U.S. patent application number 11/441568 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for resistance garments.
Invention is credited to Luke Purdy, Peter Purdy.
Application Number | 20070135279 11/441568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38140173 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070135279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purdy; Peter ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Resistance garments
Abstract
Resistance garments for providing increased benefits of physical
exertion are described herein. The resistance garments provide for
manual adjustment or automated adjustment of the tension in
resistive elements and/or rods. Adjustment devices such as clam
cleats, hooks, knobs, ratchet pulleys, spring loaded pulleys,
automated resistance devices, and automated ratchet pulleys are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Purdy; Peter; (Bend, OR)
; Purdy; Luke; (Bend, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & GAGE LC
4845 PEARL EAST CIRCLE
SUITE 300
BOULDER
CO
80301
US
|
Family ID: |
38140173 |
Appl. No.: |
11/441568 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60750432 |
Dec 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
482/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4007 20151001;
A63B 21/4005 20151001; A63B 21/055 20130101; A63B 21/4021 20151001;
A63B 21/00185 20130101; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 21/4025
20151001; A63B 21/0414 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B
21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 21/0004 20130101;
A63B 21/00061 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 21/4009
20151001; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 2208/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
482/121 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. A resistance garment comprising: a first cuff and a second cuff,
the first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of a
wearer's body; an adjustment device fixedly attached to the first
cuff; and a resistive element connecting the first cuff and the
second cuff, wherein the resistive element couples with the
adjustment device.
2. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device
is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a hook, a
knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an automated
resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
3. The resistance garment of claim 1, further comprising a second
adjustment device attached to the second cuff, wherein the
resistive element couples with the second adjustment device.
4. The resistance garment of claim 4, wherein the second adjustment
device is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a
hook, a knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an
automated resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
5. The resistance garment of claim 4, wherein one or more of the
first cuff and the second cuff includes a resistance plate
device.
6. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the
first cuff and the second cuff includes a resistance plate
device.
7. The resistance garment of claim 1, wherein the cuffs form part
of an article of clothing.
8. The resistance garment of claim 7, wherein the article of
clothing is selected from the group consisting of a one-piece suit,
pants, a shirt, a glove, a foot covering, and a harness.
9. The resistance garment of claim 1, further comprising webbing,
the webbing resisting abduction of an appendage.
10. A method of providing a resistance garment to increase the
benefits of physical exertion, comprising: applying a first cuff
and a second cuff to a wearer's body, the first cuff and the second
cuff circumscribing a portion of the wearer's body; providing an
adjustment device fixedly attached to the first cuff; and
connecting the adjustment device of the first cuff and the second
cuff with a resistive element.
11. A resistance garment comprising: at least one resistive plate
device to be worn by a person, the resistive plate device having a
plurality of baffles, wherein each baffle is secured to at least
one neighboring baffle by a rubberized material.
12. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising one or
more resistive elements connecting a pair of the resistive plate
devices.
13. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising a
plurality of springs that link neighboring baffles.
14. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising one or
more elastomeric lines.
15. The resistance garment of claim 11, further comprising an
adjustment device mounted on the resistive plate device.
16. The resistance garment of claim 15, wherein the adjustment
device is selected from the group consisting of a clam cleat, a
hook, a knob, a ratchet pulley, a spring loaded pulley, an
automated resistance device, and an automated ratchet pulley.
17. A resistance garment comprising: a first cuff disposed at a
distal end of a body part; a second cuff disposed at a proximal end
of the body part; and a rod connecting the first cuff and the
second cuff.
18. The resistance garment of claim 17, wherein the rod is a
flexible rod.
19. The resistance garment of claim 18, wherein the flexible rod
comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
fiberglass, carbon fiber aid carbon nanotubes.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Application No. 60/750,432, filed Dec. 14, 2005, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A resistance garment worn by a person during aerobic
activity may provide greater muscle tone and increased caloric
output than would otherwise be possible within a given time period.
