U.S. patent application number 11/714421 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for uniquely multi-functional exercise device.
Invention is credited to Arthur J. Drechsler.
Application Number | 20070161472 11/714421 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327446 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070161472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drechsler; Arthur J. |
July 12, 2007 |
Uniquely multi-functional exercise device
Abstract
A multi-purpose exercise apparatus used for linear and
rotational resistance exercises with varying heights, diameters,
angular ranges and planes. The apparatus relates to a frame (frame
430) and at least one carriage (300) supported by and movable on
the frame. The carriage (300) supports at least one spooling force
transmitter (102), and/or at least one translating force
transmitter (101), which is connected to a resistance source
(resistance source 494) through a flexible connector (476). The
spooling force transmitter (102) is connected to a rigid arm (390)
to which the user can apply rotational force against the spool and
connected resistance. The spooling force transmitter (102) pivots
on a positioning axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis
of the flexible connector (476) immediately before the connector
attaches to the spooling force transmitter (101). The user can
apply force to the translating force transmitter (101) to perform
guided straight-line motions in a variety of directions.
Inventors: |
Drechsler; Arthur J.;
(Flushing, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arthur Drechsler
3330 150th St.
Flushing
NY
11354
US
|
Family ID: |
46327446 |
Appl. No.: |
11/714421 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11218951 |
Sep 2, 2005 |
|
|
|
11714421 |
Mar 6, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/100 ;
482/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4045 20151001;
A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 21/078 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101;
A63B 2069/0008 20130101; A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63B 21/4017
20151001; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B
21/156 20130101; A63B 69/3623 20130101; A63B 15/00 20130101; A63B
21/154 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/100 ;
482/099 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/062 20060101
A63B021/062 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: (a) at least one frame; (b)
at least one spooling force transmitter having a spool rim and a
rotational axis; (c) at least one carriage having a frame adjacent
end and a support end, the frame adjacent end adjacent to the frame
and the support end supporting at least one spool support, the
spool support rotatably supporting the spooling force transmitter's
rotational axis in a plurality of fixed positions relative to the
frame; (d) at least one flexible connector having a first end and a
second end, the first end of which is fixed to the spooling force
transmitter such that the flexible connector contacts the spool rim
of the spooling force transmitter; (e) at least one resistance
source applying tension to the flexible connector, whereby a
resistance force is transmitted by the flexible connector to the
spooling force transmitter; (f) at least one rigid arm connected to
the spooling force transmitter and adapted to receive an exercise
force generated by a user, the arm further adapted to, in
combination with the spooling force transmitter, permit the user to
select a starting angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis
of the spooling force transmitter, the resistance force and the
exercise force placing opposing torques on the spooling force
transmitter, and; (g) at least a first deflecting pulley and a
second deflecting pulley rotatably supported on opposing sides of
the flexible connector between the carriage and the spooling force
transmitter.
2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
supported by the spool support.
3. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting
pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start
position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector
contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force
transmitter is rotated from the start position in a
counterclockwise direction.
4. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising at least one start
angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid
arm to one selectable direction.
5. An exercise apparatus, comprising: (a) at least one spooling
force transmitter having a spool rim and a rotational axis, (b) at
least one first flexible connector having a longitudinal axis, a
first end and a second end, the first end of the connector attached
to the spooling force transmitter such that the connector contacts
the spool rim, (c) at least one frame; (d) at least one carriage
movably mounted on the frame and having a frame adjacent end and a
support end, the frame adjacent end adjacent to the frame and
support end supporting at least one spool support, the spool
support rotatably supporting the spooling force transmitter such
that the spooling force transmitter can pivot on its rotational
axis, the carriage further supporting the spooling force
transmitter to revolve around a positioning axis that is coincident
with the flexible connector's longitudinal axis immediately after
the connector emerges from the support end of the carriage, (e) at
least one resistance source applying tension to the flexible
connector; whereby a resistance force is transmitted by the
flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter, (f) at least
one angle locking mechanism for locking the spooling force
transmitter at a selected angle around its positioning axis; (g) at
least one rigid arm connected to the spooling force transmitter and
adapted to receive an exercise force generated by a user, the arm
further adapted to, in combination with the spooling force
transmitter, permit the user to select a starting angle of the
rigid arm about the rotational axis of the spooling force
transmitter, the resistance force and the exercise force placing
opposing torques on the spooling force transmitter, and (h) at
least a first deflecting pulley and a second deflecting pulley
rotatably supported on opposing sides of the flexible connector
between the carriage and the spooling force transmitter.
6. The apparatus in claim 5, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
supported by the spool support.
7. The apparatus in claim 5, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting
pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start
position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector
contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force
transmitter is rotated from the start position in a
counterclockwise direction.
8. The apparatus in claim 5, further comprising at least one start
angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid
arm to one selectable direction.
9. An exercise apparatus comprising: (a) at least one spooling
force transmitter having a spool rim and a rotational axis, (b) at
least one flexible connector having a longitudinal axis, a first
end and a second end, the first end of the connector attached to
the spooling force transmitter such that the connector contacts the
spool rim, (c) at least one frame comprising at least one
substantially vertical rigid member; (d) at least one carriage
having a longitudinal axis, a support end and a frame adjacent end,
the frame adjacent end having a pivotable on horizontal axis
section lockable along the vertical rigid member at a plurality of
heights and the pivotable section movable on a horizontal axis
pivoting mechanism and lockable at a plurality of angles relative
to frame adjacent end, the support end having a spool support
supporting the spooling force transmitter such that the spool can
pivot on its rotational axis and revolve around a positioning axis
that is coincident with the flexible connector's longitudinal axis
immediately after the connector emerges from the support end of the
carriage, (e) at least one resistance source applying tension to
the flexible connector; whereby a resistance force is transmitted
by the flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter, (f) at
least one angle locking mechanism for locking the spooling force
transmitter at a selected angle around its positioning axis, (g) at
least one rigid arm connected to the spooling force transmitter and
having a rigid user handle for receiving an exercise force, the
resistance force and exercise force placing opposing torques on the
spooling force transmitter, said handle being positionable at a
plurality of perpendicular distances from the spooling force
transmitter's rotational axis, said rigid arm adapted to, in
combination with the spooling force transmitter, permit the user to
select a starting angle of the rigid arm about the rotational axis
of the spooling force transmitter; and, (i) at least a first
deflecting pulley and a second deflecting pulley rotatably
supported on opposing sides of the flexible connector between the
carriage and the spooling force transmitter.
10. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
supported by the spool support.
11. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the deflecting pulleys are
positioned so the flexible connector contacts the first deflecting
pulley when the spooling force transmitter is rotated from a start
position in a clockwise direction, and the flexible connector
contacts the second deflecting pulley when the spooling force
transmitter is rotated from the start position in a
counterclockwise direction.
12. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one start
angle adjustment and brake for restricting rotation of the rigid
arm to one selectable direction.
13. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one user
pulley rotatably supported by the carriage, the user pulley having
a pulley rim, and the second end of the flexible connector
contacts, and is guided by, the user pulley's rim toward a user
handle to which the second end of the flexible connector is
attached.
14. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one
locational indicator to indicate the user's position relative to
the rest of the apparatus.
15. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one
flexible connector coupler which enables the user to attach and
detach the flexible connector from the spooling force transmitter,
so that the spool can be used as a pulley.
16. The apparatus in claim 9 further comprising at least one angle
measurement mechanism for measuring the angle of the spooling force
transmitter about its positioning axis.
17. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one angle
measurement mechanism for measuring the angle of the rigid arm
about the rotational axis of the spooling force transmitter.
18. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one speed
measurement device which measures a speed with which the flexible
connector moves when an exercise force is generated by the
user.
19. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one
translating force transmitter, the transmitter and carriage adapted
such that the transmitter can translate along the longitudinal axis
of the carriage.
20. The apparatus in claim 9, further comprising at least one
vertical axis pivot mechanism which creates within the carriage a
pivotable on vertical axis section enabling the positioning of the
pivotable on vertical axis section at a plurality of angles
relative to the frame adjacent carriage section around a vertical
axis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/218,951, filed Sep. 2, 2005, entitled
"Uniquely Multi-Functional Exercise Device," the contents of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] The invention relates to an exercise device, more
specifically to an exercise machine, capable of providing a choice
of a wide variety of resistance exercises to a diverse population
of users with varying needs.
[0005] Interest in resistance training is growing as we have come
to better understand its myriad benefits. Resistance trainers come
in all sizes, shapes, genders, and ages, vary in their physical
abilities and have a wide variety of rationales for their training,
rationales which may well change within the same individual over
time. Some resistance exercisers train for general fitness, others
to gain or lose weight, still others to improve their sports
performance, and still others use resistance training for
rehabilitative purposes. Trainers pursuing improved sports
performance and rehabilitation often find it difficult, if not
impossible, to perform resistance exercises that closely simulate
the movements of the sports activities or those involved in daily
living. Moreover, many trainers have multiple objectives and their
emphasis on one or another of those objectives can shift in the
short or long term.
[0006] While needs are broad, vary from individual to individual,
and can change, economic, time and space limitations, constrain the
commercial enterprises that offer resistance training. That is, it
is difficult to provide resistance training equipment that meets
the needs of all their actual and potential customers. Those who
train at home generally face even more severe constraints of this
nature. Consequently, there is always a desire for resistance
training equipment that is more versatile.
[0007] Information relevant to attempts to address these problems
can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 2004/0157711A1 to Regev,
2003/0060343 to Sechrest et. al., 2002/0193213 to Batca et al.,
2002/0137605 to Olsen, 2002/0111254 to O'Hearn, 2002/0086777 to
Charnitski, and issued patents U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,505 to Chang,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,612 to Sechrest et. al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,394,937 to Voris, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,833 to Ellis et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 6,203,474 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,323 to Simonson,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,020 to Webber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,116 to
Gautier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,202 to Habing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,480
to Fulks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,595 to Voris et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,302,161 to Loubert et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,914 to Simonson et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,121 to Sollow et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,346,888 to Szabo and U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,568 to Riley et al.
[0008] However, each one of these references suffers from one or
more of the following disadvantages: [0009] 1) Lack of ability to
provide the resistance patterns of certain athletic or sports
events, rehabilitation exercises or activities of daily living.
[0010] 2) Significant limits on the variety of exercises that can
be performed. [0011] 3) Significant limits on the height, angular
range, and diameter of rotation that is possible. [0012] 4)
Inability to select and fix the angle of the exercise to be
performed. [0013] 5) Inability to permit consistent resistance for
both linear and rotational exercises. [0014] 6) Inability to permit
both guided and freer movements. [0015] 7) Need for multiple
stations. [0016] 8) Inability to serve trainers in standing,
sitting, and reclining positions. [0017] 9) Lack of adequate
adjustability for trainees of differing sizes and capabilities.
[0018] 10) Requirement for complex lever, gear or other mechanisms
for transmitting force from a resistance source to the user.
[0019] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a machine
that can provide consistent linear and rotational resistance at
virtually any height relative to the user, at any angle, in any arc
plane and angular range, both linearly rotationally, guided and
free in a relatively simple way. Various versions of the apparatus
described herein address all of the aforementioned deficiencies.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
SUMMARY
[0020] The present apparatus that satisfies the need for consistent
linear and rotational resistance, can accommodate users of
practically any height, and permits the user to select from a wide
range of linear and rotational resistance heights and directions,
and a very wide arc size and arc angle range on a single
apparatus.
[0021] The apparatus comprises a frame and a carriage that can be
adjusted in height and/or angle relative to the frame. The carriage
supports one or more force transmitters to which is attached a
flexible connector that is linked to a resistance source. The
carriage is adapted to permit each force transmitter to move in at
least one degree of freedom relative to the carriage, while the
carriage is itself capable of supporting the force transmitter in a
plurality of fixed positions relative to the frame. In some
preferred versions of the apparatus, the force transmitter
translates along the horizontal axis of the carriage. In other
embodiments, the transmitter is a spool that rotates relative to
the carriage. In still other embodiments, one carriage supports
both kinds of force transmitters.
[0022] Similarly, some embodiments of the apparatus enable the
height of the force transmitter relative to the user to be
adjusted. In other embodiments, the axis of rotation of the force
transmitter can be adjusted and in still other embodiments, both
kinds of adjustments are enabled. In all cases, the position of the
transmitter relative to the user can be fixed once it is selected
by the user.
[0023] When the force transmitter is a spool, a rigid arm can be
attached to a shaft that supports the spool, enabling the user to
apply force to apply angular force the rigid arm to perform an
exercise that involves a rotational motion.
[0024] Through the use of pivoting mechanisms, the angle of the
carriage, or sections thereof, relative to the frame, can be
adjusted around a horizontal, a vertical axis, or both, permitting
the user to exercise in a wide variety of directions.
[0025] In a number of preferred embodiments, the diameter, degree
and plane of any angular rotation, as well as the height at which
it occurs, are selected by the user. The user is able to employ the
device while standing, sitting, or reclining. Implements are added
to the end of the flexible connector or crank arm to simulate the
movements of many sports and permit many rehabilitative exercises
to be performed.
[0026] The unprecedented adjustability of the apparatus enables the
user to perform the vast majority of resistance exercises ever
invented and some that have never been performed before.
[0027] The apparatus described above generally permits the user to
experience highly adjustable levels of resistance in only one
direction with a given position of the spooling force transmitter
relative to the frame of the apparatus. That adjustability of the
apparatus permits the user to generate resistance in a virtually
unlimited variety of directions, but mainly by adjusting the
orientation of the longitudinal axis of the spool shaft relative to
the frame. Another embodiment permits the user to experience
bi-directional resistance without altering the orientation of the
longitudinal axis of the spool shaft relative to the frame, merely
by making a simple adjustment to the rigid arm angle relative to
the spooling force transmitter. This as accomplished by modifying
the apparatus so that the spool shaft is repositioned relative to
the carriage and introducing a set of deflecting pulleys between
the spooling force transmitter and the carriage.
[0028] In the drawings, some closely related figures have the same
number but different alphabetic suffixes.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0029] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present apparatus will become better understood with reference to
the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings where:
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the apparatus with a spooling force transmitter capable of pivoting
on its positioning axis. FIG. 1A shows a detail of the spool
pivoting mechanism integrated with the carriage shown in FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 1B shows an alternative version of the spool pivoting
mechanism shown in FIG. 1 having three tubes connected to the
carriage.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows another version of the apparatus with a
rotating outside tube and the force transmitting spool supporting
arms mounted on the outside of the rotating tube.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a version of the apparatus with a two carriage
sections, one frame adjacent section and one rotating section
pivoting itself with the spool mounted on it.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows another variation of the spool pivoting device
shown in FIG. 1, with a circular plate spool angle locking device
mounted on the carriage.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a pivoting device similar to the one shown in
FIG. 4 but with the circular plate mounted on the spool support
arms and a clamp to adjust the carriage's height.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows and exploded detail of the kind of tube set
used in FIGS. 5 and 6 to enable pivoting of the spool.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows an exploded detail of the pivoting carriage
shown in FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows an exploded detail of the rigid arm coupler and
the rigid arm with counterweight shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a pivoting carriage similar to that in FIG. 4
but with the carriage supported by a horizontal rigid frame member
and the carriage pivoting capability enabled by a cup-shaped member
supporting a circular plate instead of a tube. FIG. 9A shows an
exploded detail of the alternative carriage pivot mechanism from
the left rear side of the apparatus (as compared with the front
right side perspective view in FIG. 9).
