Personal force resistance cable exercise device, force resistance assembly, and method of exercising

• US 9,700,753 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Jeffrey Boatwright
• Original Assignee: Donald Jeffrey Boatwright
• Inventors: Boatwright, Donald Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Tranh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Megan
• Application Number:
  US14/639,402
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 1/00 Horizontal bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/027 using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• 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 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

A cable exercise device incorporating a force resistance assembly, an elongated flexible cable, and a moveable exercise implement. The force resistance assembly comprises a mounting frame, a rotatable axle operatively supported by the mounting frame, a cable spool carried by the axle, and a magnetic braking device operatively connected to the cable spool. The magnetic braking device comprises an eddy current braking system incorporating a flywheel and magnet. The flexible cable is attached to the force resistance assembly, and is adapted for winding on and unwinding from the cable spool. The movable exercise implement is secured to the flexible cable, and is adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise.

Claims

1. A cable exercise device, comprising:

a force resistance assembly including a mounting frame, a rotatable axle operatively supported by said mounting frame, a one-way cable spool carried by said axle, a magnetic braking device operatively connected to said cable spool and comprising a flywheel and at least one magnet, a pulley fixed to said axle, and a drive belt operatively interconnecting said pulley and said flywheel, and said one-way cable spool being locked to said axle upon rotation of said cable spool in a working force-resistance direction, and freely movable relative to said axle upon rotation of cable spool in an opposite cable-wind-up direction;

an elongated flexible cable attached to said force resistance assembly, and adapted for winding on and unwinding from said cable spool; and

a movable exercise implement secured to said flexible cable, and adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise.

2. The cable exercise device according to claim 1, and comprising a standing platform located adjacent to said force resistance assembly.

3. The cable exercise device according to claim 2, and comprising means for releasably attaching the free end of said flexible cable to said standing platform.

4. The cable exercise device according to claim 2, and comprising an electronic scale adjacent said standing platform adapted for measuring a force exerted by the user when performing the exercise.

5. The cable exercise device according to claim 1, and comprising an electronic operator console communicating with said braking device and adapted for supplying an electric current to said magnet.

6. The cable exercise device according to claim 5, wherein said operator console comprises an operator button for selecting one of a plurality of different current levels to supply to said magnet.

7. The cable exercise device according to claim 1, and comprising a cable rewind spring operatively attached to said one-way cable spool, and adapted for normally urging rotation of said cable spool in the cable-wind-up direction.

8. The cable exercise device according to claim 7, wherein said one-way cable spool comprises a one-way needle bearing adapted for operatively engaging said axle upon rotation of said cable spool in the working force-resistance direction.

9. The cable exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said braking device comprises a system selected from a group consisting of an eddy current braking system, a hysteresis braking system, and a combination of eddy current and hysteresis braking systems.

10. The cable exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said exercise implement comprises an elongated hollow bar having a cable-entry end and an opposing cable-exit end, and first and second bearings located at respective cable-entry and cable-exit ends.

11. A cable exercise device, comprising:

a force resistance assembly comprising a mounting frame, a rotatable axle operatively supported by said mounting frame, a cable spool carried by said axle, a magnetic braking device operatively connected to said cable spool and comprising a flywheel and at least one magnet, a generator operatively connected to said flywheel, and a system selected from a group consisting of an eddy current braking system, a hysteresis braking system, and a combination of eddy current and hysteresis braking systems;

an elongated flexible cable attached to said force resistance assembly, and adapted for winding on and unwinding from said cable spool; and

a movable exercise implement secured to said flexible cable, and adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise.

12. The cable exercise device according to claim 11, and comprising an electronic operator console communicating with said braking device and adapted for supplying an electric current to said magnet.

13. The cable exercise device according to claim 12, wherein said operator console comprises an operator button for selecting one of a plurality of different current levels to supply to said magnet.

14. The cable exercise device according to claim 11, wherein said force resistance assembly further comprises a pulley fixed to said axle, and a drive belt operatively interconnecting said pulley and the flywheel of said braking device.

15. The cable exercise device according to claim 11, wherein said exercise implement comprises an elongated hollow bar having a cable-entry end and an opposing cable-exit end, and first and second cable bearings located at respective cable-entry and cable-exit ends.

16. The cable exercise device according to claim 11, and comprising a standing platform located adjacent to said force resistance assembly.

17. A cable exercise device, comprising:

a force resistance assembly including a mounting frame, a rotatable axle operatively supported by said mounting frame, a one-way cable spool carried by said axle, and a magnetic braking device operatively connected to said cable spool, and said one-way cable spool being locked to said axle upon rotation of said cable spool in a working force-resistance direction, and freely movable relative to said axle upon rotation of cable spool in an opposite cable-wind-up direction;

an elongated flexible cable attached to said force resistance assembly, and adapted for winding on and unwinding from said cable spool; and

a movable exercise implement secured to said flexible cable, and adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise, and wherein said exercise implement comprises an elongated hollow bar having a cable-entry end and an opposing cable-exit end, and first and second bearings located at respective cable-entry and cable-exit ends.

18. A cable exercise device, comprising:

a force resistance assembly including a mounting frame, a rotatable axle operatively supported by said mounting frame, a one-way cable spool carried by said axle, and a magnetic braking device operatively connected to said cable spool, and said one-way cable spool being locked to said axle upon rotation of said cable spool in a working force-resistance direction, and freely movable relative to said axle upon rotation of cable spool in an opposite cable-wind-up direction;

an elongated flexible cable attached to said force resistance assembly, and adapted for winding on and unwinding from said cable spool; and

a movable exercise implement secured to said flexible cable, and adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise;

a standing platform located adjacent to said force resistance assembly; and

means for releasably attaching the free end of said flexible cable to said standing platform.