Patent Application
20130023389
Exercise apparatuses commonly employ a weight stack actuated by a cable which is pulled by users of the apparatus. Recently, resistive elastic members, such as bands or plates, have been incorporated into exercise equipment to provide motion resistance. Specifically, resistive elastic members have gained increased popularity due to their ability to provide substantially consistent tension throughout the desired range of motion and generate an increased use of stabilizer muscles to oppose the substantially consistent tension.
While the use of resistive elastic members provides many benefits, traditional apparatus configurations can present limitations affecting the usefulness of the exercise apparatus. For example, the range of exercises which may be performed with certain cable actuated apparatuses is sometimes limited by the position and orientation of the apparatus itself. Particularly, with the added range of motion and resistance offered by the use of resistive elastic members, such as bands and plates, consumer needs and considerations are often at odds. Additionally, traditional uses of resistive elastic members have been limited to substantially linear axial motions that are opposed by the force of the elastic member material.
One type of resistance based apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,250,022 assigned to ICON IP, INC. In this patent, an exercise machine includes a number of resilient elongate members oriented horizontally such that the intermediate portion of the elongate members engage a fulcrum of the exercise machine. A user adjusts the amount or resistance provided by capturing different combinations and numbers of resilient elongate members. An alternative resistance based apparatus is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,025 issued to Daniel W. Emick. In this patent, an exercise machine is described that uses a hand crank to selectively modify the effective length of rubber tubing that is used for resistance training by axially extending the rubber tubing after the length has been modified to a desired length.
In one aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus includes a frame, a resistance lever pivotably attached to the frame, a resistance engagement member moveably attached to the resistance lever, and a resistance element disposed adjacent to the resistance engagement member.
Another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance engagement member positionable at a plurality of attachment points on the resistance lever.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance element being a deflection member having a first end and a second end, a first anchor attached to and positionally fixing the first end of the deflection member, and a second anchor attached to and positionally fixing the second end of the deflection member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects is configured such that when a force is input to the resistance lever, the resistance lever pivots about the pivot point and the resistance engagement member transversely engages the deflection member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects is configured such that the apparent resistance provided by the resistance element is adjusted by positionally adjusting the resistance engagement member along the attachment points relative to the first and second anchors.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes a frame having a base and at least one vertical support member attached to the base.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the first anchor and the second anchor each connected to the at least one vertical support member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes a base, at least one vertical support member attached to the base, and a pivot assembly attached to the at least one vertical support member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the first anchor attached to the pivot assembly and the second anchor attached to the at least one vertical support member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes a user engagement member disposed on the resistance lever.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the plurality of attachment points being configured to selectively position the resistance engagement member between the first anchor and a midpoint of the deflection member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes an input actuation member connected to the resistance lever.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes an input lever arm having a first end and a second end, wherein a first end of the input lever arm is connected to the resistance lever, and a user engagement member disposed on the second end of the input lever arm.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes an input actuation member in the form of a cable.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes an elastomer deflection member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the deflection member in the form of one of a latex rubber, a natural rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an isoprene rubber, a butadiene rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber, a butyl rubber, a chloroprene rubber, a nitrile rubber, or a silicone rubber.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes a resistance engagement member including a selection pin.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance lever defining a plurality of orifices to receive the selection pin and positionally secure the resistance engagement member on the resistance lever relative to the first and second anchor.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance engagement member having at least one abutment bushing disposed adjacent to the deflection member.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance engagement member including a first abutment bushing and a second abutment bushing, wherein the deflection member is disposed between the first abutment bushing and second abutment bushing.
