U.S. patent application number 11/826334 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for multi-degree-of-freedom (mdof) muscle training machine.
Invention is credited to Tian-Fang Yang.
Application Number | 20080085819 11/826334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38741852 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080085819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Tian-Fang |
April 10, 2008 |
Multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) muscle training machine
Abstract
A MDOF muscle training machine is provided in the present
invention. The training machine has multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF)
being able to be set by users to make various cyclic motions with
respect to various groups of muscle to be trained. The training
machine comprises an adjustable frame and a cyclic motion device.
The adjustable frame has MDOF being able to be adjusted with
respect to the various cyclic motions. The cyclic motion device is
assembled on the adjustable frame. The adjustable frame can be
adjusted to decide a specific position of the cyclic motion device
with respect to specific groups of muscle. Both arms (legs) of the
user are constrained by the cyclic motion device. The user has to
coordinate the specific groups of muscle to drive the cyclic motion
device.
Inventors: |
Yang; Tian-Fang; (Taipei
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
38741852 |
Appl. No.: |
11/826334 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/62 ;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 21/015 20130101; A63B 22/0002 20130101; A63B 22/0005 20151001;
A63B 2022/0647 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/62 ;
482/57 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/12 20060101
A63B022/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 5, 2006 |
TW |
95217849 |
Claims
1. A training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) being
able to be set by users to make various cyclic motions with respect
to various groups of muscle to be trained comprising: an adjustable
frame, with MDOF being able to be adjusted with respect to the
various cyclic motions; and a cyclic motion device, assembled on
the adjustable frame; wherein the adjustable frame being adjusted
to decide a specific position of the cyclic motion device with
respect to a specific groups of muscle, both arms or both legs of
the users being constrained by the cyclic motion device, and the
users having to coordinate the specific groups of muscle to drive
the cyclic motion device.
2. The training machine with MDOF of claim 1, wherein the
adjustable frame has a seat.
3. The training machine with MDOF of claim 2, wherein the seat is
movable on a plane perpendicular to a ground for adjusting a height
or an inclination of the seat with respect to the ground and a
distance between the seat and the cyclic motion device.
4. The training machine with MDOF of claim 2, wherein the
adjustable frame comprises at least a first and a second degrees of
freedom between the seat and the cyclic motion device to adjust a
height and an inclination of the cyclic motion device with respect
to the seat.
5. The training machine with MDOF of claim 4, wherein the first
degree of freedom being rotation of the cyclic motion device in a
first plane perpendicular to a ground and extending from the seat
to the cyclic motion device, and the second degree of freedom being
translational motion of the cyclic motion device on the first
plane.
6. The training machine with MDOF of claim 4, wherein first degree
of freedom being translational motion of the cyclic motion device
along a vertical axis perpendicular to a ground, and the second
degree of freedom being rotation of the cyclic motion device with
respect to a rotational axis on the first plane.
7. The training machine with MDOF of claim 2, wherein the
adjustable frame comprises a third degree of freedom being rotation
of the cyclic motion frame together with the seat in a first plane
perpendicular to a ground and extending from the seat to the cyclic
motion device.
8. The training machine with MDOF of claim 1, wherein the cyclic
motion device has a resistant wheel set and two cranks, the two
cranks are connected to opposite sides of the resistant wheel set
for the user to drive the resistant wheel set with both arms or
both legs.
9. The training machine with MDOF of claim 8, wherein the cyclic
motion device can be adjusted to above the user's shoulder.
10. The training machine with MDOF of claim 9, wherein the cyclic
motion device further comprises two holders connected to the cranks
respectively, and the holder has a first portion and a second
portion, wherein the second portion is pivotally connected to the
first portion for users to change the specific muscle groups to be
trained.
11. The training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) of
claim 9, wherein the cyclic motion device further comprises two
pedals connected to the cranks respectively, and the pedal has a
body and a shaft, wherein the body is assembled on the shaft and
the shaft is pivotally connected to the crank for the users to
adjust an inclination of the pedal with respect to a ground.
12. The training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) of
claim 1, wherein an amount of resisting force of the cyclic motion
device is adjustable.
13. The training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) of
claim 1, wherein the cyclic motion device is rotatable with respect
a rotational axis on a first plane perpendicular to the ground.
14. The training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) of
claim 1, wherein the cyclic motion device is an upper body cyclic
motion device, and further comprises a lower body cyclic motion
device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a muscle training machine, and
more particularly to a multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) muscle
training machine.
