VIBRATIONARY EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Abstract

An exercise apparatus including a fluid pump means operated by movement of the user and control means arranged for intermittently varying fluid flow in the pump means thereby forming a vibration facility to impart vibration to the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment and is particularly concerned with such sports, exercise, wellbeing and medical training and therapeutic equipment having the facility to combine vibration with mechanical loading on the muscles and bone structure of users.

The use of vibration in the context of strength training (where the expression strength training is being used herein to describe any exercise facility in which a load is applied to muscles of a user) induces a non-voluntary muscular contraction called the “tonic vibration reflex”. Weight training with additional vibration has been shown to augment strength and power over and above that achieved with strength training alone. This effect is achieved through the recruitment of additional muscle fibres above the normal recruitment level. Vibration has also become a common tool used in the retardation of muscle and bone atrophy on earth and in space.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Currently commercially available weight training devices rely either on un-modulated loads or full body vibration. These devices apply no vibrational loading at all, or fail to apply directly specific frequencies to targeted muscle groups. Some such full-body vibration systems can also quickly lead to discomfort and other negative physical side effects.

A publication in Journal of Sport Sciences 1999, 17, 177-182 discloses the effect of vibrationary stimulation on bilateral biceps curl exercises. According to this publication the superimposed vibration during the exercise was transmitted to the muscles by a specially designed vibratory stimulation device. This consisted of an electric motor with a speed reduction facility and eccentric wheel. The load was held by a cable passed through the eccentric wheel via pulleys. The eccentric rotation elicited peak-to-peak oscillations of 3 mm with a frequency of 44 Hz. After vibration damping caused by cable transmission, the acceleration on the handle was about 30 m/s⁻² (RMS). Vibration from the two-arms handle was transmitted through the contacting muscles involved in the pulling action.

A particular disadvantage associated with the use of vibration which is directly electrically generated is the difficulty of applying the vibration directly to the user throughout the various configurations of the equipment. There is a mismatch between the mechanical and electrical operation which impedes obtaining maximum benefit from the application of vibration. Moreover non-smooth contraction of muscle has been observed in weight training equipment utilizing electric motor driven vibration devices.

We have now devised an improved apparatus for enabling vibration to be transmitted to a person exercising.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention an exercise apparatus comprises a fluid pump means operated by movement of the user and control means arranged for intermittently varying fluid flow in the pump means thereby to impart vibration to the user.

A vibration frequency to provide benefit may be from 1 Hz to 100 Hz, preferably from 10 Hz to 35 Hz. Where this is obtained in a rotary or oscillating, eg solenoid, valve, closure of the valve every 0.1 to 0.3 seconds for a period which may be 50%, but could be more or less of the time, ie 0.05 to 0.015 seconds the user will experience for a very short period an increase in resistance superimposed on that of the real or simulated weight.

According to a feature of the invention the fluid pump means may also incorporate static resistance means whereby the fluid pump imposes the load as well as the vibration on the user.

Advantageously the exercise apparatus may comprise a piston cylinder arrangement whereby tension and compression are effected as between the piston, via a connecting rod, and the cylinder. Then a fluid circuit connected to the interior of the cylinder on both sides of the piston can be arranged to carry the vibration facility.

By this means the exercise apparatus can readily be arranged to load the user in both directions, push and pull, compression and tension. It can be made relatively compact so as to be portable for use in one hand or between a user's two hands for arm strengthening and “chest expanding”, although arrangements for such operation between other parts of the anatomy are also readily possible.

The static load can be realized in a restrictor or pressure relief valve means, which are advantageously adjustable to provide different loads and equipped with an indicator of the load being applied. By use of a non-return valve for example the load can be arranged to differ as between the two directions, while a control cock arranged to block or open the non-return valve can be employed to convert the apparatus between uni-directional and bi-directional strength training.

A perhaps non-adjustable part (or whole) of the resistance to motion can be obtained in a bleed through the piston, with differential load being obtained via a non-return valve and or a pressure relief valve also if necessary located in the piston The vibration can readily be arranged to differ as between push and pull as well.

The fluid may be a gas such as air or nitrogen or a liquid such as an hydraulic liquid. If, in the case of a liquid, damping of the vibration is desired and is not achievable by padding with, for example, foam, or by employing a viscous liquid as the medium, a gas cushion or valve device may be incorporated to achieve this.

