Dual action weightlifting machine

[0001] The present invention relates generally to weightlifting exercise machines, and is particularly concerned with exercise machines of the type which simulate free weight barbell exercise movements.

[0002] Weightlifting machines with weight bars for simulating barbells, also known as Smith machines, have been a fitness club staple for many years. The basic machine has a barbell attached to slide mechanisms which run on vertical guides on opposite sides of a stationary frame. This allows an exerciser to perform exercises with vertical up and down movement, such as squats, bench press exercises, and the like, but does not permit any horizontal movement. The exerciser does not have to worry about balancing the side-to-side or front-to-back movement of an independent, free weight bar. The premise is that this design provides an additional measure of safety and is easy for the neophyte to use.

[0003] The first Smith machines had the vertical guides running perpendicular to the floor, which worked well for some exercises such as squats but fought the natural chest-to-chin arcing movement of a bench press. Manufacturers soon started designing Smith machines that placed the vertical guides at a slight (five to seven degrees) angle. These new designs worked better for exercises which involved travel in a slight arc, but not as well for other exercise motions which tended to follow a straight line.

[0004] The next evolution came with the advent of composite motion or dual action Smith machines that provided simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise motion. These designs allowed the exercise bar to follow a natural front-to-back exercise motion but still eliminated the side-to-side balancing worries. They provided a halfway point between the balance and coordination needed to perform free weight exercises and the security of a traditional Smith machine. These designs also provided the ability to perform exercises such as lunges which require greater horizontal movement.

[0005] Dual motion weightlifting machines typically have a horizontal exercise bar which is slidably mounted at its opposite ends on two vertical guide bars. Each vertical guide bar in turn is slidably mounted on horizontal guide bars at its upper and lower ends. This allows the exercise bar to move simultaneously in vertical and horizontal directions, so that the exerciser can perform a more natural feeling weightlifting exercise which allows for the natural horizontal movements of the arms while pushing a weight upwards. The weight bearing bar or exercise bar is normally a standard Olympic bar, which may have hooks attached to it on a rotatable sleeve for hooking onto pinning holes on vertical guides so as to hold the bar in a rest position. The usual weight for an Olympic bar is between forty and fifty pounds. By attaching hooks, bearings, and vertical slides, the weight is dramatically increased. In some cases, counterweights are added to help reduce the weight or inertia required to move the bar from a rest position. While this counterbalance offsets the vertical weight, horizontal weight is increased. It also adds to the complexity and expense of the machine.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved dual action weightlifting machine or exercise apparatus for simulating exercises performed with free weights or barbells.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement is provided, which comprises a stationary frame having opposite sides, upper and lower horizontal guides mounted on the stationary frame, at least one of the horizontal guides being offset from the opposite sides of the frame, and an exercise unit movably mounted on the horizontal guides for horizontal movement relative to the stationary frame, the exercise unit comprising two vertical guides slidably linked with the horizontal guides, at least one traveling cross member linking the two vertical guides, a horizontal slide associated with the traveling cross member and slidably engaged with the offset horizontal guide to slidably link both vertical guides to the horizontal guide, two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement, and a weight bearing exercise bar extending horizontally between the vertical slides.

[0008] The offset horizontal guide may comprise a single horizontal guide bar and the other horizontal guide may comprise a pair of spaced horizontal guide bars. The single horizontal guide bar may be the upper or the lower horizontal guide. The pair of horizontal guide bars is offset from the single horizontal guide bar and may be located at the opposite sides of the frame or offset from the sides. In an alternative embodiment, each horizontal guide may comprise a pair of spaced horizontal guide bars, and the upper horizontal guide bars may be offset from the lower horizontal guide bars. In this case, the traveling cross member may be linked to the upper or lower horizontal guide bars, and will have two spaced horizontal slides which slidably engage the respective horizontal guide bars. In another alternative embodiment, each horizontal guide may be a single horizontal guide bar, and in this case two cross members link the two vertical guides adjacent each of the horizontal guide bars, and a horizontal slide is associated with each cross member and slidably engages the respective horizontal guide bar.

[0009] The traveling cross bar may link the upper or lower ends of the vertical guides, or two traveling cross bars may be provided, with an upper traveling cross bar linking the upper ends of the vertical guides and a lower traveling cross bar linking the lower ends of the vertical guides. By linking one or both ends of the vertical guides with a traveling cross bar which is associated with at least one slide to slidably engage an offset horizontal guide on the frame, the structure of the machine is simplified and greater stability is provided as compared to prior art arrangements in which both ends of the vertical guides have separate slides which are slidably engaged with separate horizontal guide bars. This makes the structure more lightweight and easier to operate, and the offset between the upper and lower horizontal guides will also increase stability and reduce free play.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a dual action weightlifting machine is provided which comprises a vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal guides, a pair of spaced vertical guides slidably mounted on the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame, at least one of the horizontal guides comprising a single horizontal guide bar offset from the opposite sides of the frame, a single horizontal slide slidably mounted on the single horizontal guide bar, both vertical guides being linked to said single horizontal slide, and an exercise bar extending horizontally between the vertical guides and slidably mounted for vertical movement on the vertical guides, the exercise bar having opposite ends for receiving one or more selected weights.

