Patent Grant
9656116
The present invention relates to physical exercise machines and more particularly to an exercise apparatus that enables users to perform a weight lifting or other incremental weight movement exercise.
Exercise machines for lifting discrete amounts of non-varying weight are known and used for use in a variety of machines. The degree of resistance to performance of the exercise varies incrementally and linearly with the degree of force or speed exerted by the user.
In accordance with the invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising:
a weight stack comprised of one or more individual bodies of weight,
a flexible elongated cable having a downstream portion that is interconnected to a user selectable number of the one or more individual bodies of weight that exert a first resistance and to a second resistance device that exerts a second resistance,
a manually movable actuating device interconnected to a proximal end of the cable, the actuating device being manually movable by the user to exert an exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power through the cable on the selectable number of one or more individual bodies of weight and on the second resistance device,
the second resistance device exerting a second resistance that increases non-linearly with an increase in the degree of speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted on the actuating device or on the second resistance device by the user.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising:
a weight stack comprised of one or more individual bodies of discrete non-variable weight,
a flexible elongated cable having a proximal end and a downstream portion extending downstream from the proximal end of the cable,
the downstream portion of the cable mechanism being interconnected to a user selectable number of one or more individual bodies of weight that exert a first resistance and to a second resistance device that exerts a second resistance,
a manually movable actuating device interconnected to the proximal end of the cable,
the cable being arranged such that the actuating device is manually engageable and movable by a user to exert an exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power on the proximal end of the cable extending to the downstream portion of the cable to act in one direction on the one or more individual bodies of discrete, non-variable weight and on the second resistance device,
the second resistance device exerting a degree of second resistance to movement of the actuating device by the user that varies non-linearly with the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted on the actuating device or on the second resistance device, the second resistance being exerted in a direction opposite the one direction.
In such an apparatus movement of the actuating device by the user preferably effects mechanical movement of a movable component of the second resistance device that increases the degree of the second resistance non-linearly with the degree of increase in speed or velocity of movement exerted on the movable component of the second resistance device or the actuating device.
The degree of the second resistance preferably varies geometrically or exponentially with the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted on the actuating device or the second resistance device.
The second force resistance device typically comprises a wheel having a drivably rotatable axle interconnected to one or more blades that forcibly engage against air on rotation of the axle, the wheel being interconnected to the downstream portion of the cable in an arrangement wherein the axle of the wheel is rotatably driven by the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the actuating device.
The axle of the wheel is preferably spring-load biased against rotation by the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the actuating device.
The degree of the second resistance typically varies non-linearly with the speed of rotation of the wheel.
The degree of the second resistance typically varies exponentially or geometrically with the speed of rotation of the wheel.
The manually movable actuating device preferably comprises a handle, a pivotable lever or a wheel interconnected to the proximal end of the cable.
The downstream portion of the cable is preferably interconnected to a manifold that is interconnected to the second resistance mechanism, the manifold being selectively interconnectable to a selectable number of the individual bodies of weight.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of performing a weight lifting exercise on an exercise apparatus comprised of a weight stack comprised of one or more individual bodies of weight, a flexible elongated cable having a proximal end interconnected to a manually movable actuating device and a downstream portion extending downstream from the proximal end of the cable,
the method comprising:
interconnecting the downstream portion of the cable mechanism to a user selectable number of one or more individual bodies of weight,
arranging the cable such that the actuating device is manually engageable by a user to exert an exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power on the proximal end of the cable extending to the downstream portion of the cable to act in one direction to move the selected number of the one or more individual bodies of weight,
interconnecting the downstream portion of the cable to a second resistance mechanism in an arrangement such that the second resistance mechanism exerts a second resistance against the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power in a direction opposite the one direction,
adapting the second resistance mechanism to exert the second resistance in a manner that varies non-linearly with one or more of the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the second resistance mechanism or the actuating device.
In such a method, the second resistance mechanism can be adapted to exert the second resistance in a manner that varies either exponentially or geometrically with the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user.
