U.S. patent application number 11/157490 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for exercise device.
Invention is credited to Kando Kobayashi.
Application Number | 20060003873 11/157490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34824657 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060003873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi; Kando |
January 5, 2006 |
Exercise device
Abstract
The present invention relates to an exercise device to simulate
a leg swing motion. The device comprises a frame, a longitudinal
guide supported by the frame, and a moveable body reciprocally
moveable along the guide. The moveable body has a pivot axis
defined thereon. A swing arm is pivotally coupled to the moveable
body about the pivot axis such that the moveable body moves
rearwardly when the swing arm swings forwardly by a forwardly leg
swing motion and the moveable body moves forwardly when the swing
arm swings rearwardly by a rearwardly leg swing motion.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi; Kando; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
Suite 2100
5670 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
CA
90036-5679
US
|
Family ID: |
34824657 |
Appl. No.: |
11/157490 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/92 ; 482/1;
482/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0204 20130101;
A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 21/005
20130101; A63B 23/03508 20130101; A63B 2023/0452 20130101; A63B
21/159 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 23/0482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/092 ;
482/051; 482/001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 15/02 20060101
A63B015/02; A63B 22/00 20060101 A63B022/00; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2004 |
JP |
2004-184262 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising a swing arm defining a fulcrum of
rotation, the swing arm moveable forwardly and rearwardly via the
fulcrum of rotation, wherein the fulcrum of rotation of the swing
arm is reciprocally moveable forwardly and rearwardly such that the
fulcrum of rotation moves rearwardly when the swing arm swing
forwardly and the fulcrum of rotation moves forwardly when the
swing arm swings rearwardly.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum of rotation
of the swing arm is coupled to a moveable body capable of
reciprocal movement forwardly and rearwardly.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the exercise device is
provided with a forwardly and rearwardly extending guide member,
and the moveable body is guided by the guide member so as to move
forwardly and rearwardly.
4. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein swinging of the swing
arm and movement of the moveable body is synchronized.
5. The exercise device of claim 4, further comprising a detector
for detecting swinging of the swing arm, a drive for moving the
moveable body, and a controller for controlling movement of the
moveable body.
6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the swing arm may also
swing via a rotational shaft, and the detecting means detects the
angle and speed of the rotational shaft.
7. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein load applying device for
applying load to rotation of the swing arm is provided at the
moveable body.
8. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the height of the
fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm is adjustable.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the guide member is
vertically moveable, and adjustment of the height of the fulcrum of
rotation of the swing arm is carried out by adjusting the height of
the guide member.
10. An exercise device comprising: a swing arm having a rotational
shaft, the arm capable of swinging forwardly and rearwardly via the
rotational shaft; a moveable body provided with the rotational
shaft, the moveable body capable of reciprocating forwardly and
rearwardly; a drive for moving the moveable body forwardly and
rearwardly; a detector for detecting rotation angle and rotation
speed of the rotational shaft in accordance with swinging movement
of the swing arm; and a controller for controlling movement of the
moveable body in accordance with the rotation angle and rotation
speed of the rotational shaft detected by the detector, wherein the
drive is driven via the controller so as to move the moveable body
rearwardly when a swing arm swings forwardly, and the drive is
driven via the controller so as to move the moveable body forwardly
when the swing arm swings rearwardly.
11. The exercise device of 10, wherein the exercise device is
provided with a forwardly and rearwardly extending guide member,
and the moveable body is guided by the guide member so as to move
forwardly and rearwardly.
12. The exercise device of claim 10, the apparatus further
comprising load applying device for applying a load with respect to
rotation of the rotational shaft.
13. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the height of the
fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm is adjustable.
14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the guide member is
vertically moveable, and adjustment of the height of the fulcrum of
rotation of the swing arm is carried out by adjusting the height of
the guide member.
15. An exercise device to simulate a leg swing motion, comprising:
a frame; at least one longitudinal guide supported by the frame; at
least one moveable body reciprocally moveable along the guide, the
moveable body having a pivot axis defined thereon; and at least one
swing arm pivotally coupled to the moveable body about the pivot
axis such that the moveable body moves rearwardly when the swing
arm swings forwardly by a forwardly leg swing motion and the
moveable body moves forwardly when the swing arm swings rearwardly
by a rearwardly leg swing motion.
