Weight stack assembly for exercise machine

Abstract

A weight stack for an exercise machine includes a plurality of weights arranged in a vertical stack. Each of the weights has a body portion with substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces and includes at least one open-ended, forwardly facing recess in the lower surface. Each of the recesses has a height and a width, with an aspect ratio of height divided by width being between about 0.06 and 0.375.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weight stack for an exercise machine, comprising:
 a plurality of weights arranged in a vertical stack, each of the weights having a body portion with substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces and including two open-ended, forwardly facing recesses in the lower surface, each of the recesses having a height and a width, and wherein an aspect ratio of height divided by width is between 0.06 and 0.375.   
     
     
         2 . The weight stack defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the weights includes an aperture connected with its recesses, the aperture configured to receive a center post. 
     
     
         3 . The weight stack defined in  claim 2 , wherein the recesses extend rearwardly beyond the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The weight stack defined in  claim 3 , wherein the aperture of each weight is located generally in the center of the weight. 
     
     
         5 . The weight stack defined in  claim 1 , wherein the weights are between about ¼ and ¾ inch in thickness. 
     
     
         6 . A weight stack assembly for an exercise machine, comprising:
 a plurality of weights arranged in a vertical stack, each of the weights having a body portion with substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces and including at least one open-ended, forwardly facing recess in the lower surface;   a post extending through the plurality of weights, the post configured to connect with a movement arm of an exercise machine, the post including a column of oblong apertures that align with the recesses of the weights; and   a selector unit with upper and lower prongs, the lower prong configured to be inserted into one of the recesses and one of the apertures of a first weight, and the upper prong configured to be inserted into one of the recesses and one of the apertures of a second weight, the second weight being disposed above and adjacent the first weight in the weight stack, insertion of both of the prongs selecting a portion of the weights to provide resistance for exercise.   
     
     
         7 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 6 , wherein the selector unit includes a single upper prong and a single lower prong. 
     
     
         8 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 7 , wherein the selector unit further comprises an indicator that designates the weight immediately above the lower prong. 
     
     
         9 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one recess is generally centered between side edges of the weight. 
     
     
         10 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one recess of each weight is two recesses, and wherein the selector unit includes a pair of upper prongs and a pair of lower prongs. 
     
     
         11 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 9 , wherein the selector unit further comprises an indicator that designates the weight immediately above the lower prong. 
     
     
         12 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 10 , wherein each of the recesses is slightly offset from center between side edges of the weight. 
     
     
         13 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 6 , wherein the apertures of the center post are closed-ended apertures. 
     
     
         14 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 6 , wherein the apertures of the center post are open ended apertures located on the side edges of the center post. 
     
     
         15 . The weight stack assembly defined in  claim 6 , wherein the weights are between about ¼ and ¾ inch in thickness. 
     
     
         16 . A weight for an exercise machine, comprising:
 a body portion with parallel upper and lower surfaces, opposed side edges, and opposed front and rear edges;   a pair of open-ended recesses extending from the front edge of the lower surface of the body portion; and   an aperture located generally in the center of the body portion;   wherein the recesses are connected with the aperture; and   wherein the recesses are off-center relative to the side edges of the body portion.   
     
     
         17 . The weight defined in  claim 16 , wherein the aperture is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . The weight defined in  claim 16  having a thickness of between about ¼ and ¾ inch. 
     
     
         19 . The weight stack defined in  claim 1 , wherein the weights are between ¼ and ⅝ inch in thickness.