MAGNETICALLY ASSISTED RESISTANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A Magnetic Resistance Apparatus (MRA) for providing manageable resistance, the MRA comprising a series of magnets disposed adjacent from one another, a series of electromagnets slidably mounted in electromagnetic cooperation with the series of magnets and an actuator for sliding the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets, wherein current in the electromagnets is managed in a non-constant fashion along the sliding of the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of magnetically assisted resistance apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to a programmable magnetically assisted resistance apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resistance apparatuses, like weight training machines, for instance, are using weights in conjunction with gravity for creating a load used as a resistance for training purposes. Each weight is going to provide a constant load. These resistance apparatuses are therefore generally equipped with a plurality of discrete weights to provide a choice of loads to accommodate various training needs.

Resistance apparatuses can also be embodied differently. For instance, industrial tensioners can also benefit from tensioning mechanisms for maintaining a desired tension in a chain drive or a belt drive.

However, these resistance apparatuses are using discrete loads that might not match properly the load requirement at a specific time. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a resistance apparatus that can offer load variations. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a resistance apparatus that is lighter and can be retrofitted on existing equipment.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, is to provide a resistance apparatus that can dynamically modify its resistance on a mechanical system.

One other object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can be preprogrammed to provide load variations for specific uses.

One object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can dynamically alter its resistance in respect with other parameters.

One other object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can deliver load variations in respect with a displacement, a time, a temperature or a number of cycles.

One object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can provide a safety feature in changing the resistance when a predetermined threshold is met.

One other object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that has a default mode when power is stopped to prevent undesirable behaviors.

One object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that is operatively connected with a database to automatically adjust its resistance in respect with previously recorded data.

Another object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can be retrofitted to prior art weights equipped machines or static tensioners.

Another object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a resistance apparatus that can be embodied linearly or rotatably to provide a dynamically adjustable resistance.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing a new a resistance apparatus and methods of use.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is not using weights and gravity to apply a load to a mechanical system.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that can dynamically adjust its resistance in respect with external parameters like, inter alia, time, displacement, temperature, speed, pre-recorded data and users.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is using electromagnets to create a resistance that is dynamically managed.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that can dynamically adjust its resistance in tension and in compression.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is modular to adapt a number of electromagnets in respect with a predetermined maximum usable load applied to the apparatus.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is using three electromagnets to provide three-phase current that is providing a substantially constant resistance. Each electromagnet is preferably ⅓ of a length of a cooperating magnet.

One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is using a load cell to provide resistance retroaction to the apparatus.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is using an 80 electrical degree to 90 electrical degree reference to force the electromagnets in a predetermined direction although other electrical degree references could be used without departing from the scope of the present specification.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus that is using electromagnets electromagnetically interacting with magnets housed in a stainless-steel housing.

One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a resistance apparatus including a plurality of cassettes, each including an aluminum support that is used as a heat sink just like a possible additional heat sink embedded in the resistance apparatus.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) for generating manageable resistance is provided. The MRA comprises a series of magnets disposed adjacent from one another, a series of electromagnets slidably mounted in electromagnetic cooperation with the series of magnets and an actuator for sliding the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets, wherein each electromagnet is individually and selectively powered to generate the resistance.

The generated resistance may be dynamically adjusted, may further be dynamically adjusted in tension and in compression or may be dynamically adjusted during or in between one or more exercise repetitions.

The MRA may be adapted to receive a number of electromagnets in respect with a predetermined maximum usable load applied to the apparatus. The current in the electromagnets may be managed in a non-constant fashion along the sliding of the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets. The MRA further may further comprise a first and second series of electromagnets. Each of the first and second series of magnets may be configured to slidably receive one of the first and second series of electromagnets. The MRA may further comprise a plurality of electromagnetic cassettes, each of the plurality of electromagnetic cassettes containing electromagnets from the first and second series of electromagnets.

