U.S. patent application number 12/352601 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for multipurpose exercise machine utilizing vacuum springs.
Invention is credited to Eric Scott Carnahan.
Application Number | 20100179035 12/352601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42319488 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100179035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carnahan; Eric Scott |
July 15, 2010 |
Multipurpose Exercise Machine Utilizing Vacuum Springs
Abstract
A multipurpose exercise machine comprising a compact movable
frame, a large diameter pulley and a plurality of novel low
friction vacuum springs for generating a force is disclosed. The
vacuum springs are comprised of two rigid end pieces that are
movable relative to each other. A flexible membrane couples the two
rigid end pieces to each other and encloses a hermetically sealed
region in between the movable bodies and the flexible membrane. A
user operating the machine exerts a force that pulls the two end
pieces are apart which forms a vacuum that opposes the motion.
Inventors: |
Carnahan; Eric Scott;
(Smyrna, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric Scott Carnahan
2615 Carolyn Dr
Smyrna
GA
30080
US
|
Family ID: |
42319488 |
Appl. No.: |
12/352601 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/111 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00065 20130101;
A63B 21/155 20130101; A63B 21/153 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101;
A63B 21/0085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/111 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/008 20060101
A63B021/008 |
Claims
1. A multipurpose exercise machine comprising: a frame, a plurality
of vacuums spring comprising; a. two substantially rigid end pieces
having interlocking surfaces in their center that substantially
eliminate any open space between them when positioned next to each
other, b. a flexible membrane forming a closed loop and having two
ends and a concave shape with the apex of the concave pointing
generally toward the middle of the loop, c. a means for coupling
the two ends of the flexible membrane and the two end pieces
together whereby an air tight seal is formed between the end pieces
and the flexible membrane, and whereby when the two end pieces are
pulled apart a vacuum is formed in the region in between the two
end pieces and the flexible membrane which opposes the motion of
the two end pieces moving apart and assists the motion of the two
end pieces when they move toward each other, a means for attaching
one end piece of each vacuum spring to the frame, a rotatable shaft
mounted on the frame, a large diameter pulley coupled to the shaft,
a plurality of flexible linkages, a plurality of cams coupled to
the shaft having an attachment for the flexible linkages and having
an outside surface whose distance from its axis of rotation to the
point where the flexible linkage separates decreases when the
pulley is rotated through a forward stroke and increases when the
pulley rotates through a reverse stroke, a foundation for mounting
the frame on, a device for attaching the frame to the foundation, a
cable for wrapping around the large diameter pulley whereby a user
can pull on the cable and force the pulley to rotate.
2. The exercise machine of claim 1 having a valve means for purging
air out of the interior of the vacuum spring.
3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the end pieced of the
vacuum spring have interlocking dome shaped structures for
efficiently absorbing pressure forces.
4. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane of
the vacuum spring that is comprised of both an elastic material and
a plurality of high tensile strength filament segments that are
aligned parallel to each other and traverse the flexible membrane
from one base to the other whereby tensile forces exerted on the
flexible membrane are transferred to the end pieces.
5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein at least two of the
vacuum spring are positioned on generally opposite sides of the
shaft whereby the forces exerted on the shaft partially cancel each
other out and reduce the forces exerted on the bearing supporting
the shaft.
6. The exercise machine of claim 1 having a hinge between the
bottom of the frame and the base of the machine whereby the machine
can tilt about a horizontal axis.
7. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the frame is mounted on
top of a bearing whereby the frame can rotate about a vertical
axis.
8. The exercise machine of claim 7 wherein the base is has a
locking device to prevent the frame from rotating about a vertical
axis.
9. An exercise machine comprising at least two of the exercise
machines of claim 1, a foundation to support the weight of a user
and at least two devices for attaching the two bases of the two
exercise machines to the foundation.
10. The exercise machine of claim 9 wherein the pulleys of the
exercise machines of claim 1 are on opposites sides whereby both
pulleys face inward toward the middle of the foundation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Most exercise machines utilize weights that rely on gravity
to create a force that the user of the equipment must overcome.
This method of generating a force is reliable however it has many
drawbacks, including the high cost of the raw materials of the
weights and the high costs of shipping the heavy weights.
[0002] Most exercise machines utilize weights that rely on gravity
to create a force that the user of the equipment must overcome.
This method of generating a force is reliable however it has many
drawbacks, including the high cost of the raw materials of the
weights and the high costs of shipping the heavy weights.
[0003] Many exercise machines also use elastic materials to
generate a desired force. Unfortunately however, elastic materials
degrade over time and the cost of a sufficient amount of the
elastic material to generate a large force can be high.
[0004] It is also known in the prior art to create an exercise
machine that creates a vacuum to generate a force. Most such
exercise machines are comprised of slidable pistons disposed within
a cylinder. As the piston moves away from the base of the cylinder
a vacuum is created and a force is generated that pulls the piston
towards the base of the cylinder. Rubber gaskets typically surround
the piston to create an airtight seal between the piston and the
cylinder.
[0005] This piston and cylinder arrangement works however it has
several drawbacks. For example, to maintain a seal of sufficient
quality to keep air from entering the cylinder the seals around the
piston have to be very tight and thus they generate a lot of
friction. This means that the force of the return stroke will not
be as great as the force of the forward stroke. Also any air that
does enter the cylinder past the seals must be purged from the
cylinder. So such devices often utilize expensive vacuum pumps to
maintain the vacuum in the cylinder.
[0006] It has also been disclosed in the prior art to use a bellows
like structure to create a vacuum. Unfortunately, however to make a
bellows like structure withstand the pressure forces created by
high quality vacuum the material that the structure is made from
has to be very rigid. And distorting the rigid material would not
give the user of the machine a smooth consistent force that would
effectively simulate the workout a user could achieve using free
weights. Furthermore the inventions disclosed in the prior are that
utilize bellows like structures are unable to deliver a constant
resistive force to the user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to create a
multipurpose exercise machine that generates a force by creating a
vacuum spring that does not have the drawbacks of a slidable piston
disposed within a cylinder or of a bellows like structure.
[0008] Briefly described in a preferred embodiment. The disclosed
invention is an exercise machine comprising a compact movable
frame, a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame, a large diameter
pulley coupled to a shaft, four cams coupled to the shaft, and four
novel vacuum springs having one end coupled to the frame and one
end that can be coupled to the cams via a flexible linkages such as
a strap or cable.
[0009] The vacuum springs are comprised of two rigid end pieces
that are movable relative to each other. A flexible membrane
couples the two movable bodies to each other and encloses a
hermetically sealed region in between the two end pieces and the
flexible membrane. The flexible membrane has a concaved shape
wherein the bases of the concave are coupled to the end pieces and
the apex of the flexible membrane points towards the center of the
vacuum spring.
[0010] The two end pieces both have dome shaped surfaces in their
center. The apexes of the domes both point in the same direction
allowing the domes to interlock with one another and eliminate any
open space between the when they are in the closed position.
[0011] When the end pieces move apart no air is able to move into
the space between them and a powerful vacuum is created almost
instantaneously. The force exerted by the vacuum on the end pieces
is almost constant. However as the end pieces move further apart
the geometry of the flexible membrane changes and the tensile force
exerted by the flexible membrane on the end pieces increases. To
compensate for the increasing force and deliver a smooth constant
force to the user, the movable end of the vacuum spring is coupled
via a strap to a cam that is integrated into shaft. The distance
between axis of rotation of the cam and the point where the cam
surface and the strap separate decreases as the cam is rotated
through the forward stroke. And that distances increases as the cam
is rotated through the reverse stroke.
[0012] The four vacuum springs are all made at different sizes so
they each generate different resistances. Likewise the sizes of the
four cams are also made in different sizes to match the different
stroke lengths of the four vacuum springs. One of the vacuum spring
and cam combinations provides 15 lbs of resistance to the user,
another provides 20 lbs, another provides 25 lbs, and the largest
spring provides 30 lbs. One or more of the vacuum springs can be
coupled to the cams at any one time. This enables to the user to
adjust the resistance of the machine in 5 lb increments from 15 lbs
all the way up to 90 lbs. Other size combinations are also
possible.
[0013] The base of the frame is mounted on a hinge that allows the
machine to tilt about a horizontal axis. The base of the frame of
the machine is then mounted to a foundation that the user can stand
on or a bench or seat can be placed on. Two of the disclosed
machines are utilized in the preferred embodiment so that the user
can exercise two arms or legs at one time. Also the foundation has
multiple mounting locations so that the two instances of the
machine can be positioned in different locations allowing for
different types of exercises and to accommodate people of different
sizes.
