Moment arm weight resistance mechanism and weight training machines utilizing the same

1. A weight training machine comprising a frame and a moment arm weight resistance mechanism, the moment arm weight resistance mechanism comprising:

a) a cantilevered moment arm pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point;

b) an adjustable weight attached to the moment arm;

c) a weight adjusting drive for adjusting the adjustable weight along the moment arm;

d) an actuating means operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism,

wherein the weight on the moment arm creates a moment about the pivot point,

wherein the degree of weight resistance can be controlled by a user by movement of the adjustable weight along the moment arm,

wherein the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is variable for providing increased or decreased amounts of weight resistance and can be varied by a user during an exercise motion, and

wherein moving the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby actuating the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

2. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a cam, wherein:

a) the cam is secured to the moment arm coaxially with the pivot point;

b) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the cam; and

c) the moving of the actuating means causes the pivoting of the cam about the pivot point thereby causing the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point and the actuating of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

3. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a cable attachment means, wherein:

a) the cable attachment means is secured on an end of the moment arm distal from the pivot point;

b) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the cable attachment means; and

c) the moving of the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby causing the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point and the actuating of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

4. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a bar linkage mechanism, wherein:

a) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the bar linkage mechanism; and

b) the moving of the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby causing the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point and the actuating of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

5. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a direct connection between the actuating means and the moment arm weight resistance mechanism, wherein:

a) the actuating means is rigidly connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism; and

b) the moving of the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby causing the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point and the actuating of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

6. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the adjustable weight and the weight adjusting drive are supported on the moment arm weight resistance mechanism and the weight adjusting drive is operatively attached to the adjustable weight.

7. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the actuating means is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully extended position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully extended position.

8. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the weight adjusting drive is selected from the group consisting of motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and force generating devices.

9. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is pivotable about the pivot point.

10. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the adjustable weight and the weight adjusting drive are supported on the moment arm weight resistance mechanism and the weight adjusting drive is operatively attached to the adjustable weight.

11. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the actuating means is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully extended position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully extended position.

12. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the weight adjusting drive is selected from the group consisting of motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and force generating devices.

13. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is pivotable about the pivot point.

14. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the adjustable weight and the weight adjusting drive are supported on the moment arm weight resistance mechanism and the weight adjusting drive is operatively attached to the adjustable weight.

15. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the actuating means is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully extended position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully extended position.

16. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the weight adjusting drive is selected from the group consisting of motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and force generating devices.

17. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is pivotable about the pivot point.

18. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the adjustable weight and the weight adjusting drive are supported on the moment arm weight resistance mechanism and the weight adjusting drive is operatively attached to the adjustable weight.

19. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the actuating means is movable between a first at rest position and a second fully extended position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully extended position.

20. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the weight adjusting drive is selected from the group consisting of motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and force generating devices.

21. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is pivotable about the pivot point.

22. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism proximal to the pivot point.

23. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism distal from the pivot point.

24. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least two actuating means operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism, wherein moving at least one of the at least two actuating means actuates the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

25. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 24 , wherein moving the at least two actuating means actuates the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

26. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 24 , wherein each of the at least two actuating means is actuated by different exercise motions.