[0011] The use of a single horizontal guide bar at one end which is engaged by a single slide secured to both vertical guides reduces the number of horizontal guides and slides required and also reduces the amount of traveling framework, and thus the weight of the traveling framework.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the horizontal guides comprises a pair of horizontal guide bars and the other horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide bar, with all the horizontal guide bars being offset from one another. The vertical frame may comprise first and second pairs of vertical struts defining a generally rectangular frame, with each lower horizontal guide extending between a respective pair of vertical struts. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cross bar extending between the vertical guides has a central portion slidably mounted on the single, upper horizontal guide, which may be centrally positioned in the frame. A first upper strut extends between one vertical strut of each pair and a second upper strut extends between the other vertical strut of each pair, and the single upper horizontal guide extends between upper struts at a central location spaced between the vertical guides. A suitable slide such as a sleeve, guide wheels, linear bearings or the like is slidably engaged on the single upper horizontal guide and linked to the cross bar extending between the vertical guides.

[0013] This arrangement of having a single, centrally located upper horizontal guide bar will provide greater stability as the exercise bar is used, due to the offset between the upper and lower horizontal guide bars and the single sliding link which slidably connects both of the vertical guides to a single upper horizontal guide bar. The upper struts between which the upper horizontal guide bar is mounted may be arched upwardly to provide more headroom clearance.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the frame has first and second pairs of upright struts, each pair having a front strut and a rear strut, and each upright strut having a plurality of spaced hooks or teeth facing the teeth of the other strut of the respective pair of struts and aligned with the teeth of the corresponding strut of the other pair of struts. The hooks are designed to receive and support the exercise bar in a rest position. When the user is in position gripping the exercise bar, they will have the option of placing the bar on a pair of aligned hooks or teeth on the two front struts or a pair of aligned hooks or teeth on the two rear struts. Outer ends of the exercise bar outside the vertical guide on each side of the machine are placed directly onto the respective hooks or teeth at the end of an exercise or if a user is unable to finish an exercise. Safety stops are provided on each side of the frame for catching the bar if it is dropped.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a dual action weightlifting machine is provided which comprises a vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal guides, a pair of spaced vertical guides slidably mounted on the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame, a weight bearing exercise bar extending horizontally between the vertical guides and slidably mounted on the vertical guides for vertical sliding movement relative to the frame, the exercise bar having at least one rotatably mounted sleeve for gripping by a user when performing weightlifting exercises, the sleeve being rotatable through 360 degrees, whereby the user's hands may be rotated relative to the exercise bar while lifting weights.

[0016] A single rotating sleeve may extend along a major portion of the length of the exercise bar between the vertical guides, or two spaced rotating sleeves or hand grips may be provided at appropriate locations for gripping by a user. In the latter case, the rotating sleeves may be slidably mounted on the exercise bar so that the user can adjust the grip position on the bar both prior to starting an exercise and during the exercise movement. This will allow the user's hands to converge or diverge during the exercise movement, duplicating dumbbell exercises, such as a dumbbell press. The user can also adjust their hands to the desired separation dependent on body size. The use of one or more sleeves provides 360 degree unobstructed motion, reducing wrist strain when performing certain exercises and duplicating the feel of a traditional barbell which has unrestrained rotation. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the weight bearing exercise bar comprises two end portions each having a vertical slide for slidably engaging a respective vertical guide, a weight receiving end projecting in one, outward direction from the slide and a shaft projecting in an opposite, inward direction from the slide, and the sleeve comprises a single, hollow sleeve rotatably engaged on the shafts at its opposite ends. This makes the exercise bar much lighter, and the sleeve does not have any hooks or other devices for engaging on the stationary frame. Instead, each end portion engages directly on hooks provided on upright struts of the frame. The provision of a sleeve having 360 degrees of unobstructed rotation allows the user to perform a greater variety of exercises.

[0017] The dual action weightlifting machine of this invention allows simultaneous horizontal and vertical movement of an exercise bar and simulates a free barbell exercise. The exercise bar is connected to slides on vertical guides which in turn are slidably connected to upper and lower guides. Where one of the horizontal guides comprises a single guide bar and a slide on the guide bar which is mounted on a movable cross support that directly connects the two vertical guides, the overall weight of the traveling exercise unit is reduced, making the apparatus easier to use and reducing overall weight and expense. Offsetting the upper and lower horizontal guides provides greater stability than prior art arrangements with aligned upper and lower guides. The central sleeve section of the exercise bar provides free rotation, duplicating the feel of a barbell.

[0058] FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate a dual action weightlifting exercise machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus basically comprises a stationary main frame 12 and an exercise unit 14 movably mounted on the stationary frame. The movable exercise unit 14 is shown separately in FIG. 9, with most of the stationary frame parts removed for clarity.

