APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INCREASED REALISM OF TRAINING ON EXERCISE MACHINES
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.
21 Citations
37 Claims
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1-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A rowing machine for group exercise, comprising:
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a mechanical energy storage device; a handle coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a connective structure wherein relative movement of the handle with respect to the mechanical energy storage device urges motion of the mechanical energy storage device; an electrical generator coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a transmission wherein the motion of the mechanical energy storage device produces an electrical signal with the electrical generator; an electrical load bank in electrical communication with the electrical generator whereby a portion of the electrical signal is dissipated within the electrical load bank; and a controller in communication with the mechanical energy storage device, the electrical generator and the electrical load bank, the controller having computer readable instructions to adjust the characteristics of the electrical load bank or the electrical generator to alter a load experienced by an associated rower participating in the group exercise by applying force to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A rowing exercise machine, comprising:
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a mechanical energy storage device; a handle coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a connective structure wherein relative movement of the handle with respect to the mechanical energy storage device urges motion of the mechanical energy storage device; an apparatus configured to dynamically supplement the resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance; and a controller in communication with the mechanical energy storage device and the apparatus, the controller having computer readable instructions to determine the added resistance and to dynamically and selectively adjust the added resistance to alter a load experienced by a rower participating in a group exercise by applying force to the handle; and a communication pathway between the controller of the rowing exercise machine and a controller of at least one additional associated rowing exercise machine that permits application of the forces applied in each of the rowing machines to a shared load of a multi-rower watercraft. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of operating an exercise machine comprising:
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providing an exercise machine comprising; a mechanical energy storage device; a handle coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a connective structure wherein relative movement of the handle with respect to the mechanical energy storage device urges motion of the mechanical energy storage device; an electrical generator coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a transmission wherein the motion of the mechanical energy storage device produces an electrical signal with the electrical generator; an electrical load bank in electrical communication with the electrical generator whereby a portion of the electrical signal is dissipated within the electrical load bank; and a controller in communication with the mechanical energy storage device, the electrical generator and the electrical load bank, the controller having computer readable instructions to adjust the characteristics of the electrical load bank or the electrical generator to alter a load experienced by an associated rower participating in the group exercise by applying force to the handle. determining a desired load; adjusting a current value through the electrical load bank to create the desired load experienced by an associated operator; and dissipating the electrical signal at the electrical load bank. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A kit for modifying an existing rowing machine, comprising:
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an electric machine; a mechanical energy storage device; a transmission for coupling the electric machine to the mechanical energy storage device; an electrical load bank to be coupled to the electric machine; a controller to be placed in communication with the electric machine and the electric load bank and having computer readable instructions to selectively adapt the operation of the electric machine or the electric load bank to provide a dynamic selective alteration of a load experienced by a user of the rowing machine; and an electronic memory in communication with the controller, the electronic memory containing computer readable instructions having load characteristics of multi-rower watercraft providing a shared load to one or more associated rowing machines, wherein said kit components are used to modify an associated existing exercise machine thereby enabling field upgrade of said associated existing exercise machine to be capable of communication with at least one additional associated exercise machine, wherein a total resistance in said associated exercise machine is duplicated in an additional associated exercise machine such that a first rower operating said exercise machine and a second rower operating said additional associated exercise machine operate as a virtual team.
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37. A method of employing a kit for modifying an existing rowing machine comprising:
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providing an existing rowing machine; removing a flywheel, a damper, and a mechanical louver from the existing rowing machine; attaching a flywheel to the existing rowing machine; attaching an electrical machine to the existing rowing machine; attaching an electrical load bank to the existing rowing machine, wherein the electrical load bank is coupled to the electric machine; attaching a transmission between the electric machine and the flywheel; and placing a controller in communication with the electric machine and the electric load bank.
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Specification