Method Of Weight Load Change By Pivot Point On Exercise Aparatus

Abstract

An exercise machine utilizes a leverage-based resistance system to provide adjustable weight loads for strength training. The machine includes a frame and a lifting bar pivotally mounted to the frame. The lifting bar features a plurality of apertures disposed along its longitudinal axis. A weighted disc with an attached pin is configured to be selectively received within one of the apertures. The resistance load is determined by the distance of the weighted disc from the pivot point, where positioning the disc distal to the pivot point increases the effective weight load. A user-actuated pusher is operatively connected to the lifting bar via a cable-and-pulley assembly. Movement of the pusher translates to vertical displacement of the lifting bar against the resistance generated by the weighted disc. This configuration allows a single weighted mass to produce a wide spectrum of resistance loads, reducing material requirements and equipment footprint.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Provisional Application No. 63 / 774,614. For the purposes of this disclosure and all subsequent claims, the term “weighted disc with attached pin” refers to a unified assembly comprising a mass and a securing member. As used in the priority documentation, the term “weight plate with a pin” is intended to be synonymous with the “weighted disc with attached pin” of the present disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to strength training and weight-lifting equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a variable-resistance leverage system comprising a pivotable lifting bar and a repositionable weighted disc with an attached pin. By selectively positioning the weighted disc along a plurality of apertures, as defined as an opening, gap, or hole of variable sizes, on the lifting bar, a user can achieve a wide range of resistance loads through mechanical advantage using a single mass. For the purposes of this disclosure and all subsequent claims, the term “weighted disc with attached pin” refers to a unified assembly comprising a mass and a securing member. The term “attached” encompasses pins that are integrated, welded, bolted, or otherwise secured to the disc. Furthermore, as used in the priority documentation (Provisional Application No. 63 / 774,614), the term “weight plate with a pin” is intended to be synonymous with the “weighted disc with attached pin” of the present disclosure.2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Strength training, alternately known as weight, resistance or muscular training, has become a cornerstone of modern exercise regimens due to a mountain of evidence supporting its diverse health benefits. These include building physical strength, burning calories, reducing abdominal fat, and lowering the risk of injury or falls. Beyond physical mechanics, it is proven to improve heart and brain health, manage blood sugar, and enhance flexibility, ultimately boosting mood, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Traditionally, these results are achieved through the use of selectorized machines, plate-loaded units, or free weights to build muscle mass and endurance.

[0004] Despite these clear benefits, the design of modern exercise equipment has remained largely stagnant. Current selectorized units typically rely on heavy stacks of individual ten-to-twenty-pound plates, often totaling two hundred pounds or more, while plate-loaded and free-weight units require multiple heavy discs to reach a user's desired load. These machines are inherently inefficient; they occupy a massive physical footprint and are expensive to manufacture due to the sheer volume of steel required for both the frames and the weights themselves.

[0005] The environmental impact of this reliance on steel is also significant, as production releases harmful air emissions like CO, SOx, NOx, PM2, alongside wastewater contaminants and solid waste such as slag. Furthermore, the massive weight and bulk of these units make them incredibly costly to ship. Beyond the financial and ecological costs, there is a persistent safety risk. Users face potential injury from moving parts and exposed weight stacks, or from the physical strain of manually lifting and securing heavy plates to a machine.

[0006] Finally, traditional selectorized equipment often presents a functional ceiling for the user. Because these machines have a fixed maximum weight limit that cannot be expanded, a user may eventually “outgrow” the equipment. This limitation prevents the user from continuing to challenge their muscles, effectively halting their progress and diminishing the long-term value and effectiveness of the machine.

[0007] Current selectorized units typically rely on heavy weight stacks, requiring massive steel frames. This results in a large physical footprint and high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the carbon-intensive nature of steel production leads to a high environmental impact. Traditional units also present safety risks through exposed moving parts and the physical strain of handling multiple heavy plates. Additionally, selectorized machines often have a “functional ceiling” where a fixed maximum weight prevents further user progress.