[0059] The stationary frame 12 is designed to support the movable exercise unit and comprises a floor engaging base 15, first and second pairs of upright struts 16, 17 and 18, 19, respectively, upper struts 20, 22 extending between the upper ends of each pair of upright struts, and upper cross struts 24, 25, the first upper cross strut 24 extending between the upper ends of the front upright strut 16, 18 of each pair, and the second upper cross strut 25 extending between the upper ends of the second upright strut 17, 19 of each pair. A pair of lower horizontal guide bars 26, 28 extends between the lower ends of each pair of cross struts at the lower end of the machine. The guide bars 26, 28 are located in a channel or shield member 30, 32 respectively, forming part of the base of the machine, for shielding users from moving parts of the machine. One of the channel members is removed in FIG. 2 to reveal the slide mechanism in more detail. A base connecting plate 34 extends between the base channel members 30, 32 and engages the floor for added stability. A single upper horizontal guide bar 35 extends between the two upper cross struts 24, 25 at a central position offset from the lower horizontal guide bars 26, 28.

[0060] As best illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the movable exercise unit 14 comprises a pair of vertical guides 36, 38 each slidably mounted at their lower ends on a respective horizontal guide bar 26, 28 via horizontal slides 40, 42, a cross bar 44 extending between the upper ends of the vertical guides and slidably connected to the upper horizontal guide bar 35 via an upper horizontal slide 45, and a weight bearing exercise bar 46 extending between the vertical guides and slidably linked to the vertical guides by vertical slides 48, 50. This arrangement provides simultaneous vertical and horizontal guided movement of the exercise bar 46, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9. Portions of the lower and upper horizontal guide bars of the frame are included in FIG. 9 for clarity. The vertical guides 36, 38 move horizontally back and forth on the lower guide bars 26, 28 and upper guide bar 35, while the exercise bar 46 can move vertically up and down on the vertical guides, providing for simultaneous horizontal and vertical movement of the exercise bar.

[0061] The main frame includes a rack assembly for supporting the exercise bar in multiple possible positions when not in use. The rack assembly comprises vertical rack plates 52 mounted on each of the upright struts 16, 17, 18 and 19, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8. The vertical rack plate 52 on upright strut 18 is not visible, but will be identical in position to the rack plate 52 on the other front upright strut 16. The rack plates each have a series of spaced teeth or upwardly directed hooks 58, with the hooks on front upright struts 16 and 18 facing the hooks on the rear upright struts 17 and 19, and the hooks on the front upright struts and rear upright struts all aligned with one another. When a user wishes to place the exercise bar in a rest position, they simply engage portions 60, 62 of the bar 46 in a respective pair of aligned hooks 58 on the two front upright struts 16, 18 or the two rear upright struts 17, 19. Hook engaging portions 60, 62 are immediately adjacent and outboard of the respective vertical slides 48 and 50. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the bar engaged in the two uppermost hooks 58 of the rear upright struts 17, 19, while FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the engagement of hook engaging portion 60 in the uppermost hook 58 on the upright strut 17. Weight plates can be added or removed from the weight receiving ends 72, 74 of the exercise bar when it is in the rest position racked onto two of the toothed plates 52, and the exercise bar can be left in this position for storage purposes when the machine is not in use.

[0062] A pair of safety tiers 64 is provided for engagement between respective pairs of rack plates 52 on opposite sides of the main frame, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tiers 64 have pins 65 at their ends which can engage on hooks or teeth 58 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The safety tiers can be adjusted as necessary, depending on the type of exercise, to provide the user with protection against losing control of a weighted exercise bar.

[0063] The components of the weighted exercise bar 46 are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 10. The exercise bar 46 comprises a central, hollow rotating sleeve 66 which is rotatably mounted at each end on opposite end members 68, 69 of the bar. Each end member 68, 69 incorporates a respective vertical slide 48, 50, and has an inwardly extending shaft or axle 70 on which a respective end of the sleeve 66 is rotatably engaged. A weight receiving end 72, 74 projects outwardly from the respective vertical slide 48, 50, and incorporates the portion 60, 62 designed to engage on aligned hooks 58 when the exercise bar is in the rest position. An annular bumper 75 is provided between the weight receiving outer end 72, 74 of each end member 68, 69 and the hook engaging portion 60, 62. A bushing 76 at each open end of the sleeve 66 releasably retains the rotating sleeve on the respective axle 70. This arrangement provides a freely rotatable sleeve for gripping by a user when performing exercises, with the sleeve having 360 degree, unrestrained rotation. The hollow sleeve construction provides a much lighter weight exercise bar than was used in many previous designs, and the vertical slides 48 and 50 are in line with the axis of the exercise bar, providing better weight distribution since the traveling exercise unit is centered on the exercise bar.

