Universal system for monitoring and controlling exercise parameters

• US 20040176226A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alan Carlson
• Original Assignee: Alan Carlson
• Inventors: Carlson, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,651,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/112
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/05 Linearly-compressed elements A63B21/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A universal system for monitoring activities and motions during exercise and controlling the resistance provided to a user of exercise equipment during the motions. The system having at least one sensor to detect at least one of physical parameter of the exercisers activity such as force, acceleration, and/or direction of user movements. The resistance mechanism provides an adjustable and variable resistance and a dampened response to an exerciser while the sensors monitor the forces and resulting movement of the user interface. The system provides an adjustable resistance system for exercising parts of the body having complex movements over a full range of motion such as the arms, legs, neck, wrist, ankle, and torso. The present invention is also adaptable to existing fitness equipment. The system can also provide effective resistance and damping over the range of motion in free space. The force exerted by the user on the user interface can be measured over the entire range of motion using force and position sensors.

Claims

1. A universal system for controlling and monitoring the activity of an exerciser comprising:

a user interface;

a connection interface for coupling a lead to the user interface;

at least one sensor coupled to the user interface, wherein user input to the user interface can be detected by the at least one sensor.

2. The system as in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting sensor data.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes a strain gage.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes an accelerometer.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes an angular rate sensor.

6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further includes a position sensor.

7. The system as in claim 1, further comprising an input device for receiving user input such that a sample exercise routine can be provided to the user.

8. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor identifying the user.

9. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a switch which activates the at least one sensor.

10. The system as in claim 1, further comprising an activator which activates the transmitter when data is available for transmission.

11. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a resistance system and a sensor which senses a resistance provided by the resistance system.

12. A resistance system for providing an adjustable resistance to an exerciser comprising:

a cylinder bore;

a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder bore;

a first valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the cylinder bore in a first direction

a second valve for throttling the flow of fluid from the cylinder bore in a second direction.

13. The system as in claim 12, further including a valve actuator to adjust a resistance.

14. The system as in claim 12, further including a lead for coupling the resistance system to a user interface.

15. The system as in claim 14, further including a mechanical reduction coupled to the user interface and the resistance system.

16. The system as in claim 14, further including a pressure sensor for sensing hydraulic pressure of the resistance system.

17. The system as in claim 14, further including a sensor for sensing the movement of a lead.

18. The system as in claim 14 further including a brake to dampen the system response.

19. The system as in claim 14 further including an air pocket in a reservoir.

20. A system for controlling a resistance system on fitness equipment comprising:

a data processing unit;

at least one sensor for communication with the data processing unit

an actuator for communication with the data processing unit wherein when the sensor can receive data and transmit the data to the computer and the computer can transmit control instruction to the actuator and the actuator can change at least one characteristic of the resistance system.