Functional training equipment with multiple movement planes for biceps curl exercise

Abstract

A biceps curl machine includes: a resistance element; a user support; a first movement element comprising: a first column; and a first connecting element comprising a first pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a first axis associated with the first connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is movably coupled to the first column such that the first connecting element is able to move along a first path defined by the first column; and a second movement element comprising: a second column; and a second connecting element comprising a second pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a second axis associated with the second connecting element, wherein the second connecting element is movably coupled to the second column such that the second connecting element is able to move along a second path defined by the second column.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A biceps curl machine comprising:
 a resistance element;   a user support coupled to the resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a first column; and 
 a first connecting element comprising a first pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a first axis associated with the first connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is movably coupled to the first column such that the first connecting element is able to move along a first path defined by the first column; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a second column; and 
 a second connecting element comprising a second pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a second axis associated with the second connecting element, wherein the second connecting element is movably coupled to the second column such that the second connecting element is able to move along a second path defined by the second column. 
   
     
     
         2 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element comprises at least one handle, at least one cable, at least one pulley, and a selectable load. 
     
     
         3 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first path and the second path determine a movement path of the user support from a start position to an end position. 
     
     
         4 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 3 , wherein the movement path causes the user support to arc forward when moving along the movement path from the start position to the end position. 
     
     
         5 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 4 , wherein the user support moves along the movement path from the start position to the end position when external force is applied to the resistance element. 
     
     
         6 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 5 , wherein the user support moves along the movement path from the end position to the start position when external force is released from the resistance element. 
     
     
         7 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first movement element is coupled to a seat of the user support and the second movement element is coupled to a back of the user support. 
     
     
         8 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second column is housed within a member of the user support. 
     
     
         9 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element allows a biceps curl movement and a lateral raise movement. 
     
     
         10 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 9 , wherein the first column slopes upward from the start position to the end position. 
     
     
         11 . A biceps curl machine comprising:
 a resistance element;   a user support coupled to the resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a first column; and 
 a first carriage movably coupled to the first column such that the first movement element is able to move along a first path defined by the first column; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a second column; and 
 a second carriage movably coupled to the second column such that the second movement element is able to move along a second path defined by the second column. 
   
     
     
         12 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first carriage comprises a first pivot axis associated with a connection point between the first carriage and a seat of the user support. 
     
     
         13 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 12 , wherein the second carriage comprises a second pivot axis associated with a connection point between the second carriage and a back of the user support. 
     
     
         14 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first column comprises two parallel linear members and the first carriage comprises two parallel sleeves associated with the parallel linear members. 
     
     
         15 . The biceps curl machine of  claim 11 , wherein the user support comprises at least one of a footrest and a headrest. 
     
     
         16 . A lateral raise machine comprising:
 a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user;   a user support coupled to the cable resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a column; and 
 a first carriage movably coupled to the column such that the first movement element is able to move along a first path defined by the column; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a pair of columns; and 
 a second carriage movably coupled to the pair of columns such that the second movement element is able to move along a second path defined by the pair of columns. 
   
     
     
         17 . The lateral raise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first carriage comprises a first pivot axis and the second carriage comprises a second pivot axis that is parallel to the first pivot axis. 
     
     
         18 . The lateral raise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of columns slope upward as the first carriage moves from a start position to an end position. 
     
     
         19 . The lateral raise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first movement element is coupled to a back of the user support and the second movement element is coupled to a seat of the user support. 
     
     
         20 . The lateral raise machine of  claim 16 , wherein the user support arcs forward as the user support moves from a start position to an end position.