Where gas is employed, it has been found that compressing the gas to a pressure of 4.5 bar creates an effective transmission of reactive force without excessive damping. Pressures from 2.5 bar up to 4.5 bar provide progressively less damping action and thus the absolute pressure to which the system is primed can be used to effect the maximum reactive force generated and the damping characteristic of the vibration effect felt by the user.

According to another feature of the invention the fluid pump means may be interposed between an operating bar arranged to be pushed and/or pulled by a user, and a base, which may be a static part of the apparatus. It is preferable for the fluid pump means to be linked to the operating bar substantially directly to avoid losses and unwanted damping of the vibration. Such a fluid pump vibration means can readily be constructed as a retrofit to an existing weight training equipment.

The vibration may be generated in the fluid pump means by a motorised valve incorporated therein. The valve may be a solenoid valve, diaphragm valve or a rotary valve inter alia.

In the case of a solenoid valve of the type constructed to operate with fluid flow in only one direction a bridge configuration may be employed. Often also solenoid valves have limited flow rate capacity for a given reasonable power or a high flow resistance. The employment of an array of such valves in parallel to overcome this can confer a particularly significant advantage, discussed below, that of applying random vibration.

It is often desirable to employ vibration only when lifting a weight or in a single direction of motion of the equipment and this apparatus in accordance with the invention can readily be arranged for this to occur. Where solenoid valves are used the preferred unpowered valve status is OPEN such that until powered the solenoid valve will allow free passage of fluid.

A preferred solenoid valve is the Festo™ low latency solenoid valve type MHE2-S with a 2 ms (two microsecond) latency and employing internal electronics to permit fast switching.

If one or more rotary valves are used instead of solenoid valves, these can be readily be driven by one or more electric motors, which may be AC or DC and brush, induction or homopolar motors. Ideally the motor operation is so controlled that speed or speeds can be set selected and controlled to an accuracy of 10%, preferably 1%.

A yet alternative motor is a stepper motor employing electronic commutation and multiple poles such as 2 pole, 4 pole, or 5 pole fixed coil arrangements and multiple poles on the rotor. This enables half- or micro stepping, allowing for example 200 micro steps per revolution of 1.8° per step. The rate of revolution can be set by a hardware or software clock signal applied to selected coils by a dedicated integrated circuit or discrete electronic hardware control circuits. This makes a stepper motor particularly suitable in contexts where a variety of valve speeds is desired. When operating a stepper motor the rate of coil or coil-pair energisation and thus rotary speed is controlled by the rate of application of electronic signals. As the rate of energisation may be varied to produce a range of speeds, and the specific poles selected with respect to their disposition around the rotor is also selectable, there is a measure of control available that allows the angular speed to vary within less than one revolution per second. Thus random or pseudo random variability in valve opening and closing times may be effected through control of the stepper motor coil energisation order and speed.

As has been indicated above, it is particularly advantageous for the applied vibration to be arranged for random or even pseudo random amplitude and frequency. The effect on muscle development of such an arrangement is particularly marked. By pseudo random is meant a cycle of variation long enough to be substantially unpredictable to the user. Pseudo random variation can be obtained using two motorised valves, solenoid or rotary inter alia, in parallel in the fluid flow circuit, and arranged to operate at different speeds. Thus the combined resistance created varies over time as valve open and closed times move into and out of synchronicity.

The rotary motor driven valve itself may be an offset valve of the type disclosed in PCT Patent Application PCT/GB2006/050314 and UK Patent Application 0520195.9. This valve comprises (i) a housing containing a fluid flow path with a central axis, (ii) a plug having a sealing face cooperating with said housing in the closed position to block the fluid path, and (iii) a support shaft arranged to carry said plug means and being rotatable on an axis which is normal to and spaced from the axis of said valve seat and located outside of the flow path so that rotation of the said shaft moves said plug means relative to said housing. The shape of the vibration pulse obtained with such a rotary valve will depend upon the nature of the valve core offset and the shape and size of the core recess.

Advantages of a valve of this kind are that (1) when fully open there is no occlusion of the opening, and (2) the valve opens and closes only once per revolution. This latter reduces or obviates the gearing which might otherwise be required when employing a motor the normal speed of which would otherwise impose too high a vibration frequency.

