Exercise device with variable resistance

• US 5,733,231 A
• Filed: 03/19/1996
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joshua A. Corn
• Original Assignee: Joshua A. Corn
• Inventors: Corn, Joshua A., Zwonitzer, Steve J., Wells, Scott V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Lynne A.
• Application Number:
  US08/618,525
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 482/114, 482/115, 482/118, 482/120, 482/127
• US Class Current: 482/120
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/025 Spiral springs with turns lying substantially in plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/065 worn on user's body
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• 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 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 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

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a plurality of inelastic, retractable cords, each terminating at a handgrip. A retracting mechanism is provided for retracting the cords. Separate resistance mechanisms are provided to resist each of the cords as the cords are being withdrawn from the retracting mechanism. The resistance mechanisms operate independently of one another. At least one removable disk unit is connectible to the resistance mechanism of the exercise apparatus for incrementally increasing resistance force with respect to unwinding movement of the cords when operably connected to the resistance mechanism. The removable disk units can be preloaded with a predetermined biasing resistance force when assembled during manufacturing, and the biasing resistance force can be maintained while not connected to the main unit of the exercise apparatus. The preload maintenance mechanism maintains the preloaded spring force of the removable disk unit while connected to the main unit, as well as when disconnected from the main unit.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member; and

pretensioned, non-adjustable, resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means with a substantially constant resistance force over a predetermined range of movement.

2. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member;

pretensioned resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means with a substantially constant resistance force over a predetermined range of movement; and

separable pretensioned resistance means for incrementally increasing said substantially constant resistance force to withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means when said separable pretensioned resistance means is connected to said pretensioned resistance means.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

means for maintaining a preloaded resistance force with respect to an axis of rotation in said separable pretensioned resistance means while separated from said storage means.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein said storage means further comprises:

a first housing having an elongated post defining a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and a first radially extending wall;

spool means rotatable engageable on said post for rotation with respect to said axis of rotation, said spool means for storing said portion of said elongated member by winding about said spool means when rotated in a first direction and for dispensing said stored portion of said elongated member as said spool means is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and

first biasing means for urging said spool means in said first direction of rotation.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

means for supporting said storage means from a support member.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pretensioned resistance means further comprises:

a spiral coiled spring.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein said spiral coiled spring has a rectangular cross-section.

8. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member, wherein said storage means further includes a first housing having an elongated post defining a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and a first radially extending wall, spool means rotatably engageable on said post for rotation with respect to said axis of rotation, said spool means for storing said portion of said elongated member by winding about said spool means when rotated in a first direction and for dispensing said stored portion of said elongated member as said spool means is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and first biasing means for urging said spool means in said first direction of rotation;

pretensioned resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means with a substantially constant resistance force over a predetermined range of movement; and

separable pretensioned resistance means engageable with said spool means for incrementally increasing said substantially constant resistance force to withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said spool means when said separable pretensioned resistance means is connected to said spool means.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8 wherein said separable pretensioned resistance means further comprises:

a second housing having a second wall extending radially with respect to said axis of rotation with an aperture disposed coaxial with said axis of rotation;

an elongated shaft engageable through said aperture in said second wall for operably connecting with said spool means; and

second biasing means for urging said elongated shaft in said first direction of rotation with respect to said axis of rotation.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

means for maintaining a preloaded resistance force with respect to said axis of rotation in said separable pretensioned resistance means while separated from said storage means.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

means for connecting said second housing to said first housing.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 wherein said connecting means further comprises:

an outwardly extending shaped projection from one of said first and second housings;

a complementary shaped aperture formed in the other of said first and second housings for slidably receiving said shaped projection; and

means for releasibly locking said shaped projection with respect to said aperture.

13. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member, wherein said storage means includes a first housing having an elongated post defining a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and a first radially extending wall, spool means rotatably engageable on said post for rotation with respect to said axis of rotation, said spool means for storing said portion of said elongated member by winding about said spool means when rotated in a first direction and for dispensing said stored portion of said elongated member as said spool means is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and first biasing means for urging said spool means in said first direction of rotation;

resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means;

separable resistance means engageable with said spool means for incrementally increasing resistance force to withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said spool means when said separable resistance means is connected to said spool means, wherein said separable resistance means includes a second housing having a second wall extending radially with respect to said axis of rotation with an aperture disposed coaxial with said axis of rotation, an elongated shaft engageable through said aperture in said second wall for operably connecting with said spool means, and second biasing means for urging said elongated shaft in said first direction of rotation with respect to said axis of rotation; and

means for maintaining a preloaded resistance force with respect to said axis of rotation in said separable resistance means while separated from said storage means, wherein said maintaining means includes an annular member connected to said elongated shaft for rotation therewith, at least one spiral track formed in said annular member having a first end and a second end, and traveler means for reciprocating movement radially between first and second end limits of travel, said traveler means including at least one protruding portion operably engageable with said at least one spiral track, such that when said traveler means is in said first end limit of travel and said protruding portion is at said first end of said spiral groove, said separable resistance means is maintained in a preloaded resistance force state when disconnected from said storage means.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

said traveler means for preventing further withdrawal of said elongated member from said storage means when said traveler means is in said second end limit of movement and said protruding portion is in at said second end of said spiral groove.

15. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member, wherein said storage means includes a first housing having an elongated post defining a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and a first radially extending wall, spool means rotatably engageable on said post for rotation with respect to said axis of rotation, said spool means for storing said portion of said elongated member by winding about said spool means when rotated in a first direction and for dispensing said stored portion of said elongated member as said spool means is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and first biasing means for urging said spool means in said first direction of rotation;

resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means;

separable resistance means engageable with said spool means for incrementally increasing resistance force to withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said spool means when said separable resistance means is connected to said spool means, wherein said separable resistance means includes a second housing having a second wall extending radially with respect to said axis of rotation with an aperture disposed coaxial with said axis of rotation, an elongated shaft engageable through said aperture in said second wall for operably connecting with said spool means, and second biasing means for urging said elongated shaft in said first direction of rotation with respect to said axis of rotation; and

means for connecting said second housing to said first housing, wherein said connecting means includes an outwardly extending shaped projection from one of said first and second housings, a complementary shaped aperture formed in the other of said first and second housings for slidably receiving said shaped projection, and means for releasibly locking said shaped projection with respect to said aperture, wherein said releasible locking means includes a lock member connected to one of said first and second housings, said lock member moveable between a first position locking said shaped projection with respect to said aperture and a second position permitting disengagement of said shaped projection with respect to said aperture.

16. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member;

resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means; and

means for supporting said storage means from a support member, wherein said supporting means includes a belt engageable around a waist of a user, a support bracket having a slot formed therein and connected to the storage means such that said slot is disposed between said member and said storage means for receipt of said belt therethrough, and pivotable wedge means connected to said support bracket for releasibly locking said belt between said support bracket and said wedge means in any desired location along said belt.

17. An exercise apparatus comprising:

at least one inelastic, flexible, elongated member;

storage means for storing at least a portion of said elongated member;

pretensioned resistance means for resisting withdrawal of said stored portion of said elongated member from said storage means with a substantially constant resistance force over an anticipated range of movement;

separable pretensioned resistance means for incrementally increasing said substantially constant resistance force to withdrawal of said storage portion of said elongated member from said storage means when said separable pretensioned resistance means is connected to said pretensioned resistance means; and

means for releasibly connecting said separable pretensioned resistance means to said pretensioned resistance means.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

means for maintaining a preloaded resistance force with respect to an axis of rotation in said separable pretensioned resistance means while separated from said pretensioned resistance means.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18 further comprising:

means for supporting said storage means from a support member.

20. In an exercise apparatus having means for resisting rotational movement in a first direction, the improvement comprising:

at least one removable disk means selectively connectible to said rotational movement resisting means for incrementally increasing resistance force to rotational movement in said first direction when operably connected to said rotational movement resisting means, said disk means permanently held in a pretensioned state for providing a substantially constant resistance force over an anticipated range of movement when connected to said resisting means, while holding said pretensioned state when disconnected from said resisting means.