These increased benefits of physical exertion may, for example, be
expressed as improved athletic performance, expedited recovery from
injury, and/or maintenance of fitness and health.
[0003] Several resistance garments have been described. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,814, titled "One piece elastic body
suit", discloses a jumpsuit having outer and inner cloth sections
with elastic band members disposed between the cloth sections. A
pair of elastic band members runs from the back of the ankles, over
the shoulders, to the front of the ankles in a parallel fashion.
Another elastic member encircles the waist.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,428, titled "Exercise device of
adjustable resistance for flexing of muscles of the legs and
torso", discloses an elasticized garment having an inverted
U-shape. The center of the garment is attached to a rear waist
portion of the wearer. A pair of elongated, descending members
falls over the hamstrings and attaches above each of the wearer's
knees. The garment is especially designed for walking or running
where the descending members resist the forward motion of the
wearer's legs.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,600, titled "Aerobic resistance exercise
garment", discloses a garment including stretchable, elastic
webbing between each arm and the torso, and also interconnecting
the leg portions with each other. The garment further includes a
plurality of pockets to hold optional weights.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,186,701, 5,306,222, and 5,720,042, disclose
garments having a compressive structure, for better muscular
alignment and less muscle fatigue, combined with longitudinal
resistive elements, such as elastic bands, strips or cords. The
compressive structure may be a series of compressive cuffs, or a
suit made in whole or part of a compressive material, such as
Lycra.RTM.. Resistive bands may be attached to anchor points on the
compressive cuffs, gloves or socks/shoes.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes a first
cuff and a second cuff, the first cuff and the second cuff
circumscribing a portion of a wearer's body; an adjustment device
fixedly attached to the first cuff; and a resistive element
connecting the first cuff and the second cuff, wherein the
resistive element couples with the adjustment device.
[0008] In one embodiment, a method of providing a resistance
garment to increase the benefits of physical exertion includes
applying a first cuff and a second cuff to a wearer's body, the
first cuff and the second cuff circumscribing a portion of the
wearer's body; providing an adjustment device fixedly attached to
the first cuff; and connecting the adjustment device of the first
cuff and the second cuff with a resistive element.
[0009] In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes at least
one resistive plate device to be worn by a person, the resistive
plate device having a plurality of baffles, wherein each baffle is
secured to at least one neighboring baffle by a rubberized
material.
[0010] In one embodiment, a resistance garment includes a first
cuff disposed at a distal end of a body part; a second cuff
disposed at a proximal end of the body part; and a rod connecting
the first cuff and the second cuff.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a non-adjustable resistance garment.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment
according to one embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment
incorporating an adjustable rod mechanism according to one
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment
incorporating a flexible rod mechanism according to one
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a ratchet pulley
according to one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the ratchet pulley of FIG.
5.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the ratchet
pulley of FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a spring loaded
pulley according to one embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the spring loaded pulley of
FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of the spring
loaded pulley of FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment
utilizing a ratchet pulley system according to one embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows an arm portion of the resistance garment of
FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 13 shows a leg portion of the resistance garment of
FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 14 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment
according to one embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 15 shows an upper body portion of a resistance garment
according to one embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 16 shows the resistance garment of FIG. 11 including
webbing according to one embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 17 shows resistive plate devices according to several
embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 18 shows cross-sectional views of resistive plate
devices according to several embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 19 shows a resistance garment utilizing resistive plate
devices according to one embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 20 shows a resistance garment utilizing resistive plate
devices and resistive elements according to one embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 21 shows an automated resistance garment according to
one embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 22 shows a partial cut-away view of an automated
resistance device according to one embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional side view of an automated
ratchet pulley according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Resistance garments may be worn by a person during exercise
and/or during daily activities. For example, athletes may combine
strength training with cardiovascular training by wearing a
resistance garment during an aerobic activity. In another example,
a form-fitting resistance garment may be worn under a person's
everyday clothes, and the applied resistance may help a sedentary
person, or a person experiencing reduced gravity (e.g., an
astronaut), maintain muscle tone.