Whatever the type of valve employed, when a liquid rather than a gas is employed as the fluid, it may be advantageous to permit a small throughput of fluid even when the valve is ostensibly closed. With a rotary valve this may be achieved with an appropriate passage through the obturator or a groove therearound.

Many weight training equipments carry some form of dampening structure to provide user comfort, particularly those equipments which bear upon the user's shins for example. Normally this might comprise a plastics foam, particularly one which under the influence of body warmth and pressure distorts to mould itself to the profile of that part of the body applying the force. It would be expected that the use of such foams would largely attenuate the transmission of vibrations. However Conforfoam™ type “CF-47 green” produced by E.A.R. Speciality Composites has been found to have good vibration transmission characteristics without compromising comfort.

It may in fact be advantageous, not least from the point of view of simplicity of retrofit or upgrade assembly, when employing a foam having good vibration transmission characteristics, to locate a vibration generating device within the operating arm of an exercise machine, including within the foam itself.

There is some evidence to suggest that random direction vibration may be counter-productive to the efficacy of vibrated training and that applying the vibration in the direction of muscle stress yields the better results with reduced fatigue and reduced potential nausea. A linear vibration mechanism can be achieved using a fluid circuit as herein described though retrofit in the arm or foam can be simpler if an electric motor is used to generate the vibration. The motor may be arranged to drive a crank coupled through a connecting rod to a crosshead to which is attached a relatively large mass, the crosshead being constrained by guide bars to shuttle linearly. Other mechanisms for translating rotary motion to linear may of course be used.

A typical application of this embodiment of the invention is in a leg-extension training apparatus. An arm pivoted at a point coinciding with the user's knee joints is, in this application, associated with training weights and carries a padded bar arranged for bearing low on the legs of the user, a linear vibration device being located within or inside the padding and arranged so that in operation the vibration is in the same direction as the force applied to lift the weight.

By employing motorised variable flow resistance control valves in conjunction with microprocessor based controllers the equipment may be arranged to read smart cards, swipe cards or other data entry means including keypads, touch screens, voice control or wirelessly linked data transfer using RFID or other technologies. In this way the apparatus may be adjusted to suit an individual user's training and physiological characteristics and specified programme, according to real time software algorithms, look up tables or other rules or pre-programmed sequences.

It may be desired to incorporate readout devices for indicating the weight and/or vibration applied and the amplitude of apparatus expansion or compression. To those skilled in the art there are many ways of detecting the position and direction of motion of parts of strength training apparatus in accordance with the invention, including microswitches, electrically resistive means, capacitive and inductive sensors, opto-electronic devices, Hall Effect magnetic devices, reed switches or other similar components which may be read sequentially or incrementally by interaction with moving parts of the equipment. Electronic means including simple circuit arrangements creating sequential state machines or more sophisticated arrangements including stored memory devices such as RAM or other temporary storage means may be used, preferably with a microprocessor to control the recording or processing of information about the order of events such that this information may be used to switch the vibration inducing solenoid OPEN for a particular part of the cycle of operation or control other features of the performance, such as mark-space ratio or if the weight simulating valves are motorised the balance between vibrated and background resistance generated by the apparatus or other parameter thereof. In this case the electronic means of control can be arranged to apply selectively the vibration resistance to the user and control the level and timing of all resistive elements of the load application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention attached to an exercise machine;

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is one disc used in a different embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a second disc;

FIG. 5 shows the discs of FIGS. 2 and 3 in position;

FIG. 6 shows a breathing apparatus using the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a hydraulic damping system applied to a weight machine;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a simple “stand alone” two-way vibrationary muscle training device;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a simple “stand alone” one-way vibrationary muscle training device;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a closed circuit vibration device for fitment in a weight training apparatus and pneumatic solenoid valve operated;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a closed circuit vibration device for fitment in a weight training apparatus and having hydraulic and by-pass valves;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a closed circuit vibration device operated by a motorised rotary valve;

FIG. 13 depicts a cutaway valve core used in an offset rotary valve arranged for one closure per revolution;

FIG. 14 is a schematic section of a rotary valve having a core as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the fitment of a closed circuit vibration device to a weight training apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a closed circuit vibration device having two rotary motorised valves in parallel, for inducing pseudo-random vibration;

FIG. 17 shows a parallel valve Magnitude vs Frequency spectrum;

