Test and training device and method

• US 6,224,512 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1998
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ulf Arnesson
• Original Assignee: Ulf Arnesson
• Inventors: Arnesson, Ulf
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/202,555
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A testing and training appliance and a method of testing and/or training with a testing and training appliance that includes a loading device (5), a stand (2, 3) adapted to accommodate the loading device (5), a maneuvering arrangement (11, 12, 13) connected to the loading device (5), a connecting element (6, 7) disposed between the loading device (5) and the maneuvering arrangement (11, 12, 13), and a controlling and regulating unit (14) adapted for testing and/or training purposes. The loading device (5) can be regulated between an upper position and a lower position with the aid of the maneuvering arrangement (11, 12, 13) and the connecting element (6; 7) of said loading device. The test object is registered and settings relating to load, number of measurements, and the starting and turning position of the loading device are implemented, wherewith the loading device (5) is regulated in accordance with a given movement pattern between the starting position and stop position subsequent to starting the appliance.

Claims

1. A testing and training device comprising

a stand:

a loading device movably attached to said stand;

a maneuvering arrangement connected to said loading device by connecting elements;

a control unit connected to said maneuvering arrangement; and

,

at least one load measuring device connected to said control unit;

wherein said loading device moves between an adjustable upper position and an adjustable lower position;

and wherein said load measuring device registers the force or load transmitted by an object from said loading device and said control unit records said force or load;

and wherein said control unit controls said maneuvering arrangement which regulates movement of said loading device vertically between said adjustable upper position and said adjustable lower position through said connecting elements

and wherein said control unit controls functions of said testing and training device selected from the group consisting of speed of upward movement of said loading device speed of downward movement of said loading device upper position of said loading device and lower position of said loading device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said maneuvering arrangement has at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said maneuvering arrangement has a maneuvering beam connecting said hydraulic piston-cylinder device and said connecting elements.

4. The device of any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said loading device is a barbell, said barbell having a right end and a left end;

wherein said connecting elements are a right wire attached to said right end of said loading device and a left wire attached to said left end of said loading device.

5. The device of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 wherein said loading device moves in a selected pattern between said adjustable upper position and said adjustable lower position.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said loading device is suspended from said right wire and said left wire and moves vertically between said adjustable upper position and said adjustable lower position.

7. The device of claim 1, having two load measuring devices, one for each leg, a left-hand device for the left leg and a right-hand device for the right leg, said devices functioning to register the force transmitted by an object from said loading device to each load measuring device.

8. A method of testing and/or training with said testing and training device of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a) programming at least one of said functions of said control unit to a pre-selected value; and

then,

b) pressing against said loading device as it moves as programmed in step a) while the force or load transmitted by pressing against said loading device as it moves is measured by said load measuring device and recorded by said control unit as measured force or measured load.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said measured force or measured load may be compared to a previous measured force or previous measured load from at least one prior testing and/or training session.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said measured force or measured load is plotted as a curve against at least one previous measured force or previous measured load from at least one prior testing and/or training session.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the difference between said measured force or measured load and at least one previous measured force or previous measured load from at least one prior testing and/or training session is plotted as a curve.