U.S. patent application number 14/373903 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for magnetic pulley resistance exerciser.
The applicant listed for this patent is KINVESTIX LTD.. Invention is credited to Eldan Ker, Asaf Manor.
Application Number | 20150011368 14/373903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48872938 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150011368 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manor; Asaf ; et
al. |
January 8, 2015 |
MAGNETIC PULLEY RESISTANCE EXERCISER
Abstract
A wearable exercise pulley comprising: an electrically
conducting disc rotatable about an axis of the disc perpendicular
to the plane of the disc; a cable coiled around the axis, which
when pulled to uncoil the cable from around the axis causes the
disc to rotate; at least one magnet that produces a magnetic field,
which penetrates the disc and generates eddy currents in the disc
when the disc is rotated; and a spring that operates to coil the
cable around the axis.
Inventors: |
Manor; Asaf; (Tel Aviv,
IL) ; Ker; Eldan; (Tel Aviv, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KINVESTIX LTD. |
Tel Aviv |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
48872938 |
Appl. No.: |
14/373903 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
January 24, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2013/050614 |
371 Date: |
July 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61590346 |
Jan 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4043 20151001;
A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 23/1209
20130101; A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 21/4011 20151001; A63B
2209/08 20130101; A63B 21/00192 20130101; A63B 21/018 20130101;
A63B 21/153 20130101; A63B 21/4009 20151001; A63B 21/4025 20151001;
A63B 21/4007 20151001; A63B 21/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/116 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 21/018 20060101 A63B021/018 |
Claims
1. A wearable exercise pulley comprising: an electrically
conducting disc rotatable about an axis of the disc perpendicular
to the plane of the disc; a cable coiled around the axis, which
when pulled to uncoil the cable from around the axis causes the
disc to rotate; at least one magnet that produces a magnetic field,
which penetrates the disc and generates eddy currents in the disc
when the disc is rotated; and a spring that operates to coil the
cable around the axis.
2. An exercise pulley according to claim 1 wherein the disc has a
diameter less than or equal to about 15 cm
3. (canceled)
4. An exercise pulley according to claim 1 wherein the disc has a
diameter less than or equal to about 9 cm
5. An exercise pulley according to claim 1 wherein the at least one
magnet comprises at least one first magnet on a first side of the
plane of the disc and at least one second magnet on a second side
of the plane of the disc.
6. An exercise pulley according to claim 5 and comprising a first
magnet housing that comprises the at least one first magnet and
maintains the at least one first magnet at a fixed distance from
the plane of the disc, and comprising a second magnet housing that
comprises the at least one second magnet and is moveable relative
to the first magnet housing to change a distance of the at least
one second magnet from the plane of the disc.
7. (canceled)
8. An exercise pulley according to claim 6 wherein the second
magnet housing is moveable relative to the first magnet housing by
rotation about the disc axis to change a distance of the at least
one second magnet from the plane of the disc.
9. An exercise pulley according to claim 8 and comprising a
threaded turret, wherein the first magnet housing is formed having
a hole comprising threads matching the threads on the turret, and
wherein the turret is threaded into the hole, and the first magnet
housing is rotated to move the at least one second magnet along the
turret towards or away from the plane of the disc.
10. (canceled)
11. An exercise pulley according claim 6 wherein at a closest
distance of the second at least one magnet to the plane of the
disc, the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet
produce a magnetic field at the disc equal to about 0.18 gauss.
12. An exercise pulley according to claim 11 wherein the closest
distance is equal to about 5 mm.
13. An exercise pulley according to claim 11 wherein at the closest
distance, a pulling force greater than or equal to about 300 N is
required to uncoil the cable and rotate the disc at an angular
speed of at least 8 rpm.
14. An exercise pulley according to claim 1 and comprising a
connector for attaching the exercise pulley to a matching pulley
holder wherein the connector and matching pulley holder are
configured so that the exercise pulley may conveniently be attached
to, and detached from, the holder.
15. (canceled)
16. An exercise pulley according to claim 14 wherein the connector
and pulley holder are configured so that the exercise pulley may be
mounted to the pulley holder at each of a plurality of discrete
angles relative to a reference direction perpendicular to the disc
axis.
17. An exercise pulley according to claim 16 wherein adjacent
discrete directions are separated by a same angle of rotation.
18. An exercise pulley according to claim 17 wherein the number of
discrete directions is four, and adjacent directions are separated
by 90.degree..
