Ratchet lock mechanism for exercise hip, leg and squat sled

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The problems outlined above are in large measure solved by the present invention which provides a greatly improved exercise device especially designed for leg and lower body development.
Broadly speaking, the device includes a base, an elongated, upright support coupled to the base, with weight means shiftably mounted on the support for reciprocal movement thereon.
Pad means is also provided for supporting a person lying in a supine position, with the pad means being selectively shiftable along a path of travel between a use position wherein the pad means is beneath the weight means and a person lying supinely on the pad can elevate his legs and engage the weight means with his feet, and a stowed position wherein the person can locate himself beneath the weight means for engaging the latter with the upper part of his body (such as shoulders), free of interference from the pad means.
Finally, the overall device includes means for selectively locking the pad means in the use and stowed positions respectively.
Such locking means generally includes an elongated locking member having structure defining an aligned series of dog-receiving openings along the length thereof.
This locking member is oriented along the length of the path of travel of the pad means.
At least one elongated locking dog is pivotally coupled to the pad means, with the dog being located generally above the openings of the locking member and oriented for receipt thereof in respective positions of the pad means.
The dog includes surfaces for engaging the member and permitting passage of the pad means along the length of the locking member without locking receipt thereof in the openings as the pad member is being shifted.
Also, the dog means is pivotal to a locking position wherein the dog is lockingly received in a respective opening, when the pad means is stopped.
Thus, a ratchet-like mechanism is provided which greatly facilitates fore and aft movement of the pad means so as to give a truly multiple duty machine at low cost