Dual action weightlifting machine

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement has a stationary frame, upper and lower horizontal guides mounted on the stationary frame, and spaced vertical guides movably mounted on the horizontal guides for horizontal movement relative to the stationary frame. Two vertical slides are each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement, and a weight bearing exercise bar extends horizontally between the vertical slides. This arrangement allows simultaneous vertical and horizontal movement of the exercise bar. Each vertical guide is offset out of vertical alignment with at least one horizontal guide.

1 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   each vertical guide being offset out of alignment with at least one of the horizontal guides;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each vertical guide is offset out of alignment with both horizontal guides. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical guides are positioned outboard of at least one of the horizontal guides. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the vertical guides are positioned outboard of both horizontal guides. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical guides are positioned inboard of at least one of the horizontal guides. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the vertical guides are positioned inboard of both horizontal guides. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises at least one upper horizontal guide bar and the lower horizontal guide comprises at least one lower horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the horizontal guides comprises a single horizontal guide bar and the other horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal guide bars. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal upper guide bars and the lower horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal lower guide bars. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide bar and the lower horizontal guide comprises a single lower horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       11 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   each vertical guide being offset out of alignment with both sides of the frame;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical guides are offset inwardly from the opposite sides of the frame. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each vertical guide is offset out of vertical alignment with at least one of the horizontal guides. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each vertical guide is offset out of alignment with both horizontal guides. 
   
   
       15 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   at least one of the horizontal guides being offset from the opposite sides of the frame;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides and extending in a horizontal direction generally transverse to said horizontal guide.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein both horizontal guides are offset from the opposite sides of the frame. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each horizontal guide comprises at least one horizontal guide member mounted on the frame and at least one traveling member slidably associated with the horizontal guide member and secured to at least one vertical guide, at least a first one of the traveling members being secured to both vertical guides. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a traveling cross bar connecting both vertical guides to the first traveling member. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide member offset from opposite sides of the frame and a single traveling member slidably associated with the horizontal guide member, and a traveling cross bar connects the traveling member to both vertical guides. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced, parallel horizontal guide members and a pair of traveling members, each traveling member slidably associated with a respective one of the pair of horizontal guide members. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein one of the pair of traveling members is associated with the first vertical guide and the other one of the pair of traveling members is associated with the second vertical guide. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a traveling cross bar connecting the pair of traveling members to both of the vertical guides. 
   
   
       23 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides;   at least one of the horizontal guides being offset out of vertical alignment with the first and second vertical guides;   at least one traveling cross bar rigidly mounted to the vertical guides and slidably associated with said one horizontal guide to slidably link the vertical guides to said one horizontal guide, the cross bar having a first portion extending between the first vertical guide and said one horizontal guide and a second portion extending between the second vertical guide and said one horizontal guide;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the traveling cross bar comprises a unitary member extending between the vertical guides and secured to said one horizontal guide. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide bar and a traveling member slidably associated with said horizontal guide bar, the traveling cross bar being rigidly connected to said traveling member. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises first and second spaced horizontal guide bars, a first traveling member slidably associated with the first horizontal guide bar and a second traveling member slidably associated with the second horizontal guide bar, the first portion of the traveling cross bar being rigidly mounted between the first traveling member and the first vertical guide and the second portion of the traveling cross bar being rigidly mounted between the second traveling member and the second vertical guide. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said traveling cross bar further comprises a third portion rigidly mounted between the first and second traveling members. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second horizontal guide bars are located between the first and second vertical guides. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the first horizontal guide bar is located outboard of the first vertical guide and the second horizontal guide bar is located outboard of the second vertical guide. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein both horizontal guides are offset out of vertical alignment with the vertical guides, the traveling cross bar comprises an upper traveling cross bar slidably associated with the upper horizontal guide, and a lower traveling cross bar is rigidly mounted to the vertical guides and slidably associated with the lower horizontal guide at a location spaced downwardly from the upper traveling cross bar, the lower traveling cross bar having a first portion extending between the first vertical guide and said lower horizontal guide and a second portion extending between the second vertical guide and said lower horizontal guide. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said one horizontal guide is located between the vertical guides. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said first and second horizontal guide bars are located outboard of the first and second vertical guides. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein each horizontal guide comprises at least one horizontal guide member mounted on the frame and at least one traveling member slidably associated with the horizontal guide member and secured to at least one vertical guide, at least one traveling member of the upper horizontal guide and one traveling member of the lower horizontal guide being offset from the first vertical guide and secured to the first vertical guide at spaced upper and lower connections, the distance between said upper and lower connections being greater than the distance between said one traveling member of the upper horizontal guide and said one traveling member of the lower horizontal guide. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , comprising vertically spaced upper and lower traveling cross bars extending between the vertical guides and rigidly connected to the vertical guides, the upper horizontal guide comprising at least one upper horizontal guide bar slidably linked to the upper traveling cross bar and the lower horizontal guide comprising at least one lower horizontal guide bar slidably linked to the lower traveling cross bar. 
   
