Patent Application
20240165452
Providing a full body exercise often requires various pieces of equipment. It can also be desired to alter a weight or resistance of the equipment. Accordingly, many people are challenged to get in a time efficient exercise regimen and often struggle to exercise while traveling or when a gym and other workout equipment is not accessible. Additionally, many forms of physical therapy can require the use of exercises for stretching and lifting with varying levels of resistance and energy transfer via movement. A need exists for a portable device that enables both focused and full body exercise at variable levels of resistance and energy transfer via movement.
The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a retraction apparatus includes an anchor device configured to attach to at least one of a user or a fixed location. A housing is coupled to the anchor device. A retractable cable extends from the housing and is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. An attachment mechanism is configured to couple to a free end of the retractable cable. A tensioning mechanism is configured to restrict movement of the retractable cable from the retracted position to the extended position.
In some embodiments of the first aspect, the retractable cable can be connected to a resistance device. The tensioning mechanism can restrict movement of the resistance device. The tensioning mechanism can include at least one of a spring, a magnet, an electronic resistance device, a motor, and an elastic cable. A sensor can be configured to detect properties of the retractable cable as the retractable cable moves between the retracted position and the extended position. The sensor can include at least one RFID tag attached to the retractable cable. An RFID reader can be positioned in the housing and configured to detect the at least one RFID tag. The sensor can measure at least one of a number of extensions, a time of use, a speed, a velocity, an acceleration, a length, a weight, work and energy transfer, a vector, or a direction of the retractable cable. A display can be configured to display the properties of the retractable cable. A wireless transceiver can be provided to transferred data related to movement of the retractable cable to a remote device.
According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a retraction apparatus includes an anchor device configured to attach to at least one of a user or a fixed location. A housing is coupled to the anchor device. A plurality of retractable cables extend from the housing and are configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each of the plurality of retractable cables is tensioned to restrict movement of the plurality of retractable cable from the retracted position to the extended position. An attachment mechanism configured to couple to a free end of at least one of the retractable cables.
In some embodiments of the second aspect, the attachment mechanism can be configured to couple different combinations of the plurality of retractable cables to vary a tension of the apparatus. Each of the plurality of retractable cables can be identified with a different indicia. A plurality of resistance devices can be provided. Each of the plurality retractable cables can be connected to one of the plurality of resistance devices. A plurality of tensioning mechanisms can be provided. Each of the plurality of tensioning mechanisms can be configured to restrict movement of one of the plurality of retractable cables. A sensor can be configured to detect properties of the plurality of retractable cables as the plurality of retractable cables move between the retracted position and the extended position. Each of the plurality of retractable cables can be differently tensioned. A wireless transceiver can be provided to transferred data related to movement of the retractable cable to a remote device.
According to a third aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a retraction apparatus includes an anchor device configured to attach to at least one of a user or a fixed location. A housing is coupled to the anchor device. A retractable cable extends from the housing and is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. An attachment mechanism is configured to couple to a free end of the retractable cable. A sensor is configured to detect properties of the retractable cable as the retractable cable moves between the retracted position and the extended position.
In some embodiments, the sensor can include at least one RFID tag attached to the retractable cable. An RFID reader can be positioned in the housing and can be configured to detect the at least one RFID tag. The sensor can measure at least one of a number of extensions, a time of use, a speed, a velocity, an acceleration, a length, a weight, work and energy transfer, a vector, or a direction of the retractable cable. A display can be provided to display the properties of the retractable cable as measured by the sensor. A plurality of retractable cables can extend from the housing and can be configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each of the plurality of retractable cables can be differently tensioned. A wireless transceiver can be provided to transferred data related to movement of the retractable cable to a remote device.
According to a fourth aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a retraction apparatus includes an anchor device configured to attach to at least one of a user or a fixed location. A housing is coupled to the anchor device. A retractable cable extends from the housing and is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of interchangeable attachment mechanisms are configured to attach to a free end of the retractable cable.
In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, at least one of the plurality of interchangeable attachment mechanisms can be coupleable to a limb of the user. At least one of the plurality of interchangeable attachment mechanisms can be usable to perform an exercise.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying FIGURES in which:
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed material belongs. The following terms are defined below.
“coupleable” in this context refers to being able to be mechanically joined via force(s) generated by adhesion, cohesion, friction, fastening, magnetism, tension, etc.