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a version of the apparatus with a vertical
axis carriage pivot mechanism and a constraint mechanism.
[0041] FIG. 10A shows the apparatus in FIG. 10 with the carriage
turned on the vertical axis pivot mechanism 90 degrees from the
position shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10B shows an exploded detail of the
vertical axis pivot mechanism shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10C shows
another detailed view of the vertical axis pivot mechanism and
constraint shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10D shows a detail of an
alternative version of the pivot mechanism to the one detailed in
FIG. 10B.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a carriage that supports a force transmitting
spool at a variety of heights using a horizontal axis pivot
mechanism. FIG. 11 A shows a detail of the horizontal axis carriage
pivoting mechanism shown in FIG. 11.
[0043] FIG. 12 shows another variation of the horizontal axis
pivoting type of carriage shown in FIG. 11, with the carriage and
the carriage itself mounted on a horizontal frame member.
[0044] FIG. 13 shows a version of the apparatus in which the
connection of the rigid arm to the spooling force transmitter is
direct. FIG. 13A shows a detail of another version of the rigid arm
to spool connection.
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a version of the apparatus with a horizontal
axis carriage pivot, the carriage having 2 sections, each with only
one carriage wall.
[0046] FIG. 15 shows a variation of the horizontal carriage
pivoting mechanism shown in FIG. 1.
[0047] FIG. 16 shows another version of the apparatus, this version
having a carriage with three sections.
[0048] FIG. 17 shows a detail of a carriage in which the vertical
and horizontal carriage pivot mechanisms are combined.
[0049] FIG. 18 another preferred version of the apparatus which is
similar to the one in FIG. 1 but to which a second carriage adapted
to support a set of pulleys configured in what those familiar with
the exercise industry will recognize as a cable column mechanism
has been added. FIG. 18A shows an apparatus similar in
functionality to the one shown in FIG. 18 but with the added pulley
set being attached to the underside of the carriage.
[0050] FIG. 19 shows a version of the apparatus with only a
translating force transmitter mounted inside the carriage.
[0051] FIG. 20 shows an additional version of the apparatus with
only a translating force transmitter, the transmitter mounted
outside the carriage.
[0052] FIG. 21 shows the same apparatus as FIG. 20 but with the
carriage tilted up on its horizontal axis at an angle of 90 degrees
relative to the carriage shown in FIG. 20.
[0053] FIG. 22 shows a version of the apparatus similar to that
shown in FIG. 1 but with two carriages that support both
translating and spooling force transmitters.
[0054] FIG. 23 shows another version of the apparatus similar to
the apparatus in FIG. 22 but in which one carriage supports only a
spooling force transmitter and the other carriage supports only a
translating force transmitter.
[0055] FIG. 24 shows a version of the apparatus similar to the one
in FIG. 22 but with each carriage only supporting a spooling force
transmitter.
[0056] FIG. 25 shows an exploded view of another version of the
vertical axis pivot mechanism but was introduced in FIG. 10.
[0057] FIG. 26 shows the detail of the whiffletree mechanism that
is employed but not visible in the version of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 2.
[0058] FIG. 27 shows the detail of a combined and whiffletree
translating tube attachment mechanism that is employed but not
visible in the apparatus in FIG. 65.
[0059] FIG. 28 shows the detail of the flexible connector and
translator coupler that is used but not visible in FIG. 22.
[0060] FIGS. 29-32C show alternative approaches to the one shown in
FIG. 1 that can be used to adjust the effective length of the rigid
arm.
[0061] FIG. 33 shows the detail of the angle locking mechanism
first presented in FIG. 1. FIG. 33A provides the detail of an
exploded version of the mechanism shown in FIG. 33.
[0062] FIG. 34 shows a spool angle clamp that as an alternative to
the angle adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 34 A shows an
exploded detail of the clamp in FIG. 34.
[0063] FIG. 35 shows a worm gear angle locking mechanism while FIG.
35A shows further detail of that mechanism.
[0064] FIG. 36 shows a simple angle locking mechanism with a
threaded hole in the outer tube and a screw that is tightened
against the inner tube.
[0065] FIG. 37 shows an alternative to the counterweighted rigid
arm shown in FIG. 1 FIG. 37A shows an additional alternative
version of the counterweight mechanism.
[0066] FIGS. 38-41, 42 A-B and 43-46 show a series of mechanisms
for coupling and decoupling the rigid arm and spool shaft.
[0067] FIG. 47 shows right side view detail of the angle
measurement mechanism and the reverse motion brake shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 47A shows an alternative to the structure shown in FIG. 47
with brake that includes a more precise start angle adjustment
mechanism.
[0068] FIG. 48 shows the detail of the mechanism that permits one
carriage to vary its distance from the other, first shown in FIG.
22 (a width adjustment mechanism).
[0069] FIG. 49 shows another version of the width adjustment,
mechanism.
[0070] FIG. 50 shows a alternative version of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 1 with a flexible connector coupler added so that the
apparatus employed as a pulley system in addition to a spooling
system.
[0071] FIG. 51 shows a detail of the speed measurement mechanism of
FIG. 22.
[0072] FIGS. 52 and 53 show alternative versions of the speed
measurement mechanism introduced in FIG. 22
[0073] FIG. 54 shows a detail of the locational indicator of the
apparatus in FIG. 22.
[0074] FIGS. 55 and 56 show alternative locational indicators.
[0075] FIG. 57 through 60 show various views and details of
mechanisms for coupling and decoupling the spool from the flexible
connector so that the spool can be used as a pulley.
[0076] FIGS. 61 and 62 show how the addition of various exercise
benches can be used in conjunction with the apparatus, increasing
the number of available exercise options.
[0077] FIG. 63 shows a stick figure of a user simulating a swing
with a baseball or softball bat by connecting a bat handle-shaped
implement to the rigid arm.
[0078] FIG. 64 shows a similar stick figure simulating a golf swing
with a different shaped implement attached to the rigid arm when it
is set in a different position.
[0079] FIG. 65 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus
similar to the one shown in FIG. 1 but with the carriage supporting
both a spooling and a translating force transmitter.
[0080] FIG. 66 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
apparatus with bi-directional resistance capabilities created by
adding a set of deflecting pulleys between the carriage and the
spooling force transmitter and repositioning the transmitter
relative to the carriage. FIG. 66A shows the detail of the
deflecting pulleys and spooling force transmitter.
DRAWINGS--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0081] TABLE-US-00001 101-101e translating force transmitter 101ct
top of translating force transmitter 101ct bottom of translating
force transmitter 102-102e spooling force transmitter 106 curved
shaft end 107 bar support rail 108 user handle 109 bar support
connector 110 rigid arm coupler 111 hole in bar support connector
112 spool rim hole 113 non-adjustable decoupler 114 deep recess 116
spool wall hole 117 slot in sleeve 118 end ring 119 spring loaded
ball 120-120a flexible connector coupler 121 121a end ring locking
pin 122-122a spool shaft 126 spool rim 128 retaining sleeve head
129 retaining sleeve 131 end cylinder 142 spool wall 165 curved
receptacle 166 curved receptacle base 167-167a hole parallel to
spool shaft 170-170d hole in rigid arm 171 hole perpendicular to
spool shaft 182 curved and flat end 184 gear on shaft 185 gear
receptacle 188-188a flat sided end 189 slot in rigid arm 192 rigid
arm sleeve 195 flexible connector link 196-196a flat inner side
receptacle 197 pivoting spool rim pin mechanism 198 curved and flat
receptacle 199 spool rim pin 200 angle locking mechanism 212
adjustment slot 214 angle-adjustment ring and pin 216 ring opening
218 tube-screw support 221 ring on bolt 222 ring shaft 224
screw-adjustment bolt 226 threaded adjustment-angle ring 228
screw-adjustment bolt thread 231 angle-adjustment screw handle 232
screw-adjustment bolt shaft 236 adjustment screw head 238 bracket
extension 241 worm gear screw-ring 242 worm gear bracket 244 worm
gear screw 246 worm gear 248 worm gear screw-handle 249 worm gear
screw head 250 worm gear angle adjuster 251 pivoting angle-locking
clamp 252 large clamp ring 254 left clamp ring 256 right clamp ring
258 upper clamp extension 259 clamp ring pivot 262 ring constraint
264 hole for constraint pin 266 threaded bolt hole 268 clamp pivot
hole 300-300aa carriage 302-302n carriage wall 303-303r carriage
wall hole 304 carriage extension plate 305 frame extension plate
306 carriage stabilization plate 307-307a pivot hole in carriage
wall 308 carriage sleeve 310-310n frame adjacent section 311 pivot
support 312 carriage attachment fixture 316-316 horizontal pivot
pin 318 carriage roller 320-320h pivotable on horizontal axis
section 330-330a horizontal axis pivoting mechanism 331 stabilizer
arm 331R rear stabilizer arm 332 slot in stabilizer arm 333
combined vertically and horizontally pivotable carriage section
335-335a pivot frame 336 hole in shaft 337 vertical pivot shaft 338
pivot hole 339 pivot base 340-340c pivotable on vertical axis
section 341 combined horizontal pivot and pulley shaft 342 hole in
base 345-345b carriage counterweight arm 350-350d vertical axis
pivot mechanism 359-359a rigid arm to spool connector 360-360a
rotating section 361 rotating and horizontal pivoting section 363
counterweight pulley 365 counterweight flexible connector 367
carriage counterweight 390-390i rigid arm 396-396a handle sleeve
397 hole in handle sleeve 398 inside rigid arm handle 400-400b
start angle adjustment and brake 401 inside crank arm hole 403
rectangular arm end 404 inside counterweight arm 406 counterweight
on sliding arm 408 sliding counterweight 410-410b counterweighted
rigid arm 411 arm extension 412 counterweight hole 413
counterweight 414-414a start angle stopper 419 start angle bracket
421 start angle arm 422 hole in start angle bracket 424 shaft hole
430 frame 432-432e vertical rigid member 432g second vertical rigid
member 434-434a horizontal frame member 436 width adjustment
mechanism 437 wheel 438 width track 439 take-up slide 441 take-up
tube 443 width tube 442 take-up rail 444 frame dolly 445 hole in
width track 446 hole in take-up rail 450-450e tube set 452-452d
spool support 453 spool support and circular plate connector
454-454m fixed tube 454bt and 454nt top of fixed tube 454bb and
454nb bottom of fixed tube 455 tube support 456-456k rotating tube
457 tube extension 459 slot in tube 461 key 462 key channel in
transmitter 463 key channel in fixed tube 468-468b tube-retaining
ring 471 flange 472 solid end with hole 473 pivot ring 476 flexible
connector 477 middle connector 478-478b first end 479-479b second
end 481 rear section 487 front section 490-490a flexible connector
and translator coupler 492 resistance pulley 494 resistance source
495-495d closed end loop 496 open end loop 498 front carriage pin
499L left rear carriage pin 499R right rear carriage pin 500
redirection assembly 508 redirecting tube set 522 rail connector
524 rear rail 525-525a carriage connector arm 526 pulley support
527 redirecting pulley support 530 constraint mechanism 531
redirection pin 533 redirection ring 534 maintenance arm slot 536
angle-maintenance rail 538 hole in angle-maintenance rail 540
angle-maintenance arm sleeve 544 angle-maintenance arm 545 hole in
maintenance arm 546 hole in maintenance sleeve 551 carriage pulley
552 redirecting pulley 554 pulley rim 555 vertical carriage
extension 556-556c pulley shaft 558-558a frame pulley 561
perpendicular carriage pulley 562 user pulley 565 take-up pulley
576 magnetic field sensor 578 magnet 580-580b speed measurement
device 582 CPU 584 sensor to CPU wire 600-600b angle measurement
mechanism 607 numerical angle indicia 608 angle indicia 626 center
pivot 628-628a arm 630 whiffletree 632 side pivot 640 combination
whiffletree and translating force transmitter coupler 652 bench 654
golf implement 656 lower legs 662 baseball bat implement 664 stick
figure user 666 tubular figure 668 upright bench 678 squares 680
locational indicator 681 user platform 682 platform transparent
layer 684 platform opaque layer 688 grid lines 691 grid indicia 700
screw clamp 701-701ab locking pin 702L left clamp side 702R right
clamp side 703 hole in extension 704L left lower clamp extension
704R right lower clamp extension 705 threaded hole in extension
706L left clamp extension 706R right upper clamp extension 708-708d
bolt 710-710b hinged clamp 711-711d bolt handle 712-712a threaded
hole 714-714c rigid user handle 716-716b hole in plate 717 frame
pin 718-718j hole in frame 719 pivot pin 721-721a opening 722-722c
circular plate
725-725j hole in tube 726-726c sliding tube 727 winch 729-729a hole
in sleeve 730 hole in flange 731 hole in spool 732 pin fastener 733
rotating tube hole 734 rotational axis 735 flexible connector
longitudinal axis 736 carriage longitudinal axis 737 fixed tube
longitudinal axis 738 rotating tube longitudinal axis 739
positioning axis 740 shared longitudinal axis 741 vertical axis 742
horizontal axis 744 section angle 745a-745h removable rigid arm
coupler 746 translating force 802 first deflecting pulley 803
second deflecting pulley 805 shaft hole in rigid arm 806 rigid arm
angle adjustment hole 807 shaft hole in spool support 808 clockwise
direction 809 counterclockwise direction 810 frame adjacent end 811
support end
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0082] The following terms used in the description of the versions
of the apparatus described:
[0083] Flexible Connector--A flexible entity capable of wrapping
around a spool, such as a cable, rope, belt, band or chain, the
entity made of a material of sufficient strength to transmit force
between a user and an apparatus which opposes the force generated
by the user.
[0084] Resistance Source--An apparatus that provides resistance to
the exerciser, such as weight plates, weight stacks, flat or coiled
springs made of metals, plastics and similar materials, hydraulic
pistons, flywheels, elastic bands, cords and cables, lever arms and
frictional devices.
[0085] Carriage--A mechanism connected to a frame, at least a part
of which is movable relative to the frame.