Yet another aspect of the invention that may include any combination of these aspects includes the resistance engagement member being configured to have at least a first position and a second position on the resistance lever relative to the first and second anchors, wherein the resistance engagement member positioned in the first position deflects the deflection member a first amount in a direction substantially transverse to an axis of the deflection member in response to an angular rotation of the resistance lever, and wherein the adjustable engagement member positioned in the second position deflects the deflection member a second amount in a direction substantially transverse to an axis of the deflection member in response to the angular rotation of the resistance lever.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present method and system and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and do not limit the scope thereof.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
With reference to
The at least one vertically oriented support member 130 is connected to the base 110 through a vertically oriented base extension 116. As shown, forces applied to the base extension 116 and vertical support structure 130 during operation are translated down to and dispersed throughout the base 110. The base extension 116 is contiguously formed or fixedly attached to the base structure and protrudes in a vertical direction. The base structure 110 may be connected to the base extension via any number of joining techniques or intermediate members including, but in no way limited to a weld, fasteners, press fit, adhesives, and in some configurations may be unitarily formed with the base 110. According to the illustrated embodiment, the base extension 116 protrudes vertically to provide a mounting location for the vertical support 130 while opposing any forces imparted on the system by operation of the apparatus 100. As shown in the Figures, one or more vertical support mounting members 118 may be used to couple the base extension 116 and the vertical support member 130. The connecting of the vertical support member 130 to the base extension via the one or more mounting members 118 may be fixed or, alternatively in a telescoping configuration (not shown) between the base extension 116 and the vertical support member 130, may be adjustable to vary the effective height of the resistance based exercise system 100 according to the user's height and preferences. Additionally, as illustrated in
Continuing with the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated, the pivot assembly is disposed on the upper end of the vertical support 130, but may be located elsewhere. According to the present embodiment, the pivot assembly 140 includes a pivot housing 146 that defines a cavity or hole. The area within the pivot housing 146 facilitates the rotation of an input actuation member 120 and the translation of that rotation to a resistance system 150, as will be described in further detail below with reference to
As shown, a number of bushings 144 may be incorporated into the present pivot assembly 140 between the pivot housing 146, the resistance lever arm 152, and/or the actuation member 120. The bushings 144 decrease friction between the pivot housing 146, the resistance lever arm 152, and the actuation member 120 such that the moving portions of the resistance based exercise system 100 may freely rotate within the pivot housing without substantial friction imposed resistance.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuation member 120 is disposed on a first side of the resistance based exercise system 100 opposite the resistance system 150. The actuation member 120 is disposed above the base 110 and is pivotably attached to the pivot assembly 140 such that the actuation member 120 pivots about the pivot assembly 140. Particularly, according to one embodiment, the actuation member 120 includes an actuation pivot cap 142 concentrically positioned adjacent to the pivot housing 146 and a bushing 144. On the end of the actuation pivot cap 142 is a handle 126 for adding stability to a user. The actuation pivot cap 142 may include an internal member (not shown) that passes through the pivot housing 146 to join the actuation pivot cap 142 to the corresponding lever cap 148 such that the rotation of the respective caps is proportionally coordinated.
The actuation member 120 includes a lever arm 124 that extends from the actuation pivot cap 142 toward the base 100, terminating with user engagement member 122. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lever arm, when in a disengaged state, is oriented straight down from the actuation pivot cap 142, parallel to the vertical support 130 toward the base 110. While a vertical starting orientation is illustrated in
The actuation member 120 is rotatably coupled through the pivot assembly 140 to the resistance system 150. As shown in
Continuing with
According to the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally, a plurality of bushing axels 740 are attached to the back surface of the resistance selection housing 158. As shown, the bushing axels 740 are each configured to receive and secure the abutment bushings 160 by insertion of the bushing axels 740 in the axel reception orifice 750 defined in each abutment bushing. According to one embodiment the bushing axels 740 are secured to the axel reception orifice 750 of the abutment bushings 160 by any fastening system including, but in no way limited to an interference fit, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like.
The deflection member 170 that forms a resistance component of the resistance based exercise system 100 is shown as having a single cylindrical deflection member. As will be described in further detail below, the deflection member is engaged by the abutment bushings and deflected in a transverse direction to flex or stretch the deflection member 170, relying on the modulus of elasticity exhibited by the deflection member 170 to resist the motion and return the deflection member to its original position when the transverse flexing force is removed.
According to the present system, selectively varying the position of the resistance selection housing 158 and the associated abutment bushings 160 relative to the resistance lever arm 152 allows for controllably modifying the resistance experienced by the user during exercise. According to one embodiment, the deflection member 170 substantially follows Hooke's law of elasticity which states:
F=−kx
That is, the resistive force (F) exerted by a spring or elastic member is equal to the negative of the rate or spring constant (k) multiplied by the displacement (x) of the spring or elastic member.
As illustrated in
In contrast, when the resistance selection housing is fixed at the upper most portion of the resistance lever arm, as illustrated in
As illustrated, the adjustment orifices of the resistance lever arm 152 are indexed to selectively position the resistance selection housing 158 from the midpoint of the deflection member 170, to the top of the deflection member. Alternatively, the resistance lever 152 may be configured to allow for placement of the resistance selection housing 158 anywhere relative to the deflection member 170 in order to maximize the potential displacement, and therefore the resistance, of the deflection member.