19. An exercise pulley according to claim 14 wherein the pulley
holder is attached to a pulley support so that the exercise pulley
may be mounted to the pulley support by mounting the exercise
pulley to the pulley holder, and wherein the pulley support
comprises a wearable harness.
20. (canceled)
21. An exercise pulley according to claim 19 wherein the harness
has attached thereto a plurality of pulley holders.
22. An exercise pulley according to claim 19 wherein the harness
comprises a harness selected from the group consisting of: a vest
harness, a belt harness and a leg harness.
23-25. (canceled)
26. An exercise pulley according to claims 19 and comprising a
handle so that the exercise pulley may securely be held in one hand
while pulling the cable with the other.
27. An exercise apparatus comprising: an exercise pulley according
to claim 14; and a wearable exercise harness comprising at least
one pulley holder.
28. An exercise pulley according to claim 27 wherein the harness
has attached thereto a plurality of pulley holders.
29-31. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/590,346 filed on Jan. 25,
2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to exercise
equipment
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various and sundry exercise equipment for exercising the
body and maintaining aerobic and strength fitness and health are
ubiquitous. Known equipment spans a large gamut that includes
relatively simple elastic bands, which an exerciser stretches to
exercise and strengthen muscle sets, free weights of various
degrees of finish, and stationary exercise machines of different
levels of sophistication which a person mounts to peddle, pull, or
push against resistance. Wearable resistance suits and harnesses
that resist various body motions are also known for use in
exercising, training and/or strengthening muscle groups and/or
aerobic stamina.
SUMMARY
[0004] An aspect of an embodiment of the invention relates to
providing a wearable, lightweight, portable, and relatively small
exercise pulley comprising a pull cable coupled to an eddy current
"brake" and a return spring. The eddy current brake operates to
generate torque that opposes the pull cable being pulled out of the
exercise pulley. The return spring operates to pull the cable into
the exercise pulley after it is pulled out. A person using the
exercise pulley may exercise by repeatedly pulling on the pull
cable with a pulling force that overcomes the torque generated by
the eddy current brake to pull the cable out of the exercise
pulley, and then relaxing the pulling force to allow the return
spring to return the pull cable back into the exercise pulley.
[0005] In an embodiment of the invention, the torque with which the
eddy current brake resists the pull cable being pulled out from the
exercise pulley is adjustable. Optionally, the torque is adjustable
so that a pulling force applied by the person to the pull cable to
pull it out from the exercise pulley is adjustable between about 0
N (Newtons) to about 300 N.
[0006] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention,
the exercise pulley comprises a connector for mounting the exercise
pulley to a pulley holder, which may be attached to a pulley
support so that the exercise pulley may be securely mounted to the
holder and thereby to the support. When mounted to a pulley
support, the exercise pulley is held substantially stationary
relative to an exerciser's body so that the exercise pulley may be
used to exercise. The pulley support may by way of example,
comprise a wearable "exercise harness". Optionally, the exercise
harness comprises a vest harness, hereinafter also referred to as
an "exercise vest", having pulley holders to receive the exercise
pulley connector at different locations on the vest. Optionally,
the exercise harness comprises a belt harness, hereinafter also
referred to as an "exercise belt" to which the pulley can be
mounted at different locations of the belt. Optionally, the
exercise harness comprises a leg harness, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the pulley holder may
comprise a "grip handle" that enables the exercise pulley to be
held in one hand by a person while the person pulls on the pull
cable with the other hand. Optionally, the grip handle is
configured to be held by the person's foot while he or she pulls on
the pull cable.
[0008] In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such
as "substantially" and "about" modifying a condition or
relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an
embodiment of the invention, are understood to mean that the
condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that
are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application
for which it is intended.
[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] Non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention are
described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are
listed following this paragraph. Identical structures, elements or
parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled
with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear.
Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are
chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not
necessarily shown to scale.
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show top and bottom
perspective views of an exercise pulley, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 1C schematically shows a pulley connector for attaching
the exercise pulley shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to a pulley holder, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exploded view of the exercise
pulley shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 3A-3K schematically show enlarged views of components
of the exercise pulley shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically show a vest harness and a
waist harness having pulley holders for mounting exercise pulleys
to the harnesses, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5D schematically show different ways in which a
person may exercise using an exercise pulley attached to an
exercise vest, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 6A-6B schematically shows different ways in which a
person may exercise using an exercise pulley attached to an
exercise belt, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6C schematically shows a person exercising with an
exercise pulley mounted to a leg harness, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention; and
[0019] FIG. 7 schematically shows an exerciser using an exercise
pulley attached to a grip handle, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following detailed description, external features of
an exercise pulley in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention are discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. An exploded
view of an exercise pulley that shows internal components of the
pulley in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown
in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3A-3K show enlarged views of the components shown
in FIG. 2. Details of the components, and how the components are
assembled to provide an exercise pulley in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention are discussed with reference to the
figures. Configurations of exercise vest and exercise belts to
which exercise pulleys may be attached in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention are discussed with reference to FIGS.