FIG. 18 shows a parallel valve configuration waveform;

FIG. 19 shows a full bridge fluid circuit for permitting uni-directional flow of fluid regardless of piston direction;

FIG. 20 is a power amplifier circuit for driving a 24v solenoid valve from a 5v control signal;

FIG. 21 is a graph of a simple control signal employed in switching a solenoid valve and the latency of valve operation;

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross section of a padded vibration arm with a rotary eccentric bob-weight;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a linear vibration device showing a crank, a connecting rod, a crosshead and guide bars;

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a linear vibration device added to a leg extension machine;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a swipe card information entry system;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention with piston located valves and mounted in weight training apparatus; and

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a stand alone embodiment of the invention with piston located valves.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a belt (1) is connected at one end to the weights lifted by the user and the other end is attached to the hand grips moved by the user. A roller (2) has rubber pads (3) positioned around its circumference. Roller (4) is positioned so that the band (1) is gripped between rollers (2) and (4). In use, as the user pulls on the weights, the band moves and causes the rollers (2) and (4) to rotate. As the band passes over the pads (3) a vibration is given to the band which vibration is passed onto the user via the hand grips. This vibration acts on the muscles being exercised and the frequency of vibration can be controlled by the number of pads (3).

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a first disc (5) has two holes (6) in it and a second disc (7) has holes (8) of varying size in it. The two discs are located on a common axis and the disc (5) is connected to a motor. As the disc (5) is rotated by the motor, the holes (8) are periodically coincident with the holes (6).

Referring to FIG. 6, the discs are mounted in a chamber (II) with an air conduit (10) passing through it with one end connected to mouthpiece (9). The air conduit is positioned so that it connects to a hole (8) and so, as one of the holes (6) is coincident with the hole (8) a continuous air passage is formed and, as the hole (6) moves out of coincidence, there is an interruption to the air supply and this periodic interruption causes a vibration effect in the breathing muscles of the user. The rate of flow of the air to the user can be controlled by the size of the hole (8) used and the frequency of vibration controlled by the speed of rotation of the disc (5).

Referring to FIG. 7 a weight lifting machine comprises a fixed framework (21), a sliding member (22) and attached adjustable weight (23) which may slide up and down guide rails (24) when a person pulls on cable (25) which is guided over pulley (26), being connected to the sliding member (22) and weight (23). The sliding member (22) is attached to a piston (27) which is located in a cylinder (28).

When cable (25) is pulled, the sliding member (22) with attached weight (23) is moved upwards against gravity providing a working load to the user's muscles, the piston (27) displacing air in cylinder (28) out through port (29). The air displacement is checked by a control valve (30) which is driven on and off at the desired frequency by a controller (32), causing the air flow to be intermittently interrupted before release to atmosphere via port (31). The switched air-flow checking action of control valve (30) provides a time variant damping load over and above that provided by the lifted weight (33), translating vibration into the operator's muscles employed in the lifting action.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 are stand alone vibrationary muscle training devices which may be used for example between the two hands or, with suitable means for attachment to the limbs, between any two limbs or even between a limb and another part of the body, or between one part and another of a jointed limb.

Thus, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a piston 100, connecting rod 101 and cylinder 102 arrangement wherein the left hand end of the cylinder 102 is arranged for association with one limb of a user, for example, and the connecting rod 101 is arranged for association with another of the user's limbs. A bypass conduit 103 from the cylinder at both sides of the piston has, in the case of the FIG. 8 embodiment, two parallel sections, the first incorporating a controllable valve 104 and the second a controllable valve 105 and a solenoid valve 106. The solenoid valve 106 is arranged for being pulsed open and closed at one or more desired frequencies while the valve 105 is arranged to control the amount of fluid passing through the solenoid valve 106. The section with the valve 104 has the function of applying the main resistive force in the apparatus and the valve 104 is adjustable to vary this force. By adjusting both valves 104, 105 a ratio of main resistance to pulsed resistance can be varied.

The FIG. 9 embodiment has a uni-directional, or non-return valve 107, in parallel with the other two parallel sections. This permits free movement of the piston 100 in one direction for situations where strength training is only required in the one direction.

FIGS. 10 to 14 relate particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a vibration device adapted for fitment to a strength training apparatus, in particular a weight training apparatus, perhaps by retrofit.

