U.S. patent number 3,896,672 [Application Number 05/375,938] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-29 for exercise apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Robar Mini-Gym, Inc.. Invention is credited to Milton W. Fisher, Glen E. Henson.
United States Patent |
3,896,672 |
Henson , et al. |
July 29, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Exercise apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus providing for accommodating resistance
while allowing the level of resistance to the exercise force to be
varied is provided by the present invention. The exercise apparatus
also includes a movable arm for indicating the magnitude of the
force exerted by a user of the apparatus. A frictional member is
journaled on a rotatable shaft which is rotated by a user of the
apparatus and means is provided for varying the frictional force
against the member. Centrifugal force responsive structure is also
provided which is responsive to the speed of rotation of the shaft
and increases or decreases the frictional force in accordance with
increases and decreases in the speed of rotation. An arm for
indicating the magnitude of the force exerted by a user of the
apparatus is coupled with the frictional member and holds the
member against rotation with the shaft while accommodating a
limited degree of pivotal movement. Thus, the arm will move in
accordance with the degree of movement of the frictional member
which is, in turn, proportional to the force exerted. The invention
also provides for continuous recording of the exerted force on a
roll of paper which is unwound by a drive mechanism coupled with
the rotatable shaft.
Inventors: |
Henson; Glen E. (Independence,
MO), Fisher; Milton W. (Jackson, MO) |
Assignee: |
Robar Mini-Gym, Inc.
(Independence, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
23482985 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/375,938 |
Filed: |
July 2, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/379.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/224 (20130101); A63B 21/153 (20130101); A63B
2071/027 (20130101); A63B 21/002 (20130101); A63B
21/22 (20130101); A63B 23/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/22 (20060101); G01l 005/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;73/379,380,381
;272/79R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gill; James J.
Assistant Examiner: Ciarlante; Anthony V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lowe, Kokjer, Kircher, Wharton
& Bowman
Claims
Having thus described the invention, we claim:
1. Exercise apparatus comprising: a framework;
rotatable shaft means mounted on said framework;
a first member journaled on said shaft and having first and and
second frictional surfaces;
a second member rotatably coupled with the shaft and movable
longitudinally of the shaft toward and away from said first surface
of the first member for engagement with the latter upon rotation of
the shaft;
a third member rotatably coupled with the shaft on the side of said
first member opposite said second member and movable longitudinally
of the shaft into engagement with said second surface of the first
member whereby to sandwich said first member between the second and
third members;
means adapted to be acted upon by a user of the apparatus for
rotating said shaft;
means for moving said second member in the direction of said first
member to engage the second member against the first surface of the
first member with increasing force as the speed of rotation
continues to increase, and for withdrawing the second member from
the first surface of the first member as the speed of rotation
decreases;
a roll of marking paper mounted on said framework;
a marking instrument for making a mark on the paper corresponding
to the magnitude of the exerted force;
a drive roller in engagement with a length of the paper;
a gear train for driving said roller in response to rotation of the
shaft; mean for and
yieldable means supported by the framework and disposed for
resisting the pivotal movement of said first member.
2. The invention of claim 1, said paper being translucent, and
wherein is included a transparent backing plate rigid with said
supporting framework for said paper immediately opposite said
marking instrument, the latter being disposed beneath said plate
whereby a user of the apparatus may observe the markings on said
paper.