4A and 4B. 5A-7 schematically show exercise pulleys similar to that
shown in FIGS. 1A-3K being used to exercise.
[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show top and bottom
perspective views respectively of an exercise pulley 20, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Exercise pulley 20
optionally comprises a first magnet housing 30, also referred to as
a "magnetic stator" 30, a second magnetic housing 40 also referred
to as a magnetic rotor 40, formed having a threaded hole 41, and a
rotor mount 50. The rotor mount comprises a rotor turret 51 having
threads 52 that match the threads (not shown in FIG. 1A) of
threaded hole 41. A pull cable 21 extends out from the exercise
pulley through a cable aperture 32 formed in a cable guide 31
comprised in the magnetic stator. Optionally, a pull handle 22 is
attached to the pull cable to facilitate manually pulling the cable
out from the exercise pulley.
[0022] A person working out with exercise pulley 20 exercises by
repeatedly pulling pull cable 21 out of exercise pulley 20 with a
pulling force that opposes resistance generated by the pulley to
the pull cable being pulled out. A return spring in the exercise
pulley operates to pull the cable into the exercise pulley after it
is pulled out.
[0023] A torque created by eddy currents in an eddy current disc
comprised in exercise pulley 20, which is shown in FIG. 2 and
discussed below, provides the resistance that opposes extraction of
pull cable 21 from the exercise pulley. The eddy current disc is
located between magnets in magnetic rotor 40 and magnets in
magnetic stator 30 that generate a magnetic field at the location
of the disc. Pulling pull cable 21 out of exercise pulley 20 causes
the eddy current disc to rotate in the magnetic field. The motion
of the disc in the magnetic field gives rise to eddy currents in
the disc that generate a magnetic field, which in consonance with
Lenz's law, results in force and torque that opposes the motion of
the disc and extracting the pull cable out of the exercise pulley.
Magnitude of the opposing force, the resultant torque and
resistance to extracting the pull cable, increases with increase in
magnitude of the magnetic field at the desk and speed of rotation
of the disc.
[0024] Magnetic rotor 40 may be rotated on rotor turret 51 to move
the magnetic rotor towards or away from the stator to respectively
increase or decrease the magnetic field to which the eddy current
disc is exposed and corresponding torque that opposes pull cable 21
being pulled out of exercise pulley 20. For a given speed with
which pull cable 21 is pulled out from exercise pulley 20, a larger
pull force is required to pull the pull cable out of the exercise
pulley the closer magnetic rotor 40 is to magnetic stator 30.
Magnetic rotor 40 optionally comprises protruding "finger" ridges
42 configured to facilitate holding and turning the magnetic rotor.
Components and features of exercise pulley 20, and operation and
adjustment of the exercise pulley, are discussed below with
reference to FIG. 2-FIG. 3K.
[0025] A pulley connector 60, shown in FIG. 1B for connecting
exercise pulley 20 to a pulley holder is optionally comprised on
magnetic stator 30 and is configured to mate with a pulley holder
optionally formed as a "lock plate" 70, schematically shown in FIG.
1C. Pulley connector 60 is optionally formed as a "slide connector"
having a square slide frame 61 mounted on a stalk 62 and
surrounding a square, lock recess 63. Lock recess 63 is bounded by
inside frame edges 64 of slide frame 61.
[0026] Lock plate 70 optionally comprises a slide channel 71 into
which slide frame 61 may be inserted, and a snap arm 72 having a
lock ridge 73 for locking the slide frame, and thereby the exercise
pulley, to the lock plate. When the slide frame is fully inserted
into the slide channel, lock ridge 73 catches on an inside frame
edge 64 (FIGS. 1B, 1C) of slide frame 61 and locks the slide frame,
and thereby the exercise pulley, to lock plate 70. The exercise
pulley may be released from the lock plate by depressing a press
tab 74 comprised in snap arm 72 to displace lock ridge 73 from the
inside frame edge 64 with which it is in contact. Lock plate 70 is
attachable to any of various pulley supports for convenient
mounting of the exercise pulley to the supports for use in
exercising. Examples of pulley supports that are exercise harnesses
to which a lock plate 70 may be attached are discussed below and
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0027] It is noted that because slide frame 61 is square, exercise
pulley 20 may be mounted to lock plate 70 in each of four different
angular orientations separated one from the other by a rotation
angle of 90.degree. relative to a direction parallel to lock ridge
73. The orientations and their uses are discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 5A-6B. Components and features of exercise
pulley 20 and operation and adjustment of the exercise pulley are
discussed below with reference to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3A-3K.
