Electro-mechanical isotonic or isokinetic exercising system

• US 3,902,480 A
• Filed: 12/02/1974
• Issued: 09/02/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/528,910
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 128/25R,24R,2S 272/79-81,DIG.6 73/379
• US Class Current: 482/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0057 using electromagnetic clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means

Abstract

A feed-back controlled system utilizing electronic and electromechanical devices as controlled exercising loads for use in isotonic or isokinetic exercising therapy, the equipment affording a wide variety of operating modes.

Claims

1. A feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device comprising:

an electric motor comprising a rotor and a pair of input terminals, a driven means connected to an exercising device, means for connecting said rotor to said driven means, a motor controlling amplifier having a pair of input terminals and an output terminal, a switch comprising a selector means and a pair of terminals, said selector means being connected to one input terminal of said amplifier, a tachometer actuated as a result of the movement of said rotor, means for coupling output signals from said tachometer to one terminal of said switch for constant speed motor operation when said selector means is connected thereto, a voltage divider connecting the other input terminal of said amplifier across a source of electrical potential, means for connecting the output terminal of said amplifier to one input terminal of said motor, grounding means comprising a current sensing resistor for connecting the other terminal of said motor and said other terminal of said selector switch to ground, whereby the output current supplied by said amplifier to said motor increases until motor speed corresponding to the output signal of said tachometer reaches a value corresponding to the setting of said voltage divider, said selector means when moved to said other terminal receiving signals from said current sensing resistor which is proportional to motor current and hence motor torque, whereby said motor will operate at constant torque independent of load applied to said driven means.

2. The feedback controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said means for connecting said rotor to said driven shaft comprises a gear train.

3. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said selector means comprises a switch arm, and said voltage divider comprises a potentiometer.

4. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said motor comprises a direct current motor.

5. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with:

a reversing switch connected across the input and output terminals of said motor for reversing its direction of rotation.

6. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 4 in further combination with:

a reversing switch connected across the input terminals of said direct current motor.

7. ThE feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 2 in further combination with:

a reversing switch connected across the input terminals of said motor, said motor comprising a direct current motor, and a sensing switch connected to said gear train and upon predetermined movement of said gear train generating a signal, the signal of said sensing switch being coupled to said reversing switch for energization thereof.

8. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 1 in further combination with:

a second amplifier connected across said current sensing resistor for sensing motor torque, clutch means connected between said means for connecting said rotor to said driven shaft and said driven means, and means for connecting the output of said second amplifier to said clutch means for disconnecting said motor from said driven means upon predetermined load conditions.

9. The feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device set forth in claim 8 in further combination with:

a voltage control means connected to one terminal of said second amplifier for controlling the point of disconnection of said motor from said driven means by said clutch means.

10. A feed back controlled electro-mechanical exercising device comprising:

an electric motor comprising a rotor and a pair of input terminals connectable across a source of electric power, a driven means connected to an exercising device, means for connecting said rotor to said driven means, a slip clutch coupling said motor to said means, an amplifier having a pair of input terminals and an output terminal, a switch comprising a selector means and a pair of terminals, said selector means being connected to one input terminal of said amplifier, a tachometer actuated as a result of the movement of said rotor, means for coupling output signals from said tachometer to one terminal of said switch for controlling the operation of said slip clutch when said selector means is connected thereto, a voltage divider connecting the other input terminal of said amplifier across a source of electrical potential, means for connecting the output terminal of said amplifier to one input terminal of said slip clutch, the other terminal of said slip clutch being connected to ground, grounding means comprising a current sensing resistor for connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to ground, whereby the output current supplied by said amplifier to said slip clutch varies the slippage of said clutch corresponding to the output signal of said tachometer.