Ergometric exerciser

• US 4,244,021 A
• Filed: 03/02/1979
• Issued: 01/06/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roadmaster USA Corporation (Roadmaster Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AMFM Incorporated
• Inventors: Chiles, Robert E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Krass, Errol A.
• Application Number:
  US06/016,734
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413, 364/415, 73/379, 272/73, 272/DIG. 6, 235/92 MT, 340/384 R, 340/384 E, 340/328, 340/309.1, 340/309.4
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

An ergometric exerciser of the constant work type using a mechanical to electrical transducer as its basis is described. The exerciser is controlled by a single chip microcomputer and associated electronic interfacing means to perform a multiplicity of selected functions. For example, the ergometric exerciser provides; adjustable work loading from 300 to 2100 kpm per minute; a flashing indicator light to warn of a low pedal speed; a pulse rate measurement from 40 to 200 beats per minute; a sonic pulse alert system adjustable from 60 to 200 beats per minute; an accurate electronic start/stop timer adjustable from 1:00 to 60:00 minutes; and a microcomputer controlled work computer which accurately calculates work done to a maximum of 99,990 kpm. All of the above functions can be conveniently performed by virtue of a control panel and visual display which is very easy to use to accurately and efficiently perform the above functions.

Claims

1. An ergometric exercise device having a pedal assembly operated by a user, a work generator coupled to the pedal assembly for providing a controlled amount of resistance to operation of the pedal assembly, and a control panel for inputting and outputting data from said device in a plurality of selected data modes, the improvement comprising:

numerical display means for indicating the magnitude of data for each of said selected data modes;

signal means for indicating which of said data modes has been selected and the units of the data displayed on said numerical display means, said signal means including a signal lamp associated with each of said data modes and circuit means for imparting a different energization state to a selected signal lamp associated with a selected data mode than to the signal lamps associated with the other data modes, said different energization state of said selected signal lamp signifying to a user that said numerical display is displaying units corresponding to said selected data mode; and

selector switch means constraining said circuit means to sequentially transfer said different energization state from one signal lamp to another in response to each actuation of said selector switch means, said transfer occurring in a predetermined sequence; and

data input means for at least two of said data modes for enabling the user to preset input data into said circuit means.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said signal lamps are positioned in a line and said predetermined sequence is from one end of said line to the other, seriatim.

3. The invention according to claim 1 further including data input means for each of said data modes for presetting input data into said circuit means comprising:

first switch means for incrementing said numerical display until a desired value is displayed thereon.

4. The invention according to claim 3, further including second switch means for decrementing said numerical display until a desired value is displayed thereon.

5. The invention according to claim 3, wherein said first switch means includes a fast set switch and a slow set switch, said fast set switch incrementing said numerical display at a faster rate than said slow set switch.

6. The invention according to claim 1, further including means for generating an indicating flag on said numerical display means in response to said data input means for distinguishing input data from output data.

7. The invention according to claim 1 further including a power switch means and means within said circuit means for generating a test pattern on said numerical display and said signal lamps for a predetermined time after said power switch means is first turned ON.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein one of said data modes comprises a timing mode for indicating the duration of an exercise routine, said duration being presettable by said data input means, said circuit means including means for flashing the signal lamp associated with said timing mode ON and OFF when said presettable duration has been exceeded.

9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said work generator generates constant work above a predetermined pedal speed and means are provided on said control panel for visually signalling the user as to whether the pedal speed is above or below said predetermined speed.

10. The invention according to claim 1, wherein one of said data modes is a pulse rate monitoring mode for displaying a current pulse rate of the user on said numerical display and for determining when a predetermined pulse rate is exceeded, said predetermined pulse rate being preset on said numerical display by said data input means, and means are provided for comparing said current pulse rate with said predetermined pulse rate and generating an alarm when said current pulse rate exceeds said predetermined pulse rate.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel.

12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein said microcomputer includes means for calculating work performed by a user of said exerciser.

13. The invention according to claim 11, wherein said microcomputer includes means for computing the user'"'"'s average pulse rate.

14. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, wherein said signal lamps are positioned in a line and said predetermined sequence is from one end of said line to the other, seriatim.

15. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, further including means for generating an indicating flag on said numerical display means in response to said data input means for distinguishing input data from output data.

16. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 further including a power switch means and means within said circuit means for generating a test pattern on said numerical display and said signal lamps for a predetermined time after said power switch means is first turned ON.

17. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 wherein one of said data modes comprises a timing mode for indicating the duration of an exercise routine, said duration being presettable by said data input means, said circuit means including means for flashing the signal lamp associated with said timing mode ON and OFF when said presettable duration has been exceeded.

18. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11, wherein said work generator generates constant work above a predetermined pedal speed and means are provided on said control panel for visually signalling the user as to whether the pedal speed is above or below said predetermined speed.

19. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4, 5 and 11, wherein one of said data modes is a pulse rate monitoring mode for displaying a current pulse rate of the user on said numerical display and for determining when a predetermined pulse rate is exceeded, said predetermined pulse rate being preset on said numerical display by said data input means, and means are provided for comparing said current pulse rate with said predetermined pulse rate and generating an alarm when said current pulse rate exceeds said predetermined pulse rate.

20. The invention defined in any one of claims 3, 4 and 5, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel.

21. The invention defined in any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel;

and

wherein said microcomputer includes means for calculating work performed by a user of said exerciser.

22. The invention defined in any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel;

and

wherein said microcomputer includes means for computing the user'"'"'s average pulse rate.

23. The invention defined in any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel;

wherein said microcomputer includes means for calculating work performed by a user of said exerciser; and

wherein said microcomputer includes means for computing the user'"'"'s average pulse rate.

24. The invention of claim 1, wherein said circuit means comprises a microcomputer and associated electronic interface means between said microcomputer and said control panel;

wherein said microcomputer includes means for calculating work performed by a user of said exerciser; and

wherein said microcomputer includes means for computing the user'"'"'s average pulse rate.

25. The invention of claim 1, further including data input means for each of said data modes for presetting input data into said circuit means comprising:

first switch means for incrementing said numerical display until a desired value is displayed thereon, said first switch means includes a fast set switch and a slow set switch, said fast set switch incrementing said numerical display at a faster rate than said slow set switch; and

second switch means for decrementing said numerical display until a desired value is displayed thereon.