[0064] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a modified exercise bar 200. Rather than a single hollow rotating sleeve 66 extending between the vertical slides 48, 50, as in FIG. 10, this embodiment has a bar 202 extending between the vertical slides and rigidly secured to the vertical slide at each end via set screws 204, and a pair of shorter sleeves 205, 206 rotatably mounted on bar 202. Bar 202 extends through the sleeves and engages in short collar 208 projecting from the respective sleeve, and is secured in position via the set screw 204 extending through the collar and bar. The bar may be a solid bar or may be hollow to reduce the overall weight of the assembly. The sleeves 205, 206 are free to slide back and forth along the bar 202 and to rotate through 360 degrees about the bar, as indicated in FIG. 10A. Bumper 75 is omitted in FIG. 10B but will be identical to the bumpers 75 illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0065] The provision of two rotating hand grip sleeves which are slidably mounted on an exercise bar as in FIGS. 10A and 10B provides greater versatility in hand grip adjustment both before and during an exercise movement. When the bar is pushed or pulled during a lifting exercise, the hands can diverge or converge in order to duplicate the types of exercises performed with separate dumbbells, such as a dumbbell press. The user can also adjust the width of their handgrip to the most comfortable position.

[0066] The horizontal and vertical slide connections between the moving exercise unit and the horizontal guides will now be described in more detail, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9. As noted above, the exercise unit has two vertical guides 36 and 38 on opposite sides of the machine which are slidably engaged with respective horizontal guides 26, 28 at the base of the main frame via horizontal slides 40 and 42, respectively. FIG. 6 is a close up of one of the lower horizontal slides 40 showing its rigid attachment to the lower end of the vertical guide 26. The horizontal slides 40, 42 each comprise an outer sleeve housing a linear bearing which is telescopically engaged for smooth sliding motion along the respective horizontal guide 36, 38. A collar 80 projects upwardly from each horizontal slide and the lower end of the vertical guide 36 engages in the collar and is rigidly attached to the collar 80 by a set screw 82. A bumper 84 at the top of collar 80 provides a stop which will engage the vertical slide 48 to prevent further downward movement of the exercise bar beyond this point. It will be understood that the vertical guide 28 is rigidly attached to the other lower horizontal slide 42 in an identical manner, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts in the drawings as appropriate.

[0067] FIG. 5 illustrates the attachment of the upper end of vertical guide 38 to the traveling cross bar 44. The upper end of the other vertical guide 36 is attached to the opposite end of the traveling cross bar in an identical manner, as seen in FIG. 7. Vertical caps 85 at opposite ends of cross bar 44 engage over the upper ends of the respective vertical guides and are rigidly attached to the vertical guides by bolts 86. The vertical slide 50 is seen adjacent the upper end of vertical guide 36 in FIG. 5. Each vertical slide also comprises a sleeve enclosing a linear bearing, like the lower horizontal slides 40 and 42. The single upper horizontal slide 45 at the center of cross bar 44 also comprises a sleeve enclosing a linear bearing. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cross bar 44 connecting the upper ends of the two vertical guides has first and second portions extending transversely from slide 45 to the respective vertical guides 36, 38, and is arched upwardly at its center, as are the respective front and rear upper cross struts 24 and 25.

[0068] The horizontal movement of the movable exercise unit 14 is controlled by three horizontal guides mounted on the stationary main frame and three horizontal slides mounted on the movable exercise unit to engage the three horizontal guides. The horizontal guides 26, 28 and 35 are offset from one another, rather than being aligned in the vertical direction as was the case with most prior art Smith machines. This vertical offset provides more stability and less play in the sliding motion of the exercise bar.

[0069] Once the user engages the weight receiving exercise bar 46 and moves it from a rest position on the toothed plates and into an exercise ready position, as indicated in FIG. 8, the entire movable exercise unit 14 acts as one device to provide simultaneous horizontal movement. This will allow a large variety of different exercises to be performed. The exercise unit 14 is relatively light weight due to the hollow sleeve design of the exercise bar and the use of only three horizontal slides rather than four which was common in the past, producing a smoother, and more fluid exercise motion. By reducing the weight of the exercise bar below that of a standard Olympic bar, this machine allows a novice user to handle the weight comfortably and safely, without needing the costly inclusion of any counter-balancing means.

[0070] The machine of FIGS. 1 to 10 has a reduced number of moving components in order to reduce the weight of the movable exercise unit, thus reducing the inertia required to initiate or change directions on the horizontal plane. Some free weight exercises require the horizontal motion to be paused or the direction of horizontal movement to be changed at the mid point of an exercise. The reduced weight of the movable exercise unit in this machine allows such exercises to be performed more easily. At the same time, the elimination of framework and reduction of the number of components reduces the overall cost and complexity of the machine.

