Weightlifting Machine

This application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/672,524, filed Jul. 17, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/723,115, filed Nov. 20, 2024; and this application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/055,385, filed Feb. 17, 2025, which is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/554,814, filed Feb. 16, 2024; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/639,500, filed Apr. 26, 2024; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/650,246, filed May 21, 2024; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/672,524, filed Jul. 17, 2024, all of which prior applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

This disclosure relates to cable-based weightlifting machines, and more specifically to a cable-based weightlifting machine that provides a counterweight mechanism for removing slack in an input cable, and/or versatility for belt squat, low row, box squat, and other exercises.

A wide variety of different weightlifting machines exist, including various cable-based weightlifting machines, in which one or more user input points are connected via a cable and pulley system to one or more weight sources. Different user input points in such a machine may be used for different exercises, based on criteria such as their location and any attachments or equipment used in connection therewith. However, existing cable-based weightlifting machines suffer from several drawbacks. Some machines require multiple different weight sources in order to use multiple user input points. Additionally, some machines do not provide the ability to achieve different mechanical advantages for different user input points. Further, some machines do not provide adequate positional adjustability of the user input points and/or versatility in the types of exercises that may be performed. Still further, some machines do not provide adequate protection against slack developing in the cable systems.

The present disclosure is provided to address these needs and other needs in existing weightlifting machines. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a counterweight mechanism for use with a weightlifting machine including a first input cable operably connected to a weight source and a second input cable. The counterweight mechanism includes a peanut pulley having a top wheel configured to engage the first input cable, a first bottom wheel, and a second bottom wheel, a counterweight pulley positioned below the peanut pulley and having a counterweight pulley frame and a counterweight pulley wheel mounted in the counterweight pulley frame, where the counterweight pulley wheel is configured to engage the second input cable, and a counterweight positioned below the counterweight pulley, such that the counterweight pulley is positioned between the counterweight and the peanut pulley. The mechanism further includes a first counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the first counterweight cable is engaged with the first bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends, and a second counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the second counterweight cable is engaged with the second bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends.

According to one aspect, the counterweight has a slot configured for permitting the second input cable to pass by the counterweight by passing through the slot.

According to another aspect, the counterweight and the counterweight pulley frame each have a plurality of rollers configured to engage inner surfaces of a rail in which the counterweight and the counterweight pulley frame are configured to be positioned.

According to a further aspect, the counterweight mechanism is configured to remove slack introduced into the first input cable. In one aspect, the counterweight mechanism is configured such that when the slack is introduced into the first input cable, the peanut pulley is configured to move downward, thereby causing the counterweight to drop relative to the counterweight pulley. In this configuration, the counterweight mechanism may be configured to be moveable over a range of travel, where at a first end of the range of travel, the peanut pulley engages the counterweight pulley, and at a second end of the range of travel, the counterweight engages the counterweight pulley.

According to yet another aspect, the peanut pulley further has a second top wheel configured to engage the first input cable.

Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a weightlifting machine configured to be mounted on a weight rack, including a weight source configured to be moveable and to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise, a first input cable engaged with the weight source and having a first input point configured to receive user input, a second input cable having a second input point configured to receive user input, and a counterweight mechanism configured to remove slack in the first input cable when the weight source is placed in an elevated position. The counterweight mechanism includes a peanut pulley having a first top wheel engaging the first input cable, a first bottom wheel, and a second bottom wheel, a counterweight pulley positioned below the peanut pulley and including a counterweight pulley frame and a counterweight pulley wheel mounted in the counterweight pulley frame, where the counterweight pulley wheel engages the second input cable, and a counterweight positioned below the counterweight pulley, such that the counterweight pulley is positioned between the counterweight and the peanut pulley. The mechanism also includes a first counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the first counterweight cable is engaged with the first bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends, and a second counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the second counterweight cable is engaged with the second bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends. The weightlifting machine is configured such that force exerted by a user at the first input point is configured to lift the weight source via the first input cable, and the weightlifting machine is further configured such that force exerted by a user at the second input point is configured to lift the weight source via the second input cable exerting downward force on the counterweight pulley, the counterweight pulley exerting downward force on the peanut pulley via the first counterweight cable and the second counterweight cable, and the peanut pulley exerting force on the first input cable.

