PORTABLE PLATFORM ACCESSORY FOR LINEAR-PULL WEIGHT MACHINES

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed in the application data sheet to the following patents or patent applications, each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

• • Ser. No. 19/173,183
  • 63/632,884

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

The present invention is in the field of fitness and exercise equipment.

Discussion of the State of the Art

While there are many accessories available on the market for linear-pull weight machines, none allow for exercise at a distance away from the linear-pull weight machine at a location convenient to the user. Further, none redirect a linear-pull weight machine's cables to a vertical direction underneath the user, allowing for performance of a variety of exercises that require a vertical pull with room away from the linear-pull weight machine.

What is needed is a portable platform accessory that facilitates exercise using vertical resistance from a linear-pull weight machine at a distance from the linear-pull weight machine.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines which allows a user to engage in a variety of vertical resistance exercises at a distance away from a linear-pull weight machine at a location convenient for the user. This accessory allows for addition of belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises on linear-pull weight machines that do not come equipped with those exercises or for which performance of those exercises close to the linear-pull weight machine is inconvenient. Further, due to its portability, this accessory can be placed in a variety of locations at a distance from the linear-pull weight machine, adding belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises even where the linear-pull weight machine is in confined spaces where these exercises could not otherwise be performed or would be inconvenient due to space restrictions.

In an embodiment, the portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines comprises a rigid body structure in the form of a step stool with four legs and a standing surface, a slot, hole, or other opening in the standing surface through which a weight cable may be run; a pulley mechanism below the standing surface, the pully mechanism comprising one or more pulleys to guide a weight cable from the linear-pull weight machine up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward orientation and a swivel mechanism to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine to which it is attached; a bracket attached to the rigid body to which the pulley mechanism is attached; and an extension cable run through the slot, hole, or other opening, threaded through the pulley mechanism, and attachable at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises.

In another embodiment, the portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines comprises a rigid body structure in the form of a flat plate, a pulley mechanism above the flat plate, the pully mechanism comprising one or more pulleys to guide a weight cable from a roughly horizontal orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward orientation and a swivel mechanism to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine to which it is attached; a bracket attached to the rigid body to which the pulley mechanism is attached; and an extension cable run through the slot, hole, or other opening, threaded through the pulley mechanism, and attachable at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 3 bottom perspective view of a pulley mechanism aspect of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a third exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of usage of one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of usage of one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines which allows a user to engage in a variety of vertical resistance exercises at a distance away from a linear-pull weight machine at a location convenient for the user. This accessory allows for addition of belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises on linear-pull weight machines that do not come equipped with those exercises or for which performance of those exercises close to the linear-pull weight machine is inconvenient. Further, due to its portability, this accessory can be placed in a variety of locations at a distance from the linear-pull weight machine, adding belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises even where the linear-pull weight machine is in confined spaces where these exercises could not otherwise be performed or would be inconvenient due to space restrictions.

In an embodiment, the portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines comprises a rigid body structure in the form of a step stool with four legs and a standing surface, a slot, hole, or other opening in the standing surface through which a weight cable may be run; a pulley mechanism below the standing surface, the pully mechanism comprising one or more pulleys to guide a weight cable from a roughly horizontal orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward orientation and a swivel mechanism to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine to which it is attached; a bracket attached to the rigid body to which the pulley mechanism is attached; and an extension cable run through the slot, hole, or other opening, threaded through the pulley mechanism, and attachable at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises.

In another embodiment, the portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines comprises a rigid body structure in the form of a flat plate, a pulley mechanism above the flat plate, the pully mechanism comprising one or more pulleys to guide a weight cable from a roughly horizontal orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward orientation and a swivel mechanism to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine to which it is attached; a bracket attached to the rigid body to which the pulley mechanism is attached; and an extension cable run through the slot, hole, or other opening, threaded through the pulley mechanism, and attachable at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises.

In an embodiment, the pulley mechanism is open on one side, leaving the pulley exposed such that that a weight cable from the linear-pull weight machine may be easily positioned around the pulley by hand without requiring tools or disassembly of the pulley mechanism, allowing for use of the portable platform accessory with an existing cable of the linear-pull weight machine.

In an embodiment, a swivel is not used, and adjustment for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine is made manually by orienting the platform toward the linear-pull weight machine.

In an embodiment, the bracket attached to the rigid body and swivel are replaced with a flexible attachment which allows for some horizontal rotation of the pulley such as a chain, rope, cable, hook, or ring.