[0003] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is a common sense to visit a doctor for sickness.
However, a great amount of out-patient therapies, especially some
rehabilitation recipes, advised by the doctor can depend only on
the patient himself/herself. Usually, the rehabilitation recipes
relating to a specific muscle need the patient to frequently
rehabilitate or train this muscle in order to recovery. For
example, office workers usually keep some working positions for
office hours. Therefore, some muscle groups may be over-exercised
and some may be under-exercised. It may induce tingling at the
beginning, but may grow into a deep pain for long-term overlooking.
Such an occupational injury cannot be simply cured by medication.
Adequate muscle training is generally required for revitalizing the
fatigue muscles or muscle groups. In addition, the patient after an
operation may also need some adequate muscle training to
rehabilitate his/her atrophic muscle groups.
[0005] There are various fitness equipments for strengthening
muscle groups available in the gym. Users may select an adequate
fitness equipment to strengthen specific muscle groups. In
addition, some fitness equipments allow the users to vary the
loading for efficiently training purposes. However, those fitness
equipments are only suitable for the healthy user who wants to
enhance his/her muscle strength. For a patient with injury muscles,
the basic or minimum loading of any fitness equipment may be too
large to be sustained. For a forced try, the patient may even
further injure his/her muscles. Therefore, the patient with injury
muscles usually has to go to a rehabilitation center to train
his/her muscles under the instructions of a qualified person.
[0006] In the rehabilitation center, rehabilitation machines are
usually task-oriented, such as the isokinetic assessment and
training unit, the upper body cycle, the semi-recumbent elliptical,
the semi-recumbent cycle, the rehabilitation treadmill, the balance
system, the running machine, the traction system, and etc. However,
these rehabilitation machines still have some inherent drawbacks as
listed below for example. One of the drawbacks is that these
machines are too expensive to be afforded for ordinary patients,
and so the patient can only use them in hospital or in the
rehabilitation center. Another one is that each of the
rehabilitation machines has its specific task, and so a
professional rehabilitation center has to pay a huge amount of
money to purchase various rehabilitation machines for the
wide-ranged needs of different patients.
[0007] Accordingly, it remains a topic to provide a rehabilitation
machine capable of training various muscle groups at home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is a main object of the present invention to provide a
rehabilitation machine, which enables users to train different
muscles in multi degrees of freedom (MDOF).
[0009] A MDOF muscle training machine is provided in the present
invention. The training machine has multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF)
being able to be set by users to make various cyclic motions with
respect to various groups of muscle to be trained. The training
machine comprises an adjustable frame and a cyclic motion device.
The adjustable frame has MDOF being able to be adjusted with
respect to the various cyclic motions. The cyclic motion device is
assembled on the adjustable frame. The adjustable frame can be
adjusted to decide a specific position of the cyclic motion device
with respect to specific groups of muscle. Both arms (legs) of the
user are constrained by the cyclic motion device. The user has to
coordinate the specific groups of muscle to drive the cyclic motion
device.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
adjustable frame has a seat. The seat is movable on a plane
perpendicular to the ground for adjusting a height or an
inclination of the seat with respect to the ground, and for
adjusting a distance between the seat and the cyclic motion
device.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
adjustable frame has a first and a second degrees of freedom
between the seat and the cyclic motion device. Wherein, the first
degree of freedom is rotation of the cyclic motion device in a
first plane perpendicular to the ground and extending from the seat
to the cyclic motion device, and the second degree of freedom is
translational motion of the cyclic motion device on the first
plane.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
adjustable frame has a first and a second degrees of freedom
between the seat and the cyclic motion device. Wherein, the first
degree of freedom is translational motion of the cyclic motion
device along a vertical axis perpendicular to the ground, and the
second degree of freedom is rotation of the cyclic motion device
with respect to a rotational axis on the first plane.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
adjustable frame further has a third degree of freedom. The third
degree of freedom is rotation of the cyclic motion frame together
with the seat in a first plane perpendicular to a ground and
extending from the seat to the cyclic motion device.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
cyclic motion device has a resistant wheel set and two cranks. The
cranks are connected to the opposite sides of the resistant wheel
set. The user has to apply torque to drive the resistant wheel set
with both arms (legs). In addition, the cyclic motion device can be
adjusted to above the user's shoulder.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
cyclic motion device has two holders connected to the cranks
respectively. The holder has a first portion and a second portion
pivotally connected to the first portion for users to adjust an
angle between the second portion and a rotational axis of the
resistant wheel set to change the specific muscle groups to be
trained.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
cyclic motion device has two pedals pivotally connected to the
cranks respectively. The users may adjust the inclination of the
pedal with respect to a ground so as to change the muscle groups of
both legs to be trained.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the MDOF training machine has an
upper body cyclic motion device and a lower body cyclic motion
device. The upper body cyclic motion device and the lower body
cyclic motion device are assembled on the adjustable frame. The
upper body motion device and the lower body motion device can work
independently.
