Isokinetic Rope Climbing Method and Machine

Abstract

An endless loop rope climbing machine that maintains a constant rope speed through a hydraulic resistance mechanism having a pressure compensated flow control valve.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

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PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an exercise apparatus and method used to create a continuous-motion rope climbing machine that maintains a constant rope speed and resistance regardless of the climber's weight or force exerted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rope climbing offers an effective means for developing strength by placing the climber's arm and back muscles under constant tension while ascending and descending a rope. Leg muscles are also engaged as the climber pinches the rope between his feet to maintain elevation and support the weight of his body while the arms are repositioned to either move up or down the rope.

Rope climbing is often done by affixing a length of rope to an elevated point on a building and the resistance is created by the force of gravity exerted on the climber's mass. This form of rope climbing is inaccessible unless the climber possesses sufficient upper body strength to support his own weight.

Muscle mass is increased by fatiguing and tearing down the targeted muscle fibers and an effective exercise works those muscles to the point of failure. This poses a problem when that fatigue occurs at top of a rope suspended at an unsafe elevation. A number of rope climbing machines have been designed to avoid this dilemma by offering endless loop climbing machines. These machines are positioned near the ground and allow the climber to ascend and/or descend a length of rope, exercising to failure without the fear of falling.

Rope climbing machines generally create resistance by threading a length of rope through a system of friction and drag mechanisms, employing a plurality of channels, pulleys or hydraulic cylinders and requiring the user to manually tension the device. Other designs use microprocessor controlled systems to set a desired resistance. Both of these approaches are affected by the user's weight and the resistance and rope speed are compromised as greater force is exerted by the climber.

Exercise machines traditionally require the user to move a fixed resistance or weight through a particular range of motion (ROM.) The movement of the device varies in speed throughout the ROM depending on the exercise being undertaken and the resistance system being used. In rope climbing, the climber reaches one arm over the head, grasps the rope and pulls down, advancing the body up the rope length. The opposite arm then reaches above the head to repeat the ROM cycle.

A climber exerts a greater force on the rope when the ROM cycle begins due to the leverage exerted by the arm. The body is hoisted up the rope length, causing the rope to advance more quickly until the climber's gripping hand is at waist level. In a traditional climbing machine this variation in the acceleration of the rope within the resistance mechanism results in non-uniform tensioning. Consequently, the force exerted by the arm at the bottom of the exercise stroke is generally much less than it was at the top of that stroke. This variation in tension of the climber's muscles results in a less efficient form of exercise and may increase the risk of injury.

There is a growing trend in exercise called isokinetics. This is a strength training method that blends the intense muscular contractions experienced in isometric exercise with the full range of motion required in isotonic workouts. Isokinetic machines require the targeted muscle groups to overcome a substantially constant resistance throughout the entire ROM of the exercise. In a rope climbing machine, this is accomplished by generating a constant rope speed regardless of the climber's weight or force exerted. This dynamic tensioning maintains the climber's muscles in a constant state of strain and contraction, accelerating muscle fatigue and consequently assisting in the break down and subsequent rebuilding of stronger muscles.

There have been several attempts to create exercise machines that exert a constant opposing force. U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,466 suggested the regulation of resistance through the use of a microprocessor controlled electro-hydraulic system. The apparatus requires the collection of strength input data to calculate a constant resistance and apply the required opposing force using a solenoid type pressure control valve. The problem with this design is that it calculates the needed resistance by measuring strength input data collected at the beginning of the workout. It then applies the calculated resistance only at fixed application points in the motion of the device's working arm. The user's strength will likely be greater at the beginning of the workout making this calculated resistance excessive as the workout progresses. This device does not compensate for the reduction in muscle strength as the workout progresses and may lead to injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,938 suggests the use of a series of pulleys and a drum with several circumferential grooves to create a constant opposing force while the machine is use. The climber is required to select a weight and must pull with enough force to lift this weight from a teeterboard to engage a drag mechanism. The device demands a great deal of floor space and requires the user to select and lock the needed weights with a pin system. The need to pull that weight with sufficient force to engage the resistance mechanism may subject the user to injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,204 suggests the use of a braking system comprised of a motor or governor and a series of springs or weight plates to maintain a constant rope speed by transferring rotational forces from inertial to linear forces. As the user pulls on the rope, the force rotates a sprocket causing a governor to spin. When excessive force is exerted on this governor a brake disk engages, increasing the resistance within the machine. The friction employed in this mechanical apparatus will eventually wear the braking system making it less effective over time. This machine is overly complex and requires the user to select an offsetting weight; the harder one pulls on the machine, the faster the machine will move. This design is not intended to support the climber's weight and merely engages the user's arms in a cardiovascular workout similar to that of a rowing machine.

There is therefore a need in the art for a less complicated isokinetic rope climbing machine, capable of instantaneously sensing and adjusting the pressure within the system to maintain a constant resistance regardless of the weight or force applied by the climber

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems discussed above by offering a climbing machine that maintains a constant resistance and therefore a constant rope speed for the climber.

A greater weight or force applied by the climber will result in a greater force on the resistance mechanism. A pressure compensated control valve mounted within this mechanism senses any changes in force or weight and instantaneously adjusts the orifice area within the friction sheave affixed to a hydraulic pump. This in turn will cause more or less fluid to enter the pressure compensated control valve where a compensator sensing spool will move within a pressure adjustment chamber inside the valve to maintain a constant flow rate within the system. The pressure within this valve regulates the movement of fluid within the hydraulic pump and governs the rotation of the friction sheave to generate a constant rope speed. Generally speaking, the higher the pressure, the higher the flow rate and vice versa; however, the use of a pressure compensated flow control valve ensures that the flow rate is constant regardless of pressure.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a safe, compact and straight forward method and apparatus that simulates the motion of natural rope climbing while offering a constant rope speed, subjecting the targeted muscle groups to isokinetic resistance. It is a further object of this invention to offer a wide variation in rope speed to accommodate varying abilities of the climbers.

As previously mentioned, isokinetic exercise puts a constant dynamic tension on the targeted muscles. Because the force remains constant, the risk of injury is significantly reduced making this an ideal means for rehabilitation of injured or compromised muscles. In the preferred embodiment, the rope is oriented in the vertical position. A seat may be added to assist those with reduced mobility or a fear of falling. The support structure may also be modified such that the rope is oriented in a horizontal position, allowing the user to pull the rope in a tug-of-war style or alternatively to lie on one's back and pull the rope overhead. Foot holds may also be added to improve the user's stance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is right side elevational view of a wall mountable isokinetic rope climbing machine.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of a wall mountable isokinetic rope climbing machine.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a wall mountable isokinetic rope climbing machine showing the front of the machine in more detail.

FIG. 4A is a right side elevational view of the resistance mechanism illustrating the friction sheave and tapered channel.

FIG. 4B is a right side elevational view of the resistance mechanism showing the climbing rope seated within the tapered channel of the friction sheave.

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the resistance mechanism.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the resistance mechanism along section A-A shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a left side elevational view of wall mountable isokinetic rope climbing machine with detail C encircling the resistance mechanism.

FIG. 6B is an expanded perspective view of the resistance mechanism highlighting an area of detail C shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pressure compensated flow control valve.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of stand-mounted isokinetic rope climbing machine having a horizontal rope feed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stand mounted isokinetic rope climbing machine having a stool

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a space saving version of the machine having a floor-mounted support structure and a suspended rope handling mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wall-hangable isokinetic rope climbing machine.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

5 Rope Climbing Machine

10 Resistance Mechanism

15 Climbing Rope

18 Rope Hanger

20 Support Structure

25 Friction Sheave

28 Key

30 Tapered Channel

34 Cavity

35 Guide Sheave

40 Hydraulic Pump

44 Hydraulic Pump Shaft

45 Hydraulic Reservoir

50 Pressure Compensated Flow Control (PCFC) Valve

55 Flow Adjustment Mechanism

60 Flow Adjustment Control Cable

64 Flow Adjustment Selector

65 Flow Rate Orifice

66 Gear Rack

68 Pinion

70 Flow Rate Orifice Needle

75 Compensator Sensing Spool

80 Check Valve for Non-Compensated Return Flow

85 Variable Pressure Compensating Orifice

90 Entrance Orifice

95 Exit Orifice

100 Pressure Adjustment Chamber

105 Bias Spring

108 Bias Spring Chamber

110 Ball Check Spring

115 Stool

120 Rope Guide

125 Suspended Rope Handling Mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this patent application cords, strings, filaments, cables and flexible chains will be generally referred to as “rope.”