The MRA may be configured to be retrofitted onto a weight training machine or the MRA may further comprise a load cell. The MRA may be configured to dynamically adjust the generated resistance in accordance with a signal generated by the load cell. The MRA may be in signal communication with a controller, the controller being configured to dynamically adjust the generated resistance. The controller being may further be configured to regulate the current to the series electromagnets. The controller may individually regulate the current to each electromagnet.

The MRA may further comprise an encoder in signal communication with the series of electromagnets. The encoder may be configured to convert the movement of the series of electromagnets into an electrical signal.

The series of magnets may be disposed vertically from one another or the series of electromagnets may be slidably mounted on one or more magnetized rails.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method of installing a magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) onto a weight training machine is provided. The method comprises removing one or more weights slidably assembled on rails of the weight training machine, removing the vertical rails of the weight training machine, installing one or more magnetized rails to the weight training machine and slidably mounting one or more electromagnets onto the one or more magnetized vertical rails.

The method may further comprise installing adapting plates configured to receive the one or more magnetized vertical rails and to be affixed to the weight training machine. The method may further comprise installing an encoder configured to detect the movement of the electromagnets. The method may further comprise adjusting a cable of the weight training machine configured to actuate the electromagnets.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for detecting variations in performance of a user of a magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) having electromagnets configured to generate a dynamically managed resistance to the user is provided. The method comprises identifying the user, detecting the generated resistance of the MRA for the identified user at predetermined frequencies, using the detected generated resistances to compute a baseline performance level for the identified user over a predetermined period of time and comparing a subset of the detected generated resistance to the computed baseline performance level, when the compared subset is below the computed baseline performance level, the identified user being identified as underperforming and when the compared subset is above the computed baseline performance level, the identified user being identified as overperforming.

The method may further comprise comparing the subset of the detected generated resistance to the performance level of another user or dynamically managing the resistance in accordance with the performance of the user relative to the computed baseline performance level.

The method may further comprise computing a trend line of the performance level and comparing the recent subset to the computed performance level trend line, when the compared subset is below a boundary of the computed performance level trend line, the identified user being identified as underperforming and when the compared subset is above a boundary of the computed performance level trend line, the identified user being identified as overperforming.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a network of computerized devices used in the system and method in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus for implementing at least some aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a MRA embodied as a weight training machine in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of an embodiment of a magnetic resistance apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magnetic resistance apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the magnetic resistance apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of cassette assemblies of the MRA in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cassette assemblies of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cassette assemblies of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of an embodiment of a cassette assembly of the MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a set of cassette assemblies of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 13 a perspective view of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention shown without cassette assemblies.

FIG. 14 a side perspective view of the MRA of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a sectional perspective view of an embodiment of cassette assemblies of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional perspective view of a lower portion of an embodiment of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional perspective view of an embodiment of magnets of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention shown in tubes.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a top portion of the tubes of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a close-up sectional perspective view of an embodiment of magnets of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention shown in tubes.

FIG. 20 is a graph of the load applied to a prior art training machine for each repetition.

FIG. 21 is a graph of a decreasing load that is sequentially decreasing with each repetition of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a graph of an increasing load that is sequentially decreasing with each repetition of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a graph of a stable load for the first five reps and then progressively and constantly decrease the load of the additional repetitions of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a graph of a stable load for the first six reps and then progressively and smoothly decrease the load of the additional repetitions of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a graph of a stable load for the seven five reps and then progressively and constantly increase the load of the additional repetitions of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a graph of a smooth increase in resistance followed by a smooth decrease in resistance in a single repetition of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a graph a possible transition between repetitions with a repetition behavior converse to the resistance behavior of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a graph of a behavior with different resistances applied for individual and successive repetitions of a MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a graph of power variation for each repetition by comparing past performances on a same training MRA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”

Referring the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. Hence, a novel resistance apparatus will be described herein after.

Exemplary Network

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network 10 in which a system and a method, consistent with the present invention, may be implemented. The network 10 may include multiple resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16 connected to multiple servers 18 via a network 20. The network 20 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a phone network, such as the Public Switched Phone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet, WiMAX or a combination thereof. Two linear resistance apparatuses 12, 14 and one rotational resistance apparatus 16 and a server 18 have been illustrated as connected to network 20 for simplicity. In practice, there may be more or less resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16 and servers 18. Also, in some instances, a resistance apparatus 12, 14, 16 may perform the functions of a server 18 and/or a data recorder.

