Exercise machine for wheelchair-bound users

[0002] This invention is related to exercise machines, and in particular to exercise machines that accommodate a user in a wheel chair.

[0003] Many types and designs of exercise machines have been developed over the years. One popular form of exercise machine includes a space frame that includes pivoting arms which, when moved from one position to another, raise weights or otherwise provide resistance to the movement of the pivoting arm. The weights are in some instances removable from the machine to adjust the weight being lifted. In other instances, the weights are permanently affixed to the space frame and can be engaged in various combinations to adjust the weight. In still other designs, the resistance is provided not by weights, but by other devices such as springs, elastomeric materials, or pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders, all of which are intended to be encompassed in the term “weights” or “weight lifting” for purposes of this application, including the claims.

[0004] It is desirable that an exercise machine allows one to exercise different parts of the body. To do so, many exercise machines include multiple groups of weights to exercise different muscle groups of the arms, trunk and legs. Such exercise machines can include either a single or multiple locations around the machine from which to operate the weight stacks. Exercise machines can also include a single weight stack or resistance member that is operable by different mechanisms or from different locations to operate the single weight stack. This general type of machine is exemplified by that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,733,233; 5,807,219; and 5,683,334.

[0005] One group of users for whom known exercise machines are not particularly suitable are users who ambulate by way of wheelchair. The prior art includes at least one exercise machine adapted for use by a user in a wheel chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,128 to Dabry et al. includes a frame that receives a wheel chair, and a handle structure pivotally mounted on the frame. The handle structure can be adjusted to raise and lower the handle relative to the user for a very limited number of exercises.

[0006] Known exercise machines are unsuitable for such users for several reasons. First, known exercise machines do not include a frame that conveniently receives a wheel chair without obstruction. Second, even exercise machines that can be used by users in a wheel chair do not provide adequate adjustability for users in a wheel chair. A need therefore remains for an improved exercise machine which is convenient for users in a wheel chair.

[0007] FIG. 1 is front left perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an exercise machine according to the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is rear left perspective view of elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of an exercise machine according to the present invention is shown at 10. Apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 having a base frame 14, transverse frame 16, and an overhead frame 18. Transverse frame 16 is an inverted U-shaped member that includes legs 22 and 24, each of which is connected at its lower end to base frame 14. Each of legs 22 and 24 includes a portion on which respective sliding members 26 and 28 are mounted. Sliding members 26 and 28, which, in the claims, may be alternatively referred to as “handle assemblies”, are adjustable to various heights along legs 22 and 24, and can be locked in position by insertion of pin 30 into one of holes 32. The operation of sliding members 26 and 28 will be described in greater detail below. In one preferred embodiment the resistance element is a weight stack 34 that is slidably mounted on a pair of vertical bars 36 and 38 that extend from overhead frame 14 to a bracket 40 connected to the lower portion of overhead frame 14. The weight stack 34 is of any suitable conventional design, and preferably includes a mechanism for selecting any of a variety of weight amounts for a particular user and exercise. In other embodiments, alternative resistance mechanisms such as springs, elastomeric materials, or pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders can be substituted. The term “resistance element” is intended to be defined broadly, and is not intended to be limited to the listed types of resistive element.

[0014] In this embodiment, a tube 42 extends downwardly through the weight stack. Tube 42 includes a number of horizontal, longitudinal holes corresponding with recesses 44 in each weight of the weight stack. To select a particular amount of weight, the user inserts a pin (not shown) into a recess 44 and through a corresponding hole through the tube. The top of tube 42 is connected to a pulley that is raised and lowered by the cable and pulley system, thereby raising and lowering the selected number of weights. Having described the frame of the apparatus, the pulley and cable system will now be described in greater detail.

