291 to the bearing pocket 361. The inner race 290 of each extra-wide double-row angular contact bearing 360 is retained to a respective opposing end of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 by a screw 292, a spacer washer 294, and a respective threaded hole 293 of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 as shown in FIGS. 40E & 40F. This bearing 360 configuration provides both the 1st axis of rotation 29 and the independent grip point axis 160. Furthermore, it combines a wide bearing race format with a full complement of balls in each race, which allows for increased axial, radial, and moment load capacities. These extra-wide double-row angular contact bearings 360 are typically used by the aerospace industry and are generally referred to as a DW series bearing.

[0628] Referring now to FIGS. 40G & 40H, where FIG. 40G is a top isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 40-40D. FIG. 40H is an exploded isometric view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 40G. The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 40G & 40H utilizes the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 of FIGS. 40-40D but with the following options: 1) The tension vector attachment assembly 38 shown in FIGS. 40G & 40H includes a rigid yoke assembly 364 comprising of a threaded spacer axle 365 and a sewn runner attachment assembly 366&367. These components are secured between two yoke arms 328 using four screws 368, as illustrated by FIGS. 40G & 40H. The threaded spacer axle 365 of the rigid yoke assembly 364 is rotatably supported by two thrust washers 331 and two axle bearings 332, enabling rotation about an axle bore 333. The axle bore 333 is supported by the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 and establishes the 2nd axis of rotation 30, which is perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29 and intersects the grip point line 5 at the pivot point 6. The sewn runner attachment assembly comprises of a long-threaded spacer 366 and a short spacer 367. The long-threaded spacer 366 features a narrowed section designed to hold the sewn runner's looped end 306. When used together with the shorter spacer 367, the sewn runner attachment assembly 366&367 keeps the runner's looped end 306 centrally aligned with the rigid yoke assembly 364, as shown in FIGS. 40G & 40H. The other looped end 307 of the sewn runner 39 is attached to a quick link 40, which is held in place by an O-ring keeper 308. Each component is explicitly joined to the next, ensuring a clear and secure assembly for tension transmission. When compared to the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIGS. 40-40D, the rigid yoke assembly 364 of the tension vector attachment assembly 38 of FIGS. 40G & 40H also provides a rigid moment arm that when loaded with an opposing tension vector 7 can cause related components of the 1st 29 and 2nd axis of rotation 30 to react quicker and with more authority than those components solely driven by a “flexible” sewn runner 39. The rigid moment arm of the rigid yoke assembly 364 may also prove to be a valuable option. (It is understood that some assembly components of the invention interface with other assemblies and may be considered to be a part of more than one assembly.) 2) Similar to FIGS. 40E and 40F, which utilize extra-wide double-row angular contact bearings 360, the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 40G & 40H also incorporates these bearings 360 in an identical manner, thereby providing the same advantages.

[0629] An alternative embodiment of the rigid yoke assembly 364 shown in FIGS. 40G & 40H includes an alternative axial design for the 2nd axis of rotation 30. One design includes opposing axle bosses integrated with the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 that are adapted to receive a cooperating bearing disposed between a respective axle boss and yoke arm 328; and a retention method such as a screw & washer or retaining ring to retain the yoke arms 328 to the axle bosses. Another design includes opposing axle standoffs bolted on to the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 with a cooperating bearing disposed between a respective axle standoff and yoke arm 328.

[0630] By significantly reducing the number of components in the previously disclosed trunnion-based 34 tension vector receiving assemblies 33 (as shown in FIGS. 8,11,15A, 16, &18G), the alternate embodiment 287 described in FIGS. 40-40H creates a robust, cost-effective, and versatile design with the inherent feature of independent grip point axes 160.

[0631] Referring now to the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 41 & 41A, by utilizing the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287 shown in FIGS. 40-40D, the independent grip point axis 160 is inherently provided by design, but when combining independent grip point axes 159 with independent grip point axes 160, &161 together demands special consideration. As mentioned previously, in order for this combination of independent grip point axes 159, 160, &161 to properly function together, design measures would have to be incorporated that while in use would restrict the bilateral independent grip point axes 159 from becoming largely collinear to the grip point line 5. If either bilateral independent grip point axes 159 are allowed to become largely collinear with the independent grip point axis 160 (i.e., grip point line 5) then the respective independent grip point axis 161 can inadvertently rotate around the grip point line 5 and cause the user's initial grip to become unsynchronized with the initial grip position of the independent grip point axis 161. This un-synchronization will cause the multiplanar exercise device to malfunction by not allowing the user to move the gripped handles 28 as they intend to about respective independent grip point axes 159, 160, &161. Still referring to FIGS. 41 & 41A, to prevent the user's initial grip from becoming unsynchronized with the initial grip position of the independent grip point axis 161, a rotation stop 313 (shown in hidden and visible lines) and a stop pin 314 is utilized. The rotation stops 313 and stop pins 314 prevents the bilateral handle's 28 independent grip point axes 159 from rotating about their independent grip point axis 161 and becoming largely collinear to the grip point line 5.