In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 there is a piston 200, connecting rod 201, and cylinder 202 arrangement. A bypass conduit 203 from the cylinder 202 at both sides of the piston 200 has, in the case of the FIG. 3 embodiment, a solenoid valve 204. The function of the solenoid valve 204 is, by rapid cyclic opening and closing, to impart vibration to the fluid in the cylinder. The solenoid valve 204 is accordingly arranged for being pulsed open and closed at one or more desired frequencies.

The FIG. 11 embodiment has, as well as the solenoid valve 204 for imparting vibration, a variable opening valve 205 for effecting control over the resistance experienced.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 is particularly suited for use with a gas such as air or nitrogen, where no additional damping might be required. The gas is pressurized to 4.5 bar. This is sufficient to prevent excessive damping.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 is particularly suited for use with an hydraulic liquid. As damping is apt to be required when a liquid is used, the variable opening valve 205 caters for this.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 has a rotary valve 210 in place of the solenoid valve 204. An electric motor and any necessary gearbox 211 drives a valve core with a cut-away permitting selective passage of fluid depending on the relative angle of the core with respect to the fluid flow ports. The rotational speed of the valve core sets the derived frequency of the vibration. The electric motor is of the variable speed variety.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a particular form of a valve 210 for which the rotational speed equates to the vibration frequency. The valve has a cylindrical core 212 which has a recess 212a and is offset to a bore 213 of the valve so that when the recess 212a is presented to the fluid flow bore 213, fluid passes freely through the bore 213. This valve is of the type disclosed in PCT Patent Application PCT/GB2006/050314 and UK Patent Application 0520195.9.

In a variation to the valve 210 particularly useful where the fluid is a liquid, the core 212 shown in FIG. 6 has a circumferential groove, illustrated by dotted lines 214. This has the function of dampening the vibration and rendering it less harsh to the user.

The devices shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are adapted for fitment between the static frame 300 and the user operated part 301 of a typical strength training apparatus as shown in FIG. 8. The actual device shown is a weight training device where the user operated lever arm 301 is pivotally attached to the frame 300. A wire 302 attached at one end to the arm 301 distal from the pivot point passes over a frame mounted pulley 303 and is attached at its other end to a variable weight block 304.

FIG. 16 depicts a pseudo random vibration apparatus. A fluid conduit 220 connected into the cylinder 202 at both ends thereof has two parallel circuit arms 221, 222 in each of which is a rotary valve 223, 224 driven by a variable motor 225, 226. The speeds of the motors 225, 226 are controlled by a controller 227 adopted to control the base speeds of the two motors in accordance with a desired vibration variation.

FIG. 17 is a graph of a typical pseudo random vibration variation achieved with the apparatus described with reference to FIG. 16 when the two valves 223, 224 are run at different rotational speeds. The graph represents the Magnitude vs Frequency spectrum experienced when these two rotational speeds are quite close and as shown is typical of the situation which arises whenever the ratio of frequencies is low.

FIG. 18 translates the graph of FIG. 10 into a waveform of flow amplitudes vs time.

The fluid circuitry illustrated in FIG. 19 has a plurality of solenoid valves 250 in parallel in a one-way valve 251 bridge circuit associated with a fluid conduit 203. Primarily this circuitry ensures that vibration is only applied in one direction, the direction of pressure, and is absent during the relaxation movement. The employment of a plurality of solenoid valves 250 in this way enables amplitude and randomness of vibration to be controlled. The circuit includes a fluid charging/pressurising valve 252.

FIG. 20 shows a typical solenoid valve drive circuit permitting a TTL 0 to 5v DC signal to drive a 24v DC solenoid valve with catch or flywheel diode to prevent a back emf from the inductive solenoid coil from damaging the transistor.

Referring to FIG. 21, as a solenoid valve takes time to operate, due to the mass of the valve plug and the inductive nature of the drive coil there is a delay, often called latency, which limits the maximum speed at which the valve can operate. In many fast solenoid valves the latency is in the range 2 mS (two microseconds) to 4 mS. In such cases to turn ON and OFF and complete one cycle the fastest theoretical on-off cycle or period will be in the range 4 mS to 8 mS, giving a maximum frequency of 250 Hz to 125 Hz respectively. In practice there are other delays in reversing the field in a solenoid coil, and damping constraints, that limit the maximum frequency of operation to 50 Hz. Under load this may drop to 25 Hz. If higher speeds are required without resort to specialised solenoid valves, then the motorised rotary valves also discussed above may be employed.

