Variable resistance exercise device

• US 6,027,429 A
• Filed: 05/13/1994
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc. (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daniels, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/242,306
• Time in Patent Office: 2,111 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/52, 482/70, 482/92, 482/110, 482/903, 482/111, 482/112-115, 482/121
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00845 using electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/28 Devices for two persons operating in opposition or in cooperation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/102 having a common resisting device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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: F16D 57/002 comprising a medium with electrically or magnetically controlled internal friction, e.g. electrorheological fluid, magnetic powder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/903 Utilizing electromagnetic force resistance

Abstract

A variable resistane exercise device provides a variable resisting force in response to a user applied force. The variable resistance exercise device includes at least one rotating force transmitting means for inputting a user applied force as a rotational force to be resisted, and at least one force transmission member for transmitting the user applied force. The user applied force is resisted by varying the viscosity of a viscosity variable fluid which surround plates rotated by the user applied force. Thus a braking force is applied to actively resist the user applied force. In accordance with the invention, a multi-configurable multi-programmable exercise device is provided which may be used in a variety of exercise modes to provide a resistive force to a user-applied force during a range of motion of a particular exercise. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variable resistance device resists a user-supplied force in one rotational direction only. A gear and clutch system translates a reciprocating user-supplied force, corresponding to a reciprocating range of motion, into the one rotational direction.

Claims

1. An exercise resistance device, comprising:

a first member;

a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said first member;

a second member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said first member and said second member occurs in response to exercise movement;

a magnet mounted on one of said first member and said second member;

a coil mounted on one of said first member and said second member, wherein said magnet and said coil cooperate to generate power upon relative rotation of said first member and said second member;

a third member, wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted relative to said third member;

a fourth member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member occurs in response to exercise movement; and

magnetic bond forming means operatively connected to said third member and said fourth member, for selectively forming a magnetic bond between said third member and said fourth member, wherein said magnetic bond forming means is driven by power generated by said magnet and said coil, and said magnetic bond resists relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member.

2. An exercise resistance device according to claim 1, further comprising supplemental power source connecting means operatively connected to said magnetic bond forming means, for connecting a supplemental power source to said magnetic bond forming means, wherein said supplemental power source provides additional power to drive said magnetic bond forming means.

3. An exercise resistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a linking means for linking the resistance device to an exercise operable member in such a manner that movement of said exercise operable member causes relative rotation of said first member and said second member.

4. An exercise resistance device according to claim 3, wherein said linking means includes a one-way clutch mounted on said shaft, and said exercise operable member is secured to said one-way clutch, and movement of said exercise operable member in a first direction causes said shaft and said first member to rotate together with said one-way clutch, and movement of said exercise operable member in a second, opposite direction causes said one-way clutch to rotate relative to said shaft and said first member.

5. An exercise resistance device according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic bond forming means includes a magnetically reactive material disposed between said third member and said fourth member.

6. An exercise resistance device according to claim 5, wherein said magnetic bond forming means further includes an applying means for applying a magnetic field across said magnetically reactive material and thereby aligning said magnetically reactive material along magnetic field lines to vary viscosity of said magnetically reactive material to resist relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member.

7. An exercise resistance device according to claim 6, further comprising a detecting means for detecting at least one of a velocity of exercise movement and a force of exercise movement, and for producing a signal in response thereto;

and a controlling means for controlling said applying means to vary said magnetic field as a function of said signal.

8. An exercise resistance device according to claim 5, wherein said magnetically reactive material is stainless steel powder.

9. An exercise resistance device according to claim 5, wherein said magnetically reactive material and said fourth member are effectively housed within said third member.

10. An exercise resistance device according to claim 1, wherein said third member and said fourth member are radially aligned relative to one another and define a radially extending gap therebetween.

11. An exercise resistance device, consisting essentially of:

a first member;

a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said first member;

a second member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said first member and said second member occurs in response to exercise movement;

a linking means for linking the resistance device to an exercise operable member in such a manner that movement of said exercise operable member causes relative rotation of said first member and said second member;

a magnet mounted on one of said first member and said second member;

a coil mounted on one of said first member and said second member, wherein said magnet and said coil cooperate to generate power upon relative rotation of said first member and said second member;

a third member, wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted relative to said third member;

a fourth member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member occurs in response to exercise movement; and

magnetic bond forming means operatively connected to said third member and said fourth member, for selectively forming a magnetic bond between said third member and said fourth member, wherein said magnetic bond forming means is driven by power generated by said magnet and said coil, and said magnetic bond resists relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member.

12. An exercise resistance device according to claim 11, wherein said linking means includes a one-way clutch mounted on said shaft, and said exercise operable member is secured to said one-way clutch, and movement of said exercise operable member in a first direction causes said shaft and said first member to rotate together with said one-way clutch, and movement of said exercise operable member in a second, opposite direction causes said one-way clutch to rotate relative to said shaft and said first member.

13. An exercise resistance device according to claim 11, wherein said magnetic bond forming means includes a magnetically reactive material disposed between said third member and said fourth member.

14. An exercise resistance device according to claim 13, wherein said magnetically reactive material and said fourth member are effectively housed within said third member.

15. An exercise resistance device, comprising:

a shaft connected to an exercise operable member and rotatable in response to movement of said exercise operable member;

a first resistance means for resisting rotation of said shaft, wherein said first resistance means includes an electric generator driven by rotation of said shaft;

a second resistance means for resisting rotation of said shaft, wherein said second resistance means includes a controller that controls power generated by said electric generator; and

a third resistance means for resisting rotation of said shaft, wherein said third resistance means includes a magnetic field generator that consumes power generated by said electric generator and controlled by said controller.

16. An exercise resistance device according to claim 15, wherein said electric generator includes at least one magnet fixed to rotate together with said shaft, and at least one coil relative to which said shaft and said magnet rotate.

17. An exercise resistance device according to claim 15, wherein said controller includes a detector operatively connected to said exercise operable member, and operable to measure at least one of speed and force of movement of said exercise operable member and to generate a signal in response thereto, and an adjuster operatively connected to said detector, and operable to adjust power consumed by said magnetic field generator.

18. An exercise resistance device according to claim 15, wherein said magnetic field generator includes a coil relative to which said shaft rotates.

19. An exercise resistance device according to claim 18, wherein said magnetic field generator further includes a magnetically reactive material disposed between said coil and said shaft.

20. An exercise resistance device according to claim 15, wherein said first electric generator and said magnetic field generator are adjacent one another and axially aligned relative to said shaft.