Flexible line guidance and tension measuring device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed toward a flexible line guidance and tension measuring device for use on an exercise apparatus to guide a flexible line from a resistance mechanism to an exercise member and measure tension in the flexible line.
According to one embodiment, the present invention includes a fixed member operatively connected to the exercise apparatus.
A movable member is movably mounted to the fixed member in such a manner that the movable member is movable among a plurality of positions relative to an operating surface on the fixed member.
A load bearing pulley is rotatably mounted on the movable member, and the flexible line passes over the pulley.
Any tension in the flexible line tends to move the movable member from one position to another relative to the operating surface on the fixed member, thereby defining an incremental deflection that is measured by means operatively mounted to the movable member.
In operation, the present invention provides a device with the ability to perform the functions of line guidance and line tension measurement.
The invention is capable of guiding several lines, from a number of exercise elements to the isokinetic resistance mechanism.
The lines may be guided t the isokinetic resistance mechanism from any direction, each being guided independent of the other lines.
In addition, the invention is able to measure the tension in whichever of the lines is being used, without changing the tension in that line or any of the other lines.
Also, the invention performs the guidance and tension measuring functions independently, such that the guidance function does not alter the tension in the line, and the measuring function does not interfere with the movement of any of the lines relative to the invention.
Another advantage of the present invention is that one simple device is capable of guiding several lines arriving from multiple directions to the isokinetic resistance mechanism, and to measure the tension in whichever line is being used