[0632] Before understanding how the rotational stops 313 operate, it is important to first understand how the independent grip point axes 159&161 (shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A) are provided. The alternative design depicted in FIGS. 41 & 41A employs the same approach used in FIGS. 40-40D to incorporate the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287. This is accomplished by providing a threaded bearing pocket 295 to the proximal end of each handle joining member 51 to secure respective bearings 289 as shown in FIG. 41A. The independent grip point axes 161 shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A are perpendicular to both (1) the handle's 28 longitudinal centerlines 11 and (2) the grip point line 5 and as designed it intersect respective grip points 4. To provide the independent grip point axes 161 the distal end of each handle joining member 51 is adapted with a threaded bearing pocket 315 designed to retain a bearing 316 with a bearing nut 317 (see FIG. 41A). The bearing 316 is preferably a double row angular contact bearing (or similar functioning bearing arrangement) that can accommodate for sufficient axial, radial, and moment loads applied to this region when the user opposes the tension vector 7. Each threaded bearing pocket 315 supports respective bearings 316 so their axis of rotation (1) intersects the grip point 4 of a handle yoke 194 supported handle 28 and (2) is also perpendicular to both the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and the grip point line 5 as shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A. To assemble independent grip point axes 161 assemblies shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A, the bearings 316 are first fixed into respective threaded bearing pockets 315 by bearing nuts 317; secondly, an axle screw 198 is then passed through an axle screw hole 199 of each handle yoke 194; thirdly, the axle screws 198 are then extended through a spacer 200 and the fixed bearing 316; and lastly, the axle screws 198 are then fastened with a nut 201 as shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A. This bearing 316 mounted handle yoke 194 assembly allows the handle 28 to freely rotate about the independent grip point axis 161 as shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A.

[0633] The independent grip point axes 159 shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A are collinear to respective handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 and as designed intersect respective grip points 4. To assemble the handle's 28 independent grip point axes 159 assemblies shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A, bearings 318 (preferably single row angular contact bearings) are first placed in opposing bearing pockets 319 located at each end of the handles 28; secondly, a threaded shaft 320 is then inserted into a selected side of each handle / bearing assembly until it is centered; thirdly, a flanged spacer 321 is then inserted into each bearing 318 as shown in FIG. 41A; fourthly, each handle / bearing assembly is then held together and inserted between the handle yoke 194 and centered with handle mounting holes 322; and lastly, a screw 323 is then extended into each handle mounting hole 322 and screwed into respective ends of the threaded shafts 320 and properly tighten. This bearing 318 mounted handle 28 assembly allows the handle 28 to freely rotate about the handle's 28 longitudinal centerline 11 thereby providing the independent grip point axis 159.

[0634] As mentioned above, the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A utilizes rotation stops 313 and stop pins 314 to restrict the rotation of the bilateral handle's 28 independent grip point axes 159 from rotating about their independent grip point axis 161 and becoming largely collinear to the grip point line 5. More specifically, the rotation stops 313 are slots that are (1) adapted to the handle joining members 51, (2) concentric about the independent grip point axes 161 and (3) designed to receive the yoke 194 supported stop pins 314 and provide a rotational stop when the handle yoke 194 assemblies are rotated about the independent grip point axes 161 and the stop pins 314 contact the end of the rotation stops313 as shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A. The stop angle at which the rotation stops 313 engage the stop pins 314 is critical because a stop angle close to the collinear alignment of independent grip point axes 159 with the grip point line 5 (or independent grip point axis 160) may allow the independent grip point axis 161 to inadvertently rotate around the grip point line 5 and cause the user's initial grip to become unsynchronized with the initial grip position of the independent grip point axis 161. Stop angles are measured in degrees of supination and pronation about the gripping hand from a neutral grip position where the handles 28 are both parallel to each other and perpendicular to the grip point line 5. Stop angles as shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A that allow a maximum of 70 degrees of supination and pronation are likely to prevent the bilateral handle's 28 independent grip point axes 159 from rotating about their independent grip point axis 161 and becoming largely collinear to the grip point line 5. Furthermore, depending on the available configuration of supporting structures, the embodiment of the rotation stops 313 and stop pins 314 may be largely different than that shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A, but provide the same functionality. If the independent grip point axes 159 shown in FIGS. 41 & 41A are eliminated, the remaining axes 160 and 161 can be allowed to rotate freely. In this configuration, rotational limitations such as stops 313 and stop pins 314 are not required because the user's initial grips will remain synchronized during use.