“fastener” in this context refers to a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together, generally used to create non-permanent joints (e.g., releasable or lockable), including anchor bolts, battens, bolts (including screws), brass fasteners, buckles, buttons, cable ties, captive fasteners, clamps (or cramps, including hose clamps), clasps (including lobster clasps), clekos, clips (including circlips, hairpin clips, paper clips, and terry clips), clutches, drawing pins (thumbtack), flanges, frogs, grommets, hook-and-eye closures, hook and loop fasteners (including Velcro), latches, nails, pegs (including clothespins and tent pegs), PEM nuts, pins (including bowtie cotter pins, circle cotters, clevis fasteners, cotters, dowels, linchpins, R-clips, split pins, spring pins, and tapered pins), retaining rings (including circlips and e-rings), rivets, rock bolts, rubber bands (or bands of other materials), screw anchors, snap fasteners, staples, stitches, straps, threaded fasteners (including captive threaded fasteners, nuts, screws, washers, threaded inserts, and threaded rods), ties, toggle bolts, treasury tags, twist ties, wedge anchors, and zippers.
Referring now to
The anchor device 12 includes a housing 16 attached to the strap 14 and configured to internally house various components of the retraction device 10. A display 18 is formed on the housing 16 and configured to display data related to the use of the retraction device 10. In some embodiments, the display 18 includes a touchscreen having buttons to toggle through various screens illustrated on the display 18. In other embodiments, buttons are incorporated into the housing 16. An input/output 24 enables the retraction device 10 to couple to various remote devices including, but not limited, to a computer, a handheld device, a watch, etc., to transfer data between the retraction device 10 and the remote device. In some embodiments, the retraction device 10 includes a wireless transceiver 20 (shown in
An extendable and retractable cable 40 extends from the housing 16 from a housing end 42 to a free end 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 40 extends approximately from a center of a front side of the housing 16. In some embodiments, the cable 40 extends from any location of any side of the housing 16. In some embodiments, the cable 40 is formed from any material and has any elasticity. The cable 40 is configured to move between a retracted position (shown in
A fastener 50 is coupled to the free end 44 of the cable. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 40 is a clip. The fastener 50 is coupleable to an attachment mechanism 60 that is configured to be gripped by a user or is coupleable to a load.
During use, the cable 40 is moved between the retracted position and the extended position for exercise or load moving. A tensioning mechanism (as described below) adds tension to the cable 40 to resist movement of the cable 40 between the retracted position and the extended position. In some embodiments, the tension provides resistance during exercise. In other embodiments, the tension adds resistance to ease the movement of a load. In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism locks the cable 40 and prevents movement of the cable 40. In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism is at least one of spring, a magnet, an electronic resistance device, a motor, and an elastic cable to create tension attributable to the retractable cable. The tensioning mechanism can provide consistent or variable resistance to the retractable cable.
The control circuitry 70 measures various properties of the cable movement. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 70 measures a number of extensions of the cable 40, a time of use, a distance traveled by the cable 40, a weight of a load coupled to the cable 40, a velocity of the cable 40, an acceleration of the cable 40, a vector of the cable 40, a direction of the cable 40, a force applied to the cable 40, an altitude of the cable 40, and/or a location of the cable 40. It will be appreciated that the preceding list in not an exhaustive list of properties that are capable of being measured by the control circuitry 70. The control circuitry 70 provides visual or auditory feedback to one of the indicator 22 and/or the display 18. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver 20 and/or the input/output 24 transfers feedback and/or data to the remote device. In some embodiments, the properties of the retractable cable 40 can be transmitted by wired or wireless connection to a display utilizing any software or application necessary to provide such display.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, shown in
The control circuitry 70 is illustrated in
The control circuitry 70 includes a global positioning system (GPS) 110, in some embodiments. Based on data from the GPS 110, the processor 100 can determine a location and altitude of the retraction device 10. In some embodiments, the GPS 110 calculates a direction of movement of the free end 44 of the cable 40. Accordingly, the processor 100 uses the data from the GPS 110 to determine a vector of the cable 40 as the cable 40 is extended and retracted.
A battery 120 is provided to power the control circuitry 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 120 also powers an electric motor 122. In some embodiments, the electric motor 122 provides forces on the cable 40 opposite the extension of cable 40. Accordingly, the motor 122 provides tension on the cable 40 to assist in exercise or moving a load.
Referring now to
In an illustrated embodiment, the tensioning mechanism 130 can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting a dial 140 (shown in
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, each cable 170 provides a different measure of tension. For example, cable 172 provides one pound of tension, cable 174 provides three pounds of tension, and cable 176 provides five pounds of tension. The cables 170 are tensioned, in one embodiment, using any of the tensioning mechanisms or springs describe herein. The cables 170 are selected by attaching at least one cable 17 to an attachment mechanism 60 or a load. In some embodiments, multiple cables 170 are useable to provide different tensions. For example, if cable 172 and cable 176 are used, six pounds of tension is provided. Coupling an attachment mechanism 60 or load to all three cable 170, would provide eleven pounds of tension. In some embodiments, the tension of each cable 170 is adjustable as described herein to increase the number of tension combinations. Additionally, in some embodiments, each cable 170 includes indicia or coloring to identify the cable 170.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless cannot be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.
In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used, the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and many combinations of aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.
