Weightlifting Machine

Abstract

A weightlifting rack assembly includes a weightlifting machine mounted on a frame having a plurality of frame members joined together. The machine includes at least one adjustable pulley assembly mounted on the frame, a weight source mounted on the frame, and a first cable having at least one adjustable input point defined by the adjustable pulley assembly, which is engaged with the weight source. The weightlifting machine also includes at least one fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack, and a second cable having at least one fixed input point defined by the fixed pulley assembly and configured as a lat pull or low row input point. The assembly uses a double peanut pulley that is engaged by both cables, such that the first cable is provided with a 2:1 mechanical advantage, and the second cable is provided with a 1:1 mechanical advantage, in lifting the weight source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weightlifting rack assembly comprising:
 a weight rack comprising a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal frame members joined together;   a weightlifting machine mounted on the weight rack, comprising:
 a first adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a first vertical frame member on a first side of the weight rack; 
 a second adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a second vertical frame member on a second side of the weight rack; 
 a weight source mounted on the weight rack and configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise; 
 a first cable having a first adjustable input point defined by the first adjustable pulley assembly and a second adjustable input point defined by the second adjustable pulley assembly, the first cable extending from the first adjustable input point to the weight source and to the second adjustable input point; 
 a first fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack; 
 a second cable having a first fixed input point defined by the first fixed pulley assembly and configured as a lat pull input point or a low row input point; and 
 a double-single peanut pulley having two first end pulleys arranged as a pair and a second end pulley separate from the first and second pulleys, wherein the first cable engages the first end pulleys and the second cable engages the second end pulley to couple the first cable and the second cable, such that the first cable is provided with a 2:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the first adjustable input point and the second adjustable input point, and wherein the double-single peanut pulley is vertically moveable by exertion of force on the second cable at the first fixed input point, such that the second cable is provided with a 1:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the first fixed input point. 
   
     
     
         2 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the weight rack has a front and a rear opposite the front, such that the first side and the second side of the weight rack extend between the front and the rear, and wherein the first vertical frame member and the second vertical frame member are located at the front of the weight rack, and the double-single peanut pulley is located at the rear of the weight rack. 
     
     
         3 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the weight source further comprises a weight source pulley coupled to the weight source, wherein the first cable runs through the weight source pulley between the first end pulleys. 
     
     
         4 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the weight rack further comprises a vertical rail, and the weight source comprises a carriage moveably mounted on the vertical rail and coupled to the first cable, such that the carriage is configured to travel along the vertical rail when a force is exerted on the first cable or the second cable. 
     
     
         5 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the double-single peanut pulley is received within the vertical rail and is moveable within the vertical rail. 
     
     
         6 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first fixed pulley assembly is located proximate to a top of the weight rack, and the first fixed input point is configured as the lat pull input point, the weightlifting rack assembly further comprising:
 a second fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack and located proximate to a bottom of the weight rack, wherein the second cable further has a second fixed input point defined by the second fixed pulley assembly and configured as the low row input point,   wherein the double-single peanut pulley is further vertically moveable by exertion of force on the second cable at the second fixed input point, such that the second cable is provided with a 1:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the second fixed input point.   
     
     
         7 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjustable pulley assembly further comprises a first adjustable bracket adjustably mounted on the first vertical frame member and supporting a first pair of pulleys, and the second adjustable pulley assembly further comprises a second adjustable bracket adjustably mounted on the second vertical frame member and supporting a second pair of pulleys, and the weightlifting machine further comprises:
 a first tension cable having a first end fixed to the first adjustable bracket and a second end fixed to the weight rack;   a first tension peanut pulley engaged by the first cable and the first tension cable, wherein the first tension peanut pulley and the first tension cable are, in combination, configured to enable adjustment of the first adjustable pulley assembly along the first vertical frame member while maintaining tension in the first cable;   a second tension cable having a first end fixed to the second adjustable bracket and a second end fixed to the weight rack; and   a second tension peanut pulley engaged by the second cable and the second tension cable, wherein the second tension peanut pulley and the second tension cable are, in combination, configured to enable adjustment of the second adjustable pulley assembly along the second vertical frame member while maintaining tension in the second cable.   
     
