Claims
- 1. A resistance applying device for use with an exercise apparatus comprising:a rotatable shaft; a rotatable impeller coupled to the rotatable shaft, the rotatable impeller having at least one vane; a fixed impeller facing opposite the rotatable impeller, the fixed impeller having at least one vane facing the rotatable impeller; a sealed housing surrounding the rotatable impeller and the fixed impeller; the sealed housing containing a fluid that provides resistance against the rotation of the impeller; and a barrier located between the rotatable impeller and the fixed impeller, the barrier allowing at least a portion of the vane of the fixed impeller to be exposed to the rotatable impeller.
- 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the position of the barrier is adjustable relative to the rotatable impeller.
- 3. The device of claim 2 wherein adjusting the position of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller changes how much of the vane of the fixed impeller is exposed.
- 4. A resistance applying device for use with an exercise apparatus comprising:a rotatable shaft; a rotatable impeller coupled to the rotatable shaft; a sealed housing surrounding the rotatable impeller, the sealed housing containing a fluid that provides resistance against the rotation of the impeller; a stationary impeller having at least one vane; and a barrier located between the rotatable impeller and the stationary impeller, the barrier and the rotatable impeller being configured to provide for movement of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller, wherein the barrier allows at least a portion of the vane of the stationary impeller to be exposed to the rotatable impeller.
- 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the rotatable impeller has at least one vane.
- 6. The device of claim 4 wherein the barrier is substantially planar.
- 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the barrier is a substantially circular plate.
- 8. The device of claim 4 further comprising an adjuster that adjusts the position of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller.
- 9. A resistance applying device for use with an exercise apparatus comprising:a rotatable shaft; a rotatable impeller coupled to the rotatable shaft; a sealed housing surrounding the rotatable impeller, the sealed housing containing a fluid that provides resistance against the rotation of the impeller; a stationary impeller having at least one vane; a barrier located between the rotatable impeller and the stationary impeller, wherein the barrier has at least one slot through which the vane of the stationary impeller fits; and a position adjustment arrangement for adjusting the position of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller.
- 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the volume of fluid is adjusted by changing the position of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller.
- 11. The device of claim 9 wherein the rotatable impeller has at least one vane.
- 12. The device of claim 11 further comprising an adjuster that adjusts the position of the barrier relative to the rotatable impeller.
- 13. A method for adjusting the resistance of a resistance applying device for use with an exercise apparatus, where the resistance applying device includes a rotatable shaft, a rotatable impeller coupled to the rotatable shaft, and a sealed housing surrounding the rotatable impeller, the sealed housing containing a fluid that provides resistance against the rotation of the impeller, and a stationary impeller located between the rotatable impeller and the sealed housing, the stationary impeller having at least one vane; comprising the steps of:exposing at least a portion of the vane of the stationary impeller through a barrier; turning the rotatable impeller within the fluid within the sealed housing; and adjusting the volume of fluid adjacent to a moving surface of the rotatable impeller.
- 14. A resistance applying device for use with an exercise apparatus comprising:a rotatable shaft; a rotatable impeller coupled to the rotatable shaft; a sealed housing surrounding the rotatable impeller, the sealed housing containing a fluid that provides resistance against the rotation of the impeller; a stationary impeller having at least one vane; and a barrier located between the rotatable impeller and the stationary impeller, the barrier and the stationary impeller being configured to provide for relative movement of the barrier relative to the stationary impeller, wherein the barrier allows at least a portion of the vane of the stationary impeller to be exposed to the rotatable impeller.
- 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting the volume of fluid adjacent to a moving surface of the rotatable impeller is carried out by adjusting the position of the barrier to adjust the exposed portion of the vane of the stationary impeller.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/920,402, filed Aug. 29, 1997 now abandoned, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
US Referenced Citations (23)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
WO 9813108 |
Apr 1998 |
WO |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/920402 |
Aug 1997 |
US |
Child |
09/390426 |
|
US |