A number of modifications may be made to the system illustrated in
While the previous embodiments are illustrated as including an actuation member 120 in the form of a descending bar terminating in a user engagement member 122, any number of actuation members may be used to rotatably actuate the resistance lever arm 152 including, but in no way limited to, a bar, a handle, a cable, a strap, and the like. For example,
In general, the structure of the present disclosure provides an apparatus having a relatively small footprint while enabling the performance of numerous resistance based motion exercises. More specifically, the present apparatus leverages the resistive force generated by a single elastic member while adding flexibility by modifying the engagement location of the actuated portions of the structure. This configuration minimizes the size of the system while adding safety and convenience. That is, in contrast with traditional systems that use weight stacks and other resistance systems to provide muscle exercising resistive forces, the present system does not include heavy resistive members that are lifted and, in combination with gravity, provide resistance to the user. Rather, the present system uses one or more deflection members that are selectively and transversely engaged and displaced by an actuated lever arm to create a muscle building and/or toning resistance for the user. By incorporating one or more deflection members that remain coupled to the exercise system, convenience to the user is enhanced. A user no longer needs to add or remove plates or resistive members to modify the resistance experienced.
Additionally, by reducing the number of deflection members used to provide resistance to the user, the cost of the apparatus is reduced when compared to traditional resistance based exercise apparatuses.
Moreover, the present resistance based exercise apparatus provides a wide range of resistive forces in an apparatus having a small footprint. Since, according to one embodiment, the resistance system of the present resistance based exercise apparatus is vertically oriented and the motion of the apparatus is centered on a central pivot assembly, the apparatus may be stored and operated in a relatively small space. Additionally, the small size of the exercise apparatus allows the system to be readily moved in and out of a closet or other storage area.
In the present description, a preferred structure and associated materials are described. However, the present system and method may be practiced with any number of substitute materials and systems. For example, according to one embodiment, while the present system is illustrated as having a single vertical support member 130, any number of additional support members may be implemented for structural and/or functional enhancements. Furthermore, while the vertical support member is illustrated as a linear member protruding linearly from the base extension, the vertical support member may assume any number of orientations or geometries including, but in no way limited to curved or arcuate members.
Similarly, according to the described embodiment, the vertical support member 130 is fabricated of hollow tubing. While the present system is illustrated with the vertical support member being formed of steel tubing having a substantially circular cross-section, the vertical support member may assume any number of cross-sectional configurations to provide the desired structural strength including, but in no way limited to, oval, box, rectangular, I-beam, and the like. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the vertical support member is formed of a metal such as, but in no way limited to, steel, aluminum, and the like. Alternatively, any sufficiently stable material, or combination of materials may be used to form the present vertical support structure including, but in no way limited to, composites, polymers, and the like.
While the support handle is illustrated in the figures as having a circular profile and cross-section, any number of handles or other stabilizing structures, having varied geometries, may be incorporated into the pivot assembly or the vertical support.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the actuation member and the resistance lever arm are directly joined through the pivot assembly via an abutment or sleeve, the actuation member and the resistance lever arm may be coupled via any number of mechanisms, intermediate members, or configurations including, but in no way limited to, a gear train that reduces or increases the rotation of the resistance lever arm relative to the input motion imparted on the actuation member. Use of a gear train may be used to increase the available range of motion of the actuation member relative to full rotation of the resistance lever arm and/or to increase the resistance force for small rotations of the actuation member.
While the present system is described as including bushings in the pivot assembly to reduce the friction induced resistance, any number of resistance reduction members may be associated with the pivot housing including, but in no way limited to bearings, grease, sacrificial members, graphite, and the like.
According to one embodiment detailed above, the user engagement member may include padding such as a foam including, but in no way limited to, an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a polyurethane foam, high density foam, evlon, high resilience foam, latex rubber foam, supreem foam, rebond foam, memory foam, dry fast foam, neoprene foam, viscoelastic polymer gel, and the like. Alternatively, depending on how the user engagement member is to be engaged, the user engagement member may include a knurled or any other surface finish to enhance the surface of the user engagement member.
While the lever arm is illustrated and described above as being substantially rectangular, the lever arm may assume any number of cross-sectional shapes including, but in no way limited to, oval, circular, quadratic, triangular, and the like. Furthermore, the lever arm may be formed of any number of materials and/or processes that produce a structurally sound member. Specifically, according to one embodiment, the lever arm may be formed of metal, plastic, wood, composite, and the like.
While the present system is described as having a rotationally actuated lever arm with a user engagement member as the force input member, any number of force input members may be used with the present resistance system including, but in no way limited to, pulleys, cables, bars and the like. Additionally, the present resistance based exercise system is described as having a 1:1 rotation ratio between the actuation member and the resistance lever arm of the resistance system. However, any number of gear reduction systems or transmissions may be used with the present resistance system to enable a desired exercise motion and resistive effect.
In conclusion, the present system and method provides a compact exercise system that enables the performance of multiple exercises with varying levels of resistance, without the inconvenience of changing weights or bands. More specifically, the present system leverages the varying resistive characteristics of a single deflection member to facilitate the performance of multiple exercises while minimizing the size and weight of the exercise system.