[0086] Spool--A device having a curved rim and adapted to have a
flexible connector affixed to it while engaging the connector on
its rim such that the connector can be wrapped around the rim when
the spool is turned.
FIGS. 1 and 1A, 8, 33 and 47--A Preferred Embodiment
[0087] A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is illustrated in
FIG. 1. The apparatus has a frame 430 and a vertical rigid member
432, which supports a carriage 300 having a frame adjacent section
310 which is adjacent to the vertical rigid member 432 and a pivot
on horizontal axis section 320 that is connected to the frame
adjacent section 310 via a horizontal axis pivot mechanism 330. It
should be noted that the carriage sections shown in FIG. 1 and in
subsequent figures are generally assemblies and are identified by
lead lines with arrowheads pointing to those sections. However, the
carriages 300 (and 300 with suffixes such as 300a) are often
comprised of two or more sections. In such a case the carriage has
a larger arrowhead than the arrowhead(s) pointing to the sections
it subsumes.
[0088] In FIG. 1, each carriage section has a pair of carriage
walls 302 on either side of the section, which supplies strength
and rigidity to that carriage section (although one wall sections
could be used, an example of which is shown in FIG. 14). In FIG. 1,
the carriage 300 is adapted for positioning its height relative to
the frame through the frame adjacent section 310. The frame
adjacent section 310 can be fixed at various heights along the
vertical rigid member 432 by aligning a carriage wall hole 303b in
one of the carriage walls 302a of the frame adjacent section 310
with a hole in frame 718 and inserting a locking pin 701 through
the holes so aligned. The frame adjacent section 310 is held
together by a series of carriage rollers 318 that also facilitate
the carriage's 300 movement up and down on the vertical rigid
member 432, but bearings, wheels and similar devices could be used
as well.
[0089] This embodiment of the apparatus is also adopted for
positioning a section of the carriage 300 at selected angles to the
frame. The horizontal axis pivoting mechanism 330, comprises a
combined horizontal pivot and pulley shaft 341 that is supported by
the frame adjacent section 310. The angle of the pivotable on
horizontal axis section 320 relative to the frame adjacent section
310 is controlled by aligning one of a plurality of carriage wall
holes 303e in the carriage walls 302a of the frame adjacent section
310 with a carriage wall hole 303 in the carriage wall 302 of the
pivotable on horizontal axis section 320 and inserting the locking
pin 701a in the holes so aligned.
[0090] A series of frame pulleys 558 guide a flexible connector 476
from a resistance pulley 492 connected to a resistance source 494
(here depicted as a typical weight stack but other forms of
resistance as described in the definitions section of this
specification could easily be depicted and employed as well) toward
a carriage pulley 551, which further directs a first end 478 (not
visible in FIG. 1 but visible in FIG. 1A) of the flexible connector
476 toward a spooling force transmitter 102 to which the flexible
connector 476 is connected. A second end 479 (not visible in FIG. 1
but visible in FIG. 14) of the flexible connector 476 is attached
to a carriage attachment fixture 312 (also visible in FIG. 14).
This flexible connector and pulley arrangement forms a closed loop
configuration that is well known in the industry, so that when the
carriage 300 is raised, the length of the flexible connector above
it shortens while the length of the flexible connector below it
lengthens by the same amount, and vice versa (the disadvantage of
such an arrangement is that the resistance experienced by the user
is equal to half the amount actually generated by the resistance
source because of the mechanical advantage conferred by the
loop).
[0091] FIG. 1A, which shows an exploded section of the pivotable on
horizontal axis section 320 of the carriage 300, where it is
connected to the spooling force transmitter 102. Here the carriage
walls 302 of the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320 support a
tube set 450 which comprises a square fixed tube 454 that supports
a solid end with hole 472. The solid end with hole 472 rotatably
supports a rotating tube 456. The flexible connector 476 passes
through the coincident longitudinal axes of the fixed tube 454 and
the rotating tube 456 (comparable axes are visible in FIGS. 33 and
33A) where its first end 478 (more visible in FIG. 1B) is attached
to a pivoting spool rim pin mechanism 197. The pivoting spool rim
pin mechanism 197 comprises a spool rim pin 199 and a flexible
connector link 195 which pivots within, and perpendicular to, the
spool rim pin 199. The pivoting spool rim pin mechanism 197 is
attached to the spooling force transmitter 102 by placing either
side of the spool rim pin 199 in a spool rim hole 112 in a spool
rim 126 of the spooling force transmitter 102. The rotating tube
456 is attached to a set of spool support arms 452 that rotatably
support a spool shaft 122, which itself supports the spooling force
transmitter 102. The entire combination of the rotating tube 456,
spool support arms 452, spool shaft 122 and spooling force
transmitter 102 pivot about the shared longitudinal axes of the
rotating tube 456 and the fixed tube fixed tube 454. That shared
axis is coincident with a positioning axis 739 that is coincident
with a flexible connector longitudinal axis 735 immediately before
the flexible connector contacts the spool rim 126. The pivotability
of the spool rim pin 199 relative to the flexible connector link
195 enables the spooling force transmitter to pivot about its
positioning axis 739 without twisting the flexible connector
476.
[0092] An angle measurement mechanism 600a mounted on the pivotable
on horizontal axis section 320 enables the angle of the rotating
tube 456 relative to the fixed tube 454 to be measured by comparing
the position of a tube extension 457 that is attached to the
rotating tube 456 with a series of angle indicia lines 608 on the
angle measurement mechanism 600a.
FIG. 8
[0093] In FIG. 1, the spool shaft 122 is connected to a
counterweighted rigid arm 410 by a rigid arm coupler 110. An
exploded detail of the rigid arm coupler 110 is shown in FIG. 8.
Here a curved shaft end 106 and a curved receptacle base 166 are
exploded away from a curved receptacle 165 into which the 106 is
inserted (the shape of the curved receptacle 165 is better seen in
FIG. 38). The curved receptacle base 166 is attached to the curved
receptacle 165, enclosing the curved shaft end 106 but permitting
it to rotate with the 122. However, when a hole perpendicular to
spool shaft 171 in the curved receptacle 165 is aligned with one of
the holes perpendicular to spool shaft 171 of the curved shaft end
106, a locking pin 701c is inserted into the holes so aligned,
locking the curved receptacle 165 and curved shaft end 106
together. When the curved receptacle 165 and curved shaft end 106
are locked together by the 701c and a force is applied to a rigid
user handle 714, that force is transmitted to the spool shaft 122,
turning the spooling force transmitter 102.
[0094] The user chooses which of the holes perpendicular to spool
shaft 171 should be aligned by determining the rigid arm angle at
which the user wishes to begin a given exercise. The angle is
indicated by an angle measurement mechanism 600, a detail of which
is provided in FIG. 47. Here a series of angle indicia 608 and
numerical angle indicia 607, combined with a pointer 411, indicate
the angle of the counterweighted rigid arm 410 relative to the
spooling force transmitter 102. It should be noted that the choice
of start angle function of the rigid arm coupler 110 and similar
components to be discussed later also afford the user the option of
beginning an exercise with a portion of the flexible connector 476
wrapped around a portion of the spooling force transmitter 102.
This can be useful when the user wishes to vary the effective
length of the flexible connector (e.g., when the pivotable on
horizontal axis section 320 is tilted downward a portion of the
flexible connector's 476 length is freed up and the connector
slackens).
[0095] In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the counterweighted rigid arm
410 has the rigid arm 390 and the rigid user handle 714 on one side
of the spool shaft 122, so that a user can effectively apply a
force to the rigid arm 390 and experience an opposing force from
the resistance source 494. A counterweight 413 at the opposite side
of the rigid arm 390 from the rigid user handle 714 counterbalances
the weight of the rigid user handle 714 and the part of the rigid
arm 390 that is on the same side of the spool shaft 122 as the
rigid user handle 714. The distance of the 413 relative to the 122
can be adjusted via a sliding tube 726 to which the counterweight
413 is attached. The sliding tube 726 has a threaded hole 712
(visible in FIG. 29) into which a bolt 708 is inserted and turned
by applying force to a bolt handle 711. The rigid user handle 714
is connected to the rigid arm 390 via a handle sleeve 396 which can
be placed at selected positions along the rigid arm 390 by aligning
sleeve hole 397 (visible in FIG. 44) with a hole in rigid arm 170
and inserting the locking pin 701b in the holes so aligned.
FIGS. 47 and 47A
[0096] FIG. 47 provides a detail of the start angle adjustment and
brake 400 shown in FIG. 1, that enables the starting angle of the
rigid arm 390 to be selected and stops any backward motion of the
counterweighted rigid arm 410 beyond its starting point if the user
suddenly eliminates the force that is being applied to the rigid
arm 390 via the rigid user handle 714. FIG. 47 provides the detail
of the start angle adjustment and brake 400. The start angle
adjustment and brake 400 comprises a circular plate 722 with a
series of holes in plate 716. After connecting the counterweighted
rigid arm 410 to the curved shaft end 106 at the desired angle
relative to the spool shaft 122, using the rigid arm coupler 110, a
start angle stopper 414 is inserted in one of the holes in plate
716 just behind the point where the counterweighted rigid arm 410
will begin to rotate during an exercise. The start angle stopper
414 arrests backward motion of the counterweighted rigid arm 410
beyond its starting point and helps to establish the starting
position of the counterweighted rigid arm 410.
[0097] The mechanism shown in FIG. 47 is only one approach to
adjusting the start angle of the rigid arm 390 and preventing it
from rotating too far backward. For example, FIG. 47A shows a
detail of start angle adjustment and brake 400a that affords more
precise control of the start angle than the embodiment shown in
FIG. 47 and arrests reverse motion as well. In FIG. 47A, the rigid
arm 390 is exploded away from the start angle adjustment and brake
400a to provide a better view of the start angle adjustment and
brake 400a. A start angle bracket 419 with a shaft hole 424 (not
visible here on the start angle bracket 419 but aligned with a
shaft hole 424a in a start angle arm 421) that fits over the spool
shaft 122 in a position adjacent to the circular plate 722. The
start angle bracket 419 has the hole in start angle bracket 422
which is placed at the same distance from the 122 as the holes in
plate 716 of the circular plate 722. When one of the holes in plate
716 is aligned with the hole in start angle bracket 422, the
locking pin 701v can be inserted into the holes so aligned, locking
the start angle bracket 419 in place relative to the circular plate
722. The user chooses the most appropriate hole in plate 716 to
align with the hole in start angle bracket 422 on the basis of the
approximate start angle of the rigid arm 390 that is desired for a
given exercise.
[0098] The shaft hole 424a enables the start angle arm 421 to fit
over the spool shaft 122 adjacent to the start angle bracket 419.
The start angle arm 421 has a threaded hole 712a (not visible here)
into which the bolt 708d is placed. Turning the bolt handle 711d of
the bolt 708i turns the bolt 708d, which contacts the start angle
arm 421. Consequently, the distance between the ends of the start
angle bracket 419 and the start angle arm 421 distal from the spool
shaft 122 is adjusted by turning the bolt 708d. The distal end of
the start angle arm 421 contacts the 390 so that adjusting the
distance of the distal ends of the start angle bracket 419 and the
start angle arm 421 also adjusts the angle of the 390.
FIG. 33
[0099] One very important capability of a number of embodiments of
the apparatus is the ability to adjust and lock the spool at a
variety of angles on its positioning axis 739 through an angle
locking mechanism. A wide variety of such mechanisms could serve
this purpose. For example, FIG. 33 shows a detail of a angle
locking mechanism 200 that appears in FIG. 1, viewed from the front
and left of the mechanism. The angle locking mechanism 200 in FIG.
33 is mounted on the fixed tube 454g (which in FIG. 33 is round in
shape but the angle locking mechanism 200 works the same on a
square tube or a round one). Here a pair of tube-screw supports 218
are attached to the fixed tube 454g and support a threaded
adjustment-angle ring 226 via a ring shaft 222 on either side of
threaded adjustment-angle ring 226 such that the ring pivots within
the tube-screw supports 218. A screw-adjustment bolt 224 screws
into the threaded adjustment-angle ring 226, and can be turned by
applying force to an angle-adjustment screw handle 231. The
screw-adjustment bolt 224 is inserted in an angle-adjustment ring
and pin 214.
[0100] FIG. 33A shows more details of the angle locking mechanism
200.by exploding the rotating tube 456g backward from the fixed
tube fixed tube 454g and exploding the angle-adjustment ring and
pin 214 upward from the fixed tube fixed tube 454g. It can be seen
that a fixed tube longitudinal axis 737 and a rotating tube
longitudinal axis 738 shown in FIG. 33A are coincident with a
shared longitudinal axis 740 of the two tubes shown in FIG. 33. The
rotating tube 456g has a plurality of holes in tube 725b. The angle
of the rotating tube 456g relative to the fixed tube fixed tube
454g is controlled by selecting one of the holes in fixed tube 725b
into which the angle-adjustment ring and pin 214 is inserted after
it passes through an adjustment slot 212 in the fixed tube fixed
tube 454g. Then screw-adjustment bolt 224 is turned via force
applied to the angle-adjustment screw handle 231. Angle-adjustment
ring and pin 214 has a ring opening 216 into which a
screw-adjustment bolt shaft 232 of the screw-adjustment bolt 224
fits. An adjustment screw head 236 and a ring on the bolt 221 on
the screw-adjustment bolt 224 keep the bolt from translating
relative to the angle-adjustment ring and pin 214, there being
enough clearance between the ring opening 216 and the
screw-adjustment bolt shaft 232 for the shaft to turn freely within
the angle-adjustment ring and pin 214. This turning causes a
screw-adjustment bolt thread 228 portion of screw-adjustment bolt
224 to be screwed into the threaded adjustment-angle ring 226. The
depth to which the screw-adjustment bolt thread 228 is turned in
the threaded adjustment-angle ring 226 by the screwing action
precisely controls the angle of the rotating tube 456g relative to
the fixed tube fixed tube fixed tube 454g within the limits of the
adjustment slot 212 in the fixed tube fixed tube 454g.
[0101] In FIG. 1, a carriage counterweight 367 is connected to the
carriage 300 through a connector to counterweight 365 that is
guided from the carriage counterweight 367 to the carriage 300 by a
series of counterweight pulleys 363. The carriage counterweight 367
is of sufficient weight to assure that the carriage will remain at
a given height if the locking pin 701 that locks the carriage 300
in position is removed, and it makes raising and lowering the
carriage 300 easy for the user. A carriage counterweight arm 345
attached to the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320 makes in
easy for the user to adjust the angle of the section by
counterbalancing the weight of the section. While these
counterweights are not shown on every apparatus for the sake of
illustrative simplicity, they would probably be used for all
embodiments in which the weight of the carriage was sufficient for
it to move when the supporting locking pin 701 was removed, or if
the force needed to move a given carriage section was higher than
what might be preferred by most users.
