Apparatus using multi-directional resistance in exercise equipment

• US 6,837,830 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark W. Eldridge
• Original Assignee: Mark W. Eldridge
• Inventors: Eldridge, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/286,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/14, 482/39, 482/66, 482121-124, 482/145, 482/111, 482/112
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0022 for skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame for supporting all the components of the apparatus and a multi-directional resistance means for providing a user of the apparatus the ability to duplicate actual athletic procedures. The apparatus includes a treadmill for the user to operate with the multidirectional resistance means and at least two connection means between the user legs the multi-directional resistance means. A front bar is mounted on the frame for the user to hold onto while duplicating an athletic procedure. Finally, there is a controlling means to adjust the multi-directional resistance means for changing the effect of the users'"'"' workout.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame for supporting all the components of said apparatus;

a multi-directional resistance means for providing a user of said apparatus the ability to duplicate actual athletic procedures;

a treadmill for said user to operate in conjunction with said multi-directional resistance means;

a connection means between at least two legs of said user and said multi-directional resistance means;

a front bar for said user to hold onto while strengthening said users'"'"' stride; and

a controlling means for adjusting said multi-directional resistance means, wherein the adjusting changes the effect of the users'"'"' workout.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further includes a first sidebar and a second sidebar.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further comprises at least two flywheels each with a magnetic brake, a recoil and a one way clutch.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said magnetic brake is selected from the group consisting of an electric particle magnet and a hybrid with a hysterisis eddy flow.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill further consists of a motor providing a speed from stop to about 28 mph.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill further consists of an endless belt constructed of UHMW polyethylene material, a forward movement, a backward movement and an adjustable motor providing a variable speed.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection means further consists of an element, a rotatable structure and two segments with one connecting to a knee strap and the other connecting to a leg strap.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further consists of a first flywheel and a second flywheel mounted at the front of said frame.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further consist of a first and second flywheel mounted at the front of said frame and a third and fourth flywheel mounted at the rear of said frame.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first flywheel is connected to the front of the right leg of said user by said connection means and said second flywheel is connected to the front of the left leg of said user by said connections means.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first flywheel is connected at the front leg of said user by said connection means, said second flywheel is connected at the front of the left leg of said user by said connection means, said third flywheel is connected at the rear of the right leg of said user by said connection means and said fourth flywheel is connected at the rear of the left leg of said user by said connection means.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first flywheel further consists of a right set of pulleys mounted underneath and to the rear of said frame allowing an element to be routed and connected by said connection means to the back side of the users right leg.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second flywheel further consists of a left set of pulleys mounted underneath and to the rear of said frame allowing an element to be routed and connected by said connection means to the back side of the users left leg.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further consists of at least two hydraulic mechanisms with a recoil and a one way clutch.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said hydraulic mechanism further consists of hydraulic fluid, a reservoir, an adjustable orifice control, a one-way clutch, a recoil spool, a shaft and a pillow block bearing.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation position of said hydraulic mechanism is adjustable.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill is substitutable for an ice skating stationary deck further comprising a UHMW cover.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said stationary deck further comprises a surface constructed of UHMW polyethylene material.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said UHMW polyethylene is substitutable for a plurality of materials.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further comprises a first and second hydraulic mechanism each with a recoil and one way clutch mounted on the front of said frame.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further consist of a first and second hydraulic mechanism mounted at the front of said frame and a third and fourth hydraulic mechanism mounted at the rear of said frame.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said one-way clutch is substitutable for a one-way bearing.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said first hydraulic mechanism further consists of a right set of pulleys mounted underneath to the rear and the front and mounted on top to the rear and the front of said frame.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said second hydraulic mechanism further consists of a left set of pulleys mounted underneath to the rear and the front and mounted on top to the rear and the front of said frame.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further consists of a first flywheel and a second flywheel mounted at the rear of said frame.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-directional resistance means further comprises a first and second hydraulic mechanism each with a recoil and one way clutch mounted on the rear of said frame.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further consists of a harness supported by a frame.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill is used in combination with skating boots with polytetrafluoroethylene coated rails.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said stationary deck is used in combination with skating boots with polytetrafluoroethylene coated rails.