Low row exercise component for strength training device

Abstract

A strength training device includes a frame having top and bottom structures, a force resistance component, and a cable-pulley system attached to the force resistance component at a first location. A first exercise component is connected to a second location within the cable-pulley system supported by the top structure is and positioned for operation by a user. A second exercise component is connected to a third location within the cable-pulley system and positioned for a user to pull it upward and outward. A vertical hinge is mounted to the bottom structure and demarks a medial position within the frame. A dual pulley is mounted within the cable-pulley system at the third location on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc to conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the third location by a user of the second exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position.

Description

Low row exercise component for strength training deviceINVENTORBlake Blevins of Westminster, ColoradoCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application no. 63 / 609,642 filed 13 December 2023 entitled “Low row exercise component for strength training device,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technology described herein relates to strength training devices using cablepulley systems and weight plate stacks as components of free weight cage or frame structures.BACKGROUND

[0003] Strength training devices often incorporate cable routing systems, usually including pulleys, to connect one portion of a cable system to a resistance source and a second portion of the cable system to a user attachment. A user interacts with the attachment, e.g., a handle or pull bar, to pull on a cable and thereby engage the resistance source to perform a strength exercise. The resistance source is typically a weight stack but may also be free weight plates mounted on posts or a configuration of elastic resistance bands. In some configurations, the strength training device can be incorporated into a frame, cage, or similar structure for greater stability or for performing free weight exercises. A low row exercise in a strength training device is typically performed in a seated position on a weight bench or on the floor by pulling on a pull bar with both hands / arms, or grasping a smaller handle with a single hand / arm, positioned in front of the feet of the user and connected via a cable to the resistance source. A low row component of a strength training device can sometimes also be used to perform an arm curl exercise in a standing position by pulling upward on the pull bar or handle.

[0004] The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound.SUMMARY

[0005] Example implementations of a strength training device as disclosed herein include a frame having top and bottom structures, a force resistance component mounted to the frame, and a cable-pulley system mounted within the frame and attached to the force resistance component at a first location. A first exercise component is connected to a second location within the cable-pulley system supported by the top structure and is positioned for a user to pull downward and outward on the first exercise component. A second exercise component is connected to a third location within the cable-pulley system supported by the bottom structure and positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the second exercise component. A vertical hinge is mounted to the bottom structure of the frame and demarks a medial position within the frame. A dual pulley constitutes a component of the cable-pulley system at the third location. The dual pulley is mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the third location by a user of the second exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the frame.

[0006] In another example implementation, a footplate can be positioned forward of the dual pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the bottom structure of the frame. In a particular example, the base frame structure includes a receiver positioned beneath the dual pulley. A shank extends from a rear side of the footplate and is received within the receiver. The receiver includes a top sidewall which defines a cable aperture and a bottom sidewall that defines a first slot. The shank includes a top wall which defines a second slot and a bottom wall which defines a third slot. A lower cable of the cable-pulley system passes through the first, second, and third slots and the cable aperture.

[0007] In a further example implementation, a strength training system includes a free- weight cage. A base frame structure is connected to a rear section of the free-weight cage. A force resistance component is mounted to the base frame structure. A cable-pulley system is mounted to a rear portion of the free-weight cage and the base frame structure and is attached to the force resistance component at a first location. A first user exercise component is connected to a second location within the cable-pulley system supported by the base frame structure and is positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the first user exercise component. A vertical hinge is fixedly mounted to the base frame structure and demarks a medial position within the free-weight cage. A pulley constitutes a component of the cable-pulley system at the second location. The pulley is mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the second location by a user of the first user exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the free-weight cage.

[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in the following written description of various embodiments and implementations and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements.

[0010] The use of cross-hatching in the accompanying figures is generally provided to indicate a surface of a cross-section cut. The use of contour lines, shading, or stippling in the accompanying figures is generally provided to indicate surface features, including curved surfaces or changes in depth, to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements, and to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of crosshatching, contour lines, shading, or stippling conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures.

[0011] Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various example embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto.

[0012] FIG. 1A is a front, left side isometric view of an example implementation of a low row exercise component of a strength training device mounted within a frame of a free- weight lifting cage.

[0013] FIG. 1B is a front, left side isometric view of an example implementation of the low row exercise component of a strength training device of FIG. 1A without the free-weight lifting cage.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view in cross section along a longitudinal midline from front to back, as indicated by arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1, of a portion of the strength training device of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3A is a left side, isometric view in cross section, along a longitudinal midline from front to back, of the low row exercise component of the strength training device of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3B is a right side, isometric view in cross section, along a longitudinal midline from front to back, of the low row exercise component of the strength training device of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4A is a top, rear, right side, isometric view of a receiver for a footplate of the low row exercise component of the strength training device of FIG. 1 depicted in isolation.

[0018] FIG. 4B is a bottom, rear, left side, isometric view of the receiver depicted in FIG. 4A.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top, rear, left side, isometric view of a receiver sleeve of the low row exercise component of the strength training device of FIG. 1 depicted in isolation.

[0020] FIG. 6A a top, rear, left side, isometric view of the footplate of the low row exercise component of the strength training device of FIG. 1 depicted in isolation.

[0021] FIG. 6B is a bottom, rear, right side, isometric view of the footplate depicted in FIG. 6A.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view in cross section, as indicated by arrows 7-7 in FIG. 2, of the strength training device of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] This disclosure relates to implementations of strength training devices incorporating cable-pulley resistance systems for lat pull-down and seated row exercises. The resistance system can be mounted within a separate rack or frame or weight cage with vertical posts and horizontal bracing members, which are not shown in the drawings for purposes of clarity in presentation of the components of the strength training device. A lat pull-down exercise is used to target the latissimus dorsi muscles (i.e., the upper back muscles). It is typically performed standing or seated, facing toward the strength training device. The user grasps and pulls a long bar or handle attached to a resistance force (e.g., weight plates or elastic bands) via a cable toward the chest and then slowly extends the arms back to starting position. The low row is a back exercise that involves sitting on the floor with feet against a footplate, leaning forward, and grasping and pulling a bar or handle attached to a resistance force (e.g., weight plates or elastic bands) via a cable toward the chest or adjacent to the torso while leaning backward, and then leaning forward and returning the arms to the starting position. These are merely examples of two primaryexercises that can be performed with implementations of the strength training device disclosed herein.

[0024] Example implementations of the low row component disclosed herein are configured with a laterally swiveling pulley mounted on a base of and located in a medial position within the free-weight cage. In some example implementations, the low row swivel pulley can be a single pulley and in other example implementations the low row swivel pulley can be a dual pulley. The swivel for the pulley guiding the exiting cable at a low position adjacent to the base of the free-weight cage allows the user to perform isometric lateral movements without compromise of seating and standing positions. In one example, the swivel base allows the user to position themselves in the center of the footplate and perform seated isolateral rows without having to shift position. Since the pulley is able to swivel in an arc on a vertical hinge, the cable will be pulled linearly in the force direction of the pull by the user. The wider the hand positioning to perform the pulling motion by the user, the greater the impact the swivel will have on ensuring smooth movement of the cable through the pulleys and avoid binding.

[0025] In known low row attachments mounted within free-weight cages or racks, the low row pulley is fixed in a vertical position and does not swivel. In systems with a fixed position low row pulley, the user has to physically offset themself to either the left or right of the footplate when performing isolateral movements. This is not ideal for foot placement; either the user’s feet must be placed next to each other rather than shoulder width apart for better balance, or the user has to angle their body within the cage, which may cause interference within the cage and also causes a force imbalance between the user’s legs and the footplate. Further, the user’s spine is not centered during the exercise, which leads to improper form and may cause muscle strain due to improper muscle compensation needed to support the isolateral movement.

[0026] In addition, if the user fails to offset themselves when performing isolateral exercises, such may cause several issues with the exercise device itself. First, the angular offset between the direction of pull on the cable and the pulley groove results in added resistance, may cause the exercise movement to feel rough, and will decrease cable life. Second, if the angle of the user’s pull is significant, the cable may leave pulley groove and rub against trolley components, which may lead to cable fraying.

[0027] Implementations of the footplate of the strength training device feature a function that allows for tightening of the interface between a receiver and a shank extending from the footplate to remove any wobble in the adjustable footplate while performing an exercise. For ease of telescopic attachment between the shank and the receiver, a certain amount of “slop” or “gap” is required in the attachment channel to ensure the sleeve can fit within the receiver. However, for a device like the footplate, any amount of “slop” will make thecomponent feel unstable or cheap. For this reason, a plastic receiver sleeve is provided within the receiver that provides a smooth sliding surface, removes any excessive gap, eliminates wobble, and overall provides a “solid feel” to the user. Additionally, an accompanying tightening mechanism, such as a set screw, can be used to further reduce any linear movement due to clearance between a pop pin locking mechanism and positional apertures within the shank.

[0028] The figures accompanying this written description, and as briefly described above, together depict an example implementation of a strength training device 100 for incorporation with a free-weight cage 101 or rack as depicted in FIG. 1A. Primary components of the strength training device 100, as detailed in FIG. 1 B, can include a pulldown exercise component 102 and a row exercise component 104 connected to a resistance component, e.g., a weight stack 106, by a cable-pulley system 108, which are described in greater detail below. Each of these components is connected to a framework, which includes a base frame 110 and a top frame 112 that are connected at their front ends to upper and lower cross member frame components comprising the rear section of the free- weight cage 101 or rack. Lateral stabilizing feet 127 may be connected to and extend perpendicularly from opposing sides of the base frame 110 beneath the weight stack 106. Corresponding resistance band posts 129 can be mounted on the lateral stabilizing feet 127 and to the top one of the weight plates 116 as attachment points for resistance bands to provide additional or alternative elastic resistance for exercises using the strength training device 100. A pair of parallel guide rods 114a / b extend upward from the lateral stabilizing feet 127 to a pair of lateral rod supports 115a / b that extend perpendicularly from opposing sides of the top frame 112. The guide rods 114a / b can provide additional support to the top frame 112 in addition to the weight rack in which it is mounted.

[0029] The weight stack 106 includes a plurality of weight plates 116 aligned with and stacked on top of each other above the base frame 110 and the lateral stabilizing feet 127. The weight plates 116 are housed within a shroud 118 to minimize the possibility of catching fingers between the weight plates 116 as they are lowered to a resting position. As depicted to better advantage in cross section in FIG. 2, each of the weight plates 116 defines a vertical center plate bore 119 and a horizontal plate bore 121 extending between the front and rear faces of each weight plate 116 and intersecting the center plate bore 119. A selector rod 117 extends through the weight plates 116 within the center plate bores 119. The selector rod 117 defines a plurality of horizontal selector rod bores 123 arranged in a vertical array along the length of the selector rod 117. The selector rod bores 123 are configured to align with respective horizontal plate bores 121 of the weight plates 116.

[0030] A selector pin 113 can be inserted within a horizontal plate bore 121 of a selected one of the weight plate 116 and through a corresponding selector rod bore 123 to engagethe selected one of the weight plates 116 with the selector rod 117. The selected one of the weight plates 116 and a subset of the weight plates 116 above the selected one of the weight plates 116 are raised and lowered by the cable-pulley system 108 as further described herein. The guide rods 114a / b extend through two additional vertical plate bores (not visible) defined within the weight plates 116 and spaced laterally apart from each other on opposing sides of the center plate bore 119. The guide rods 114a / b prevent rotational movement of the weight plates 116 in any direction as they are raised and lowered by the cable-pulley system 108 during an exercise.

[0031] The pull-down exercise component 102 is mounted to the top frame 112 and connected to the weight stack 106 via an upper cable 120 of the cable-pulley system 108. A lower end of the upper cable 120 terminates at and connects to a cable connector 125 at the top end of the selector rod 117 above the weight stack 106, thereby connecting the upper cable 120 to the weight plates 116. The upper cable 120 travels upward from the selector rod 117 to an upper rod pulley 128 mounted to the top frame 112 between the guide rods 114a / b and the lateral rod supports 115a / b. The upper cable 120 travels around the upper rod pulley 128 and then extends downward to engage an upper floating pulley 126b of a floating dual pulley 124 suspended at the rear of the strength training device 100 behind the guide rods 114a / b. The top frame 112 further houses a rear upper pulley 130 and a front upper pulley 132. The upper cable 120 travels along a top surface of the top frame 112 between the rear upper pulley 130 and the front upper pulley 132 after redirecting around the upper floating pulley 126b.