Operation--FIG. 1
[0102] In operating the apparatus the user selects the appropriate
height of the carriage 300, aligns the carriage wall holes 303b in
the carriage wall 302a of the frame adjacent section 310 with the
hole in frame 718 that will enable the frame adjacent section 310
to be fixed at the appropriate height and inserts the locking pin
701. Similarly, the user then chooses the desired angle of the
pivotable on horizontal axis section 320 relative to the frame
adjacent section 310, aligns the carriage wall hole 303 in the
carriage wall 302 of the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320
with the appropriate carriage wall hole 303g in the carriage wall
302a of the frame adjacent section 310 and inserts the locking pin
701a.
[0103] The user selects the appropriate start angles for the
rotating tube 456 relative to the fixed tube fixed tube 454 and
locks the rotating tube 456 at the appropriate angle by the method
described above during the explanation of the workings of the angle
locking mechanism 200. The user would select the start angle for
the counterweighted rigid arm 410 by aligning the appropriate holes
in the 106 and curved receptacle 165, as was already described in
the discussion of FIG. 8. The start angle stopper 414 is inserted
in the appropriate hole in plate 716 in the circular plate 722 to
prevent the counterweighted rigid arm 410 from moving backward past
its beginning angle. The user selects the appropriate position of
the rigid user handle 714 along the rigid arm 390 by aligning the
sleeve hole 397 in the handle sleeve 396 with the desired hole in
rigid arm 170 in the counterweighted rigid arm 410 and inserting
the locking pin 701b.
Additional Embodiments--FIGS. 10 and 10A Through 10 C
[0104] FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of the apparatus
with a more compact carriage 300f that is adjustable in certain
ways that are different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0105] Specifically, in this embodiment, the carriage 300f consists
of the frame adjacent section 310d and a pivotable on vertical axis
section 340. A vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350 makes it
possible to position the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 at
various angles relative to the frame adjacent section 310d around a
vertical axis 741 (visible in FIG. 10B). Two additional features,
working together, add another capability to the carriage 300f. A
constraint mechanism 530 operates to keep the longitudinal axis of
the fixed tube 454d (fixed tube 454d is more visible in FIG. 10C
and a comparable longitudinal axis is illustrated is FIG. 33A)
parallel to the carriage walls 302g of the frame adjacent section
310d as the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 pivots on the
vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350. The other feature of the
carriage 300f which enables the axis of the tube set 450c to remain
parallel is a redirection assembly 500. The redirection assembly
500 in effect provides the carriage 300f with a joint that enables
the tube set 450c to sustain the position of its longitudinal axis
as the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 pivots on the
vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350.
[0106] A detail of the vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350 is
shown in FIG. 10 B. Here a portion of the vertical axis pivoting
mechanism 350 is exploded upward to make its components more
visible. The vertical axis pivot mechanism 350 comprises the
rotating tube 456c which rotates within the fixed tube 454c. A set
of tube-retaining rings 468 above and below the fixed tube 454c are
affixed to the rotating tube 456c and keep the rotating tube 456c
from translating upward or downward. The rotating tube 456c
supports a pair of carriage connector arms 525 that are connected
to and support a pair of the carriage walls 302d that are part of
the pivotable on vertical axis section 340. An angle locking
mechanism 200a in vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350 comprises a
plurality of holes in tube 725 in rotating tube 456c, a hole in
tube 725e in fixed tube 454c, a hole in carriage wall 303a in
carriage section 310d and a locking pin 701h. The user aligns one
of the holes in tube 725 with the hole in tube 725e and the hole in
carriage wall 303a and inserts locking pin 701h to lock the angle
of the rotating tube 456c relative to the fixed tube 454c. The
angle of the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 relative to the
frame adjacent section 310d could of course be controlled by other
mechanisms such as the angle locking mechanism 200 type already
discussed above.
[0107] FIG. 10C provides a detail of the redirection assembly 500,
which comprises a redirecting tube set 508 and a redirecting pulley
552 having a pulley rim 554. The redirecting tube set 508 is
supported by the carriage walls 302d of the pivotable on vertical
axis section 340 that are connected to the carriage connector arms
525. The redirecting tube set 508 comprises a fixed tube 454h
attached to the carriage walls 302d and the rotating tube 456h that
is pivotably supported by the fixed tube 454h. The angle of the
rotating tube 456h relative to the fixed tube 454h around their
shared longitudinal axis is fixed by the locking pin 701h inserted
through the hole in carriage wall 303o in carriage wall 302d, the
hole in tube 725f in the fixed tube 454h and one of the holes in
tube 725 in the 456h (the hole in tube 725f and holes in tube 725
are not visible in this figure but are similar to the hole in tube
725e in fixed tube 456c and holes in tube 72.5 in rotating tube
456c in FIG. 10B). The flexible connector 476 is guided by the
carriage pulley 551 through the center of the redirecting tube set
508 to contact a section of pulley rim 554 of the redirecting
pulley 552, which directs the connector through the center of the
tube set 450c and on toward the spooling force transmitter 102. As
shown, the redirection assembly 500 mechanism is configured for
rotations of the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 to the
right (the kind of rotation shown in FIG. 10A). If the pivotable on
vertical axis section 340 was to be rotated to the left, the
rotating tube 456h of the redirecting tube set 508 would have to be
rotated 180 degrees relative to the position shown is FIG. 10 and
fixed there via the locking pin 701h.
[0108] The rotating tube 456h of the redirecting tube set 508
supports two redirecting pulley support arms 527 which themselves
support a pulley shaft 556a. The pulley shaft 556a rotatably
supports the redirecting pulley 552 and a set of two tube supports
455 that are attached to the fixed tube 454d of the tube set 450c.
Similar to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1A, here the rotating tube
456d is rotatably supported by the fixed tube 454d and the rotating
tube 456d supports two spool supports 452 which themselves support
the spool shaft 122.
[0109] When the pivotable on vertical axis section 340 is pivoted
on the vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350, the tube supports 455
pivot in a compensating fashion on the pulley shaft 556a supporting
the redirecting pulley 552 and the pulley rim 554 of the
redirecting pulley 552 directs the flexible connector 476 toward
the center of the tube set 450c and on to the spooling force
transmitter 102.
[0110] The constraint mechanism 530 is shown in detail in FIG. 10
A. The mechanism comprises a rear rail 524 mounted on either side
of the frame adjacent section 310d. The rear rails 524 support a
set of rail connectors 522 which themselves support an angle
maintenance rail 536. The angle maintenance rail 536 slidably
supports an angle-maintenance arm sleeve 540 and a
angle-maintenance arm 544 attached to the 540. The
angle-maintenance arm sleeve has a hole in angle-maintenance sleeve
546 and the angle-maintenance arm 544 has a hole in maintenance arm
545 which are aligned with each other (not visible) and through
which the locking pin 701g is inserted. The angle-maintenance rail
536 has a series of angle-maintenance rail holes 538 which when
aligned with the hole in angle-maintenance arm sleeve 546 and the
hole in maintenance arm 545 enables the locking pin 701g to be
inserted, locking the angle-maintenance arm sleeve 540 and the
angle-maintenance arm 544 in place along the angle maintenance rail
536. The angle-maintenance arm 544 has a maintenance rail arm slot
534 along which a redirection pin 531 can slide. The redirection
pin 531 is connected to the redirection ring 533 (better seen in
FIG. 10c) which is connected to a the tube set 450c, preventing the
position of the tube set's longitudinal axis from changing as the
pivotable on vertical axis section 340 pivots.
[0111] FIG. 10A shows the pivotable on vertical axis section 340
after it has been rotated to the right 90 degrees from its position
in FIG. 10. Here the tube supports 455 have pivoted 90 degrees on
the pulley shaft 556a from their positioning FIG. 10.
Alternative Vertical Carriage Pivot Mechanisms--FIGS. 25 and 17
[0112] It should be noted that many versions of the vertical axis
pivoting mechanism 350 could be employed as long as they provide
the same kind of pivoting motion (i.e., on a vertical axis). For
example, one alternative version is shown in FIG. 25. Here the
carriage pulley 551 is rotatably supported by the pulley shaft 556,
which itself is supported by the carriage walls 302m of the
pivotable on vertical axis section 340d, the carriage walls 302m
also supporting the tube set 450c. The carriage walls 302m are
supported a pivot frame 335. The pivot frame 335 is supported by a
vertical pivot shaft 337, the vertical pivot shaft 337 being
rotatably supported by a pivot base 339. The pivot base 339 is
supported by the carriage walls 302g of the frame adjacent section
310n. The angle of the pivotable on vertical axis section 340d
relative to the frame adjacent section 310n on the vertical axis is
determined by aligning one of a series of holes in shaft 336 in the
vertical pivot shaft 337 (no visible in FIG. 25 but visible in FIG.
17) with a hole in base 342 (also visible in FIG. 17) in the pivot
base 339 and inserting the locking pin 701h in the holes so
aligned.
[0113] The vertical axis and horizontal axis pivots can also be
combined as shown in FIG. 17. Here a pivoting mechanism similar to
the one shown in FIG. 25 is employed, comprising the pivot base 339
pivotably supporting a vertical pivot shaft 337 that in turn
supports the pivot frame 335. However, here the pivot frame 335
supports the carriage walls 302k of a combined vertically and
horizontally pivotable section 333, the carriage walls 302k
rotatably supported by the combined horizontal pivot and pulley
shaft 341 through a pivot hole in carriage wall 307a in each of the
carriage walls 302k which are placed over the combined horizontal
pivot and pulley shaft 341. The combined horizontal pivot and
pulley shaft 341 also rotatably supports the carriage pulley 551.
The angle of the combined vertically and horizontally pivotable
section 333 relative to the frame adjacent section 310f on the
horizontal axis is determined by aligning one of a series of
carriage wall holes 303i in the carriage wall 302k of the combined
vertically and horizontally pivotable section 333 with a pivot hole
338 in the pivot frame 335 and inserting the locking pin 701o in
the holes so aligned. The angle of the combined vertically and
horizontally pivotable section 333 on the vertical axis is selected
in the same was as was discussed in the description of FIG. 25
immediately above.
FIG. 24--Multiple Carriages
[0114] The version of the apparatus in FIG. 24 is similar to the
one in FIG. 1 except that there are two vertical rigid members 432,
two carriages (300t and 300v) and associated mechanisms such as
spooling force transmitters 102 and the counterweighted rigid arms
410. A locational indicator 680 and a speed measurement device 580
are also shown (these will be explained in FIGS. 51 and 54
discussed later in this specification). Finally, the distance
between the carriages 300t and 300v can be adjusted using a width
adjustment mechanism 436 and the angle of the carriages relative to
one another on a vertical axis can be adjusted using the vertical
axis pivoting mechanism 350c of the carriage 300t.
[0115] A detail of the vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350c of
FIG. 24, is shown in FIG. 10D. Here a U-shaped frame adjacent
section 310h supports the same fixed tube 454c as was shown in FIG.
10B, as well as the angle locking mechanism 200a, above the
carriage pulley 551. However, frame adjacent section 310h also
supports a second fixed tube 454m below the carriage pulley 551,
the tube rotatably supporting a rotating tube 456m, the rotating
tube attached to a set of carriage connector arms 525a. The
connector arms 525a support a set of pulley supports 526 that
support the combined horizontal pivot and pulley shaft 341, which
rotatably supports carriage pulley 551 and pivotable on horizontal
axis section 320 of carriage 300t of FIG. 24. When the carriage
300t in FIG. 24 is pivoted at the vertical axis pivoting mechanism
350c the distance and angles of the spooling force transmitters
102, relative to one another, is modified. A vertical axis pivoting
mechanism 350c could easily be installed on carriage 300v,
permitting a section of it to be rotated on a vertical axis as well
(two vertical pivot mechanisms are shown in FIG. 18).
[0116] The carriage 300v has a support plate 308 which supports a
pulley shaft 556b that itself rotatably supports a perpendicular
carriage pulley 561. The perpendicular carriage pulley 561 directs
the second end 479 of the flexible connector 476 coming up from the
frame pulley 558a mounted under and alongside the vertical rigid
member 432 and then to the carriage 300v (in much the same way that
the frame pulley 558c on top of the vertical rigid member 432
directs the first end 478 toward the carriage 300t). This permits
the flexible connector 476 emerging from frame pulley 558a to enter
the carriage 300v from a similar direction as it enters the
carriage 300t, enabling the carriages 300t and 300v to work in the
same way when sections of the carriages are tilted on their
horizontal axes. However, if such tilting was not desired but two
carriages were, the second carriage could be positioned so that the
flexible connector came over the top of carriage pulley 551 and was
directed toward the spooling force transmitter (a carriage with the
flexible connector 476 going over the top of the carriage pulley
551 is shown in FIG. 19).
[0117] In FIG. 24, the second end 479 attaches to the spooling
force transmitter 102 on carriage 300v instead of the carriage
attachment fixture 312 to which the second end 479 is attached in
FIG. 1. This permits a single resistance source 494 to generate
resistance for two spooling force transmitters 102.
FIGS. 48 and 49--Width Adjustments
[0118] The width adjustment mechanism 436 enables the vertical
rigid member 432 and associated carriage 300v in FIG. 24 to be
moved to modify the distance between the carriage 300t and the
carriage 300v. A detailed view of the width adjustment mechanism
436 is provided in FIG. 48 by removing the carriages 300t and 300v
and the locational indicator 680. In FIG. 48, it can be seen that a
series of frame pulleys 558 guide the flexible connector 476 from
the resistance pulley 492 toward both vertical rigid members 432.
Before reaching the vertical rigid member 432 supporting carriage
300v, the flexible connector 476 is guided to a take-up pulley 565
which further guides the flexible connector 476 toward another
series of frame pulleys 558 and 558a, those frame pulleys guiding
the second end 479 of the flexible connector 476 up toward the
underside of carriage 300v (which has been removed here but is
visible in FIG. 24).
[0119] The vertical rigid member 432 supporting carriage 300v is
supported by a take-up rail 442 that rests within a width track 438
on a series of wheels 437. The vertical rigid member 432 is locked
in place by inserting the locking pin 701x in a hole 445a in the
take-up rail 442 and through one of a series of the holes in frame
718e in the bottom of width track 438 (the hole in frame under
locking pin 701x not visible). Moving the vertical rigid member 432
would result in changes in the flexible connector 476 tension where
it not for some method of taking up and slack in the flexible
connector 476 created by movement of the vertical member 432. A
mechanism for adjusting flexible connector 476 tension is provided
by adjusting the distance of the take-up pulley 565 from the
vertical rigid member 432. The take-up pulley 565 is rotatably
mounted on a take-up slide 439 which can be locked at various
points along a take-up tube 441 by inserting the locking pin 701w
through a hole in the take-up slide 445 (not visible here but
beneath locking pin 701w) and through one of a series of holes in
frame 718f in the take-up tube 441. It should be noted that the
flexible connector take-up capability of the width adjustment
mechanism 436 can also be used to adjust the effective length of
the flexible connector 476, so that when take-up pulley 565 is
moved toward carriage 300v flexible connector 476 length is freed
up (less is available when the carriage is moved in the opposite
direction). This is especially useful when both carriages are being
tilted up or down at the same time.
