Vectra Fitness, Inc.

L Kent Lines

A Buell Ish, Iii

Robert A Rasmussen

William D MacLean

Jose L Sanchez

Mark Tollison

Resistance training apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes an exercise station having a support portion and at least one user interface operatively coupled to the support portion by an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a housing attached to the support portion, and a coupling device pivotably attached to the housing and moveable throughout an angular range, the coupling device being coupled to the at least one user interface and configured to move through at least a portion of the angular range during use of the at least one user interface.

Resistance training apparatus and methods

Exercise assemblies having apparatus that retain the feet of a user during an exercise are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, and a support assembly operatively positioned relative to the load and including a base assembly. A force-transferring assembly is operatively coupled between the load and an exercise station such that a training force applied to the exercise station induces an associated force on the load. A foot-retaining assembly is operatively coupled to the support assembly and includes at least one foot-retaining device defining a foot-retaining space configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of the user. The foot-retaining device prevents a vertical movement of the foot of the user during the exercise.

Exercise assemblies having foot-retaining apparatus

Exercise apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, a support assembly, a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load and to the support assembly, and an exercise station operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly. The exercise station includes a user interface, at least one adjustment assembly configured to adjust a position of the user interface, and an actuator assembly selectively engageable with the at least one adjustment assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to approximately simultaneously enable vertical and horizontal adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to release the at least one adjustment assembly, and to approximately simultaneously disable adjustment of the user interface when the actuator assembly is actuated to lock the at least one adjustment assembly. Thus, movements of the user interface may be easily and efficiently performed using a single-touch actuation assembly.

Functional training exercise apparatus and methods

Exercise bench assemblies having wheels with integral brakes that automatically engage and disengage during use of the bench assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise bench assembly includes a support portion, and a frame assembly coupled to the support portion. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame assembly and includes at least one wheel configured to rollably engage a support surface, and a braking device operatively associated with the at least one wheel. The braking device is configured to engage the at least one wheel to prevent the at least one wheel from rolling on the support surface when a user's weight is applied to the support portion, and to disengage from the at least one wheel to allow the at least one wheel to roll on the support surface when the weight of the user is removed from the support portion.

Exercise bench assemblies having wheels with integral brakes

Cable-and-pulley devices having intermediate tension isolators for exercise machines. In one embodiment, a cable-and-pulley device includes a cable attached to a load and to a user interface, and operatively engaged with a main pulley positioned over the load, a floating pulley, and an end pulley proximate the user interface. A second user interface is attached to the floating pulley. A tension isolator is positioned on the cable at an intermediate position between the end pulley and the floating pulley so that a training force applied on a second user interface draws the tension isolator into contact with the an isolator stop. In one embodiment, the isolator stop is an intermediate pulley. Alternately, the isolator stop is a catch projecting from a frame of the exercise machine. The tension isolator effectively divides the cable into a tensioned portion and an isolated portion, thereby reducing the amount of cable that is stretched during use of the second user interface. In alternate embodiments, the tension isolator may include a stop mechanically secured to the cable, or a coupling member coupled between the tensioned portion and the isolated portion. Alternately, the tension isolator may be integrally formed with the cable. In other alternate embodiments, a cable-and-pulley device may include a plurality of tension isolators positioned on one or more of the cables.

Cable-and-pulley devices having intermediate tension isolators for exercise machines

Apparatus and methods for exercise machines having balancing loads. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a load guide pivotable through at least one plane of freedom, a load slideably engaged with the load guide, a lift arm having a first end coupled to the load guide, and a cable-and-pulley device. The cable-and-pulley device is operatively coupled to the load and to the lift arm so that a training force applied to the lift arm induces a lift force on the load. The exercise machine requires the user to balance the load as the load is raised, providing a more enhanced workout. In alternate embodiments, the load guide may include at least one rocker engageable with the floor surface, or may be pivotably coupled to a support frame (or base) so that the load guide does not contact the floor surface. In another embodiment, the load guide may include a base having a convex surface engageable with the floor surface, the load guide being pivotable in any direction. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes a support having a first end proximate the floor, the support being pivotable about the first end, a lift member pivotably coupled to the support, and a load coupled to the lift member. As a training force is applied to the lift member, the load is at least partially balanceable on the support by the training force. In alternate embodiments, the support may be pivotable in a single plane of freedom, or in two planes of freedom. Alternately, the load may be coupled to the lift member by a force-transmitting device, such as a cable-and-pulley device, a linkage, a belt, or other suitable device.

Apparatus and methods for exercise machines having balancing loads

A multiple station weight lifting type exercise apparatus having cabled linkage and direct lifting capabilities is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized as having a plurality of exercise stations located about a base platform and a single weight stack being movable in a conventional manner through direct and indirect forces applied thereto by the various exercise stations. Each station generally has several apparatus connectable to one or more cables that are operatively linked to all other stations and effect movement of the weight stack preferably by a single cable when any cable undergoes tensioned movement. In addition, at least one station directly imparts movement of the weight stack by means of non-cable linkage. The non-cabled linkage or direct lift of the weight stack is carried out by providing for a translation assembly to be located in operative engagement with the weight stack to which the cable, operatively linked to other stations, is anchored. The direct lift translation assembly engages the weight stack at a location under the cabled connection so that the weight stack is unaffected by the presence of the direct lift station and conversely, movement of the weight stack by tensioned movement of a cable by an exercise station does not affect the direct lift station. A feature of the invention provides for the use of a parallelogram lifting assembly to modify the nature of arcuate travel of a press handle assembly associated therewith. Another feature of the invention concerns an angle adjustment assembly for modifying the user engagable member of a movable member thereof that is linked to the load.

Growing community of inventors

Carnation, WA, United States of America

L Kent Lines