[0028] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exploded view of exercise
pulley 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] Exercise pulley 20 comprises magnetic stator 30 referred to
above, a cable spool 80 on which pull cable 21 is wound, a
conductive eddy current disc 90, a return coil spring housing 100,
a coil spring 101, a spring housing cover 102, rotor mount 50
referred to above, a magnet support annulus 110, and a rotor cover
plate 120. The magnet support annulus and rotor cover are
components of magnetic rotor 40 referred to above and shown in FIG.
1A-1C. Enlarged views of the components of exercise pulley 20 shown
in the exploded view of FIG. 2 and how they are assembled to
provide exercise pulley 20 are schematically shown in FIGS.
3A-3K.
[0030] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically show enlarged views of rotor
cover plate 120 and magnet support anulus 110, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention. Rotor cover plate 120 optionally
comprises a central cylinder 121 formed having lock recesses 122
and a hole 41 threaded with threads 125. The rotor cover plate has
an outer rim 123 formed having lock recesses 124. Threads 125 match
threads 52 on rotor turret 51 of rotor mount 50 shown in FIG. 2 and
enlarged in FIG. 3C. Optionally, rotor turret 51 protrudes from a
central portion of a turret plate 53 having a rim 54 on which snap
teeth 55 are formed. Cover plate 120, magnet support anulus 110 and
rotor mount 50 are optionally injected molded from a suitable
medium or high impact polymer such as a polystyrene or an amorphous
thermoplastic copolymer blended from Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and
Styrene (ABS).
[0031] Magnet support annulus 110 comprises a plurality of
optionally seven disc shaped magnets 111. Each magnet 111 is
snapped into place between, and held on magnet support annulus 110
by, optionally three, cantilever, toothed prongs 112. Magnet
support annulus 110 has an inner rim 113 on which snap teeth 114
are formed and an outer rim 115 on which snap teeth 116 are formed.
Snap teeth 114 and 116 match snap lock recesses 122 and 124 in
central cylinder 121 and outer rim 123 of rotor cover plate 120
(FIG. 3A) respectively. Magnetic rotor 40 may be assembled by
pressing magnetic support annulus 110 to rotor cover plate 120 so
that snap teeth 114 and 116 of the magnetic support annulus snap
into their corresponding snap lock recesses 122 and 124
respectively in cover plate 120.
[0032] Once assembled, magnetic rotor 40 may be mounted to rotor
mount 50 by threading the magnetic rotor onto rotor turret 51. FIG.
3D schematically shows assembled magnetic rotor 40 mounted to rotor
mount 50.
[0033] FIG. 3E schematically shows an enlarged view of magnetic
stator 30. The magnetic stator is optionally injection molded from
a high impact plastic such as a plastic from which cover plate 120,
is formed and comprises optionally seven disc shaped magnets 33
mounted therein. Optionally, the magnets are supported on
circularly cylindrical bases 34 and are held on the bases by
toothed cantilever snap prongs 35. Magnetic stator 30 optionally
comprises a pair of cylindrical guide bearings 36 for guiding pull
cable 21 (FIG. 3F) from cable spool 80 to cable aperture 32. Cable
spool 80 shown in FIG. 2 is shown enlarged and mounted to the
magnetic stator in FIG. 3F. The magnetic stator is formed having a
socket 39 (FIG. 3E) for receiving a shaft 81 shown in FIG. 3F. The
shaft, which is formed having a spring seating slot 82, is locked
to and rotates with cable spool 80 when pull cable 21 is pulled out
of the magnetic stator. Magnetic stator 30 has a rim 37 formed
having lock recesses 38 that match snap teeth 55 on rotor mount 50
(FIG. 3C).