In use, the portable platform accessory is placed on the floor nearby a linear-pull weight machine which typically comprises a standing frame, a weight stack of selectable weights, one or more cables for lifting the selected weights, and one or more pulleys for redirecting the cable from the top of the machine to a location suitable for a particular exercise. Several different exercises may be performed using the accessory, including but not limited to belt squats (wherein a belt is placed around the user's waist and squats are performed while standing on the standing surface), dead lifts, bicep curls, and shoulder presses (pushing upward from shoulder level to above the head).

The portable platform accessory stays in place on the floor because the coefficient of friction in the horizontal direction between the legs (or feet) of the platform is substantially greater than the force pulling the platform toward the linear-pull weight machine. As an example, suppose a 70 kg person is standing on the platform lifting a weight (vertically through the weight cable) of 20 kg upward. The downward force on the platform is roughly 90 kg (the weight of the person due to gravity plus the downward force of 20 kg opposite to the person's lifting of the 20 kg weight). The horizontal or lateral force pulling the platform toward the linear-pull weight machine is 20 kg (again along the weight cable, but horizontally). Assuming rubber feet and a concrete floor, the coefficient of friction between these materials is roughly 1.0. With a downward (normal) force of 90 kg and a coefficient of friction of 1.0, the horizontal or lateral force would have to be 90 kg for it to overcome the friction and move the platform 100 toward the linear-pull weight machine. However, lifting 90 kg would cause the total downward force to be 160 kg. The vertical and horizontal forces will vary somewhat depending on the actual angles away from pure vertical or pure horizontal, but the vertical force will always be greater than the horizontal force by the majority of the weight of the person. Any foot and floor material combination with a coefficient of friction of about 0.28 or greater would be sufficient to keep the platform from moving for nearly all body weight/lifting combinations, including bare steel on concrete (with static coefficients of friction between 0.29 and 065).

The accessory can be placed as close to, or as far away from, the linear-pull weight machine as necessary, and at any angle relative to the linear-pull weight machine that allows for unhindered cable movement. In some embodiments, the weight cable from the linear-pull weight machine may be used by threading it through the pulleys and slot or opening in the standing surface. In other embodiments, a weight cable extension is pre-threaded through the pulleys and slot/hole in the standing surface and attached at a first end to the weight cable from the linear-pull weight machine and at a second end to an exercise component such as a belt or handle. In other embodiments, the pulley is exposed on one side and the weight cable can be simply looped around the pulley. In some embodiments, the weight cable may be a weight cable installed on the linear-pull weight machine. In some embodiments, the weight cable may be a weight cable extension. The cable extension may be as long as necessary to facilitate exercise at a preferred distance from the linear-pull weight machine, allowing the user to exercise out of the way of other persons exercising in the same room. Multiple cable extensions may be used to gain greater distance from the linear-pull weight machine. Depending on the embodiment, the platform may be attached to weight cables at various locations or heights on the linear-pull weight machine.

One or more different aspects may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the aspects described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the aspects contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous aspects, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the aspects, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular aspects. Particular features of one or more of the aspects described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular aspects or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular aspects or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the aspects nor a listing of features of one or more of the aspects that must be present in all arrangements.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more communication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.

A description of an aspect with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible aspects and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the aspects, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per aspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some aspects or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given aspect or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other aspects need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular aspects may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various aspects in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Definitions

“Linear-pull weight machine” as used herein means any weight machine with a resistance mechanism that can be used with a linear or roughly linear pull. Some non-limiting examples of linear-pull weight machines include selectorized weight machines wherein a weight cable is pulled in a linear or roughly linear fashion to lift weights via one or more pulleys, elastic bands which may be attached to a fixed object and provide resistance via stretching the elastic bands in a linear or roughly linear fashion, motorized or other electro-mechanical resistance mechanisms in which resistance is provided by a motor or rotating electro-mechanical means and a weight cable or lever is attached to the shaft of the motor and used via a linear or roughly linear pull, and similar machines where the resistance is provided by magnets, contained fluids, or air resistance (fans).

“Weight cable” as used herein means a flexible length of material of sufficient linear strength to bear the weight of an exercise from a linear-pull weight machine. Some non-limiting examples of weight cables include a rope, braided steel cable, steel-reinforced flat straps or belts, and roller chains. In some linear-pull weight machines, there may be no weight cable and an extension cable from the platform may be attached directly to the linear-pull weight machine. For example, linear-pull weight machines using elastic bands may have no weight cable and an extension cable from the platform may be attached to the elastic bands.