According to one aspect, the counterweight has a slot, permitting the second input cable to pass by the counterweight by passing through the slot.

According to another aspect, the counterweight mechanism is configured such that when the slack is introduced into the first input cable, the peanut pulley is configured to move downward, thereby causing the counterweight to drop relative to the counterweight pulley. In one aspect, the counterweight mechanism is configured to be moveable over a range of travel, such that at a first end of the range of travel, the peanut pulley engages the counterweight pulley, and at a second end of the range of travel, the counterweight engages the counterweight pulley.

According to a further aspect, the peanut pulley further has a second top wheel engaging the first input cable, such that the first input cable engages the weight source between engaging the first top wheel and the second top wheel. In one aspect, the weight source includes a weight source pulley, and the first input cable engages the weight source pulley between engaging the first top wheel and the second top wheel.

According to yet another aspect, the weight source includes a carriage moveably mounted on a vertical rail, such that the carriage is configured to travel along the vertical rail to provide the resistance during the weightlifting exercise. In one aspect, the counterweight mechanism is received within the vertical rail, such that the peanut pulley, the counterweight pulley, the counterweight, the first counterweight cable, and the second counterweight cable are all moveable within the vertical rail. In this configuration, the counterweight and the counterweight pulley frame may each have a plurality of rollers configured to engage inner surfaces of the vertical rail.

According to a still further aspect, the weightlifting machine further includes a first adjustable pulley assembly and a second adjustable pulley assembly configured to be mounted on the weight rack in a position-adjustable configuration. In this configuration, the first input cable is engaged with the first adjustable pulley assembly at the first input point, such that the first input point is a first adjustable input point, and the first input cable is further engaged with the second adjustable pulley assembly to form a second adjustable input point configured to receive user input.

According to an additional aspect, the second input point is a lat pull input point configured to receive user input in a lat pull exercise, and the second input cable further has a belt squat input point configured to receive user input in a belt squat exercise.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a weightlifting rack assembly including a weight rack having a plurality of frame members including vertical frame members and horizontal frame members joined together, and a platform supported by the frame members, the platform having a slot and configured for supporting a user during a belt squat exercise, and a weightlifting machine mounted on the weight rack. The weightlifting machine includes a weight source mounted on the weight rack and configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise, a first input cable having a first input point configured to receive user input, where the first input cable is engaged with the weight source, a second input cable having a second input point configured to receive user input, and a counterweight mechanism configured to remove slack in the first input cable when the weight source is placed in an elevated position. The counterweight mechanism includes a peanut pulley having a first top wheel engaging the first input cable, a first bottom wheel, and a second bottom wheel, a counterweight pulley positioned below the peanut pulley and including a counterweight pulley frame and a counterweight pulley wheel mounted in the counterweight pulley frame, where the counterweight pulley wheel engages the second input cable, and a counterweight positioned below the counterweight pulley, such that the counterweight pulley is positioned between the counterweight and the peanut pulley. The mechanism further includes a first counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the first counterweight cable is engaged with the first bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends, and a second counterweight cable having a first end fixed to the counterweight pulley frame and a second end fixed to the counterweight, where the second counterweight cable is engaged with the second bottom wheel of the peanut pulley between the first and second ends. The weightlifting machine is configured such that force exerted by a user at the first input point is configured to lift the weight source via the first input cable, and the weightlifting machine is further configured such that force exerted by a user at the second input point is configured to lift the weight source via the second input cable exerting downward force on the counterweight pulley, the counterweight pulley exerting downward force on the peanut pulley via the first counterweight cable and the second counterweight cable, and the peanut pulley exerting force on the first input cable.

According to one aspect, the counterweight has a counterweight slot, permitting the second input cable to pass by the counterweight by passing through the counterweight slot.