3. Exercise apparatus comprising:
a framework;
rotatable shaft means mounted on said framework;
a first member journaled on said shaft and having first and second
frictional surfaces;
a second member rotatably coupled with the shaft and movable
longitudinally of the shaft toward and away from said first surface
of the first member for engagement with the latter upon rotation of
the shaft;
a third member rotatably coupled with the shaft on the side of said
first member opposite said second member and movable longitudinally
of the shaft into engagement with said second surface of the first
member whereby to sandwich said first member between the second and
third members;
a first member journaled on the shaft and presenting a frictional
surface;
a second member rotatably coupled with the shaft and movable toward
and away from the frictional surface for engagement with the latter
upon rotation of the shaft;
means adapted to be acted upon by a user of the apparatus for
rotating said shaft;
centrifugal force responsive structure rotatably coupled with said
shaft and responsive to the speed of rotation of the shaft for
first moving said second member in the direction of said first
member to engage the second member with increasing force as the
speed of rotation continues to increase, and for withdrawing the
second member from the first member as the speed of rotation
decreases;
a roll of marking paper mounted on said framework;
a marking instrument for making a mark on the paper corresponding
to the magnitude of the exerted force;
linkage means for coupling said first member with said instrument
and for accommodating a limited degree of pivotal movement of the
first member while holding the latter against rotation with the
shaft;
a drive roller in engagement with a length of the paper;
a gear train for driving said roller in response to rotation of the
shaft; and
yieldable means supported by the framework and disposed for
resisting the pivotal movement of said first member.
4. The invention of claim 3, said paper being translucent, and
wherein is included a transparent backing plate rigid with said
supporting framework for said paper immediately opposite said
marking instrument, the latter being disposed beneath said plate
whereby a user of the apparatus may observe the markings on said
paper.
5. The invention of claim 4, wherein is included a first gear rigid
with said shaft, and said gear train comprises a plurality of
reduction gears operably engaged with the first gear for driving
said roller at a reduced speed relative to the speed of rotation of
the shaft.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein is included a trough supported
by said framework for guiding said paper as the latter is unrolled,
said drive roller being supported by the framework and bearing
against said trough, and wherein is further included a rod operably
coupled with one of said reduction gears and extending in the
direction of the roller, said roller being provided with a first
bevel gear rigid therewith, and a second bevel gear rigid with said
rod and operably engaged with the first bevel gear for driving said
roller.
Description
This invention relates to exercising apparatus generally, and more
particularly to apparatus which provides for accommodating
resistance and structure for indicating the magnitude of force
exerted by a user of the apparatus.
This invention is an improvement in exercise apparatus of the type
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,530, issued Feb. 8, 1972. This
patent is expressly incorporated herein by reference to the extent
necessary to obtain a full and complete understanding of the
present invention.
A general discussion of isotonic and isometric exercises as well as
isokinetic exercises which can be performed with the apparatus of
the present invention are discussed in the above-referenced patent.
There has been a definite need in isokinetic exercisers for a
device which can vary the resistance level by a predetermined
amount to accommodate persons of greatly varying strength.
While the isokinetic exercise apparatus disclosed in the
above-referenced patent provides for some degree or measuring the
force exerted by a user of the apparatus, such a measuring device
has depended upon movement of the entire framework of the exerciser
which has proved to be a relatively expensive construction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
isokinetic exercise apparatus wherein the accommodating resistance
may be adjusted to different predetermined minimum resistance
levels thus offering a greater range than is possible with prior
art devices having a non-variable accommodating resistance.
As a corollary to the above object, an objective of the invention
is to provide a variable accommodating resistance which can offer
greatly increased resistance potential utilizing only a single
frictional member as a result of the member being sandwiched
between two relatively movable members both having surfaces
engageable with the frictional member.
As still another corollary to the object second above, an aim of
this invention is to provide an isokinetic exerciser wherein the
resistance level of the accommodating resistance may be preset
simply by turning a knob located conveniently for a user of the
apparatus.
Another important aim of this invention is to provide an isokinetic
exerciser having an arm for indicating the force exerted by a user
of the apparatus wherein the indicator arm does not depend upon
movement of the supporting framework to provide the necessary
indication.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an isokinetic
exerciser wherein the accommodating resistance is provided by a
frictional member engageable with centrifugal force responsive
means and including an arm for indicating the amount of force
exerted by a person using the exerciser wherein the arm is coupled
directly with the frictional member to provide for increased
accuracy as well as simplified construction.