[0635] Referring now to FIGS. 42-42A where a force vector 264 receiving alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown that utilizes the benefits of the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assemblies 287 disclosed in FIGS. 40-41A. More specifically, the force vector 264 receiving embodiment of FIGS. 42-42A is an alternative embodiment of the force vector 264 receiving embodiment of FIGS. 39-39B that utilizes the trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 263. Unlike tension vectors 7 that act to pull the pivot point 6 along the line of tension 42 (i.e., 3rd axis of rotation), force vectors 264 can act at any angle to the 3rd axis of rotation 31 and include force vectors 264 that push, pull, or create torque (or any combination thereof). To transmit these force vectors 264 the “flexible” tension vector attachment assemblies 38 of FIGS. 40-41A must be replaced with a rigid structure like the rigid yoke assemblies shown in FIGS. 39-39B & 42-42A. Furthermore, the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 42-42A utilizes the same method as the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 40-41A do to integrate the axle-less trunnion-based tension vector receiving assembly 287. This integration is accomplished by providing the threaded bearing pocket 295 to the proximal end of each handle joining member 51 to secure respective bearings 289 as shown in FIG. 42A.

[0636] Still referring to FIGS. 42-42A, that show an alternative embodiment of the present invention where an axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 324 utilizes a rigid yoke assembly 325 that comprises of a trunnion spacer axle 326 and a 3rd axis flange 327 fastened together between a pair of yoke arms 328 with an axle screw 329 and four 3rd axis flange screws 330 as shown in FIG. 42-42A. The trunnion spacer axle 326 of the rigid yoke assembly 325 is supported by a pair of thrust washers 331 and a pair of axle bearings 332 to provide rotation about an axle bore 333 adapted to the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 and provides a 2nd axis of rotation 30 that is perpendicular to the 1st axis of rotation 29 and intersects the pivot point 6. The 3rd axis flange 327 includes a 3rd axis fastener bore 334, an applied force vector interface 335, and a torsional detent feature 336. The 3rd axis fastener bore 334 (1) intersects the pivot point 6, (2) is perpendicular to the 2nd axis of rotation 30, and (3) allows a fastener 337 to engage it and fasten a selected force vector generating device to the applied force vector interface 235. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 42-42A the rigid yoke assembly 325 creates a clearance feature 43 positioned between the yoke arms 328 that replaces the clearance feature 43 of the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 shown in FIGS. 40-41A. Moreover, the clearance feature 43 provides clearance for the rigid yoke assembly 325 to rotate an appropriate amount about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 while preventing interference with supporting features as the rigid yoke assembly 325 also rotates about the 1st axis of rotation 29. Furthermore, the rigid yoke assembly 325 includes a cone of clearance stop 215 that includes a pair of stop pins 338 retained by the yoke arms 328 and a pair of stop faces 339 provided by the axle-less rotating trunnion 288 as shown in FIGS. 42-42A. The cone of clearance stop 215 prevents the rigid yoke assembly 325 from over rotating about the 2nd axis of rotation 30 and interfering with supporting features and or with the user's gripping hands as the rigid yoke assembly 325 also rotates about the 1st axis of rotation 29. Furthermore, the inverted-trunnion axle 300 and associated supporting features shown in FIGS. 40-40F & 41-41A, are replaced by the trunnion spacer axle 326 and associated supporting features shown in FIGS. 42-42A. Additionally, by incorporating the axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 324 into the multiplanar exercise device shown in FIGS. 42-42A, the independent grip point axis 160 is provided and is displayed by independent rotation arrows 298 as shown in FIG. 42.