[0071] The horizontal and vertical slides in the machine of FIGS. 1 to 10 are all linear bearings enclosed in outer sleeves which are telescopically engaged over the respective horizontal and linear guides. However, it will be understood that other types of slides may be used in alternative embodiments, such as roller wheels. FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrate a modified lower slide comprising a pair of roller wheels 90 mounted in a channel or formed housing 92. The wheels 90 run on top of the horizontal guide 26 with part 93 of the formed housing 92 wrapping around the lower side of the guide 26, as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, to prevent the slide from coming off the guide. The lower end of the vertical guide 36 engages in a collar 94 projecting upwardly from an upper wall of housing 92, and is rigidly secured to the housing by set screws 95. An end stop bumper 84 is provided on top of collar 94, as in the previous embodiment. It will be understood that both of the lower slides 40, 42 may be replaced with a modified, roller wheel slide arrangement as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14. The other linear bearing slides 45, 48 and 50 may also be replaced with roller wheel slides in a similar manner, if desired.

[0072] In each of the embodiments described below and illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 37, the horizontal and vertical slides are illustrated as sleeves enclosing linear bearings, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10. However, it will be understood that the roller wheels of FIGS. 11 to 14 may alternatively be used in the first embodiment described above or in any of the following embodiments in place of the linear bearings.

[0073] FIGS. 15 to 21 illustrate a dual action weightlifting exercise machine 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, there are two upper horizontal guides and two upper horizontal slides attached to the traveling cross bar which extends between the upper ends of the vertical guides. There are also two lower horizontal guides and associated horizontal slides. Unlike the previous embodiment, the respective lower horizontal slides are connected to the vertical guides in an offset manner rather than being positioned directly under the lower ends of the vertical guides, as in FIGS. 1 to 11. Other parts of the machine 100 are identical to those of FIGS. 1 to 11, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate.

[0074] The machine 100 basically comprises a stationary main frame and a movable exercise unit which is movably mounted on the frame. As in the first embodiment, the main frame has a floor engaging base 15, first and second pairs of upright struts 16, 17 and 18, 19, respectively, upper struts 20, 22 extending between the upper ends of each pair of upright struts, and upper cross struts 24, 25, the first upper cross strut 24 extending between the upper ends of the front upright strut 16, 18 of each pair, and the second upper cross strut 25 extending between the upper ends of the second upright strut 17, 19 of each pair. A pair of lower horizontal guide bars 26, 28 extends between the lower ends of each pair of cross struts at the lower end of the machine. The guide bars 26, 28 are located in a channel or shield member 102, 103 respectively, forming part of the base of the machine. The shield member is open on its inner side, as seen in FIGS. 15 and 18, to allow for the offset mounting of the vertical guides. Vertical toothed rack plates 52 are mounted on the upright struts in exactly the same manner as the previous embodiment. The single upper horizontal guide bar 44 of the previous embodiment is replaced by two spaced upper horizontal guide bars 104, 105 extending between the upper cross struts 24 and 25.

[0075] The movable exercise unit has a pair of vertical guides 106, 108 each slidably mounted at their lower ends on a respective horizontal guide bar 26, 28 via horizontal slides 112, a cross bar 114 extending between the upper ends of the vertical guides and slidably connected to the upper horizontal guide bars 104, 105 via upper horizontal slides 115, 116, and a weight bearing exercise bar 46 extending between the vertical guides and slidably linked to the vertical guides by vertical slides 48, 50. The main difference between this exercise unit and the exercise unit of the previous embodiment is the provision of two horizontal slides 115, 116 on the traveling cross bar 114 engaging the associated offset horizontal guides 104, 105, and the offset mounting arrangement of the vertical guides 106, 108 which are positioned inboard of the respective guide bars 26, 28 rather than directly above the guide bars as in the previous embodiment. The exercise bar 46 is substantially identical to that of the previous embodiment, except that the hook or tooth engaging portions 60, 62 outside the vertical slides 48, 50 are lengthened to allow for the inwardly offset mount of the vertical guides, so that the portions 60, 62 can still engage over the teeth or hooks 58 in the rest position.

[0076] The inboard mounting of the vertical guides 106, 108 can be seen in FIGS. 16 to 18 and is illustrated in more detail for one of the vertical guides 108 in FIGS. 20 and 21. It will be understood that the second vertical guide 106 will be mounted inboard of the horizontal guide 26 in an identical manner. Each horizontal slide 112 comprises a sleeve housing a linear bearing telescopically engaged over the respective horizontal guide 26, 28, as in the previous embodiment. However, unlike the previous embodiment, the sleeve of slide 112 has an inwardly directed rod 118 on its inner face terminating in an upwardly directed cup or retainer 120 for receiving the lower end of the respective vertical guide 106 or 108, which is rigidly secured to the retainer 120 by set screws 122. As in the previous embodiment, an annular bumper or end stop 124 is provided at the upper end of the cup or retainer 120. The inwardly offset mounting of the vertical guides in this embodiment allows the exercise bar 46 to travel lower before it makes contact with the bumper stop 124, which no longer has to be positioned completely above the horizontal slide.