Another one of the objects of this invention is to provide an
isokinetic exerciser having an arm for indicating the amount of
force exerted by a user of the apparatus and wherein a continuous
graphic record of the force is made on a length of paper which is
continually advanced throughout the exercise movement.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the isokinetic exercise apparatus
of the present invention showing the relative locations of the
adjustable resistance control and the continuous graphic record of
force exerted;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top plan view of the exercise apparatus with
the covering case removed;
FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the exercise
apparatus taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus as shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of the accommodating
resistance mechanism of the invention with portions being shown in
cross section to reveal details of construction;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the exercise apparatus
illustrating an alternative form of elevator arm;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken along
line 7--7 of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the calibrated dial which
is used in conjunction with the alternative form of indicator arm
as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exercise apparatus of the
present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10.
Apparatus 10 comprises a supporting framework 12 of generally
U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as is most readily apparent
from viewing FIG. 4. The framework 12 provides a supporting base
for the working mechanism of the apparatus as well as for an
external covering case 14. A pair of foldable foot rests 16 are
hingedly coupled with framework 12 and the same may be moved from a
position in planar alignment with the supporting base of framework
12 to a folded position adjacent the sidewall of carrying case 14
as indicated in FIG. 2.
A relatively large externally toothed drive gear 18 is pinned to a
shaft 20 which is rotatably supported by framework 12. Also keyed
to shaft 20 is a spool 22 around which a rope 24 is coiled. One end
of the rope is rigidly secured to the spool. At the end of spool 22
adjacent gear 18 an annular dish-shaped housing 26 encloses a
ratchet and pawl assembly (not shown). The ratchet and pawl
assembly is described in detail in the above-referenced patent and
permits the direction of rotation of spool 22 to be reversed under
the influence of a coil spring (not shown) without turning gear 18
in reverse. Manifestly, the free end of rope 24 is secured to a
handle 28 which is normally disposed outside of case 14 where it
can be easily grasped by a user of the apparatus.
Also rotatably mounted on framework 12 in parallel relationship to
spool 22 is an externally polygonal shaft 30 which mounts
accommodating resistance mechanism designated generally by the
numeral 32. One end of shaft 30 carries a gear 34 which is coupled
for rotation with the shaft and is operably engaged with the
relatively large drive gear 18. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the other
end of shaft 30 is provided with threads 36 for mounting a
complementally threaded adjusting knob 38. An elongated sleeve 40
has an internal surface complemental to the polygonal surface of
shaft 30 and rotatably mounts the shaft within a bushing 42 carried
by the supporting framework. The end of sleeve 40 adjacent knob 38
is flared outwardly into an annular projection 44 which
complementally receives knob 38. The opposite end of sleeve 40
terminates in an integral flange 46.
A first frictional member 48 is journaled on shaft 30 and presents
first and second frictional surfaces sandwiched between second and
third members in the form of discs 50 and 52 which are coupled for
rotation with the shaft 30. The centrifugal force responsive
mechanism for increasing the frictional resistance between members
40, 48, 50 and 52 in direct relationship to the force exerted by a
user of the apparatus comprises first and second elongated levers
54 and 56 disposed on opposite sides of shaft 30 and keyed to the
latter by a common pin 58. Each lever 54 and 56 has an integral
outturned end 60 and 62 respectively for bearing against a block 64
that is rotatably coupled with shaft 30 while being movable
longitudinally of the latter. First and second leaf strips 66 and
68 are interposed between block 64 and disc 50 and are also
rotatably coupled with shaft 30.
Disposed along the length of levers 54 and 56, and rigid therewith,
are weights 70 and 72 respectively. Each of the weights has a
cutaway portion of a general configuration complemental to the
shaft 30 so as to partially surround the latter. Outward movement
of levers 54 and 56, in response to centrifugal forces when shaft
30 rotates, is resisted by coil springs 74 and 76 respectively
which are pinned to shaft 30 by bolts 78 and 80 respectively.
As shaft 30 rotates and member 50 grasps frictional member 48 with
increasing force, the latter is prevented from rotating with the
shaft by a link 82 which couples frictional member 48 with an
indicator arm 84 which carries a marking instrument 86. Indicator
arm 84 and its associated mechanism will now be described in
greater detail. Disposed at the end of framework 12 opposite spool
22 is an elevated platform 88 which mounts a roll of translucent
marking paper 90. A length 92 of the paper roll 90 is threaded
between a generally U-shaped trough 94 and a transparent backing
plate 96 (FIG. 3). A window 98 in the trough 94 allows marking
instrument 86 to mark on the paper with support from backing plate
96. Adjacent the free end of the length of paper 92 is a friction
roller 100 which is rotatably mounted on platform 88 and is in
frictional engagement with the paper as it bears against trough
94.
A rod 102 extending parallel to shaft 30 is rotatably mounted by
framework 12 and is provided with a drive gear 104 adjacent one
end. Gear 104 is operably coupled with a reduction gear train 106
which in turn is operably engaged with gear 34 on shaft 30. The
opposite end of rod 102 is provided with a bevel gear 108 that is
operably engaged with a second bevel gear 110 for driving roller
100 through an integral spool 112 and associated drive shaft 114.
Link 82, previously described, is of generally L-shaped
configuration and has an extension 82a projecting perpendicular to
the shorter leg of the link for mounting arm 84. Projection 82a is
journaled in a tab support 116 rigid with supporting framework 12.
A coil spring 118 has one end coupled with link 82 and the other
end secured to an upwardly projecting bracket 120 so as to resist
movement of link 82 under the influence of frictional member 48.
Manifestly, while link 82 prevents rotation of the member with
shaft 30, a limited degree of pivotal movement is accommodated
which movement is utilized to measure the force exerted by a user
of the exercise apparatus.
When a user of the apparatus 10 positions his feet on foot rests 16
and pulls on handle 28, shaft 30 is rotated at a speed proportional
to the force exerted by the exerciser. Accordingly, levers 54 and
56 with weights 70 and 72 thereon will move outwardly to a greater
extent in response to centrifugal forces as the speed of rotation
of the shaft increases. As levers 54 and 56 move outwardly they
force member 50 into tighter and tighter engagement with member 48
to thereby increase the frictional resistance between the members.
To this end, knob 38 has been screwed on the shaft 30 a
predetermined distance to cause sleeve 40 to move longitudinally of
the shaft and member 52 to engage member 48 with a predetermined
force. Thus, the minimum level of resistance offered by the
exercise apparatus is determined by the extent to which knob 38 is
screwed onto shaft 30. The frictional resistance between the
members will continue to increase beyond this predetermined minimum
level as member 50 grasps member 48 within increasing force in
response to movement of lever arms 54 and 56. It is to be
emphasized that rather than simply providing an adjustment for
moving frictional member 48 closer to member 50, the sleeve 40 in
cooperation with knob 38 actually provides for twice the braking
action at the very outset of the exercise movement by virtue of the
fact that member 52 rotates with shaft 30 while being in engagement
with member 48. The magnitude of the minimum frictional resistance
level may be increased even above twice what has heretofore been
possible by screwing knob 38 still further onto shaft 30.
Springs 74 and 76 assure return of levers 54 and 56 to their at
rest positions as the speed of rotation of shaft 30 is slowed.
This, in turn, assures that contact between frictional member 48
and member 50 will be broken when desired.