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from
the following description and claims when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The technology described herein will be better understood by
reading the detailed description of the invention with reference to
the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals
denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and
in which:
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front views of the vacuum spring used by
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vacuum spring of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components of the
vacuum spring of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4C is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention with the left side plate removed to show the
internal components;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention with the front plates of the frame removed to
show the internal components;
[0024] FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sectional views of a cam utilized
by the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front view of a complete exercise system
utilizing two instances of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of a complete exercise system utilizing
two instances of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the two end pieces
positioned next to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the
present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, specific
terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention,
however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology
so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish similar functions.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1A, illustrated therein is a front
view of a vacuum spring 20 used by the present invention in the
closed position. A rigid moveable end piece 21 is at the top of the
vacuum spring. A fixed rigid end piece 26 is at the bottom. A
flexible membrane 25 couples the two end pieces together. Two
clamps 24 couple the top and the bottom of the flexible membrane to
the end pieces whereby an airtight seal is created between the end
pieces and the flexible membrane 25. An attachment structure 22
protrudes from the movable en piece 21. The attachment structure 22
is used for connecting the movable end piece to a flexible linkage
that is attached to a cam. In this embodiment the attachment
structure 22 has three holes in it that will allow three hooks that
are attached to a strap to hook onto the attachment structure. The
moveable end piece 21 also has two guide surfaces 23 (only one is
visible here) that protrude from it. The guide surfaces 23 ensure
that the end piece 21 moves only in the desired direction, which in
the case is directly upward from the fixed end piece 26. This is
necessary because
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1B, illustrated therein is a front
view of the same vacuum spring 20 in FIG. 1A. However in FIG. 1B
the vacuum is in the open position as the two end pieces 21 and 26
have been pulled apart and a vacuum has been created in the region
between the end pieces and the flexible membrane 25. Thus the
atmosphere is now exerting a force on the two end pieces 21 and 26
and the flexible membrane 25 that pushes the two end pieces toward
each other.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a side view
of the vacuum spring 20.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a
cross-sectional view of the components of the vacuum spring 20 of
the present invention. Here the dome shaped structures that make up
the two interlocking end pieces 21 and 26 are clearly visible. The
interlocking surfaces of the end pieces 21 and 26 could simply be
flat surfaces, however this design would be very inefficient as
much more material would be required to enable a flat surface to
withstand the pressure forces exerted by the atmosphere than a dome
shaped surface would. The dome also transfers the forces exerted on
the movable end piece to the center where the attachment structure
is.
[0033] Also clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 are the two base ends 27
of the flexible membrane 25 and the apex 28 of the membrane 25 that
loops around the membrane and points toward the center of the
vacuum spring 20. Also shown are two high tensile strength
filaments 29 that are embedded into the flexible membrane. A large
number of these filaments can be embedded into the membrane. They
are oriented parallel to each other and traverse the membrane 25
from one base end 27 to the other through the apex 28 of the
membrane 25. They transfer pressure forces exerted by the
atmosphere on the flexible membrane 25 to the end pieces 21 and
26.
[0034] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a hole 31 in the middle of the end
piece 26 and a one-way valve 32. The hole and the valve can be used
to purge any air they may leak into the vacuum chamber out of the
chamber. This feature is not necessary for the spring to operate
however it would be useful if any air ever leaks into the vacuum
spring 20.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4A, illustrated therein is a side view
of a preferred embodiment of the present invention 1. A handle 2 is
attached to a cable 3. A top handle 4 attaches to the top of the
invention 1 so that it can be easily moved. A left side wall 5
covers the side of the invention 1 and comprises part of the frame
of the invention. Two knobs 6 (only one is visible here) protrude
from the front of the invention. There are there so that the cable
3 can be wrapped around them when the machine is not in use. Four
force selection knobs 15 protrude from the side wall 5. They are
used to engage or disengage the four vacuum springs used by the
invention. They operate by being pulled slightly outward and then
slid from one side to the other.
[0036] A base 7 is positioned beneath the frame. A hinge 8 couples
the bottom of the frame to the base 7. The hinge 8 allows the frame
to tilt about a horizontal axis so that the user of the invention
can pull the cable 3 in multiple directions. Two springs 10 (only
one is visible here) are positioned on both sides of the hinge 8
and keep the exercise machine completely upright when no force is
exerted on it.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4B, illustrated therein is a front
view of the present invention. Here the front of the large diameter
pulley 9 is visible. The cable 3 is wrapped around the pulley 9.
The large diameter pulley 9 is sufficient in size to allow the uses
to complete a stroke of an exercise without rotating the pulley
more than 360 degrees. The enables the cams utilized by the
invention to work properly.