   
       35 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides;   at least one traveling cross bar rigidly connected directly to the vertical guides at first and second connections and slidably associated with one of the horizontal guides to slidably link the vertical guides to said one horizontal guide;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said one horizontal guide is mounted between the first and second connections to the first and second vertical guide, respectively. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said one horizontal guide is mounted outboard of the connections to the first and second vertical guides, respectively. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises first and second horizontal guide bars slidably associated with the traveling cross bar. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second horizontal guide bars are located between the first and second vertical guides. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second horizontal guide bars are located outboard of the first and second vertical guides, respectively. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , comprising vertically spaced upper and lower traveling cross bars rigidly connected directly to the vertical guides at spaced upper and lower locations, the upper traveling cross bar slidably associated with the upper horizontal guide and the lower traveling cross bar slidably associated with the lower horizontal guide. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the other horizontal guide comprises spaced first and second horizontal guide bars mounted on the frame, the first vertical guide being slidably associated with the first horizontal guide bar and the second vertical guide being slidably associated with the second horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , further comprising a first traveling member slidably associated with the first horizontal guide bar and a second traveling member slidably associated with the second horizontal guide bar, the first and second vertical guides being offset out of vertical alignment with the first and second horizontal guide bars, respectively. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a first offset member extending from the first traveling member and rigidly connected to the first vertical guide at a third connection, and a second offset member extending from the second traveling member and rigidly connected to the second vertical guide at a fourth connection. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises at least one horizontal guide bar and a third traveling member slidably associated with said one horizontal guide bar, the vertical distance between the first connection and the third connection being greater than the vertical distance between the third traveling member and the first traveling member, and the vertical distance between the second connection and the fourth connection being greater than the vertical distance between the third traveling member and the second traveling member. 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises the lower horizontal guide and the frame has a base platform extending over the lower horizontal guide and the traveling cross bar to support a user above the moving components, and the platform has clearance openings on opposite left and right sides for allowing the vertical guides to be attached to the opposite ends of the traveling cross bar. 
   
   
       47 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides mounted on the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   the upper horizontal guide being offset out of vertical alignment with the lower horizontal guide;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises at least one upper horizontal guide bar and the lower horizontal guide comprises at least one lower horizontal guide bar offset out of vertical alignment with the upper horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein one of the horizontal guides comprises a single horizontal guide bar and the other horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal guide bars each offset out of vertical alignment with the single horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal upper guide bars and the lower horizontal guide comprises a pair of spaced horizontal lower guide bars each offset out of vertical alignment with both of the horizontal upper guide bars. 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the upper horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide bar slidably linked with both vertical guides and the lower horizontal guide comprises a single lower horizontal guide bar slidably linked with both vertical guides. 
   
   
       52 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides associated with the stationary frame, at least one of the horizontal guides comprising a single horizontal guide bar;   horizontally spaced first and second vertical guides both slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   the single horizontal guide bar being offset out of vertical alignment with the first and second vertical guides;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides.   
   
   
       53 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the single horizontal guide bar is parallel to the opposite left and right sides of the frame and located between the opposite left and right sides of the frame. 
   
