초록 ▼

A connection assembly is provided for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus. An inner collar is provided in an axial gap between an outer collar and a barrel trappingly engaging the cable. A removal method is provided facilitating low cost component repla

A connection assembly is provided for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus. An inner collar is provided in an axial gap between an outer collar and a barrel trappingly engaging the cable. A removal method is provided facilitating low cost component replacement.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable, comprising a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axi

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable, comprising a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axial end having a trap portion engaging said cable in trapped relation, an outer collar around said barrel at said second axial end of said barrel and attached to said barrel to retain said cable in trapped relation engaging said barrel, said outer collar extending axially along said axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end of said outer collar having a first axial end face facing in a first axial direction toward said barrel, said second axial end of said barrel having a second axial end face facing in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said first and second axial end faces being axially spaced by an axial cap therebetween, an inner collar in said axial gap, said inner collar having a third axial end face facing in said first axial direction and facing said second axial end face, said inner collar having a fourth axial end face facing in said second axial direction and facing said first axial end face, said inner collar is circumscribed by said outer collar, said inner collar circumscribes said cable, said inner collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough, and said cable extends axially through said aperture of said inner collar, said first axial end of said outer collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough and axially aligned with said aperture of said inner collar, the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar is greater than the diameter of said aperture of said inner collar, said inner collar comprises a flange within said outer collar, and a sleeve extending axially from said flange in said second axial direction through said aperture in said outer collar. 2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said inner collar has a first outer diameter at said flange, and a second outer diameter at said sleeve, said first outer diameter being greater than the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar, said second outer diameter being less than or equal to the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar. 3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said aperture of said inner collar has a first section at said flange, and a second section at said sleeve, said first and second sections being coaxially aligned, and wherein said inner collar has a first inner diameter at said first section and a second inner diameter at said second section, said first and second inner diameters being equal. 4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said inner collar is resiliently compressible in said axial direction. 5. Exercise apparatus comprising a connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable, comprising a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axial end having a trap portion engaging said cable in trapped relation, an outer collar around said barrel at said second axial end of said barrel and attached to said barrel to retain said cable in trapped relation engaging said barrel, said outer collar extending axially along said axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end of said outer collar having a first axial end face facing in a first axial direction toward said barrel, said second axial end of said barrel having a second axial end face facing in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said first and second axial end faces being axially spaced by an axial gap therebetween, an inner collar in said axial gap, said inner collar having a third axial end face facing in said first axial direction and facing said second axial end face, said inner collar having a fourth axial end face facing in said second axial direction and facing said first axial end face, said inner collar is resiliently compressible in said axial direction, said inner collar is circumscribed by said outer collar, said inner collar circumscribes said cable, said inner collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough, said cable extends axially through said aperture and has an enlarged ball end engaging said barrel in ball and socket trapped relation, said inner collar is resiliently radially expansible at said aperture to a diameter at least as great as the diameter of said enlarged ball end, to permit, upon disengagement of said outer collar from said barrel, and said barrel from said enlarged ball end, withdrawal of said cable axially from said inner collar by axially sliding said enlarged ball end through said aperture of said inner collar as said inner collar resiliently radially expands at said aperture to permit axial passage of said enlarged ball end therethrough. 6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said aperture of said inner collar has a first relaxed at-rest diameter less than the diameter of said enlarged ball end, and has a second resiliently stretched diameter at least as great as the diameter of said enlarged ball end. 7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first axial end of said outer collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough and axially aligned with said aperture of said inner collar, and wherein the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar is greater than the diameter of said enlarged ball end. 8. A connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus, comprising a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axial end having a trap portion engaging said cable in trapped relation, an outer collar around said barrel at said second axial end of said barrel and attached to said barrel to retain said cable in trapped relation engaging said barrel, said outer collar extending axially along said axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end of said outer collar having