MODULAR RESISTANCE FORCE SYSTEM

• US 20140200120A1
• Filed: 01/17/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gallagher, Christopher G.
• Original Assignee: Gallagher, Christopher G.
• Inventors: GALLAGHER, Christopher G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/027 using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1645 for anchoring on a door
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/22 Resisting devices with rotary bodies A63B21/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 : American football
• 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 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 : Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 : for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 : for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0095 : for volley-ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 : for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/023 : Supports, e.g. poles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 9/00 : Climbing poles, frames, or stages climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04

Abstract

A modular resistance force system includes an axle configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis and one or more resistance mechanisms. Each of the one or more resistance mechanisms includes a resistance element disposed about a portion of the axle, a resistance element housing configured to house the resistance element and a resistance substance disposed between the resistance element and the resistance element housing. Either the resistance element or the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate with the axle. A resistance between the resistance element and the resistance substance causes a force to be applied to the axle when the resistance element and the resistance element housing move relative to each other.

Claims

1. A modular resistance force system comprising:

an axle configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis; and

one or more resistance mechanisms, each of the one or more resistance mechanisms comprising;

a resistance element disposed about a portion of the axle;

a resistance element housing configured to house the resistance element; and

a resistance substance disposed between the resistance element and the resistance element housing,

wherein either the resistance element or the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate with the axle, and

a resistance between the resistance element and the resistance substance causes a force to be applied to the axle when the resistance element and the resistance element housing move relative to each other.

2. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the resistance between the resistance element and the resistance substance causes a force to be applied to the axle in a first rotational direction.

3. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the force is applied to the axle when the resistance element is selectively engaged to rotate and the resistance element housing is stationary.

4. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the force is applied to the axle when the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate and the resistance element is stationary.

5. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the resistance element is a disc or a cylinder.

6. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the resistance element is an impeller.

7. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the resistance substance is a fluid comprising at least one of silicone, grease, rubber, an adhesive, or a high tensible material.

8. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, further comprising one or more resistance engaging devices each configured to have selectable states that comprise:

(i) an engaging state which causes the resistance element and the resistance element housing to move relative to each other and causes the force to be applied to the axle; and

(ii) a disengaging state which allows the corresponding resistance element housing and the corresponding resistance element to move together.

9. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the corresponding resistance element housing comprises protrusions, and

the one or more resistance engaging devices prevents the corresponding resistance element housing from rotating by engaging the protrusions.

10. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the one or more resistance mechanisms comprise a plurality of resistance mechanisms sharing the rotational axis and the product of the resistant forces of each of the plurality of resistance mechanisms is equal in magnitude to a total force applied to the axle in the first rotational direction.

11. The modular resistance force system of claim 10, wherein

the plurality of resistance mechanisms comprise:

a first resistance mechanism configured to apply a first force to the axle when a first resistance element and a first resistance element housing of the first resistance mechanism move relative to each other; and

a second resistance mechanism configured to apply a second force to the axle when a second resistance element and a second resistance mechanism housing of the second resistance mechanism move relative to each other, and

the first force and the second force are different.

12. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resistance mechanisms comprise a first resistance mechanism and a second resistance mechanism, and the first resistance mechanism is coupled to the second resistance mechanism via a joining element.

13. The modular resistance force system of claim 1, further comprising a spool mechanism having:

a coilable-uncoilable element configured to cause the axle to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first around the rotational axis when the coilable-uncoilable element uncoils around the rotational axis; and

at least one spring-force mechanism coupled to the coilable-uncoilable element and configured to apply a spring force to cause the coilable-uncoilable element to coil around the rotational axis.

14. The modular resistance force system of claim 13, further comprising a spool mechanism locking device configured to prevent the coilable-uncoilable element from uncoiling and coiling around the rotational axis.

15. A modular resistance force system comprising:

an axle configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis;

a plurality of resistance elements disposed about portions of the axle;

a housing configured to house the plurality of resistance elements; and

a resistance substance disposed between the plurality of resistance elements and the resistance element housing,

wherein either the resistance element or the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate with the axle and cause a force to be applied to the axle.

16. The modular resistance force system of claim 15, wherein the one or more resistance elements are selectively caused to move relative to the housing.

17. A modular resistance force system comprising:

an axle configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis; and

one or more resistance mechanisms, each of the one or more resistance mechanisms comprising;

a resistance element disposed about a portion of the axle;

a resistance element housing configured to house the resistance element; and

a resistance substance disposed between the resistance element and the resistance element housing, wherein either the resistance element or the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate with the axle and cause a force to be applied to the axle;

one or more sensors configured to sense information associated with at least one of;

(i) the axle; and

(ii) the one or more resistance mechanisms; and

a communications system configured to at least one of;

(i) transmit the sensed information received from the one or more sensors to one or more external devices; and

/or (ii) receive external information from the one or more external devices.

18. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, further comprising a switch that causes the resistance element and the resistance element housing to move relative to each other,

wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to sense information associated with the switch.

19. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, further comprising:

a coilable-uncoilable element configured to cause the axle to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first around the rotational axis when the coilable-uncoilable element uncoils around the rotational axis; and

a spindle configure to rotate with the coilable-uncoilable element,

wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to sense information associated with the spindle.

20. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors are optical sensors.

21. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, wherein the communications system includes a network interface configured to at least one of:

(i) transmit the sensed information to the one or more external devices via one or more networks wired or wirelessly and/or (ii) receive the external information from the one or more external devices via the one or more networks wired or wirelessly.

22. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, wherein the sensed information is information indicating at least one of:

a number of rotations of the axle;

a rate of rotations of the axle over a period of time;

a stroke length; and

an amount of resistance applied to the axle.

23. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors include a heart rate sensor configured to sense the heart rate of a user.

24. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, further comprising a processor configured to cause:

the communications system to transmit the sensed information received from the one or more sensors to the one or more external devices; and

the communications system to receive the external information from the one or more external devices.

25. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, further comprising a memory having instructions for causing the processor to instruct the communications system to at least one of:

(i) transmit the sensed information received from the one or more sensors to the one or more external devices; and

(ii) receive the external information from the one or more external devices.

26. The modular resistance force system of claim 17, further comprising an electronic switch configured to cause the resistance element and the resistance element housing to move relative to each other.

27. A fitness system comprising:

(I) one or more modular resistance force systems each having;

an axle configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis; and

one or more resistance mechanisms, each of the one or more resistance mechanisms comprising;

a resistance element disposed about a portion of the axle;

a resistance element housing configured to house the resistance element; and

a resistance substance disposed between the resistance element and the resistance element housing, wherein either the resistance element or the resistance element housing is selectively engaged to rotate with the axle and cause a force to be applied to the axle; and

(II) an external mechanism having one or more components configured to interact with a user,

wherein the one or more modular resistance force systems is coupled to the external mechanism.

28. The fitness system of claim 27, wherein the external mechanism is a home fitness product from a group of home fitness products that comprises a stationary bicycle, a climbing product and a rowing product.

29. The fitness system of claim 27, wherein the external mechanism is a product that applies a rotational resistance force.

30. The fitness system of claim 27, wherein the external fitness mechanism is a product applies a linear resistance force.

31. The fitness system of claim 27, wherein the external fitness mechanism is a product that uses gravity to apply a resistance force.

32. The fitness system of claim 27, wherein the external fitness mechanism comprises a gear or a pulley that transfers resistance from another element that includes at least one of another axle, cord, strap, gear, or pulley.