Improved weight bench

Abstract

A weight bench having a back support that rotates between horizontal and upright positions. A seat support synchronously counter-rotates relative to the back support such that the seat support is lowered as the back support is raised. The downward movement of the seat support is restrained by a stop disposed on the weight bench frame. The back support includes a rounded back cushion having a semi-circular cross section.

Description

“IMPROVED WEIGHT BENCH”FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to free weight training, and more specifically to weight benches.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0002] Weight benches are commonly used for various exercises, including bench presses, dumbbell rows, and incline presses. However, existing weight benches may be limited in their adjustability or may lack certain features that would enhance their functionality and safety. Such problems include but are not limited to a failure to provide means for forcing a user to use core muscles to maintain balance, and a proper alignment of back and seat cushions to minimize discomfort.

[0003] In one aspect of the subject technology, a back support has upper, lower, proximal, and distal portions, the proximal portion thereof being pivotally connected to a first axis pin of a bracket, the bracket being connected to a support structure. A rounded cushion is disposed on the upper portion of the back support, and has a semi-circular cross section and a tapered proximal portion.

[0004] A seat support has upper, lower, proximal, and distal portions, the distal portion thereof being pivotally connected to a second axis pin of the support structure. A seat cushion is disposed on the upper portion of the seat support, and has a tapered proximal portion. The tapered proximal portions of the respective rounded cushion and seat cushions form a cooperating fit when the back support is in an upright position.

[0005] A first end of an eccentric biasing member is fixedly connected to the proximate, lower portion of the back support. A second end of the eccentric biasing member is adapted to rotate about the first axis pin according to an eccentric orbit.

[0006] The back support rotates about the first axis pin as the seat support synchronously counter-rotates about the second axis pin such that when the back support is in a horizontal position,the second end of the eccentric biasing member urges the proximal portion of the seat rest support to an upward position causing the seat rest support to be in an horizontal position.

[0007] When the back support rest is in an upright position, the second end of the eccentric biasing member breaks contact from the seat rest as the seat rest is restricted from downward motion by a seat rest stop.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 depicts a front view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 3 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 4 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 5 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 6 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 8 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 9 depicts a front view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 11 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 12 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 14 depicts a front view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 15 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 16 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 19 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 20 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 21 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 22 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 24 depicts a front view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 25 depicts a sectional view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 26 depicts a perspective view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 27 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 28 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 29 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 30 depicts a front view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 31 depicts a top view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 32 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 33 depicts a fragmentary side view of one aspect of the subject technologyFIG. 34 depicts a side view of one aspect of the subject technologyREFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0008] The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral. upper rounded cushion 1 (aka rounded cushion) bottom 2 (aka bottom support structure) main frame 3 (aka support structure) bottom cushion 4 (aka seat rest, seat cushion) cushion frame 5 (aka seat support) cushion rack 6 (aka back support)end portion 7 of eccentric biasing member 9 stop 8 (aka seat rest stop) eccentric biasing member 9 proximal portion 10 of upper rounded cushion 1 proximal portion 11 of bottom cushion 4 back pivot 12 (aka first axis pin) seat pivot 13 (aka second axis pin) bracket 14 proximal portion 15 of eccentric biasing member 9 wheels 16 of bottom 2DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In one aspect of the subject technology, an improved weight bench comprises an upper rounded cushion (1) disposed on a cushion rack (6), and having a proximal portion (10), a bottom (2), a main frame (3), a bracket (14) disposed on the main frame (3), a seat pivot (13) disposed on the main frame (3), a stop (8) disposed on the bracket (14), a bottom cushion (4) disposed on a cushion frame (5), and having a proximal portion (11), an eccentric biasing member (9) having an end portion (7) and a proximal portion (15), and a back pivot (12) disposed on the bracket (14).

[0010] The upper rounded cushion (1) is secured to the cushion rack (6). As shown, for example, in Fig. 25, the upper rounded cushion (1) has a cross sectional radius. In one aspect, the radius is 125 mm. An important advantage is achieved by the rounded surface because this topology offers a more challenging workout because a user must exert additional effort to maintain balance during exercise. Not only must the user perform the target exercise, they must also maintain balance at the same time.

[0011] The cushion rack (6) is pivotally connected to the back pivot (12) of the bracket (14).Thus, the upper rounded cushion (1) can be raised into a desirable elevation and locked into place. The bracket (14) is secured to the main frame (3).

[0012] A bottom (2) is secured to the main frame (3). The bottom (2) is adapted to provide lateral support for the weight bench. As shown, for example, in Fig. 2, the bottom (2) has laterally extending left / right portions which are sized sufficiently to prevent the bench from tipping sideways. In one aspect, wheels 16 are disposed on the bottom (2) to facilitate relocation of the bench.

[0013] The proximal portion (15) of the eccentric biasing member (9) is secured to the cushion rack (6), such that back pivot (12) is between the proximal portion (15) and the end portion (7) of the eccentric biasing member (9). The eccentric biasing member (9) rotates as the upper rounded cushion (1) is raised or lowered, and consequently the end portion (7) of eccentric biasing member (9) follows an eccentric orbit around back pivot (12).

[0014] The bottom cushion (4) is secured to the cushion frame (5). The cushion frame (5) is pivotally connected at a distal portion thereof to the seat pivot (13) of the main frame (3). The proximate portion of the cushion frame (5) is temporarily held in position by end portion (7) of eccentric biasing member (9) during a certain range of movement of the rotation of the eccentric biasing member (9).

[0015] When upper rounded cushion (1) is in horizontal position, the end portion (7) of eccentric biasing member (9) is adapted to maintain cushion frame (5) in a substantially horizontal position. Cushion frame (5) is alternatively supported by stop (8) as discussed herein.

[0016] The end portion (7) of the eccentric biasing member (9) is adapted to engage the cushion frame (5) near a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the cushion frame (5) is raised or lowered as the upper rounded cushion (1) is raised or lowered. As the back support rotates about the back pivot (12), the cushion frame (5) synchronously counter-rotates about the seat pivot (13). However, thecushion frame (5) is only lowered to a point, because of stop 8, as described herein, at which point end portion (7) of the eccentric biasing member (9) breaks contact with the cushion frame (5).

[0017] A stop (8) is secured to the bracket (14). The stop (8) is adapted to arrest downward movement of the cushion frame (5) as the cushion frame (5) pivots about the seat pivot (13). The stop (8) is laterally offset, relative to the eccentric biasing member (9), such that movement of the latter is not obstructed by the former.

[0018] The upper rounded cushion (1) has a proximal portion (10). The bottom cushion (4) has a proximal portion (11). The foregoing proximal portions (10, 11) are each tapered to form a cooperating fit as the upper rounded cushion (1) is raised, and consequently the cushion frame (5) is lowered to a point where the tapered faces are near each other. The tapered aspect prevents the two cushions from rubbing against each other. Another important advantage is achieved because the user’s posterior is not pinched as the back portion is raised.

[0019] The eccentric biasing member (9) is uniquely shaped. As shown, for example, in Fig. 34, it is not merely curved according to a conventional arc. Rather, the shape is adapted such that end portion (7) of eccentric biasing member (9) maintains contact with the cushion frame (5) as it is lowered to the point where movement of the cushion from (5) is arrested by stop (8).

[0020] The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. For example, the terms “aspect,” “example,” “preferably,” “alternatively,” and the like denote features that may be preferable but not essential to include in some embodiments of the invention. In addition, details illustrated or disclosed with respect to any one aspect of the invention may be used with other aspects of the invention. Additional elements and / or steps may be added to various aspects of the invention and / or some disclosed elements and / or steps may be subtracted from various aspects of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Singular elements / steps imply plural elements / steps and vice versa. Some steps may be performed serially, in parallel, in a pipelined manner, or in different orders than disclosed herein. Many other variations arepossible which remain within the content, scope, and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application

Claims

CLAIMS1. An improved weight bench comprising: an upper rounded cushion (1) having a semi-circular cross section, and being secured to a cushion rack (6), the cushion rack (6) being pivotally connected to a back pivot (12) of a bracket (14), the bracket (14) being secured to a main frame (3); a bottom (2) being secured to the main frame (3); a proximal portion (15) of an eccentric biasing member (9) being secured to the cushion rack (6); a bottom cushion (4) being secured to a cushion frame (5), the cushion frame (5) being pivotally connected to a seat pivot (13) of the main frame (3); a stop (8) being secured to the bracket (14), the stop (8) being adapted to arrest downward movement of the cushion frame (5) as the cushion frame (5) pivots about the seat pivot (13); an end portion (7) of the eccentric biasing member (9) being adapted to temporarily engage the cushion frame (5); a proximal portion (10) of the upper rounded cushion 1 being tapered; a proximal portion (11) of the bottom cushion 4 being tapered;whereby the tapered proximal portions (10 and 11) form a cooperating fit when the upper rounded cushion (1) is raised to an elevated position.

2. An improved weight bench comprising: a back support having upper, lower, proximal, and distal portions, the proximal portion of the back support being pivotally connected to a first axis pin of a bracket, the bracket being connected to a support structure; a rounded cushion disposed on the upper portion of the back support, and having a semi-circular cross section and a tapered proximal portion; a seat support having upper, lower, proximal, and distal portions, the distal portion of the seat support being pivotally connected to a second axis pin of the support structure; a seat cushion disposed on the upper portion of the seat support, and having a tapered proximal portion; wherein the tapered proximal portions of the respective rounded cushion and seat cushions form a cooperating fit when the back support is in an upright position; a first end of an eccentric biasing member being fixedly connected to the proximate and lower portion of the back support; a second end of the eccentric biasing member being adapted to rotate about the first axis pin according to an eccentric orbit;the back support rotates about the first axis pin as the seat support synchronously counter-rotates about the second axis pin; wherein when the back support is in a horizontal position, the second end of the eccentric biasing member urges the proximal portion of the seat support to an upward position causing the seat support to be in an horizontal position; wherein when the back support is in an upright position the second end of the eccentric biasing member breaks contact from the seat rest as the seat rest is restricted from downward motion by a seat rest stop.

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