According to another aspect, the counterweight mechanism is configured such that when the slack is introduced into the first input cable, the peanut pulley is configured to move downward, thereby causing the counterweight to drop relative to the counterweight pulley. In this configuration, the counterweight mechanism is configured to be moveable over a range of travel, such that at a first end of the range of travel, the peanut pulley engages the counterweight pulley, and at a second end of the range of travel, the counterweight engages the counterweight pulley.

According to a further aspect, the peanut pulley further has a second top wheel engaging the first input cable, such that the first input cable engages the weight source between engaging the first top wheel and the second top wheel. In one aspect, the weight source includes a weight source pulley, and the first input cable engages the weight source pulley between engaging the first top wheel and the second top wheel.

According to yet another aspect, the weight source includes a carriage moveably mounted on a vertical rail coupled to the weight rack, such that the carriage is configured to travel along the vertical rail to provide the resistance during the weightlifting exercise. In one aspect, the counterweight mechanism is received within the vertical rail, such that the peanut pulley, the counterweight pulley, the counterweight, the first counterweight cable, and the second counterweight cable are all moveable within the vertical rail. In this configuration, the counterweight and the counterweight pulley frame each have a plurality of rollers configured to engage inner surfaces of the vertical rail.

According to a still further aspect, the weightlifting machine further includes a first adjustable pulley assembly and a second adjustable pulley assembly mounted on the weight rack in a position-adjustable configuration, where the first input cable is engaged with the first adjustable pulley assembly at the first input point, such that the first input point is a first adjustable input point, and the first input cable is further engaged with the second adjustable pulley assembly to form a second adjustable input point configured to receive user input.

According to an additional aspect, the second input point is a lat pull input point configured to receive user input in a lat pull exercise, and the second input cable extends through the slot in the platform to form a belt squat input point configured to receive the user input during the belt squat exercise.

According to an additional aspect, the second input cable extends through the slot in the platform, such that the second input point is a belt squat input point configured to receive the user input during the belt squat exercise.

Yet additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a weightlifting rack assembly including a weight rack having a plurality of frame members including vertical frame members and horizontal frame members joined together, and a platform supported by the frame members, the platform having a slot and configured for supporting a user during a belt squat exercise, and a weightlifting machine mounted on the weight rack. The weightlifting machine includes a weight source mounted on the weight rack and configured to provide resistance during a weightlifting exercise, and a cable system mounted on the weight rack and having one or more cables, including an input cable, and a plurality of pulleys engaging the one or more cables, where the input cable extends through the slot in the platform and provides a belt squat input point configured for engagement by the user on the platform during the belt squat exercise, and where the cable system is engaged with the weight source. The assembly also has a low row assembly including a pulley mount, a low row pulley supported by the pulley mount, a support frame supporting the pulley mount, and a foot rest connected to the support frame. The low row assembly is releasably connectable to the weight rack, and the input cable is further selectively engageable with the low row pulley to provide a low row input point configured for engagement by the user during a low row exercise.

According to one aspect, the low row assembly includes a mounting bracket having a first pin with a first enlarged end piece, and the weight rack includes a mounting plate having a first aperture. The first pin is removably received in the first aperture such that the first enlarged end piece engages the mounting plate to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack. In one aspect, the mounting bracket further has a second pin with a second enlarged end piece, located alongside the first pin, the mounting plate has a second aperture located alongside the first aperture, and the second pin is removably received in the second aperture such that the second enlarged end piece engages the mounting plate to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack. In this configuration, the first pin may have a first groove in the first enlarged end piece, the second pin may have a second groove in the second enlarged end piece, and the mounting plate may be received within the first groove and the second groove to engage the first enlarged end piece and the second enlarged end piece, to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack. In another aspect, the first pin has a first groove in the first enlarged end piece, and the first aperture has an upper portion and a lower portion having a smaller width than the upper portion, and the first enlarged end piece has a width that is smaller than the upper portion of the first aperture to permit the first enlarged end piece to be inserted into the upper portion. In this configuration, the first groove permits the first enlarged end piece to fit within the lower portion of the first aperture, such that a portion of the mounting plate defining the lower portion of the first aperture is received within the first groove and engages the first enlarged end piece. In a further aspect, the mounting bracket includes a vertically oriented portion having the first pin extending therefrom, and a horizontally oriented portion extending rearwardly from the vertically oriented portion and over the platform.