While link 82, which is coupled with member 48 by a pin connection
82b holds the frictional member against rotation with shaft 30, a
limited degree of pivotal movement is accommodated. This pivotal
movement is translated to indicator arm 84 through link 82 and
marking instrument 86 records the movement on length 92 of the roll
of paper 90. Manifestly, member 48 can move only when the person
exercising overcomes the frictional resistance between this member
and members 50 and 52. Thus, the limited degree of pivotal movement
of member 48 will be directly proportional to the force exerted by
the person exercising. Since paper 90 is translucent in nature and
backup plate 96 is transparent, a person exercising may observe the
continual graphic recording of the force they are exerting through
an opening 122 in case 14. Roller 100, which is driven through gear
train 106, rod 102, and gears 108 and 110 continues to unroll paper
90 throughout the exercise movement to provide a continual recorded
graph of exerted force. Movement of link 82 is always away from
coil spring 118 which assures that arm 84 will be returned to its
at rest position as pivotal movement of member 48 ceases.
Referring now to the alternative embodiment of the invention shown
in FIGS. 6-8, construction of this alternative embodiment is, in
every respect, identical to the construction of the embodiment
described above with the exceptions noted hereinafter. A modified
case 114 encloses the accommodating resistance mechanism of the
apparatus and is provided with a dial 124 calibrated in units of
force which is readily visible to a person exercising with the
apparatus. An indicator arm 184 has a hand portion 185 which moves
along the face of dial 124 to indicate to a person exercising the
magnitude of force exerted. Arm 184 is coupled with frictional
member 48 through an integral depending shank portion 187 and
associated linkage as will now be described.
A first, generally L-shaped link 182 has one end secured to
frictional member 48 by a nut and bolt assembly 182b or other
appropriate connector. The opposite end of link 182 is coupled with
a second elongated link 183 which moves within a sleeve 189 mounted
on a supporting platform 188. Link 183 is, in turn, coupled with
one end of a bell crank 126 pivotally mounted on platform 188. The
other end of the bell crank is coupled with a third link 128 which
is operably connected with a gear track 130. Gear track 130 is
reciprocable back and forth between two spaced apart housings 132
and 134 which receive opposite ends of the gear track.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, housing 134 extends upwardly to present a
collar 136 that receives shank portion 187 of arm 184. An integral
washer 138 on arm 184 provides a bearing surface and seats shank
portion 187 within collar 136. Rigid with the lowermost end of
shank portion 187 is an externally toothed gear 140 which is
operably engaged with gear track 130.
Shank portion 187 is provided with a central bore of a size to
tightly receive the end of an upright pivot rod 142. Thus, pivot
rod 142 will turn with arm 184 and, to this end, the lowermost end
of rod 142 is rotatably mounted in a bushing 144. Rigid with pivot
rod 142 is a counterweight 146.
The lowermost portion of L-shaped link 182 is of a greater
cross-sectional dimension than either of the two ends of the link
and is hollowed out to receive an elongated extension 148 which
projects outwardly from the link and has its far end slidably
received by a bracket 150 supported by framework 12. Extension 148
thus provides a guide for link 182 and a coil spring 152 resists
movement of the link under the influence of frictional member 48. A
second spring 154 coupled with third link 128 and a third spring
156 coupled with bell crank 126 cooperate with the spring 152 to
assure return of arm 184 to its at rest position.
Again referring to dial 124, it is seen that a second indicator arm
284 is pivotally mounted on the face of the dial. This second arm
is freely and independently pivotal through an arc of 180 degrees
and, as a result of a tab projection 158, arm 284 is carried by arm
184.
The modified structure of the exercise apparatus, as above
described, is utilized to provide a user of the apparatus with an
indication of the force exerted rather than utilizing roll of paper
90 to provide a continuous graph of the force. Thus, as member 48
moves a limited degrees as the exercise force increases, arm 184
will move along the face of dial 124 to indicate to the exerciser
the amount of force exerted. Arm 284 will be carried by the arm 184
to the position of the maximum force exerted where it will remain
until reset at the end of the exercise. Counterweight 146 assures
smooth movement of the arm 184 and minimizes "hunting" of the arm
as a result of small variations in the force exerted.
* * * * *