Such a method can further comprise adapting the force resistance mechanism to include a mechanical member that mechanically moves in response to the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user, the movement of the mechanical member mechanically generating the second resistance to vary non-linearly with the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user.
In such a method, the second resistance mechanism can comprise a wheel having a drivably rotatable axle interconnected to one or more blades that forcibly engage against air on rotation of the axle, the wheel being interconnected to the downstream portion of the cable in an arrangement wherein the axle of the wheel is rotatably driven by the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user.
In such a method the wheel is typically biased by a spring against rotation by the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user.
Such a method can further comprise adapting the wheel such that the speed of rotation of the wheel varies non-linearly with one or more of the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the wheel or the actuating device.
Such a method can further comprise adapting the wheel such that the speed of rotation of the wheel varies exponentially or geometrically with the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the wheel or the actuating device.
Such a method can further comprise adapting the wheel to vary the second resistance either exponentially or geometrically with the degree of exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted by the user on the wheel or the actuating device.
Such a method can further comprise adapting the wheel to vary the second resistance non-linearly with the speed of rotation of the wheel.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising:
a weight stack comprised of one or more individual bodies of discrete non-variable weight,
a flexible elongated cable having a proximal end and a downstream portion extending downstream from the proximal end of the cable,
the downstream portion of the cable mechanism being interconnected to a user selectable number of one or more individual bodies of weight that exert a first resistance and to a second resistance device that exerts a second resistance,
a manually movable actuating device interconnected to the proximal end of the cable,
the cable being arranged such that the actuating device is manually engageable and movable by a user to exert an exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power on the proximal end of the cable extending to the downstream portion of the cable to act in one direction on the one or more individual bodies of discrete, non-variable weight and on the second resistance mechanism,
the downstream portion of the cable being interconnected to a movable component of a second resistance device such that an increase in the user's exertion of the exercise speed, velocity, force, energy or power on the actuating device results in movement of the movable component which exerts a degree of second resistance to movement of the actuating device that increases non-linearly with an increase in the degree of speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted on the movable component or on the actuating device.
In such an apparatus, the movable component can comprise a fan that rotates at a selected speed or velocity in response to the user's exertion of a selected degree of the speed, velocity, force, energy or power exerted on the actuating device, the second degree of resistance exerted by the fan increasing non-linearly with an increase in the selected speed or velocity of rotation of the fan.
In such an apparatus, the second degree of resistance exerted by the fan can increases by a cube factor of increase in the selected speed or velocity of rotation of the fan.
In all such an apparatuses and methods according to the invention the second resistance mechanism can mechanically vary resistance to a degree that varies either exponentially or geometrically with the degree of speed, velocity, force, work or power exerted by the user on a mechanically movable component of the apparatus such as a handle, a cable or another movable device or assembly. The term “non-linear” or “non-linearly” is meant to encompass and include an exponential or geometric relationship such as a cubed or cube factor relationship between an increase in degree of resistance and an increase in degree of speed, velocity, force, work or power exerted by the user. Also, as discussed below, the term “force” is intended to encompass and include user exerted power, energy or work which are all directly proportional to force.
The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As shown in
As can be readily imagined, the non-linear, geometric, exponential or the like increase “resistance” that results from the use of a mechanism 1000 such as a fan 4a, pertains equally to resistance as measured in units of force, work, energy and power which are all directly proportional to each other and which would all thus increase non-linearly or geometrically or exponentially with an increase of user exerted force PF, LF or the like. The term “non-linear” or “non-linearly” is meant to encompass and include an exponential or geometric relationship between the resistance and force exerted. Also, as discussed below, the term “force” is intended to encompass and include user exerted power, energy or work which are all directly proportional to force.
In the more specific embodiments shown in
The axle 4c is rotatably driven by the force PF, LF exerted by the user 1, the force LF being transmitted to the chain 4t via interconnection of a proximal end 18p of the intermediate cable 18e to the distal end 9a of rod 9 such that the pull cable 18e extends between the proximal end 4k of the chain 4t and the distal end 9a of the manifold 9. Exertion of the force LF causes the distal end of the intermediate pull cable 18e to pull on the proximal end 4k of the chain 4t thus causing the chain 4t to rotate R together with the drive shaft and further causing the distal end 4te of the chain 4te to pull on and stretch or extend the spring 16 creating a pull tension within the chain that acts to pull on the chain 4t in the direction of the opposite force OF.
