TRIO FUNCTIONAL TRAINER

MACHINE D'ENTRAINEMENT FONCTIONNELLE TRIPLE (TRIO FUNCTIONAL TRAINER)

English Abstract

The Trio Functional Trainer is a functional trainer. The Trio Functional
Trainer is an exercise machine that uses cables(connected to form
two or more circles from the resistance to the protruding ends of the
middle carriage to be pulled against anchor points by the user) and a
resistance feature, such as a weight stack.The Trio of carriages are
mounted to a column, and slidable along the same column by way of a
pin(and/or carabineer).This allows one or both or more cables
protruding from the middle carriage to be pulled from the anchored top
or bottom carriages anchored to the column at various heights usually
by way of a pin, one at a time. The pulling of the cables shrinks the
circles, one, or others, at a time to act with force with the resistance
feature to create resistance; such as lifting the weight stack.
The Trio middle carriage has at least two cables entering from top
and bottom and exiting through holes from inside the middle carriage
to outside. These cables then attach to either the top or bottom
carriage which is pinned in place on the column at any of many pin
holes anchor points. The moving of the middle carriage causes the
cable to lengthen from the middle carriage to the top or bottom
carriage hook thereby shrinking the circle of cable which travels from
the resistance feature through a plethora of pulleys to the middle
carriage. This is the core idea the rest of the instances are based on.
The mounted top and bottom carriages on the column which have a
shape to surround or connect to the column(around the column) also
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

has rollers to slide along the column and holes on the column and a
hole and pin on the top or bottom carriages to align to mount the
column at many points. Either the top or bottom carriage is moved to
the starting point and then the middle carriage is connected to it with a
carabiner to a hook on either the top or bottom carriage while the
other carriage is moved to the top if the top carriage or the bottom if
the bottom carriage so as to be out of the way.
When the middle carriage uses a pin to stay in place on the column
(or by being between the top and bottom carriages with no extra
space between them), the pulling of either or both cables (or more
cables depending on the instance) is the same as a functional trainer
allowing exercise by use of eg: a bar such as a tricep V bar, or
handle(s), or belt, or rope, and/or strap connected to the cables with a
carabiner for example.
ln yet another instance: modified Jhooks (from smith machines) are
described as Jhooks that in some instances may be longer so as to
access multiple holes, (or more smaller pin holes may be in the
column) and with a hook in addition for the middle carriage to hook to,
and in some instances a second pin which is separate from the Jhook
to completely lock the Jhook in place. And finally, the top and bottom
of the Jhooks may have an end shape and/or a bumper such as
rubber so as to stop the middle carriage from continuing along the
column (sometimes offering a point for isometric effort). There would
then be no need for one or both the top and bottom carriages. The J of
the Jhook would be removed by removing the bottom curved portion
and replacing it with a straight portion in some instances shorter.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

In some instances two columns would have either half a bar each that
sometimes work together or one bar between them. The carriages
and/or modified Jhooks would work the same ways.
In some instances there are two middle carriages for four carriages (or
two middle carriages and two modified Jhooks)total with an additional
modified Jhook in the middle height between the upper and lower
middle carriages for a total of two middle carriages and three places
for modified Jhooks or anchor point carriages;
In some instances there would be two middle carriages and two
modified Jhooks for each of one or two columns.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

Claims

CLANS:
1. A resistance training machine comprising:
a resistance mechanism, the resistance mechanism comprising:
two end carriages to move along a linear guide with pins to the pin
holes in both the end carriages and in the linear guide and a hook
on each to create an anchor point; a middle carriage coupled to move
along a linear guide; an elongated flexible element having first and
second end portions coupled to the carriage; first and second
fasteners that respectively include first and second stoppers attached
to the first and second end portions of the flexible element
respectively, each of the first and second fasteners adapted to be
attached to one of anchor points that are fixed one each on two
carriages, one above and one below relative to the linear guide;
wherein a portion of the flexible element between the first and second
end portions forms a loop that follows a path defined by a plurality of
guiding elements(eg: pulleys); the guiding elements include a
displaceable guiding element coupled to a resistance element; and
moving the carriage along the linear guide while one of the first and/or
second fasteners is coupled to one of the anchor points causes
the length of the portion of the flexible element that forms the loop to
be reduced, thereby displacing the one of the guiding elements
against a force applied by the resistance element;
2. The resistance training machine according to claim 1 wherein
the guiding elements comprise a plurality of pulleys, and wherein the
first and second end portions of the flexible element double back
around first and second rollers carried by the middle carriage or
through a first and a second opening in the middle carriage(the pulleys
may be arranged differently for different instances);
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

