Gravity-independent constant force resistive exercise unit
First Claim
1. A constant force resistive device, comprising:
- a hollow body containing;
at least one modular resistive pack, each of said pack(s) containing at least one constant torque spring, with each spring wound upon a separate storage drum within said pack, and each spring within said pack(s) having the free end mechanically attachable to a single output drum within said pack(s);
each said output drum comprising mechanical means for connection to an output shaft;
which output shaft is mechanically connected to a cable drum having a cable which can be withdrawn to rotate said drum, with mechanical selection means provided for connecting any or all of said springs of said resistive packs to said output shaft, thereby providing resistance to the withdrawal of a cable wound upon said cable drum.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention describes a novel gravity-independent exercise unit designed for use in microgravity, or on the ground, as a means by which to counter muscle atrophy and bone degradation due to disuse or underuse. Modular resistive packs comprising constant torque springs provide constant force opposing the withdrawal of an exercise cable from the device. In addition to uses within the space program, the compact resistive packs of the CFREU allow the unit to be small enough for easy use as a home gym for personal use, or as a supplement for rehabilitation programs. Resistive packs may be changed conveniently out of the CFREU according to the desired exercise regimen. Thus, the resistive packs replace the need for expensive, heavy, and bulky traditional weight plates. The CFREU may be employed by hospitals, rehabilitation and physical therapy clinics, and other related professional businesses.
77 Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A constant force resistive device, comprising:
-
a hollow body containing;
at least one modular resistive pack, each of said pack(s) containing at least one constant torque spring, with each spring wound upon a separate storage drum within said pack, and each spring within said pack(s) having the free end mechanically attachable to a single output drum within said pack(s);
each said output drum comprising mechanical means for connection to an output shaft;
which output shaft is mechanically connected to a cable drum having a cable which can be withdrawn to rotate said drum, with mechanical selection means provided for connecting any or all of said springs of said resistive packs to said output shaft, thereby providing resistance to the withdrawal of a cable wound upon said cable drum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
at least four constant torque springs, each spring being wound upon its own storage drum and the other end being selectively engageable with a single output drum for said modular pack, each output drum being mechanically attached to a single output shaft, wherein each of said springs of each modular pack can be separately engaged with said output drum of its pack to provide resistive force to said output shaft. -
23. The constant force resistive device of claim 22 wherein said springs can be selectively engaged or disengaged by lever-and-cam actuated selection means, with each increment of movement of said lever moving said cam means to expose a selection groove on said output drum and attaching the output end of one of said springs to said selection groove.
-
24. The constant force resistive device of claim 22, wherein said output shaft is mechanically connected to a cable drum having a cable which can be withdrawn in opposition to said resistive force.
-
25. The constant force resistive device of claim 22, wherein any of said springs of said modular resistive packs can be mechanically engaged by selection means comprising a selection lever and cam mechanisms which allows for the individual engagement and disengagement of the output end of each spring to said output drum.
-
26. The constant force resistive device of claim 24, comprising a plurality of said modular resistive packs, wherein the pack nearest the base of said device is adjacent said cable drum.
-
27. The constant force resistive device of claim 26, wherein the output cable from said cable drum is routed to the user via idler pulley and roller means.
-
28. The constant force resistive device of claim 22, further comprising a base adapted for removable connection to at least one surface of a structure for use of said device.
-
-
29. A constant force resistive device, comprising:
-
a hollow body containing;
a plurality of modular resistive packs, each of said packs comprising at least one constant torque spring, each spring being attached to a separate storage drum within said pack, being wound upon said storage drum according to its normal curvature, with each spring within a pack having its free end mechanically attached to a single output drum within that pack, upon it can be wound in opposition to its normal curvature;
each of said packs having independent means for mechanically connecting said output drum to an output shaft for said pack, wherein each of said output shafts are adapted for mechanical interconnection to the shafts of the adjacent packs, and the interconnected output shafts of all said packs form a unitary output shaft mechanically connected to a cable drum, with mechanical selection means provided for connecting any or all of said output drums of said modular packs to said output shaft, thereby providing resistance to the withdrawal of a cable wound upon said cable drum. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A constant force resistive device comprising a hollow body set upon a base,
said base having mounted thereon a cable drum with cable wound thereon; -
a plurality of constant torque spring resistive packs mounted upon said base and parallel thereto in stacked fashion, each spring resistive pack comprising a central output drum and a plurality of storage drums on the circumference of said central drum, with each storage drum containing a constant torque spring whose free end can be selectively mechanically attached to said central output drum, and each resistive pack having mechanical selection means comprising lever and cam means for selectively engaging any of said springs in said pack;
each said central output drum being mechanically connected to a central output shaft, and said output shaft being mechanically connected to said cable drum so as to provide a resistive force to the withdrawal of said cable when at least one of said constant torque springs is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
-
-
36. A modular resistive pack comprising at least four storage drums spaced radially about a central output drum, with each said storage drum having a flat coil spring wound thereon according to its natural curvature, and means for selectively engaging or disengaging each said spring to said output drum to be wound thereon opposite to the natural curvature of said springs as said output drum is rotated, with means for connecting said output drum to an output shaft.
Specification