This invention relates to an adjustable exercise device; and more particularly to an adjustable exercise device, which varies the resistance of the exercise device or the part of the body which may be exercised.
Many exercise devices are known. Whether the exercise device is used for recreational or fitness purposes, or for the more critical physical therapy purposes, adding flexibility to an exercise device, which otherwise has a single use, is greatly desired. For example, if the resistance of such an exercise device can be changed efficiently with a compact device, great advantages can be obtained.
With an exercise device, it is very desirable to have a device, which can be used in many different ways. One of the key factors in accomplishing this matter involved being able to change the resistance of the exercise device. Another key factor is being able to adjust an exercise device in order to change the part of the body to be exercised. Either class of adjustments is difficult.
If the adjustment of resistance can be more efficiently and more easily changed, the advantages of such an exercise device improve in a geometric progression. Those greater advantages will be obtained from the changes in the resistance of the exercise device.
This exercise device can be adjusted to correspond to a set of desired workout capabilities of a particular person. Also, the resistance of the work out provided by the device can be changed as a particular person changes or develops physical ability. Such changes can also be effective when a different person desires to use the same device.
Such a simple factor in adjusting the resistance of an exercise device does not exist. It thus becomes clear that a compact resistance variation device for a compact exercise device is an extremely desirable device.
Also, for a person having a desire to or being required to exercise a different part of the body, it is extremely useful to adjust the exercise device to provide a workout for a different part of the body. If a device can be adapted efficiently to exercise a different part of the body, even further advantages are obtained.
With an exercise device being able to adjust a variety of different body parts, the device may become more useful for a physical therapy procedure. Such an improved device can facilitate rehabilitation for a person requiring the same. This is especially true if the exercise device can be programmed in order to require the patient to stick to a required routine.
For example, if a specific exercise is required with a specific weight, there is no effective way to be sure that the patient sticks to the required exercise program. It is too easy for a patient to deviate from a prescribed exercise at a prescribed weight. If the exercise can avoid that deviation, great advantages are obtained.
Thus, a device, which facilely provides exercises both for different parts of the body and at different resistances, gives a great advantage. This is especially true for physical therapy. To a lesser extent, but still as an important issue, this exercise device is suitable for fitness exercise.
Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which facilitates exercise.
A further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which allows for an easily changed resistance value.
Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which has a compact resistance changing mechanism.
A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an ergonomic exercise device.
Another objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which saves space.
Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device with a low-profile, loading position.
Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of an accessible exercise device.
Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of an accessible exercise device, which may be easily cleaned.
A further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which allows for an easily changed exercise mechanism.
Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which adjusts to exercise a specific body part.
A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which changes to exercise a desired body part.
Another objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which allows for an easily variable resistance.
Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device suitable for use in physical therapy.
Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device capable of exercising different body parts for physical therapy purposes.
Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which has programmable resistance for physical therapy purposes.
A further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which substantially requires the patient to stick an exercise program.
Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which facilitates health maintenance.
A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an exercise device, which facilitates physical therapy.
These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing an exercise device which is easily adjusted in resistance by changing a first cassette therein to a second cassette having a different resistance or an exercise type by changing the mechanism or exercise fixture.
Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.
Within an exercise device of this invention, the exercise device has a housing adapted to receive a variable resistance device or a variable body part exercise fixture. These factors render this exercise device effective for the recreational or fitness purposes, or for the more critical physical therapy purposes, adding flexibility to an exercise device.
With the cassette providing the desired resistance and the body part exercise mechanism directing body movement, the doctor or the therapist can provide a person with the exercise device and at least one selected cassette. With the selected cassette, the doctor or therapist can be more sure that the patient is using the exercise device properly at the right resistance with the proper motion.
A resistance of the exercise device is changed by replacing the resistance cassette, which is matable with the housing for the exercise device. The body part exercised depends on the exercise fixture connected to the housing. The exercise fixture, in combination with the housing provides for a desired movement of the body part to be exercised, thereby making the exercise effective and avoiding deviation from the desired exercise.
This cassette structure provides a simplified structure, permitting the resistance of the exercise device to be changed as each cassette is changed. Thus, it is possible to provide a series of cassettes and have a selection of resistance levels, which are suitable for adjusting the exercise resistance of an exercise device. For a person having low strength level, a cassette with a low resistance level may be inserted in the exercise device. As the person's strength increases or decreases, the change of the cassette can change the resistance of the device, appropriately.
Clearly, the exercise device for exercising a particularly desired group of muscles or part of the body can be developed, or an existing device can be modified to receive the resistance cassettes of this invention. With the section of the exercise device adapted to receive the various cassettes of this invention, it becomes possible to change the level of exercise provided by the device.
With any suitable mounting mechanism, an appropriate cassette can be selected for insertion into a compatible exercise device. Thus, changing the resistance for the exercise device is accomplished in a relatively simple matter of changing a cassette.
