Exercise apparatus and technique

• US 5,788,618 A
• Filed: 07/09/1993
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Inventors: Joutras, Frank Edwards
• Primary Examiner(s): Clark, Jeanne M.
• Application Number:
  US08/089,852
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 482/44-46, 482/110, 482/112, 482/114, 482/115, 482/117, 482/118, 482/124, 482/127, 482/139, 482/148, 482/4, 482/5, 482/8, 482/9, 601/23, 601/33, 601/34, 601/35, 602/16, 602/20, 602/23, 602/26, 602/36, 606/241
• US Class Current: 482/114
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0454 including flex control; Dampening means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 19/04 movably supported on a framework or spheres or cylinders carrying the user inside standing on it for equilibrium exercises A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4005 to the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0285 Hanging
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/004 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/085 : by rotational movement of the joint in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• 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: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/04 : Shoe holders for passing over the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/145 : between two superimposed binding systems, e.g. cradle
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/24 : Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops

Abstract

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a first section, a second section, and a third section;

said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of said first and second sections;

resistance means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said third section for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said third section;

said resistance means including means for providing a predetermined resistance force against movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise movement about said third section; and

means for attaching said first section to a portion of the person on one side of a joint and for attaching said second section to another portion of the person on another side of the joint, wherein the resistance means includes program means for varying a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program means at different angles between the first and second sections wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other;

said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force.

2. Apparatus comprising:

a first section, a second section, and a third section;

said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of said first and second sections;

resistance means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said third section for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said third section;

said resistance means including means for providing a predetermined resistance force against movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise movement about said third section; and

means for attaching said first section to a portion of the person on one side of a joint and for attaching said second section to another portion of the person on another side of the joint;

said resistance means including means for controlling friction by the amount of pressure between at least two solid friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move;

said at least two friction members being part of said means for controlling friction.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further including means for controlling the amount of pressure by differences in the pressure between the at least two friction members as an angle between the first and second sections changes.

4. Apparatus comprising:

a first section, a second section, and a third section;

said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of said first and second sections;

resistance means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said third section for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said third section;

said resistance means including means for providing a predetermined resistance force against movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise movement about said third section; and

means for attaching said first section to a portion of the person on one side of a joint and for attaching said second section to another portion of the person on another side of the joint;

said resistance means resists motion with a force dependent on the position of said first section and second section wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other;

said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force.

5. Apparatus comprising:

a first section, a second section, and a third section;

said third section connecting said first section and second section whereby at least one of the first section and second section is adapted to be moved by a person with respect to the other of said first and second sections;

resistance means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said third section for varying the resistance of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said third section;

said resistance means including means for providing a predetermined resistance force against movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise movement about said third section; and

means for attaching said first section to a portion of the person on one side of a joint and for attaching said second section to another portion of the person on another side of the joint;

said resistance means resists motion with a force independent of the speed of motion of said first and second sections with respect to each other wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other;

said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force.

6. Apparatus comprising:

a first attaching section, a second attaching section and a controllable joint means connected to said first attaching section and second attaching section whereby the first attaching section may be connected to a portion of a person on one side of a joint of the joint means and the second attaching section to another portion of a person on the opposite side of the controllable joint means;

said controllable joint means comprising means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second attaching sections with respect to each other about said controllable joint means over a portion of the movement in a single direction of the first and second attaching sections with respect to each other; and

said means for varying the resistance to movement includes resistance means for providing a resistance force against movement of said first attaching section and second attaching section with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said joint means, wherein the resistance means includes program means for varying a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program means in relation to the angle between the first and second attaching sections wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other;

said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force.

7. Apparatus comprising:

a first attaching section, a second attaching section and a controllable joint means connected to said first attaching section and second attaching section whereby the first attaching section may be connected to a portion of a person on one side of a joint of the joint means and the second attaching section to another portion of a person on the opposite side of the controllable joint means;

said controllable joint means comprising means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second attaching sections with respect to each other about said controllable joint means over a portion of the movement in a single direction of the first and second attaching sections with respect to each other;

said means for varying the resistance to movement includes resistance means for providing a resistance force against movement of said first attaching section and second attaching section with respect to each other in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said joint means;

said resistance means includes friction means for controlling friction wherein the resistance means includes means for generating the resistance force by friction between two solid surfaces moved with respect to each other while in contact with each other;

said two solid surfaces being part of said means for generating the resistance force; and

means for controlling the friction means by the amount of pressure between two friction members which engage each other and move with respect to each other as the first and second attaching sections move with respect to each other;

said two members being part of said means for controlling.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further including means for controlling the amount of pressure by differences in the pressure between two members as the angle between the two attaching sections changes.