[0637] Still referring to FIGS. 42-42A, the axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 324 utilizes the robust rigid yoke assembly 325 that can effectively transmit the applied force vector 264 from the interface 335 to the pivot point 6 where a transmitted force vector 265 is created. Subsequently, if the pivot point 6 is at the midpoint of the grip point line 5, the transmitted force vector 265 creates a balanced parallel force vector 266 at each grip point 4 that acts parallel to and with half the magnitude of the transmitted force vector 265. Another feature of the axle-less trunnion-based force vector receiving assembly 324 includes the torsional detent feature 336 that when selectively engaged to corresponding pins of a force vector generating device can transmit torsional force about the 3rd axis 31.

[0638] To clarify terminology used in this document regarding tension vector receiving assemblies 33 that utilize flexible members like sewn runners or spliced rope assemblies, it is important to recognize the following. Sewn runners, slings, sewn eye & eye slings, or endless loops are generally high-strength loops or eye & eye assemblies primarily constructed from flat webbing, joined by industrial sewing methods such as a bar-tack or box-x stitch. These high-strength loops are generally anchored by pins or similar functioning devices that engage inside the loop or a sewn eye to transmit tension. Spliced rope assemblies in the form of eye & eye slings or spliced endless loops are generally high-strength loops or eye & eye assemblies primarily constructed from a 12-strand rope such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope. These endless loops and eyes are formed by a splicing method such as a “bury,” where the ropes tail is buried back into the hollow center of the rope's mainline and in many instances modified by a locked Brummel splice. These high-strength rope loops or eye & eye assemblies are generally anchored by pins or similar functioning devices that engage inside the loop or spliced eye to transmit tension. Another anchor method includes tying a stopper knot commonly called Diamond or Button knot that create sufficient bulk to engage small holes or eye splices. Additionally, stopper knots may be treated with adhesives like super glue to maintain its size and prevent it from unraveling.

[0639] Referring now to FIGS. 43-45A, where alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown and will be referred to as narrow grip embodiments 340. Narrow grip embodiments 340 exhibit gripping hands that are in close proximity of interfering with a selected tension vector receiving assembly 33. In other words, narrow grip embodiments 340 are when the distance between grip points 4 cause the gripping hands to become in close proximity of interfering with the space required for a selected tension vector receiving assembly 33. Narrow grip embodiments 340 as shown in FIGS. 43-45A can be utilized to perform numerous multiplanar and single plane exercises. An example exercise using the narrow grip embodiments 340 begins with a squatting user centered around a ground-level tension vector source point 1 while gripping the narrow grip embodiment 340 between their legs. From this positioned the user can perform “rotary cleans” that start in the sagittal plane and can end transitioning into the transverse plane without adverse interference with the user's adjacent legs due to the slim “form factor” of the narrow grip embodiment 340. Conversely, it is important to mention that the multiplanar exercise device of the present invention can not only benefit narrow grip embodiments 340 but wide grip embodiments too. The width between grip points 4 of wide grip embodiments are limited by the user's size and what functionality the wide grip embodiment can provide.

[0640] Referring now to FIGS. 43-44B, it is important to note that of the tension vector receiving assemblies 33 disclosed in this document, the fairlead-based assembly 35 shown in FIGS. 19-22 is a great candidate to be downsized and provide the narrow grip embodiments 340. The fairlead-based assemblies 35 of FIGS. 43-44B function like the fairlead-based assembly 35 shown in FIGS. 19-22 and provides the same hemispherical service area. More specifically, the narrow grip embodiments 340 shown in FIGS. 43-44B utilize a handle joining member 32 that comprises largely of a single structure where at its distal ends support the opposing handles 28 and at its center supports the fairlead assembly 35. The fairlead assembly 35 includes a fairlead base 341 integrated with the handle joining member 32 and adapted to receive a threaded central orifice 342, a sewn runner retention pin 343, a sewn runner retention pin groove 344, a sewn runner passage 345, a pin cap 346 fastened to the handle joining member 32 by pin cap screws 347, and a tension vector attachment assembly 38. The tension vector attachment assembly 38 comprises of a sewn runner 39 covered at one end by a protective nylon sleeve 83 and fixed at that end to the fairlead assembly 35 by the sewn runner retention pin 343, and a quick link 40 engaged to the distal loop of the sewn runner 39 where its position is maintained by an O-ring keeper 308 as shown in FIGS. 43-44B. When comparing the swiveling pin 126 of FIGS. 19-22 to that of the fixed sewn runner retention pin 343 design of FIGS. 43-44B, the rotation of the sewn runner 39 along the 1st axis of rotation 29 is provided by a supported length 348 of the sewn runner 39 spanning between the sewn runner retention pin 343 and a radiused circumference 122 of the threaded central orifice 342. This supported length 348 of the sewn runner 39 provides adequate rotation along the 1st axis of rotation from the sewn runner's 39 internal ability to flex and twist along its fibrous construction.