[0032] After passing over the front upper pulley 132, the upper cable 120 passes into the interior of the top frame 112 and then exits the top frame 112 through an opening 133 in an end cap at the front of the top frame 112. The upper cable 120 then terminates at and is connected to a first component connector 136 (e.g., a carabiner or similar clip). An upper cable stop 134 with a larger dimension than the opening 133 in the top frame 112 can be mounted to the upper cable 120 before connection with the first component connector 136 to prevent the upper cable 120 from retracting behind the end cap of the top frame 112. A pulldown component cable 138 can be connected to the first component connector 136 at a first end and to a grasping component, for example, a pull-down bar 140, a handle, or other hand-held component, at a second end. By pulling on the grasping component, a user can engage a selected number of weight plates 116 in the weight stack 106 via the upper cable 120. The combination of the floating dual pulley 124 and the upper rod pulley 128 create a 2:1 mechanical advantage, reducing the effective lift force exerted by the user to half the actual weight of the selected ones of the weight plates 116.

[0033] The row exercise component 104 is mounted to the base frame 110 and connected to the weight stack 106 via a lower cable 122 that interacts with the uppercable 120 via the floating dual pulley 124 of the cable-pulley system 108. A first end of the lower cable 122 terminates with a terminal connector 141 which connects via a lower cable anchor 142 (e.g., a carabiner or other clip) to a lower cable anchor 144 mounted to the rear of the base frame 110 behind the weight stack 106. The lower cable 122 travels upward from the lower cable anchor 144 behind the guide rods 114a / b to wrap around a lower floating pulley 126a in the floating dual pulley 124 and reverse direction. The lower cable 122 returns in a downward direction behind the weight stack 106 to pass around a rear lower pulley 146 mounted within the base frame 110 beneath the weight stack 106 as depicted to better advantage in the cross section of FIG. 2. The rear lower pulley 146 seats within an opening cut within a top surface of the base frame 110, which allows both the rear lower pulley 146 to extend above the top surface of the frame and the lower cable 122 to enter into the base frame 110 for redirection by the rear lower pulley 146.

[0034] The lower cable 122 travels forward within the base frame 110 until it reaches a front lower pulley 148 mounted within the base frame 110 in front of the weight stack 106. The base frame 110 defines top and bottom pulley slots 248a / b, depicted to better advantage in FIGS. 3A and 3B, which provide access for mounting the front lower pulley 148 within the base frame 110, clearance for rotation of the front lower pulley 148, and an opening for the lower cable 122 to be redirected upward toward the row exercise component 104 for connection therewith. The lower cable 122 next travels through a swivel pulley. In some implementations, the swivel pulley can be a single pulley. In other example implementations, the swivel pulley can be formed as a swivel dual pulley 150 composed of two vertically aligned pulleys, a top swivel pulley 152 and a bottom swivel pulley 154, rotating on parallel axes. The top swivel pulley 152 and the bottom swivel pulley 154 can be mounted within a swivel pulley shroud 156 formed of two opposing sidewalls. The swivel dual pulley 150 is pivotably mounted via a hinge 180 to a mounting post 158 positioned medially within the free-weight cage 101 in a manner that will be described in greater detail below. The lower cable 122 is positioned between and directed the top swivel pulley 152 and the bottom swivel pulley 154 to exit the front of the swivel dual pulley 150 through a gap between the sidewalls.

[0035] An adjustable footplate 160 is coupled to the mounting post 158 above the front end of the base frame 110. A shank 162 extends rearward from the footplate 160 and inserts into a receiver 166 fixed between the sidewalls of the mounting post 158. The footplate 160 can be adjustably fixed at multiple linear positions within the receiver 166 to space the footplate 160 closer to or further from the swivel dual pulley 150 (as will be described in greater detail below).

[0036] The footplate 160 defines a clearance channel 161 in a top, center portion thereof through which an end of the row exercise component 104 extends to connect to a secondend of the lower cable 122. The second end of the lower cable 122 terminates at a terminal connector 172. A lower cable stop 170 can be mounted to the lower cable 122 behind the terminal connector 172 to prevent the lower cable 122 from retracting behind the swivel dual pulley 150. A row component cable 176 or chain can be connected to terminal connector 172 on end of the lower cable 122 via a second component connector 174 (e.g., a carabiner or similar clip) at a first end. A grasping component, for example, a row bar 178, a handle, or other hand-held component is attached to the row component cable 176 at a second end.

[0037] By pulling on the row bar 178 or other grasping component, a user can engage a selected number of the weight plates 116 in the weight stack 106 via the lower cable 122. When the lower cable 122 is pulled by a user pulling on the row bar 178, the length of the portion of the lower cable 122 extending behind the guide rods 114a / b is reduced, thereby pulling the floating dual pulley 124 downward. As the floating dual pulley 124 moves downward, the mid-section of the upper cable 120 is also pulled downward. The upper cable stop 134 at the top end of the upper cable 120 of the engages with the end cap of top frame112 defining the opening 133, thereby holding the top end of the upper cable 120 in a fixed position. Thus, as the floating dual pulley 124 is pulled downward by the lower cable 122, the lower end of the upper cable connected to the selector rod 117 at the weight stack 106 lifts selected ones of the weight plates 116. The combination of the floating dual pulley 124 and the upper rod pulley 128 again create a 2:1 mechanical advantage, reducing the effective lift force exerted by the user to half the actual weight of the selected ones of the weight plates 116.

[0038] As noted, in example implementations, the swivel dual pulley 150 operates in conjunction with the row exercise component 104 and is configured to swivel or pivot on a hinge 180 in an arc from side to side on a vertical axis. The mounting post 158 includes a support plate 186 which provides a foundation for the hinge 180 which generally demarks a medial between lateral sides of the free-weight cage 101. The hinge 180 can be composed of a hinge pin 182, for example, a bolt with a smooth shaft and threaded distal end, positioned within a tubular hinge knuckle 184. Upper and lower hinge bearings 188a / b can be provided to seat within top and bottom open ends of the hinge knuckle 184. The hinge 180 can be positioned between the support plate 186 and a bottom side of a top surface of the mounting post 158. Each of the top surface of the mounting post 158 and the support plate 186 can define apertures therein through which the hinge pin 182 passes before and after passing through the hinge knuckle 184, thereby holding the hinge knuckle 184 vertically on top of the support plate 186. The hinge pin 182 can have a head at an upper end, which has a larger diameter than the aperture in the top surface of the mounting post 158. The threaded distal end of the hinge pin 182 extends below the aperturewithin the support plate 186 and receives a hinge bolt 190 that secures the hinge 180 to the mounting post 158.

[0039] The mounting post 158 may have an open front wall through which the swivel dual pulley 150 extends. The rear edges of the two opposing sidewalls of the swivel dual pulley 150 are fixed to the hinge knuckle 184 such that the swivel dual pulley 150 pivots freely on the hinge 180 with about 160° arcuate range of motion. The side panels of the mounting post 158 may extend downward on each side of the base frame 110 and flair of flange rearward along the base frame 110. The mounting post 158 can be attached to the base frame 110 by two bolts, a rear bolt 254 and a front bolt 256, that extend through apertures in the side panels of the mounting post 158 and through corresponding apertures in each of the sidewalls of the base frame 110. The front bolt 256 may further function as the axle for the front lower pulley 148 as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B. The mounting post 158 further functions as a shroud over the front lower pulley 148 and the lower cable 122 as it extends from the front lower pulley 148 to the swivel dual pulley 150.

[0040] The combination of the top swivel pulley 152 and the bottom swivel pulley 154 allows the user to perform exercises in both seated and standing positions with constant guidance of the lower cable within pulley channels and smooth movement of the lower cable 122 during exercises. The bottom swivel pulley 154 receives the lower cable 122 from the front lower pulley 148 and guides the lower cable 122 during exercise pulls generally when the user is seated and the lower cable 122 is oriented at a downward angle below and up to horizontal when exiting the swivel dual pulley 150. The lower cable 122 further engages the top swivel pulley 152 when a user performs row exercise while seated above the floor (e.g., on a weight bench) or a standing exercise and the lower cable 122 extends at an angle generally greater than horizontal as it exits the swivel dual pulley 150. The hinge 180 for the swivel dual pulley 150 allows the user to perform fluid isometric lateral movements in both seated and standing positions, with constant guidance of the lower cable 122.

[0041] The hinge 180 allows the user to position themselves in the center of the footplate 160, with feet on respective sides of the clearance channel 161 and perform seated isolateral rows without having to shift position. Since the swivel dual pulley 150 can pivot arcuately laterally, the lower cable 122 will be pulled linearly in the force direction of the pull by the user. Thus, the user does not have to physically to offset themselves to either the left-side or right-side of the footplate when performing isolateral movements. The user’s feet remain shoulder width apart for better balance and more equal force transfer between the user’s legs and the footplate. The wider the hand positioning to perform the pulling motion by the user, the greater the impact the swivel dual pulley 150 has on ensuring smoothoutward (and inward) movement of the lower cable122 through the top and bottom swivel pulleys 152, 154 and avoid binding.

[0042] A similar benefit is provided when performing standing isolateral exercises. The user does not need to shift positions or stand at an angle with respect to the center of the strength training device 100, but rather can stand in the center facing the strength training device 100 straight-on and merely switch between arms while performing isolateral exercises without concern about the lower cable 122 binding within the swivel dual pulley 150 as the lower cable 122 is pulled at an angle offset from a medial position within the free-weight cage 101.

[0043] The receiver 166 is depicted in isolation in FIGS. 4A and 4B for better understanding of its construction. The receiver 166 can be formed of a square metal (e.g., steel) tube defined by a top sidewall 214, a bottom sidewall 216, a right sidewall 218, and a left sidewall 220. The widths of the sidewalls 214, 216, 218, 220 can be slightly larger than the widths of the walls 234, 236, 238, 240 of the shank 162 such that the shank 162 can be inserted into and slide linearly within the receiver 166. The receiver 166 can be fixed to the mounting post 158 to form a unitary structure that can be placed upon and attached to the base frame 110 with the bolts 254, 256. For example, portions of the right and left sidewalls 218, 220 toward a rear end 212 of the receiver 166 can be welded to the side panels of the mounting post 158. A front end 210 of the receiver 166 may extend forward of and cantilever beyond the front end of the base frame 110 as depicted in FIGS. 2-3B.

[0044] As depicted in FIG. 4A, the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166 may define an aperture 222 therein about which a releasable locking mechanism, e.g., a pop pin adjuster 168 (see FIG. 7) is mounted. The aperture 222 can be positioned along a longitudinal centerline of the right sidewall 218. The pop-pin adjusted 68 includes a knob 260 that is attached to a locking pin 262 seated within a pin housing 266. In this example embodiment, the pin housing 266 is formed as a cylinder that partially seats within and further surrounds the aperture 222 in the right sidewall 218. The pin housing 266 extends outward from the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166 and defines a cavity 270 therein in which the locking pin 262 resides. A flange 264 is formed about an outer surface of the locking pin 262 toward a first end distal from the knob 260. The locking pin 262 also has a threaded second end 269 that interfaces with a threaded blind bore hole in the knob 260. A threaded housing cap 268 screws into the pin housing 266 and defines an aperture therein through which the locking pin 262 extends to connect with the knob 260. A spring 272 fits about the shaft of the locking pin 262 and seats against the flange 264 at a first end. At a second end, the spring 272 seats against the interior side of the threaded housing cap 268. The interface between the threaded second end 269 of the lockingpin 262, the knob 260, and the housing cap 268 resists the bias of the spring 272 and retains the locking pin 262 within the cavity 270.

[0045] As depicted in FIG. 4B, the opposing left sidewall 220 of the receiver 166 defines a set screw aperture 227 surrounded by a set nut 225. The set nut 225 can be fixed to the left sidewall 220 of the receiver 166, e.g., by a weld. As depicted most clearly in FIG 7, a set screw 252 can be received within the set nut 225. A knob 250 can be attached to the proximal end of the set screw 252 to allow for ease of grasping and adjustment of the set screw 252 by a user.

[0046] The bottom sidewall 216 of the receiver 166 defines a cable slot 224 extending from a medial location between the front end 210 and the rear end 212 of the receiver 166 to the rear end 212. The cable slot 224 is of sufficient width to accommodate the width of the front lower pulley 148 (as further described below). The top sidewall 214 of the receiver 166 defines a cable aperture 226 extending from the medial location between the front end 230 and the rear end 232 and extending toward the rear end 212 of the receiver 166. The cable aperture 226 is of sufficient width to accommodate the width of the lower cable 122 and any lateral, angular travel distance of the lower cable 122 between the fixed position of the front lower pulley 148 and the swivel dual pulley 150 as the swivel dual pulley 150 pivots on the hinge 180. The top and bottom sidewalls 214, 216 also define detent apertures 228a / b adjacent to the front end 210 of the receiver 166.

[0047] The length of the top sidewall 214 may be shorter than the length of the bottom sidewall 216 such that edges of the right sidewall 218 and the left sidewall 220 at the rear end 212 may angle downward between the top sidewall 214 and the bottom sidewall 216 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. This angular design may be incorporated to provide adequate travel distance for the shank 162 within the receiver 166 to a desired close, rearward position of the footplate 160 while providing adequate clearance to access the weight stack 106. The cable slot 224 may extend to the rear end 212 of the bottom sidewall 216 such that the cable slot 224 is open at the rear end 212.

[0048] In example embodiments, a receiver sleeve 192 in the form of a tubular liner can be inserted within the receiver 166 before insertion of the shank 162 such that the receiver sleeve 192 is positioned between the receiver 166 and the shank 162. The receiver sleeve 192 can be formed generally as a square tube in shape to closely conform to the inner dimensions of the receiver 166. The receiver sleeve 192 can be made of a molded plastic material with a low coefficient of friction (e.g., DELRIN® plastic) to facilitate smooth gliding of the shank 162 within the receiver 166. Additionally, the receiver sleeve 192 can act as a shim to fill a gap. i.e., remove “slop,” between the outer dimensions of the shank 162 and the inner dimensions of the receiver 166.

[0049] An example of the receiver sleeve 192 is depicted in isolation in FIG 5. The receiver sleeve 192 may be generally in the form of a square tube body 194 defined by four sidewalls. The top and bottom sidewalls define opposing upper and lower slots 198a / b beginning at a medial location between a front end and a rear end and extending toward the rear end of the receiver sleeve 192. The upper and lower slots 198a / b are symmetric, congruent in length and width, and their widths are commensurate with the widths of the cable slot 224 and the cable aperture 226 of the receiver 166. The lateral sidewalls define linear lateral slots 200a / b extending most of a length of the square tube body 194 from a front end to a rear end. The lateral slots 200a / b are symmetric, congruent in length and width, and their widths are commensurate with or larger than the widths of the pop pin aperture 222 and the set screw aperture 227 of the receiver 166. All of the rear ends of the upper, lower, and lateral slots, 198a / b, 200a / b are open, i.e. , they are not enclosed by portions of the tube body 194 at the rear end.

[0050] The front face of the tube body 194 of the receiver sleeve 192 may be formed with a flange or lip 196 about the perimeter that interfaces with the front end 210 of the receiver 166 to prevent the receiver sleeve from advancing too far rearward within the receiver 166. The top and bottom sidewalls may additionally be formed with detents 204a / b positioned adjacent to the lip 196 and located to align with and sized to fit within the detent apertures 228a / b of the receiver 166. The top and bottom sidewalls can each further define a pair of narrow, parallel slits 202 extending from the front end on lateral sides of the detents 204a / b toward a medial location adjacent to the upper and lower slots 198a / b, respectively. The slits 202 can provide flexibility in the top and bottom sidewalls to allow the detents 204a / b to depress slightly upon insertion of the receiver sleeve 192 within the receiver 166 and then rebound to insert the detents 204a / b within the detent apertures 118a / b in the receiver 166.

[0051] As noted, in example implementations, the linear position of the footplate 160 can also be telescopically adjusted with respect to its separation distance in front of the position of the swivel dual pulley 150 as desired by a user. This adjustability allows the user to choose whether to position the row bar 178 beyond the footplate 160 how far behind it in several distance increments. As depicted in FIGS. 2-3B, a shank 162 extends rearward from the footplate 160 and is received within the receiver 166 mounted on top of the base frame 110. As noted above, a receiver sleeve 192 can be inserted within the receiver 166 and interposed between the receiver 166 and the shank 162.

[0052] The footplate 160 is presented in isolation in FIGS. 6A and 6B for better understanding of its construction. The shank 162 can be formed from a square metal (e.g., steel) tube welded at a front end 230 to and extending from the center of the rear face of the footplate 160 below the clearance channel 161. Reinforcement bars 246 can be fixed (e.g.,welded) to the rear face of the footplate 160 on each lateral side of the shank 162 to provide additional strength and stability to the footplate 160 and the connection of the shank 162 to the footplate 160.

[0053] A right wall 234 of the shank 162, as best seen in FIG. 6B, may define a plurality of adjustment apertures 164 therein extending linearly along the right wall 234. The adjustment apertures 164 can be arranged along a longitudinal centerline of the right wall 234 to align with the aperture 222 within the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166. The adjustment apertures 164 can be spaced evenly apart, or they may be positioned along the longitudinal centerline with an uneven or different spacing configuration. The adjustment apertures 164 have a diameter sized to receive the locking pin 262 of the pop pin adjuster 168 protruding through the aperture 222 in the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166. The opposing left wall 236 of the shank 162 can be a solid surface as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0054] A bottom wall 238 of the shank 162 defines a bottom slot 242 extending from a medial location of the shank 162 between the front end 230 and a rear end 232. The bottom slot 242 is of sufficient width to accommodate the width of the front lower pulley 148 (as further described below). A top wall 240 of the shank 162 defines a top slot 244 extending from the medial location of the shank 162 between the front end 230 and the rear end 232. The top slot 244 is of sufficient width to accommodate the width of the lower cable 122 and any lateral, angular travel distance of the lower cable 122 between the fixed position of the front lower pulley 148 and the swivel dual pulley 150 as the swivel dual pulley 150 pivots on the hinge 180.

[0055] The length of the top wall 240 may be shorter than the length of the bottom wall 238 such that edges of the right wall 234 and the left wall 236 at the rear end 232 may angle downward between the top wall 240 and the bottom wall 238 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. This angular design may be incorporated to provide adequate travel distance for the shank 162 within the receiver 166 to a desired close, rearward position of the footplate 160 while providing adequate clearance to access the weight stack 106. The bottom slot 242 and the top slot 244 may both extend to the rear end 232 of the bottom wall 238 and the top wall 240, respectively, such that the slots 242, 244 are open at the rear end 232.

[0056] The configuration and operation of the footplate 160 in combination with the row exercise component 104 can be best understood in combination with viewing FIGS.2-3B and 7. As indicated above, the mounting post 158 includes the receiver 166 fixed between the sidewalls of the mounting post 158 and positioned beneath the support plate 186 on which the hinge 180 for the swivel dual pulley 150 is mounted. During assembly, the flared lower portions of the sidewalls of the mounting post 158 extend along the lateral sides of thebase frame 110 and cover the front lower pulley 148, which protrudes through the top cable slot 248a in the base frame 110 and further through the cable slot 224 in the receiver 166 positioned directly above the top cable slot 248a. The front bolt 256 extends through apertures in both the sidewalls of the mounting post 158 and the base frame 110, as well as a hub of the front lower pulley 148, to connect the mounting post 158 to the base frame 110 and further function as the axle for the front lower pulley 148.

[0057] During assembly of the front lower pulley 148 and the mounting post 158 on the base frame 110, and the contemporaneous assembly of the top and bottom swivel pulleys 152, 154 within the swivel dual pulley 150 and the attachment of the hinge 180 to the mounting post 158, the lower cable 122 is threaded through these components. The lower cable 122 extends within the base frame 110 and passes under the front lower pulley 148. The lower cable122 wraps around the front edge of the front lower pulley 148 and exits the base frame 110 through the top cable slot 248a. The lower cable 122 then travels through the cable slot 224 in the bottom sidewall 216 of the receiver 166 and further through the cable aperture 226 in the top sidewall 214 of the receiver 166. The lower cable 122 then passes between the top and bottom swivel pulleys 152, 154 in the swivel dual pulley 150. Upon exiting the swivel dual pulley 150, the lower cable stop 170 can be fastened to the lower cable 122 immediately behind the terminal connector 172 on the end of the lower cable 122 to prevent the lower cable 122 from retracting behind the swivel dual pulley 150.

[0058] The pop pin adjuster 168 is mounted to the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166 and the locking pin extends through the aperture 222 into the interior tube of the receiver 166. On the opposite, left sidewall 220 of the receiver 166, the set screw 252 is fastened within the set nut 225 fixed about the set screw aperture 227 using the knob 250. Initially, the set screw 252 is not advanced through the set screw aperture 227. The receiver sleeve 192 is then inserted into the receiver 166 until the lip 196 interfaces with the front end 210 of the receiver 166. In this position, the detents 204a / b are received within the detent apertures 228a / b in the top and bottom sidewalls 214, 216 of the receiver 166 to prevent the receiver sleeve 192 from moving within the receiver 166 or being inadvertently pulled out by movement of the shank 162. The top and bottom slots 198a / b in the receiver sleeve 192 align with the cable aperture 226 and the cable slot 224 in the receiver 166, respectively. Because the rear ends of the top and bottom slots 198a / b are open, the top and bottom slots 198a / b slide around the lower cable 122 without interaction or interference. Similarly, the left and right slots 200a / b slide around the locking pin 262 in the right sidewall 218 of the receiver 166 and the set screw 252 when it protrudes through the set screw aperture 227 in the left sidewall 220 of the receiver 166.

[0059] The footplate 160 can next be installed by sliding the shank 162 within the receiver sleeve 192 and, correspondingly, the receiver 166 from the front end 210. As withthe receiver sleeve 192, the bottom and top slots 242, 244 within the bottom and top walls 238, 240 of the shank 162 slide past and around the lower cable 122 passing through the receiver 166 due to the open ends of the bottom and top slots 242, 244 at the rear end 232 of the shank 162. The various slots and apertures within the receiver 166, the receiver sleeve 192, and the shank 162 providing clearance for the lower cable 122 allow the footplate 160 to be mounted closer to the swivel dual pulley 150, allowing for a wider lateral range of motion for isolateral movement exercises. The clearance about the routing of the lower cable 122 within the receiver 166, the receiver sleeve 192, and the shank 162, as well as the clearance channel 161 in the footplate 160, also allows the vertical position of the end of the lower cable 122 where the terminal connector connects to the row exercise component 104 to be at a relatively lower position, thus positioning a user’s arms lower to better engage the latissimus dorsi muscles during a seated row exercise.

[0060] The locking pin 262 of the pop pin adjuster 168 may be retracted by pulling on the knob 250 against the bias force the spring 272 to allow the shank 162 to easily slide within the receiver 166. When the shank 162 is inserted to a desired position, the knob 250 can be released. The spring 272 then biases the locking pin 262 toward the right sidewall 218 and the end of the locking pin 262 beyond the flange 264 extends through and beyond the aperture 222 in the right sidewall 218 to interface discretely with a desired one of the adjustment apertures 164 in the shank 162. The linear position the shank 162 within the receiver 166 can be releasably adjusted forward and rearward as desired by retracting and inserting the locking pin 262 in any of the adjustment apertures 164 using the pop pin adjuster 168.

[0061] As noted, the receiver sleeve 192 provides a low friction interface for the shank 162 to easily slide along as it is positionally adjusted within the receiver 166. The receiver sleeve 192 further reduces any separation or “slop” between the interface of the shank 162 and the receiver 166 that would otherwise result in the footplate 160 feeling wobbly (i.e. , not solid) to the user. In addition, the set screw 252 can be tightened by the user by turning the knob 250, thereby advancing the set screw 252 through the left slot 200a in the receiver sleeve 192 and driving the set screw 252 against the left wall 236 of the shank 162. This normal force provided by the set screw 252 on the left wall 236 further removes any potential lateral slop as well as arrests any potential forward and backward slop that might be felt due to clearance between the locking pin 262 and the position apertures 164.

[0062] Such adjustment of the shank 162 correspondingly adjusts the position of the footplate 160 with respect to the swivel dual pulley 150, either closer to or further from the swivel dual pulley 150. The adjustment of the position of the footplate 160 provides flexibility to the user in determining the length of reach needed for performing a seated row exercise.Shorter users with shorter legs may desire the footplate to be closer to the swivel dual pulley 150 to more easily reach the row exercise component, while taller users with longer legs may be more comfortable with the footplate 160 positioned further forward from the swivel dual pulley 150. A user can thus perform any low row exercise with a row exercise component 104 in a seated position with feet firmly on the footplate 160. The swivel dual pulley 150 allows the user to easily perform isolateral exercise movements without having to adjust positioning of the feet or body, thereby maintaining a firm foundation and generally equal force distribution on the user’s legs and a straight spinal position.

[0063] In view of the above specification and the related drawing figures, it can be understood that example implementations of a strength training device include a frame having top and bottom structures, a force resistance component mounted to the frame, and a cable-pulley system mounted within the frame and attached to the force resistance component at a first location. A first exercise component can be connected to a second location within the cable-pulley system supported by the top structure and positioned for a user to pull downward and outward on the first exercise component. A second exercise component can be connected to a third location within the cable-pulley system supported by the bottom structure and positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the second exercise component. A vertical hinge can be mounted to the bottom structure of the frame and demark a medial position within the frame. A dual pulley can constitute a component of the cable-pulley system at the third location. The dual pulley can be mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the third location by a user of the second exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the frame.

[0064] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the force resistance component can include a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

[0065] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the cable-pulley system can further include a floating dual pulley with an upper pulley and a lower pulley, an upper cable with a first end and a second end, and a lower cable with a first end and a second end. The first end of the upper cable can be attached to the force resistance component at the first location. The second end of the upper cable can be connected to the first user exercise component at the second location. A mid-section of the upper cable can pass around the upper pulley of the floating dual pulley. The first end of the lower cable can be fixed to the base frame structure. The second end of the lower cable can be connected to the second user exercise component at the third location. A mid-section of the lower cable can pass around the lower pulley of the floating dual pulley.

[0066] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the force resistance component includes a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

[0067] Other example implementations of the strength training device can further include a footplate positioned forward of the dual pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure.

[0068] Other example implementations of the strength training device can further include a footplate positioned forward of the dual pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure. The base frame structure can include a receiver positioned beneath the dual pulley. A shank can extend from a rear side of the footplate and be received within the receiver. The receiver can include a top sidewall which defines a cable aperture and a bottom sidewall that defines a first slot. The shank can include a top wall which defines a second slot and a bottom wall which defines a third slot. The lower cable can pass through the first, second, and third slots and the cable aperture.

[0069] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the receiver can include a first sidewall which defines an aperture. A releasable locking mechanism can be mounted to the first sidewall about the aperture. The shank can include a first wall which defines a plurality of position apertures in a linear array positioned to align with the aperture in the first sidewall of the receiver as the shank moves telescopically within the receiver.The releasable locking mechanism can be configured to releasably engage with each of the position apertures, respectively, in the shank to releasably connect the shank within the receiver at a plurality of positions.

[0070] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the releasable locking mechanism can be a pop pin adjuster.

[0071] Other example implementations of the strength training device can further include a tubular liner that seats within the receiver and fills a gap between the receiver and the shank and further defines a plurality of longitudinal slots in sidewalls thereof to avoid interference with the releasable locking mechanism and the lower cable.

[0072] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the tubular liner can be of a molded plastic construction.

[0073] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the tubular liner can define a lip around a perimeter of a front end of the tubular liner of a dimension larger than a cross-sectional dimension of a front end of the receiver.

[0074] In other example implementations of the strength training device, the receiver can further define a threaded aperture in a second sidewall thereof. One of the plurality of longitudinal slots defined in the sidewalls of the tubular liner can be positioned to avoid interference with the threaded aperture in the receiver. The strength training device can further include a set screw engaged within the threaded aperture and configured to advance through the threaded aperture and the one of the plurality of longitudinal slots within the tubular liner to engage with a second wall of the shank and impart a normal force thereon.

[0075] In view of the disclosure above, it can also be understood that example implementations of a strength training system can include a free-weight cage. A base frame structure can be connected to a rear section of the free-weight cage. A force resistance component can be mounted to the base frame structure. A cable-pulley system can be mounted to a rear portion of the free-weight cage and the base frame structure and attached to the force resistance component at a first location. A first user exercise component can be connected to a second location within the cable-pulley system supported by the base frame structure and positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the first user exercise component. A vertical hinge can be fixedly mounted to the base frame structure and demark a medial position within the free-weight cage. A pulley constituting a component of the cable-pulley system at the second location can be mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the second location by a user of the first user exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the free-weight cage.

[0076] Other example implementations of the strength training system can further include a top frame structure connected to a rear section of the free-weight cage. A second user exercise component can be connected to a third location within the cable-pulley system supported by the top frame structure and positioned for a user to pull downward and outward on the second user exercise component.

[0077] In other example implementations of the strength training system, the pulley can include two vertically aligned pulleys rotating on parallel axes.

[0078] In other example implementations of the strength training system, the force resistance component comprises a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

[0079] Other example implementations of the strength training system can further include a footplate positioned forward of the pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure.

[0080] Other example implementations of the strength training system can further include a footplate positioned forward of the pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure. A receiver can be positioned beneath the pulley as part of the base frame structure. A shank can extend from a rear side of the footplate and be configured for receipt within the receiver.

[0081] In other example implementations of the strength training system, the receiver can include a first sidewall which defines an aperture. A releasable locking mechanism can be mounted to the first sidewall about the aperture. The shank can include a first wall which defines a plurality of position apertures in a linear array positioned to align with the aperture in the first sidewall of the receiver as the shank moves telescopically within the receiver. The releasable locking mechanism can be configured to releasably engage with each of theposition apertures, respectively, in the shank to releasably connect the shank within the receiver at a plurality of positions.

[0082] Other example implementations of the strength training system can further include a tubular liner that seats within the receiver and fills a gap between the receiver and the shank and further defines a longitudinal slot in a sidewall thereof to avoid interference with the releasable locking mechanism.

[0083] All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of the structures disclosed herein, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of such structures. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

[0084] In addition, any disclosure of components contained within other components or separate from other components should be considered exemplary because multiple other architectures may potentially be implemented to achieve the same functionality, including incorporating all, most, and / or some elements as part of one or more unitary structures and / or separate structures.

