The present disclosure relates generally to a device for use with rehabilitation, sports training and fitness, and more specifically to a resisted walking/running/pushing/pulling body tether exercise apparatus.
Typical exercise equipment works the heart and lungs together with various muscle groups to allegedly improve a user's endurance and strength. The devices typically require the user to run, jog, walk, bike, climb and the like for a prolonged period of time to build up the lungs and heart, as well as to promote muscle health. Examples of such equipment includes weights, treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, steppers and the like.
Running/walking is the one exercise that the human body is most evolved to suit. Various devices are known to permit a person to simulate a run. Such devices include the aforementioned treadmills, both self-powered and electrically powered, as well as stepper platforms, etc. In addition, one can attach one end of an elastic cord to a stationary frame or doorway and wrap the other end around the person's torso to provide resistance while leaning forward and running in place.
One example of a device to be mounted to a doorway is shown in the prior art illustration of
Another example of a device to provide stationary resistance for a runner is shown in the prior art illustration of
Both conventional treadmill type exercise machines as well as the aforementioned strap-type restraint devices have their disadvantages. For example, a treadmill tends to unnerve people due to its moving floor and more often than not leads itself to boredom while the restraint devices are difficult to adjust and fit. Whether using a treadmill or the current prior art restraint devices, the user is unable to utilize their natural running gait under real world terrain.
Additionally, current motorized resisted walking/running devices typically use a single motor for both payout and retraction of the rope (flexible element). Generally, these devices use a transmission with sufficient mechanical reduction to enable the motor to supply ample resistance to the user. These systems may work for long, uninterrupted runs, but certainly suffer in performance during rapid starts and stops as the inertia of the device motor causes delays in change of direction resulting in slack in the rope as well as a jerky feeling to the user. This becomes particularly bothersome when the user stands in a stationary position and uses the device for short, repeated pulls, such as when doing a rowing exercise.
The present disclosure overcomes the problems associated with conventional treadmill type exercise machines, strap-type restraint devices and resisted walking/running devices by utilizing a tether exercise apparatus. Accordingly, it is a general object of this disclosure to provide a motorized tether exercise machine.
It is another general object of the present disclosure to provide a motorized tether exercise machine that enables the user to move with his natural gait under real world terrain.
It is a more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a motorized body tether exercise machine that enables user rapid starts and stops.
It is another more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a motorized tether exercise machine that includes one or more safety mechanisms to protect the user and machine.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable motorized tether exercise machine.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a motorized body tether exercise machine that enables data measurement and associated performance display.
These and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an exercise apparatus having a rope wound around a spool mounted on a motor driven driveshaft for rotation in a user engageable forward direction. The spool includes a one-way clutch for engaging the driveshaft in the forward direction. A recoil mechanism is coupled to the spool for rotation of the spool in a backward direction.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a resisted tether exercise machine having a housing containing a rope wound around a spool and an opening for the user engageable end to exit. The machine includes a support arm pivotally attached to a base whereby when the arm is in a first position the base is affixed to a vertical support surface and when the arm is in a second position the base is supported on a horizontal surface and anchored to a fixed point. A pulley is affixed to the arm to direct the rope to a user.
The present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:
One or more embodiments of the subject disclosure will now be described with the aid of numerous drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, use of specific terms will be understood to include multiple versions and forms thereof.