[0008] Several attempts have been made to address these issues, as seen in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,746,113 and 5,350,344 describe machines where weight is released via electronic buttons. However, these systems are overly complex and fail to solve the issues of cost and maintenance. Finally, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012 / 0004081 (Ellis) describes an electronic method of weight selection that lacks the purely mechanical, high-resistance potential of the current disclosure.

[0009] Hence, there remains a need for a more simplified, convenient, safer, less costly, and environmentally friendlier means by which a user can achieve a desired weight load on an exercise machine and attain the full benefits of strength training.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs by providing an exercise machine that utilizes a leverage-based resistance system to deliver a professional-grade workout with minimal hardware. The machine comprises a lifting bar configured for pivotal movement in an upward and downward direction about a pivot point, such as a hinge, bolt, or similar fastener. The lifting bar includes a plurality of apertures disposed along its longitudinal axis. Resistance is provided by a weighted disc with an attached pin, wherein the pin is configured for insertion into a selected aperture of the lifting bar.

[0011] The total resistance load of the system is determined by the specific placement of the weighted disc relative to the pivot point. By utilizing mechanical advantage, a single weighted disc is capable of producing a range of resistance loads equivalent to a traditional weight stack or a plurality of free-weight plates. The system further includes a user-actuated pusher operatively connected to the lifting bar via a cable-and-pulley assembly. Force applied to the pusher by the user results in the vertical displacement of the lifting bar, thereby encountering the resistance generated by the selectively positioned weighted disc.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the lifting bar may be oriented horizontally, vertically, or at any angle therebetween. While the selection and securing of the weighted disc may be electronically controlled, the preferred embodiment utilizes purely manual means for adjusting the weight load. By positioning the weighted disc at an aperture distal to the pivot point, the effective resistance is maximized; conversely, positioning the disc at an aperture proximal to the pivot point minimizes the resistance. This allows a single mass, such as a five-pound disc, to produce a wide spectrum of weight loads—ranging from less than one pound to over fifty pounds —based solely on its position along the lifting bar.

[0013] As used in the priority documentation (Provisional Application No. 63 / 774,614), the term “weight plate with a pin” is intended to be synonymous with the “weighted disc with attached pin” of the present disclosure. Both terms refer to the primary mass used to generate resistance within the leverage assembly, where “attached” encompasses pins that are integrated, welded, bolted, or otherwise secured to the disc to form a unified assembly.

[0014] The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art by reducing the total material requirement—specifically steel—to approximately ten percent or less of that required for traditional selectorized or plate-loaded units. This reduction in material not only lowers manufacturing and retail costs but also substantially reduces the environmental impact associated with steel production. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of the unit allows for easier transport, reduced shipping costs, and simplified assembly while providing a safer, more versatile workout environment with a significantly smaller physical footprint.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will be readily attained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the exercise machine illustrating the weighted disc with attached pin in a position to be inserted into a proximal aperture of the lifting bar.

[0017] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the exercise machine illustrating the weighted disc with attached pin in a position to be inserted into a distal aperture of the lifting bar.

[0018] FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating the exercise machine in a first, low-resistance state, wherein the weighted disc is engaged within a proximal aperture of the lifting bar.

[0019] FIG. 1D is a perspective view illustrating the exercise machine in a second, high-resistance state, wherein the weighted disc is engaged within a distal aperture of the lifting bar.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of the weighted disc with attached pin in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lifting bar illustrating the engagement of the attached pin portion of the weighted disc within an aperture.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the exercise machine in an actuated state, illustrating the upward displacement of the lifting bar when force is applied to the pusher.