[0120] There are many ways for the carriages to be adjusted. A
detail of an alternative approach is shown in FIG. 49. FIG. 49 also
shows how two resistance sources can be incorporated into a version
of the apparatus with two vertical rigid members and two carriages,
supplying separate resistance to each carriage. In such a case,
both carriages (removed from FIG. 49 to make the width adjustment
mechanism more visible) could be similar to the one shown in FIG.
1, to the carriages 300t and 300v shown in FIG. 24, or to a variety
of other carriages shown in other parts of this description and
equivalent ones not shown.
[0121] In FIG. 49, each resistance source 494 is connected through
a resistance pulley 492 to a flexible connector 476. One of the
resistance sources 494 is mounted on a frame dolly 444. The frame
dolly 444 is supported by a series of wheels 437, that permit the
dolly to roll. The frame dolly 444 is attached to the sliding tube
726b which supports the vertical member 432 such that the member
can slide along a width tube 443. The width tube 443 has a series
of the holes in tube 725g and the sliding tube 726b has a similar
hole in tube 725h (not visible but is under the locking pin 701z
shown in the sliding tube 726b). When the hole in tube 725h in the
sliding tube 726b is aligned with the hole in tube 725g in the
width tube 443, the locking pin 701z is inserted to lock the
sliding tube 726b in position (along with the associated second
vertical member 432g and the frame dolly 444).
FIGS. 54-56--Locational Indicators and 51-53--Speed Measurement
Devices
[0122] The locational indicator 680 shown in FIG. 24 enables the
user to measure and replicate his or her position relative to the
apparatus. Details of the locational indicator 680 are shown in
FIG. 54, which shows a top view of a user platform 681 that
supports the user. The user platform 681 has a series of grid lines
688 and a set of grid indicia 691. These elements, in combination,
permit the user to accurately measure his or her position. In FIG.
54 the grid lines 688 and grid indicia 691 are on the surface of
the 681, but a number of other possibilities would work as well.
For instance, FIG. 55 shows a right side view of an embodiment of
the locational indicator 680 that has a platform opaque layer 684
on which the grid indicia 691 and grid lines 688 are placed. A
platform transparent layer 682 is then placed over the platform
opaque layer 684 and the grid lines 688 and the grid indicia 691,
protecting them from wear yet visible to the user. Still another
approach to indicating location is simply to arrange a series of
squares 678 as is shown in FIG. 56. The ability of the user to
identify his or her position using the series of squares 678 could
be enhanced by making the squares of different colors, different
hatch patterns or indicia unique to particular squares.
[0123] FIG. 24 also shows a speed measurement device 580 that
measures the speed with which the user moves the flexible connector
476. A detail of the speed measurement device 580 is shown in FIG.
51. Here it can be seen that a magnetic field sensor 576 is mounted
on the frame 430 at a specific distance from the pulley shaft 556
that supports the frame pulley 558c at the top of the vertical
rigid member 432. A series of magnets 578 are mounted on the frame
pulley 558c at the same distance from the pulley shaft 556 as the
magnetic field sensor 576. When the user applies force to the
spooling force transmitter 102, the flexible connector 476 turns
the frame pulley 558c, causing the magnets 578 to pass the magnetic
field sensor 576. A sensor to CPU wire 584 connects the magnetic
field sensor 576 to a CPU 582 (central processing unit) similar to
the kind in use in the fitness industry on treadmills. The CPU 582
displays such data as the maximum rate at which the magnets 578
passed the magnetic field sensor 576 on each repetition of the
exercise.
[0124] A variety of other approaches to measuring movement speed
could be employed. For example, FIG. 52 shows a detail of a version
of the speed measurement device 580a in which the magnetic field
sensor 576 is mounted on the resistance source 494 and the magnets
578 are mounted on the frame 430. The magnetic field sensor 576 is
moved past the magnets 578 when the flexible connector 476 is moved
and the result is displayed on the CPU 582.
[0125] FIG. 53 shows a version of the speed measurement device 580b
that is similar to the one used in FIG. 52 but here the magnets 578
are mounted on the resistance source 494 and the magnetic field
sensor 576 is mounted on the frame 430. Still other arrangements of
energy sensors (e.g., light) and emitters, and movement sensors,
could be used for the same purpose.
FIG. 18--An Apparatus Including a Standard Cable Column
Capability
[0126] The apparatus is FIG. 18 shows another version of the
apparatus in which an apparatus supporting the carriage 300t in
FIG. 24 can be combined with a second carriage 300n supporting a
more conventional "cable column" mechanism, of which there are many
varieties in the industry today. Here the carriage 300n has its own
second resistance source 494 but the carriage could easily be
connected to a resistance source 494 that serves two carriages as
is shown is FIG. 24. In FIG. 18, the second carriage 300n shown is
height adjustable in a similar way to the carriage 300t, wherein
the frame adjacent section 310h comprises a carriage sleeve 309
with a hole in sleeve 729a (not visible) through which the 701 is
inserted into one of the holes in frame 718. The 309 supports two
pivot supports 311 that themselves support a vertical axis pivot
mechanism 350b. The vertical axis pivot mechanism 350b on the 300n
works in the same way as was shown in the vertical axis pivot
mechanism 350 in FIG. 10 and supports the pivotable on vertical
axis section 340b except that the carriage connector arms 525 of
the vertical axis pivot mechanism 350b supports a pair of carriage
walls 302n that support a pair of vertical carriage extensions 555
which rotatably support two user pulleys 562, each having a pulley
rim 554.
[0127] On carriage 300n, the first end 478 of the flexible
connector 476, instead of being attached to a spooling force
transmitter 102 (as it is on carriage 300t) passes between the user
pulleys 562 and on to point where it is attached to a user handle
108. The second end 479 of the flexible connector 476 is attached
to the carriage attachment fixture 312 supported by the frame
adjacent section 310i as it was in FIG. 1, but the carriage
attachment fixture 312 is not visible here. The user pulls on the
user handle 108 of the type shown, or any of a wide variety of
cable handles used in the industry today, as well as ones to be
developed in the future, to perform exercises which require
straight line resistance that is not closely guided (i.e.,
conventional pulley resistance). The vertical axis pivoting
mechanism 350b shown does not have the tube angle locking mechanism
200a shown in the vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350 of FIG. 10
but such a feature could easily be added. Not having the locking
pin feature enables the pivotable on vertical axis section 340b to
rotate freely on its vertical axis, which is useful for certain
exercises. The pivot on vertical axis pivoting mechanism 350b shown
could also easily be replaced others with a similar function, such
as the one shown in FIG. 17.
[0128] In addition, the carriage 300n of FIG. 18 could be
introduced as an attachment to another carriage such as carriage
300t of FIG. 18. A detail of such an arrangement is shown in FIG.
18A. Here a carriage 300o supports a spooling force transmitter 102
in a similar way to carriage 300 t shown in FIG. 18. In addition,
carriage 300o supports the carriage sleeve 309 of a carriage
identical to that of the carriage 300n in FIG. 18. The same
resistance source 494 is used for resistance at both the spooling
force transmitter 102 and the 108, where the first end 478 of the
flexible connector 476 (not visible here) is attached to the
spooling force transmitter 102 and the second end 479 is attached
to the 108 after it passes between the user pulleys 562.
FIGS. 19-21--Translating Force Transmitters
[0129] FIG. 19 shows a detail of a simple embodiment of the
apparatus in which there is a translating force transmitter 101a.
The carriage 300p supports the square fixed tube 454 within which
the translating force transmitter 101a is able to translate
relative to the fixed tube 454. In contrast to the force
transmitters already shown (e.g., the spooling force transmitter
102 in FIG. 1), this translating force transmitter 101a is
connected to the second end 479 of flexible connector 476 while the
first end 478 is connected to the carriage attachment fixture 312,
which is supported by the carriage 300p. When the user applies
force to a rigid user handle 714a, the translating force
transmitter 101a creates tension in the flexible connector 476
which is transmitted to the resistance source 494 (not shown in
this Fig.). The height of the carriage 300p is adjustable in the
same way as carriage 300 is in FIG. 1.
[0130] FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the apparatus in which the
translating force transmitter 101b which is in the shape of a
rectangular tube instead of the solid square shape of the
translating force transmitter 101a in FIG. 19. Here the carriage
300q has a frame adjacent section 310 and the pivotable on
horizontal axis section 320d. The pivotable on horizontal axis
section 320d has a carriage wall 302 on either of its sides and the
walls are rotatably supported by the combined horizontal pivot and
pulley shaft 341, in the same way the similar section the pivotable
on horizontal axis section 320 in FIG. 1 is supported. The
translating force transmitter 101b is supported by the walls 302 of
the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320d and is able to slide
along those walls, the translation being limited by a
tube-retaining ring 468b at the end of the carriage walls 302
distal from the frame adjacent section 310. Is this embodiment, the
translating force transmitter 101b is connected to a bar support
rails 107 on either side, which themselves each support a bar
support connector 109 The bar support connectors 109 have a series
of holes in bar support connector 111 into which the rigid user
handle 714b can be placed. The user then exerts force against the
rigid user handle 714b to translate the translating force
transmitter 101b.
[0131] FIG. 20 shows the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320d
of the carriage 300 extending straight forward from the frame
adjacent section 310 but the horizontal axis pivoting mechanism 330
enables the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320d to be
adjusted to a number of angles relative to the frame adjacent
section 310, as was the case for the pivotable on horizontal axis
section 320 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 21 shows the pivotable on
horizontal axis section 320d inclined upward by 90 degrees relative
to the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320 shown in FIG. 20.
The carriage could also be tilted down by 90 degrees from the
position shown in FIG. 20, the number of intervening positions
being determined only by the nature of the angle locking mechanism
chosen, such as the series of carriage wall holes 303e in the
carriage walls 302a of the frame adjacent section 310. But a
variety of other angle adjustment mechanisms could be used, such as
the ones that will later be shown for adjusting tube angles. The
ability to change carriage angles enable a user to push or pull
upward, push or pull forward, push or pull downward and at a
variety of intervening angles, to enjoy a wide exercise
variety.
FIGS. 23 and 22--Spooling and Translating Force Transmitters
Combined
[0132] FIG. 23 shows an apparatus similar to the one shown in FIG.
24 except that a carriage 300u supports a translating force
transmitter 101b instead of a spooling force transmitter 102. Here
the user can use the side of the apparatus supporting the spooling
force transmitter 102 via the carriage 300t to perform exercises
requiring rotational motion and the side of the apparatus
supporting the translating force transmitter 101b on the second
carriage 300u to perform exercises that require guided linear
motions.
[0133] FIG. 22 shows a preferred version of the apparatus which
employs a carriage 300r and a second carriage 300s, each of which
supports both a spooling force transmitter 102 and a translating
force transmitter 101c. With this version of the apparatus, either
arm or leg of the user can perform rotational or guided linear
resistance exercises. The ability to choose between rotational and
translational motion on each carriage is created by a flexible
connector and translator coupler 490 beneath an opening 721 in the
translating force transmitter 101c.
[0134] A detail of the flexible connector and translator coupler
490 is shown in FIG. 28, where the fixed tube 454n is split into a
top of fixed tube 454nt and a bottom of fixed tube 454nb and the
translating force transmitter 101c is split into a top half of
translating force transmitter 101ct and a bottom half of
translating force transmitter 101cb to display the inside of the
fixed tube 454n. Here it can be seen that the flexible connector
476 is divided into a front section 487 and a rear section 481,
each having the first end 478 and the second end 479.
[0135] The first end 478 of the front section 487 is connected to
the spooling force transmitter 102 (not visible here) and the
second end 479 of the front connector section 487 is connected to a
closed end loop 495. The first end 478 of the rear section 481 is
connected to the closed end loop 495a. The second end 479 of the
rear section 481 is connected to the resistance source 494 (not
visible in FIG. 28). There is an opening 721 in the top translating
force transmitter 101ct and the fixed tube 454nt through which the
user can insert the locking pin 701p (shown in FIG. 22) into the
fixed tube 454nt and through the closed end loop 495 and 495a when
those loops are aligned. A pin fastener 732, such as a nut, lock
washer or a clamp (here a round nut) can be added to the locking
pin 701p to hold the closed end loops 495 and 495a on the locking
pin 701p. This connects the front connector section 487 and the
rear connector section 481 and permits a user applying force to the
spooling force transmitter 102 to experience resistance from the
resistance source 494.
[0136] Alternatively, the user can store the closed end loop 495 of
the front section 487 on a front carriage pin 498 and insert the
locking pin 701p from the top through the hole in tube 725c in the
translating force transmitter 101ct, then through the closed end
loop 495a of the rear section 481. With the apparatus so
configured, the top of fixed tube 454nt has a slot in tube 459
which permits the locking pin 701p to slide along the carriage 300r
and/or 300s when force is applied by the user to the translating
force transmitters 101c. Consequently, the first end 478 of the
rear section 481 is selectively connectable to the second end 479
of the front section 487, or to the translating force transmitter
101c, or to both the front section and to the force transmitter.
Other versions of connection are easily employed, such as the one
shown in FIG. 27, which will be discussed later in this
description.
FIGS. 1B, 2 and 26--Alternative Spool Pivot Mechanisms and a
Whiffletree
[0137] The mechanism that permits the spooling force transmitter
102 to pivot about its positioning axis in FIG. 1 was shown in
detail in FIG. 1 A. The ability to selectively fix the spooling
force transmitter 102 about its positioning axis 739 (visible in
FIG. 1A) and to turn the spooling force transmitter 102 via the
rigid arm 390 about the spooling force transmitters 102 rotational
axis 734 (visible in FIG. 1A) affords the user unprecedented
exercise variety. But many other approaches to generate such
pivoting around the positioning axis 739 are possible.
[0138] While FIG. 1 shows a combination of a square fixed tube 454
and the rotating tube 456 which permit the spooling force
transmitter 102 to pivot, other tube shapes are possible. For
instance, the square fixed tube 454 could easily be rectangular,
triangular, octagonal or any number of shapes having flat sides.
Alternatively, it could have a curved shape, such as that of an
ellipse. Both the fixed tube 454 and the rotating tube 456 can also
be round, as long as a mechanism for fixing the angle of the
rotating tube relative to the fixed tube is employed.
