Exercise apparatus, resistance selector for exercise apparatus and related methods

Abstract

Apparatuses having selective having selective resistance, mechanisms and devices for selecting resistance on an exercise apparatus, and methods to operating exercise equipment are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise apparatus includes a frame and at least a first guide member coupled with a portion of the frame. A weight stack, including a plurality of weight plates, is associated with one or more guide members and a selector rod is disposed adjacent portions of each weight plate. A resistance selector includes a selector pin configured to be laterally displaced relative to the weight stack a limited distance between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In one embodiment, the selector pin may be biased towards the engaged position. One or more additional guide members may be laterally displaced and parallel to the guide members associated with the weight stack and slidably coupled with a body portion of the resistance selector.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   at least a first guide member coupled with a portion of the frame;   a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates associated with the at least a first guide member;   a selector rod disposed adjacent portions of each weight plate;   a resistance selector including a selector pin configured to be laterally displaced relative to the weight stack a limited distance between an engaged position and a disengaged position.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second guide member having at least a portion laterally spaced from the at least a first guide member, wherein the resistance selector includes a body portion associated with the at least a second guide member, and wherein the selector pin is slidably coupled with the body portion. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the selector pin extends through at least one opening in the selector rod when in the engaged position and wherein the selector pin is retracted from the selector rod and the weight stack when in the disengaged position. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least a first guide member includes two guide members laterally spaced from one another and extending parallel to one another. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the two guide members extend through apertures formed in each of the plurality of weight plates. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least a second guide member includes two laterally spaced guide members extending parallel to one another. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the body portion of the resistance selector is slidably coupled with the two laterally spaced guide members. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein, when the selector pin is in an engaged position, the resistance selector and at least one weight plate of the weight stack are configured to be concurrently displaced along a path defined by the at least a second guide member and a path defined by the at least a second guide member, respectively. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein, when the selector pin is in a disengaged position, the resistance selector is configured to be displaced along the path defined by the at least a second guide member independent of movement by any weight plate of the weight stack. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member configured and positioned to bias the selector pin towards an engaged position. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 at least one pulley coupled with the frame;   at least one cable engaging at least a portion of the at least one pulley and being coupled with the selector rod; and   a handle coupled with the at least one cable.   
   
   
       12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a second guide member is coupled with a portion of the frame. 
   
   
       13 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a first pair of guide members coupled with the frame;   a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates slidably coupled with the first pair of guide members;   a selector rod configured for selective coupling with one or more of the plurality of weight plates;   at least one pulley coupled with the frame;   at least one cable engaging at least a portion of the at least one pulley and being coupled with the selector rod;   a handle coupled with the at least one cable;   a second pair of guide members laterally spaced from the first pair of guide members; and   a resistance selector comprising:
 a body portion slidably coupled with the second pair of guide members, 
 a selector pin slidably coupled with the body portion and limited to displacement between an engaged position, wherein the selector pin extends through an opening formed in the selector rod, and a disengaged position, wherein the selector pin is retracted from the selector rod and any weight plate of the plurality; and 
 a biasing member located and configured to bias the selector pin toward the engagement position. 
   
   
   
       14 . A resistance selector for selectively engaging a desired component of an exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a body portion configured for slidable coupling with at least one guide member of the exercise apparatus;   a selector pin slidably coupled with the body portion and configured for limited displacement between an engaged position, wherein the selector pin extends through the body portion and a free end of the selector pin projects beyond a surface of the body portion, and a disengaged position, wherein the free end of the selector pin is substantially retracted within the body portion; and   a biasing member located and configured to bias the selector pin toward the engaged position.   
   
   
       15 . The resistance selector of  claim 14 , further comprising a handle coupled to an end of the selector pin opposite the free end of the selector pin. 
   
   
       16 . The resistance selector of  claim 15 , wherein the biasing member includes a spring. 
   
   
       17 . The resistance selector of  claim 16 , wherein the spring is in a compressed state when the selector pin is in the disengaged position. 
   
   
       18 . The resistance selector of  claim 16 , wherein the spring is in a tensile state when the selector pin is in the disengaged position. 
   
   
       19 . The resistance selector of  claim 14 , wherein the body portion is configured to be slidably coupled with a pair of laterally spaced guide members. 
   
   
       20 . A method of operating an exercise apparatus, the method comprising:
 disposing a resistance selector adjacent a weight stack of the exercise apparatus, the weight stack including a plurality of weight plates associated with at least a first guide member;   displacing the resistance selector along a path defined by at least a second guide member associated with the resistance selector;   engaging a first weight plate of the plurality with a selector pin of the resistance selector; and   concurrently displacing the at least one weight plate and the resistance selector.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising disengaging the selector pin from the first weight plate, further displacing the resistance selector along the path defined by the at least a second guide member, and engaging a second weight plate of the plurality with the selector pin. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising slidably coupling the selector pin with a body portion of the resistance selector and slidably coupling the body portion with the at least a second guide member. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising biasing the selector pin towards engagement with at least one weight plate of the plurality. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein biasing the selector pin towards engagement with at least one weight plate of the plurality further includes positioning a spring between the body portion and a portion of a handle coupled with the selector pin. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising limiting the distance the selector pin may be displaced between engaging the first weight plate and disengaging the first weight plate.