FIG. 22 shows a cross section of a bar or lever 400 in a strength training device subject to vibration in accordance with the invention. The bar or lever 400 is surrounded by a closed cell foam 401 supporting an outer tube 402 which is in turn covered by a foam pad 403. The foam pad 403 is formed of Conforfoam™ type CF-47 green. This foam, whilst conforming to the local shape of, say, the user's lower shins, is particularly capable of transmitting vibration without significantly damping it.

In the particular case shown in FIG. 22, a vibration device is attached to the interior of the outer tube 402 in a recess in the foam 401. The vibration device comprises a bob-weight 410 associated with an electric motor 411.

The linearity of this vibration, constrained for alignment with the direction of the user's muscle strengthening procedure, is obtained with a device as depicted in FIG. 22. An electric motor driven crank 420 in turn drives a connecting rod 421 linked to a crosshead 422 constrained for reciprocal linear motion by guide bars 423.

The tube 402 may be formed of a metal such as an aluminium alloy and the foam 401 may be a sponge rubber or a “sorbo rubber”.

In a modification of the device illustrated in FIG. 22 the configuration of the vibration device is adjustable so that the vibration direction can be regulated.

Application of the devices illustrated with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23 to a leg muscle strengthening apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 24. This shows a lever 430 associated with an adjustable weight block 431 and arranged to pivot around a point 432 adjacent a user's knees. The lever 430 carries an arm disposed for contact with a lower region of a user's shins, the arm being as described with reference to FIG. 22. The vibration device illustrated in FIGS. 22, 23 is arranged to vibrate linearly along the arrowed line 433 in FIG. 24. It is also adjustable so that the vibration direction can be regulated.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a microprocessor based control system for the entry of a user's programme and accordingly the control of loading and vibration. Alternative or complementary inputs, in the form of a swipe card entry unit and a keypad entry unit enable the user to input his individual programme and to vary it if desired. A USB entry/save to external device unit provides to the user both an indication of his progress with the apparatus and any required modification to the swipe card or user programme store.

The microprocessor is configured to control the valves and read any sensors on the apparatus, which responds using stored programme control configured or modified by keyboard, USB etc inputs or swipe card. The swipe card can store any personal custom configuration for the adjustment and regulation of frequency, load and other parameters such as sensor sensitivity, number of repeat cycles to be done at each setting etc and store any results generated on the card as required if swiped before quitting, perhaps even setting an adjusted programme for a future visit.

The ROM memory contains the operating system and standard settings and process control information.

The RAM memory is used for storing operational parameters and other data associated with the micro operation during use as well as usually temporarily storing configuration and personal data uploaded from the swipe card during use including possibly billing information for equipment use sent out either via the networking port/wireless port etc to a central gym management data system.

The Flash/EEPROM memory is used to store patches uploaded from the repro port to correct or upgrade the operating system/process control code in the event of errors or other need for modifications to the electronic control systems.

The network port may be used to transfer realtime data to a central PC or other data store for tracking, billing or performance mapping of either the machine or individual users. This may be interactive such that changes to the behaviour of the machine may be directly effected or a new training configuration be downloaded to the swipe card for the next usage session by that user.

It may also be arranged to provide random variation of the vibration.

It will be appreciated that any of the devices described with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 8 to 25 may be employed in both stand alone strength training devices and in equipment, such as gymnasium or physiotherapy weight training equipment in which the weight or other load is applied separately to the vibration facility.

In that respect, FIGS. 26 and 27 show similar embodiments of the invention, one mounted in a weight training apparatus (FIG. 26) and the other (FIG. 27) as a stand alone device.

Thus the device illustrated in FIG. 26 is a weight training apparatus in which a frame 500 carries an adjustable weight block 501 and a pulley 502 over which runs a metal rope 503 attached at one end to the weight block 501 and at the other to a lever device (not shown) for operation by a user. Between the weight block 501 and the frame 500 is a vibration generator in the form of a piston 504, hollow connecting rod 505, cylinder 506 and connecting rod base 507.