[0077] As in the previous embodiment, the vertical guides 106 and 108 are rigidly attached at their upper ends to the traveling upper cross bar 114. This attachment is illustrated in more detail for one of the vertical guides 108 in FIG. 19, it being understood that the attachment of the opposite end of the cross bar 114 to the other vertical guide 106 will be identical. As in the previous embodiment, a cup or mounting ring 125 at each end of the cross bar 114 is engaged over the upper end of the respective vertical guide 106, 108, and is rigidly secured to the vertical guide by a bolt 126. The upper horizontal slides 115, 116 are mounted in line with the cross bar 114 as seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, with each slide comprising an outer sleeve enclosing a linear bearing which is telescopically engaged over the respective upper horizontal guide bar 104, 105.

[0078] The operation of the weightlifting exercise machine of FIGS. 15 to 21 is substantially identical to that of FIGS. 1 to 11, with the movable exercise unit providing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement of the weight bearing exercise bar 46. Although there are two lower horizontal guides and two upper horizontal guides in this embodiment, the vertical guides are offset from all of the horizontal guides, and all of the horizontal guides are offset from one another, i.e. none of the horizontal guides are vertically aligned. This offset arrangement gives less play and provides more stability, allowing a smooth exercise movement with reduced risk of jamming or jarring.

[0079] FIGS. 22 to 26 illustrate a dual action weightlifting exercise machine 130 according to another embodiment of the invention which has an upper traveling cross bar 114 having two horizontal slides 115, 116 engaging two horizontal guides 104, 105, similar to the upper horizontal slide arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 21, and like reference numbers have been used for like parts as appropriate. Unlike the previous embodiments, this embodiment also has a second or lower traveling cross bar between the vertical guides 106, 108, as best illustrated in FIG. 23, the lower horizontal cross bar having a single horizontal slide 134 engaging a single horizontal guide 135 in the base of the machine. The ends of the two traveling cross bars are both rigidly attached to the respective ends of the vertical guides. A platform 136 is mounted on the base of the main frame of the machine, covering the moving lower cross bar and allowing the user to position themselves above the moving lower cross bar and away from any moving parts. This embodiment is otherwise substantially identical to the first embodiment, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate.

[0080] As in the previous embodiments, the main frame of the machine 130 has first and second pairs of upright struts 16, 17 and 18, 19 each having an attached toothed rack plate 52, upper struts 20, 22 extending between the upper ends of each pair of upright struts, and upper cross struts 24, 25, the first upper cross strut 24 extending between the upper ends of the front upright strut 16, 18 of each pair, and the second upper cross strut 25 extending between the upper ends of the second upright strut 17, 19 of each pair. The upper horizontal guides 104, 105 extend between the upper cross struts 24, 25 at locations offset from the center of the machine and from the opposite sides of the machine. A pair of lower cross plates 138, 139 extend between the lower ends of each pair of upright struts. The platform 136 has cut outs 140 at each side to provide clearance for the lower ends of the vertical guides 106, 108 to extend down for connection to the lower traveling cross bar 132. Alternatively, the traveling cross bar 132 may be bent upwardly at its opposite ends and extend up through the cut outs 140 to connect to the lower ends of the vertical guides. The lower horizontal guide 135 extends between downwardly bent front and rear end portions 141, 142 of the platform 138, as best seen in FIG. 23.

[0081] As noted above, in this embodiment the moving exercise unit comprises a pair of vertical guides 106, 108, a first or upper traveling cross bar 114 extending between the upper ends of the vertical guides and associated with two horizontal slides 115, 116 which are slidably engaged with two upper horizontal guides on the main frame, a second or lower traveling cross bar 132 extending between the lower ends of the vertical guides and associated with a single horizontal slide 134 which is slidably engaged with a lower, centrally located horizontal guide 135 in the base of the frame, and an exercise bar 46 which is slidably engaged with the two vertical guides for sliding vertical movement via two vertical slides 48, 50. The exercise bar 46 is identical to the exercise bar of the previous embodiment, with lengthened portions 60 and 62 due to the inwardly offset position of the vertical guides and associated slides 48, 50.

[0082] As in the previous embodiment, the vertical and horizontal slides comprise sleeves containing linear bearings telescopically engaged over the respective vertical and horizontal guides. In this embodiment, the vertical guides are mounted outboard from both the upper and the lower horizontal guides, and all three horizontal guides are offset from one another, providing greater stability and less free play when the exercise bar is operated.

[0083] The upper end of each vertical guide is rigidly attached to the respective end of the upper traveling cross bar 114 via cup 125 and bolt 126, as in the previous embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 25. The attachment of the lower end of the vertical guides to the lower traveling cross bar 132 can be seen in FIGS. 23 and 26. As best seen in FIG. 26, the lower end of vertical guide 108 engages in a vertical mounting sleeve or cup 145 at the end of lower traveling cross bar 132, and is rigidly secured to the sleeve 145 by set screws 146. The lower end of vertical guide 106 is attached to the opposite end of the cross bar 132 in an identical manner. A bumper or end stop 148 is mounted on the lower end of each vertical guide above sleeve 145 to limit downward traveling movement of the exercise bar, as in the previous embodiments. In an alternative arrangement, the ends of the lower cross bar 132 may be bent upwardly and extend through the cut outs, with the lower ends of the vertical guides engaging in the upwardly bent ends of the cross bar and secured in place with set screws.

