Computerized exercise, physical therapy, or rehabilitation apparatus with improved features
First Claim
1. In combination with an exercise apparatus having movement control means comprising a hydraulic cylinder containing a piston connected to a piston rod extending from said hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic pump system to provide a desired hydraulic fluid flow through hydraulic lines to said hydraulic cylinder by the use of a bidirectional proportional flow control valve in said hydraulic lines, the improvement which comprises:
- means for dithering said proportional flow control valve.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized exercise, physical therapy, or rehabilitation apparatus with improved features. The computerized exercise apparatus permits concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise by a user where apparatus calibration is accurately determined before exercise to compensate for the user selected force application device, the push assembly, if used, and environmental factors; where hydraulic flow can be accurately controlled by use of an alternating current dither circuit; where multiple user force application devices, a push assembly, and a detachably connectable operator support are available for a myriad of exercises; and where the instantaneous forces measured during user exercise are displayed to the user in such a novel way so as to motivate the user to maximize their exercise efforts and thereby obtain increased personal benefit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. In combination with an exercise apparatus having movement control means comprising a hydraulic cylinder containing a piston connected to a piston rod extending from said hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic pump system to provide a desired hydraulic fluid flow through hydraulic lines to said hydraulic cylinder by the use of a bidirectional proportional flow control valve in said hydraulic lines, the improvement which comprises:
- means for dithering said proportional flow control valve.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A dithering circuit for controlling a solenoid proportional hydraulic flow valve in an exercise machine, comprising:
a counter/timer generating a pulse-width modulation signal;
a current amplifying device, an alternating current source, said alternating current source supplied to a full-wave rectifier generating a pulsating direct current signal, said pulsating direct current signal supplied to said current amplifying device, said current amplifying device being further modulated by said pulse-width modulation signal, thereby producing a dithering signal, where said dither signal is supplied to control a solenoid proportional hydraulic flow valve.- View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A dithering circuit for controlling a solenoid proportional hydraulic flow valve in an exercise machine, comprising:
a counter/timer generating a pulse-width modulation signal;
a current amplifying device, an alternating current source, said alternating current source supplied to a half-wave rectifier generating a pulsating direct current signal, said pulsating direct current signal supplied to said current amplifying device, said current amplifying device being further modulated by said pulse-width modulation signal, thereby producing a dithering signal, where said dither signal is supplied to control a solenoid proportional hydraulic flow valve.- View Dependent Claims (15)
Specification