Oscillating exercise machine
First Claim
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1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a) a frame having a pivot axle;
b) a carriage, suspended from the pivot axle for oscillatory motion relative thereto; and
c) a motor, adapted to receive at least some of its required input energy in the form of human motion, connected to the frame and the carriage so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame, wherein the motor includes;
i) an input transducer for receiving energy in the form of human motion;
ii) an actuator having a pair of hydraulic cylinders each with a piston and each connected to the frame and carriage, via a fulcrum with one cylinder being disposed on each opposite side of the pivot axle, so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame wherein each cylinder is double acting having an extension port and a retraction port; and
iii) a hydraulic pump connected to the input transducer, to receive at least some of its required input energy therefrom, and the cylinders to exchange hydraulic fluid therewith whereby hydraulic fluid supplied to the extension port urges the piston to extend from the cylinder and hydraulic fluid supplied to the retraction port urges the piston to retract into the cylinder.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a low-impact, time-efficient way to exercise both the cardio-respiratory system and the muscular system, particularly the abdominal and back muscles. The exerciser uses his muscles to oscillate a pivoted carriage within a frame. In one embodiment, the exerciser pedals a crank to pump hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic circuit to a hydraulic cylinder connected between the carriage and the frame so as to urge the carriage to oscillate with respect to the frame. A limit sensor detects when the carriage is positioned at one extreme of its oscillation and signals the hydraulic circuit to reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder.
36 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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a) a frame having a pivot axle; b) a carriage, suspended from the pivot axle for oscillatory motion relative thereto; and c) a motor, adapted to receive at least some of its required input energy in the form of human motion, connected to the frame and the carriage so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame, wherein the motor includes; i) an input transducer for receiving energy in the form of human motion; ii) an actuator having a pair of hydraulic cylinders each with a piston and each connected to the frame and carriage, via a fulcrum with one cylinder being disposed on each opposite side of the pivot axle, so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame wherein each cylinder is double acting having an extension port and a retraction port; and iii) a hydraulic pump connected to the input transducer, to receive at least some of its required input energy therefrom, and the cylinders to exchange hydraulic fluid therewith whereby hydraulic fluid supplied to the extension port urges the piston to extend from the cylinder and hydraulic fluid supplied to the retraction port urges the piston to retract into the cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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a) a frame having a point of suspension; b) a carriage, suspended from the frame at the point of suspension for oscillatory motion relative to the frame, whereby substantially all of the carriage rests below the point of suspension; and c) a motor, adapted to receive at least some of its required input energy in the form of human motion, connected to the frame and the carriage so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame, wherein the motor includes; i) an input transducer for receiving input energy in the form of human motion; and ii) a hydraulic actuator having a pair of cylinders each with a piston and each connected to the frame and carriage, via a fulcrum with one cylinder being disposed on each opposite side of the pivot axle, so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An exercise apparatus comprising:
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a) a frame having a point of suspension; b) a carriage, suspended from the frame at the point of suspension for oscillatory motion relative to the frame, whereby the center of gravity of the occupied carriage is below the point of suspension; and c) a motor, adapted to receive at least some of its required input energy in the form of human motion, connected to the frame and the carriage so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame, wherein the motor includes; i) an input transducer for receiving input energy in the form of human motion; and ii) a hydraulic actuator having a pair of cylinders each with a piston and each connected to the frame and carriage, via a fulcrum, with one cylinder being disposed on each opposite side of the pivot axle, so as to urge the carriage to move relative to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification