Unidirectional uniform resistance exercise apparatus

• US 20040242388A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard Kusminsky
• Original Assignee: Richard Kusminsky
• Inventors: Kusminsky, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/440,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20040242388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/131
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement

Abstract

A unidirectional exercise machine with a base, a resistive force coupling fixed to the base that has an extendable member attached to a user. The extendable member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, relative to the base, to create a resistive force upon movement toward the extended position and a nominal force upon movement toward the retracted position.

Claims

1. A unidirectional exercise machine for increasing the effort required for a user to perform push-ups comprising:

(a) a cable drum;

(b) a cable wound on the drum;

(c) a user wearable harness attached to an end of the cable;

(d) an adjustable brake, engaging the drum for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable; and

(e) a clutch, operatively coupled to the brake for releasing the brake and allowing the cable to freely rewind on the drum during the down portion of a push-up.

2. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a tensioner that varies the pressure on the adjustable brake.

3. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.

4. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the adjustable brake applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the push-up.

5. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a gripping means for engaging the user.

6. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the gripping means is adjustable.

7. A unidirectional exercise machine for increasing the effort required for a user to perform exercises comprising:

(a) a cable drum;

(b) a cable wound on the drum;

(c) a user wearable harness attached to an end of the cable;

(d) an adjustable brake, engaging the drum for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable; and

(e) a clutch, operatively coupled to the brake for releasing the brake and allowing the cable to freely rewind on the drum during the retracting portion of an exercise.

8. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising a tensioner that varies the pressure on the adjustable brake.

9. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.

10. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the adjustable brake applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the exercise.

11. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising a gripping means for engaging the user.

12. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the gripping means is adjustable.

13. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, wherein a base supports the cable drum.

14. A unidirectional exercise machine for a user comprising:

(a) abase;

(b) a resistive force coupling fixed to the base, the coupling having an extendable member attached to the user; and

(c) the extendable member being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, relative to the base, to create a resistive force upon movement toward the extended position and a nominal force upon movement toward the retracted position.

15. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14, the resistive force coupling further comprising:

(a) a spindle;

(b) an adjustable brake co-axially aligned around the spindle for transmitting resistance to the spindle; and

(c) a tensioner that varies the pressure applied to the spindle through the adjustable brake.

16. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.

17. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 16 further comprising a cable between the resistive force coupling and the user.

18. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14 wherein tensioner applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the exercise.

19. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14, further comprising a gripping means on the base to engage the user.

20. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the gripping means is adjustable.