[0035] Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, where
like numbers represent similar elements in multiple figures.
Numbering without parentheses is used to denote a genus (e.g.,
resistive elements 110), whereas numbering with parentheses denotes
a species within a genus (e.g., resistive element 110(2)). Multiple
elements within a figure may not be labeled for the sake of
clarity.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a non-adjustable resistance garment 100.
Resistance garment 100 includes a plurality of cuffs 102 that each
circumscribe a portion of a wearer's body. Cuffs 102 may themselves
form independent items of clothing, they many form a distinct part
of a larger item of clothing, or they may form an indistinguishable
portion of an item of clothing. In one embodiment, cuffs 102 may be
fabricated from a stiff, semi-flexible plastic, such as
polyethylene or polyvinylchloride. The circumference of a plastic
cuff may be adjusted by one or more fasteners. In another
embodiment, cuffs 102 may be fabricated from a compressive
material, such as rubber or spandex. Generally, cuffs 102 should be
stiff enough to support any components mounted thereon and secured
to the body such that they do not become significantly displaced
when a longitudinal force is applied thereto. Resistive elements
110 are fixedly secured to cuffs 102 and may, for example, be
elastomeric fibers, cords or straps. Optionally, cuffs 102 worn on
the wrists may be attached to gloves 108 or thumb stirrups; cuffs
102 worn on the ankles may be attached to foot coverings 106 (e.g.,
shoes, socks, booties, foot stirrups); and a harness 104 may be
worn around the chest and shoulders to secure resistive elements
110 to the torso of a wearer. As shown and described, resistance
garment 100 provides a constant amount of resistance set by the
elasticity of non-adjustable resistive elements 110.
[0037] It may, however, be desirable to alter the level of applied
resistance from day-to-day or even during the course of a workout.
For example, as a person becomes stronger through the use of a
resistance garment, it may be necessary to increase resistance in
order to continue to provide the benefits of resistance training.
In another example, a person may warm-up at the beginning of a
workout using light resistance and then increase the resistance as
the workout progresses. FIG. 2 shows a manually adjustable
resistance garment 200. Resistance garment 200 includes a plurality
of cuffs 102 that anchor resistive elements 110. In one embodiment,
resistive elements 110 are sewn or otherwise permanently attached
to a cuff 102 at a distal part of an appendage, while a cuff 102 at
a proximal part of an appendage contains an adjustment device 202.
In another embodiment, all cuffs 102 in resistance garment 200
contain adjustment devices 202, which provide for rapid, on-the-fly
adjustments in the tension of resistive elements 110. One or both
ends of resistive element 110 may be secured by adjustment devices
202. For example, adjustment devices 202 may be clam cleats that
hold resistive elements 110 in the form of dynamic ropes. In
another example, adjustment devices 202 may be hooks that hold
resistive elements 110 in the form of fibers having eyelets that
fit over the hooks. It will be appreciated that other adjustment
devices 202 that fall within the spirit and scope of those
described above may form part of resistance garment 200.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows an arm portion of a resistance garment having
an adjustable rod mechanism 300. Rod mechanism 300 includes a
plurality of rods 302 that are anchored to cuffs 102 by securing
means 304. Securing means 304 may freely rotate around a central
axis 306, and rods 302 may pivot with respect to rivets 308.