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rope climbing machine 5 is comprised of three main components: a resistance mechanism 10, a climbing rope 15 and a support member 20. The apparatus will be subjected to significant forces; the support member 20 must therefore be configured to withstand these forces through geometry and/or use of materials with a high tensile strength. FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a wall mounted version of the rope climbing machine; however, stand mounted rope climbing machines with sufficient stability may also be used as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Alternatively, a space saving version may be used as depicted in FIG. 10 or a wall hangable version as shown in FIG. 11.

Looking now to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B6A and 6B, the resistance mechanism 10 is comprised of a friction sheave 25 having a tapered channel 30, two or more guide sheaves 35, a hydraulic pump 40 having a hydraulic pump shaft 44, a hydraulic reservoir 45, a speed adjustment mechanism 55 and a pressure compensated control valve 50. A looped length of climbing rope 15 feeds along the guide sheaves 35 and around a portion of the circumference of the friction sheave 25 such that the rope seats firmly within the tapered channel 30 as depicted in FIG. 4B. Excess rope may be kept out of the climber's way by placing it on the rope hanger 18. As the climber pulls on the rope 15, it seats more deeply within the tapered channel 30. The resulting friction between the rope 15 and friction sheave 25 causes the friction sheave 25 to rotate. A key 28 within the friction sheave 25 fits within a cavity 34 on the hydraulic pump shaft 44. As the climbing rope 15 is pulled, the friction sheave 25 begins to rotate, pumping pressurized fluid from the hydraulic reservoir 45 into the pressure compensated flow control (PCFC) valve 50. It is this valve that regulates the speed at which the friction sheave 25 rotates.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7, a typical PCFC valve 50 is comprised of a flow adjustment mechanism 55, a flow rate orifice needle 70 seated within a flow rate orifice 65, a compensator sensing spool 75, a check valve 80, a pressure adjustment chamber 85, a pressure adjustment chamber 100, a bias spring 105, and a ball check spring 110. The flow adjustment mechanism 55 determines the length of the flow rate orifice needle 70 that extends into the flow rate orifice 65, setting the system pressure drop across the flow rate orifice 65 thereby controlling the flow rate.

Referring now to the arrows depicting fluid movement in FIG. 7, fluid flows into the PCFC valve 50 at the fluid entrance orifice 90, passing through the variable pressure compensating orifice 85, past a compensator sensing spool 75, out through the flow rate orifice 65 and into the exit orifice 95. The compensator sensing spool 75 is attached to a ball check spring 110 and a check valve 80. The check valve 80 allows fluid to flow freely from the entrance orifice 90 to the exit orifice 95 while preventing fluid from moving in the opposite direction.

The bias spring 105 compensates for the pressure differential between the flow rate orifice 65 and the exit orifice 95. Pressure at the exit orifice 95 is transferred to the bias spring chamber 108, causing the bias spring 105 to either advance or retract within this chamber 108 thereby increasing or decreasing the spring force exerted on the bias spring 105. Incoming fluid at the entrance orifice 90 pushes the compensator sensing spool 75 forward until resistance from the bias spring 105 prevents further movement of the compensator sensing spool 75. The position of the compensator sensing spool 75 determines the volume of fluid within the pressure adjustment chamber 100, regulating fluid flow to the flow rate orifice 65 and thereby regulating the rotation of the hydraulic pump shaft 44 shown in FIG. 5B. Rotation of the friction sheave 25 is governed by the rotation of this hydraulic pump shaft 44, resulting in a constant rope speed for the selected flow setting. The sheave rotates in only one direction, allowing the climber to ascend on one side of the rope and descend on the other if desired.

Rope speed is determined by the fluid flow which may be selected by manually adjusting the flow rate orifice needle 70 position within the PCFC valve. Alternatively, the flow adjustment may be altered using a selector mechanism such as the rack and pinion control cable design depicted with more particularity in FIG. 6B. It should be recognized that a tie rod may be used in place of a control cable. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the flow adjustment mechanism 55 is comprised of a flow adjustment control cable 60 having a flow adjustment selector 64 on one end and a gear rack 66 on the other. The gear rack 66 is connected to a pinion 68 which is attached to the flow rate orifice needle 70. The length of the control cable 60 is shortened or lengthened depending on the setting chosen on the flow adjustment selector 64. The lateral movement of the control cable 60 and attached gear rack 66 is translated to the pinion 68, either tightening or loosening the attached flow orifice needle 70 depending on the direction of motion of the control cable 60. It should be recognized that other means may be used to select and adjust fluid flow into the PCFC valve 50.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a rope climbing machine having a wall-mounted support structure 20. FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a stand-mounted version of the machine. FIG. 9 shows the climbing machine with an optional free-standing stool 115 for those who would prefer to exercise from a seated position; however, it should be recognized that a fixed stool may be added to the support structure 20. FIG. 8 depicts the rope 15 threaded through a rope guide 120, orienting the rope 15 in a horizontal position. This rope orientation allows the user to sit on a stool 115 and pull the rope 15 in a tug-of-war fashion to exercise the shoulders, back and biceps. Alternatively, the user may lie on an elongated stool 115 and pull the rope 15 overhead and downward, exercising the shoulders, back and triceps.

