VARIABLE RESISTANCE ADAPTIVE EXERCISE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20110172058A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Original Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Inventors: Reich, Alton, Shaw, James, Paulus, David, Deaconu, Stelu
• Application Number:
  US13/011,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172058A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0005 with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using computer configured exercise equipment and an electric motor. A computer-controlled robotic resistance system is used for training, diagnosis and/or therapy. The resistance system comprises: a subject interface, software control, a controller, an electric servo assist/resist motor, an actuator, and/or a subject sensor. The system overcomes the limitations of the existing robotic rehabilitation, weight training, and cardiovascular training systems by providing a training and/or rehabilitation system that adapts a resistance or force applied to a user interactive element in response to the user'"'"'s interaction with the training system, a physiological strength curve, and/or sensor feedback. For example, the system optionally provides for an automatic reconfiguration and/or adaptive load adjustment based upon real time measurement of a user'"'"'s interaction with the system or sensor based observation by the exercise system as it is operated by the subject.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for operation by a user, comprising:

a user interface comprising at least one of;

an element moveable along an about linear path; and

a rotatable element;

a cable or linkage connected to said user interface;

an electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to movement of said user interface; and

a controller configured to control operation of said electric motor, said controller configured with computer readable code, said computer readable code comprising one or more functions combining to relate the resistive force to at least two of;

mass, acceleration, and gravity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistive force maintains a level within ten percent of a maximum load achieved within a single direction of a repetition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein within a single direction of movement of a repetition the resistive force comprises a sequential profile of at least one of:

a first increasing resistance, a decreasing resistance, and a second increasing resistance; and

a first progressively lower load, an increasing load, and a second progressively lower load.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistive force comprises a solution of:

F=mg+ma,

where F is a force, m is mass, a is acceleration, and g is gravity.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for measuring acceleration of said user interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said means for measuring acceleration comprising at least one of:

an encoder measuring rotation of an element associated with said electric motor;

an accelerometer; and

a-priori information on motion of an exercise type.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, said controller configured to alter the resistive force using the measured acceleration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, said controller configured for use in a microgravity environment.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said controller configured to adaptively adjust the resistive force using an about real time measurement.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said about linear movement comprises non-rotational movement of a grippable element configured for gripping by the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to provide a feedback sensor reading, said controller configured to use the feedback sensor reading in control of said motor in generation of the resistive force.

12. A method for exercising a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a user interface comprising at least one of;

an element moveable along an about linear path; and

a rotatable element; and

a cable or linkage connected to said user interface;

supplying a resistive force to movement of said user interface with an electric motor; and

using a controller configured with computer readable code to control operation of said electric motor, said computer readable code comprising one or more functions combining to relate the resistive force to at least two of;

mass, acceleration, and gravity.

13. The method of claim 12, said computer readable code configured with a within repetition resistance profile having the resistive force as a function of at least one of:

distance; and

time.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the resistance profile comprises:

a continuously increasing resistance profile;

a continuously decreasing resistance profile;

a step function resistance profile; and

a peak resistance profile, wherein peak resistance is achieved after the start of a repetition and before completion of a half-repetition.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

a wireless receiver receiving information about the user, said wireless receiver linked to said controller.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

said controller controlling the resistance force applied at at least two user interface stations with said electric motor.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

generating a feedback signal with a sensor; and

using the feedback sensor reading in control of the resistive force applied to movement of at least one of;

said element moveable along an about linear path; and

said rotatable element.

18. An exercise apparatus for operation by a user, comprising:

a user interface comprising at least one of;

an element moveable along an about linear path; and

a rotatable element;

an electric motor configured to supply an assistive force to movement of said user interface; and

a controller configured with computer readable code, said computer readable code comprising one or more functions combining to relate the resistive force to at least two of;

mass, acceleration, and gravity.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a sensor configured to provide a feedback sensor reading, said controller configured to use the feedback sensor reading in control of said motor generating the resistive force.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, said controller configured to adaptively adjust the resistive force based on at least one of:

a measured movement of a movable element of said apparatus; and

an input related to state of the user.