[0084] FIGS. 27 to 32 illustrates a modified exercise machine 150 which is a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 26 where the upper cross bar of the moving exercise unit has a single horizontal slide and the lower traveling cross bar has two horizontal slides. The machine is otherwise substantially identical to that of the previous embodiments and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate.

[0085] As in the previous embodiments, the main frame of the machine 150 has first and second pairs of upright struts 16, 17 and 18, 19 each having an attached toothed rack plate 52, upper struts 20, 22 extending between the upper ends of each pair of upright struts, and upper cross struts 24, 25, the first upper cross strut 24 extending between the upper ends of the front upright strut 16, 18 of each pair, and the second upper cross strut 25 extending between the upper ends of the second upright strut 17, 19 of each pair. In this embodiment, a single upper horizontal guide 152 extends between the front and rear cross struts 24, 25 at a central location, similar to the single upper horizontal guide of the first embodiment. Two lower horizontal guide bars 154 (only one of which is visible in the drawings, the other being identical and positioned similarly to the horizontal guide bar 26 of FIG. 1) extend between the lower ends of each pair of upright struts, inboard of the lower shield plates 138, 139 of the frame.

[0086] The moving exercise unit in this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment, since it has a single upper traveling cross bar 155 and a single lower traveling cross bar 158 extending between the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the vertical guides 106 and 108. As in the previous embodiments, exercise bar 46 extends between the vertical guides and is associated with vertical slides 48, 60 which are slidably engaged on the vertical guides 106, 108, respectively. The exercise bar 46 is identical to the exercise bar of the previous embodiments. The upper traveling cross bar 155 has a single horizontal slide 156 slidably engaged on the upper horizontal guide 152. A single lower traveling cross bar 158 is rigidly connected to the lower ends of the vertical guides 106 and 108, and has two lower horizontal slides 162 at its opposite ends which are slidably engaged over the respective lower horizontal guide bars 154. As in the previous embodiments, the horizontal and vertical slides comprise outer sleeves housing linear bearings and are slidably engaged over the respective horizontal and vertical guides, although they may alternatively comprise wheels, rollers, or other sliding devices. A platform 136 is mounted on the base of the main frame of the machine, covering the moving lower cross bar 158 and allowing the user to position themselves above the moving lower cross bar and away from any moving parts. Cut outs 140 in opposite sides of platform 136 provide clearance for the vertical guides 106, 108 to extend past the platform for rigid attachment to the lower traveling cross bar 158, or for a joint to project upwardly from the traveling cross bar through each cut out for rigid attachment to the lower ends of the vertical guides.

[0087] The rigid attachment of the upper traveling cross bar 155 to the upper end of one of the vertical guides 106 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 31, it being understood that the attachment of the opposite end of the cross bar 155 to the other vertical guide 106 will be identical. A vertical mounting sleeve 165 is welded at each end of the traveling cross bar 155. Sleeves 165 are engaged over the upper ends of the respective vertical guides 106, 108 and secured to the guides 106, 108 with set screws 166, as indicated in FIG. 31.

[0088] FIG. 32 illustrates the attachment of the lower traveling cross bar 158 to the lower end of vertical guide 108 and to the horizontal slide 162. It will be understood that the attachment of the lower cross bar 158 to the lower end of vertical guide 106 and to the other lower horizontal slide will be identical to that illustrated in FIG. 32. A vertical mounting sleeve 168 is mounted in line with the lower traveling cross bar 158 at a location spaced from the outer end of cross bar 158. The outer end of the cross bar 158 is welded to the inner face of horizontal slide 162. The lower end of the vertical guide 106 engages in vertical mounting sleeve 168 inboard of horizontal slide 162 and is rigidly secured to the sleeve by set screws 170. Thus, in this embodiment, the horizontal slides of the lower traveling cross bar are mounted outboard of the vertical guide connection points, unlike the horizontal slide of the upper traveling cross bar, and unlike the traveling cross bars of all of the previous embodiments which have horizontal slides mounted inboard of the vertical guides. A bumper 172 is mounted on the vertical guide 108 above sleeve 168 for limiting downward movement of the exercise arm.

[0089] This embodiment also has a relatively lightweight moving exercise unit with fewer components, making it easier to operate and less expensive. Again, the upper and lower horizontal guides are offset from one another for added stability and reduced free play.

[0090] FIGS. 33 to 37 illustrate another modified dual action weightlifting exercise machine 180 for simulating free weight or barbell exercises. The traveling exercise unit of this embodiment has even fewer parts than the previous embodiments, since it has a single upper and lower traveling cross bar, each associated with only one horizontal slide which engages respective upper and lower horizontal guides on the main frame of the machine. The machine is otherwise identical to the previous embodiments, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate.