According to another aspect, the foot rest is adjustably connected to the support frame, such as by using a pop pin or other releasable fixing structure.

According to a further aspect, the assembly also includes a box squat assembly removably positioned above the low row assembly. The box squat assembly includes a seat and a frame supporting the seat, the frame having first and second fixed frame members configured for resting on a supporting surface and first and second moveable frame members connected to and supporting the seat. The first and second moveable frame members are moveably and adjustably connected to the first and second fixed frame members to permit adjustment of a height of the seat. The first and second fixed frame members are positioned on opposite sides of the low row assembly, and the first and second moveable frame members are positioned on opposite sides of the low row assembly, such that the seat is positioned over the low row assembly.

Still further aspects of the disclosure relate to a low row assembly for use with a weight rack assembly having a platform and a cable system having a belt squat input point to receive user input in a belt squat exercise. The low row assembly includes a pulley mount, a low row pulley supported by the pulley mount, a support frame supporting the pulley mount, and a foot rest connected to the support frame. The low row assembly is releasably connectable to the weight rack assembly proximate to the platform, and the low row pulley is configured to be selectively engageable with the cable system at the belt squat input point to provide a low row input point configured for engagement by the user during a low row exercise.

According to one aspect, the assembly further includes a mounting bracket having a first pin with a first enlarged end piece, and the first pin is configured to be removably received in a first aperture in a mounting plate on the weight rack assembly such that the first enlarged end piece is configured to engage the mounting plate to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack assembly. In one aspect, the mounting bracket further has a second pin with a second enlarged end piece, and the second pin is configured to be removably received in a second aperture in the mounting plate, such that the second enlarged end piece is configured to engage the mounting plate to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack assembly. In this configuration, the first pin may have a first groove in the first enlarged end piece, and the second pin may have a second groove in the second enlarged end piece, and first and second pins may be configured to receive the mounting plate within the first groove and the second groove to engage the first enlarged end piece and the second enlarged end piece, to releasably connect the low row assembly to the weight rack assembly. In another aspect, the first pin has a first groove in the first enlarged end piece, and the first enlarged end piece has a width that is configured to be smaller than an enlarged portion of the first aperture to permit the first enlarged end piece to be inserted into the enlarged portion. The first groove is configured to permit the first enlarged end piece to fit within a smaller portion of the first aperture, such that the first groove is configured to receive a portion of the mounting plate defining the smaller portion of the first aperture to engage the first enlarged end piece. In a further aspect, the mounting bracket includes a vertically oriented portion having the first pin extending therefrom, and a horizontally oriented portion extending rearwardly from the vertically oriented portion and configured to be positioned over the platform.

According to another aspect, the foot rest is adjustably connected to the support frame, such as by using a pop pin or other releasable fixing structure.

Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a box squat assembly configured to be removably positioned above a pulley assembly connected to a weight rack. The box squat assembly includes a seat and a frame supporting the seat, the frame having first and second fixed frame members configured for resting on a supporting surface and first and second moveable frame members connected to and supporting the seat. The first and second moveable frame members are moveably and adjustably connected to the first and second fixed frame members to permit adjustment of a height of the seat. The first and second fixed frame members are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the pulley assembly, and the first and second moveable frame members are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the pulley assembly, such that the seat is positioned over the pulley assembly.