FIG. 10 illustrates a space saving unit having a floor-mounted support structure 20 that is reduced in size. The climbing rope 15 hangs from a suspended rope handling mechanism 125 that can be mounted on a wall or ceiling. As with the wall-mounted version, the space saving support structure 20 houses the resistance mechanism 10, and speed adjustment selector 64. A looped section of rope is strung through one guide sheave 35, around the friction sheave 25 and through a second guide sheave 35. The rope 15 is threaded through the suspended rope handling mechanism 125 and hangs down for use by the climber.

FIG. 11 depicts a wall-hangable version of the rope climbing machine. This design is similar to the wall-mounted version shown in FIGS. 1-3, in that the looped length of rope 15 feeds along the guide sheaves 35 and around a portion of the circumference of the friction sheave 25, seating firmly within the tapered channel 30. The rope hangs below the friction sheave 25 and feeds through a rope guide 120. A flow adjustment selector 64 connected to the flow adjustment cable 60 determines the flow rate within the machine.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should be considered exemplifications of one or more embodiments rather than limitations on the scope of the invention. As previously discussed, many variations are possible and the scope of the invention should not be restricted by the examples illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A rope climbing apparatus comprising: a. a support structure;b. a friction sheave mounted to the support structure and having a tapered channel;c. a climbing rope threaded about the friction sheave and seated within a portion of the tapered channel, friction between said climbing rope and tapered channel resulting in rotation of the sheave as force is applied to the climbing rope;d. a hydraulic reservoir for retaining fluid and having an inlet and outlet;e. a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic reservoir outlet having a hydraulic pump shaft that is mechanically connected to the friction sheave such that the pump actuates and propels fluid as the friction sheave rotates; andf. a pressure compensated flow control valve comprising an adjustable fluid flow rate, an entrance orifice mechanically affixed to the hydraulic pump, an exit orifice mechanically affixed to the intake of the hydraulic reservoir, and a pressure compensating spool, wherein increases or decreases in fluid flow within the valve cause the pressure compensating spool to shift position within said valve, nearly instantaneously restricting or increasing fluid flow to the exit orifice and thereby allowing or inhibiting rotation of the hydraulic pump shaft to maintain a substantially constant resistance on the climbing rope.

2. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two guide sheaves having tapered channels are mechanically affixed to the support structure, adjacent to the friction sheave such that the rope is threaded about the guide sheaves and friction sheave.

3. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rope is comprised of a loop.

4. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is mounted to a wall.

5. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is mounted to a floor stand.

6. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, having a support structure positioned on the floor and further comprising a suspended rope handling mechanism at an elevated point on a wall or ceiling, the climbing rope being threaded through said suspended rope handling mechanism

7. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rack and pinion gearset, the pinion being mechanically affixed to the fluid flow rate adjustment mechanism within the pressure compensated flow control valve and the rack being mechanically affixed to an adjustment selection cable such that the fluid flow rate of the pressure compensated flow control valve can be modified by shortening or lengthening said cable.

8. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stool.

9. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bench having a rope guide that aligns the rope in a substantially horizontal position.

10. The rope climbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one rope guide is affixed to the apparatus to support and guide rope movement.

11. A method for providing substantially consistent resistance in a rope climbing machine based on the force applied, said method comprising: a. Providing a rope climbing machine having a support structure, a resistance mechanism comprised of a friction sheave mechanically affixed to a closed loop hydraulic system, and a rope threaded about said friction sheave;b. Applying force to the rope;c. Placing a pressure compensated flow control valve within the closed loop hydraulic system, the pressure compensated flow control valve having a compensator sensing spool that nearly instantaneously restricts or increases fluid flow within the closed loop hydraulic system when torque is applied to the friction sheave, thereby restricting motion of said friction sheave to maintain a substantially constant rope resistance.