Neighboring rods 302 may be connected by one or more resistive
elements 110, and the tension of resistive elements 110 may be
adjusted, for example, by turning a knob 310 that is connected to a
terminal end of resistive element 110. It will be appreciated that
tensioning devices other than knobs 310 may be used, and that both
ends of a resistive element 110 may be connected to tensioning
devices.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, one or more
rods 402 having flexibility along a longitudinal axis may be
attached to cuffs 102. The one or more rods 402 may be fixedly
attached to the cuffs, or they may be attached by securing means
404. Securing means 404 may allow rods 402 to be interchanged so
that resistance may be altered as desired. Suitable securing means
404 include, for example, a plastic or metal socket disposed on a
cuff for receiving an end of the flexible rod, a pin for
penetrating a hole provided in the end of the flexible rod, and
other means known in the art. As shown by the dashed outline in
FIG. 4, flexible rod(s) 402 bend to provide resistance that is
determined by the radius or thickness of the rod and the modulus of
elasticity of the fabrication material. In one example, a flexible
rod 402 is fabricated from fiberglass, carbon fiber and/or carbon
nanotubes.
[0040] Another adjustment device that is contemplated for use with
the resistance garments described herein is a novel ratchet pulley.
FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a ratchet pulley 500.
Ratchet pulley 500 as shown is a dual pulley having a top layer 504
and a bottom layer 506, where a housing 505(1) and 505(2) of each
layer 504, 506 rotates independently in opposite (or similar)
directions. Each housing 505 holds a resistive element 110 threaded
through a hole 502 and fixedly secured inside housing 505, e.g., by
tying resistive element 110 into a knot inside housing 505. Holes
502 may be drilled at regular intervals around the circumference of
housing 505 to provide versatile and/or multiple attachment
positions. Further, multiple rows of holes may be drilled in
housing 505 of each layer 504, 506. Ratchet pulley 500 also
includes a cap 508 that includes engaging/disengaging mechanisms
510. The top plan view of FIG. 6 provides greater detail of the
ratchet pulley of FIG. 5. Cap 508 does not rotate, but each of
engaging/disengaging mechanisms 510(1) and 510(2) rotates
independently within cap 508 to move a clutch 602, which engages or
disengages a gear 604. Gears 604(1) and 604(2) rotate around
central axle 606. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of
ratchet pulley 500. It can be seen that gears 604(1) and 604(2) are
stacked vertically along central axle 606. Central axle 606 is
fixedly attached to base 702 to prevent cap 508 from rotating. Cap
508 contains engaging/disengaging mechanisms 510, which operate
clutches 602 via clutch axles 704. Each gear 604 is attached to
housing 505 of its respective layer 504, 506 through an auxiliary
axle 706. Thus, gear 604(1), for example, rotates when housing
505(1) rotates. Gear 604(1), housing 505(1) and resistive
element(s) 110 attached thereto are locked into place by clutch
602(1). Gear 604(1) may be unlocked using engaging/disengaging
mechanism 510(1) when it is desirable to release tension in
resistive element 110.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a spring loaded
pulley 800. Spring loaded pulley 800 is shown as a dual pulley
having external features, such as layers 504, 506, housing 505, and
holes 502, similar to those described above with reference to
ratchet pulley 500, FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the
spring loaded pulley 800 of FIG. 8. Torsion springs 802 are fixedly
mounted on a spring mounting axle 804. Torsion springs 802 may, for
example, be affixed to spring mounting axle 804 by an adhesive or
by threading a portion of torsion spring 802 through mounting axle
804. A spring arm 806 of torsion spring 802 abuts an arm stop 808.
FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of spring loaded pulley
800. Spring mounting axle 804 is fixedly attached to base 702, but
does not touch top portion 1002 of layer 504. Force on arm stop
808(1) from spring arm 806(1) will cause housing 505(1), and any
resistive element(s) 110 attached thereto, to rotate in a direction
that releases spring tension unless a counter force is applied on
resistive element 110.
[0042] The resistance of spring loaded pulley 800 may be manually
set by twisting housing 505 in the direction of increasing spring
tension. At the position of desired resistance, resistive element
110 may be anchored in an appropriate hole 502. Alternatively,
resistive element 110 may be anchored to spring loaded pulley 800
prior to manually setting the tension of pulley 800 and a distal
end of resistive element 110 may be anchored to an adjustment
device 202, for example a clam cleat, when the tension of spring
loaded pulley 800 is sufficient.
