Shrouded Exercise Spring Assemblies

Abstract

A shrouded spring assembly comprises a coil spring and a shroud. The coil spring includes a cylindrical body having a first and second attachment members coupled to the ends thereof. The shroud includes a sleeve portion that substantially encapsulates the cylindrical body of the coil spring, the sleeve portion including first and second end portions configured to enable the first and second attachment members to be operatively couplable to one or more external devices. The sleeve portion of the shroud is expandable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the coil spring to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body along a longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a support frame having at least one rail;   a slidable carriage slidably positioned on the at least one rail;   a coil spring connected to the support frame and connectable to the slidable carriage to apply a biasing force to the slidable carriage; and   a shroud that substantially surrounds a cylindrical body of the coil spring, the shroud being expandable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the coil spring to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body of the coil spring along the longitudinal axis as the slidable carriage is moved along the at least one rail.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud is made from a material that is at least one of flexible or stretchable that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud includes a plurality of pleats that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , including a fixed end attached to an end of the support frame. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rail is comprised of a first rail and a second rail that are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         6 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a support frame having at least one rail;   a slidable carriage slidably positioned on the at least one rail; and   a plurality of shrouded spring assemblies each connected to the support frame and connectable to the slidable carriage to apply a biasing force to the slidable carriage;   wherein each of the plurality of shrouded spring assemblies comprises a coil spring and a shroud, wherein the shroud substantially surrounds a cylindrical body of the coil spring, the shroud being expandable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the coil spring to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body of the coil spring along the longitudinal axis as the slidable carriage is moved along the at least one rail.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the shroud is made from a material that is at least one of flexible or stretchable that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the shroud includes a plurality of pleats that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , including a fixed end attached to an end of the support frame. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one rail is comprised of a first rail and a second rail that are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a support frame having at least one rail;   a slidable carriage slidably positioned on the at least one rail; and   a plurality of shrouded spring assemblies each connected to the support frame and connectable to the slidable carriage to apply a biasing force to the slidable carriage;   wherein each of the plurality of shrouded spring assemblies comprises a coil spring and a shroud, wherein the shroud substantially surrounds a cylindrical body of the coil spring, the shroud being expandable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the coil spring to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body of the coil spring along the longitudinal axis as the slidable carriage is moved along the at least one rail;   wherein the shroud is made from a material that is at least one of flexible or stretchable that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring;   wherein the shroud includes a plurality of pleats that enables the shroud to expand and contract in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis of the coil spring.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , including a fixed end attached to an end of the support frame. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rail is comprised of a first rail and a second rail that are parallel to one another.