Exercise device with an adjustable magnetic resistance arrangement
First Claim
1. A resistance unit, comprising:
- a body;
a rotatable member mounted to the body for rotation relative to the body, wherein the rotatable member is located exteriorly of the body and is rotatable relative to the body about an axis of rotation;
an electrically conductive member interconnected with the rotatable member for rotation with the rotatable member;
a magnetic member located within a passage defined by the body and spaced from the rotatable member, wherein the magnetic member interacts with the electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the rotatable member; and
an adjustment mechanism interposed between the body and the magnetic member, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured and arranged to move the magnetic member toward and away from the rotatable member in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member to vary the eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A resistance unit for an exercise device, such as a bicycle trainer, includes a magnetic member which cooperates with a rotating electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of a rotatable member forming a part of the resistance unit. The resistance unit includes a body to which the rotatable member is mounted, and an adjustment mechanism is interconnected with the magnetic member and the body for adjusting the position of the magnetic member relative to the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance experienced by the rotatable member. The magnetic member is movably mounted within a passage defined by the body, and the adjustment mechanism includes a manually operable actuator which is accessible from the exterior of the body. The actuator is rotatable relative to the body, and rotation of the actuator functions to move the magnetic member toward and away from the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance. The rotatable member is interconnected with a flywheel, and the electrically conductive member is mounted to and rotatable with the flywheel to apply resistance to rotation of the rotatable member through the flywheel.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A resistance unit, comprising:
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a body;
a rotatable member mounted to the body for rotation relative to the body, wherein the rotatable member is located exteriorly of the body and is rotatable relative to the body about an axis of rotation;
an electrically conductive member interconnected with the rotatable member for rotation with the rotatable member;
a magnetic member located within a passage defined by the body and spaced from the rotatable member, wherein the magnetic member interacts with the electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the rotatable member; and
an adjustment mechanism interposed between the body and the magnetic member, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured and arranged to move the magnetic member toward and away from the rotatable member in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member to vary the eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 21, 22, 23)
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9. A resistance unit, comprising:
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a body;
a rotatable member mounted to the body for rotation relative to the body;
an electrically conductive member interconnected with the rotatable member for rotation with the rotatable member, wherein the electrically conductive member includes vane structure for providing an air moving function upon rotation of the electrically conductive member;
a magnetic member carried by the body and spaced from the rotatable member, wherein the magnetic member interacts with the electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the rotatable member;
an adjustment mechanism interposed between the body and the magnetic member for varying the space between the magnetic member and the rotatable member to vary the eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member; and
a flywheel interconnected with the rotatable member, wherein the electrically conductive member and the flywheel are located adjacent each other. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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- 11. In a resistance unit for an exercise device including a body and a rotatable member, wherein the rotatable member is mounted to the body for rotation about an axis of rotation, the improvement comprising an electrically conductive member located exteriorly of the body and interconnected with the rotatable member, a magnetic member carried by the body and spaced from the electrically conductive member, and an adjustment mechanism interposed between the body and the magnetic member, wherein the body defines a pair of oppositely facing external surfaces between which the magnetic member is located, wherein the electrically conductive member is located adjacent a first one of the oppositely facing surfaces and wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an actuator located adjacent a second one of the oppositely facing surfaces, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to move the magnetic member toward and away from the electrically conductive member in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, to vary the space between the magnetic member and the rotatable member, and wherein the magnetic member and the electrically conductive member interact to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the electrically conductive member, and wherein variation in the space between the magnetic member and the electrically conductive member by operation of the adjustment mechanism is operable to vary the eddy current resistance.
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15. In a resistance unit for an exercise device including a body and a rotatable member, the improvement comprising an electrically conductive member interconnected with the rotatable member, a magnetic member carried by the body and spaced from the electrically conductive member, and an adjustment mechanism interposed between the body and the magnetic member, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to vary the space between the magnetic member and the rotatable member;
- and wherein the magnetic member and the electrically conductive member interact to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the electrically conductive member; and
wherein variation in the space between the magnetic member and the electrically conductive member by operation of the adjustment mechanism is operable to vary the eddy current resistance; and
wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a conductive plate secured to the rotatable member, and further comprising a flywheel interconnected with the rotatable member and located adjacent the conductive plate. - View Dependent Claims (16)
- and wherein the magnetic member and the electrically conductive member interact to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member upon rotation of the electrically conductive member; and
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17. A resistance unit for an exercise device, comprising:
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a body;
a rotatable member carried by the body, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable relative to the body about an axis of rotation;
an electrically conductive member interconnected with the rotatable member so as to be rotatable with the rotatable member, wherein the electrically conductive member is located exteriorly of the body; and
magnetic means for interacting with the electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member through the electrically conductive member, wherein the magnetic means is located within a passage defined by the body and is movable toward and away from the electrically conductive member in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation to vary the eddy current resistance to rotation of the rotatable member through the electrically conductive member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification