WEIGHT TRAINING DEVICE
United States Patent 3743282
An improved weight training device particularly adapted for exercise of the lower limbs includes a weight stack, a seat facing away from the weight stack but adjacent thereto and a moveable set of foot pedals disposed ajacent the seat on the side thereof opposite the weight stack. The pedals and weight stack are interconnected so that movement of the pedals away from the device raises the weight stack. The spaced of the pedals from the seat is adjustable.
US Patent References:
Exercising apparatus
Pfaus - October 1955 - 2720396
LEG DEVELOPING DEVICE
Marcyan - December 1971 - 3627315
Therapeutic exercise chair
Dykinga - January 1963 - 3072400
Exercising apparatus
Pfaus - October 1955 - 2720396
LEG DEVELOPING DEVICE
Marcyan - December 1971 - 3627315
Therapeutic exercise chair
Dykinga - January 1963 - 3072400
Application Number:
05/191757
Publication Date:
07/03/1973
Filing Date:
10/22/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Whittaker Corporation (Los Angeles, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
482/137
International Classes:
A63B21/06; A63B23/04; A63B21/00; A63B21/062; A63B21/00
Field of Search:
272/58,81,DIG.4
Primary Examiner:
Pinkham, Richard C.
Assistant Examiner:
Brown, Theatrice
Claims:
I claim
1. An improved weight training device which device comprises:
1. An improved weight training device which device comprises:
Description:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to weight training devices, including those particularly adapted for exercise of the lower limbs.
2. Prior Art
Conventional leg press exercising devices are usually characterized by a stack of weights, a seat, stool or bench facing the weight stack and a set of foot pedals interposed between the seat and weight stack and interconnected to the weight stack so that movement of the pedals towards the weight stack raises it. In many instances, the exerciser while seated will wish to change the weight stack to increase or decrease the weight resistance afforded thereby. He must rise and usually has to walk around the foot pedals to reach the weight stack. In those devices employing A-frames, bell cranks or the like to translate forward motion of the pedals into a lifting motion of the weight stack, such weight stack is usually a considerable distance away from the exerciser's seat, especially in multi-position weight training where the stack is usually located on the opposite side of the machine. The above represents an inconvenience and delays and interrupts the exercise routine. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved weight training device, especially of the leg press type, to make weight changing more convenient and reduce the space required for the device, so as to facilitate its use, for example, in the home, where space requirements are limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally as set forth in the Abstract above. The invention is inexpensive, and compact and permits the exerciser to change weights easily while seated in the exercising position, thus facilitating the ease of use of the device. The device can be made adjustable not only as to weights but also as to spacing of the foot pedals thereof from the seat, so as to accommodate exercisers of various sizes and leg lengths. The device has the secondary advantage of having the seat and exerciser facing away from the weights, that is, the parts which most obviously move through the exerciser's line of view and which, therefore, may distract the exerciser during the exercise. Concentration on the leg press exercise while it is being carried out is important for best results.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the weight training device of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary top plan view of the body and foot support portions of the device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 of the drawings depicts schematically in perspective view device 10 of the invention. Device 10 includes weight means in the form of a generally vertically oriented stack 12 of weights 14, such as are usually fabricated of cast iron, steel or the like and which are supported in position in device 10 by weight support means comprising a pair of spaced vertical bars 16 and 18 extending through aligned apertures 20 and 22 in stack 12. Bars 16 and 18 are secured at their upper and lower ends to a frame 24, as shown in FIG. 1. A cross member 26 is connected to bars 16 and 18 below stack 12 to support the same above the lower end of frame 24. Frame 24, bars 16 and 18 and cross member 26 can be fabricated of, for example, iron, structural steel or the like.
Frame 24 includes base member 28, vertical members 30 connected thereto, top member 32 connected to members 30, rearward brace members 34 connected to member 32 and brace plates 36 connected to members 34. The latter are adapted to secure device 10 against a wall or another exercising device or other support.
Frame 24 further includes a seat support in the form of a parallel pair of spaced members 38 extending forwardly of the weight stack 12, rear and front cross members 40 and a pair of spaced depending support legs 42. A body support means in the form of a chair 44, including an inclined back portion 46 and seat portion 48, is fixedly secured to members 38 in a position facing away from and forwardly of weight stack 12 and with back 46 a minimal distance from stack 12 so that the excerciser, while seated in chair 44, can easily reach stack 12.
Moveable foot support means are provided and may include a pair of foot pedals 50 fixedly secured to the upper surface of slide means comprising a platform 52 slideably connected to a slide support means which includes parallel spaced members 53. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, members 53 extend forwardly of members 38 and are secured to member 40 at their rear ends. A front cross member 55 is secured to the front end of members 53 and spaced legs 57 depend therefrom to complete the slide support means. Slide positioning means are provided which enable the exerciser to selectively position foot pedals 50 the proper distance away from chair 44 so as to readily perform exercises on device 10. Such distance will depend on the leg length of the exerciser. The slide positioning means may include a take-up reel 54 and adjustable stop means, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Reel 56 can be a circular disc centrally positioned in a cut-away portion 59 adjacent the front end of platform 52 and secured in place by a crank 56 extending through two parallel spaced upstanding ears 58 secured to platform 52 and real 54 and fixedly secured to the latter. Reel 54 and at least one ear 58 are provided with a plurality of spaced aligned apertures 60 through which a pin 62 can be passed to act as the described adjustable stop means. The end of a connecting means in the form of a chain or cable 64 is wound around reel 54. Cable 64 passes below platform 52 and chair 44 and rearwardly of weight stack 12, and is trained over guide means in the form of a pulley 66 extending rearwardly from frame 24 by a brace 68. Cable 64 passes up behind frame 24 and is trained over a pulley 70 (extending up from frame 24 by a brace 72) and passes down within frame 24 into connection with the upper end of a lift bar 74.
Lift bar 74 passes down through aligned apertures 76 in weights 14 and is provided with a plurality of apertures (not shown) which are aligned with apertures 78 in weights 14. A selector pin 80 can be run through the described apertures to releasably pin a weight 14 (and all weights attached thereabove) to bar 74 for lifting from stack 12 by upward movement of bar 74.
Before performing exercises on device 10, the exerciser can take up or reel out cable 64 from reel 54 and platform 52 can thus be slid a proper distance away from chair 44 to correctly position the exerciser's legs in a flexed manner when he is seated in chair 44 with his feet on pedals 50. Once the correct starting position for pedals 50 is located, reel 54 is turned by crank 56 to take up the slack in cable 64 and then reel 54 is pinned to one or both ears 58, as by pin 62, to prevent reel 54 from turning. Any movement of foot pedals 50 and platform 52 away from chair 44 will now be against the resistive force exerted by weight stack 12.
In order to exercise the lower part of the body, particularly the legs, the exerciser seats himself in chair 44 before or after selecting the amount of exercise force, as by pinning lift bar 74 at the appropriate place. Such selection can be readily accomplished by the exerciser while he is seated, since the back of chair 44 is adjacent stack 12. The exerciser then places his feet on pedals 50 and begins the exercise by pushing his feet away from him and against the force exerted by the pinned weights 14, thus lifting these weights 14 from stack 12. Easing up on the force applied against foot pedals 50 permits them to return to their original position for a repetition of the exercise with weights 14 now back in position on stack 12.
It will be noted that the distance between the front and back of frame 24 is relatively small and, accordingly, device 10 is compact. This is in contrast to conventional leg pressing devices employing force-direction translating means which occupy a considerable space between the weight stack and exerciser.
Various features of device 10 are believed to be new and important, including its compact size, its simplicity, its easy adjustability to any size of exerciser and, most particularly, the ease of weight selection, even while the exerciser is seated, and the ready accessability at all times of the weight stack to the exerciser.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to weight training devices, including those particularly adapted for exercise of the lower limbs.
2. Prior Art
Conventional leg press exercising devices are usually characterized by a stack of weights, a seat, stool or bench facing the weight stack and a set of foot pedals interposed between the seat and weight stack and interconnected to the weight stack so that movement of the pedals towards the weight stack raises it. In many instances, the exerciser while seated will wish to change the weight stack to increase or decrease the weight resistance afforded thereby. He must rise and usually has to walk around the foot pedals to reach the weight stack. In those devices employing A-frames, bell cranks or the like to translate forward motion of the pedals into a lifting motion of the weight stack, such weight stack is usually a considerable distance away from the exerciser's seat, especially in multi-position weight training where the stack is usually located on the opposite side of the machine. The above represents an inconvenience and delays and interrupts the exercise routine. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved weight training device, especially of the leg press type, to make weight changing more convenient and reduce the space required for the device, so as to facilitate its use, for example, in the home, where space requirements are limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally as set forth in the Abstract above. The invention is inexpensive, and compact and permits the exerciser to change weights easily while seated in the exercising position, thus facilitating the ease of use of the device. The device can be made adjustable not only as to weights but also as to spacing of the foot pedals thereof from the seat, so as to accommodate exercisers of various sizes and leg lengths. The device has the secondary advantage of having the seat and exerciser facing away from the weights, that is, the parts which most obviously move through the exerciser's line of view and which, therefore, may distract the exerciser during the exercise. Concentration on the leg press exercise while it is being carried out is important for best results.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the weight training device of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary top plan view of the body and foot support portions of the device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 of the drawings depicts schematically in perspective view device 10 of the invention. Device 10 includes weight means in the form of a generally vertically oriented stack 12 of weights 14, such as are usually fabricated of cast iron, steel or the like and which are supported in position in device 10 by weight support means comprising a pair of spaced vertical bars 16 and 18 extending through aligned apertures 20 and 22 in stack 12. Bars 16 and 18 are secured at their upper and lower ends to a frame 24, as shown in FIG. 1. A cross member 26 is connected to bars 16 and 18 below stack 12 to support the same above the lower end of frame 24. Frame 24, bars 16 and 18 and cross member 26 can be fabricated of, for example, iron, structural steel or the like.
Frame 24 includes base member 28, vertical members 30 connected thereto, top member 32 connected to members 30, rearward brace members 34 connected to member 32 and brace plates 36 connected to members 34. The latter are adapted to secure device 10 against a wall or another exercising device or other support.
Frame 24 further includes a seat support in the form of a parallel pair of spaced members 38 extending forwardly of the weight stack 12, rear and front cross members 40 and a pair of spaced depending support legs 42. A body support means in the form of a chair 44, including an inclined back portion 46 and seat portion 48, is fixedly secured to members 38 in a position facing away from and forwardly of weight stack 12 and with back 46 a minimal distance from stack 12 so that the excerciser, while seated in chair 44, can easily reach stack 12.
Moveable foot support means are provided and may include a pair of foot pedals 50 fixedly secured to the upper surface of slide means comprising a platform 52 slideably connected to a slide support means which includes parallel spaced members 53. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, members 53 extend forwardly of members 38 and are secured to member 40 at their rear ends. A front cross member 55 is secured to the front end of members 53 and spaced legs 57 depend therefrom to complete the slide support means. Slide positioning means are provided which enable the exerciser to selectively position foot pedals 50 the proper distance away from chair 44 so as to readily perform exercises on device 10. Such distance will depend on the leg length of the exerciser. The slide positioning means may include a take-up reel 54 and adjustable stop means, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Reel 56 can be a circular disc centrally positioned in a cut-away portion 59 adjacent the front end of platform 52 and secured in place by a crank 56 extending through two parallel spaced upstanding ears 58 secured to platform 52 and real 54 and fixedly secured to the latter. Reel 54 and at least one ear 58 are provided with a plurality of spaced aligned apertures 60 through which a pin 62 can be passed to act as the described adjustable stop means. The end of a connecting means in the form of a chain or cable 64 is wound around reel 54. Cable 64 passes below platform 52 and chair 44 and rearwardly of weight stack 12, and is trained over guide means in the form of a pulley 66 extending rearwardly from frame 24 by a brace 68. Cable 64 passes up behind frame 24 and is trained over a pulley 70 (extending up from frame 24 by a brace 72) and passes down within frame 24 into connection with the upper end of a lift bar 74.
Lift bar 74 passes down through aligned apertures 76 in weights 14 and is provided with a plurality of apertures (not shown) which are aligned with apertures 78 in weights 14. A selector pin 80 can be run through the described apertures to releasably pin a weight 14 (and all weights attached thereabove) to bar 74 for lifting from stack 12 by upward movement of bar 74.
Before performing exercises on device 10, the exerciser can take up or reel out cable 64 from reel 54 and platform 52 can thus be slid a proper distance away from chair 44 to correctly position the exerciser's legs in a flexed manner when he is seated in chair 44 with his feet on pedals 50. Once the correct starting position for pedals 50 is located, reel 54 is turned by crank 56 to take up the slack in cable 64 and then reel 54 is pinned to one or both ears 58, as by pin 62, to prevent reel 54 from turning. Any movement of foot pedals 50 and platform 52 away from chair 44 will now be against the resistive force exerted by weight stack 12.
In order to exercise the lower part of the body, particularly the legs, the exerciser seats himself in chair 44 before or after selecting the amount of exercise force, as by pinning lift bar 74 at the appropriate place. Such selection can be readily accomplished by the exerciser while he is seated, since the back of chair 44 is adjacent stack 12. The exerciser then places his feet on pedals 50 and begins the exercise by pushing his feet away from him and against the force exerted by the pinned weights 14, thus lifting these weights 14 from stack 12. Easing up on the force applied against foot pedals 50 permits them to return to their original position for a repetition of the exercise with weights 14 now back in position on stack 12.
It will be noted that the distance between the front and back of frame 24 is relatively small and, accordingly, device 10 is compact. This is in contrast to conventional leg pressing devices employing force-direction translating means which occupy a considerable space between the weight stack and exerciser.
Various features of device 10 are believed to be new and important, including its compact size, its simplicity, its easy adjustability to any size of exerciser and, most particularly, the ease of weight selection, even while the exerciser is seated, and the ready accessability at all times of the weight stack to the exerciser.