The distal end 4te of the chain 4t,
In the machine shown in
In the machine shown in
As shown in
The arm structure 50,
The pull cable assembly 68 is directly engaged by the user; it includes a pull cable 80 having a left end 81 engagable with the left slidable handle bracket 60a, and a right cable end 82 engagable with the right slidable handle bracket 60b. The left and right handle brackets 60a, 60b are initially disposed at opposing left and right ends 13a, 13b of the rod 12. When a user grasps the grip 91b of right handle 90b and pulls it toward himself, the right handle bracket 60b is caused to slide across the rod 12 toward the left handle bracket 60a, the latter being fixed in position on the left hand end 13a of rod 12 by its engagement with the resistance cable assembly 30 attached to the weight stack 150.
More specifically, the right handle bracket 60b includes a slidable sleeve (e.g., tube) 62b having a central bore 63b which slidably engages the outer cylindrical surface of rod 12. A pulley housing 71b attached to slidable tube 62b mounts a pulley wheel 76b, over which a pull cable 80 can be pulled (by a user) while the wheel rotates. At the right end 82 of pull cable 80, a stop ball 83b is provided that prevents the pull cable from being pulled out of the handle bracket 60b when the user pulls on the opposing handle 90a. The right end 82 of cable 80 is attached by a metal ring 84b to a Y-shaped handle frame 92b. A grip 91b is supported across the open ends 94b of the Y-shaped frame 92b, wherein an opening 93b between the grip and Y-shaped frame allows the user's fingers to be inserted for grasping the grip 91b. The opposing end 95b of the Y-frame 92b has an aperture which receives the ring 84b for connecting the stop ball 83b between the handle 90b and pull cable 80.
The right handle bracket assembly 60b further includes a tabbed collar 130b attached to the slidable tube 62b for connecting the handle bracket 60b to the resistance cable assembly 30. More specifically, a first end 32 of resistance cable 31 is attached to the tab portion of the collar 130b. The resistance cable 31 extends from collar 130b around four right side pulley wheels 35b-38b, and then around a central pulley 42 which is attached to the weight stack 150. The opposing left end 33 of resistance cable 32 is similarly engaged with the left handle bracket 60a and a mirror image pulley assembly with four pulley wheels, and ultimately engages the same central pulley wheel 42 engaged with the same common weight stack 150. Thus, in the present embodiment, a single resistance cable assembly 30 connects the left and right slidable handle brackets 60a, 60b, while a separate pull cable assembly 68 similarly connects the left and right handle brackets 60a, 60b, and together the two separate cable assemblies 30 and 68, which each engage the left and right slidable handle brackets 60a, 60b, enable the resistance training motion and exercises illustrated in the figures.
When a user 4 grasps the right handle 90b and pulls the handle 90b toward himself while moving away from the machine 10, thereby extending the right handle away from the rod, he pulls against the resistance set by the resistance cable assembly 30 which is attached to a select number of weights in the weight stack 150. Here, an adjustable pin selects the upper 151 weights in the stack as a desired fixed weight resistance level, while the user pulls on the right handle these upper 151 weights rise upwardly along the parallel guide rods 152 of the weight stack. As a result the right handle bracket 62b slides to the left on the rod, allowing the pull cable 80 to extend further toward the user while the user continues to exert sufficient force to overcome the selected weight resistance 151 (upper weights of the stack). The left handle bracket 60a remains stationary with respect to the frame 5, the stop ball 83a preventing the pull cable 80 from disengaging with the left handle bracket, and the resistance cable 31 attached to the left handle bracket resisting the force on the pull cable 80 exerted by the user pulling on the right handle.
