Variable grip and resistance exercise machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a variable weight grip machine for strengthening and developing hand grip and forearm strength. A pair of vertical frame members is provided with a supporting base at the bottom. A carriage is spaced from the frame members and is mounted for vertical reciprocation only on a pair of spaced parallel vertical guide bars extending through the carriage and through a plurality of weights below the carriage. Nylon bushings in the carriage engage the guides. A central shaft is suspended from the carriage lift bar and extends through a central bore in the weights with any number of weights being detachably connected to the shaft by a transverse pin extending through one of the weights and the shafts.

1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a first handle;   a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand of a user when the second handle is in the rest position; and   a set of weights configured to provide different levels of resistance force when the user grips and squeeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position, the different levels of resistance force each being selectable by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the maximum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is five inches. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the minimum distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is two inches. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle is adjustable between five inches and two inches in one-inch increments. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle and the second handle remain in a parallel orientation as the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle is part of a frame assembly and the second handle is part of a carriage assembly movable with respect to the frame assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the carriage assembly includes a shaft that extends through the set of weights. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the resistance force is selectable by securing a selected weight to the shaft such that the selected weight and any weight disposed above the selected weight is lifted when the second handle is moved from the rest position to the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the selected weight is secured to the shaft by insertion of a pin into the selected weight and into the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft includes a plurality of transverse bores spaced apart along the length of the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 10 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable by moving the carriage upwardly or downwardly and setting the rest position using the same pin used to secure the selected weight to the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the carriage assembly is laterally constrained by a pair of guide rails when the carriage moves with respect to the frame assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the guide rails are parallel and vertical. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the frame assembly is comprised of metal tubing. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the frame assembly is comprised of injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein all of the components of the carriage assembly are rigidly attached. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the weights has a length-to-width ratio between 4:1 and 5:1 
     
     
         19 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a first handle; and   a second handle movable between a rest position distal to the first handle and a second position proximal to the first handle, the first and second handles being grippable simultaneously by a single hand when the second handle is in the rest position, the second handle being mechanically biased with a selectable level of force toward the rest position to provide a selectable resistance force applied when a user squeezes the handles together to move the second handle from the rest position to the second position,   wherein a distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine of  claim 19 , wherein the distance between the first handle and the second handle in the rest position is adjustable by insertion of an adjustment pin. 
     
     
         21 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame having a first grip;   a weight stack coupled to the frame and including a plurality of weights vertically movable with respect to the frame; and   a carriage having a second grip parallel to the first grip and being selectively securable to one or more of the weights, the carriage coupled to the frame and vertically movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the second grip is a first distance from the first grip and a second position in which the second grip is a second distance from the first grip, the second distance being less than the first distance, wherein the first and second grips are arranged to allow a single hand to grip and squeeze the first and second grips toward each other, thereby moving the second grip from the first position to the second position.