Neck exercise machine

[0001] The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/727,429, filed Mar. 19, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/161,522, filed Mar. 19, 2009.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to weightlifting equipment, and more particularly to a combined shoulder shrug and neck exercise machine.

[0003] Many athletes utilize weight lifting or weight training exercises to build strength and/or bulk, to prevent injury, or to improve overall condition and appearance. Typically, weight training exercises are performed with either exercise machines or free weights.

[0004] Free weights permit the lifter to perform the exercises in a natural motion which utilize pure body leverage in performing the exercise. Oftentimes it is desirable to simulate the range of motion of free weights within the relatively controlled environment of an exercise machine.

[0005] Many exercise machines are typically focused to a specific muscle group. Focus on the specific muscle group is a key element of an exercise machine. Other exercise machines may permit a multiple of exercises for a multiple of muscle groups.

[0006] A neck exercise machine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a position plate fixed to a cam for rotation therewith about an axis of rotation. The position plate has a multiple of apertures which defines a multiple of start positions for the arm.

[0007] A neck exercise machine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a cam pivotally mounted to a frame about an axis of rotation. A position plate is fixed to the cam for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation, the position plate having a multiple of apertures. An arm pivotally mounted to the cam about the axis of rotation, the arm engageable with any of the multiple of apertures.

[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates perspective views of a combined shoulder shrug and neck exercise machine 10 that includes a shrug exercise system 20 and a neck exercise system 22. The machine generally includes a frame assembly 24, a seat assembly 26, a shrug arm assembly 28, a neck lift arm 30 and a head assembly 32.

[0028] The frame assembly 24 includes a right side frame 34A and a left side frame 34B fixed to a center frame 36. The center frame 36 includes a center bar 38 with cross bars 40, 42 which attach to the side frames 34A, 34B. The center bar 38 supports the seat assembly 26 while the cross support 40 includes fixed handles 44. Weight horns 46 may extend from the side frames 34A, 34B to store weight plates. Although the frame assembly 24 is manufactured of rigid square cross-section tubing in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, it should be understood that other structures may alternatively be provided.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1B, the seat assembly 26 generally includes a seat frame 50, a seat handle 52, a seat pad 54 and seat position brackets 56. The seat pad 54 is mounted atop the seat frame 50 and the seat handle 52 extends forward therefrom opposite the center bar 38. The seat handle 52 extends from the seat frame 50 to pivot the seat frame 50 relative to the position brackets 56 to position a transverse bar 58 on the seat frame 50 into one of a multiple of slots 60 which positions the seat frame 50 at a desired vertical height. The transverse bar 58 extends around the position brackets 56 such that the seat frame 50 may be lifted to disengage the transverse bar 58 from the multiple of slots 60 so that the height position of the seat pad 54 adjusted.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1C, the arm assembly 28 includes an independently operable right shrug arm assembly 70 and a left shrug arm assembly 72. The right shrug arm assembly 70 and the left shrug arm assembly 72 are pivotally mounted to the relative right side frame 34A and the left side frame 34B at a respective pivot 74, 76. The right shrug arm assembly 70 and the left shrug arm assembly 72 in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment are pivotally mounted within the relative right side frame 34A and the left side frame 34B relative the seat assembly 26 for independent operation to facilitate focused exercise.

[0031] The shrug arm assemblies 70, 72 pivot about an axis A which is defined perpendicular to the shrug arm assemblies 70, 72 and the side frame 34A, 34B. The pivots 74, 76 may be defined by bearings, bushings, or other rotational support structure.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1D, the shrug arm assemblies 70, 72 each generally include a shrug arm 78, 80, a weight horn 80, 82 to load weight plates thereon and a shrug handle 84, 86. The shrug handle 84, 86 is generally inboard of the respective weight horn 80, 82. Either one of both of the shrug handles 84, 86 may be movable between an exercise position (FIG. 2) generally perpendicular to the shrug arm 78, 80 and a stowed position generally perpendicular to the respective shrug arm 78, 80. The stowed position facilitates side exercise with the head pad assembly 30 (FIG. 3).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1E, the neck system 22 generally collocates the neck lift arm 30 with right shrug arm assembly 70. That is, the neck lift arm 30 pivots about the same pivot 74 as the right shrug arm 78. The neck lift arm 30 (FIG. 4) is define by a generally U-shaped channel to at least partially receive the right shrug arm 78 (FIG. 1F).