As shown in
In the machine 5 shown
In the machine shown in
In an exemplary method of operation, a weight is selected on the main weight stack 60 by placing a pin (not shown) in one of the complementary holes, as is known in the art. The user adjusts the seat 20 and chest pad 22 to a suitable position on the front leg. For example, a user with a longer torso will adjust the seat to a lower height such that the handles 38a and 38b are positioned at a comfortable height parallel with the users shoulders. The chest pad 22 is adjusted such that when the user grasps the handles tension is placed on the lifting cable 80. The user grasps the handles 38a and 38b and pulls back causing the lifting pulley 78 to be raised. As the lifting pulley 78 is raised, the first cam 70, shaft 66, and second cam 68 rotate, pulling on the belt 84 and lifting the selected weight. The user then returns the handles 38a and 38b to the initial position, thereby lowering the weight. When the user pulls the handles 38a and 38b back, the resistance provided by the weight is overcome. When the user returns the handles 38a and 38b, the user succumbs to the resistance provided by the weight stack 60.
As shown schematically in
In the
In the embodiment of
The manually movable actuating device for the machine 500 includes four bar linkage mechanisms pivotally mounted at the distal ends to an upper support frame. The four bar linkages are symmetrical in construction and include primary lever arm 32a, a secondary lever arm 34a, and a handle 38a. The primary lever arm 32a and secondary lever arm 34a lie and travel in a common plane which minimally diverges from a vertical midplane as the primary lever 32a and the secondary lever 34a are drawn. The divergence of the common plane is sufficient to allow the handles 3a and 3b to pass on opposite sides of the user. The primary lever arm 32a is an elongated bar which is pivotally connected at its proximal end to the handle 3a. The distal end of the primary lever arm 32a is pivotally connected to the upper support frame 36 by primary axle or pivot point 42a. Secondary lever arm 34a is similarly an elongated bar which is pivotally connected at its proximal end 8p to handle 3a, and is pivotally connected at its distal end to the upper support frame by secondary axle 48a. The secondary axle or pivot point 48a.
The weight stack 60 is mounted on the support frame 12 in a position where the weight stack 60 is easily accessed by a user seated in seat 94. The handles 3a and 3b are operably connected to the weight stack 60 via the cable 80 and manifold 9. In an exemplary method of operation, a weight is selected on the main weight stack 60 by placing a pin (not shown) in one of the holes, as is known in the art. The user adjusts the seat 94 and chest pad 96 to a suitable position. The chest pad 96 is adjusted such that when the user grasps the handles tension is placed on the lifting cable 80. The user grasps the handles 3a and/or 3b and pulls back causing the lifting pulley 78 to be raised. As the lifting pulley 78 is raised, the first cam 70, shaft 66, and second cam 68 rotate, pulling on the manifold 9 and lifting the selected weight. The user then returns the handles 3a and 3b to the initial position, thereby lowering the weight. When the user pulls PF the handles 3a, 3b the second resistance is also provided by the second resistance assembly 14 via the interconnection of chain 4t to the manifold at connection point 9a.
This application is a continuation application of PCT/US2014/056206 filed Sep. 18, 2014 which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/879,334 filed Sep. 18, 2013 and claims the benefit of priority to international application PCT/US14/55124 filed Sep. 11, 2014, the disclosures of both which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application incorporates by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety the disclosures of all of the following: U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,609, U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,955, U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,185, U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,363, U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,478, U.S. Pat. No. 8,827,877, U.S. Application Publication No. 20090176625 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,872, U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,367 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0166439, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0040787, U.S. Patent Publication 20140005009 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030166439.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7811204 | Popescu | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 8057367 | Giannelli | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8708872 | Giannelli | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8827877 | Giannelli | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 9211434 | Giannelli | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 20030092543 | Giannelli | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20110082015 | Dreissigacker | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20130109543 | Reyes | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130109544 | Reyes | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20140005009 | Giannelli | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0166195 | Sep 2001 | WO |
| 2012075404 | Jul 2012 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Int'l. Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Jan. 5, 2015 from priority application PCT/US2014/056206. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160346590 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61879334 | Sep 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2014/056206 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | 14982678 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2014/055124 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | PCT/US2014/056206 | US |