16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein said swing arm has a
portion contacting a leg and the portion travels along a U-shaped
path of travel with forward and rearward leg swing motion.
17. The exercise device of claim 15, said device further
comprising: a drive for moving the moveable body along the guide; a
detector for obtaining information on swinging movement of the
swing arm; and a controller for controlling the drive in accordance
with the information.
18. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein said information
includes rotation angle and rotation speed of the pivot shaft.
19. An exercise machine comprising: at least one swing arm having
an axis of rotation, the swing arm swinging forwardly and
rearwardly by forward and rearward leg swing motion; wherein the
axis of rotation is reciprocally moveable forwardly and rearwardly
such that the axis of rotation moves rearwardly when the swing arm
swing forwardly and the axis rotation moves forwardly when the
swing arm swings rearwardly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise device, and
particularly relates to an exercise device with the purpose of
strengthening leg muscles, hip joints, and muscle groups of the
waist.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] "Hip extension machine hip", "flexing machines" and etc. are
known as exercise devices for working leg muscles and muscle groups
of the waist in a standing posture. With these exercise devices, a
swing arm rotation fulcrum is fixed.
[0005] However, with exercise devices where the arm rotation
fulcrum is a fixed type, there is the drawback that the range of
movement of the hip joints is restricted. Further, with exercise
devices where the rotation fulcrum is fixed, swinging of the arm
traces a locus that is part of a circular arc. When the arm travels
along such a circular arcuate path, there is risk involved in that
a relatively strong load is placed on the waist that may cause the
waist to be damaged as the arms are lifted up from a vertical
position to the horizontal.
[0006] In recent years, it has been recognized that exercising of
the psoas major not only improves running ability but can also
bring about improvements in overall sports performance. For
example, it has been reported that from the results of a cross
sectional view of an abdomen taken using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI), short distance athletes have a psoas major of a larger
cross-sectional area, and there is a high correlation between
substantial running ability and the area of the cross-section of
the psoas major. Further, it has also been reported that it is easy
for middle-aged to older people with a psoas major of a smaller
cross-sectional area to become bedridden (Shinya Kuno: "Simple
muscle exercise for preventing people from becoming bedridden"),
Japan Broadcasting Publishing Co. Ltd., 2002). Working of the psoas
major can therefore be confirmed to be important not just for
athletes, but for the elderly and the infirm.
[0007] Further, it has been reported that the use of "knee/waist
same side type actions" is effective as a way of using your body
for improving sports performance (Kando Kobayashi: "creating sports
actions to increase running performance", Published by Kyorin-Shoin
Publishers, 2001). A "knee/waist same side type action" is based on
moving the waist of the same side to the front while drawing out
your leg to the front. At this time, working of the pelvis, lumbar
vertebrae, and the muscles located deep to the abdomen (such as the
psoas major and iliacus, together called the iliopsoas) connecting
part of the thoracic vertebrae (twelfth thoracic vertebrae) and the
thighbone is extremely important. However, study of "knee/waist
same side type actions" is difficult depending on the person.
[0008] In the related art, with a "hip extension machine" and "hip
flexing machine", it is not possible to effectively exercise the
muscles located deep to the abdomen such as the psoas major and the
iliacus. Further, supplementary exercise and training drills are
also employed with the object of strengthening psoas major but
exercise equipment capable of effectively working psoas major have
yet to be developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide an exercise device capable of effectively working the
muscles located deep to the abdomen such as the psoas major and the
iliacus.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise device that does not place unnecessary loads on the
waist.
[0011] The present invention relates to an exercise device where a
leg is placed on a swing arm provided so as to be able to swing
forwardly and rearwardly via a fulcrum of rotation so that the leg
is lifted up forwardly and rearwardly while the swing arm is swung
forwardly and rearwardly. The fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm
is reciprocally moveable forwardly and rearwardly such that the
fulcrum of rotation moves rearwardly when the swing arm swing
forwardly and the fulcrum of rotation moves forwardly when the
swing arm swings rearwardly.
[0012] In a preferred mode, the fulcrum of rotation of the swing
arm is coupled to a moveable body capable of reciprocal movement
forwardly and rearwardly. Preferably, the exercise device is
provided with a forwardly and rearwardly extending guide member,
and the moveable body is guided by the guide member so as to move
forwardly and rearwardly.
