Exercise machine with adjustably positioned bar

Claim 1

A multi-function exercise machine having an adjustably positioned exercise bar comprising: a platform supported in a longitudinal position; a pivot support fixed to one side of the platform; a pivot lever rotatably mounted to the pivot support and having an exercise bar mounted to an upper end thereof so as to extend transversely over the platform; weight resistance means for setting a desired level of weight resistance to be applied to the exercise bar; coupling means connected between the weight resistance means and a portion of the pivot lever for applying a selected weight resistance against pivotal movement of the exercise bar mounted on the upper end of the pivot lever; first means for adjusting a first angular position of the pivot lever on the pivot support so as to define a start position at the beginning of an exercise stroke of the exercise bar above the platform; second means for adjusting the coupling means between the pivot lever and the weight resistance means taking into account the angular position of the pivot lever set by the first adjusting means; and stop adjusting means for variably adjusting a second angular position of the pivot lever spaced angularly from the first position in order to define a stop position of the exercise bar at the end of the exercise stroke in one direction against the resistance of the weight resistance means, whereby a user of the exercise machine can selectively set different start and stop positions of the exercise stroke in one direction to vary an exercise performed by pulling or pushing against the exercise bar in the one direction to the stop position and then releasing the exercise bar on the return stroke back to the start position, wherein said first means for adjusting the start position and said stop adjusting means for adjusting the stop position of the exercise stroke of said exercise bar includes said pivot support having a fixed circular plate provided with a plurality of holes formed circumferentially therein and spaced at predetermined angular intervals, wherein a range of angular movement of said exercise bar for a desired exercise stroke is adjustably set between a first selected hole at a first angular position and a second selected hole at a second angular position, a first pin retainer insertable in the first selected hole against which said pivot lever is abutted at the start position, and a second pin reatainer insertable in the second selected hole to which said exercise bar is moved at the stop position of the exercise stroke.