[0018] The MDOF training machine enables the user to select proper
training tasks to cyclically train his/her muscles, and is helpful
for the ordinary user to train his muscles at home. In addition,
the MDOF training machine also enables the patient to adjust his
muscle power, enhance the coordination of muscles, and prevent
possible muscle adhesion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will now be specified with reference
to its preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing first preferred
embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic view showing a preferred
embodiment of the seat of the adjustable frame of the MDOF training
machine in the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing second preferred
embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing third preferred
embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing fourth preferred
embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of
the holder of the cyclic motion device in the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of
the pedal of the cyclic motion device in the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing fifth preferred
embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present invention;
and
[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing a user operating
the MDOF training machine of FIG. 8 to train his muscles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] As mentioned in prior art, the training machines available
in present have common drawbacks in limited training tasks and
higher prices. The training machine with multi-degree-of-freedom
(MDOF) provided in the present invention offers the feature of
home-use and is capable for users to make various cyclic motions
with respect to various groups of muscle to be trained. For a
better understanding of the present invention, a detail description
of the preferred embodiment is provided.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a first
preferred embodiment of the multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) muscle
training machine 1 in the present invention. As shown, the training
machine 1 has an adjustable frame 4 and at least one cyclic motion
device 5 (one cyclic motion device is shown). The cyclic motion
device 5 is assembled on the adjustable frame 4. The adjustable
frame 4 has MDOF, which can be adjusted and set by the user to
decide a specific position of the cyclic motion device 5. It is
noted that as the user starts training his (her) groups of muscles,
both arms (legs) are constrained by the cyclic motion device 5. The
user has to coordinate specific groups of muscle with respect to
the specific position of the cyclic motion device 5 to drive the
cyclic motion device 5.
[0031] The cyclic motion device 5 has a resistant wheel set 51 and
two cranks 52. The cranks 52 are connected to the opposite sides of
the resistant wheel set 51. The amount of resisting force applied
by the resistant wheel set 51 of the cyclic motion device 5 is
adjustable. The user has to apply torque to drive the resistant
wheel set 51 with both arms (legs).
[0032] In the present embodiment, the adjustable frame 4 has a seat
41. The user is seated to drive the cyclic motion device 5.
However, the seat 41 should not be a limitation to the present
invention. The user may be stood to train his (her) groups of
muscle. The adjustable frame 4 has a first and a second degrees of
freedom between the seat 41 and the cyclic motion device 5. The
user may adjust the height and the inclination of the cyclic motion
device 5 with respect to the seat 41. As shown, the first degree of
freedom (indicated by arrow A) is rotation of the cyclic motion
device 5 in a first plane, which is perpendicular to the ground and
extends from the seat 41 to the cyclic motion device 5. The second
degree of freedom (indicated by arrow B) is translational motion of
the cyclic motion device 5 on the first plane.