The resistance apparatus 12 may cooperate with devices such as mainframes, minicomputers, personal computers, laptops, personal digital assistants, phones, or the like, capable of connecting to the network 20. The resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16 may transmit data over the network 20 or receive data from the network 20 via a wired, wireless, or optical connection.

The servers 18 may include one or more types of computer systems, such as a mainframe, minicomputer, or personal computer, capable of connecting to the network 20 to enable servers 18 to communicate with the resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16. In alternative implementations, the servers 18 may include mechanisms for directly connecting to one or more resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16. The servers 18 may transmit data over the network 20 or receive data from the network 20 via a wired, wireless, or optical connection.

In an implementation, consistent with the present invention illustratively embodied herein, the servers 18 may include a search engine 22 usable by the resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16. The servers 18 may store data, such as past usage records, accessible by the resistance apparatuses 12, 14, 16.

With reference to FIG. 2, a network 20 includes the content cloud 30, a content database 32, user devices 34-38, and other devices 40-48. The network mediator 28 enables user devices 34-48 to communicate with each other without pre-configuring each user device 34-48. The content cloud 30 represents a content source such as the Internet, where content exists at various locations across the globe that could be reached through a wired connection and/or with a wireless connection provided by an antenna 26. The content includes multimedia content such as audio and video. The mediator 28 allows the content cloud to provide content to devices 34-48. The database 32 is a storage device 166 that maintains content. The database 32 may be a standalone device on an external communication network. The mediator 28 communicates with the database 32 to access and retrieve content. The content devices 34-48 include “intelligent” devices, such as, for example, personal computers, laptops, cell phones and personal digital assistants. The content devices 34-48 are capable of storing content data. The devices 34-48 are “intelligent” devices that receive content from other content devices 30-48. However, the devices 34-48 can also operate as servers to distribute content to other client devices if desirable.

Exemplary Client Architecture

The following discussion provides a brief, general description of an exemplary computer system in which at least some aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The present invention will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules 172 being executed by a computerized device. However, methods of the present invention may be affected by other apparatuses. Program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, applets, WEB 2.0 type of evolved networked centered applications, etc. that perform a task(s) or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least some aspects of the present invention may be implemented with other configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor system, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers, set top boxes, mainframe computers, gaming consoles and the like. At least some aspects of the present invention may also be carried out in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked through a communications network as exemplified in FIG. 2. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and/or remote memory storage devices 166.

With reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary apparatus 100 for implementing at least some aspects of the present invention includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer 120 or in the form of a computerized portable apparatus. The computer 120 may include a processing unit 121, a system memory 122, and a system bus 123 that couples various system components, including the system memory 122, to the processing unit 121. The system bus 123 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may include read only memory (ROM) 124 and/or random access memory (RAM) 125. A basic input/output system 126 (BIOS), containing basic routines that help to transfer data between elements within the computer 120, such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM 124. The computer 120 may also include a hard disk drive 127 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, (not shown), a magnetic disk drive 128 for reading from or writing to a (e.g., removable) magnetic disk 129, and an optical disk drive 130 for reading from or writing to a removable (magneto) optical disk 131 such as a compact disk or other (magneto) optical media. The hard disk drive 127, magnetic disk drive 128, and (magneto) optical disk drive 130 may be coupled with the system bus 123 by a hard disk drive interface 132, a magnetic disk drive interface 133, and a (magneto) optical drive interface 134, respectively. The drives and their associated storage media provide non-volatile (or persistent) storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 120. Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk 129 and a removable optical disk 131, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of storage media, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROM), remote cloud storage and the like, may be used instead of, or in addition to, the storage devices 166 introduced above.

