Aero hydraulic exercise and physical therapy equipment and method

• US 7,780,583 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brown of America LLC
• Original Assignee: Brown of America LLC
• Inventors: Brown, Louis S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US12/511,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20090286659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 482111-113, 601/23
• US Class Current: 482/112
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0647 for cycling in a standing position, i.e. without a seat or support for the trunk
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/185 specially adapted for using with a single foot or hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/169 for anchoring on or against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 : Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03516 : For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 : With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 : for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

An air spring is used as a resistance device in exercise equipment having a lever arm for exercising various muscle groups such as those in arms and legs. In one embodiment, the equipment can be used while standing and the resistance movements strengthen core muscles. In another, it can be adapted to be used on a table surface for exercising hands, wrists and forearms. In still another embodiment, it can incorporate a bike pedal assembly to simultaneously aerobically exercise the legs and arms. The equipment includes resistance level regulating components and a visual indicator using a gauge or similar device to monitor resistance levels. Embodiments also include interchangeability of human interface members and a hand pump integrated with the lever arm, which may also include interchangeability of the human interface members.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

an adjustably resistive pivoting flexure joint assembly comprising at least one airspring assembly having at least one elastomeric bellows intermediate portion with a closed lower plate portion and a closed upper plate portion, both said closed lower plate portion and said closed upper plate portion being mechanically clamped directly to respective ends of said at least one elastomeric bellows intermediate portion,

a lever arm having one end thereof attached directly to the closed upper plate portion of the flexure joint assembly, wherein said at least one elastomeric bellows intermediate portion serves as means for deflecting said lever arm at a variable resistance from a rest position to about 90°

of deflection and rotating said lever arm at 360°

of rotation,

means for attaching said closed lower plate portion to a working/anchoring member or surface wherein said closed lower plate portion is configured to remain rigid and not move when said elastomeric bellows intermediate portion, closed upper plate portion and lever arm move,

a human interface member removably connected to said lever arm;

wherein a combination of said human interface member, and said lever arm and said flexure joint assembly is configured to provide ergonomically resistive non-striking therapy for a desired body part; and

said lever arm further comprising means for adjustably and selectively pressurizing the flexure joint assembly using hand pumping means for manually pumping air into said flexure joint assembly, said hand pumping means being integrated within said lever arm and connected to said human interface member, which facilitates said manual pumping of air; and

wherein said flexure joint assembly when pressurized at a selected desired resistance is configured to maintain a stored energy level such that an applied force must be exerted by a person to displace said lever arm from a neutral position and said force must be maintained to resist said lever arm'"'"'s movement back to said neutral position.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said means for manually hand pumping air into said flexure joint assembly comprises a hand pump.

3. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising:

pressure regulating means for selecting a desired resistance to be applied to said person'"'"'s desired body part for a selected pressure in said flexure joint assembly and for making adjustments to said resistance by adjusting said pressure in said flexure joint assembly, wherein said pressure regulating means is adjustable between 0-100 psig.

4. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said human interface member is a removable and interchangeable with another human interface member.

5. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said lever arm is annularly adjustable

in relation to said closed upper plate portion of said flexure joint assembly, said adjustment having a range of 180 degrees.