[0034] The neck lift arm 30 is attached to the head assembly 32 through a pulley system 90. The pulley system 90 includes a belt 92 or other flexible member such as a cable. The belt 92 is attached between a fixed point 94 (FIG. 1F) on the neck lift arm 30, runs over a pulley 96 mounted to the side frame 32A and is fixed to a cam 98 on the head assembly 32 (FIG. 1G). The pulley 96 and the cam 98 rotate relative the side frame 32 in response to rotation of the head assembly 32 which is weighted by the neck lift arm 30 and the right shrug arm assembly 70 which supports a desired weight on the weight horn 80. That is, the head assembly 32 lifts the neck lift arm 30 and the right shrug arm assembly 70 through the pulley system 90.

[0035] The pulley system 90 operates to reduce the weight on the right shrug arm assembly 70 by a desired ratio. In one non-limiting embodiment, the pulley system provides a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 between the right shrug arm assembly 70 of the shrug exercise system 22 and the neck exercise system 24 such that a 45 pound weight plate on the right shrug arm assembly 70 would result in approximately 13 pounds of weight on the head assembly 32. Such a ratio has been found to be a desired ratio for the targeted athletes.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1G, the head assembly 32 generally includes a head pad 100 and an arm 102 which is mounted to the cam 98 through a position assembly 104. The head pad 100 is rotationally mounted to the arm 102 (FIG. 1H). Notably, the arm 102 includes a bend 102A such that the head pad 100 is along an axis H defined by the arm 102. The head pad 100 is free to rotate approximately forty five degrees (45°) about the axis H defined by the arm 102. The bend 102A positions the head pad 100 to facilitate the a more comfortable and ergonomic neck exercise.

[0037] The position assembly 104 includes a position plate 106 with a multiple of apertures 108. The position plate 106 is fixed to the cam 98 for rotation therewith about a common axis of rotation B. The arm 102 is positioned in one of the multiple of apertures 108 through a lock pin 110 to thereby provide for a multiple of start positions for the arm 102 and the head pad 100 associated with each of the apertures 108. The arm 102 may additionally be placed in a stowed position (FIG. 1I) by removal of the lock pin 110 completely from the cam 98.

[0038] To summarize operations of the machine 20 in accordance with the method of operation for the present disclosure, the athlete first positions the seat assembly 26 for shrug exercises or the seat assembly 26 and the head assembly 32 for neck exercises.

[0039] After the desired weight is placed on the weight horns 80, 82, and the seat assembly 26 positioned, the athlete need only lift the shrug handles 84, 86 to the operational position and lift the handles 84, 86 to perform the shrug exercise (FIGS. 2 and 3). Notably, the neck lift arm 30 remains in an at rest position as the right shrug arm assembly 70 is lifted during the exercise.

[0040] To perform the forward neck exercise, the athlete sits on the seat pad and faces the cross support 40 and positions the head pad 100 to the desired start position. The athlete may then grasp the fixed handles 44 and performs the forward neck exercise (FIGS. 5A-5D).

[0041] To perform the side neck exercise, the athlete sits on the seat pad and faces either the right frame 32A or the left frame 32B and positions the head pad 100 to the desired start position. The athlete then performs the side neck exercise. The seat handle 52 also provides a hand hold for a side neck exercise (FIGS. 6A-6B). That is, the seat handle 52 allows an athlete a hold which facilitates isolation of the neck muscles to minimize usage of other torso muscle groups which are not the focus of the neck exercise system 22 and may otherwise facilitate “cheating”. The shrug handles 84, 86 in the stowed position provides space for the legs of the athlete when the side neck exercise is performed.

[0042] It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “right”, “left” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude and should not be considered otherwise limiting.

[0043] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.