Air management for enhancing pneumatic rebound training

• US 8,727,954 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plyo Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Plyo Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Morrow, George Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANESAN, SUNDHARA M
• Application Number:
  US13/608,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20130065739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 482/33, 482/15, 482/66, 482/77, 482/111, 482/112, 482/143, 482/113, 482/145
• US Class Current: 482/112
• 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 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 25/08 Hopping-sticks, e.g. pogo sticks ; Hopping apparatus with a single resilient support devices for balloon jumping A63B5/166
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/00 Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures equalising valves F16K17/00; arrangement or mounting in pipes or pipe systems F16L55/07; venting or aerating as an additional function of steam traps or like apparatus F16T; ventilation of rooms, vehicles, see the appropriate subclass, e.g. F24F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/309 Fluid sensing valve

Abstract

An air management system that allows safe and convenient forms of interval training exercise to be performed on pneumatically elevating rebound exercise equipment. The system includes at least one air intake valve and bleed valve. By providing repeatable degrees of difficulty for both air intake and air release from the extendable air springs employed for the exercise, competitive athletes and their coaches can design, employ, repeat, and compare individualized medium- or high-intensity interval protocols for optimal cardiovascular training programs.

Claims

1. A stationary pneumatically elevating rebound exercise device comprising:

an extendable air compression chamber; and

an adjustable valve system comprising at least one adjustable check valve configured to allow a repeatable amount of ambient air into the air compression chamber when the air compression chamber is extended and at least one adjustable bleed valve for controllably releasing a repeatable degree of air bleed from said device, said adjustable valve system configured to adjust to one or more predetermined airflow settings.

2. The improved exercise device of claim 1, wherein said bleed valve is a metering valve.

3. The improved exercise device of claim 2 wherein said bleed valve is a motorized metering valve.

4. The improved exercise device of claim 2 wherein said bleed valve is a needle metering valve.

5. The improved exercise device of claim 1 wherein said bleed valve includes at least one solenoid valve.

6. The improved exercise device of claim 1 wherein said bleed valve is a valve having markings indicating various degrees of said valve'"'"'s opening.

7. The improved exercise device of claim 1 wherein said bleed valve is a valve having detents that allow repeatable degrees of said valve'"'"'s opening.

8. The improved exercise device of claim 1 wherein said bleed valve means includes a valve timing mechanism.

9. The improved system of claim 1 wherein said check valve is a check valve device.

10. The improved system of claim 9 wherein said check valve device includes both a check valve and a separate valve for controlling the flow capacity of said check valve device.

11. The improved system of claim 9 wherein said check valve device controls the ease of air intake by varying the cracking pressure of said check valve device.

12. The improved system of claim 9 wherein said check valve device controls the ease of air intake by varying the flow capacity of said check valve device.