[0034] Conductive eddy current disc 90 shown in FIG. 2 is shown
enlarged and mounted to shaft 81 in FIG. 3G. The conductive eddy
current disc is optionally formed from a metal, such as aluminum
and is locked to shaft 81, optionally by a disc lock collar 83, so
that the disc rotates with the shaft. Spring housing 100 and return
coil spring 101 are optionally mounted over eddy current disc 90 as
schematically shown in FIG. 3H. An end 103 of a return coil spring
101 seats in a slot 82 (FIG. 3G) in shaft 81 so that as pull cable
22 is pulled out of magnetic stator 30 causing shaft 81 to rotate,
rotation of the shaft winds up the coils of the return coil spring.
Winding up of the coils is enabled by maintaining spring housing
100 stationary relative to magnetic stator 30 as discussed below.
FIG. 31 schematically shows spring housing 100 closed by spring
housing cover 102 and a bearing 84, which is optionally press fit
onto an end of shaft 81. Housing cover 102 is formed optionally
having a plurality of anchor holes 104.
[0035] Magnetic stator 30 is closed by rotor mount 50 by snapping
snap teeth 55 (FIG. 3C) of the rotor mount into lock recesses 38 of
magnetic stator 30. FIG. 3J schematically shows the magnetic stator
closed by rotor mount 50. When the magnetic stator is closed by the
rotor mount, bearing 84 (FIG. 31) seats in a matching recess (not
shown) in the inside top of rotor turret 51, and anchor pegs (not
shown) in the inside top of the turret seat in anchor holes 104.
The anchor pegs seating in the holes prevent rotation of spring
housing 100 relative to magnetic stator 30 so that the spring
housing does not rotate with shaft 81 when pull cable 21 is pulled
out of the magnetic stator. Assembly of exercise pulley 20 is
completed by screwing magnetic rotor 40 onto rotor turret 51 as
schematically indicated in FIG. 3K.
[0036] By way of numerical example, in an embodiment of the
invention an overall diameter of exercise pulley 20 is less than or
equal to about 18 cm (centimeters). Optionally, the overall
diameter is less than or equal to about 15 cm. In an embodiment of
the invention the overall diameter is less than or equal to about
12 cm. Conductive eddy current disk 90 is formed from aluminum is
optionally about 3 mm (millimeters) thick and has a diameter less
than or equal to about 15 cm. Optionally, the diameter of the
conductive eddy current disk is less than or equal to about 12 cm.
In an embodiment of the invention the conductive eddy current disc
has a diameter less than or equal to about 9 cm. Optionally, pulley
cable 22 has a diameter of about 2 mm and is wound up on a portion
of cable spool 80 having a diameter, a "coiling diameter", less
than or equal to about 4 cm.
[0037] In an embodiment of the invention, a pair of magnets 111 and
33 when directly opposite and closest to each other generates a
magnetic field in eddy current disc 90 having a magnitude that is
greater than or equal to about 0.18 gauss. Optionally, the magnets
generate a magnetic field having magnitude greater than or equal to
about 0.20 gauss. Optionally, the magnets generate a magnetic field
having magnitude greater than or equal to about 0.22 gauss. In an
embodiment of the invention, each magnet 111 (FIG. 3B) and 33 (FIG.
3F) has a diameter of about 20 mm and a thickness of about 5 mm.
Magnets 33 are optionally positioned about 1 mm below the plane of
the bottom surface of conductive eddy current disc. Magnets 111,
which are located in magnetic rotor 40, may be moved from a maximum
distance optionally equal to about 25 mm from the plane of the top
surface of conductive eddy current disk 90 to about a minimum
distance optionally equal to about 5 mm from the plane of the upper
surface of the conductive eddy current disc.
[0038] Assume a 9 cm diameter aluminum conductive eddy current disc
90, and a magnetic field generated by a pair of magnets 33 and 111
having magnitude of about 0.23 gauss, and a coiling diameter equal
to about 4 cm for cable spool 80. If pulley cable 20 is pulled out
of exercise pulley 20 at a speed of about 1.6 cm/s, the eddy
current disc rotates at about 8 rpm and a pulling force having
magnitude of about 300 N is required to pull pull cable 21 out of
the exercise pulley.
[0039] It is noted that in the above discussion, a magnetic field
to which conductive eddy current disc 90 is exposed is increased or
decreased by appropriately rotating magnetic rotor 40 to adjust a
pull force required to pull cable 21 out of exercise pulley 20.
However, practice of the invention is not limited to adjusting a
required effort by changing distances of magnets from the
conductive eddy current disc. For example, the pull force may be
increased or decreased by moving magnets 33 and/or magnets 111
radially, towards or away from an axis of conductive eddy current
disc 90 about which the disc rotates. Moving the magnets towards
the axis reduces a torque, which is to be overcome to pull pull
cable 21 out from exercise pulley 20.
