Computerized exercise, physical therapy, or rehabilitation apparatus with improved features

• US 5,407,402 A
• Filed: 07/26/1993
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motivators, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motivators, Inc.
• Inventors: Brown, Michael L., Zigoris, Dean M., Starcher, Michael R., Miller, Jan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHENG, JOE H
• Application Number:
  US08/097,441
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4-7, 482/111-113, 482/900-902, 73/379.01, 73/379.09, 364/571.03, 364/571.01, 128/25 R, 128/25 B, 601/23
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/002 isometric or isokinetic, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion or wherein the speed of the motion is independent of the force applied by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/908 Adjustable

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.

Claims

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.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for dithering said proportional flow control valve comprises:

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.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for dithering said proportional flow control valve comprises:

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.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for dithering said proportional flow control valve produces a dithering signal from an alternating current source.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for dithering said proportional flow control valve comprises:

a counter/timer generating a pulse-width modulation signal;

a current amplifying device, 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 said dithering signal.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for dithering said proportional flow control valve comprises:

a counter/timer generating a pulse-width modulation signal;

a current amplifying device, 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 said dithering signal.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

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.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.

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.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, where said alternating current source has a frequency of 200 Hertz or less.