A number of program modules 172 may be stored on the hard disk 127, magnetic disk 129, (magneto) optical disk 131, ROM 124 or RAM 125, such as an operating system 135 (for example, Windows® NT® 4.0, Android, sold by Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Wash. or Mac OS, iOS sold by Apple Inc.), one or more application programs 136, other program modules 137 (such as Alice™, which is a research system developed by the User Interface Group at Carnegie Mellon University available at www.Alice.org, OpenGL® from Silicon Graphics Inc. of Mountain View Calif., or Direct 3D from Microsoft Corp. of Bellevue Wash.), and/or program data 138 for example.

A user may enter commands and data into the computer 120 through input devices, such as a keyboard 140, a camera 141 and a pointing device 142. Other input devices (not shown) such as a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, a touch sensitive screen, accelerometers or a motion-sensor detector such as KINECT™ that are adapted to sense movements of the user or movements of a device, or the like, may also be included. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 121 through a serial port interface 146 coupled to the system bus 123. However, input devices may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, a game port, blue tooth connection or a universal serial bus (USB). For example, since the bandwidth of the camera 141 may be too great for the serial port, the video camera 141 may be coupled with the system bus 123 via a video capture card (not shown). The video monitor 147 or other type of display device 150 may also be connected to the system bus 123 via an interface, such as a video adapter 148 for example. The video adapter 148 may include a graphics accelerator. One or more speakers 162 may be connected to the system bus 123 via a sound card 161 (e.g., a wave table synthesizer such as product number AWE64 Gold Card from Creative® Labs of Milpitas, Calif.). In addition to the monitor 147 and speaker(s) 162, the computer 120 may include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as a printer, a hi-definition television and a scanner for example. As an alternative or an addition to the video monitor 147, a stereo video output device, such as a head mounted display or LCD shutter glasses for example, could be used.

The computer 120 may operate in a networked environment defining logical connections to one or more remote computers 120, such as a remote computer 149. The remote computer 149 may be another computer 120, a server 18, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 120. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 3 include a local area network (LAN) 151 and a wide area network (WAN) 152, an intranet and the Internet.

When used in a LAN, the computer 120 may be connected to the LAN 151 through a network interface adapter (or “NIC”) 153. When used in a WAN, such as the Internet, the computer 120 may include a modem 154 or other means for establishing communications over the wide area network 152 (e.g. W-Fi, WnMax). The modem 154, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 123 via the serial port interface 146 or another type of port interface. In a networked environment, at least some of the program modules depicted relative to the computer 120 may be stored in the remote memory storage device 166. The network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communication link between the computers 120 may be used through a host adaptor 155 coupled by a SCSI bus 156, for instance. The exemplary network and the exemplary computer system described above are adapted to carry on the following embodiments:

A magnetic resistance apparatus 170, hereinafter referred to MRA 170, is embodied as a weight training machine 174 and is illustrated in FIG. 4 and following. The weight training machine 174 comprises a frame 178 including a pair of lateral members 182, an upper portion 186 and a lower support 190. In a conventional use, the weight training machine 174 is using a set of steel plates 194 slidably assembled on a pair of vertical rails 198 actuated by a cable 202 pulling in an upward direction on a basis of a user pulling on the cable 202 to move the set of superposed steel plates 194 in a vertical direction. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 has replaced the set of superposed steel plates by a set of superposed electromagnetic cassettes 206.

The set of cassettes 206 includes a plurality of individual cassettes 210 and the number of assembled cassettes 210 is defined by the resistance amount required by the exemplary weight training machine 174 or the intended alternate use of the MRA 170. Coupling the cassettes 206 in set of six cassettes 210 is bringing some benefits that are going to be explained in more details below. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is using twelve cassettes 210 (being two sets of six cassettes 210) bundled in a set of cassettes 206. The cable 202 used to move vertically the set of cassettes 206 is secured to an upper connector 214 secured and to an upper deck 218 over the set of cassettes 206. The set of cassettes 206 is resting on a lower deck 222 that is interconnected to the upper deck 218 via a connector 276 (not visible in FIG. 5 but illustrated in FIG. 12). The set of cassettes 206 is preferably including two PC boards 226, one PC board 226 per sub-assembly of six cassettes 206 for modularity purpose.