Other aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of assembly and disassembly of a weightlifting rack assembly, a weightlifting machine, a counterweight mechanism, a low row assembly, and/or a box squat assembly according to aspects disclosed herein. Aspects of the disclosure also relate to methods of connecting a counterweight mechanism, a low row assembly, and/or a box squat assembly to a weightlifting machine or a weight rack, and to methods of connecting a weightlifting machine to a weight rack, according to aspects disclosed herein.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail example embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures and initially to, there is shown an example embodiment of a weight rack assemblythat includes a weight rackand a weightlifting machinemounted on the weight rack, which includes a weight sourceand a cable system. The weight rackincludes a plurality of frame membersarranged to form a frame, including vertical frame membersA extending upward from the ground surface and horizontal frame membersB extending between the vertical frame membersA, at right angles. The weight rackmay be configured to have two sides with various cross-members, including one or more horizontal frame membersB or other cross-members such as a pull-up bar, connecting the two sides. The weight rackinis configured as a power rack, but other configurations are possible, such as a half-rack as shown in multiple embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/055,385, which is incorporated by reference herein. It is understood that if the weight rack assemblyis provided as a half rack, the weightlifting machinewill have a shorter overall length and thus shorter distances between certain components such as the top rack pulleysand the bottom rack pulleys. The frame membersinare hollow steel tubes having a square cross-section (e.g., 3×3 inch), but may be another rectangular shape (e.g., 4×3 inch), or a different shape, in another embodiment. The frame membersin this embodiment also have a plurality of holes in some or all of the four side surfaces, which are configured for receiving fasteners or other connectors to connect the frame memberstogether, as well as to connect various implements (including the weightlifting machine) to the weight rack. It is understood that the weight rackmay further be configured for use in other weightlifting exercises that do not use the weightlifting machine.

The frame membersin the weight rackoffurther include two angled membersC positioned at horizontal angles (e.g., 30-60° or approximately) 50° to the horizontal frame membersB, and also at horizontal angles to the flat sides of the vertical frame membersA. The angled membersC extend at angles inward from the two sides of the weight rackand meet at a lateral centerline of the weight rack, and the frame membersfurther include a central longitudinal memberD extending from a cross-member formed by one of the horizontal frame membersB, along the lateral centerline of the weight rack, to the juncture between the two angled membersC. The angled membersC and the central longitudinal memberD form a support for the weight sourceand a support and routing system for the pulleys of the cable systemas described herein. The angled membersC are each configured for having one or more pulleys mounted thereon and/or at least partially therein, and for having a section of the cable systemextend within and through the internal cavity thereof. Each angled memberC may have slots (not shown) in the underside for this purpose. The weight rackalso includes a horizontal support memberE at one end to support components of the weightlifting machine, and a platformconnected to the weight rackfor use in various weightlifting exercises, such as a squat exercise. The platformis supported by a support framethat includes horizontal frame membersB, the horizontal support memberE, and potentially additional support members (not shown) located beneath the platform. It is understood that the weight rackmay include other components, such as feet, nameplates, and various other accessories, connections, and implements, some of which are shown in the drawings.

The weightlifting machinein the embodiment ofincludes a weight sourcein the form of in the form of a carriagethat is configured for weight loading, such as by addition of weight plates (not shown) or resistance bands (not shown), a cable systemconnected to the weight source, and a plurality of user input pointsconnected to the weight sourceby the cable system. The weightlifting machinein this embodiment includes a carriage support, and the carriageis moveably mounted on the carriage support, such that a user, by exerting force at one of the input points, pulls the weight carriageupward along the carriage supportvia the cable system, with the weight of the weight carriageproviding resistance to the user in this motion. At least some aspects of the weight sourcemay be configured as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Additionally, the weightlifting machinemay be configured as a belt squat machine such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909.

The carriage supportin the embodiment ofincludes a baseaffixed to the horizontal support memberE of the weight rackand resting on the ground surface, and a track or guide in the form of a railthat extends vertically upward from the base, such that the weight carriageis mounted on the railand the railguides the movement of the weight carriage. The railin this embodiment is formed by a single upright rail. In other embodiments, the track may be formed of two or more parallel railsthat are engaged with the weight carriageor a different structure. The railhas a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the embodiment of.