[0043] Spring loaded pulley 800 is able to take-in and pay-out
resistive element 110 as movement progresses. Therefore, spring
loaded pulley 800 may be used with elastomeric resistive elements
110, as described above, or with resistive elements 110 that are
non-stretching, static cords, belts, cables, fibers, chains or
straps.
[0044] It will be appreciated that pulleys for use with the
resistance garments described herein may have one, two or more
layers (e.g., 504, 506), and that each layer may anchor one or more
resistive elements 110.
[0045] FIG. 11 shows a manually adjustable resistance garment 1100
utilizing a ratchet pulley system. In this embodiment, resistive
elements 110 are routed in a linear manner. For example, resistive
elements 110(1) are fixedly attached to anchor points 1102, e.g., a
ring or post, and a ratchet pulley 500(1). In another example,
shown in greater detail in FIG. 12, resistive elements 110(2) and
110(3) are linearly routed between two ratchet pulleys 500(2) and
500(3). Ring-shaped guides 1104(1) that are positioned on a cuff at
a centrally located joint maintain or redirect the path of
resistive elements 110(2), 110(3). In yet another example, shown in
greater detail in FIG. 13, resistive element 110(4) originates at
ratchet pulley 500(4), extends through ring-shaped guide 1104(1),
wraps around circular guide 1104(2) and extends back through a
second ring-shaped guide 1104(1) to ratchet pulley 500(4). Ratchet
pulleys 500, anchor points 1102 and guides 1104 are disposed on
cuffs 102 or harness 104.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows another arm portion 1400 of a resistance
garment. In this embodiment, ratchet pulleys 500 and anchor points
1102 are disposed on shoulder and wrist cuffs 102. Resistive
element 110(5) or 110(6) is fixedly attached to an anchor point
1102, loops around guide 1104(2) on the wearer's elbow, and
terminates at a ratchet pulley 500.
[0047] FIG. 15 shows an upper body portion 1500 of a resistance
garment utilizing a ratchet pulley system. In this embodiment,
resistive elements 110(7) and 110(8) begin at an anchor points 1102
and extend through ring-shaped guides 1104(1) to ratchet pulleys
500(5). The embodiment of FIG. 15 provides resistance when an arm
is bent and/or abducted from the torso.
[0048] FIG. 16 shows a resistance garment 1600 including webbing
1602. The resistance garment shown is similar to the resistance
garment shown in FIG. 11; however, webbing 1602 resists abduction
of an arm from the torso.
[0049] Another device that is contemplated for use with the
resistance garments described herein is a resistive plate device.
FIGS. 17A-B shows exemplary resistive plate devices 1700 which may
be worn on a joint, e.g., an elbow. Resistive plate devices 1700
contain baffles 1702 that are relatively stiff and may, for
example, be made of plastic or metal. Each baffle 1702 is able to
partially slide over or under a neighboring baffle, which allows
the resistive plate device 1700 to compress and expand. A cuff 102
may be worn under the resistive plate device 1700 to prevent
friction with or pinching of the skin. Cuff 102 may be made of a
compressive material, as described above, and may be fixedly
attached to resistive plate device 1700 in order to keep device
1700 from becoming displaced. In some embodiments, it may be
desirable for baffles 1702 to be disposed on only one portion of
resistive plate device 1700. For example, cuff 102 may circumscribe
a wearer's joint and baffles 1702 may be attached to only the front
or back of cuff 102, to reduce production costs and/or to provide
greater comfort to a user.