[0139] For example, FIG. 1B shows a similar detail to FIG. 1A,
except that here the fixed tube 454a of the tube set 450a is round,
which eliminates the need for the solid end with hole 472 to
connect the fixed tube 454 with the rotating tube 456 (as was the
case with the pivoting mechanism already shown in FIG. 1A). In FIG.
1B, a structure is added to the tube set 450a that permits
translation of the spooling force transmitter 102 relative to the
fixed tube 454a as well as pivotability about its positioning axis
739, expanding the number and nature of exercises that can be
performed with the same apparatus.
[0140] Here such a capacity as created by including in tube set
450a a round translating force transmitter 101 having a key channel
in transmitter 462 and placing the transmitter between the fixed
tube 454a and the rotating tube 456a. There is a key channel in
fixed tube 463 in the fixed tube 454a and a key 461 (shown exploded
out to the right in this illustration) is placed within the key
channel in transmitter 462 and the key channel in fixed tube 463.
This arrangement permits the spooling force transmitter 102 to
translate relative to the fixed tube 454a when a translating force
746 is exerted against it.
[0141] Alternatively, the 701d could be inserted into the hole in
tube 725e in the fixed tube 454a and similar hole in tube 725d in
translating force transmitter 101 (not visible but below hole 725e)
to lock to fixed tube and force transmitter in place relative to
one another and permit pivoting of the rotating tube 456a relative
to the fixed tube 454a and the translating force transmitter 101.
The angle locking mechanism 200 is mounted on the translating force
transmitter 101 to control the angle of the rotating tube 456a
relative to the translating force transmitter 101 and the fixed
tube 454a.
[0142] An alternative design for permitting spooling force
transmitter 102 to pivot around its positioning axis and to
translate relative to a fixed tube is shown in FIG. 61. Here the
structure that permits the spooling force transmitter 102 to pivot
on its positioning axis is the same as the one that was shown in
FIGS. 1 and 1A except that here the fixed tube 454f is shorter and
a translating force transmitter 101d that can slide within the
fixed tube 454f, the tube supported by the carriage 300z. The
translating force transmitter 110d supports the solid end with hole
472 instead of the fixed tube 454 (as was the case in FIG. 1A). The
rigid user handle 714a attached to the spool shaft 122 through a
rigid arm sleeve 192. When the user pushes against the rigid user
handle 714a, the spooling force transmitter 102 is translated
relative to the carriage 300z.
[0143] FIG. 2 shows another variation on the structure that enables
the spooling force transmitter 102 to pivot around its positioning
axis 739. Here the rotating tube 456b has a larger diameter than
the fixed tube 454b and fits over the fixed tube 454, as compared
with previously shown embodiments in which the opposite has been
true. In addition, the spool support arms 452b which support the
spool shaft 122 are mounted on the outside of the rotating tube
456b instead of on the inside. The rigid arm 390 can be connected
to the 106 (through the rigid arm coupler 110, neither the rigid
arm or the coupler are shown here) to apply force to the spool
shaft 122 and turn the spooling force transmitter 102. The
embodiment shown is particularly suited for simulating a wide
variety of sports motions, such as a golf swing and a baseball
swing when an appropriate implement is attached to the rigid arm
390, counterweighted or not, (such as is shown in FIGS. 63 and 64
which are explained more fully later in this description). Because
such movements can generate considerable torque, the apparatus is
stabilized by a carriage stabilization plate 306 at least one
stabilizer arm (two are shown here). The stabilizer arms 331 are
attached to the rotating tube 456b and movably connected to the
carriage stabilization plate 306 so that the rotating tube 456b can
assume various angles relative to fixed tube 454b and still be
supported by the carriage stabilization plate 306. The carriage
stabilization plate 306 is attached to the carriage 300a but could
be attached to the fixed tube 454b instead, or in addition. A pair
of rear stabilizer arms 331R support the carriage stabilization
plate 306 from the side opposite the rotating tube 456b. The rear
stabilizer arms 331R are attached to the carriage stabilization
plate 306 and connected to the frame 430 via a set of the sliding
tubes 726a. The sliding tubes 726a can move freely up and down on
the frame 430. Here the connection of the front stabilizer arm 331
to the carriage stabilization plate 306 is accomplished through a
slot in stabilizer arm 332 that fits over the carriage
stabilization plate 306 snugly enough on the carriage stabilization
plate 306 to support the rotating tube 456b but still permitting
the rotating tube 456b to turn about the plate. But a number of
other structures, such as a fork attached to the front stabilizer
arm 331F and placed over the carriage stabilization plate 306,
would work as well. A whiffletree 630 is also employed in this
version of the apparatus to give the user a greater range of
resistance choices.
[0144] FIG. 26 shows the detail of the whiffletree 630. Here the
rotating tube 456b of FIG. 2 is removed and the fixed tube 454b
rotatably supporting the fixed tube 454b is split into an top half
of fixed tube 454bt and a bottom half of fixed tube 454bb. There is
an opening 721 in the fixed tube 454bt to provide whiffletree 630
access to the user (as there is in the rotating tube 456, visible
in FIG. 2). The whiffletree 630 divides the flexible connector 476
into the front section 487 and the rear section 481, each having
the first end 478 and the second end 479. The first end 478 of the
front section 487 is connected to the spooling force transmitter
102, in the same way that the first end 478 of the flexible
connector 476 is connected to the spooling force transmitter 102 in
FIG. 1 A (not visible here), while the second end 479 is pivotably
connected to a center pivot 626 of an arm 628 through the closed
end loop 495b. The first end 478 and the second end 479 of the rear
section 481 are both connectable to the arm 628 via the closed end
loops 495c that are pivotably attached to a side pivot 632 on
either side of the arm 628. If only on one end of the rear
connector section 481 is attached to the arm 628, only half of the
actual resistance generated by resistance source 494 is transmitted
to the user. If both ends of the rear connector section 481 are
connected to the side pivots 632, the full amount of the resistance
is transmitted to the user. When the first end 478 or rear
connector section 481 is not connected to the arm 628, it is stored
on a nearby rear carriage pin 499L and when the second end 479 is
not connected to the arm 628 it is stored on a nearby rear carriage
pin 499R.
FIGS. 65 and 27--Combining Spooling and Translating Force
Transmitters with a Whiffletree
[0145] FIG. 65 shows a version of the apparatus similar to the
apparatus shown in FIG. 22 but with only one vertical rigid member
432 and only one carriage 300r, the carriage supporting a
combination whiffletree and translating force transmitter coupler
640.
[0146] A detail of the combination whiffletree and translating
force transmitter coupler 640 is shown in FIG. 27. It shows the
fixed tube 454n divided into a top of fixed tube 454nt and a bottom
of fixed tube 454nb, along with translating force transmitter 101c
divided into top of translating force transmitter 101ct and bottom
of translating force transmitter 101cb. This combination
whiffletree and translating force transmitter coupler 640 combines
the features of the whiffletree 630 shown in FIG. 26 and the
flexible connector and translator coupler 490a (similar to the
coupler 490 shown in FIG. 28). This is accomplished by adding a
middle connector 477 between the whiffletree 630 and the flexible
connector and translator coupler 490a and connecting the middle
connector 477 to the center pivot 626 of the arm 628 via the closed
end loop 495d and to the second end 479 of the front connector
section 487, via the closed end loop 495b. A open end loop 496 is
attached to the second end 479 of the front connector section 487
(the first end 478 is connected to the spooling force transmitter
102, not visible here). The open end loop 496 permits the user to
connect the front connector section 487 to the middle connector 477
without a locking pin. When this connection between the 495d and
the 496 is made, the spooling force transmitter 102 can be
utilized.
[0147] When the user wishes to engage the translating force
transmitter 101c instead of the spooling force transmitter 102, the
locking pin 701p (not visible here) is inserted through hole in
tube 725c as it was in FIG. 28 and placed through the closed end
loop 495d of the middle connector section 477 after storing the
open end loop 496 on the front carriage pin 498.
[0148] When only the first end 478 or the second end 479 of the
rear connector section 481 is attached to the arm 628, half of the
resistance generated by the resistance source 494 is conferred on
the user by virtue of the earlier mentioned cable loop (when not in
use the ends are stored on one of the rear carriage pins 499 which
are attached to the bottom of fixed tube 454nb). When both the
first end 478 and the second end 479 of the rear section 481 are
connected to the arm 628, the full resistance generated by the
resistance source 494 is conferred, so that resistance can easily
be doubled or halved depending on the connections with the arm 628.
This approach is applicable when both ends of the flexible
connector 476 are available at the same carriage. It overcomes the
main disadvantage of the cable loop, which is the tradeoff of
convenience for resistance. So the apparatus detailed in FIG. 65
allows the user, via the combination whiffletree and translating
force transmitter coupler 640, to make choices regarding the kind
resistance that is desired (rotational or translational) as well
its level (via the whiffletree).
FIGS. 3-7 and 9--Alternative Spool Pivoting Mechanisms
[0149] Another embodiment of the pivot on positioning axis 739
feature is shown is FIG. 3. Here there are two carriage sections,
the frame adjacent section 310b and a rotating section 360. The
frame adjacent section 310b supports the pulley shaft 556 which
supports the carriage pulley 551 and the section is fixed to the
vertical rigid member 432 so cannot be adjusted with regard to
height. The rotating section 360 rotates around the positioning
axis 739, pivoting the spooling force transmitter 102 about the
same axis. Here, since the height of the 300b cannot be adjusted,
there is not need for a flexible connector 476 loop is was shown in
FIG. 1, so the connector is attached directly to the resistance
source 494.
[0150] FIG. 7 shows a detail of the carriage 300b from FIG. 3. Here
it can be seen that the rotating section 360 rotates via the
rotating tube 456f attached to the rotating section 360 and
inserted in a rotating tube hole 733 in the vertical rigid member
432. A circular plate 722a is attached to and supports the carriage
walls 302c of the rotating section 360, which themselves support
the spool shaft 122 and spooling force transmitter 102. The angle
of the rotating section 360 relative to the frame adjacent section
310b is controlled by aligning a hole in frame 718a in the vertical
rigid member 432a with one of the holes in plate 716a in the
circular plate 722 and inserting the locking pin 701e in the holes
so aligned. Here a simple rigid arm 390a, instead of a rigid arm
390 as part of the counterweighted rigid arm 410 shown in FIG. 1,
is attached to the spool shaft 122 and the rigid user handle 714
(not visible here).
[0151] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the apparatus that
accomplishes rotation around the positioning axis without any
tubes. The carriage 300c is adjustable in height via a screw clamp
700 instead of the pin and hole arrangement seen previously. The
structure and operation of such a clamp is explained in the
discussion of FIG. 29 later in this specification. In the
embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 4, a frame extension plate 305
is attached to the spool support arms 452. The circular plate 722b
is attached to the carriage 300c. The frame extension plate 305 has
the hole in plate 716d (not visible but aligned with locking pin
701f) and when the hole in place 716d is aligned with one of the
holes in plate 716a in the circular plate 722b the locking pin 701f
is inserted in the holes so aligned to lock the angle of the
spooling force transmitter 102 on its positioning axis (the axis
visible in FIG. 3).
[0152] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a similar apparatus to the one
shown in FIG. 4, except that a circular plate 722c is supported by
the spool support arms 452 and a carriage extension plate 304 is
attached to the carriage 300d. When the hole in plate 716b in the
carriage extension plate 304 (visible in FIG. 6) is aligned with
one of the holes in plate 716b in the circular plate 722c, the
locking pin 701f is inserted to lock the angle of the spooling
force transmitter 102 on its positioning axis.
[0153] An exploded detail of the embodiment of the pivoting
apparatus used in FIG. 5 (and similar to the one used in FIG. 4) is
shown in FIG. 6. Here it can be seen that the carriage extension
plate 304 of FIG. 5 rotatably supports a pivot ring 473 to which
the spool support arms 452 are attached (in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4, the circular plate 722b rotatably supports the pivot ring
473). FIG. 6 also shows a hinged clamp 710 supporting the carriage
300 at various heights on the vertical rigid member 432b instead of
the screw clamp 700 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The details of this
kind of clamp are presented in the description of FIG. 32A-C later
on in this specification.
[0154] FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the pivot on
positioning axis feature. Here the frame adjacent section 310b is
supported by a horizontal frame member 434 instead of the vertical
rigid member 432 but it could of course be supported by a vertical
rigid member. The frame adjacent section 310b can not be moved
vertically. A rotating section 360a, which has a similar design to
the rotating section 360 shown in FIG. 3 except that no tubes or
rings are employed to facilitate pivoting on the positioning axis.
Instead, the circular plate 722a supports the rotating section 360a
but the circular plate 722a is itself supported by a flange 471.
The flange 471 is attached to the horizontal frame member 434 and
has a hole in flange 730. When one of the holes in plate 716a
(visible in FIG. 9A) in the circular plate 722a is aligned with the
hole in flange 730, the locking pin 701e is inserted to lock the
angle of the rotating section 360a relative to the horizontal frame
member 434. FIG. 9A shows a detail of the pivoting mechanism of
FIG. 9 from the rear right side with the flange 471, the circular
plate 722a and the locking pin 701e exploded forward from the
horizontal frame member 434 to make the mechanism more visible.
FIG. 11-16--Alternative Carriage Positioning Approaches
[0155] FIG. 11 shows the rear right perspective view of a simple
alternative embodiment of the apparatus with the carriage 300g
having one carriage wall 302e. Here the flexible connector 476 goes
directly from the resistance pulley 492 of the resistance source
494 through a series of frame pulleys 558 to the carriage 300g,
where the first end 478 of the flexible connector 476 connects
directly to the spooling force transmitter 102 and the second end
479 of the flexible connector 476 is connected to the carriage wall
302e. The carriage 300g pivots on the horizontal axis pivoting
mechanism 330a, placing the spooling force transmitter 102 at
various heights. The carriage 300g can be locked at a particular
angle (and the spooling force transmitter 102 at a particular
height) by aligning the carriage wall hole 303c in the carriage
wall 302e with the hole in frame 718c in the vertical rigid member
432c (visible in FIG. 11A) and inserting the locking pin 701j. The
horizontal axis pivoting mechanism 330a comprises the pivot hole in
carriage wall 307 in the carriage wall 302e and a horizontal pivot
pin 316 mounted in the vertical rigid member 432c, the horizontal
pivot pin 316 rotatably supporting the carriage 300g via this
connection through the pivot hole in carriage wall 307.