[0038] When a user pulls on the handle 2 the pulley rotates and
provides a resistance to the user that opposes his motion. However
on the return stroke the pulley pulls the cable away from the user
and effectively simulates a workout that can be achieved with free
weights. The arrow 11 shows the additional range of motion provided
by the hinge 8.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4C, illustrated therein is a right
side view of the present invention. Here the side of the large
diameter pulley 9 is visible. The arrow 12 shows the additional
range of motion provided by the large diameter pulley 9. The
combined degrees of freedom of motion provided by the hinge and the
pulley make the invention 1 very flexible and useful for a large
number of exercises.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a left side
view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the
left side plate removed to show the internal components. A
rotatable shaft 16 is mounted on bearing in the center of the
frame. Four rtraps or flexible linkages 31 are attached to cams
that are machine into the shaft. The other ends of the four straps
are connected to hook structures 32. The hook structures have three
prongs that protrude from them and can engage the holes on the
vacuum spring attachment structures 22. Eight guide posts 30
protrude from the side of the frame and are positioned next to the
guide surfaces 23. These guide posts ensure that the movable ends
of the vacuum springs move only in the desired direction.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is a front side
view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the
front plates of the frame removed to show the internal components.
However only two of the four vacuum springs 20 are shown for the
sake of clarity. Two elastic ropes 17 traverse the frame from the
right wall to the hook structures 32 and then to the force
selection knobs 15. When the force selection knobs 15 are slide
back and forth, the hook structures 32 slide back and forth and the
prongs of the hook structures engage and disengage the attachment
structures of the vacuum springs 20.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrated therein are
cross sectional views of a cam 34 utilized by the present
invention. The cam 34 is machined into the shaft 16. A flexible
linkage 31 is attached to the cam via a mechanical fastener 35. The
arrow in FIG. 8A shows the direction that the cam will rotate
during the forward stroke. The arrow in FIG. 8B shows the direction
that the cam will rotate during the reverse stroke.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a front view
of a complete exercise system utilizing two instances of the
present invention. Two of the exercise machines 1 are attached to a
foundation 43. The only difference between the two machines 1 is
that the pulleys are mounted on different sides. The foundation has
multiple points where the exercise machines 1 can be positioned so
that the user can perform a huge range of different exercises. The
exercise machines 1 can also be rotated in different directions
about a vertical axis so that even more exercises can be
performed.
[0044] A bench 40 can be positioned on top of the foundation 43 so
that exercises like bench presses can be performed. The bench also
has two attachment structures 41 that the bases of the exercise
machines 1 can be mounted on. Footrests 42 also protrude from two
of the benches legs for use in exercises like seated lat rows.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is a top view
of a complete exercise system utilizing two instances of the
present invention previously illustrated in FIG. 8. Also visible
here is a plurality of mounting holes 44 where the exercise
machines 1 can be positioned on. The attachment structures 41 that
are mounted on the bench 40 also have mounting holes.
[0046] An optional leg curl attachment could be added to the bench.
And one or both of the exercise machines 1 could be drivenly
connected to the leg curl attachment. One or more of the mounting
holes in at the top middle of the foundation could be uses for the
purpose.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein another
cross-sectional view of the two end pieces wherein they are
positioned right next to each other to show how are gaps between
them are eliminated.
[0048] Of course a huge number of alternative embodiments of the
present invention could also be created. In one alternative
embodiment adhesives could be used rather than a mechanical
fastener to couple the membrane to the end pieces. Also an enormous
number of different configurations could be used to engage the
vacuum springs could be employed. For example the user could
connect the hooks to the movable ends of the vacuum springs
manually. In another embodiment the components of the frame and the
stationary end pieces of the vacuum springs could be integrated
into one solid piece. Furthermore all of the vacuum springs could
be permanently attached to the cams and valves could be used to
control air into and out of the vacuum springs. The valves could be
opened to essentially eliminate the resistance created by the
vacuum springs. Also the fixed end pieces of the vacuum springs
could be welded, bolted, clamped, etc. to the frame. Also the
shaft, cams and pulley could all be created from one solid piece of
material. Additionally, the multiple filament segments used in the
flexible membrane could be made from one long filament that is
looped back and forth from one base of the membrane to the other
wherein the segments of the filament are still oriented parallel to
each other. A guard to cover the pulley could extend outward from
the frame.
[0049] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the
technology described herein, it should be noted by those skilled in
the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that
various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be
made within the scope of the technology described herein.
Accordingly, the technology described herein is not limited to the
specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the
following claims.
* * * * *