A pair of channels 508 communicate between both faces of the piston 504 and there is a pair of solenoid valves 509 arranged for controlling the flow in the channels 508. Electric leads 510 pass between the valves 509 and a junction 511 in the base 507. Electricity supply is derived at 512 and controlled at the control panel 513, which also provides a display of operating conditions.

The fluid in the cylinder being gas a cock 514 is provided by which the gas can be pressurized to 4.5 bar.

When the weights 501 are lifted and the solenoid valves 509 powered flow from one face of the piston 504 to the other is interrupted continuously and a vibration imparted to the rope 503. There being the two solenoid valves 509, the piston cylinder arrangement can be switched to either simple vibration mode or pseudo random mode.

The device illustrated in FIG. 27 comprises a closed cylinder 600 having a base 600a and in which slides a piston 601. The piston is mounted rigidly on a hollow connecting rod 602 which emerges from the cylinder 600 and to which is rigidly mounted a handle 603. A rod 604 is rigidly attached to the cylinder base 600a enter and run in the hollow of the connecting rod 602. The rod 604 has a helix formed thereon. A disc 605 is held to the piston 601 so as to be free to rotate with respect thereto. The disc 605 is mounted on the rod 604 in such a manner that longitudinal movement of the piston 601 with respect to the rod 604 will cause the disc 605 to rotate. The disc 605 is of smaller diameter than the piston 601. Channels 606 provided with non-return valves 606a pass through the piston 601 outboard of the disc 605 to permit a continuous but restricted fluid flow therethrough in a compression direction and free flow therethrough in a tensile direction.

Channels 607 through the piston 601 inboard of the circumference of the disc 605 are arranged to align intermittently with channels 608 through the disc 605. A plug 609 in the handle 603 enables charging the cylinder 600 with fluid and pressurizing same.

The rod 604 and the disc 605 are made or coated with a low friction material such as PTFE or nylon. Typically the angle of the helix to the axis of the rod 604 is 8°.

In operation of the device illustrated in FIG. 27, when fully charged with fluid, a compressive force between the handle 603 and the base 600a of the cylinder 600 moves the piston/disc 601/605 assembly toward the base 600a, the resistive load depending upon the size of the channels 606. This movement causes rotation of the disc 605 with respect to the piston 601, intermittently aligning the channels 607 and 608 and thereby creating an intermittent resistance to the compressive movement. When returning the apparatus to fully extended the non-return valves 606a open to permit relatively unrestricted fluid flow through the channels 606.

If adjustability were to be required of a device such as that illustrated in FIG. 27, this may the most simply be obtained via an adjustable valve in a channel connecting both ends of the cylinder 600 and exterior thereto, unless remote controlled valves were installed in the piston 601 somewhat as illustrated in FIG. 26.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a fluid pump means operated by movement of the user and control means arranged for intermittently varying fluid flow in said pump means thereby forming a vibration facility to impart vibration to the user.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the vibration frequency is from 1 Hz to 100 Hz.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and wherein the vibration frequency is from 10 Hz to 35 Hz.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a piston cylinder arrangement whereby tension and compression are effected as between said piston, via a connecting rod, and said cylinder.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and wherein a fluid circuit is connected between both sides of said piston and arranged to carry the vibration facility.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and having a bleed through said piston.