[0040] FIG. 4A schematically show lock plates 70 attached to an
exercise vest 202 in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Exercise vest 202 optionally comprises shoulder straps
203, rib straps 204 and a breastplate 205 and a back plate 206,
only a part of which is shown in FIG. 4A. The shoulder and rib
straps are attached to the exercise vest and are adjustable to
provide a snug fit to an exerciser's body, optionally using
suitable arrangements of hook and loop fasteners such as
Velcro.RTM. fasteners and/or buckles (not shown). Optionally, four
lock plates 70 are attached to the exercise vest for mounting
exercise pulleys 20 to the exercise vest. Two of lock plates 70 are
optionally attached to breastplate 205, and two of lock plates 70
(not shown in FIG. 4A, but shown in FIG. 5D) are attached to the
back plate.
[0041] Optionally, the lock plates are attached to the vest so that
when the exercise vest is worn by an exerciser, lock ridges 73
(FIG. 1C) are oriented either substantially parallel or
substantially perpendicular to the ground. Having the lock ridges
oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the ground allows
exercise pulleys 20 to be mounted to the exercise vest so that
cable guides 31 of the exercise pulleys point along any direction
up or down, perpendicular to the ground, or left and right,
parallel to the ground. Cable guides pointing parallel or
perpendicular to the ground, facilitate exercising with the
exercise pulleys by pulling out pull cables 21 of the exercise
pulleys sideways, left or right, or vertically, up or down.
[0042] Any of various devices and methods may be used to attach
lock plates 70 to the breastplate and/or back plate. For example,
rivets and/or screws may be used to attach the lock plates to the
breastplate or back plate. To support the rivets and/or screws and
resist tearing, the breastplate or back plate may be made from a
robust natural or synthetic fabric and comprise an internal support
layer (not shown) optionally made from a suitable plastic.
[0043] FIG. 4B schematically shows an exercise belt 212 having
mounted thereto optionally two lock plates 70, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention. Exercise belt 212 is optionally
made from materials similar to materials from which exercise vest
202 is made and may be fit and adjusted to an exerciser's waist by
a suitable arrangement of a hook and loop fastener such as a
Velcro.RTM. fastener (not shown) and buckles (not shown).
[0044] FIGS. 5A-5D schematically show an exerciser 220 exercising
with exercise pulleys 20 attached to lock plates 70 (FIG. 4A) and
mounted to exercise vest 202, in accordance with embodiments of the
invention. FIG. 5A schematically shows exercise pulleys 20 oriented
with cable guides 31 pointing sideways and the exerciser pulling
out pull cable 21 horizontally. FIGS. 5B and 5C schematically show
exercise pulleys mounted to the exercise vest with their cable
guides 31 pointing up or down respectively and the exerciser
exercising in a corresponding up or down direction. FIG. 5D
schematically shows the exerciser using exercise pulley mounted to
the back of exercise vest 202.
[0045] FIG. 6A and 6B schematically show exerciser 220 exercising
with exercise pulleys 20 mounted to exercise belt 212. FIG. 6C
schematically shows the exerciser exercising with exercise pulleys
20 mounted to leg harnesses 214, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 7 schematically shows exerciser 220 exercising with an
exercise pulley 20 mounted to a lock plate 72, only an edge of
which is shown in FIG. 7, having a grip handle 74, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0047] It is noted that in the above discussion exercise pulley 20
is attached to a harness, such as a harness shown in FIGS. 5A-7,
using a square shaped pulley connector 60 and matching lock plate
70. The pulley connector and lock plate enable attaching the
connector to the lock plate in one of four fixed angular
orientations relative to an axis perpendicular to conductive eddy
current plate 90. However, practice of the invention is not limited
to such "four orientation" pully connectors and lock plates. For
example, a hexagonal rather than a square shaped pulley connector
and matching lock plate permit attaching the connector to the
holder in each of six different fixed angular directions, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A circular pulley
connector and matching lock plate connect the connector and lock
plate so that the exercise pulley is freely rotatable about an axis
substantially perpendicular to conductive eddy current disc 90, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0048] In the description and claims of the present application,
each of the verbs, "comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates
thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the
verb are not necessarily a complete listing of components, elements
or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
[0049] Descriptions of embodiments of the invention in the present
application are provided by way of example and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments
comprise different features, not all of which are required in all
embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments utilize only some of
the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations
of embodiments of the invention that are described, and embodiments
of the invention comprising different combinations of features
noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons of the
art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.
* * * * *