Training system and method

• US 7,785,232 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nustep LLC
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Cole, Neil M. Cole, Walter N. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Walter N., Cole, Charles L., Cole, Neil M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/945,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20080248926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 482/4, 482/5, 482/100, 482/101, 482/133, 482/134, 482/135, 482/903
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00058 Mechanical means for varying the resistance A63B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/096 automatically adjusted according to anthropometric data of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/085 by rotational movement of the joint in a plane substantially parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances

Abstract

A training system and method include providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by the body part. A force sensor is provided for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion, and a position sensor is operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween. A motor is coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity, and a controller is provided in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the position sensor. A computer program executable by the controller generates a position-varying target force band for the user over the range of motion, and a display is provided in communication with the controller and the force and position sensors for displaying the user-applied force as a function of position in real time in comparison with the target force band.

Claims

1. A training system comprising:

a frame;

a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user;

a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by at least one body part of the user;

a force sensor for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion;

at least one position sensor operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween;

a motor coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity;

a controller in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the at least one position sensor;

a computer program executable by the controller for generating a target force band comprising target force as a function of position for the user over the range of motion, the target force band including upper and lower force boundaries that are adjustable across the range of motion; and

a display in communication with the controller and the force and position sensors for displaying the user-applied force as a function of position in real time in comparison with the target force band.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one body part includes at least one foot, and the user engagement portion includes a footplate.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user support portion includes a seat.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a lever disposed proximate to a front edge of the seat for detecting a position of a posterior aspect of at least one thigh of the user.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user support portion is movable and a position of the user engagement portion is fixed.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user engagement portion is movable and a position of the user support portion is fixed.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the display provides a graphical representation of the target force band and a user force-position indicator representing the user-applied force as a function of position.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the user force-position indicator includes a temporal history of the user-applied force as a function of position.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the motor drives at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion in a reciprocating motion throughout the range of motion such that the target force band comprises a velocity-controlled shortening contraction (VSC) phase target band and a velocity-controlled lengthening contraction (VLC) phase target band.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one position sensor includes a primary position encoder in communication with the motor.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one position sensor includes a secondary position encoder in communication with at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a weight stack which is selectively operably connectable to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an amplifier in communication with the motor.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a VSC limit switch and a VLC limit switch in communication with the controller for indicating limits for movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion, wherein activation of at least one of the VSC and VLC limit switches stops movement of the motor in a direction of the activated limit switch via the amplifier.

15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism in communication with the motor and the controller, the drive mechanism operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the drive mechanism further includes an electric brake for engaging and arresting movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

17. The system according to claim 1, further comprising end limit switches in communication with the controller for indicating end limits for movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion, wherein activation of at least one end limit switch ceases power to the motor.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency stop switch for ceasing power to the motor.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the target force band represents a scaled version of an isometric profile (ISOP) of the user created by measuring an isometric force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the target force band represents a scaled version of a shortening contraction profile (SCP) of the user created by measuring a shortening contraction force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the target force band is generated by scaling a curve selected from a library of generic curves.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target force band includes lower force values during a VSC phase of the range of motion compared with a VLC phase of the range of motion.

23. The system according to claim 1, wherein movement of the motor is initiated upon the force sensor detecting the user-applied force exceeding a preset activation threshold.

24. The system according to claim 1, wherein the preprogrammed velocity includes a constant velocity.

25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the preprogrammed velocity includes a variable velocity.

26. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one contact switch monitored by the controller for sensing that the body part is in proper contact with the user engagement portion.

27. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one contact switch monitored by the controller for sensing that the user is in proper contact with the user support portion.

35. A method for training using the training system of claim 1, the method comprising:

providing a frame, a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user, and a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by at least one body part of the user;

sensing a force applied by the user at the user engagement portion;

sensing a relative position between the user support portion and the user engagement portion;

driving a position of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity;

generating a target force band comprising target force as a function of position for the user over the range of motion, the target force band including upper and lower force boundaries that are adjustable across the range of motion; and

displaying the user-applied force as a function of position in real time in comparison with the target force band.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion is movable and a position of the other of the user support portion and the user engagement portion is fixed.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein displaying the target force band includes providing a graphical representation of the target force band and a user force-position indicator representing the user-applied force as a function of position.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the user force-position indicator includes a temporal history of the user-applied force as a function of position.

39. The method according to claim 35, wherein driving at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion includes driving in a reciprocating motion throughout the range of motion such that the target force band comprises a VSC phase target band and a VLC phase target band.

40. The method according to claim 35, further comprising selectively operably connecting a weight stack to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

41. The method according to claim 35, further comprising generating the target force band by scaling an ISOP of the user created by measuring an isometric force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

42. The method according to claim 35, further comprising generating the target force band by scaling an SCP of the user created by measuring a shortening contraction force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

43. The method according to claim 35, further comprising generating the target force band by scaling a curve selected from a library of generic curves.

44. The method according to claim 35, further comprising generating the target force band with a lower force range during a VSC phase of the range of motion compared with a VLC phase of the range of motion.

45. The method according to claim 35, wherein driving at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion is initiated upon detecting the user-applied force exceeding a preset activation threshold.

