The present technology relates to an electric fitness device and, more specifically, an electric resistance exercise device.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Resistance exercise devices, also known as strength training equipment, are essential tools used to enhance muscular strength, endurance, and overall fitness. These devices work by providing resistance against muscle contraction, challenging the muscles to adapt and grow stronger over time. Resistance exercise is a key component of a well-rounded fitness routine and offers numerous benefits, including increased bone density, improved metabolism, and enhanced physical performance.
Resistance exercise devices come in various forms, including resistance bands, kettlebells, medicine balls, suspension trainers, and more. Each device offers unique benefits and can be used for specific exercises or as part of a comprehensive workout routine. Whether in a gym or a home setting, incorporating these devices into a fitness regimen can lead to significant improvements in strength, muscle tone, and overall physical health. As with any exercise program, it is essential to use resistance exercise devices with proper form and technique to maximize benefits and minimize the risk of injury.
One of the most common types of resistance exercise devices is free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells. The versatility of free weights allows for a wide range of exercises that target different muscle groups. Dumbbells are handheld weights available in various sizes, making them suitable for people of all fitness levels. Barbells, on the other hand, consist of a long bar with weighted plates on each end and are often used for compound exercises like squats and deadlifts.
Resistance exercise machines are another popular category of devices commonly found in home gyms and fitness centers. These machines use a system of cables, pulleys, and weight stacks to provide resistance during exercises. Resistance can also be provided using a motor and gearbox that create a replacement for weight stacks. The advantage of resistance machines is that they offer controlled movement and can be safer for beginners or individuals recovering from injuries. They can also allow for isolated targeting of specific muscles.
In recent years, resistance exercise devices have seen innovations that incorporate technology and data tracking features. Smart resistance machines often come with built-in screens or connect to fitness apps, providing users with real-time feedback, exercise guidance, and performance metrics. This integration of technology has made resistance training more engaging and personalized, catering to the needs of individuals with different fitness goals. However, current electric resistance exercise devices can lack large enough resistance to create an effective resistance for training. Additionally, the spool mechanism of current devices can allow for resistance cords to become tangled during use.
Accordingly, there is a need for an electric resistance exercise device with high levels of resistance and an organized cord mechanism.
In concordance with the instant disclosure, a fitness device, including an electric resistance exercise device with high levels of resistance and an organized cord mechanism, has surprisingly been discovered.
The present technology provides a fitness device for use by a user. The fitness device can include a resistance assembly including a spool, a motor, a gearbox, a pulley system, and a cord. The spool can include a first end and a second end. The motor can be selectively engageable with the spool and can be disposed adjacent to the first end of the spool. The motor can be configured to generate a resistance force. The gearbox can be disposed between the motor and the spool. The pulley system can be disposed adjacent to the second end of the spool. The cord can be disposed on the spool and the pulley system and can be configured to be wound and unwound in a single layer on the spool when pulled by the user.
The present disclosure further provides a method for using a fitness device by a user. The fitness device of the present disclosure can be provided. The fitness device can be positioned in desired location and orientation for working out by the user. The fitness device can be secured in a selected position. An exercise setting can be adjusted on the fitness device. The user can selectively engage the cord and begin exercising.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.
Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.
Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The present disclosure provides a fitness device 100 for use by a user including a resistance assembly 102, shown generally in
As shown in
With reference to
The spool 104 can be formed from a solid material. The solid material can allow for the spool 104 to be stable and durable as it is spun to unwind and rewind the cord 112. As non-limiting examples, the spool 104 can be formed from various polyolefins and mixtures thereof, polypropylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, the spool 104 can be formed of metal, wood, or ceramic, as examples. One of ordinary skill in the art can select other suitable materials for forming the spool 104 within the scope of the present disclosure.
With reference to
The gearbox 108 can be disposed between the motor 106 and the spool 104. The gearbox 108 can be configured to increase the torque output by the motor 106. The spool 104 can be connected to an input end 118 of the gearbox 108. As one non-limiting example, a one-way bearing configured to transmit torque from the spool 104 to the gearbox 108 in a first direction when the user pulls on the cord 112 can be used to connect the spool 104 to the gearbox 108. The one-way bearing can militate against the gearbox 108 from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction when the cord 112 is rewinding.
The gearbox 108 can be any suitable gearbox 108, as determined by one of skill in the art. In certain embodiments, a multi-stage planetary gearbox 108 having helical gears can be used to optimally transmit force. In certain more particular embodiments, the gearbox 108 can be configured to achieve a gear ratio. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the gearbox ratio to be higher or lower, within the scope of this disclosure. It should be further appreciated that one skilled in the art can employ different technologies for the gearbox 108, as desired.
As shown in
It should be appreciated that any number and orientation of pullies may be employed, as determined by one of skill in the art. As one non-limiting example, a straight pulley and an inclined pulley can be disposed in the resistance assembly 102 and used in concert to properly align the cord 112 with respect to the spool 104 and the exit port 134 during a variety of exercise programs.