electromagnets 252 assembled in the six cassettes 210 sub-assembly, which means twelve electromagnets 252 are connected to power output of the drives in order to interface and variably manage the electromagnets 252 in respect with a translation position along the pair of rails. Each sub-assembly of six cassettes 206 has a thickness corresponding to a length of two magnets 290 assembled in the pair of vertical rails 198. The PC board 226 is hence configured to dynamically manage the electromagnets 252 in relation with a displacement thereof along a length of two magnets 290 representing a complete 720-degree electrical cycle. A cassettes 210 sub-assembly is made by sets of six cassettes 210 to offer a simple modularity that can be multiplied to meet the resistance requirement of the MRA 170; each cassette 210 sub-assembly being effective over a complete 720-degree electrical cycle with three poles and their respective two polarities thereof. A center portion of the set of cassettes 206 is enclosed by a cover 230 giving access to the internal structure of the set of cassettes 206. A data connector 234 adapted to transmit data of a load cell 280 and a power connector 236 adapted to transmit power to actuate the electromagnets 252. Data and power are communicating over distinct circuits and connectors 234, 236 to prevent any induced interferences in the communicated signals.

Each cassette 210 is including a body 240 and an aluminum frame 244 as best seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are illustrating the body 240 can be embodied in two-body parts 248 that could alternatively be manufactured in a single part. One can appreciate each cassette 210 is including a pair of electromagnets 252 respectively assembled with their vertical rail 198. The aluminum frame 244 of each cassette 210 is generally composed of two main portions 256 interconnected with a bridge portion 260. The aluminum frame 244 is illustratively embodied as a flat sheet material assembled on top of the body of each cassette 210; the assembly could be made otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention. The aluminum frame 244 is used to bring strength to the assembly, interconnect the two-body parts 248, increase head dissipation generated by the electromagnets 252 while shielding at least some of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by the electromagnets 252. Exploded views are depicted in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 for a better understanding of the cassettes 210 assembly. It is possible to appreciate each of the body 240 includes a recessed portion 264 over the periphery of the body 240 to receive therein in a more compact assembly the intervening aluminum frame 244 and also provide a strong assembly between two adjacent cassettes 210 when properly assembled and secured together. An electromagnet receiving space 268 is defined in each of the two-body parts 248 to enclose and secure each electromagnet 252 therein.

Moving now to FIG. 12 showing a set of cassettes 206 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Only the right set 272 of two-body parts 248 is illustrated to allow increased visibility of the assembly. Indeed, the upper connector 214, to which is connected the cable 202 (not illustrated in FIG. 12) used to actuate vertically the set of cassettes 206, is secured downwardly to a connector 276 that is slidingly passing through the upper deck 218 and is connecting the lower deck 222. This assembly is thus using the connector 276 to support the stacked set of cassettes 206 and to transmit the resistance provided by the MRA 170. A “Z” type load cell 280 is assembled between the connector 276 and the lower deck 222 to sense the resistance applied to the cable 202 from the MRA 170 when a user is pulling the cable 202. In other embodiments, the load cell 280 may be located at any other suitable location on the MRA 170. For example, the load cell 280 may be located above or below the upper deck 218, the lower deck 222 or to any other suitable component of the MRA 170. In a preferred embodiment, the load cell 280 is positioned axially with respect to the cable 202 when the cable 202 is in tension. The load cell 280 is providing a signal that is used for evaluating the load/restriction caused by the MRA 170 and also to feed a retroaction loop for dynamically managing the load/restriction produced by the MRA 170. A plurality of fasteners 284 is used to secure in sandwich the plurality of cassettes 206 between the upper deck 218 and the lower deck 222. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are depicting the different components of the MRA 170 without the set of cassettes 206 for improved visibility and understanding.