     
         8 . A weightlifting rack assembly comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal frame members joined together;   a weightlifting machine mounted on the frame, comprising:
 a first adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a first vertical frame member of the frame; 
 a weight source mounted on the frame and configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise; 
 a first cable having a first adjustable input point defined by the first adjustable pulley assembly the first cable extending from the first adjustable input point and engaged with the weight source; 
 a first fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack; 
 a second cable having a first fixed input point defined by the first fixed pulley assembly and configured as a lat pull input point or a low row input point; and 
 a double-single peanut pulley having two first end pulleys and a second end pulley, wherein the first cable engages both of the two first end pulleys and the second cable engages the second end pulley to couple the first cable and the second cable, such that the first cable is provided with a 2:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the first adjustable input point, and wherein the double-single peanut pulley is vertically moveable by exertion of force on the second cable at the first fixed input point, such that the second cable is provided with a 1:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the first fixed input point. 
   
     
     
         9 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the weight source further comprises a weight source pulley coupled to the weight source, wherein the first cable runs through the weight source pulley between the first end pulleys. 
     
     
         10 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the weight rack further comprises a vertical rail, and the weight source comprises a carriage moveably mounted on the vertical rail and coupled to the first cable, such that the carriage is configured to travel along the vertical rail when a force is exerted on the first cable or the second cable, and wherein the double-single peanut pulley is received within the vertical rail and is moveable within the vertical rail. 
     
     
         11 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first fixed pulley assembly is located proximate to a top of the weight rack, and the first fixed input point is configured as the lat pull input point, the weightlifting rack assembly further comprising:
 a second fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack and located proximate to a bottom of the weight rack, wherein the second cable further has a second fixed input point defined by the second fixed pulley assembly and configured as the low row input point,   wherein the double-single peanut pulley is further vertically moveable by exertion of force on the second cable at the second fixed input point, such that the second cable is provided with a 1:1 mechanical advantage in lifting the weight source for force exerted at the second fixed input point.   
     
     
         12 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first adjustable pulley assembly further comprises an adjustable bracket adjustably mounted on the first vertical frame member and supporting a pair of pulleys, and wherein the first cable has a first end located at the first adjustable input point and a second end fixed to the adjustable bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first adjustable pulley assembly further comprises an adjustable bracket adjustably mounted on the first vertical frame member and supporting a pair of pulleys, and the weightlifting machine further comprises:
 a first tension cable having a first end fixed to the adjustable bracket and a second end fixed to the weight rack; and   a first tension peanut pulley engaged by the first cable and the first tension cable, wherein the first tension peanut pulley and the first tension cable are, in combination, configured to enable adjustment of the first adjustable pulley assembly along the first vertical frame member while maintaining tension in the first cable.   
     
     
         14 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a seat assembly fixed to the first vertical frame member. 
     
     
         15 . A weightlifting rack assembly comprising:
 a weight rack comprising a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal frame members joined together, the weight rack further comprising a vertical rail;   a weightlifting machine mounted on the weight rack, comprising:
 a first adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a first vertical frame member on a first side of the weight rack; 
 a second adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a second vertical frame member on a second side of the weight rack; 
 a weight source comprising a carriage moveably mounted on the vertical rail, the weight source being configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise; 
 a first cable having a first adjustable input point defined by the first adjustable pulley assembly and a second adjustable input point defined by the second adjustable pulley assembly, the first cable extending from the first adjustable input point to the weight source and to the second adjustable input point, wherein the first cable is coupled to the carriage; 
 a first fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack; 
 a second cable having a first fixed input point defined by the first fixed pulley assembly and configured as a lat pull input point or a low row input point; and 
   a floating peanut pulley having a first end pulley and a second end pulley, wherein the first cable engages the first end pulley and the second cable engages the second end pulley to couple the first cable and the second cable, such that the carriage is configured to travel along the vertical rail when a force is exerted on the first cable or the second cable,   wherein the floating peanut pulley is received within the vertical rail and is moveable within the vertical rail.   
     
     
         16 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the weight rack has a front and a rear opposite the front, such that the first side and the second side of the weight rack extend between the front and the rear, and wherein the first vertical frame member and the second vertical frame member are located at the front of the weight rack, and the floating peanut pulley is located at the rear of the weight rack. 
     