The weight carriagein the embodiment ofis moveably mounted on the railof the carriage supportby one or more track-engaging structures, and has one or more weight mountsto support and/or engage removable weights. The carriageinhas a weight mountformed as a beam that extends horizontally outward from both sides of the carriageto form supports for weight plates and/or connections for resistance bands or other weights. The track-engaging structure(s) ininclude rollersthat are positioned to engage the railand define a passage through the carriage, such that the railextends through the passage. In this configuration, the railis surrounded on all sides by the carriageand is engaged on at least two sides by the carriage. In another embodiment, the carriagemay engage the raildifferently. The carriageinhas four total rollers, with two rollerson each side of the passage. Each of the rollershas an axle that defines an axis of rotation of the roller, and all of the rollersin this embodiment rotate freely on parallel axes. The carriageincludes two platesthat are parallel and spaced from each other, and the rollersare connected to the two platesand extend between the two plates. The platesdefine the lateral sides of the passage, with the rollersdefining the front and rear sides of the passage. The rollersprovide the sole points of engagement between the carriageand the railin the embodiment of. It is understood that the axles of the rollersextend completely through each rollerand between the platesin the embodiment of. In another embodiment, the axle of each rollermay be defined by a pair of spindles or other rotary structure on each end of the roller.

In another embodiment, the weight carriagemay include track-engaging structures that engage the railin a different manner, and the railmay include complementary structures for such engagement. For example, the railmay include rails, flanges, grooves, lips, or other structures that are engaged by track-engaging structures of the carriage, such as rollers, wheels, clamps, etc.

The carriageinis configured to move by translation up and down along the rail, and the rollersroll against the outer surfaces of the railduring this movement. As shown in, the carriage supporthas stopsnear the bottom of the railthat prevent further downward movement of the carriagewhen the carriagecontacts one of the stops, establishing a lowermost position of the carriagein normal operation. The carriage supportin one embodiments may be provided with an attachment (not shown) that extends upward to engage the weight mountof the carriage, in place of or in addition to the stops. Additionally, the carriagemay have an engagement memberat the front of the carriage. The engagement memberin the example shown inis a bar or peg that extends between the platesat the front of the carriage. The function of the engagement memberis described in greater detail herein. The carriageand the weight or weights engaged therewith may be considered to form a moveable weight assembly to provide resistance for a weightlifting exercise.

The cable systemhas a plurality of input pointsin the embodiment of, including two height-adjustable input pointsA, a belt squat input pointB, and a lat pull input pointC. It is understood that any of the input pointsmay be used for a variety of different exercises. Each of the input pointsis at an end of a cable of the cable systemand may include a connector(e.g., a clip) for connection of a handle or other user engaging member (e.g., a grip, belt, etc.) and optionally a stop (not shown), such as a rubber ball. The user engaging member may be a bar, handle, grip, or other member designed for gripping by a user's hands; a strap, belt, harness, or other member designed for engaging a user's torso, or a different member designed to be engaged by a different part of the user's body (e.g., leg, foot, head, etc.) to exert force on the cable systemat the input point.illustrates one example of user engaging membersin the form of D-handles. In general, the belt squat input pointB may be connected to a belt (not shown) for wrapping around a user's waist/hips for use in a belt squat exercise, and the lat pull input pointC may be connected to a lat pull handle (e.g., a bar with angled ends). Nevertheless, the lat pull input pointC and/or the belt squat input pointB may be used for other exercises, and may include a different user-engaging member for that purpose.

The cable systemincludes a plurality of cables,,routed through a plurality of pulleys to connect the various input pointsto the weight source. The routing of the cable systemin the embodiment ofproduces different mechanical advantages for different input points. For example, the adjustable input pointsA have a:mechanical advantage, i.e., such that the force experienced at each of the input pointsA is half of the selected weight of the weight source. As another example, the belt squat input pointB and the lat pull input pointC have 1:1 mechanical advantages, such that the force experienced at the input pointsB-C is equivalent to the selected weight of the weight source. Additionally, the routing of the cable systempermits the adjustable input pointsA to be height-adjustable while using only a single weight sourcein combination with one or more other input pointsB-C.