7. Apparatus a claimed in claim 4 and having a non-return valve enabling a different resistance to be obtained as between tensile and compression movement.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, and having a pressure relief valve enabling a different resistance to be obtained as between tensile and compression movement.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said non-return valve is located in said piston.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and wherein said pressure relief valve is located in said piston.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said fluid pump means also incorporates static resistance means whereby said fluid pump imposes the load as well as the vibration on the user.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and arranged to load the user in both directions, push and pull, compression and tension.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and which is portable for use in one hand or between a user's two hands for arm strengthening and “chest expanding”.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and having a restrictor or pressure relief valve means for providing the static load.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 and wherein said restrictor or pressure relief valve means are adjustable to provide different loads.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 and equipped with an indicator of the load being applied.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and having a non-return valve arranged to enable the load to differ as between the two directions.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and having a control cock arranged to block or open said non-return valve and convert the apparatus between uni-directional and bi-directional strength training.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 and wherein the vibration is arranged to differ as between push and pull.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the fluid is a gas.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the fluid is a liquid.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 and wherein the gas is at a pressure between 2.5 bar and 4.5 bar.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and comprising an operating bar arranged to be pushed and/or pulled by a user, and a base and wherein said fluid pump means is interposed between said bar and said base.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 and wherein said fluid pump means is constructed as a retrofit to an existing weight training equipment.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having at least one motorised valve arranged for generating the vibration.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 and wherein said at least one motorised valve is a solenoid valve.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 and wherein said at least one valve is a rotary valve.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 and wherein a plurality of solenoid valves are employed in a bridge configuration.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 and wherein a plurality of solenoid valves have independent regulators enabling the provision of random vibration.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 and wherein said at least one solenoid valve is arranged to be OPEN when unpowered.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 and wherein said at least one solenoid valve is a Festo™ low latency solenoid valve type MHE2-S with a 2 ms latency.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 and having an electric motor arranged for driving said rotary valve.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 and wherein said motor is a stepper motor employing electronic commutation and having multiple poles.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the vibration is arranged for at least one of random or pseudo random amplitude and frequency.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 and wherein said valve comprises (i) a housing containing a fluid flow path with a central axis, (ii) a plug having a sealing face cooperating with said housing in the closed position to block the fluid path, and (iii) a support shaft arranged to carry said plug means and being rotatable on an axis which is normal to and spaced from the axis of said valve seat and located outside of the flow path so that rotation of the said shaft moves said plug means relative to said housing.

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 and wherein said valve is arranged to permit a small throughput of fluid therethrough when the valve is ostensibly closed.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 and wherein the rotary valve obturator has a groove therearound to permit a small throughput of fluid therethrough when the valve is in a closed configuration.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having a damping structure to provide user comfort.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 and which is a muscle strengthening apparatus having a bar arranged for bearing upon the lower part of a user's shins whereby the user moves said bar against an adjustable weight.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 and wherein the damping structure comprises a plastics foam.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 and wherein said foam is one which under the influence of body warmth and pressure distorts to mould itself to the profile of that part of the body applying the force.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 and wherein said foam comprises Conforfoam™ type “CF-47 green” produced by E.A.R. Speciality Composites.

43. Strength training apparatus comprising a member movable by a user against a resistance, the member having a layer of foam with minimum vibration damping characteristics, and a vibration generator.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 and wherein said vibration generator is embedded in said foam.

45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 and wherein said foam comprises Conforfoam™ type “CF-47 green” produced by E.A.R. Specialty Composites.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said vibration is arranged to be aligned with the direction of loading.

47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 and wherein said vibration is arranged to be aligned with the direction of loading.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the direction of vibration is adjustable.

49. Apparatus as claimed in claim 47 and having a motor arranged to drive a crank coupled through a connecting rod to a crosshead to which is attached a relatively large mass, the crosshead being constrained by guide bars to shuttle linearly.

50. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having a data entry device arranged for programming the operation thereof.

51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having a readout device arranged for indicating the weight and/or vibration applied and the amplitude of apparatus expansion or compression.

52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and wherein said vibration facility comprises a rod carrying a helix and a disc held to said piston and mounted on said rod so that movement of said piston along said cylinder causes said disc to rotate, there being channels through said piston and said disc which are thereby intermittently aligned.

53. An exercise apparatus comprising (i) a resistance means arranged to provide resistance to a movement by a user and (ii) a vibration means arranged to impart a vibration to the user, wherein: said vibration means acts on a muscle or muscle group being exercised; said vibration means comprises a piston, connecting rod and cylinder arrangement and a fluid flow connection between both sides of the piston and at least one valve interposed in said fluid flow and arranged for intermittent opening and closing at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz; and said resistance means is selected from free weights, a weight machine, a spring resistance, an hydraulic resistance and a pneumatic resistance.

54. An exercise apparatus comprising: resistance means arranged to provide adjustable resistance to a movement by a user; vibration means arranged to impart a vibration to the user's muscle or muscle group being exercised; an input device arranged for converting an input signal into controls for said resistance means and said vibration means; an output device arranged to provide an indication of the programme completed; and wherein said vibration means comprises a piston, connecting rod and cylinder arrangement and a fluid flow connection between both sides of the piston and at least one valve interposed in said fluid flow and arranged for intermittent opening and closing at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz; and said resistance means is selected from free weights, a weight machine, a spring resistance, an hydraulic resistance and a pneumatic resistance.