Resistance mechanism for exercise equipment

• US 5,110,118 A
• Filed: 06/18/1990
• Issued: 05/05/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Winey, Timothy
• Original Assignee: Winey, Timothy
• Inventors: Winey, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/539,350
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 272/72, 272/73, 272/130, 272/131, 272/132, 272/69, 272/97
• US Class Current: 482/73
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• 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 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A resistance mechanism for exercising equipment that includes a frame structure on which is mounted a positive-displacement rotary pump, the pump having a housing with a rotor that pumps fluid through a closed circuit which includes a reservoir and conduit leading to the pump and conduit leading from the pump to the reservoir. The pump rotor is connected to an actuator for rotating the rotor and pumping fluid through the circuit with the circuit having a valve to constrict the conduit leading from the pump to vary the force required to pump fluid through the closed circuit.

Claims

1. A resistance mechanism for exercising equipment comprising:

an elongated frame structure having a first end and a second end;

a positive displacement fluid pump mounted at the first end of the frame structure, the pump having a rotor shaft a fluid passage from the reservoir to the inlet of the pumping chamber, a fluid passage from the outlet of the pumping chamber to the reservoir and indicator means for gauging the level of resistance of the resistance mechanism;

actuator means for actuating the pump and forcing fluid through the fluid passage from the pumping chamber to the reservoir, said actuator means including a manual input means for an exerciser to exert a dynamic input force on the actuator means displacing the actuator means to operate the pump; and

,

regulating means for regulating the flow of fluid through the fluid passage from the pumping chamber to the reservoir, wherein the resistance mechanism is constructed and arranged to increase the level of resistance to a physical input according to the rate of displacement of the actuator means, wherein the frame structure includes a horizontal central member with a seat positioned thereon facing the pump and displaceable in part between the first end and the second end of the frame structure, wherein the pump rotor shaft includes a sprocket and the actuator means comprises a hand grip tow bar connected to an elongated chain that engages the sprocket, the chain being wrapped around the sprocket at the first end of the frame structure and connected to an elongated tension spring anchored at the second end of the frame structure.

2. The resistance mechanism of claim 1 wherein the indicator means is a pressure responsive visual indicator connected to the fluid passage from the pumping chamber positioned between the pumping chamber and the regulating means.

3. The resistance mechanism of claim 1 wherein said positive displacement pump is a rotary vane pump.

4. The resistance mechanism of claim 3 wherein the rotary vane pump has a rotor and said actuator means includes a mechanism to rotate the rotor that is connected to the manual input means wherein displacements of the actuator means rotates to pump rotor.

5. The resistance mechanism of claim 1 wherein the regulator means comprises a valve located on the fluid passage between the outlet of the chamber and through reservoir.

6. The resistance mechanism of claim 5 said indicator means communicating with the liquid passage between the outlet of the chamber and the regulator means.

7. The resistance mechanism of claim 1 wherein the horizontal central member of the frame structure is tubular in construction and the elongated tension spring and a portion of the chain, where connected to the tension spring, are contained within the frame structure.