a first axial end face facing in a first axial direction toward said barrel, said second axial end of said barrel haying a second axial end face facing in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said first and second axial end faces being axially spaced by an axial gap therebetween, an inner collar in said axial gap, said inner collar having a third axial end face facing in said first axial direction and facing said second axial end face, said inner collar having a fourth axial end face facing in said second axial direction and facing said first axial end face, said inner collar is circumscribed by said outer collar, said inner collar circumscribes said cable, said inner collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough, and said cable extends axially through said aperture of said inner collar, said first axial end of said outer collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough and axially aligned with said aperture of said inner collar, the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar is greater than the diameter of said aperture of said inner collar, said inner collar comprises a flange within said outer collar, and a sleeve extending axially from said flange in said second axial direction through said aperture in said outer collar, said inner collar has a first outer diameter at said flange, and a second outer diameter at said sleeve, said first outer diameter being greater than the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar, said second outer diameter being less than or equal to said diameter of said aperture of said outer collar. 9. The connection assembly according to claim 8 wherein said inner collar is resiliently compressible in said axial direction. 10. A connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable in exercise apparatus, comprising a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axial end having a trap portion engaging said cable in trapped relation, an outer collar around said barrel at said second axial end of said barrel and attached to said barrel to retain said cable in trapped relation engaging said barrel, said outer collar extending axially along said axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end of said outer collar having a first axial end face facing in a first axial direction toward said barrel, said second axial end of said barrel having a second axial end face facing in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said first and second axial end faces being axially spaced by an axial gap therebetween, an inner collar in said axial gap, said inner collar having a third axial end face facing in said first axial direction and facing said second axial end face, said inner collar having a fourth axial end face facing in said second axial direction and facing said first axial end face, said inner collar is resiliently compressible in said axial direction, said inner collar is circumscribed by said outer collar, said inner collar circumscribes said cable, said inner collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough, said cable extends axially through said aperture and has an enlarged ball end engaging said barrel in ball and socket trapped relation, said inner collar is resiliently radially expansible at said aperture to a diameter at least as great as the diameter of said enlarged ball end, to permit, upon disengagement of said outer collar from said barrel, and said barrel from said enlarged ball end, withdrawal of said cable axially from said inner collar by axially sliding said enlarged ball end through said aperture of said inner collar as said inner collar resiliently radially expands at said aperture to permit axial passage of said enlarged ball end therethrough, wherein said aperture of said inner collar has a first relaxed at-rest diameter less than the diameter of said enlarged ball end, and has a second resiliently stretched diameter at least as great as the diameter of said enlarged ball end, said first axial end of said outer collar has an aperture extending axially therethrough and axially aligned with said aperture of said inner collar, and the diameter of said aperture of said outer collar is greater than the diameter of said enlarged ball end. 11. A method for replacing a component in exercise apparatus having a connection assembly for connecting a user-coupled link to a resistance-bearing cable, said connection assembly having a barrel extending axially along an axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end engaging said user-coupled link, said second axial end having a trap portion engaging said cable in trapped relation, an outer collar around said barrel at said second axial end of said barrel and attached to said barrel to retain said cable in trapped relation engaging said barrel, said outer collar extending axially along said axis and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, said first axial end of said outer collar having a first axial end face facing in a first axial direction toward said barrel, said second axial end of said barrel having a second axial end face facing in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said first and second axial end faces being axially spaced by an axial gap therebetween, said method comprising providing an inner collar in said axial gap, providing said inner collar with a third axial end face facing in said first axial direction and facing said second axial end face, providing said inner collar with a fourth axial end face facing in said second axial direction and facing said first axial end face providing said inner collar with an aperture extending axially therethrough, wherein said cable extends axially through said aperture and has an enlarged ball end engaging said barrel in ball and socket trapped relation, providing said inner collar as resilient member resiliently radially expansible at said aperture to a diameter at least as great as the diameter of said enlarged ball end, said method further comprising disengaging said outer collar from said barrel, disengaging said barrel from said enlarged ball end, withdrawing said cable axially from said inner collar by axially sliding said enlarged ball end through said aperture of said inner collar as said inner collar resiliently radially expands at said aperture to permit axial passage of said enlarged ball end therethrough. 12. The method according to claim 11 comprising replacing at least one of said cable, said inner collar, and said outer collar.