[0023] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the exercise machine in a resting state, illustrating the downward return of the lifting bar when force is removed from the pusher.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A as a component of a weight-lifting machine 17. A weighted disc with attached pin 13 is positioned for insertion into any one of a plurality of apertures 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f extending along a lifting bar 10. In the configuration shown, the weighted disc with attached pin 13 is aligned with an aperture proximal to a pivot point 12, representing the minimum resistance setting for an exercise. The user operates the machine by engaging a pusher 11, which is operatively connected to the lifting bar 10 via a cable 16 disposed over a pulley 15. To perform the exercise, the user applies downward force to the pusher 11 to raise the lifting bar 10 upwardly; releasing or raising the pusher 11 consequently allows the lifting bar 10 to descend. Any conventional means for controlling the travel path of the lifting bar may be incorporated into the present invention.

[0025] By inserting and securing the weighted disc with attached pin 13 into different apertures 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, or 14f along the lifting bar 10, the resistance load is selectively adjusted. Insertion of the weighted disc with attached pin 13 into aperture 14a provides the maximum weight load. Progressing toward the pivot point 12, insertion into aperture 14b provides a lighter load than aperture 14a; aperture 14c provides a lighter load than aperture 14b; aperture 14d provides a lighter load than aperture 14c; aperture 14e provides a lighter load than aperture 14d; and aperture 14f provides the minimum weight load.

[0026] While illustrated as a cable-actuated system, the present invention is broadly applicable to various types of weight training machines known in the art. The lifting bar 10 may be oriented vertically, horizontally, or at any intermediate angle. Furthermore, the system may utilize more than the single weighted disc with attached pin 13 depicted in FIG. 1A. The dimensions of the lifting bar 10 and the specific quantity of apertures 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1B, the weighted disc with attached pin 13 is positioned for insertion into aperture 14a of the lifting bar 10. This position is distal to the pivot point 12, placing the machine in its maximum resistance setting. FIG. 1C further illustrates the weighted disc with attached pin 13 engaged within the aperture of the lifting bar 10 closest to the pivot point 12 for minimum resistance. Conversely, FIG. 1D illustrates the weighted disc with attached pin 13 engaged in the aperture of the lifting bar 10 furthest from the pivot point 12 to achieve maximum resistance, effectively obscuring the aperture 14a while received therein. This embodiment includes components that were previously introduced in FIG. 1A.

[0028] FIG. 2 provides an isolated perspective view of the weighted disc with attached pin 13.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the weighted disc with attached pin 13 fully engaged within an aperture 14a of the lifting bar 10, revealing the internal engagement between the pin and the aperture that is obscured in other assembly views.

[0030] The mechanical actuation of the system is shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. In FIG. 4A, the pusher 11 is shown in an engaged position (pushed or pulled downwardly), thereby pivoting the lifting bar 10 upwardly about the pivot point 12. In FIG. 4B, the pusher 11 is shown in a disengaged or resting position, allowing the lifting bar 10 to descend as it pivots downwardly about the pivot point 12.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced using some or all of the features described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments described are intended as specific examples of a broader inventive concept, and various alterations may be made to these descriptions while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:a frame;a lifting bar pivotally coupled to the frame at a pivot point, wherein the lifting bar is configured for upward and downward travel about the pivot point;a plurality of apertures disposed along the longitudinal axis of the lifting bar;a weighted disc with an attached pin configured to be selectively received within one of the plurality of apertures, wherein a resistance load of the lifting bar is determined by a distance between a selected aperture and the pivot point; anda cable-and-pulley assembly operatively connecting a pusher to the lifting bar, wherein force applied to the pusher results in the vertical displacement of the lifting bar.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the weighted disc and the attached pin comprise a unified assembly secured via welding, bolting, or integrated casting.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the cable-and-pulley assembly comprises a cable and a pulley configured such that a downward force applied to the pusher generates an upward vertical displacement of the lifting bar.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced such that positioning the weighted disc with attached pin in an aperture distal to the pivot point maximizes the resistance load, and positioning the weighted disc with attached pin in an aperture proximal to the pivot point minimizes the resistance load.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the lifting bar is configured to provide variable resistance across a spectrum of weight loads utilizing only a single weighted disc with attached pin.

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