[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing the structure of
a preferred embodiment of the seat 41 of the adjustable frame 4 in
the present invention. As shown, the adjustable frame 4 has a
four-bar linkage 42 supporting the seat 41. The four-bar linkage 42
has a fixed bar 42a on the ground, a supporting bar 42b connected
the seat 41, and an adjustable bar 42c connected therebetween with
an adjustable length for adjusting the height or the inclination of
the seat 41 with respect to the ground. That is, the four-bar
linkage 42 is capable to change relative height of the cyclic
motion device 5 with respect to the seat 41 and constrain the seat
41 on the first plane. In addition, the seat 41 is translational
movable with respect to supporting bar 42b for adjusting a distance
between the seat 41 and the cyclic motion device 5. For example, as
the cyclic motion device 5 is utilized for training lower body, the
angle of hipbone would be changed by varying the distance between
the seat 41 and the cyclic motion device 5 so as to adjust the
ratio of loading toward the muscle groups in the front portion,
such as quadriceps femoris, and the rear portion of the legs, such
as hamstring muscles. The adjustable inclination of the seat 41
with respect to the ground and the translational motion of the seat
41 with respect to the four-bar linkage 42 may be regarded as a
third and a fourth degrees of freedom (indicated by arrows C and D)
between the seat 41 and the cyclic motion device 5.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the structure of a second
preferred embodiment of the MDOF training machine in the present
invention. As shown, the adjustable frame 4 has a first and a
second degrees of freedom being able to be adjusted between the
seat (not shown in this figure) and the cyclic motion device 5. The
first degree of freedom (indicated by arrows E) is translational
motion of the cyclic motion device 5 along a vertical axis VA
perpendicular to the ground. The second degree of freedom
(indicated by arrows F) is rotation of the cyclic motion device 5
with respect to a rotational axis RA on the first plane. In the
present embodiment, the rotational axis RA is perpendicular to the
vertical axis VA.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a third
preferred embodiment of the MDOF training machine 1 in the present
invention. As shown, the adjustable frame 4 has a grounded portion
43 and a movable portion 44 connected to the grounded portion 43
with a shaft 45. The cyclic motion device 5 and the seat 41 are
assembled on the movable portion 44. In contrast with the first and
the second embodiments, the adjustable frame 4 in the present
embodiment has a third degree of freedom (indicated by arrow G)
being able to be adjusted. The third degree of freedom (indicated
by arrow G) is rotation of the movable portion 44 together with the
cyclic motion device 5 and the seat 41 on the first plane. For
example, as the cyclic motion device 5 is utilized for training
lower body, the user may rotate the movable portion 44 of the
adjustable frame 4 so as to adjust the cyclic motion device 5 to a
position higher than the heart of the user to enhance the
circulation of the lower body.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of a fourth
preferred embodiment of the MDOF training machine 1 in the present
invention. As shown, the cyclic motion device 5 is utilized for
training upper body. The adjustable frame 4 can be set to adjust
the cyclic motion device 5 to a position above the user's shoulder
with translational motion or rotation (both translational motion
and rotation are shown in this figure).
[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the structure of a
preferred embodiment of the cyclic motion device 5 in the present
invention. As shown, the cyclic motion device 5 is an upper body
cyclic motion device and has two holders 54 connected to the cranks
52 respectively. The holder 54 has a first portion 54a and a second
portion 54b. The first portion 54a is connected to the crank 52 at
one end, and pivotally connected to the second portion 54b at the
other end. The user may hold the first portion 54a or the second
portion 54b according to the need. In the condition that the second
portion 54b is held, the user may change the intersection angle
between the first portion 54a and the second portion 54b so as to
adjust an angle between the second portion 54b of the holder 54
(the direction is shown by dash-line D1) and a rotational axis D2
of the resistant wheel set (not shown in this figure). Both arms of
the user are constrained by the holders 54 and a preferable forcing
angle is thus obtained so as to change the specific muscle groups
of both arms to be trained.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the structure of another
preferred embodiment of the cyclic motion device 5 in the present
invention. As shown, the cyclic motion device 5 is a lower body
cyclic motion device and has two pedals 56 pivotally connected to
the cranks 52 respectively. The pedal 56 is composed of a body 56a
and a shaft 56b. The shaft 56a is pivotally connected to the crank
52 at one end. The body 56b is assembled to the shaft 56a. That is,
the shaft 56a is rotatable within a predetermined angle range with
respect to the rotational axis D2 of the resistant wheel set (not
shown in this figure) so as to change the inclination of the body
56b with respect to the ground. The body 56a is rotatable with
respect to the shaft 56b. The users may adjust the inclination of
the pedal 56 with respect to the ground so as to change the
specific muscle groups of both legs to be trained.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structure of a fifth
preferred embodiment of the MDOF training machine 1 in the present
invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing a user
operating the MDOF training machine 1 of FIG. 8 to train his groups
of muscle. As shown, the MDOF training machine 1 has an upper body
cyclic motion device 21 and a lower body cyclic motion device 32.
The upper body cyclic motion device 21 and the lower body cyclic
motion device 32 are assembled on the adjustable frame. The upper
body cyclic motion device 21 has two holders 25 and the lower body
cyclic motion device 32 has two pedals 34. The upper body cyclic
motion device 21 and the lower body cyclic motion device 32 can
work independently.