Turning now to
The apparatus 40 includes one or more adjustable vertical supports (e.g. arms) 54 extending upwards whereby the exit pulley 52 or the like is attached to the top end 56. The support 54 is pivotally mounted, preferably with a spring 58 or the like at the base 60. As the user walks/runs/pulls on the flexible element, it is anticipated that the force applied will vary. For example, a user walking will apply greatest force when pushing off with one foot, and the least force when landing on the opposite foot. The tether will generally have a slight amount of sag which will change from high force application to low force application. As a result, the support arm 54 will tend to move 62 slightly forward and backward in response to the user's variable force application. While
Accordingly, the feeder pulley 52 is mounted on arms 54 which are rotatably mounted to the base 60 of the machine 40. When used outdoors, or in a situation where a permanent mount is not practical, the arms are extended and locked 64 in a first position (
The component parts of the unit 40 will now be described in the embodiments of
For example, and as shown in the embodiment of
In one embodiment, in order to prolong recoil motor 78 life, a force sensing device 84 is used to detect force exerted on the flexible element. In this case, a minimum threshold is established, e.g. 5 lbs. When the force sensing device 84 senses less than the minimum threshold, the recoil motor 78 is activated. When the force sensing device 84 senses more than the minimum threshold, current to the recoil motor 78 is reduced via current controller (mechanism) 85. To further protect the recoil motor 78, a movement sensor 86 is provided which detects movement of the flexible element 42. When no movement is detected for a period of time, e.g. 30 seconds, current to the recoil motor 78 is reduced. The movement sensor 86 can also be used as a means for determining when the recoil motor 78 is activated. For example, if the flexible element is being pulled by the user, the movement sensor will detect this movement and current to the recoil motor can be reduced. When the user stops pulling and a stop in movement is detected, the recoil motor can again be activated.
It will be appreciated that numerous conventional methods may be used to coil the rope 42 on the spool 70.
An electronic system may be employed to prevent the user from damaging the machine, or injuring himself while attempting to run beyond the maximum length of the rope. In such an embodiment, a distance measuring device such as a rotary encoder mounted at the spool measures the distance of rope payout. The device is calibrated to recognize a maximum safe payout length, e.g. 10′ less than the total length of rope. When the user reaches the maximum safe payout length, an audible alarm can be sounded to alert the user that a predetermined distance has been reached. Alternatively, the drive motor can be braked or changed in speed, or a tactile feedback device 89. As such, it can be activated to give the user tactile feedback indicating that a prescribed distance has been reached.
Typically, the drive motor will dissipate the energy expended by the user in the form of heat. In some applications, it is anticipated that a larger user may pull with a significant amount of force causing the motor to exceed its maximum rated temperature. One solution is to limit the amount of resistance provided by the machine. Since an athlete may provide short bursts of high force during a workout, it may be desirable to allow for greater amounts of resistance over short durations. In one embodiment, a temperature sensing device 83 such as a thermistor is mounted in close proximity to the drive motor. A circuit monitors the motor temperature such that in the event an overheat condition is detected, the circuit provides a calculated or predetermined current reduction to the motor which prevents overheating while still allowing the user to continue exercising at a lower resistance. Logic circuitry can also be used to prevent overheating. In particular, a force measuring device such as a motor current sensor or strain gauge is used in conjunction with a clock function to determine the average power dissipated by the motor. If average power exceeds a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time, a current limit can be applied to the motor drive.
In another embodiment shown in
Although the force measuring system as described works well for a user who walks/runs/pulls directly outward and straight away from the device, it nevertheless loses accuracy when the flexible element is pulled at an angle up/down or side to side. Accordingly, a fairlead system (as known) 106 positioned at a point directly perpendicularly to the exit pulley to provide a consistently normal angle from the exit pulley even if the user pulls at a non-normal angle. The fairlead can be a simple plastic (Delrin) piece, for example a Harken part no. 339, or a more substantial system using two sets of parallel rollers placed perpendicular with one another.
The current disclosure can provide valuable performance data as described above. This data can be displayed in real-time on the machine on a display device. However, there are many instances when the user is facing away from the machine and therefore unable to see the data. Accordingly, there is also provided a remote display option which is mounted at a point away from the machine near the terminal end of the flexible element. The display may contain numeric digits, graphical information, indicator lights, or the like. Communication with the display may be accomplished with wires, radio waves, blue-tooth, sonar, or other means known in the art. In addition to real-time data, the unit may be programmed to display current effort vs. a preset goal, such as the maximum power produced from a previous run. This visual display will act as a means for motivating the user to achieve various goals while exercising.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom. Accordingly, while one or more particular embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention if its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/577,190 filed Oct. 26, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
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