[0013] In a preferred mode, swinging of a swing arm and movement of
a moving body forwardly and rearwardly are in synchronism. The
exercise device is preferably comprised of detecting means for
detecting swinging of the swing arm, drive means for moving the
moveable body, and control means for controlling movement of the
moving body by the drive means based on information from the
detecting means. Swinging of the swing arm and forwardly and
rearwardly movement of the moveable body are then synchronized as a
result of the control means controlling the drive means. The swing
arm may also swing via a rotational shaft, with the detecting means
detecting the angle and speed of the rotational shaft.
[0014] It is also possible to provide load applying means for
resisting rotation of the swing arm at the moveable body. As a
result, while the fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm moves
forwardly and rearwardly, the load applying means therefore does
not hinder movement of the fulcrum of rotation.
[0015] It is also possible to adjust the position of the fulcrum of
rotation of the swing arm in the height direction. In one mode, the
guide member is constructed so as to be freely moveable in the
height direction. Adjustment of the position in the height
direction of the fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm is then
carried out by adjusting the height of the guide member guiding the
moveable body provided at the fulcrum of rotation.
[0016] By adopting a configuration where the rotational shaft of
the swing arm moves in a horizontal direction forwardly and
rearwardly in line with the angle of rotation of the swing arm, the
present invention achieves the following results. First, it is
possible to ensure the size of the range of operation of the leg
and trunk containing the hip joints, pelvis and thoracic vertebrae.
In the event that the fulcrum of rotation of the prior art is
fixed, the locus of movement of the swing arm traces a circular arc
taking the length of the swing arm as a radius. In this respect,
with the apparatus of the present invention, the path of travel of
the swing arm can be made to be a U-shape by having the fulcrum of
rotation of the swing arm move forwardly and rearwardly in
synchronization with swinging of the swing arm forwardly and
rearwardly. Giving a more detailed description, according to the
exercise device of the present invention, with the swinging of the
swing arm forwardly and rearwardly, a pad portion restraining the
leg of the user travels along a U-shaped path of travel with the
position of a vertical posture being the bottom. As a result of the
pad portion traveling along a U-shaped path of travel, an action
point (position of the pad) moves at a position relatively close to
the body when the leg is raised high. Because of this, there is no
localized load on the waist and muscles. It is therefore possible
to perform exercise that strengthens the muscular power of the
trunk and legs with the leg and waist together.
[0017] By performing a forwardly and rearwardly swinging operation
of the leg taking the leg and waist together, the exercise device
of the present invention is capable of working leg muscles, gluteal
muscles such as the musculus gluteus maximus and the musculus
gluteus minimums, and the muscles located deep to the abdomen such
as the psoas major and the iliacus. According to the device of the
present invention, it is possible to effectively strengthen the
muscles such as the psoas major and the iliacus by working the leg
and the waist at the same time in the same direction.
[0018] According to the exercise device of the present invention,
it is possible to effectively work the muscle groups of the legs
and waist across a broad range of movement centered on the hip
joints. It is also possible for not only athletes but frail and
elderly people to use this apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of the whole of an exercise device of
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the whole of an exercise device of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the whole of an exercise device of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the whole of the exercise device
showing a state where the swing arms are swung up forwardly as a
result of swinging up the legs forwardly;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the whole of the exercise device
showing a state where the swing arms are swung up forwardly as a
result of swinging up the legs forwardly;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of the whole of the exercise device
showing a state where the swing arms are swung up rearwardly as a
result of swinging up the legs rearwardly;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the whole of the exercise device
showing a state where the swing arms are swung up rearwardly as a
result of swinging up the legs rearwardly;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view showing an internal configuration of a
moveable body;
[0027] FIG. 9 is an outline front view of the exercise device of
the present invention and is analogous to FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 10 is an outline side view of the exercise device of
the present invention and is analogous to FIG. 2;
[0029] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are views illustrating the
relationship between swinging forwardly and rearwardly of the swing
arm and movement of the fulcrum of rotation of the swing arm;
and
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating control of the exercise
device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] A description is given of the present invention based on
taking a standing operation-type exercise device as an embodiment.
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are an overall front view, overall side view, and
overall plan view of the present invention. An exercise device has
a box-shaped frame body comprised of a pair of front vertical
frames 1, a pair of rear vertical frames, a plurality of lateral
frames 3, 4, 5 and 6 linking the bottom ends and top ends of the
vertical frames 1 and 2 from the front to rear, and the left to
right, a pair of vertical frames 7 linking between the front
lateral frames 3 in a vertical direction, and a pair of lateral
frames 8 linking between the front and rear lateral frames
forwardly and rearwardly.
[0032] A pair of left and right front posts 9 and a pair of left
and right rear posts 10 stand up in parallel with the vertical
frames 1 and 2 between forwardly and rearwardly extending the upper
and lower lateral frames 5 and 6. Guide members 11 extending
horizontally forwardly and rearwardly are provided between the
posts 9 and 10 at the left side and right side respectively.
Moveable bodies 12 are provided in a manner capable of moving
horizontally forwardly and rearwardly on the guide members 11.
[0033] The guide member 11 comprises an LM guide, and the moveable
body 12 is fixed to a slider of the LM guide via a lower end part.
A ball screw 14 is then driven by a servo motor 13, and the
moveable body 12 is reciprocally driven horizontally forwardly and
rearwardly. The horizontally extending LM guide constituting the
guide member 11 is fixed and horizontally supported at a forward
end part and a rear end part by a support member 15 provided at
side surfaces of the forward posts 9 and rearward posts 10. The
support member 15 is linked to posts 9, 10 in a state where
vertical movement is possible using vertically extending LM guides
16 provided at side surfaces of the forward posts 9 and rearward
posts 10. The LM guide 16 is made to extend up and down by driving
of an electric actuator 17 employing a motor so as to cause the
support members 15 to move upwardly and downwardly. This enables
the vertical position of the moveable body 12 to be adjusted.
Movement of the moveable body 12 forwardly and rearwardly, and
upwardly and downwardly is driven by driving devices 13, 14 and 17
receiving instructions from a controller 28. The speed and distance
of forwardly and rearwardly movement of the moveable body 12 can be
adjusted using the controller 28. Means for guiding the moveable
body 12 forwardly and rearwardly and means for driving the guide
means are not limited to that shown in the drawings. For example,
it is possible for the moveable body 12 to be made to move
horizontally forwardly and rearwardly by utilizing a rack and
pinion, or to cause the moveable body 12 to move horizontally
forwardly and rearwardly using a link mechanism.
[0034] The moveable body 12 is provided with a swing arm 18 capable
of swinging forwardly and rearwardly. The swing arm 18 is coupled
to a movable body 12 so as to swing freely like a pendulum
forwardly and rearwardly taking an upper end side as a fulcrum of
rotation. The swing arm 18 is provided with a horizontally
extending pad 19 at lower end thereof. The pad 19 extends
orthogonally with a swing direction of the swing arm 18. The
attaching position of the pad 19 with respect to the swing arm 18
is capable of being adjusted in a longitudinal direction of the
swing arm 18. Further, a support arm 20 is attached to the swing
arm 18. The support arm 20 is provided with a horizontally
extending pad 19 extending orthogonally with a swing direction of
the swing arm 18. The support arm 20 is coupled to the swing arm 18
in such a manner that the direction of extension of the support arm
20 maintains an angle with respect to the direction of extension of
the swing arm 18, with each pad 19 extending in an opposed manner
at a prescribed spacing. The attaching position of the support arm
20 with respect to the swing arm 18 is capable of being adjusted in
a longitudinal direction of the swing arm 18. At the time of use,
the leg is sandwiched between the pad 19 of the swing arm 18 and
the pad 19 of the support arm 20, then swinging the swing arm 18 by
swinging the leg forwardly or rearwardly. A description is given of
a leg placing section having the swing arm 18 and the support arm
19 but the configuration of the leg placing section is by no means
limited to that shown in the drawings, provided that it is possible
for a user to place their leg on a swing arm so that the leg can be
lifted up forwardly and rearwardly while swinging the swing arm
forwardly and rearwardly.
[0035] A moveable body 12 comprises a box having a hollow section.
The moveable body 12 is provided with a rotational shaft 21
(extending orthogonally to forwardly and rearwardly) of an upper
end of the swing arm 18, and the swing arm 18 is attached in a
forwardly and rearwardly swinging manner to the moveable body 12
via the rotational shaft 21. Load applying device 22A for applying
resistance to rotation of the rotational shaft 21 is installed
within the moveably body 12. The load applying device is comprised
of a braking shaft 23 equipped with an electromagnetic brake 22
taken as braking means and an acceleration gear 24 meshing with the
braking shaft 23. Strength applied to the rotational shaft 21 by
the electromagnetic brake 22 can be varied by instructions from the
controller 28. Load applying device for braking of the swing arms
18 is by no means limited to using magnetic brakes and other
braking means may also be adopted.