[0040] The adjustable frame has a first degree of freedom being
rotation of the upper body cyclic motion device 21 on the first
plane (or the sagittal plane), which extends from the seat 31 to
the upper body cyclic motion device 21. The adjustable frame has a
level-adjustable rod 23 for the user to change the height of the
upper body cyclic motion device 21 according to the demand of the
user. The adjustable frame has a second degree of freedom being
rotation of the upper body cyclic motion device 21 with respect to
a rotational axis on the first plane, which is aligned with the
orientation of the shaft 24. As a preferred embodiment, the upper
body cyclic motion device is 360 degrees rotatable with respect to
the rotational axis. The target muscle groups to be trained and the
ratio of loading toward different muscle groups to be trained can
be varied by changing the position of the cyclic motion devices 21
and 32. For example, as the upper body cyclic motion device 21 is
rotated 180 degrees with respect to the rotational axis on the
first plane, the resistant force provided by the upper body cyclic
motion device 21 would be changed from a clockwise direction to a
counter-clockwise one, and thus the target muscle groups would be
changed from biceps to triceps.
[0041] In addition, the adjustable frame has a seat 31 movable on
the first plane (including back-and-forth translational motion and
up-and-down translational motion). When the user training his/her
muscle groups by using the MDOF training machine 1 provided in the
present invention, the upper body cyclic motion device 21 and the
lower body cyclic motion device 32 can co-operate as a versatile
training gear to work on plenty muscles and muscle groups at the
same time.
[0042] Also referring to FIG. 8, the MDOF training machine 1 of the
present invention further has a first positioning pin 27 and a
second positioning pin 28. The first positioning pin 27 can
penetrate both the shaft 24 and the hole 221 so as to fix the upper
body cyclic motion device 21 at any feasible inclination angle to
enable the user doing various cyclic motion with respect to
different groups of muscle. Similarly, the second positioning pin
28 can penetrate both the rod 23 and the rotational adjusting unit
26 so as to fix the upper body cyclic motion device 21 at a
predetermined height. The rotational adjusting unit 26 is composed
of a worm gear 261 and a worm 262 meshed with the worm gear 261. By
using the worm 262 and the worm gear 261, the orientation of the
shaft 24 and the upper body cyclic motion device 21 can be
adjusted.
[0043] This invention focuses on a MDOF design enabling the user to
change the positions of cyclic motion device 5, 21, 32 with respect
to the ground and/or the seat 41, 31 on (or respected to) the first
plane. However, the structure of the adjustable frame provided in
the above mentioned embodiments should not be a limitation of the
present invention. For example, the position of the cyclic motion
device 5, 21, 32 can be fixed by various fixing designs, such as
pin, key, screw joint, and etc. The usage of worm gear 261 and worm
262 is merely an embodiment to provide one degree-of-freedom being
rotation of the cyclic motion device, and also should not be a
limitation in the present invention. Different mechanical designs
enable the user to change the position and the orientation of the
cyclic motion device 5, 21, 32, such as hybrid gear, are also
suitable for the present invention.
[0044] As a preferred embodiment, the resistant wheel set 51 of the
cyclic motion device 5 is provided and adjusted by magnetic
resistance motor, but on the other hand an adjusting tuner for
manually controlling the loading can also be provided. In addition,
the embodiments of the cyclic motion device 5 can be varied to meet
different users. For example, as the MDOF training machine is
operated by healthy users, an ordinary rolling resistant wheel set,
which may keep rotating for a while when a stop signal is applied,
can be used. However, as the MDOF training machine is operated by a
patient with injured muscles, an additional controller assembled to
the resisting wheel set should be used to shut down the magnetic
force to remove the loading totally when a stop signal is applied
to the rolling resistant wheel set. Such design is critical for
protecting the injured muscles of the patient from being stretched
too much by the rolling resistant wheel set.
[0045] In conclusion, the MDOF training machine provided in the
present invention enables the user to select proper training tasks
to train his/her muscles and do cyclic exercise. In addition, the
MDOF training machine provided in the present invention is helpful
for the ordinary user to train his muscles at home. Further, the
MDOF training machine also enables the patient to adjust his muscle
strength, enhance the coordination of muscles, and avoid possible
muscle adhesion.
[0046] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of
the disclosed embodiments of the present invention as well as other
embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all
embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *