EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20100248905A1
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tung-Wu Lu
• Original Assignee: Tung-Wu Lu
• Inventors: LU, Tung-Wu
• Granted Patent: US 8,083,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a frame, a saddle, at least one crank arm, at least one pedal, a force measurement, an angle detector, a processor, and an adjustment mechanism. The saddle is connected to the frame. The crank arm is pivotally connected to the frame, and the pedal is pivotally connected to the crank arm. The force measurement measures a force applied to the crank arm, and the angle detector detects a crank arm angle. The processor is programmed to calculating a work value according to the force and the crank arm angle. The feedback mechanism returns the work value to a user.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a saddle connected to the frame;

at least one crank arm pivotally connected to the frame;

at least one pedal pivotally connected to the crank arm;

a force measurement for measuring a force applied to the crank arm;

an angle detector for detecting a crank arm angle;

a processor programmed to calculate a work value according to the force and the crank arm angle; and

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the saddle according to the work value.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprising:

a motor;

a tooth bar, wherein the saddle is connected to one end of the tooth bar; and

a gearbox for translating the output of the motor to raise or lower the saddle through the tooth bar.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a flywheel for applying resistance to the pedal; and

a motor for driving the flywheel according to the work value; and

a power supply for providing electric power to the motor according to the work value.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a wheel driven by the pedal; and

a derailleur mechanism for adjusting the rotation rate of the wheel according to the work value.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the angle detector is a goniometer or a gyroscope.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the force measurement is a torque meter for measuring torque applied by the rotational motion of the crank arm.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the force measurement is a load cell.

8. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a saddle connected to the frame;

at least one crank arm pivotally connected to the frame;

at least one pedal pivotally connected to the crank arm;

a force measurement for measuring a force applied to the crank arm;

an angle detector for detecting a user'"'"'s lower limb segment angle;

a processor programmed to calculate a work value according to the force and the user'"'"'s lower limb angle; and

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the saddle according to the work value.

9. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprising:

a motor;

a tooth bar, wherein the saddle is connected to one end of the tooth bar; and

a gearbox for translating the output of the motor to raise or lower the saddle through the tooth bar.

10. The exercise machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a flywheel for applying resistance to the pedal;

a motor for driving the flywheel; and

a power supply for providing electric power to the motor according to the work value.

11. The exercise machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a wheel driven by the pedal; and

a derailleur mechanism for adjusting the rotation rate of the wheel according to the work value.

12. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the angle detector is a goniometer or a gyroscope.

13. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the force measurement is a torque meter for measuring torque applied by the rotational motion of the crank arm.

14. The exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the force measurement is a load cell.

15. An exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

at least one crank arm pivotally connected to the frame;

at least one pedal pivotally connected to the crank arm;

a force measurement for measuring a force applied to the crank arm;

an angle detector for detecting a crank arm angle;

a processor programmed to calculate a work value according to the force and the crank arm angle; and

a feedback mechanism for returning the work value to a user.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the feedback mechanism is a display or a loudspeaker.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises:

a wheel driven by the pedal; and

a derailleur mechanism for adjusting the rotation rate of the wheel according to the work value.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises:

a flywheel for applying resistance to the pedal;

a motor for driving the flywheel; and

a power supply for providing electric power to the motor according to the work value.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the angle detector is a goniometer or a gyroscope.

20. The exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the force measurement is a torque meter for measuring a crank arm torque.