[0036] A rotary encoder 26 for detecting rotation angle and
rotational speed (including rotation direction) is arranged within
the moveable body 12. The rotation angle and rotational speed of
the rotational shaft 21 are detected in accordance with swing
movement of the swing arm 18 forwardly and rearwardly. The detected
information is then transmitted to the controller 28 and a drive
instruction is transmitted from the controller 28 to the servo
motor 13. The ball screw 14 is then driven and the moveable body 12
is made to move forwardly and rearwardly in synchronism with the
swing movement of the swing arm 18.
[0037] Specifically, a starting point for the angle of the swing
arm 18 (rotational shaft 21) is such that the swing arm 18 extends
in a substantially vertical direction (state in FIG. 2, FIG. 10 and
FIG. 11B). When the swing arm 18 then swings forwardly (the state
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11A), the angle becomes positive, and when the
swing arm 18 swings rearwardly (the state in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11),
the angle becomes negative.
[0038] At the time that the swing arm 18 swings forwardly, the
servo motor 13 is driven via the controller 28 based on detection
results for rotation of the braking shaft 21 of the rotary encoder
26 and the moveable body 12 is made to move rearwardly at a
prescribed speed. At the time that the swing arm 18 swings
rearwardly, the servo motor 13 is driven via the controller 28
based on detection results for rotation of the braking shaft 21 of
the rotary encoder 26 and the moveable body 12 is made to move
forwardly at a prescribed speed.
[0039] A torque meter 27 is provided within the moveable body 12.
The torque meter 27 acquires rotation torque (power data) for the
braking shaft 23 (rotational shaft 21) using rotation of the gear
25 meshing with the braking shaft 23, and sends the acquired power
data to the controller 28 and computer 31.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating control of the exercise
device of the present invention. The operation of the exercise
device is controlled by the controller 28. Strength adjustment of
load resistance with respect to rotation of the swing arm 18,
adjustment of driving of movement of the moveable body 12 forwardly
and rearwardly and of the movement speed, and adjustment of the
height of the moveable body 12 are carried out based on output
instructions from the controller 28. Input to the controller 28 is
carried out using information acquired from a rotary encoder 26
constituting detection means monitoring rotation of the swing arm
18 and the torque member 27, and input from the operation unit
30.
[0041] When the angle and speed of the rotational shaft 21 are
received from the rotary encoder 26, the controller 28 outputs an
instruction to the servo motor 13 and the moveable body 12 is moved
at a prescribed speed. When an input to adjust height of the
moveable body 2 is received from the operation panel 30, the
controller 28 outputs an instruction to a linear actuator 17 and
the support member 15 supporting the guide members 11 on which the
moveable body 12 slides are caused to move in a vertical direction.
When input strength of the load resistance with respect to the
rotational shaft 21 is received from the operation panel 30, the
controller 28 provides a prescribed load resistance to the
rotational shaft 21 via the electromagnetic brake 22. The
controller 28 is therefore constructed from a load strength
adjustment apparatus, height adjustment apparatus, and movement
speed adjustment apparatus.
[0042] Further, each type of information (for example, angle,
power, speed) is sent to a computer 31 electrically connected to
the controller 28 and is stored in a storage unit of the computer
31. If necessary, the information is analyzed by an arithmetic unit
of the computer 31, and stored information or calculated
information is displayed at a display unit of the computer 31 as
necessary.
[0043] A description is given of an exercise operation employing
exercise device of the above configuration based on FIG. 11. FIG.
11B shows start conditions, with the swing arms 18 being
substantially vertical with respect to the floor when a person
exercising holds operation in a standing position. The fulcrum of
rotation (rotational shaft) of the swing arm 18 can be adjusted to
the height of the lower end of the sternum of the person exercising
by adjusting the position of the height of the moveable body 12. As
a result, forwardly and rearwardly movement of the swing arm 18
enables a swing operation of the leg and waist of the same side
taking the height of the flank of the person training as an axis.