“Pulley” as used herein means a low-friction mechanical means for redirecting the force of a weight cable. Some non-limiting examples of pulleys include grooved pulleys in which a rope or cable rides in a groove around the pulley, flat pulleys in which a strap or belt slides or rides around a flat surface of the pulley, and sprockets in which a roller chain rides around a pulley wherein the pulley's teeth fit between the rollers of the chain. While most pulleys rotate around an axis, some pulleys may be non-rotating such as low-friction rounded surfaces across which a strap or belt slides.

Detailed Description of the Drawing Figures

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This accessory allows users to engage in a variety of vertical resistance exercises at a distance away from a linear-pull weight machine at a location convenient for the user. This accessory allows for addition of belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises on linear-pull weight machines that do not come equipped with those exercises or for which performance of those exercises close to the linear-pull weight machine is inconvenient. Further, due to its portability, this accessory can be placed in a variety of locations at a distance from the linear-pull weight machine, adding belt squats, dead lifts, bicep curls, and other vertical resistance exercises even where the linear-pull weight machine is in confined spaces where these exercises could not otherwise be performed or would be inconvenient due to space restrictions.

In this embodiment, the portable platform accessory 100 comprises a rigid body structure 110, a pulley mechanism 120 below the standing surface, and a weight cable extension 130.

The rigid body structure 110 of this embodiment is in the form of a step stool having four legs 118 and a horizontal top surface which acts as a standing surface 116 for the user. The standing surface 116 may have a secondary surface 117 attached to it or molded into it to prevent slipping such as molded lines or ridges, sandpaper, or a high-friction material such as rubber. The standing surface 116 (and secondary surface, if used) has a hole or other opening (not shown) through which a weight cable 130 may be run. Note that while a step stool shape is used in this embodiment, it is not required. In other embodiments wherein the pulley mechanism is mounted underneath the standing surface, a different shape or form of platform having a raised standing surface may be used including, but not limited to, a wider or narrower platform, a taller or shorter platform, a platform using a different number of legs, or a platform without legs (e.g., a box or other enclosed shape). Different materials may be used for different portions of the platform (e.g., the frame of the platform could be made of steel while the standing surface 116 could be made of wood). The rigid body structure 110 may have feet 114 attached to the legs 118 for a higher coefficient of friction with a ground surface. In this embodiment, each of the four legs has a foot 114 made of a high-friction material such as rubber and attached to the leg with a screw 115. In this embodiment, the rigid body structure 110 also has a pair of weight pegs 119 to assist in holding the platform 100 in place on the floor. For example, while the user's body weight will generally be sufficient to hold the platform in place during use, when the user is stepping on and off the platform the platform could shift if the user is pulling on the weight cable. Placing weights on the weight pegs will help to alleviate such shifting. The platform 100 may also be fitted with a handle 140 for balance in mounting and dismounting the platform 100. The handle 140 of this embodiment comprises a shaft 141 (shown in cut-away view) attached to the rigid body structure 110 and a grip 142. The shaft 142 in some embodiments may be telescoping such that it may be collapsed for convenience during periods of non-use.

The pulley mechanism 120 of this embodiment is mounted below the standing surface 116. The pulley mechanism comprises one or more pulleys 124, 125 configured to guide the weight cable 130 from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation. This embodiment utilizes two pulleys, a redirectional pulley 125 which is configured to guide the weight cable 130 from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation, and a stabilizing pulley 124 which is configured to keep the weight cable 130 in line with the redirectional pulley 125 so that the weight cable does not fall off the redirectional pulley 125 even where non-vertical forces are applied to the weight cable 130. For example, in many exercise movements, the user's pull on the weight cable will not be perfectly vertical, and will have some lateral component of force. The stabilizing pulley 124 corrects any lateral component of the user's pull back to a vertical force to keep the weight cable in line with the redirectional pulley 125. The pulleys may be attached to a plate 121 or sandwiched between a pair of plates (not shown) to keep them in position. The plate 121 of this embodiment is attached to a swivel mechanism. A swivel mechanism 122 is used to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine with which the platform is used. The swivel mechanism corrects for a certain degree of misalignment of the platform with the linear-pull weight machine by swiveling horizontally about the vertical axis of the swivel 122. A bracket 123 is attached to the rigid body 110 underneath the standing surface 116 to which the pulley mechanism 120 is attached via the swivel. The bracket of this embodiment comprises a pair of horizontal extensions 123a,b between which the swivel mechanism is attached.

The weight cable 130 is threaded through the pulley mechanism attached at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine (in this embodiment, the sideways or roughly horizontal end) and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises (in this case, the upward or roughly vertical end). In some embodiments, the weight cable 130 may be a weight cable already installed on the linear-pull weight machines, while in other embodiments, the weight cable 130 may be an extension cable that is pre-threaded through the pulleys with a means for attachment at either end 132a,b, or both ends, such as a clip, carabiner, u-bolt, hook, or similar means of attachment. In such embodiments, one end of the extension cable is attached via the means of attachment 132b to the cable already installed on the linear-pull weight machine and the other end is attached to a weight training tool or accessory (such as a handle, waist belt, etc.).

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This is the same embodiment as shown and described for FIG. 1 with features not visible from the side elevation view shown and described. Here, the standing surface 116 and secondary surface 117 are visible with a hole or other opening 111 through which a weight cable 130 may be run. The rigid body structure 110 may have also a slot 112 (here shown as an optional dotted line) cut out of it to provide additional clearance for cables that deviate substantially from horizontal.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a pulley mechanism aspect of a first exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This is the same embodiment as shown and described for FIG. 1 with features not visible from the side elevation view shown and described.

The pulley mechanism 120 of this embodiment is mounted below the standing surface 116 (legs removed for clarity of view of the pulley mechanism 120). The pulley mechanism comprises one or more pulleys 124, 125 configured to guide the weight cable (not shown) from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation. The movement of the weight cable is indicated by the arrows shown at 131, roughly horizontally toward the linear-pull weight machine and roughly vertically through the hole or opening 111 in the standing surface 116. This embodiment utilizes two pulleys, a redirectional pulley 125 which is configured to guide the weight cable 130 from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation, and a stabilizing pulley 124 which is configured to keep the weight cable 130 in line with the redirectional pulley 125 so that the weight cable does not fall off the redirectional pulley 125 even where non-vertical forces are applied to the weight cable 130. For example, in many exercise movements, the user's pull on the weight cable will not be perfectly vertical, and will have some lateral component of force. The stabilizing pulley 124 corrects any lateral component of the user's pull back to a vertical force to keep the weight cable in line with the redirectional pulley 125. The pulleys may be attached to a plate 121 or sandwiched between a pair of plates (not shown) to keep them in position. The plate 121 of this embodiment is attached to a swivel mechanism. A swivel mechanism 122 is used to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine with which the platform is used. The swivel mechanism corrects for a certain degree of misalignment of the platform with the linear-pull weight machine by swiveling horizontally about the vertical axis of the swivel 122. A bracket 123 is attached to the rigid body 110 underneath the standing surface 116 to which the pulley mechanism 120 is attached via the swivel. The bracket of this embodiment comprises a pair of horizontal extensions 123a,b between which the swivel mechanism is attached.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. In this embodiment, the portable platform accessory 200 comprises a rigid body structure 210, a pulley mechanism 220 above the standing surface, and a weight cable extension 230. Advantages to this embodiment include a simplified rigid body structure 210 and the ability to attach the weight cable non-horizontally to the linear-pull weight machine. For example, where the linear-pull weight machine does not have a lower cable, the portable platform accessory can be attached to an upper weight cable, as indicated by the dotted line position of the weight cable extension 230 at 232.

The rigid body structure 210 of this embodiment is in the form of a flat plate having a horizontal top surface which acts as a standing surface 216 for the user. The standing surface 216 may have a secondary surface 217 attached to, or molded into, the top side to prevent slipping such as molded lines or ridges, sandpaper, or a high-friction material such as rubber. Note that while flat plate is used in this embodiment, it is not required. In other embodiments, a different shape or form of platform may be used including, but not limited to, a wider or narrower platform, a taller or shorter platform, a platform using a different number of legs, or a platform without legs (e.g., a box or other enclosed shape). Different materials may be used for different portions of the platform (e.g., the frame of the platform could be made of steel while the standing surface 216 could be made of wood). The rigid body structure 210 of this embodiment further has a tertiary surface 213 attached to, or molded into, the bottom side to increase the coefficient of friction with the floor surface such as a high-friction material like rubber.

