One-man adjustable bench press rack

Claim 2

A one-man adjustable bench press device designed for use in connection with weight lifting exercises utilizing relatively heavy weights such as for example bar-bells comprising: bench board means for supporting the exerciser in at least a generally supine position; a multiplicity of support legs attached to said bench board means to form a bench; a mechanical weight support means adjustable vertically and associated with said bench board means for supporting the heavy weights when not being used in exercising; and adjustable means associated with said bench board means and said weight support means and operable by the user with no substantial physical exertion when lying supine on said bench board means for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench without substantial physical strain even when said relatively heavy weights are being supported by said weight support means, said adjustable means providing the user with a substantial mechanical advantage in moving said weight support means, whereby the relatively heavy weights can be moved by the user with respect to the user without substantial physical strain or the need for an assistant.

Claim 3

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said mechanical weight support means includes two vertical arms on opposite sides of said bench board and a lateral, horizontally disposed arm connected across said vertical arm, said vertical arms having at their distal ends means to support the weights across said vertical arms, said adjustable means operating on said lateral arm to raise and lower said weight support means.

Claim 4

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable means is comprised of a manually or an electrical motor operable gear drive train.

Claim 5

A one-man adjustable bench press device designed for use in connection with weight lifting exercises comprising: a bench board; a multiplicity of support legs attached to said bench board to form a bench; a mechanical weight support means adjustable vertically and associated with said bench board for supporting exercising weights when not being used in exercising; and adjustable means associated with said bench board and said weight support means and operable by the user with no substantial physical exertion when lying prone on said bench board for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench, said adjustable means being comprised of a manually operable gear drive train; whereby the weights can be moved by the user with respect to the user without substantial physical strain or the need for an assistant.

Claim 6

A one-man adjustable bench press device designed for use in connection with weight lifting exercises comprising: a bench board; a multiplicity of support legs attached to said bench board to form a bench; a mechanical weight support means adjustable vertically and associated with said bench board for supporting exercising weights when not being used in exercising; and adjustable means associated with said bench board and said weight support means and operable by the user with no substantial physical exertion when lying prone on said bench board for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench, said adjustable means being comprised of a manually operable gear drive train; whereby the weights can be moved by the user with respect to the user without substantial physical strain or the need for an assistant.

Claim 7

The device as defined in claim 4 further comprising a ratcheted arm mounted on said bench board, said ratcheted arm being used to turn said gear train to raise and lower said arms relative to said bench board by pumping action.

Claim 8

The device as defined in claim 5 wherein: said ratcheted arm is connected to said bench board by means of a first axial shaft, said first axial shaft being rotatably mounted laterally on said bench board.

Claim 9

The device as defined in claim 6 wherein: said first axial rod has a first bevel gear fixedly mounted thereon; and there is further included -second axial means perpendicular to said first axial means being rotatably mounted longitudinally relative to said bench board; a second beveled gear mounted on one end of said second axial means for meshing with said first beveled gear; a third beveled gear mounted on the other end of said second axial shaft; a third axial shaft perpendicular to said second axial shaft and being rotatably mounted vertically relative to said bench board; a fourth beveled gear mounted on said third axial shaft, said fourth beveled gear meshed together with said third beveled gear; a spur gear mounted on said third axial shaft; and two planetary gears mounted on fourth axial shafts, respectively so as to render said weight support means adjustably mounted relative to said bench board.

Claim 10

The device as defined in claim 7 wherein: said weight support means includes two vertical support arms positioned on opposite sides of said bench board.

Claim 11

The device as defined in claim 8 wherein: said vertical arms are adjoined one to the other by means of a lateral, horizontally disposed arm, said lateral arm having a first and second threaded hole therein; and said fourth and fifth axial shafts being threaded within said threaded holes of said lateral arm, the combination forming a screw jack arrangement.

Claim 12

A one-man adjustable bench press device designed for use in connection with weight lifting exercises comprising: a bench board; a multiplicity of support legs attached to said bench board to form a bench; a mechanical weight support means adjustable vertically and associated with said bench board for supporting exercising weights when not being used in exercising; and adjustable means associated with said bench board and said weight support means and operable by the user with no substantial physical exertion when lying prone on said bench board for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench, said adjustable means for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench board being comprised of an electrical motor operable gear drive train; whereby the weights can be moved by the user with respect to the user without substantial physical strain or the need for an assistant.

Claim 13

A one-man adjustable bench press device designed for use in connection with weight lifting exercises comprising: a bench board; a multiplicity of support legs attached to said bench board to form a bench; a mechanical weight support means adjustable vertically and associated with said bench board for supporting exercising weights when not being used in exercising; and adjustable means associated with said bench board and said weight support means and operable by the user with no substantial physical exertion when lying prone on said bench board for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench, said adjustable means for raising and lowering said weight support means relative to said bench board being comprised of an electrical motor operable gear drive train; whereby the weights can be moved by the user with respect to the user without substantial physical strain or the need for an assistant.

Claim 14

The device as defined in claim 10 wherein: said electrical motor operable gear drive train is comprised of -a first axial rod being rotatably mounted on said bench board; a first bevel gear fixedly mounted on said first axial rod; a second axial means perpendicular to said first axial means being rotatably mounted vertically relative to said bench board; a second beveled gear mounted on one end of said second axial means for meshing with said first beveled gear; a third axial shaft perpendicular to said first axial shaft and parallel to said second axial shaft and being rotatably mounted relative to said bench board; a spur gear mounted on said third axial shaft; two planetary gears meshing with said spur gear and mounted on a fourth and fifth respective axial shaft so as to render said weight support means adjustably mounted relative to said bench board; said first axial shaft being driven by said electric motor; and wherein: said weight support means includes two vertical support arms adjoined one to the other by means of a lateral, horizontally disposed arm; said horizontal lateral arm having first and second threaded within the said threaded holes of said lateral arm to form a screw jack combination therewith.