The cord 112 can be disposed on the spool 104 and through the pulley system 110. The cord 112 can be unwound, as shown in
With reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The performance unit 146 can be disposed between the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ such that the user can place one foot between the resistance assembly 102 and the performance unit 146 and the other foot between the performance unit 146 and the another resistance assembly 102′ in operation. The performance unit 146 is centrally positioned between the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′, such that the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ extend out in opposite directions from one another. To this point, each of the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ can be positioned under each of the user's arms, on either side of their body while in use.
Each of the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ can be integral with the performance unit 146 or can be permanently or removably connected to performance unit 146. In certain embodiments, each of the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ can be configured to rotate with respect to the performance unit 146 between an in-use position, as shown in
In certain more particular embodiments, each of the resistance assembly 102 and the another resistance assembly 102′ can be coupled to the performance unit 146 by a footboard 150, as shown in
In certain more particular embodiments, mounting equipment (not shown) can be integral with or permanently or removably connected to one or more of the performance unit 146, the resistance assembly 102, and the another resistance assembly 102′. Mounting equipment can include clamps, straps, and mounting screws, as non-limiting examples. Mounting equipment can be configured to removably or permanently secure the fitness device 100 to any surface or object in any desired orientation. A person of skill in the art may employ any suitable mounting equipment, as desired. In this way, the mounting equipment can allow the fitness device 100 to be mounted to various horizontal, vertical, and inclined surfaces to change the angle and/or direction of the movement of the cord 112 relative to a position of the user.
The performance unit 146, the resistance assembly 102, and/or the another resistance assembly 102′ can be manufactured from wood, metal, plastic, and/or a composite. However, it should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may employ different materials for constructing the performance unit 146, the resistance assembly 102, and/or the another resistance assembly 102′ as desired.
With continued reference to
Alternatively, and with reference to
In certain embodiments, and with reference to
The programmable device 156 can be further be configured to provide a graphical user interface 158 feature configured to automatically adjust a position of the jog dial 152 disposed on the performance unit 146 according to a manual manipulation of the graphical user interface 158 feature provided by a user. For example, the user can move a slider on the graphical user interface 158 of the software application and the jog dial 152 rotates increasing or decreasing resistance in the fitness device 100. Other types of graphical user interface 158 features for adjusting the position of the jog dial 152 can also be used, as desired.
In operation, the user places the fitness device 100 on the floor and stands with one foot between the resistance assembly 102 and the performance unit 146 and the other foot between the performance unit 146 and the another resistance assembly 102′. The body weight of the user can keep the fitness device 100 stable. The pair of handles 140 can be attached to the attachment means 136, one handle on the attachment means 136 of the resistance assembly 102 and another handle on the second attachment means 136′ of the another resistance assembly 102′. The user pulls on the cord 112 with the help of the pair of handles 140. The cord 112 can offer resistance, supplied by the motor 106, while the user pulls on it. As described hereinabove, the amount of resistance can be controlled by the performance unit as selected by the user.
Internally, the spool 104 connects to the motor 106 via the gearbox 108. The motor 106 offers a variable torque to the spool 104. The separate motor 106, gearbox 108 and spool 104 allows the user to seamlessly switch from working out with one handle to two handles, as desired. As described hereinabove, the torque can be adjusted to any value instantaneously. For example, there can be force when pulling, but very little force when the cord 112 is wound back, very little force when user pulls, but high force on the way down, or a decrease in weight as the cord 112 is pulled up. When the user pulls on the cord 112, the spool 104 rotates against the resistance offered by the motor 106 and unwinds the cord 112. When the user stops pulling on the cord 112, the motor 106 winds the cord 112 back onto the spool 104.
The present disclosure further provides a method 200 for using a fitness device by a user, as depicted in
Advantageously, the user may adjust the position and orientation of the fitness device 100, as well as any settings relating to resistance, audio, visual, tracking, or any other customizable features, in order to attain a full body workout. The fitness device 100 is lightweight and compact in both the in-use and the storage position and is thereby easy to use, setup, transport, and store. According to certain embodiments, the fitness device 100 can weigh less than ten (10) pounds. It should be appreciated that the fitness device 100 can be secured in place using only the user's body weight, thereby allowing the user to operate the fitness device without any set up or additional equipment and in any location large enough to fit the user. It should be further appreciated that the fitness device 100 can also be secured to any surface using mounting equipment or weight from an object, as needed. Advantageously, the mounting equipment can be used to affix the fitness device 100 to walls, doors, and benches, as non-limiting examples. Desirably, this can allow the user to perform exercises programs with the fitness device 100 in an elevated or otherwise unconventional position or location.
The fitness device 100 can be portable and adaptable, and can be used indoors, outdoors, at home, at work, on the go, and on demand. Using the fitness device 100 in a variety of positions and orientations allows the user to exercise a variety of muscle groups in a variety of different ways. Likewise, using the fitness device 100 in combination with a variety of accessories and with a variety of training applications allows the user to create customized, inventive, and fun exercise programs.
Advantageously, the fitness device 100 is useful for any fitness level, beginner to expert. Beginner users may select zero resistance or a low level of resistance while using the fitness device 100. Expert users may increase resistance over time, as needed. The user avoids purchasing additional equipment such as free weights and adding and removing additional equipment during use of the fitness device 100. In certain more particular embodiments, the fitness device 100 can provide up to or more than thirty-five kilograms of resistance.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.