[0156] FIG. 14 shows and exploded view of another embodiment of the
apparatus with the one wall carriage design and spooling force
transmitter 102 height adjustment via changes in the angle of the
pivotable on horizontal axis section 320a relative to the frame
adjacent section 310e. The frame adjacent section 310e has a
carriage wall 302a that is attached to the vertical rigid member
432b, and the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320a has a
carriage wall 302. The pivotable on horizontal axis section 320a is
set at various angles relative to the frame adjacent section 310e
by aligning the hole in carriage wall hole 303n in the carriage
wall 302 of the pivotable on horizontal axis section 320a with one
of the plurality of holes in carriage wall 303e in the carriage
wall 302a of the frame adjacent section 310e. The mechanism for
pivoting the spooling force transmitter 102 on its positioning axis
is the same as the one shown in FIG. 1B, except that the fixed tube
454e is shorter and the angle of the rotating tube 456e relative to
the fixed tube 454e is established by aligning one of a plurality
of the holes in tube 725i in the rotating tube 456e (the holes in
tube 725i not visible here but similar to the holes is tube 725b
visible in FIG. 33A) with the hole in tube 725a in the fixed tube
454e and inserting the locking pin 701m in the holes so
aligned.
[0157] FIG. 12 shows another alternative embodiment of the carriage
300h with spooling force transmitter 102 height adjustable through
the carriage 300h angle relative to the horizontal frame member
434a. The carriage wall holes 303d in carriage wall 302f are used
for angle adjustment. These carriage wall holes 303d are behind the
combined horizontal pivot and pulley shaft 341 instead of in front
of it (as they are in FIG. 11). There are two carriage walls 302f
supporting the carriage pulley 551 through the combined horizontal
pivot and pulley shaft 341, the pulley guiding the flexible
connector 476 toward the spooling force transmitter 102. The
carriage walls 302f are pivotably supported by horizontal pivot and
pulley shaft 341, which also supports the carriage pulley 551. The
angle of the carriage 300h relative to the horizontal frame member
434a is controlled by inserting a locking pin 701k through one of
the series of holes in carriage wall 303d and into a hole in frame
718d (not visible here but aligned with locking pin 701k in the
position shown).
[0158] FIG. 13 shows a detail of another embodiment of the
apparatus having a carriage 300i in which it is shown that the
rigid arm 390b can be connected to the spooling force transmitter
102 instead of the spool shaft 122 with a similar effect (the
ability to turn the spooling force transmitter by applying force to
the rigid arm). Here the rigid arm 390b is inserted into a
sleeve-shaped rigid arm to spool connector 359. The rigid arm 390b
has a hole in rigid arm 170 (not visible here but similar to the
holes in rigid arm 170 visible in FIG. 1) and the rigid arm to
spool connector 359 has two holes in sleeve 729 and 729b. Hole in
sleeve 729 (not visible here) is proximal to the spool shaft 122
and large enough to permit the spool shaft 122 to pass through it,
permitting the rigid arm to spool connector 359 to pivot about the
spool shaft 122. The other hole in sleeve 729b (better seen in FIG.
13A) in the rigid arm to spool connector 359 is aligned with the
hole in rigid arm 170 in the rigid arm 390b when the rigid arm 390b
is inserted all the way into the rigid arm to spool connector 359.
When these holes are aligned with one of a plurality of holes in
spool 731 in the spooling force transmitter 102 the locking pin
701L can be inserted in the holes so aligned, locking the rigid arm
390b into place relative to the spooling force transmitter 102 at a
selected angle and permitting the rigid arm 390b to apply force
directly to the spooling force transmitter 102. This approach
allows for the rigid arm 390b to be placed at various angles
relative to the spooling force transmitter 102, but the rigid arm
to spool connector 359 could simply have been attached to the
spooling force transmitter 102, as is shown in FIG. 13A. Here the
rigid arm 350b is inserted into a shorter spool connector 359a
without a hole in sleeve 729 (having only a hole in sleeve 729b)
that is attached directly to the spooling force transmitter 102.
However, this simpler approach would not permit the angle of the
390b to be altered relative to the 102. The embodiment of the
apparatus in FIG. 13 also shows the flexible connector 476
connected to the resistance source 494 through a standard winch
727. The winch serves the dual purpose of adjusting the length of
the flexible connector 476 as the carriage 300i is raised and
lowered, and assisting the user in raising and lowering the
carriage.
[0159] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the apparatus similar to the
one shown in FIG. 12 except that the carriage walls 302h are
connected to a one piece frame adjacent section 310f instead of the
horizontal frame member 434 and the carriage wall holes 303f in the
carriage walls 302h are in front of the combined horizontal pivot
and pulley shaft 341 instead of behind it.
[0160] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the apparatus similar to the
one shown is FIG. 3. However, in the embodiment in FIG. 16 carriage
walls 302 (of the type in FIG. 1) replace the carriage walls 302c
in FIG. 3 and a set of added carriage walls 302o have a series of
carriage wall holes 303g. When a carriage wall hole 303 (not
visible here but visible in FIG. 1) in carriage wall 302 is aligned
with one of the carriage wall holes 303g in the added carriage
walls 302o, the locking pin 701a is inserted to lock the carriage
walls 302 at a particular angle relative to the carriage walls
302o. This permits the spooling force transmitter 102 to be set at
various heights.
FIGS. 29-32--Adjusting the Rigid Arm's Length
[0161] A variety of approaches can be used so that the effective
length of the rigid arm 390 to which the user applies force can be
adjusted. One method was already shown in FIG. 1, which depicts the
handle sleeve 396 that can be placed at various points along the
length of the rigid arm 390. A perspective view of a detail another
embodiment of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 29. Here the detail of
the rigid arm coupler 110, rigid arm 390a, spooling force
transmitter 102 and spool shaft 122 are shown. A rigid arm sleeve
192 is placed between the rigid arm coupler 110 and the rigid arm
390a. The rigid arm sleeve 192 has the threaded hole 712 into which
the bolt 708 is inserted and a turning force can be applied to a
bolt handle 711 to tighten the bolt against the rigid arm 390a.
When the bolt 708 is loose, the rigid arm 390a can then be moved
within the rigid arm sleeve 192, varying the length of the rigid
arm 390a on either side of the rigid arm sleeve 192. By tightening
the bolt 708 against the rigid arm 390a, using the bolt handle 711,
the position of the rigid arm 390a relative to the rigid arm sleeve
192 can be selected and fixed. The threaded hole 712, and the bolt
708 with the bolt handle 711 are also available in the handle
sleeve 396a to permit the distance of the handle sleeve 396a from
the spool shaft 122 to be adjusted by a simple tightening
process.
[0162] FIG. 30 shows an alternative structure which varies the
effective length of a rigid arm 390c. Here the rigid user handle
714 can be placed at various points along the length of a rigid arm
390c by inserting it into one of a series of holes in rigid arm
170b that are placed a variety of points along the length of the
rigid arm 390c.
[0163] FIG. 31 shows another method for adjusting the effective
length of a rigid arm 390d. Here an inside rigid arm handle 398 has
a rectangular arm end 403 and a inside rigid arm hole 401. The
rectangular arm end 403 is placed in a slot in rigid arm 189 of a
rigid arm 390d and the inside rigid arm hole 401 is aligned with
one of a series of holes in rigid arm 170a. The locking pin 701r is
inserted into the holes so aligned to lock the inside rigid arm
handle 398 in place.
[0164] FIG. 32A shows a front left side view of another embodiment
of the apparatus which permits the effective length of the rigid
arm 390a to be selected by the user. Here the rigid user handle 714
is attached to the hinged clamp 710a having a pivot pin 719. The
hinged clamp 710 can be clamped at various points along the rigid
arm 390a. FIG. 32B shows a detailed front view of the hinged clamp
710a with the pivot pin 719 removed. FIG. 32C shows a detailed
right side view of the hinged clamp 710a and the rigid user handle
714. The hinged clamp 710a has a left clamp side 702L and a right
clamp side 702R. The left clamp side 702L has a left lower clamp
extension 704L and a left upper clamp extension 706L, and the right
clamp side 702R has a right lower clamp extension 704R and a right
upper clamp extension 706R. The right upper clamp extension 706R
and the left upper clamp extension 706L each have a hole in
extension 703 through which through which the pivot pin 719 is
inserted, enabling the right clamp side 702R and the left clamp
side 702L to pivot on the pivot pin 719. The left lower clamp
extension 704L and the right lower clamp extension 704R each have a
threaded hole in extension 705 (not visible but through which bolt
708 has been threaded). The threaded holes in extension 705 are
aligned so that the bolt 708 can be inserted and turned by applying
force to the bolt handle 711. When the bolt 708 is tightened, the
left clamp side 702L and the right clamp side 702R are tightened
against the rigid arm 390a, locking the rigid user handle 714 into
place at a chosen point along the arm.
FIGS. 34-36--Alternative Angle Locking Mechanisms
[0165] FIG. 33 shows an angle locking mechanism 200, for locking
the angles of the fixed tube 454g and the rotating tube 456g into
place relative to one another, but there are many other approaches
to tube angle locking that can be used with various embodiments of
the apparatus. For instance, FIG. 34 shows a detail of a pivoting
angle-locking clamp 251. The pivoting angle-locking clamp 251 has a
large clamp ring 252 affixed to the fixed tube 454a. When the bolt
708 on the pivoting angle-locking clamp 251 is tightened by
applying force to the bolt handle 711, the clamp is tightened
against the rotating tube 456a to lock that tube into place
relative to the fixed tube 454a.
[0166] FIG. 34A shows an exploded detail of the pivoting
angle-locking clamp 251 with a right clamp ring 256 exploded out to
the right. Here it can be seen that connected to the large clamp
ring 252 is a clamp ring pivot 259. There is a left clamp ring 254
having an upper clamp extension 258, along with the right clamp
ring 256, having an upper clamp extension 258a, each having a clamp
pivot hole 268 which enables the left clamp ring 254 and the right
clamp ring 256 to be rotatably connected to clamp ring pivot 259.
The upper clamp extensions 258 and 258a are offset relative to each
other (i.e., upper clamp extension 258 is on the rear of the left
clamp ring 254 and upper clamp extension 258a is on the front of
the right clamp ring 256). This enables the left clamp ring 254 and
the right clamp ring 256 to pivot around the clamp ring pivot 259
without the upper clamp extensions 258 and 258a, contacting each
other. The right clamp ring 256 is attached to a ring constraint
262 that fits into a hole for constraint pin 264 in the large clamp
ring 252, fixing its position of the ring constraint 262 relative
to the large clamp ring 252. The left clamp ring 254 and the right
clamp ring 256 each have a threaded bolt hole 266 (the threaded
bolt hole 266 in the right clamp ring 256 not visible) into which
the bolt 708 is placed. The bolt 708 can be turned by applying
force to the bolt handle 711. When the bolt 708 is turned, it draws
the left clamp ring 254 and the right clamp ring 256 toward each
other, applying pressure to the rotating tube 456a to lock it in
place relative to the fixed tube 454a.
[0167] FIG. 35 shows another of the many possible mechanisms for
controlling the angle of tubes relative to one another, in this
case a worm gear angle adjuster 250. FIG. 35A shows a detail of the
worm gear angle adjuster 250. The worm gear angle adjuster 250 has
a worm gear 246 which interlocks with a worm gear screw 244. The
worm gear screw 244 is supported by a worm gear bracket 242 that is
attached to the fixed tube 454j. A bracket extension 238 is
attached to the worm gear bracket 242 and rotatably supports the
worm gear screw 244. A pair of worm gear screw-rings 241 keep a
worm gear screw head 249 of the worm gear screw 244 from
translating while permitting the worm gear screw 244 to be turned
freely when force is applied to a worm gear screw-handle 248.
[0168] FIG. 36 shows another method for locking the tubes at a
given angle relative to one another. Here the fixed tube 454k has
the threaded hole 712 into which the bolt 708 is inserted. By
applying force the bolt handle 711, the bolt 708 can be turned to
apply pressure to the rotating tube 456k, locking that tube into
place relative to the fixed tube 454k.
FIGS. 37 and 37A--Alternative Counterweighting Mechanisms
[0169] FIG. 37 shows the exploded detail of an additional
embodiment of the counterweight mechanism introduced in FIG. 1.
Here the counterweighted rigid arm 410 has a sliding counterweight
408 whose position is controlled by the locking pin 701s being
inserted through a counterweight hole 412 and into a 170 in the
rigid arm 390e.
[0170] FIG. 37A shows another embodiment of the counterweighted
rigid arm 410b in which an inside counterweight arm 404 slides
within the rigid arm 390f. The inside counterweight arm 404 has a
series of holes in rigid arm 170c and the rigid arm 390f has a
corresponding series of holes in rigid arm 170. When a selected
hole is rigid arm 170c in the inside counterweight arm 404 is
aligned with a selected hole in rigid arm 170 in the rigid arm 390f
and the locking pin 701aa is inserted through both holes, the
inside counterweight arm 404 is locked into place in relation with
the rigid arm 390f and the position of a counterweight on sliding
arm 406 is similarly locked into place relative to the rigid arm
390f.
FIGS. 38-46--Detaching The Rigid Arm From The Spool Shaft
[0171] FIGS. 1 and 8 show one kind of mechanism (rigid arm coupler
110) for connecting the rigid arm 390 with the spool shaft 122 at
various angles about the spooling force transmitter's 102
rotational axis. However, while that kind of connector permits the
rigid arm 390 and spool shaft 122 to be disengaged from one another
(i.e., if the locking pin 701c is removed from the rigid arm
coupler 110 the rigid arm 390 can be turned without turning the
spooling force transmitter 102 or spool shaft 122), the connection
does not permit the complete detachment of the rigid arm 390 from
the apparatus, such detachment being desirable for the performance
of a number of exercises. FIGS. 38 through 44 and 46 show
mechanisms which do permit detachment of the rigid arm 390 but
provide control in setting the angle of the rigid arm 390a relative
to the rotational axis 734 of the spooling force transmitter 102
when the rigid arm 390a is attached. FIG. 45 shows an example of a
connector that permits detachment of the rigid arm 390a from the
apparatus but does not afford selectability in terms of the angle
of the rigid arm 390a relative to the rotational axis of the
spooling force transmitter 102 when the rigid arm 390a is
attached.
[0172] FIG. 38 shows a decoupling mechanism 745 similar in
structure to the rigid arm coupler 110 that is shown in FIG. 8, but
here the curved receptacle base 166 is removed from the curved
receptacle 165 and the locking pin 701c is relied upon to both
prevent the translation of the curved shaft end 106 relative to the
curved receptacle 165 and to select the angle of the curved
receptacle 165 relative to the curved shaft end 106 (when holes
perpendicular to spool shaft 171 in the curved shaft end 106 and
the curved receptacle 165 are aligned. With the locking pin 701c
removed, the rigid arm 390a can be detached from the apparatus.
Though not shown in a number of the embodiments that follow, a pin
can be added to the attachments in a similar way to prevent their
translation of the coupling elements relative to one another.
[0173] FIG. 39 shows a decoupling mechanism 745a with a structure
similar to the one used in FIG. 38 but instead of the holes used to
lock the curved shaft end 106 and curved receptacle 165 in place
relative one another being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the spool shaft 122 (as the holes perpendicular to spool shaft
171 of FIG. 38 are), here the curved shaft end 106 and curved
receptacle 165 are locked into place relative to one another by
aligning one of a series of holes parallel to spool shaft 167 in
the curved shaft end 106 with one of a series of holes parallel to
spool shaft 167 in curved receptacle 165 and inserting the locking
pin 701t in the holes so aligned.
[0174] FIG. 40 shows a decoupling mechanism 745b in which there is
a gear receptacle 185 attached to the rigid arm 390a and a
connection gear 184 attached to the spool shaft 122. The shape of
the connection gear 184 and the gear receptacle 185 permit the
rigid arm 390a to be placed at various angles around the rotational
axis of the spool shaft 122 (an hence the rotational axis of the
spooling force transmitter 102).
[0175] FIG. 41 shows decoupling mechanism 745c in which a flat
inner side receptacle 196 is attached to the rigid arm 390a and a
flat sided shaft end 188 is attached to the spool shaft 122. The
relative shapes of the flat inner side receptacle 196 and flat
sided shaft end 188 permit the flat sided shaft end 188 to be
inserted into the flat inner side receptacle 196 at various
angles.
[0176] FIGS. 42A and 42B show a decoupling mechanism 745d. Here the
curved receptacle 165 is mounted on the spool shaft 122 and the
curved shaft end 106 is mounted on the rigid arm 390a. They are
engaged in the same way as the apparatus in FIG. 38 using locking
pin 701c.
[0177] In FIG. 43, decoupling mechanism 745e is shown. Here the
flat sided end 188a is mounted on the rigid arm 390a and the flat
inner side receptacle 196a on the spool shaft 122 for interlocking
when the flat inner side receptacle 196a is placed over the flat
sided end 188a.
[0178] In FIG. 44, decoupling mechanism 745g is shown. Here the
rigid arm sleeve 192 with the hole in sleeve handle 397 fits over
the rigid arm 390h and can be placed at various positions along its
length, the rigid arm sleeve 192 connected to the spool shaft 122
(not visible here) for turning the spooling force transmitter 102.
When the hole in tube 397 is aligned with one of the holes in rigid
arm 170 in the rigid arm 390h the locking pin 701u is inserted in
the holes so aligned to lock the rigid arm sleeve 192 in place at a
selected point on the rigid arm 390h.
[0179] In FIG. 46, decoupling mechanism 745h is shown. Here the
gear receptacle 185 is attached to the spool shaft 122 and the
connection gear 184 is attached to the rigid arm 390a. They
interlock in the same way as in decoupling mechanism 745b in FIG.
40.
[0180] In FIG. 45 a curved and flat end 182 is attached to the
rigid arm 390a and a curved and flat receptacle 198 is attached to
the spool shaft 122. The shape of the curved and flat end 182 and
curved and flat receptacle 198 permit the attachment to occur at
only one angle of the rigid arm 390a relative to the spool shaft
122 but the 390a can be disconnected from the 122 using this
mechanism.
FIGS. 50 and 57-60--Converting the Spool to a Pulley
[0181] It is possible to convert the apparatus as shown so far from
one which supports a spooling or a translating force transmitter to
one which supports a spooling force transmitter that can be used as
a pulley as well, using a version of the spooling force transmitter
102 to which a flexible connector coupler 120 has been added. An
overview of this is shown is FIG. 50, where a user handle 108 is
attached to the flexible connector 476 and the flexible connector
is pulled around the spool rim 126 instead of being attached to the
spooling force transmitter 102. However, to make this approach
convenient for the user, a simple method for disconnecting the
flexible connector 476 from the spooling force transmitter 102 must
be offered (the rigid arm 390 also needs to be disconnected from
the spooling force transmitter 102 but several methods for doing
that have already been shown).
[0182] The detail of one approach for easy attachment and
detachment of the flexible connector 476 from the spooling force
transmitter 102 is shown in FIG. 57 and FIG. 58 (which is an
exploded view of the mechanism in FIG. 57). Here the flexible
connector 476 is attached to the spooling force transmitter 102
using a flexible connector coupler 120 comprising an end ring
locking pin 121 that is inserted through a spool wall hole 116 in a
spool wall 142 of the spooling force transmitter 102 and through an
end ring 118 (FIG. 58), which is attached to the flexible connector
476. The end ring 118 is inserted into a deep recess 114 in the
spool wall 142 until it is aligned with a spool wall hole 116. Once
the end ring 118 and spool wall hole 116 are so aligned, the end
ring locking pin 121 is inserted through both the holes locking the
flexible connector 476 into place within spooling force transmitter
102. The end ring locking pin 121 has a standard spring loaded ball
119. The spring loaded ball 119 can be depressed until it is pushed
all the way through spool wall 142. Once the spring loaded ball 119
extends beyond the spool wall 142 it is released, helping to hold
the end ring locking pin 121 within the spool wall 142. The process
is reversed when the user wants to remove the attachment and use
the apparatus as a pulley, attaching the flexible connector 476 to
the user handle 108 instead of the spooling force transmitter
102.
[0183] There are a variety of other ways to permit the connector to
be conveniently attached to, and detached from, the spooling force
transmitter 102. For example, FIGS. 59 and 60 (which is an exploded
view of the mechanism in FIG. 59) show a flexible connector coupler
120a comprising a retaining sleeve head 128 and a retaining sleeve
129 with a slot in sleeve 117. The flexible connector coupler 120a
inserts into the spool wall hole 116, across an end cylinder 131,
which is attached to the flexible connector 476 and then travels
through the rest of spool wall hole 116, locking the connector into
place within the spool wall. The end cylinder 131 includes a pivot
so that the cylinder can rotate relative to the flexible connector
476. Other attachments to the flexible connector 476 could serve a
similar purpose, such as an attachment mechanism with a spherical
shape, so that changing the position of the spooling force
transmitter 102 around its positioning axis won't twist the
flexible connector 476.
FIGS. 61-64--Improving Exercise Variety Using Additional
Elements
[0184] The number and nature of the exercises that can be performed
with various embodiments of the apparatus can be increased when the
apparatus is selectively used with a bench. There are many
varieties of bench currently in use, and many to be developed in
the future, which can be used in conjunction with the apparatus.
Just two examples are presented here. In FIG. 61, the user
represented by a tubular FIG. 666 sits on an upright bench 668 and
presses against the rigid user handle 714a attached to the rigid
arm sleeve 192. This causes the translating force transmitter 101d
to translate (the operation of this mechanism was discussed
earlier). The user is shown is performing a seated bench press
exercise.
[0185] FIG. 62 shows a user tubular FIG. 666 sitting on a more
conventional bench 652 with the rigid user handle 714 placed in
front of his/her lower legs 656. Here the user applies force to the
rigid user handle 714 to perform the standard leg extension
exercise. Locking pin 701y has been inserted into hole in carriage
wall hole 303m (not visible here but visible in FIG. 64) and holes
in fixed tube 454f and translating force transmitter 101d (not
visible here but aligned with hole in carriage wall 303m) to
prevent the translation of the translating force transmitter 101d
while spooling force transmitter 102 is turned by the force being
applied to rigid user handle 714.
[0186] Various embodiments of the apparatus can be used to
duplicate many motions that are employed in sports events. FIG. 63
shows a stick figure user 664 grasping a baseball bat implement 662
attached to the rigid user handle 714 to simulate a bat swing. FIG.
64 shows the stick figure user 664 grasping a golf implement 654
rotatably attached to the rigid user handle 714 to simulate a golf
swing.
[0187] The rigid user handle 714 can of course assume a vast number
of other positions relative to the user and many other kinds of
implements can be attached to the rigid user handle 714 to
duplicate many other forms of sports, such as a dummy to simulate
throws in wrestling and judo.
FIGS. 66 and 66A--An Additional Preferred Embodiment
[0188] An additional preferred embodiment of the apparatus is
illustrated in FIG. 66. The version of the apparatus in FIG. 66 is
similar to the one in FIG. 1 except that a first deflecting pulley
802 and a second deflecting pulley 803 have been placed between the
support end 811 of the carriage 300 and the spooling force
transmitter 102e, the carriage's frame adjacent end 810 lockable
and selected heights on the frame 430. In addition, the rotational
axis 734 of the spooling force transmitter 102e and the flexible
connector longitudinal axis 735 now essentially intersect and the
connection between the rigid arm 390i and spooling force
transmitter 102e has been simplified in a way that is similar to
the design shown in FIG. 13 (the counterweight 413 has also been
eliminated for ease of illustration but certainly could be
incorporated in the overall design of the modified rigid arm). A
detail of the modified areas of the apparatus relative to FIG. 1
are shown in the detail FIG. 66A, where the rigid arm 390i, one of
two spool supports 452d and a portion end ring 118 and end ring
locking pin 121a are exploded away from the spooling force
transmitter 102e.
[0189] Here it can be seen that the flexible connector 476 emerges
from the carriage 300 and is deflected toward the spooling force
transmitter 102e by the first deflecting pulley 802. The rotational
axis 734 of the spool shaft 122a is perpendicular to and intersects
the flexible connector longitudinal axis 735 of the flexible
connector 476 as it emerges from the carriage 300 between the spool
supports. 452d and contacts the spooling force transmitter 102e
proximal to end ring 118 and end ring locking pin 121a, which
secure the flexible connector to the spooling force transmitter
102e. As shown, the apparatus is prepared to offer resistance when
the rigid arm 390i is moved in a clockwise direction 808. If the
spooling force transmitter 102e were rotated from the position
shown in a counterclockwise direction 809, the flexible connector
476 would be deflected toward the spooling force transmitter 102e
by the second deflecting pulley 803 and the user could experience
resistance in a counterclockwise direction 809.
[0190] The user is able to select the angle of the rigid arm 390i
around the spool shaft longitudinal axis 748, relative to the angle
of the spooling force transmitter 102e by inserting the locking pin
701ab through the rigid arm angle adjustment hole 806, into one of
a plurality of holes in the spool 731. The position of the rigid
user handle 714 along the rigid arm 391a is determined by inserting
the handle in one of a plurality of holes in rigid arm 170d. A
variety of mechanisms like the start angle stopper 414a and
circular plate 722c affixed to 452d on the side of the spooling
force transmitter 122e opposite the side on which the rigid user
handle 714 in FIG. 66 can be used to could be used to fix prevent
the rigid arm 390i from moving backward from its starting position,
as could the counterweight 413 attached to rigid arm 390 in the
design shown in FIG. 1.
[0191] Also shown in FIGS. 66 and 66A is another embodiment of the
start angle adjustment and brake 400b. It includes a circular plate
722b with a series of holes in plate 716b. The circular plate 722b
is attached to the spool support 452d. When start angle stopper
414a inserted in one of the holes in plate 716b as is shown here,
in prevents motion of the rigid arm 390i in a counterclockwise
direction 809.
[0192] If the user desired resistance in a counterclockwise
direction 809, the user would remove the start angle stopper 414a
and rotate the rigid arm 390i in a counterclockwise direction 809.
This rotational motion would initially create slack in the flexible
connector 476 until as the spooling force transmitter 102c
continued to turn the flexible connector 476 was deflected by the
second deflecting pulley 803 toward the spooling force transmitter
102e and eventually the flexible connector became taught once
again. At this point, resistance in a counterclockwise direction
809 would be experienced by the user upon further rotation in that
direction.
Advantages
[0193] From the description above, a number of advantages of my
apparatus become evident: [0194] (a) One machine can be used for a
wide variety of rotational exercises. [0195] (b) One machine can
closely fit the needs of users of almost any physical size. [0196]
(c) One machine can be used for both linear and rotational
exercises, instead of requiring separate machines to perform these
functions. [0197] (d) In addition to saving the time and expense of
purchasing and maintaining multiple machines, the user saves space,
which is often even more important [0198] (e) A sheave designed in
the manner described permits a rotational motion of as much as 360
degrees or even multiples of 360 degrees. This allows the user a
much wider choice in terms of range of motion than is normally
available. [0199] (f) When employing this apparatus for a
rotational motion, the resistance experienced is essentially the
same (disregarding any inertia at the start) throughout the range
of motion selected, instead of changing over time, as is the case
when the angle of the resistance changes relative to the angle of
the lever arm being rotated (as is the case for many existing
exercise devices). [0200] (g) The inclusion of a mechanism which
permits the positioning of the spool at any angle about flexible
connector's longitudinal axis immediately contacts the spool
permits the user to select from an previously unavailable range of
exercise angles and the to fix the chosen angle for the duration of
the exercise bout. [0201] (h) The angle maintenance mechanism
permits the user to maintain the angle of the pulley spool
regardless of the way in which the carriage moves around the
vertical axis and is particularly useful when the user wishes to
employ two carriages simultaneously, one for each arm or leg.
[0202] (i) The combination of available translating elements,
rotating spools and pulleys permits guided linear or rotational
motion for exercises in which that is preferred but freer pulley
resistance where that is preferred. [0203] (j) Certain embodiments
of the apparatus permit bi-directional resistance without having to
alter the orientation of the spooling force transmitter.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0204] Accordingly, the reader will see that the ability to adjust
resistance height and angle, the arc size and plane of rotational
motions, counterweight positioning, and even, through certain
embodiments, to use the spool as a pulley which can be set at any
angle, and to employ guided linear motion can afford the user a
much wider range of choices and applications than existing exercise
machines and it can do so through essentially one exercise station
instead of multiple stations. Convenience, as well as time, money
and space saved can all be enjoyed by the user, but any of these
advantages or others would make such an apparatus of significant
value.
[0205] Although the above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example,
While the sheave spooling force transmitter 102 shown thus far has
been approximately the same diameter as the pulleys shown, it can
easily be significantly larger or smaller in diameter. It can also
be wider and/or have deeper to walls, to permit multiple turns of
the flexible connector 138 around it and have a variety of shapes
such as that of a cam or an ellipse.
[0206] Also, the flexible connector can be attached directly to the
resistance source and a winch placed between the user and
resistance could be used to adjust the length of the available
flexible connector and raise the carriage, eliminating the need for
many of the redirecting pulleys of the embodiments already
discussed and helping to lift the carriage to an appropriate
height. Similarly, implements that are added to the flexible
connector end or crank handle could include padded dummies (e.g.,
to simulate the human body or any part of it) to permit the user to
practice judo and wrestling throws. Accordingly, the spirit and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
descriptions of the preferred embodiments contained but should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
[0207] Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the appended claims
should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred
embodiments contained but should be determined by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents.
[0208] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and
which are open to public inspection with this specification, and
the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated
herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and
drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is
one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar
features.
[0209] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means
for performing" a specified function, or "step for" performing a
specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step"
clause is specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112 6. In particular, the
use of "step of" in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the
provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112 6.
* * * * *