[0015] Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the cable and pulley system includes 4 cables: 46, 48, 50 and 52. Cables 46 and 48 are similar in operation, differing only in that they are mounted on the left and right sides of the apparatus. The following description of cable 48 will therefore serve to generally describe the operation of cable 46 as well. As a starting point in understanding the operation and one novel feature of the invention, note that both ends of cable 48 are mounted directly or indirectly onto sliding member 28. One end 54 of cable 48 is mounted in a fixed position on sliding member 28. Cable 48 is then routed through pulleys 49, 51, again through pulley 49 (a double pulley), then through pulley 53, and finally through pulley 58 which is pivotally mounted on sliding member 28. In this way, cable 48 is formed into a loop. The end 56 of cable 48 is then attached to a lug 60 that is too large to be drawn back through pulley 58, thereby limiting the travel of cable 48 and preventing end 56 from being pulled backward through the pulley. In this way, cable 48 is formed into a loop. Stated differently, lug 60 prevents the end 56 of cable 48 from passing through pulley 58, and in that way retains cable 48 in engagement with pulley 58. The maximum length of the loop formed by cable 48 is set. Cable 48 includes an end fitting 86 or configuration so that it can be attached to a variety of handles that a user then pulls away from sliding member 28. By doing so, lug 60 is pulled away from pulley 58, thereby shortening the loop formed in cable 48. As the loop in cable 48 is shortened, the weight stack is lifted as further described below. As mentioned above, cable 46 is similarly configured with its ends attached to sliding member 26, lug 62, and is engaged with pulley 64 in a like manner. This novel arrangement provides a significant advance over the prior art. It permits the sliding member, and therefore a handle attached to lug 60, to be raised and lowered simply by removing pin 30 and raising or lowering the sliding member along its leg. This adjustability provides a variety of positions from which to operate a handle 65, and permits a variety of leg and arm exercises to be achieved. This adjustment of the slider is achieved without the need to detach handle 65 or lug 60, and without the need to otherwise adjust the length of cable 48. Stated slightly differently, the arrangement of cable 48 as just described defines a first length of a looped cable 48 when lug 60 is in position next to pulley 58. Since the opposite end of cable 48 is also attached to slider 28, slider 28 can be moved up and down along leg 24 without varying the length of cable 48, and therefore without the need to adjust the length of cable 48 or the position of any of the pulleys.

[0016] Referring also now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ends of cable 50 are connected to brackets supporting pulleys 53 and 68. Recall that cables 48 and 46 pass through pulleys 53 and 68 respectively. Cable 50 is itself routed through pulley 76. Pulley 76 is mounted in a bracket to which one end 77 of cable 52 is mounted in a fixed position. Cable 52 is routed through pulley 78 mounted on overhead frame 14. A lug 79 (not shown) is mounted near end 77 of cable 52 that prevents end 77 from passing through and disengaging from pulley 78. Cable 52 then passes through pulley 80 (mounted on the upper end of tube 42), pulley 82 (mounted on overhead frame 14), through pulley 84, and terminates at lug 86. Lug 86 prevents the end of cable 52 from being pulled back through and disengaging from pulley 84. Referring to FIG. 1, any of a variety of handles 88 can be attached to lug 86. This arrangement of cable 52 provides that when handle 88 is pulled, the opposite end 77 of cable 52 is held in place by lug 79. Cable 52 is pulled, pulley 80 and weight stack 44 are raised.

[0017] Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 1-4, weight stack 44 can be raised by operation of either handle 65 or handle 72, when a user pulls on handle 65, lug 60 is pulled away from pulley 48, shortening the length of the loop formed in cable 48 by a corresponding amount.

[0018] Since each of pulleys 49 and 53 are rigidly fixed to the frame, pulley 51 is pulled downwardly, pulling end 77 of cable 52 downwardly. Since the opposite end of cable 52 is retained in pulley 84 by lug 86, the shortening of cable 52 between pulleys 70 and 84 raises pulley 80 and along with it weight stack 44. Once again, weights are illustrated in this embodiment, but the shortening of cable 52 could just as well operate a resilient member, an elastomeric member, or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

[0019] The same result occurs if handle 72 is pulled. Cable 46 is similarly connected to sliding member 26 and routed through pulleys 64, 66, 68, and 70 (see FIG. 2). In a like manner, when handle 72 is pulled away from pulley 64, the loop in cable 46 is shortened by a corresponding amount, pulley 70 is pulled downwardly and pulley 80 is raised, raising weight stack 44 with it.

[0020] Note once again that with the novel arrangement of the present invention, sliding members 26 and 28, and therefore handles 65 and 72, can be adjusted vertically along legs 22 and 24 and yet operate in the same manner. Further adjustability is provided by pivotally mounting pulley 62 and 58 on their respective vertical legs. Handles 65 and 58 can then be pulled laterally or longitudinally from any vertical position along their respective vertical paths. Moreover, sliding members 26 and 28 can be adjusted to any position along legs 22 and 24 independently of one another, and without having to adjust any cable or pulley on the entire apparatus. This feature represents a significant advance over the prior art, and a significant advantage to a user in a wheel chair.

[0021] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, those of skill in the art will will recognize that the described embodiments can be varied and altered in detail without departing from the scope of the following claims.