The cable systemincludes a single input cablefor both of the adjustable input pointsA that runs from one of the adjustable input pointsA, through a weight source pulleythat exerts force directly on the weight sourcevia connection to the carriage, and to the other adjustable input pointA. Each of the adjustable input pointsA is provided at an adjustable combination pulleythat is a double pulley mounted on a bracketthat is adjustable to be fixed at a plurality of positions along the length of one of the vertical frame membersA, such as by using a gripand a releasable pin(which may be a spring-loaded pop pin). The input cableextends upward from the combination pulleyover two top rack pulleysthat redirect the input cablehorizontally and vertically to a peanut pulley. Each combination of two top rack pulleysare mounted on a single, elongated pulley mountthat extends horizontally along the outside of the weight rackin this embodiment, but separate pulley mounts may be used in another embodiment. The input cablethen extends from the peanut pulleyto a first angled pulleythat redirects the input cablefrom vertical to an angled horizontal direction that travels along one of the angled membersC. The first angled pulleysinare also mounted on the elongated pulley mountwith the top rack pulleys, but each angled pulleymay alternately be mounted on a separate pulley mount or mounted on the adjacent angled memberC in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the input cabletravels within the angled memberC through at least a portion of the journey along the angled memberC. Second angled pulleysare mounted at least partially within the angled membersC and redirect the input cabledownward to one of two top wheelsof a double peanut pulley. The input cableis then directed back upward through one of a pair of third angled pulleysthat directs the input cableback downward. The double peanut pulleyin this embodiment is positioned within an elongated cavityof the railand can travel vertically within the rail, as shown in. The double peanut pulleymay include rollers(balls, cylinders, etc.) to assist in traveling within the rail, as described in greater detail herein. The third angled pulleysextend rearward and outward from the weight rackat the junction between the central longitudinal memberD and the angled membersC. From the third angled pulley, the input cableis routed downward through the weight source pulley, then upward through the other third angled pulley, and back to the other adjustable combination pulleyin reverse order on the opposite side of the weight rack. The weight source pulleyin the embodiment ofis connected to the weight mountof the carriage, such that the carriagedirectly exerts weight on the input cablethrough the weight source pulley. In this manner, the two adjustable input pointsA can be used independently, alone or simultaneously, to lift the weight source. The use of the double peanut pulleyprovides a:mechanical advantage for each of the adjustable input pointsA as discussed herein.

Each of the adjustable combination pulleysis height-adjustable while maintaining tension in the input cableby use of the peanut pulleysand adjustable tension cables. One endof each adjustable tension cableis fixed to the bracketof the adjustable combination pulley, and the adjustable tension cableextends downward from the combination pulleyover two bottom rack pulleysthat redirect the adjustable tension cablehorizontally and vertically to the peanut pulley. Each combination of two bottom rack pulleysare mounted on a single, elongated pulley mountthat extends horizontally along the outside of the weight rackin this embodiment, but separate pulley mounts may be used in another embodiment. The adjustable tension cablethen extends downward to a second endthat is fixed directly or indirectly to the weight rack. As the adjustable combination pulleyis adjusted for height, the adjustable tension cablemoves generally the same distance as the input cable, thereby adjusting the vertical position of the peanut pulleyopposite of the direction of movement of the adjustable combination pulley, thereby ensuring the same travel length of the input cableand retaining tension in the input cable.

The weight rackinmay include shrouds covering certain components of the weightlifting machine, to provide a specific visual or ornamental appearance, to protect the components from interference, and/or to provide improved functionality. For example, as shown in, the weight rackmay include inner shroudsand outer shroudsaround the peanut pulleysand the portions of the input cableand the adjustable tension cablesengaging the peanut pulleys. The shrouds,define an inner cavity in which the peanut pulleysare positioned, and shields the peanut pulleysand the cables,. Additionally, the inner shroudsare outfitted with apertures (e.g., keyhole apertures) to permit mounting of various accessories. Other types and arrangements of shrouds may be used in other embodiments.