The positions of the pads 19 attached to the swing arm 18 and the
support arm 20 are adjusted, and the pads 19 are adapted to
sandwich a leg (the left leg in the drawings), and a pendulum-like
movement of the swing arm 18 is implemented in accordance with a
forwardly and rearwardly swing operation of the leg from a standing
operation.
[0044] From the state in FIG. 11B, the hand rails 29 are grasped
with both hands. When the thigh of the left leg is then lifted up
forwardly, the swing arm 18 swings forwardly and an inclined
posture is adopted. The rotation angle and speed of the rotational
shaft 21 of the swing arm 18 is then detected by the rotary encoder
26. By then sending this information to the controller 28, the
servo motor 13 is driven according to instructions from the
controller 28, and the fulcrum of rotation (rotational shaft 21) of
the swing arms 18 moves forwardly (FIG. 11A) in accordance with the
moveable body 12 moving rearwardly in synchronism with the swing
movement of the swing arm 18 forwardly.
[0045] From the state in FIG. 11B, when the thigh of the left leg
is then lifted up rearwardly, the swing arm 18 swings rearwardly
and an inclined posture is adopted. The rotation angle and speed of
the rotational shaft 21 of the swing arm 18 is then detected by the
rotary encoder 26. By then sending this information to the
controller 28, the servo motor 13 is driven according to
instructions from the controller 28, and the fulcrum of rotation
(rotational shaft 21) of the swing arm 18 moves forwardly (FIG.
11C) in accordance with the moveable body 12 moving forwardly in
synchronism with the swing movement of the swing arm 18
rearwardly.
[0046] According to this apparatus, it is possible to cause the
swing arm 18 to swing so as to work the muscles such as the psoas
major and the iliacus by adjusting the fulcrum of rotation
(rotational shaft 21) of the swing arm 18 to the height of the
twelfth thoracic vertebrae and operating the leg and waist at the
same time.
[0047] The exercise device of the present invention is provided
with an operation panel 30 at the top of the front of the frame.
The operation panel 30 is constructed from a touch panel. Input
from the operation panel 30 is sent to the controller 28 and each
operation is then controlled via the controller 28. In the initial
state, it is possible to adjust the position in a direction from
front to rear of the moveable body 12 and the vertical position of
the moveable body 12 at the time of starting by operating each of
the various touch-buttons on the operation panel 30. For example,
in the event that it is wished to move the position in a direction
from front to rear of the moveable body of the left side slightly
forwardly, it is possible to move the moveable body 12 of the left
side along the guide member 11 slightly in a horizontal direction
towards the front via the controller 28 and driver 13 by
continually pressing the forward button switch of the left unit.
Further, in the event that it is wished to move the vertical
position of the moveable body 12 of the left side slightly upwards,
it is possible to move the moveable bodies 12 of the left side
slightly upwards via the controller 28 and driver 17 by continually
pressing the up button switch of the left unit.
[0048] The operation pane includes an exercise setting screen. Load
setting (deciding load of stroke forwardly and rearwardly), arm
selection (selection as to whether to exercise using the left leg
or the right leg), and mode selection (selection of M mode, S mode)
may be included in the exercise setting procedure. The
electromagnetic brake 22 is controlled via the controller 28 based
on load settings inputted from the operation panel 30. Here, M mode
refers to a mode of moving the fulcrum of rotation in accordance
with swinging of the swing arm 18 during training. S mode refers to
a mode where the fulcrum of rotation does not move according to
swinging of the swing arm 18 during training. In this mode, the
forwardly and rearwardly movement of the moveable body 12 is
locked. In the event that S mode is selected, the swing arm 18
swings forwardly and rearwardly in a state where the fulcrum of
rotation is fixed.
[0049] When the exercise setting is complete, an exercise start
screen is displayed at the operation panel 30. If a right angle
lamp or a left angle lamp flashes green (this is a lamp for making
it known when the angle of the arms is in a state where the
exercise can be started), the exercise can be started by pressing
the exercise start switch.
[0050] Each type of information is monitored and displayed in real
time during exercise and this information can be stored in the
storage unit of a computer. After training is complete, the
exercise results are displayed at the operation panel 30. In
addition to working the muscles such as the psoas major and the
iliacus, the exercise device of the present invention is also
capable of calculating and measuring muscular power and exercising
power used to work the muscles.
* * * * *