3. The resistance training machine according to claim 2 wherein the
first and second end portions of the flexible element pass between the
middle carriage and the linear guide after passing through the top or
bottom carriage and then respectively pass outward through the first
and second openings to the first and second fasteners;
4. The resistance training machine according to any of claims 1 to 3
wherein the linear guide comprises a post and the carriages are
slidably coupled to move the middle carriage along the post, wherein
the carriages are formed with a through passage and the post extends
through the through passage of the carriages;
5. The resistance training machine according to claim 4 wherein the
post comprises a plurality of receivers spaced apart along the post;
the top and bottom carriages and sometimes center carriage are
attachable to the receivers by pins; and each of the carriages provides
one of the anchor points;
6. The resistance training machine according to any of claims 1 to 5
wherein the resistance element comprises a weight that is raised by
reduction of the length of the portion of the flexible element that forms
the loop;
7. The resistance training machine according to claim 6 wherein the
path of the flexible element includes a bight that extends between two
of the guiding elements and passes around the displaceable guiding
element;
8. The resistance training machine according to any of claims 1 to 7
comprising a handle attached to move with the carriage( identified as
a middle carriage) and at least one anchor point carriage or multiple
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

carriages, with some carriages being only for anchor points and are
sometimes replaced by modified Jhook anchor points;
9. The resistance training machine according to claim 7 or 8 wherein
the handle(eg: a bar, a platform, a padded bar(s)) is detachably affixed
to the carriage.
10. The resistance training machine according to claim 8 or 9 wherein
the handle comprises: a bar the shape of an exercise machine vertical
bench press from the bar outside the handles and including additional
handles at the handle location for pull downs and dips.
The bar may be half of the bar just described for the use by one arm
each with two middle carriages connected to two linear guides and
two half bars or the bar may be one bar for both arms or legs joining
two middle carriages on two linear guides;
11. The resistance training machine according to claims 9 or 10
comprising a top or bottom carriage (or a modified Jhook) as an
isometric stopper on the linear guide to prevent further linear
displacement of the carriage along the linear guide, wherein the
isometric stopper is the top or bottom carriage (or a modified Jhook)
They may also function as a stopper non-isometric in purpose;
12. The resistance training machine according to claim 11 wherein
each side of the bar close to the handles has a hook to connect to a
carabiner each connected a chain each connected another carabineer
and finally to a straight bar end to allow squats and calf raises and
other exercises.
13. A resistance machine according to claim 11 or 12, a resistance
element which is employed by pulling on the end of a cable{s} thereby
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

using a force upon the resistance element(eg: a weight stack lifting,
electric motor{s}, resistance tubes-bands, nitrocell{s}, hydraulic or
pneumatic resistances, rods, locking of the crossbar or handles, or
any combination of) like a functional trainer;
14. The resistance training machine according to claim 13 comprising
an upper middle carriage and lower middle carriage, both carriage
coupled to move along the linear guide, wherein the upper carriage is
connected to a handle and the lower carriage is connected to a handle
or a platform.
15. The resistance training machine according to claim 13 or 14
wherein the resistance mechanism is a first resistance mechanism
and the resistance training machine comprises a second resistance
mechanism and the first and second resistance mechanisms share
the resistance element.
16. The resistance training machine according to claim 13 or 15
wherein one instance may be the first resistance mechanism forms a
first loop to be reduced, the second resistance mechanism forms a
second loop to be reduced, the first and second loops to be reduced
are respectively coupled to a first central pulley and a second central
pulley, the first and second central pulleys are respectively coupled to
a first and a second end of a third flexible element, the third flexible
element is coupled to a displaceable pulley, and the displaceable
pulley is coupled to the resistance element.
17. The resistance training machine according to claim 13 or 15 and
could include claim 16 comprising: In one instance the linear guide
has four carriages or two middle carriages and two modifed Jhooks, a
first and second end of the middle top carriage, the first and second
end of the carriage being antipodal to each other along the linear
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

guide; the first end portion of the flexible element being threaded
through the first end of the carriage, terminating at a point on the
second end of the carriage; the second end portion of the flexible
element being threaded through the second end of the carriage,
terminating at a point on the first end of the carriage. The lower middle
carriage of four carriages would be the same as the top middle
carriage with a platform instead of a bar for example;
18. The resistance training machine according to claim 1 and may
include claim 17 wherein the top middle carriage(s) and the bottom
middle carriage(s) may have hooks for anchor points;
19. The resistance training machine according to claim 18 wherein the
first end portion of the flexible element passes across the middle
carriages in a direction from a first end of the carriages to a second
end of the carriages and the second end portion of the flexible
element passes across the carriages in a direction from the second
end of the carriages to the first end of the carriages.
20. A resistance training machine comprising in one or more
instances: one or two middle carriages and two modified Jhooks or
four carriages of which the top and bottom provide only anchor points
and lock into place with a pin each to the pin holes in the carriages
and the linear guide or two middle carriages and two modified Jhooks
with multiple locations for each modified Jhook; a handle or platform
(a bar or padded bar) coupled to the middle carriage(s);
a flexible elements having a first end in contact with the middle
carriages and a second end in contact with the carriages;
a first fastener and second fastener respectively affixed to the first and
second ends of the flexible elements; a resistance element coupled to
the flexible elements; a post having a plurality of receivers for the pins
of the upper and lower carriages or modified Jhooks, the carriages or
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

modified Jhooks being coupled to the post, to provide an anchor point
each along the linear guide; a modified Jhook(s) for the middle
between the upper and lower middle carriages rather than or in
addition to the usual places top and bottom; In some instances two
columns(linear guide(s)) would have either half a bar each that
sometimes work together or one bar between them. The carriages
and/or modified Jhooks would work the same ways. The important
point is the middle carriage moves away from the anchored cable end
and is no longer the point of contact for the end of the cable for most
of the bar exercises with exceptions only like a normal functional
trainer, modified Jhooks are removable and are used as necessary;
wherein the resistance element comprises a weight that hangs from a
pulley that is coupled with the flexible element; wherein the handle has
a detachment point detachable affixing the handle to the middle
carriages; wherein the first and second fasteners are carabiners;
wherein the post and carriage may have a square cross-section;
wherein a wheel and/or ball bearings decrease the friction between
the carriage and the post;
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