[0085] The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings describes examples and does not represent the only instances that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The terms “example” and “exemplary,” when used in this description, mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.”

[0086] As used herein, including in the claims, the term “and / or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of”) indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC, or A and B and C.

[0087] The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, other embodiments using different combinations of elements and structures disclosed herein are contemplated, as other iterations can be determined through ordinary skill based upon the teachings of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 17 June 2025In the claims:What is claimed is:

1. A strength training device comprising a rack comprising a frame having a top frame structure and a base frame structure; a force resistance component mounted to the frame; a cable-pulley system mounted within the frame and attached to the force resistance component at a first location; a first user exercise component connected to a second location within the cablepulley system supported by the top frame structure and positioned for a user to pull downward and outward on the first user exercise component; a second user exercise component connected to a third location within the cablepulley system supported by the base frame structure and positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the second user exercise component; a vertical hinge fixedly mounted to the base frame structure in a vertical position along a vertical axis and demarking a medial position within the rack; and a dual pulley constituting a component of the cable-pulley system at the third location, wherein the dual pulley is mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the third location by a user of the second user exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the frame.

2. The strength training device of claim 1, wherein the force resistance component comprises a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

263. The strength training device of claim 1, wherein the cable-pulley system further comprises a floating dual pulley with an upper pulley and a lower pulley; an upper cable with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the upper cable is attached to the force resistance component at the first location; the second end of the upper cable is connected to the first user exercise component at the second location; and a mid-section of the upper cable passes around the upper pulley of the floating dual pulley; and a lower cable with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lower cable is fixed to the base frame structure; the second end of the lower cable is connected to the second user exercise component at the third location; and a mid-section of the lower cable passes around the lower pulley of the floating dual pulley.

4. The strength training device of claim 3, wherein the force resistance component comprises a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

5. The strength training device of claim 1 further comprising a footplate positioned forward of the dual pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure.

6. The strength training device of claim 3 further comprising a footplate positioned forward of the dual pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure, further whereinthe base frame structure includes a receiver positioned beneath the dual pulley; a shank extends from a rear side of the footplate and is received within the receiver; the receiver includes a top sidewall which defines a cable aperture and a bottom sidewall that defines a first slot; the shank includes a top wall which defines a second slot and a bottom wall which defines a third slot; and the lower cable passes through the first, second, and third slots and the cable aperture.

7. The strength training device of claim 6, wherein the receiver includes a first sidewall which defines an aperture; a releasable locking mechanism is mounted to the first sidewall about the aperture; the shank includes a first wall which defines a plurality of position apertures in a linear array positioned to align with the aperture in the first sidewall of the receiver as the shank moves telescopically within the receiver; and the releasable locking mechanism is configured to releasably engage with each of the position apertures, respectively, in the shank to releasably connect the shank within the receiver at a plurality of positions.

8. The strength training device of claim 7, wherein the releasable locking mechanism is a pop pin adjuster.

9. The strength training device of claim 7 further comprising a tubular liner that seats within the receiver and fills a gap between the receiver and the shank and further defines aplurality of longitudinal slots in sidewalls thereof to avoid interference with the releasable locking mechanism and the lower cable.

10. The strength training device of claim 9, wherein the tubular liner is of a molded plastic construction.

11. The strength training device of claim 9, wherein the tubular liner defines a lip around a perimeter of a front end of the tubular liner of a dimension larger than a cross-sectional dimension of a front end of the receiver.

12. The strength training device of claim 9, wherein the receiver further defines a threaded aperture in a second sidewall thereof; one of the plurality of longitudinal slots defined in the sidewalls of the tubular liner is positioned to avoid interference with the threaded aperture in the receiver; and further wherein the strength training device further comprises a set screw engaged within the threaded aperture and configured to advance through the threaded aperture and the one of the plurality of longitudinal slots within the tubular liner to engage with a second wall of the shank and impart a normal force thereon.

13. A strength training system comprising a free-weight cage; a base frame structure connected to a rear section of the free-weight cage; a force resistance component mounted to the base frame structure; a cable-pulley system mounted to a rear portion of the free-weight cage and the base frame structure and attached to the force resistance component at a first location; a first user exercise component connected to a second location within the cable-29pulley system supported by the base frame structure and positioned for a user to pull upward and outward on the first user exercise component; a vertical hinge fixedly mounted to the base frame structure in a vertical position along a vertical axis and demarking a medial position within the free-weight cage; and a pulley constituting a component of the cable-pulley system at the second location, wherein the pulley is mounted on the vertical hinge to swivel in an arc and thereby conform to a pull on the cable-pulley system at the second location by a user of the first user exercise component at an angle offset from the medial position within the free-weight cage.

14. The strength training system of claim 13 further comprising a top frame structure connected to a rear section of the free-weight cage; and a second user exercise component connected to a third location within the cablepulley system supported by the top frame structure and positioned for a user to pull downward and outward on the second user exercise component.

15. The strength training system of claim 13, wherein the pulley comprises two vertically aligned pulleys rotating on parallel axes.

16. The strength training system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the force resistance component comprises a weight stack with a plurality of selectable weight plates.

17. The strength training system of claim 13 further comprising a footplate positioned forward of the pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure.

18. The strength training system of claim 13 further comprising a footplate positioned forward of the pulley and telescopically, adjustably attached to the base frame structure;30a receiver positioned beneath the pulley as part of the base frame structure; and a shank extending from a rear side of the footplate configured for receipt within the receiver.

19. The strength training system of claim 18, wherein the receiver includes a first sidewall which defines an aperture; a releasable locking mechanism is mounted to the first sidewall about the aperture; the shank includes a first wall which defines a plurality of position apertures in a linear array positioned to align with the aperture in the first sidewall of the receiver as the shank moves telescopically within the receiver; and the releasable locking mechanism is configured to releasably engage with each of the position apertures, respectively, in the shank to releasably connect the shank within the receiver at a plurality of positions.

20. The strength training system of claim 19 further comprising a tubular liner that seats within the receiver and fills a gap between the receiver and the shank and further defines a longitudinal slot in a sidewall thereof to avoid interference with the releasable locking mechanism.31

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