The cable systemincludes a second input cablefor the belt squat input pointB and the lat pull input pointC that runs from the belt squat input pointB downward through the slotin the platform and through a belt squat pulleylocated below the slot, through a lower central pulley(which is mounted on the basebelow the rail). The second input cablethen extends upward through the cavityin the railand through a counterweight pulleyof a counterweight mechanism. The structure and operation of the counterweight mechanismand the double peanut pulleyin this embodiment are described in greater detail herein. The counterweight pulleydirects the second input cableback downward through the cavityof the railto a second lower central pulley, which then directs the second input cableback upward behind the rail. The second input cableextends upward from the second lower central pulleyto an upper central pulley, which directs the second input cablelaterally above the top surface of the central longitudinal memberD to a lat pull pulleyand the lat pull input pointC. In this embodiment, the upper central pulleyand the third angled pulleysare mounted on a rail capat the top of the rail, which provides a pulley mount. This routing of the second input cableprovides a mechanical advantage of 1:1 for the belt squat input pointB and the lat pull input pointC. The routing configurations for the input cablein this embodiment provides a mechanical advantage of 2:1 for each input pointA of the input cable, as described previously.

The weightlifting machineincludes a platformconnected to the weight rackas described herein, and the platformhas a slotfor the second input cableto extend through. The weightlifting machineinmay also be configured to additionally include another input point connected to the belt squat input pointB by a cable extension, such as the low row input pointD shown in. Further, the weightlifting machineinis provided with a locking mechanism including a pivoting bodypivotably connected to the weight rackby one or more brackets or other pivot connections, with a locking memberin the form of a hook that is fixedly connected to the pivoting bodyand pivots with the pivoting bodyabout the pivot point. The locking memberis configured to be moved by the pivoting bodybetween a locking position where the locking memberengages and supports the carriagein an elevated position above the lowermost position of the carriage, and a release position, where the locking memberdoes not engage the carriageor obstruct movement of the carriage, and the carriageis free to move below the elevated position to a lowermost position of the carriage. The locking memberin this embodiment is configured to engage the engagement memberat the front of the carriage. This configuration and the operation thereof may be as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,058,909, discussed elsewhere herein.

In one embodiment, the weightlifting machinefurther includes a cable tensioning mechanism configured to remove slack from the input cablewhen the length of the path of the input cableis shortened, such as by placing the carriagein the elevated position using the locking member. This ensures that the input cableand the adjustable tension cablesare always kept in tension. In the embodiment of, the cable tensioning mechanism is in the form of a counterweight mechanism, which includes a counterweight pulley, a counterweight, and two counterweight cablesmoveably suspending the counterweight pulleyand the counterweightfrom the double peanut pulley. The double peanut pulleyin this embodiment is a double-double peanut pulley with two top wheelsand two bottom wheels. The input cableis routed through the two top wheelsas described herein. The counterweight pulleyincludes a counterweight pulley wheelmounted in a counter-weight pulley frame. Each of the counterweight cableshas a first endfixed to the counterweight pulley frameand a second endfixed to the counterweight, and each counterweight cableis engaged with one of the bottom wheelsof the double peanut pulleybetween the first and second ends,. The double peanut pulleyis positioned above the counterweight pulley, and the counterweightis positioned below the counterweight pulley in this embodiment, such that counterweight pulleyis positioned between the double peanut pulleyand the counterweight. In this configuration, the counterweightand the counterweight pulleyare vertically moveable with respect to each other by the counterweight cablestraveling through the two bottom wheelsof the double peanut pulley, and the counterweightexerts an upward force on the counterweight pulley framevia the counterweight cables. The counterweight pulleymay have a bumper(e.g., a rubber material or other durable, resilient material) on the top of the counterweight pulley framefor engaging the double peanut pulleyin a manner that avoids damage and/or excessive noise and impact energy.