Description

Description:
[0001] This invention relates to exercise equipment, specifically
resistance training machines.
Background
[0002] Resistance Training Machines are exercise machines that
apply resistance to a user's movements. A Weightlifting Machine is a
Resistance Training Machine in which the resistance arises from lifting
a weight. Resistance training machines of various types are often
found in gyms. The use of resistance training machines (including
weightlifting machines) requires the proper form to avoid injuries.
Proper form can be achieved through practice and technique, but it is
also critical that the resistance training machine be properly sized for
the user. Resistance training machines should be adjustable to
accommodate individuals of different physical
proportions. It can also be desirable to adjust resistance training
machines for use in different types of exercise. It is desirable that
resistance training machines be quickly and easily adjustable. This is
especially important for resistance training machines in public gyms,
as different people of different sizes may use the same resistance
training machine in rotation.
[0003] There is therefore a general desire to have highly adjustable
resistance training machines to accommodate individuals of different
sizes. This would improve ergonomics for the users of resistance
training machines.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

The Trio Functional Trainer
[0004] The Trio Functional Trainer is a functional trainer. The Trio
Functional Trainer is an exercise machine that uses cables(connected
to form two or more circles from the resistance to the protruding ends
of the middle carriage to be pulled against anchor points by the user)
and a resistance feature, such as a weight stack, to allow a Trio of
carriages mounted to a column, and slidable along the same column
by way of a pin(and/or carabineer) to set an anchor point or away from
an anchor point, to allow one or both or more cables protruding from
the unpinned middle carriage to be pulled away from the anchored top
or bottom carriages anchored to the column at various heights one at
a time and used by moving the middle carriage with an attached bar or
platform or cushioned bar or cushioned compound bar away from the
anchor point so as to lift the weight stack (or other means of
resistance) while the non anchored carriage is moved to either the top
if the top carriage or the bottom if the bottom carriage out of the way
and then pinned to that anchor point or pinned to an anchor point
somewhere in between to limit the movement o that
exercise(sometimes offering a point for isometric effort).
[0005] The Trio middle carriage has at least two cables entering from
top and bottom and exiting through holes from inside the middle
carriage to outside. These cables then attach to either the top or
bottom carriage which is pinned in place on the column at any of many
pin holes anchor points. The moving of the middle carriage causes the
cable to lengthen from the middle carriage to the top or bottom
carriage hook thereby shrinking the circle of cable which travels from
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

the resistance feature through a plethora of pulleys to the middle
carriage.
[0006] The mounted top and bottom carriages on the column which
have a shape to surround or connect to the column(around the
column) also has rollers to slide along the column and holes on the
column and a hole and pin on the top or bottom carriages to align to
mount the column at many points. Either the top or bottom carriage is
moved to the starting point and then the middle carriage is connected
to it with a carabiner to a hook on either the top or bottom carriage
while the other carriage is moved to the top if the top carriage or the
bottom if the bottom carriage so as to be out of the way.
[0007] When the middle carriage uses a pin to stay in place on the
column (or by being between the top and bottom carriages with no
extra space between them), the pulling of either or both cables (or
more cables depending on the instance) is the same as a functional
trainer allowing exercise by use of eg: a bar such as a tricep V bar, or
handle(s), or belt, or rope, and/or strap connected to the cables with a
carabiner for example.
[0008] In yet another instance: modified Jhooks (from smith machines)
are described as Jhooks longers so as to access multiple holes, and
with a hook in addition for the middle carriage to hook to, and a
second pin which is separate from the Jhook to completely lock the
Jhook in place. And finally, the top and bottom of the Jhooks may
have an end shape and/or a bumper such as rubber so as to stop the
middle carriage from continuing along the column. There would then
be no need for one or both the top and bottom carriages. The J of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08

Jhook would be removed by removing the bottom curved portion and
replacing it with a straight portion in some instances shorter.
In some instances two columns would have either half a bar each that
sometimes work together or one bar between them. The carriages
and/or modified Jhooks would work the same ways. The important
point is the middle carriage moves away from the anchored cable end
and is no longer the point of contact for the end of the cable for most
of the bar exercises with exceptions only like a normal functional
trainer.
In some instances there are two middle carriages for four carriages (or
two middle carriages and two modified Jhooks)total with an additional
modified Jhook in the middle height between the upper and lower
middle carriages for a total of two middle carriages and three places
for modified Jhooks or anchor point carriages;
In some instances there would be two middle carriages and two
modified Jhooks for each of one or two columns.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-02-08