   
       54 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guides mounted on the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides slidably linked to slide with respect to the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   at least one of the horizontal guides being offset out of vertical alignment with the first and second vertical guides;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides and extending in a horizontal direction generally transverse to said horizontal guide bar.   
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising a traveling cross member linking the two vertical guides, said one horizontal guide comprising at least one horizontal guide bar and a slide member slidably engaged with said horizontal guide bar and connected to said traveling cross member. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein said one horizontal guide comprises a single horizontal guide bar which is slidably linked to both vertical guides by said traveling cross member. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the other horizontal guide comprises a pair of second horizontal guide bars, and each vertical guide is associated with a respective second horizontal slide member which slidably engages a respective second horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , further comprising a second traveling cross member linking the two vertical guides and connected to the second horizontal slides. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein each vertical guide is vertically aligned with the respective second horizontal slide and second horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein each vertical guide is offset inwardly from the respective second horizontal slide and second horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein each vertical guide is offset outwardly from the respective second horizontal slide and second horizontal guide bar. 
   
   
       62 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the single horizontal guide bar comprises the upper horizontal guide and the second horizontal guide bars comprise the lower horizontal guide. 
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the single horizontal guide bar comprises the lower horizontal guide and the second horizontal guide bars comprise the upper horizontal guide. 
   
   
       64 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the frame has a base platform extending over the single horizontal guide bar to support a user above the moving components. 
   
   
       65 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , further comprising a second traveling cross member linking the vertical guides at a location spaced from the first traveling cross member and slidably associated with the second horizontal guide. 
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the first traveling cross bar links the upper ends of the vertical guides and the second traveling cross bar links the lower ends of the vertical guides. 
   
   
       67 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced first and second horizontal guide assemblies associated with the stationary frame;   first and second spaced vertical guides associated with the first and second horizontal guide assemblies to slide horizontally relative to the frame;   each horizontal guide assembly comprising at least one first member mounted on the stationary frame and at least one second member movably engaged with the first member for horizontal movement relative to the first member and linked to at least one of the vertical guides;   the second member of at least one of the horizontal guide assemblies being offset out of vertical alignment with both vertical guides;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides and extending in a horizontal direction generally transverse to at least the second member of each horizontal guide assembly.   
   
   
       68 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the first member and second member of each horizontal guide assembly are telescopically engaged for relative horizontal sliding movement. 
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein one of the horizontal guide assemblies comprises a single first member and a single second member movably engaged with the single first member and linked to both vertical guides. 
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein said one horizontal guide is the upper horizontal guide. 
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein said one horizontal guide is the lower horizontal guide. 
   
   
       72 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein both horizontal guides comprise a single first member and a single second member movably engaged with the respective single first member and linked to both vertical guides. 
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , further comprising a traveling cross bar connecting the second member of said one horizontal guide assembly to both of the vertical guides. 
   
   
       74 . An exercise apparatus for performing simultaneous horizontal and vertical exercise movement, comprising:
 a stationary frame having an upper end, a lower end, a front, a rear, and opposite left and right sides;   vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal guide assemblies associated with the stationary frame;   spaced left and right vertical guides slidably linked with the upper and lower horizontal guides for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame;   each horizontal guide assembly comprising at least one guide member mounted on the frame and at least one traveling member slidably engaged with the guide member to move in a horizontal path along a travel axis extending perpendicular to the rear of the frame;   the travel axis of at least a first one of said traveling members relative to the associated guide member being offset from the opposite sides of the frame;   two vertical slides each slidably engaged with a respective vertical guide for vertical linear movement; and   a weight bearing exercise bar associated with the vertical slides and extending in a horizontal direction generally transverse to said travel axes.   
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the travel axis of said at least one traveling member is spaced between the opposite sides of the frame. 
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , further comprising at least one traveling cross bar linking the left and right vertical guides and secured to said first traveling member at a location between said vertical guides. 
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein the traveling cross bar extends generally parallel to the weight bearing exercise bar and transverse to the guide member engaged by said first traveling member. 
   
   
       78 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein said traveling members comprise slide members telescopically engaged with the respective guide members.