The outer casing of the cassette may be made of any suitable material. In a preferred form, the casing material is plastic. This material may be marked in any desired fashion in order to indicate the resistance of the cassette. Preferably, the cassette is color-coded to indicate the resistance of the cassette. In other words, a different color for each cassette of a different resistance permits an easy determination of the resistance provided by that cassette when the cassette is placed in the housing.
An interlocking mechanism may attach one cassette to another and permit the resistances of at least two cassettes to be combined. In this manner with the combined cassettes used in the exercise device, a wider variety of resistances can be provided with fewer cassettes, by using various combinations thereof.
By resistance is meant that a cassette may have an effective weight effect, especially for a specific exercise. For example, a two kilogram cassette provides the effect of lifting a two kilogram weight, for exercise, physical therapy or other purposes. While each cassette has the same general outer dimensions, the inner workings or parts thereof can provide different resistances or weight level for any desired exercise.
Also clearly, the exercise device for exercising a particularly desired group of muscles or part of the body can be developed, or an existing device can be modified to receive an exercise fixture of this invention. The exercise fixture sets the pattern of exercise for the particular body part to be exercised within a set of desired parameters. Two important parameters are movement and resistance.
With
With the combination of the resistance cartridge 124 on the housing 120 with the desired exercise module 128, the prescribed exercise is more likely to be carried out in a proper fashion. With the exercise module 128 and the resistance cartridge 124 at the prescribed weight, it becomes almost impossible to deviate from a prescribed exercise.
As is clear from
With the addition of
Housing support 120 has a first side rail 166 and a second side rail 168. Mounted therebetween is a slide member 170 as an adaptation of the movable carriage 126 of
Adding
Within the lower housing 222, pulley assembly 230 may be mounted with pulley 234 thereof solidly mounted on shaft 236. Pulley 234 and shaft 236 are thus free to rotate or pivot within the lower housing 222 and upper housing 240. The resistance spring 224 is retained in shaft slot 252 of shaft 236 at inner spring end 238 thereof.
A flexible cable 260 is both mounted on the hub 262 of pulley 234 and wound therearound. The flexible cable 260 is passed through the upper housing slot 272 in the upper housing 240. The stacked pulley 234 is placed over resistance spring 224, which in turn is received within lower spring receiver 242 of lower housing 222.
Resistance spring 224 is preferably a circular spring wound upon itself. Outer end 226 of resistance spring 224 fits into internal slot 228 in lower housing 222. Inner end 238 is mounted in shaft slot 252 of pulley shaft 236. With outer and 226 and inner end 238 so secured, tension can be applied to resistance spring 224, for resistance of exercise device 100.
Pulley shaft 236 has a shaft slot 252 adjacent internal lower housing 222 and a solid end 254 adjacent to upper housing 240. Shaft slot 252 is received in lower housing aperture 256, while solid end 254 is received in upper housing aperture 258.
Cable end 280 is fastened to any selected exercise module. The combination of pulling cable end 280 from the assembly of lower housing 222 and upper housing 240 through the housing slot 272 in the upper housing 240 winds resistance spring 224 and may provide the resistant force determined by a doctor or therapist. That resistance force can be easily changed by replacing the pinned, spring cassette assembly 200.
Adding
Outer slot lower housing 304 receives slotted pulley 316 with resistance spring 224 therein over fixed shaft 310 into pulley housing 314. The inner spring end 238 fits into fixed slot 308 as slotted pulley 316 is placed over fixed shaft 310. With slotted pulley 316 thus positioned, tension can be applied to resistance spring 224, for resistance of exercise device 100.
As in
Flexible cable 260 is both mounted on hub 430 of pulley 316 and wound therearound. The flexible cable 260 passes through slot 304 in the lower housing 306. Cable end 280 is fastened to any selected exercise module 410. The combination of pulling cable end 280 through slot 304 in the lower housing 306 wind resistance spring 224 and provides the resistance for specified by a doctor or a therapist. As resistance spring 224 changes, the exercise device 210 changes in resistance.
Within
Resistance cassette 400 includes locking tabs 402 on either side. Each locking tab 402 mates with its own tab receiver 404 within the cassette receiver 408 on exercise device 100. Cable end 280 receives exercise modules 128 of exercise device 100.
To remove the resistance cassette 400 from the cassette receiver 408, cable end 280 is removed from exercise modules 128, the locking tabs 402 are pushed inwardly and released from tab receivers 404, disengaging resistance cassette 400 and permitting it to be pulled from the exercise device 100.
Referring now to
Adding
With
In
In
Adding
Adding
From
Movable carriage 126 also includes carriage lock apertures 134. Carriage lock apertures 134 in combination with hub pins 605 allow hub 600 to be locked into different positions on movable carriage 126 at 90 degree increments. Hub 600 includes a housing slot 616 with a first wing 618 and a second wing 620 forming the slot 616 and having concentric pin apertures 622. Pin apertures 622 receive a locking pin in order to hold exercise module 128 (
Now considering
In
This application; taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined; provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.
Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.
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