[0641] By utilizing the threaded central orifice 342 in the narrow grip embodiments 340 shown in FIGS. 43-44B the following advantages are provided, (1) if the threaded central orifice 342 becomes worn it can be replaced, (2) if it is desired to move the grip points 4 along the handles' 28 longitudinal centerlines 11 a longer or shorter threaded central orifice 342 can be installed and matched with a pair of handles 28 that indicate the new position of the grip points 4 with the appropriate positioned middle finger grip markers 47, and (3) a means to adjust the grip points 4 position along the handles' 28 longitudinal centerlines 11 can also be provided by threading the threaded central orifice 342 in or out of the threaded fairlead base 341. Furthermore, it is important to understand that the multiplanar exercise devices disclosed in this document can be utilized while gripped upside-down given that the position of the middle finger grip markers 47 (i.e., grip points 4) allow adequate room for the gripping hands 12. This upside-down grip is particularly suited to the narrow grip embodiment 340 illustrated in FIGS. 44-44B, where the opposing handles 28 are parallel to each other. These handles 28 include middle finger grip markers 47 (i.e., grip points 4) positioned at the midpoint of the handles' 28 lengths. By gripping the narrow grip embodiment 340 of FIGS. 44-44B so that the threaded central orifice 342 is directed towards the ground, the gripping user 21 can receive tension vector source points 1 from a hemispherical service area that originates below the narrow grip embodiment 340. Conversely, by gripping the narrow grip embodiment 340 of FIGS. 44-44B so that the threaded central orifice 342 is directed up and away from the ground, the gripping user 21 can receive tension vector source points 1 from a hemispherical service area that originates above the narrow grip embodiment 340.

[0642] Referring now to FIGS. 45 & 45A, where the narrow grip embodiment 340 uses a narrower version of the flag block-based 37 tension vector receiving assembly 33 shown in FIGS. 26-28. More specifically, the flag block-based assembly 37 of FIGS. 45 & 45A significantly reduces the width of the flag block-based assembly 37 of FIGS. 26-28 as to accommodate the slim “form factor” of narrow grip embodiments 340. To accomplish this the flag block-based assembly 37 of FIGS. 45 & 45A utilizes a narrow flag block 145 sandwiched between two flanged plain bearings 349 and supported by a short central axle 350. This assembly is then further sandwiched between two handle joining members 51 and fastened together with a lock pin 351 and an axle screw 352 as shown in FIGS. 45 & 45A. This flag block assembly 37 supports the flag block 145 to rotate about the 1st axis of rotation 29 and accommodate for axial, radial, and moment loads during use. Like the flag block assembly 37 of FIGS. 26-28, the flag block assembly 37 of FIGS. 45 & 45A provides an offset 2nd axis of rotation 156, a pair of flanges 150, a 2nd axis axle bore 151 adapted to receive a flag block axle 153, a retaining screw 353, and a slot 149 adapted to receive the tension vector attachment assembly 38. The tension vector attachment assembly 38 comprises of a sewn runner 39, a sewn runner loop bearing 354, and a quick link 40 engaged to the distal loop of the sewn runner 39 where its position is maintained by an O-ring keeper 308 as shown in FIGS. 45-45A. The tension vector attachment assembly 38 is attached to the flag block 145 by (1) placing the sewn runner loop bearing 354 into the slot 149 while it is retained by the proximal looped end of the sewn runner 39, (2) simultaneously insert the flag block axle 153 into the 2nd axis bore 151 and the sewn runner loop bearing 354, and (3) secure the flag block axle 153 with the retaining screw 353 as illustrated in FIGS. 45-45A. It is important to note that the narrow grip embodiment 340 illustrated in FIGS. 45 & 45A can receive tension vector source points 1 from a spherical service area while exhibiting effective tension vector attachment point drift 9 due to the offset 2nd axis of rotation 156.

[0643] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is constructed of ultra-strong lightweight materials like molded composites, UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) rope or webbing, high-pressure die-casting alloys, or CNC machined parts like that made of 7075-T6 aluminum. By utilizing these processes and materials, weight savings approaching five times less than current similar devices can be achieved and effectively produce a multiplanar exercise device weighing between 2.5 to 5 pounds with working load limits ranging from 100 to 450 pounds.