     
         17 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the weight source further comprises a weight source pulley coupled to the weight source, wherein the first cable runs through the weight source pulley. 
     
     
         18 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the floating peanut pulley is a double-single peanut pulley having two first end pulleys, wherein the first cable engages the two first end pulleys, and the second cable engages the second end pulley. 
     
     
         19 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first fixed pulley assembly is located proximate to a top of the weight rack, and the first fixed input point is configured as the lat pull input point, the weightlifting rack assembly further comprising:
 a second fixed pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack and located proximate to a bottom of the weight rack, wherein the second cable further has a second fixed input point defined by the second fixed pulley assembly and configured as the low row input point.   
     
     
         20 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first cable and the second cable are configured such that exertion of force at the first fixed input point or the second fixed input point moves the floating peanut pulley vertically to move the first cable and thereby effect vertical movement of the weight source. 
     
     
         21 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the floating peanut pulley has rollers on an outer surface thereof, wherein the rollers are configured to engage inner surfaces of the vertical rail to facilitate movement of the floating peanut pulley within the vertical rail. 
     
     
         22 . A weightlifting rack assembly comprising:
 a weight rack comprising a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal frame members joined together;   a weightlifting machine mounted on the weight rack, comprising:
 a weight source mounted on the weight rack and configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise; 
 a first cable having a first input point configured to receive input of force by a user, the first cable extending from the first input point to the weight source to permit the user to exert force on the weight source via the first cable; and 
 a first pulley mount assembly coupled to the weight rack and extending along at least one of the horizontal frame members, the first pulley mount assembly comprising a first pulley housing supporting a first rack pulley, a second pulley housing supporting a second rack pulley and spaced horizontally from the first pulley housing, and a first elongated shroud extending from the first pulley housing to the second pulley housing along the at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the first cable engages the first rack pulley and the second rack pulley, and a horizontal cable section of the first cable extends between the first rack pulley and the second rack pulley within the first elongated shroud. 
   
     
     
         23 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the horizontal cable section of the first cable is completely covered on at least three sides by the first elongated shroud. 
     
     
         24 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first cable includes a first vertical cable section extending upward to the first rack pulley and a second vertical cable section extending downward from the second rack pulley. 
     
     
         25 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the weightlifting machine further comprises:
 a first adjustable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on a first vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members, wherein the first adjustable pulley assembly defines the first input point, and the first cable extends vertically from the first adjustable pulley assembly to the first rack pulley.   
     
     
         26 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the first adjustable pulley assembly further comprises an adjustable bracket adjustably mounted on the first vertical frame member and supporting a pair of pulleys, and the weightlifting machine further comprises:
 a first tension cable having a first end fixed to the adjustable bracket and a second end fixed to the weight rack; and   a first peanut pulley engaged by the first cable and the first tension cable, wherein the first peanut pulley and the first tension cable are, in combination, configured to enable adjustment of the first adjustable pulley assembly along the first vertical frame member while maintaining tension in the first cable.   
     
     
         27 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the weightlifting machine further comprises:
 a second pulley mount assembly coupled to the weight rack and extending along at least one additional horizontal frame member, the second pulley mount assembly comprising a third pulley housing supporting a third rack pulley, a fourth pulley housing supporting a fourth rack pulley and spaced horizontally from the third pulley housing, and a second elongated shroud extending from the third pulley housing to the fourth pulley housing along the at least one additional horizontal frame member, wherein the first tension cable engages the third rack pulley and the fourth rack pulley, and a horizontal tension cable section of the first tension cable extends between the third rack pulley and the fourth rack pulley within the second elongated shroud.   
     
     
         28 . The weightlifting rack assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first pulley mount assembly is mounted proximate to a top of the weight rack, such that the first cable extends upward from the first adjustable pulley assembly, and the horizontal cable section extends along the top of the weight rack, and wherein the second pulley mount assembly is mounted proximate to a bottom of the weight rack, such that the first tension cable extends downward from the first adjustable pulley assembly, and the horizontal tension cable section extends along the bottom of the weight rack.