The pulley mechanism 220 of this embodiment is mounted above the standing surface 216. The pulley mechanism comprises one or more pulleys configured to guide the weight cable 230 from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up through the slot, hole, or other opening to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation. The movement of the weight cable is indicated by the arrows shown at 231. This embodiment utilizes a single pulley 225 configured to redirect the weight cable 230 from a sideways or angled orientation from the linear-pull weight machine to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation from the platform 200. Other embodiments may use a second stabilizing pulley which is configured to keep the weight cable 230 in line with the redirectional pulley 225 so that the weight cable does not fall off the redirectional pulley 225 even where non-vertical forces are applied to the weight cable 230. For example, in many exercise movements, the user's pull on the weight cable will not be perfectly vertical, and will have some lateral component of force. The stabilizing pulley 224 corrects any lateral component of the user's pull back to a vertical force to keep the weight cable in line with the redirectional pulley 225. The pulleys may be attached to a plate 221 or sandwiched between a pair of plates (not shown) to keep them in position. The plate 221 of this embodiment is attached to a swivel mechanism 222. The swivel mechanism 222 is used to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine with which the platform is used. The swivel mechanism corrects for a certain degree of misalignment of the platform with the linear-pull weight machine by swiveling horizontally about the vertical axis of the swivel 222. A bracket 223 is attached to the standing surface 216 of the rigid body 220 to which the pulley mechanism 220 is attached via the swivel 222. The bracket 223 of this embodiment is a round pole, post, or tube around which the swivel 222 is attached, allowing the swivel 222 to rotate horizontally about the vertical axis of the bracket 223.

The weight cable 230 of this embodiment is placed around the pulley 224 simply by looping it around the exposed pulley. In embodiments where the pulley is sandwiched between a pair of plates (not shown) the weight cable is threaded through the pulley mechanism. The weight cable is 230 attached at a first end to a weight cable of a linear-pull weight machine (in this embodiment, the sideways or roughly horizontal end) and at a second end to a handle or belt for performing exercises (in this case, the upward or roughly vertical end). In some embodiments, the weight cable 230 may be a weight cable already installed on the linear-pull weight machines, while in other embodiments, the weight cable 230 may be an extension cable that is pre-threaded through the pulleys with a means for attachment 218a,b at either end, or both ends, such as a clip, carabiner, u-bolt, hook, or similar means of attachment. In such embodiments, one end of the extension cable is attached via the means of attachment 232b to the cable already installed on the linear-pull weight machine and the other end is attached to a weight training tool or accessory (such as a handle, waist belt, etc.). In some embodiments (not shown), the weight cable 130 may take the form of a chain and the and pulley 124, 125 may take the form of a sprocket having teeth that engage with the chain.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This is the same embodiment as shown and described for FIG. 4, with features not visible from the side elevation view shown and described. Here, the horizontal rotation 227 of the swivel 222 about the vertical axis of the bracket 213 is visible.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a third exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This embodiment is the same as the second embodiment shown and described in FIG. 4, but using two pulleys sandwiched between a pair of plates 321 instead of a single pulley on a single plate.

The pulley mechanism 220 of this embodiment is mounted above the standing surface 216. The pulley mechanism of this embodiment comprises two pulleys configured to guide the weight cable 230 from a sideways (i.e., roughly horizontal) orientation up toward the user in an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation. The movement of the weight cable is indicated by the arrows shown at 231. This embodiment utilizes a first redirectional pulley 225 configured to redirect the weight cable 230 from a sideways or angled orientation from the linear-pull weight machine to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation from the platform 300 and a second stabilizing pulley 224 which is configured to keep the weight cable 230 in line with the redirectional pulley 225 so that the weight cable does not fall off the redirectional pulley 225 even where non-vertical forces are applied to the weight cable 230. For example, in many exercise movements, the user's pull on the weight cable will not be perfectly vertical, and will have some lateral component of force. The stabilizing pulley 224 corrects any lateral component of the user's pull back to a vertical force to keep the weight cable in line with the redirectional pulley 225. The pulleys 224, 225 are sandwiched between a pair of plates 321 to keep them in position. The pair of plates 221 of this embodiment is attached to a swivel mechanism 222. The swivel mechanism 222 is used to adjust for variations in the orientation of placement of the accessory relative to a linear-pull weight machine with which the platform is used. The swivel mechanism corrects for a certain degree of misalignment of the platform with the linear-pull weight machine by swiveling horizontally about the vertical axis of the swivel 222. A bracket 223 is attached to the standing surface 216 of the rigid body 220 to which the pulley mechanism 220 is attached via the swivel 222. The bracket 223 of this embodiment is a round pole, post, or tube around which the swivel 222 is attached, allowing the swivel 222 to rotate horizontally about the vertical axis of the bracket 223.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This embodiment is the same as the second embodiment shown and described in FIG. 4, but with a simplified, non-swiveling pulley mechanism.