It may be appreciated that the MRA 170 may be configured to be retrofitted onto a conventional weight training machine 174 thereby replacing the steel plates 194 or other weight system and typically vertical rails 198. In a preferred embodiment, the MRA 170 offers a plug and play solution allowing for its installment onto a conventional weight training machine 174 without additional reconfiguration or adjustment. To that end, the installation of the MRA 170 may simply comprise the replacement of the superposed steel plates 194 with the superposed electromechanical plates 206 and pre-existing vertical rails with the vertical rails 198 comprising the magnets 290. In this example, the installation of the MRA 170 may comprise, in a first step, removal of the pair of pre-existing vertical rails and steel plates 194. In a second step, the electromechanical plates 206 may be assembled on the pair of vertical rails 198. The vertical rails 198 may be affixed to the upper portion 186 and lower support 190 by means of optional upper and lower adapting plates 218, 222. Different upper and lower adapting plates 218, 222 are available and adapted to mate with the upper portion 186 and lower support 190 of differing conventional weight training machines 174. The vertical rails 198 may further be adapted to be affixed to the upper and lower adapting plates 218, 222 by any suitable fastening means such as, but not limited to, bolts, buckles, latches, clips, grommets, or pins. In a third step, the length of the cable 202 may be adjusted to accommodate the MRA 170, when necessary.

It may be appreciated that the MRA 170 may therefore be utilized to modify a convention weight training machine 170 thereby adding a lighter resistance apparatus which can offer resistance variations.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the pair of vertical rails 198 are encapsulating a series of magnets 290 in a tube 294 of material that is not (or very little) effected by electromagnetism like “316 stainless steel”. Niobium magnets 290 in the embodied assembly are slide-fitted in the stainless-steel tube 294 with same polarity facing each other. In other words, the south pole 298 of a magnet 290 is going to be located in the stainless-steel tube 294 next to the south pole 298 of the adjacent magnet 290. Conversely, the north pole 302 of a magnet 290 is going to be located in the stainless-steel tube 294 next to the north pole 302 of the adjacent magnet 290. FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are illustrating the magnets 290 in their respective tube 294 with a blocking member 306 disposed at the bottom of each tube 294 to maintain the magnets 290 in the tube 198. Similarly, a securing member 310 is utilized to enclose and secure the magnets 290 in the tube 294 from the upper end of each tube 294, as best illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

The electromagnetic behavior of the MRA 170 is described in more details in reference with FIG. 19. The physical proportions of the electromagnets 252 and magnets 290 assembly of the preferred embodiment is that an axial length 314 of a magnet 290 is three times an axial length 318 of an electromagnet 252. This is a one-third electromagnet to magnet ratio that is allowing a three-phases electromagnetic system. Each of the electromagnets 252 is generating one phase and a combination of three electromagnets 252 is providing a complete 360-degree electrical cycle. Each electromagnet 252 is individually and selectively powered by direct current (DC) via the power connector 234 and the PC board 226. The number of stages in the present embodiment is six and could be different to meet other resistance considerations. Each of the electromagnets 252 in the illustrated embodiment is capable of producing a force/restriction of about 13.5 Kg (30 pounds) whereas an arrangement of the set of six electromagnets 252 is active for each pair of magnets 290 disposed in the pair of vertical rails 198 is going to provide a combined force/resistance of about 81.6 kg (180 pounds). Electromagnets of different strengths with alternative embodiments are considered within the scope of the present specification. Stronger resistance can be provided by stacking additional cassettes 206. In the present embodiment there are three electromagnets 252 per vertical rail 198 that are in cooperation with the magnets in respective vertical rails 198 so that a pair of rails 198, as embodied, is going to benefit from the combined force/resistance of six electromagnets 252. The electromagnetic force generated by the MRA 170 is controlled by changing the amplitude of the current (amps) of sinusoidal waves representing the phases in the electromagnetic coils in the following order: U+ 330, W− 332, V+ 334, U− 336, W+ 338, V− 340. The letters represent the phase and the signs associated with the letters alternate between positive and negative to indicate current reversal. Some more information is provided below in order to better understand the principle surrounding embodiments of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the MRA 170 comprises an encoder 180 configured to detect the movement displacement of the electromagnetic cassettes 206. The encoder 180 may comprise suitable electro-mechanical system configured to convert motion to an output signal 182, such as a rotary encoder. Moreover, the encoder 180 may be an absolute or incremental encoder. Similarly, the encoder 180 may be a mechanical, optical, on-axis magnetic or off-axis magnetic. The output signal 182 may be transmitted to a storage media of the computer 120. The encoder 180 may be located at any suitable location on the MRA 170. For example, the encoder 180 may be located above or below the electromagnetic cassettes 206, the upper portion 186 or the lower support 190. In certain embodiments, the encoder 180 may be connected to the cable 202, to the upper deck 218, to the lower deck 222, to an individual cassette 210 or to any other suitable component of the MRA 170.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the computer or controller 120 may be configured to analyse the movement displacement recorded by the encoder 180 and derive performance analytics therefrom. The computer 120 may be configured to analyse the movement at predetermined frequencies. For example, the computer 120 may be configured to analyse the performance of a user at specific time intervals, in between repetitions or at specific points during a repetition. The computer 120 may further be configured to output data 185 regarding any pertinent statistic regarding the performance of the user. The computer 120 may output data 185 regarding the speed, acceleration, number of repetitions of the user or any other relevant data point.

