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An adjustable weight lifting bench includes a frame, a seat pad, and a back pad. The back pad is pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis and angularly adjustable between a plurality of user-selectable incline and decline positions. A hydraulic mechanism supports the back pad in the i

An adjustable weight lifting bench includes a frame, a seat pad, and a back pad. The back pad is pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis and angularly adjustable between a plurality of user-selectable incline and decline positions. A hydraulic mechanism supports the back pad in the incline and decline positions. A movable operating lever operably coupled to the hydraulic mechanism operates to change the mechanism between an activated condition in which the back pad is movable and a deactivated condition in which the back pad locks into a selected one of the positions. When the mechanism is in activated condition, applying pressure against the back pad the lowers the back pad and removing the pressure raises the back pad. In one embodiment, the mechanism automatically raises the back pad when the pressure is removed and the mechanism is in the deactivated condition.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An adjustable weight lifting bench comprising: a bench frame configured for resting on a surface, the frame defining a horizontal longitudinal axis parallel to the surface and a vertical axis;a seat pad coupled to the frame;a back pad pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis define

1. An adjustable weight lifting bench comprising: a bench frame configured for resting on a surface, the frame defining a horizontal longitudinal axis parallel to the surface and a vertical axis;a seat pad coupled to the frame;a back pad pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis defined at an orthogonal intersection between the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis, the back pad angularly adjustable relative to the frame between a plurality of user-selectable incline and decline positions;a hydraulic cylinder mechanism operably coupled between the frame and back pad that supports the back pad in the incline and decline positions, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism changeable between an activated condition in which the back pad is movable between the incline and decline positions, and a deactivated condition in which the back pad is locked into a selected one of the incline and decline positions; andan operating lever operably coupled to the hydraulic cylinder mechanism, the operating lever movable to change position of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism between the activated and deactivated conditions;wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is operable such that: (i) when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is placed in the activated condition via a first position of the operating lever and a user applies a pressing force against the back pad, the back pad pivots in a downward direction from the incline positions towards the decline positions, and (ii) when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is in the deactivated condition via a second position of the operating lever, the back pad locks in the selected one of the incline and decline positions;wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is further operable such that when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism is in the activated condition with the operating lever in the first position and the pressing force is removed from the back pad, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism automatically pivots the back pad in an upward direction from the selected one of the incline and decline positions. 2. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises: a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston, an extendable-retractable cylinder rod attached thereto, and a hydraulic fluid; andan accumulator containing a compressible liquid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder through a flow control valve interposed in a flow path between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator, the flow control valve having open and closed positions, the flow control valve when open operable to move the bench pad between the incline and decline positions. 3. The weight lifting bench according to claim 2, wherein the flow control valve includes a flow modulation device that regulates flow of the hydraulic fluid exchanged between the hydraulic cylinder and accumulator, the flow modulation device axially movable in a reciprocating manner between a closed axial position preventing exchange of hydraulic fluid and an open axial position allowing exchange of hydraulic fluid. 4. The weight lifting bench according to claim 3, wherein when the flow control valve is in the open position, the flow modulation device automatically regulates flow of the working fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to the accumulator in a manner which limits lowering of the back pad to a predetermined maximum descent rate independently of a weight load applied to the back pad by the user. 5. The weight lifting bench according to claim 2, wherein the operating lever comprises a pivotable foot pedal with mechanical linkage coupled to the flow control valve, the foot pedal pivotably movable and operable to open and close the flow control valve. 6. The weight lifting bench according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a pair of longitudinally-extending lateral sides which define an internal cavity therebetween, the hydraulic cylinder disposed in the cavity and at least partially concealed from view. 7. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever is a pivotable foot pedal with mechanical linkage operably coupled to the hydraulic cylinder mechanism, the foot pedal movable in opposing downwards and upwards directions by the user for activating or deactivating the hydraulic cylinder mechanism thereby providing hands free adjustment of the back pad position. 8. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the first pivot axis is located proximate to a top of the frame, the back pad being positioned at least partially above the longitudinal axis when in the incline positions and at least partially below the longitudinal axis when in the decline positions. 9. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever is a foot pedal comprising a T-shaped bar arranged on the frame for ambidextrous operation by a right or left foot of the user to operate the hydraulic cylinder mechanism. 10. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises: a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston, an extendable-retractable cylinder rod attached thereto, and a hydraulic fluid; andan accumulator containing a compressible liquid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder through a flow control valve interposed in a flow path between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator, the flow control valve having open and closed positions, the flow control valve when open operable to move the bench pad between the incline and decline positions;wherein the flow control valve includes a shutoff valve having open and closed positions, and a pressure compensating valve, the pressure compensating valve operating to automatically regulate flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to the accumulator in a manner which limits lowering of the back pad to a predetermined maximum descent rate independently of a weight load applied against the back pad by the user. 11. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the back pad is attached to an elongated rear strut having a lower end pivotably coupled to the frame at the first pivot axis, the rear strut positionable above and below the seat pad. 12. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the seat pad is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second pivot axis, the seat pad being angularly adjustable between a plurality of angular positions relative to the frame. 13. The weight lifting bench according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises: a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston, an extendable-retractable cylinder rod attached thereto, and a hydraulic fluid; andan accumulator containing a compressible liquid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder through a flow control valve interposed in a flow path between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator, the flow control valve having open and closed positions, the flow control valve when open operable to move the bench pad between the incline and decline positions;wherein the frame comprises a pair of longitudinally-extending lateral sides which define an internal cavity therebetween, the hydraulic cylinder disposed in the cavity and at least partially concealed from view;wherein the back pad is adjustable and lockable within a range of angles between 90 and −90 degrees measured relative to the longitudinal axis about the first pivot axis between the top of the frame and the back pad. 14. A hands free adjustable weight lifting bench comprising: a bench frame comprising a longitudinal axis, a bottom configured for resting on a surface, and a top spaced above the bottom;a seat pad coupled to the frame;a back pad pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis, the back pad angularly movable between an uppermost position, a lowermost position, and a continuum of intermediate positions therebetween;a hydraulic cylinder assembly operable to support and move the back pad;the hydraulic cylinder assembly including a hydraulic cylinder comprising an extendable-retractable cylinder rod pivotably coupled to the back pad and containing a hydraulic fluid, an accumulator pivotably coupled to the frame and containing a compressible liquid, and a flow control valve fluidly connected between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator for exchange of hydraulic fluid therebetween;the valve having an open position allowing exchange of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinder and accumulator and concomitant retraction or extension of the cylinder rod, and a closed position blocking the exchange of hydraulic fluid and retraction or extension of the cylinder rod;a foot-operated lever operably coupled to the valve and movable to change the valve between the open and closed positions;wherein depressing the lever opens the valve and allows movement of the back pad to a selected one of the back pad positions by retracting or extending the cylinder rod, and releasing the lever closes the valve and prevents movement of the back pad;wherein moving the valve to the open position via the lever and a user applying a pressing force against the back pad pivots the back pad in a downward direction from the uppermost position towards the lowermost position, and moving the valve to the closed position via the lever locks the back pad in the selected one of the positions;wherein moving the valve to the open position via the lever and removing the pressing force from the back pad causes the back pad to automatically return in an upward direction from the selected one of the back pad positions towards the uppermost position. 15. The weight lifting bench according to claim 14, wherein the flow control valve includes a flow modulation device that regulates flow of the working fluid exchanged between the hydraulic cylinder and accumulator, the flow modulation device axially movable in a reciprocating manner between a closed axial position preventing exchange of hydraulic fluid and an open axial position allowing exchange of working fluid. 16. The weight lifting bench according to claim 14, wherein the flow control valve includes a flow modulation device that regulates flow of the working fluid exchanged between the hydraulic cylinder and accumulator, the flow modulation device axially movable in a reciprocating manner between a closed axial position preventing exchange of hydraulic fluid and an open axial position allowing exchange of working fluid;wherein when the flow control valve is in the open position, the flow modulation device automatically regulates flow of the working fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to the accumulator in a manner which limits lowering of the back pad to a predetermined maximum descent rate independently of a weight load applied to the back pad by the user. 17. A method for operating an adjustable weight lifting bench, the method comprising: providing the weight lifting bench according to claim 14;a user sitting on the seat pad;depressing the foot-operated lever a first time;applying pressure against the back pad;the back pad moving downward from the uppermost position to a first intermediate position;releasing the foot-operated lever which locks the back pad into the first intermediate position;depressing the foot-operator lever a second time;applying pressure against the back pad;the back pad moving downward from the uppermost position to a second intermediate position lower than the first intermediate position;releasing the foot-operated lever which locks the back pad into the second intermediate position;depressing the foot-operated lever a third time; andremoving pressure from the back pad, the back pad automatically moving upward from the second intermediate position to the uppermost position. 18. A hands free adjustable weight lifting bench comprising: a bench frame comprising a longitudinal axis, a bottom configured for resting on a surface, and a top spaced above the bottom;a seat pad coupled to the frame;a back pad pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis, the back pad angularly movable between an uppermost position, a lowermost position, and a continuum of intermediate positions therebetween;a hydraulic cylinder assembly operable to support and move the back pad;the hydraulic cylinder assembly including a hydraulic cylinder comprising an extendable-retractable cylinder rod pivotably coupled to the back pad and containing a hydraulic fluid, an accumulator pivotably coupled to the frame and containing a compressible liquid, and a flow control valve fluidly connected between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator for exchange of hydraulic fluid therebetween;the valve having an open position allowing exchange of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinder and accumulator and concomitant retraction or extension of the cylinder rod, and a closed position blocking the exchange of hydraulic fluid and retraction or extension of the cylinder rod;a foot-operated lever operably coupled to the valve and movable to change the valve between the open and closed positions;wherein depressing the lever opens the valve and allows movement of the back pad to a selected one of the back pad positions by retracting or extending the cylinder rod, and releasing the lever closes the valve and prevents movement of the back pad;wherein the flow control valve includes a shutoff valve having the open and closed positions, and a pressure compensating valve, the pressure compensating valve operating to automatically regulate flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder to the accumulator in a manner which limits lowering of the back pad to a predetermined maximum descent rate independently of a weight load applied against the back pad by a user.