Exercise apparatus and technique

• US 5,954,621 A
• Filed: 06/14/1996
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Inventors: Hruska, Ronald J. Jr., Joutras, Frank Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARK, JEANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/665,076
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 482/4, 482/5, 482/8, 482/9, 482/112, 482/114, 482/115, 482/117, 482/118, 482/124, 482/139, 482/900, 482/901, 482/903, 601/23, 601/5, 601/33-35, 602/16, 602/20, 602/26, 602/27
• 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: A61F 5/0125 the device articulating around a single pivot-point
• 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 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• 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 10/24 : Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/903 : Utilizing electromagnetic force resistance

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. An exercise device comprising:

a first member adapted to be connected to one limb about a joint;

a second member adapted to be connected to another limb connected to the same joint as the one limb wherein the first and second members articulate about the joint;

a module connecting the first and second members and controlling the force necessary to articulate the first and second members;

said module including a braking means, a feedback means and friction means for resisting movement of the first and second members with a frictional force independent of speed of movement which frictional force is varied by said braking means;

said feedback means including means for energizing and de-energizing the braking means at the different angles between the first and second members, wherein the braking means is controlled by the position of the first and second limbs to provide for a first series of first periods of time having a first frictional force and a series of second periods of time having a second frictional force during which second periods of time each of the limbs can be moved;

the first periods of time being separated from each other by said second periods of time.

2. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 further including a timing means whereby the times the braking means is energized and de-energized is controlled so that it is energized to provide a braking operation at a predetermined series of angles corresponding to different amounts of flexion and means for controlling a time duration during which the braking means is energized under the control of the timing means.

3. A device according to claim 1 further including:

connecting means between the module and at least one of said first and second members, whereby the resistance to movement of the first and second members with respect to each other about said module is angular movement;

said connecting means including means for permitting movement between said module and said one of said first and second members in a linear direction, whereby an eccentric movement of said first and second members with respect to each other about a joint of the person may be accommodated.

4. A device according to claim 1 further including means for reducing ortho-kinetic joint movement discord;

said means for reducing ortho-kinetic joint disorder being connected to said first and second members adjacent to said module and including means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second members with respect to each other about said module.