[0091] As in the previous embodiments, the main frame of the machine 180 has first and second pairs of upright struts 16, 17 and 18, 19 each having an attached toothed rack plate 52, upper struts 20, 22 extending between the upper ends of each pair of upright struts, and upper cross struts 24, 25, the first upper cross strut 24 extending between the upper ends of the front upright strut 16, 18 of each pair, and the second upper cross strut 25 extending between the upper ends of the second upright strut 17, 19 of each pair. As in the previous two embodiments, a base platform 136 is mounted on the base of the main frame of the machine, covering the moving lower cross bar and allowing the user to position themselves above the moving lower cross bar and away from any moving parts. A single upper horizontal guide 182 extends between the upper cross struts 24, 25 and a single lower horizontal guide 184 extends between extends between downwardly bent front and rear end portions 141, 142 of the platform 136, as best seen in FIG. 34.

[0092] The moving exercise unit in this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment, since it has a single upper traveling cross bar 185 and a single lower traveling cross bar 186 extending between the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the vertical guides 106 and 108. As in the previous embodiments, exercise bar 46 extends between the vertical guides and is associated with vertical slides 48, 50 which are slidably engaged on the vertical guides 106, 108, respectively. The exercise bar 46 is identical to the exercise bar of the previous embodiments. The upper traveling cross bar 185 has a single horizontal slide 188 slidably engaged on the upper horizontal guide 182. The single lower traveling cross bar 186 has a single horizontal slide 190 slidably engaged on the lower horizontal guide 184, as seen in FIG. 34. Although the upper and lower horizontal guides 182, 184 and associated slides 188, 190 are centrally positioned and in line with one another in the vertical direction in the illustrated embodiment, they may be offset from one another in alternative embodiments. For example, one of the horizontal guides may be offset to the left of the position in FIGS. 33 and 34 and the other horizontal guide may remain in the center or be offset to the right of the position shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

[0093] As in the previous embodiments, the horizontal and vertical slides comprise outer sleeves housing linear bearings and are slidably engaged over the respective horizontal and vertical guides, although they may alternatively comprise wheels, rollers, or other sliding devices. Cut outs 140 in opposite sides of platform 136 provide clearance for the vertical guides 106, 108 to extend past the platform for rigid attachment to the lower traveling cross bar 186 (see FIG. 34). The upper ends of the vertical guides 106 and 108 are rigidly connected to the opposite ends of the horizontal traveling cross bar 185 in exactly the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

[0094] FIG. 37 illustrates the rigid attachment of one end of the lower traveling cross bar 186 to the lower end of one of the vertical guides 108. This is identical to the rigid attachment of the single lower traveling cross bar 132 to the vertical guides in the embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 26, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate. Instead of the arrangement shown in FIG. 37 where the vertical guides extend downwardly through cut outs in the base plate or platform 136, the traveling cross bar 186 may have upwardly bent ends which project upwardly through cut outs 140 for attachment to the ends of the vertical guides.

[0095] The machine 180 of FIGS. 33 to 37 has a lighter weight moving exercise unit than the previous embodiments since there is only one upper and one lower traveling cross bar and only one horizontal slide associated with each traveling cross bar. However, it may be less stable than the previous embodiments. Offsetting the upper and lower horizontal guides would improve stability. The exercise machine 180 will work exactly the same as the machines of the previous embodiments, and will allow smooth, simultaneous vertical and horizontal motion of the exercise bar 46.

[0096] The weightlifting exercise machines described above have a traveling exercise unit of reduced overall weight and provide a smoother, more fluid exercise motion. In a number of these machines, at least one of the horizontal guides is a single horizontal guide bar which is offset from the other horizontal guide or guide bars, and is engaged by a single horizontal slide linked to both vertical guides by a traveling cross bar which is rigidly attached to both vertical guides. This arrangement significantly reduces the number of components required, and thus the overall weight and cost of the exercise machine. It will be easier for the novice exerciser to overcome inertia and move the exercise bar when the moving unit is of lighter weight. At the same time, the offset between the upper and lower horizontal guides with which the traveling vertical guides are engaged will improve stability and reduce free play, as compared with prior art machines where the upper and lower guides were in line in the vertical direction.

[0097] The machine of this invention requires fewer horizontal slides and guides than many prior art designs, and also requires fewer vertical slides and guides than some prior art arrangements. It also requires less traveling framework than some prior designs. Because of the stability and restricted free play, there is no need for any alignment compensation means, as were necessary in some prior art Smith machines.

[0098] The exercise bar is also lighter than in prior art machines because of its design as a hollow revolving sleeve. Although some prior art exercise bars do have revolving sleeves, these have limited rotation since they typically have hooks mounted near each end for engaging pinning holes on vertical struts in the rest position. The rotation is therefore limited by a stop mechanism to avoid rotating the hooks into a potentially dangerous position. In contrast, the hollow revolving sleeve of the exercise arm in this invention can rotate freely through 360 degrees. This will allow the user to perform a larger variety of exercises such as curls which require different grips on the exercise bar and rotation during the exercise movement.

[0099] Although some exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.