28. A training system comprising:

a frame;

a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support the user;

a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by a body part of the user;

a force sensor for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion;

at least one position sensor operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween;

limit switches for indicating end limits for movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion;

a motor coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity;

a controller in communication with the motor, the force sensor, the at least one position sensor, and the limit switches;

a watchdog circuit in communication with the at least one position sensor and the limit switches for monitoring the operation thereof independent of the controller; and

a knee position mechanism for sensing a position of a knee of the user, wherein the watchdog circuit is in communication with the knee position mechanism for monitoring the operation thereof.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the watchdog circuit severs power to the motor upon detection of an error state that is unaddressed by the controller.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the watchdog circuit is powered independently from the controller.

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein the limit switches comprise at least two ROM limit switch blocks movable along the frame and arranged to be positioned at desired ends of the ROM of the user.

32. The system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one position sensor includes a primary position encoder in communication with the motor and a secondary position encoder in communication with least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the watchdog circuit monitors the primary and secondary position encoders to determine if a difference in position sensed by each is within a specified tolerance.

34. The system according to claim 28, further comprising a first contact switch provided on the user support portion and a second contact switch provided on the user engagement portion in communication with the controller and the watchdog circuit, wherein the watchdog circuit monitors operation of the contact switches independent from the controller.

46. A training system comprising:

a frame;

a user support portion coupled to the frame and arranged to support a user;

a user engagement portion coupled to the frame and arranged to be engaged by at least one body part of the user;

a force sensor for sensing a user-applied force at the user engagement portion;

at least one position sensor operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for sensing a relative position therebetween;

a motor coupled to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion for driving a position thereof with respect to the frame over a range of motion at a preprogrammed velocity;

a controller in communication with the motor, the force sensor, and the at least one position sensor;

a computer program executable by the controller for generating a target force band comprising target force as a function of position for the user over the range of motion; and

a display in communication with the controller and the force and position sensors for providing a graphical representation of the target force band and a user force-position indicator representing the user-applied force as a function of position in real time, the user force-position indicator including a temporal history of the user-applied force as a function of position.

47. The system according to claim 46, wherein the at least one body part includes at least one foot, the user engagement portion includes a footplate, and the user support portion includes a seat.

48. The system according to claim 47, further comprising a lever disposed proximate to a front edge of the seat for detecting a position of a posterior aspect of at least one thigh of the user.

49. The system according to claim 46, wherein one of the user engagement portion and the user support portion is movable and a position of the other of the user engagement portion and the user support portion is fixed.

50. The system according to claim 46, wherein the motor drives at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion in a reciprocating motion throughout the range of motion such that the target force band comprises a velocity-controlled shortening contraction (VSC) phase target band and a velocity-controlled lengthening contraction (VLC) phase target band.

51. The system according to claim 46, wherein the at least one position sensor includes a primary position encoder in communication with the motor.

52. The system according to claim 46, wherein the at least one position sensor includes a secondary position encoder in communication with at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

53. The system according to claim 46, further comprising a weight stack which is selectively operably connectable to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

54. The system according to claim 46, further comprising an amplifier in communication with the motor.

55. The system according to claim 46, further comprising a drive mechanism in communication with the motor and the controller, the drive mechanism operably connected to at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

56. The system according to claim 55, further comprising a VSC limit switch and a VLC limit switch in communication with the controller for indicating limits for movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion, wherein activation of at least one of the VSC and VLC limit switches stops movement of the motor in a direction of the activated limit switch via the amplifier.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein the drive mechanism further includes an electric brake for engaging and arresting movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion.

58. The system according to claim 46, further comprising end limit switches in communication with the controller for indicating end limits for movement of at least one of the user support portion and the user engagement portion, wherein activation of at least one end limit switch ceases power to the motor.

59. The system according to claim 46, further comprising an emergency stop switch for ceasing power to the motor.

60. The system according to claim 46, wherein the target force band includes upper and lower force boundaries.

61. The system according to claim 60, wherein the target force boundaries are adjustable across the range of motion.

62. The system according to claim 46, wherein the target force band represents a scaled version of an isometric profile (ISOP) of the user created by measuring an isometric force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

63. The system according to claim 46, wherein the target force band represents a scaled version of a shortening contraction profile (SCP) of the user created by measuring a shortening contraction force generated by the user at positions throughout the range of motion.

64. The system according to claim 46, wherein the target force band is generated by scaling a curve selected from a library of generic curves.

65. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the target force band includes lower force values during a VSC phase of the range of motion compared with a VLC phase of the range of motion.

66. The system according to claim 46, wherein movement of the motor is initiated upon the force sensor detecting the user-applied force exceeding a preset activation threshold.

67. The system according to claim 46, wherein the preprogrammed velocity includes a constant velocity.

68. The system according to claim 46, wherein the preprogrammed velocity includes a variable velocity.

69. The system according to claim 46, further comprising at least one contact switch monitored by the controller for sensing that the body part is in proper contact with the user engagement portion.

70. The system according to claim 46, further comprising at least one contact switch monitored by the controller for sensing that the user is in proper contact with the user support portion.