In further embodiments, the computer 120 may store the data 185 on a storage device, such as the hard disk 127 or the storage device 166, By storing the data 185 for a particular user, the computer 120 may further derive additional analytics regarding the evolution of a user's performance over time. To that end, baselines or trendlines derived by the computer 120 may assist the user, sporting professionals such as trainers or medical practitioners by supplying them with empirical data to identify changes in performance. For example, performance above a predetermined boundary of the user's performance trend line may indicate a positive progression of a user's performance and training effectiveness. Similarly, performance significantly above a predetermined boundary of the user's performance trend line may indicate a rapid progression due to performance enhancing drugs. Inversely, performance under a predetermined boundary of the user's performance trend line may indicate an ineffective routine, an underlying affliction or an undisclosed injury.

In yet another embodiment, performance analytics generated by multiple MRAs 170 may be compiled and stored on a central computer 120 accessible by a trainer or coach. Configured in this manner, the performance of multiple users may be analyzed to derive additional comparative performance analytics. In other embodiments, the MRA 170 may be configured to distinguish between multiple users thereby associating performance data to a specific user.

The following figures are to be considered in the context of a possible embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 20, the illustrated graph represented the load applied to a prior art training machine for each repetition. One can appreciate the load is constant and not fluctuating between each repetition because the weight of a steel plate is not varying over time. With the above description in mind, the MRA 170 can be managed to provide a decreasing load that is sequentially decreasing with each repetition as illustrated in FIG. 21. Conversely, the MRA 170 can be managed to provide an increasing load that is sequentially increasing with each repetition as depicted in FIG. 22. Other behaviors can be managed to provide a stable load for the first five reps and then progressively and constantly decrease the load of the additional repetitions as shown in FIG. 23. Similarly, FIG. 24 is showing a comparable behavior providing a stable load for the first six reps and then progressively and smoothly decrease the load of the additional repetitions in a manner preventing a user to perceive a radical change in resistance. Another behavior can be managed to provide, for instance, a stable load for the seven five reps and then progressively and constantly increase the load of the additional repetitions as shown in FIG. 25.

Some more complex MRA 170 resistance behaviours are presented in FIG. 26 throughout FIG. 29. More precisely, FIG. 26 illustrate a smooth increase in resistance followed by a smooth decrease in resistance in a single repetition. FIG. 27 is showing a possible transition between repetitions with a repetition behavior converse to the resistance behavior illustrated in FIG. 26. In other words, the MRA 170 is managing resistance in function of the movement displacement. FIG. 28 is illustrating another possible MRA 170 behavior with different resistances applied for individual and successive repetitions. The MRA 170, in accordance with another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29, is capable of evaluating the power variation for each repetition by comparing past performances on a same training tool. In the illustrated example illustrated in FIG. 29, one can appreciate the actual power is lesser than the average recorded power of past training sessions. In so doing, the MRA 170 is capable of warning the user, or others, of power variations that are exceeding a predetermined threshold. Significant power variation that could be caused by an injury or other causes.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) for generating manageable resistance, the MRA comprising: a series of magnets disposed adjacent from one another;a series of electromagnets slidably mounted in electromagnetic cooperation with the series of magnets; andan actuator for sliding the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets;wherein each electromagnet is individually and selectively powered to generate the resistance.

2. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the generated resistance is dynamically adjusted.

3. The MRA of claim 2, wherein the generated resistance is dynamically adjusted in tension and in compression.

4. The MRA of claim 2, wherein the resistance is dynamically adjusted during an exercise repetition.

5. The MRA of claim 2, wherein the resistance is dynamically adjusted in between exercise repetitions.

6. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the MRA is adapted to receive a number of electromagnets in respect with a predetermined maximum usable load applied to the apparatus.

7. The MRA of claim 1, wherein current in the electromagnets is managed in a non-constant fashion along the sliding of the series of electromagnets in respect with the series of magnets.

8. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the MRA further comprises a first and second series of electromagnets.

9. The MRA of claim 8, each of the first and second series of magnets being configured to slidably receive one of the first and second series of electromagnets.

10. The MRA of claim 8, wherein the MRA further comprises a plurality of electromagnetic cassettes, each of the plurality of electromagnetic cassettes containing electromagnets from the first and second series of electromagnets.

11. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the MRA is configured to be retrofitted onto a weight training machine.

12. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the MRA further comprises a load cell.

13. The MRA of claim 12, wherein the MRA is configured to dynamically adjust the generated resistance in accordance with a signal generated by the load cell.

14. The MRA of claim 13, wherein the MRA is in signal communication with a controller, the controller being configured to dynamically adjust the generated resistance.

15. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the MRA further comprises an encoder in signal communication with the series of electromagnets.

16. The MRA of claim 15, wherein the encoder is configured to convert the movement of the series of electromagnets into an electrical signal.

17. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the series of magnets are disposed vertically from one another.

18. The MRA of claim 1, wherein the series of electromagnets are slidably mounted on one or more magnetized rails.

19. The MRA of claim 13, wherein the controller being further configured to regulate the current to the series electromagnets.

20. The MRA of claim 19, wherein the controller individually regulates the current to each electromagnet.

21. A method of installing a magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) onto a weight training machine, the method comprising: removing one or more weights slidably assembled on rails of the weight training machine;removing the vertical rails of the weight training machine;installing one or more magnetized rails to the weight training machine;slidably mounting one or more electromagnets onto the one or more magnetized vertical rails.

22. The method of claim 21, the method further comprising installing adapting plates configured to: receive the one or more magnetized vertical rails; andbe affixed to the weight training machine.

23. The method of claim 21, the method further comprising installing an encoder configured to detect the movement of the electromagnets.

24. The method of claim 21, the method further comprising adjusting a cable of the weight training machine configured to actuate the electromagnets.

25. A method for detecting variations in performance of a user of a magnetic resistance apparatus (MRA) having electromagnets configured to generate a dynamically managed resistance to the user, the method comprising: identifying the user;detecting the generated resistance of the MRA for the identified user at predetermined frequencies;using the detected generated resistances to compute a baseline performance level for the identified user over a predetermined period of time;comparing a subset of the detected generated resistance to the computed baseline performance level, when the compared subset is below the computed baseline performance level, the identified user being identified as underperforming and when the compared subset is above the computed baseline performance level, the identified user being identified as overperforming.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising comparing the subset of the detected generated resistance to the performance level of another user.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising dynamically managing the resistance in accordance with the performance of the user relative to the computed baseline performance level.

28. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising computing a trend line of the performance level and comparing the recent subset to the computed performance level trend line, when the compared subset is below a boundary of the computed performance level trend line, the identified user being identified as underperforming and when the compared subset is above a boundary of the computed performance level trend line, the identified user being identified as overperforming.