[0644] A delineation between similar existing sagittal plane designed exercise devices includes the addition of the “multiplanar” tension vector receiving assembly 33 that manages and directs the attached tension vector 7 from either largely hemispherical or spherical points to a point along the grip point line 5. That being said, an alternate embodiment of the present invention that requires discussion includes a round straight bar (or an equivalent) that can multitask and provide features that include the following: (1) integrated bilateral handles 28 having longitudinal centerlines 11 that are collinear to the grip point line 5, (2) bilateral grip points 4 that can be established anywhere along available bilateral gripping surface allowing symmetrical or asymmetrical bilateral grips about the pivot point 6, (3) the round straight bar provides an integrated central axle 59 that can support the trunnion 34 based tension vector receiving assembly 33 disclosed above, and (4) the ergonomics of collinear bilateral grips restrict performed multiplanar exercise due to the bilateral handles 28 having collinear centerlines 11.

[0645] The multiplanar exercise device of the present invention offers a wide range of applications. For example, the bilaterally-gripped device is an ergonomic multiplanar interface of force application to the human body that can be utilized to: 1) Perform single-and multiplanar exercise that simulate hybridized rotary Olympic lifts (e.g., rotary power cleans or squats); ground-based hand-to-hand combat movements (including opponent throw downs, pushes, or lifts); multiplanar blocking techniques employed by sports such as football or basketball; and dynamic ground-based changes of direction (e.g., juking). 2) Lifting, controlling, and manipulating large cumbersome loads, such as heavy equipment used in construction or military operations. 3) Field extraction and transportation of injured personnel. 4) Bilateral tow rope grips for water skiing or kite boarding.

[0646] Of the alternative embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this application, the likely successful commercial embodiments include the following shown in FIGS. 18D-18G, 24-25B, 35-36, and 39-39B. The likely successful consumer embodiments include the following shown in FIGS. 19-22, 38-38C, 38E-38G, and 40-41A. Of the alternative embodiments disclosed in this continuation-in-part application, the likely successful commercial and consumer embodiments include FIGS. 40-41A.

[0647] With respect to the claims referenced by this disclosure, bearing assemblies / features used to support the 1st axis of rotation 29, the 2nd axis of rotation 30, and the optional 3rd axis of rotation 31 may be respectively referred to as a 1st bearing assembly, a 2nd bearing assembly, and a 3rd bearing assembly.

[0648] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bilaterally-gripped exercise device comprising:(a) a pair of handles, each handle defining a grip point at a predetermined location on or within the handle;(b) a handle-joining assembly connecting the pair of handles and defining a grip-point line that extends directly between the grip points;(c) a tension-vector receiving assembly supported by the handle-joining assembly and comprising: (i) a rotating trunnion disposed between opposing handle-supporting portions of the handle-joining assembly and cooperating therewith to rotatably join the opposing handle-supporting portions together by a pair of opposing bearings positioned at opposite ends of the rotating trunnion, the opposing bearings, the rotating trunnion, and the handle-joining assembly together defining a first axis of rotation substantially collinear with the grip-point line and passing through a pivot point on the grip-point line, wherein the rotating trunnion and the opposing handle-supporting portions are relatively rotatable with respect to each other about the first axis of rotation; (ii) a trunnion axle assembly supported by the rotating trunnion and defining a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and intersects the pivot point; and (iii) a tension-vector attachment assembly rotatably coupled to the trunnion axle assembly and configured to receive a tension member conveying a tension vector from a tension source;(d) wherein the tension-vector attachment assembly is rotatable about the second axis of rotation, and the rotating trunnion is rotatable about the first axis of rotation so that the applied tension vector is maintained substantially collinear with and intersecting the pivot point throughout a working range of exercise angles; and(e) wherein the handle-joining assembly is configured to transmit the applied tension vector from the pivot point along diverging paths to the respective grip points to produce at each grip point a substantially parallel component of the applied tension vector.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing bearings establishes an independent grip point axis that is collinear to the grip-point line by rotatably joining the rotating trunnion and the opposing handle-supporting portions for relative rotation with respect to each other about the first axis of rotation.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing bearings positioned at opposite ends of the rotating trunnion define the first axis of rotation without a central axle extending through the rotating trunnion, whereby the rotating trunnion includes internal space configured to receive the trunnion axle assembly.

Images