The pulley mechanism 420 of this embodiment is mounted above the standing surface 216. The pulley mechanism comprises a single pulley 225 configured to redirect the weight cable 230 from a sideways or angled orientation from the linear-pull weight machine to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation from the platform 400. A fixed, non-swiveling bracket 423 is attached to the standing surface 216 of the rigid body 220 to which the pulley mechanism 420 is attached. While this embodiment does not have a swivel, there remains a certain degree of flexibility in orienting the platform 400 toward the linear-pull weight machine due to the nature of cables running through grooves in pulleys which do not require precise alignment. An advantage of this embodiment is reduced manufacturing cost.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a portable platform accessory for linear-pull weight machines. This embodiment is the same as the second embodiment shown and described in FIG. 4, but with a simplified pulley mechanism having a flexible means of attachment instead of a bracket.

The pulley mechanism 520 of this embodiment is mounted above the standing surface 216. The pulley mechanism comprises a single pulley 225 configured to redirect the weight cable 230 from a sideways or angled orientation from the linear-pull weight machine to an upward (i.e., roughly vertical) orientation from the platform 500. Rather than using a bracket, this embodiment uses a flexible means of attachment 523 to attach the pulley to the standing surface 216 of the rigid body 220. The flexible means of attachment 523 is shown here as a chain, but other flexible means of attachment could be used including, but not limited to, chains, ropes, cables, wires, straps, hooks, u-bolts, and carabiners. The flexible means of attachment 523 allows for similar rotation as for the swivel of other embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, the pulley 225 is sandwiched between two plates 521 to prevent the weight cable 230 from slipping off the pulley when the flexible means of attachment 523 twists or rotates. In some embodiments, a plurality of flexible means of attachment 523 mean be used, such as two chains, one on either side of the pulley, to provide additional stability to the pulley. An advantage of this embodiment is reduced manufacturing cost.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of usage of one or more embodiments described herein. In use, an embodiment of the portable platform accessory 900 is placed on the floor nearby a linear-pull weight machine 910 which typically comprises a standing frame 911, a weight stack 912 of selectable weights, one or more cables 914 for lifting the selected weights 912b, and one or more pulleys 913, 915 for redirecting the cable from the top of the machine to a location suitable for a particular exercise. The cable moves back and forth in the motion shown by the arrows 916.

The weight cable 914 runs from a lower pulley 915 on the linear-pull weight machine to the platform 900. Weights for lifting 912b are selected for lifting on the weight stack 912 of the linear-pull weight stack machine, with non-lifted weights 912a remaining unselected. The user then stands on top of the standing surface of the platform 900 and the user's body weight combined with the downward force component of the selected weight holds the platform 900 in place on the floor while the exercise is performed.

Several different exercises may be performed using the accessory, including but not limited to belt squats (wherein a belt is placed around the user's waist and squats are performed while standing on the standing surface), dead lifts, bicep curls, and shoulder presses (pushing upward from shoulder level to above the head). Here, a user 900 is shown doing standing “lat pulls” with the arms outstretched in a first position 921 and pulled in (thus lifting the selected weights 912b) in a second position 922 shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of usage of one or more embodiments described herein. In use, an embodiment of the portable platform accessory 1000 is placed on the floor nearby a linear-pull weight machine 1010 which typically comprises a standing frame 1011, a weight stack 1012 of selectable weights, one or more cables 1014 for lifting the selected weights 1012b, and one or more pulleys 1013 for redirecting the cable from the top of the machine to a location suitable for a particular exercise. The cable moves back and forth in the motion shown by the arrows 1016.

The weight cable 1014 runs from an upper pulley 1013 on the linear-pull weight machine to the platform 1000. Weights for lifting 1012b are selected for lifting on the weight stack 1012 of the linear-pull weight stack machine, with non-lifted weights 1012a remaining unselected. The user then stands on top of the standing surface of the platform 1000 and the user's body weight combined with the downward force component of the selected weight holds the platform 1000 in place on the floor while the exercise is performed.

Several different exercises may be performed using the accessory, including but not limited to belt squats (wherein a belt is placed around the user's waist and squats are performed while standing on the standing surface), dead lifts, bicep curls, and shoulder presses (pushing upward from shoulder level to above the head). Here, a user 1000 is shown doing “squats” with the weight cable attached to a belt around the user's waist. The user's legs are bent in a first position 1021 and then extended (thus lifting the selected weights 1012b) in a second position 1022 shown in dotted lines.