[0050] Mechanical friction may result from contact between
neighboring baffles 1702 when they slide over and/or under one
another. However, resistive plate devices 1700 may also contain
mechanical elements that provide resistance. FIGS. 18A-C show such
mechanical elements in longitudinal cross-sectional views of
resistive plate devices 1700. A flexible, rubberized material 1802
may secure baffles 1702 to one another, as well as inhibit
compression and extension of resistive plate device 1700. FIG. 18B
shows the use of springs 1804 in addition to rubberized material
1802. In one example of fabrication, springs 1804 are welded to
resistive plate device 1700. FIG. 18C shows a resistive plate
device 1700 including one or more elastomeric lines 1806.
Elastomeric lines 1806 may, for example, be secured to resistive
plate device 1700 by a plurality of ring-shaped guides 1104(1) and
by tying the ends of elastomeric lines 1806 to eyelets 1810, which
form part of terminal baffles 1702(1) and 1702(2).
[0051] FIG. 19 shows a resistance garment 1900 utilizing resistive
plate devices 1700. As shown, resistive plate devices 1700 may be
worn at various positions on the body including shoulder, elbow,
waist, and knee positions. Resistive plate devices 1700 may be
applied individually, or a plurality of devices may form part of a
garment, e.g., a one-piece suit, pants, or a shirt.
[0052] FIG. 20 shows a resistance garment 2000 utilizing resistive
plate devices 1700 and resistive elements 110. It will be
appreciated that resistance garment 2000 may also include
adjustment devices as described herein, e.g., clam cleats, ratchet
pulleys, spring loaded pulleys, automated resistance devices and
automated ratchet pulleys, and that such adjustment devices may be
mounted on resistive plate devices 1700.
[0053] FIG. 21 shows an automated resistance garment 2100.
Resistance garment 2100 includes automated resistance devices 2102
that apply or release tension according to a user input, or a
learned pattern of resistance. FIG. 22 shows a partial cut-away
view of automated resistance device 2102. Automated resistance
device 2102 contains a battery 2208, or other power supply, for
powering a motor 2212 that turns a dowel 2202. Dowel 2202 contains
slots 2204 that receive balls 2206 from an end of resistive element
110. Battery 2208 also provides power to circuitry 2210, which
provides instructions to motor 2212. Further, circuitry 2210 may
communicate with other automated resistance devices 2102 by
wireless signals transmitted and/or received by an antennae 2214.
For example, automated resistance devices 2102 may receive program
instructions and timing synchronization from a remote device or
from a master automated resistance device 2102. A remote device or
master automated resistance device has a user input for receiving
program instructions. For example, program instructions may
simulate a hill workout while a person runs on a flat surface, or
the program may be used in rehabilitation to perform range of
motion exercises.
[0054] Automated resistance device 2102 may also measure the load
on motor 2212. For example, circuitry 2210 may operate to keep the
load on motor 2212 constant. Signals containing information about
the load and motor compensation pattern may be sent by antennae
2214 to a central processing unit that evaluates and learns the
resistance patterns of a person wearing a resistance garment. The
data may then be used to customize a resistance training program
for an individual wearing an automated resistance garment. This
type of evaluation and customization are particularly useful for
activities that involve repetitive motion, e.g., running, cycling,
cross-country skiing.
[0055] FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional side view of an automated
ratchet pulley 2300. In addition to those elements described with
reference to FIG. 7, automated ratchet pulley 2300 contains a
battery 2208, circuitry 2210, an antennae 2214 and a motor 2212,
which operate as described with reference to FIG. 22. Motor 2212 is
mounted to stationary base 702 and contains rollers 2302 that
interface with housing 505(1) and 505(2) of layers 504 and 506,
respectively. Rollers 2302 may be smooth rubber rollers or toothed
rollers that interface with a grooved surface on the interior of
housing 505. For example, movement of roller 2302(1) compels layer
504 to rotate in an opposing direction.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the number and positioning of
elements described herein may vary from what is expressly shown and
described without departing from the spirit and scope of the
resistance garments described herein.
[0057] The changes described above, and others, may be made in the
methods and systems described herein without departing from the
scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in
the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should
be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The
following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific
features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope
of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language,
might be said to fall there between.
* * * * *