Methods of adjusting stiffness and flexibility in devices, apparatus and equipment

• US 9,737,747 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alliance Design And Development Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alliance Design And Development Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Walsh, Robert, Tarlton, Peter B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Urbiel Goldner, Gary D
• Application Number:
  US14/961,874
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 7/06 with tines specially shaped or attached
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 87/00 Fishing rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0123 for the knees A61F5/0106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/027 using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• 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 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00185 using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4023 the user operating the resistance directly, without additional interface A63B21/072 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 : with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 : Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 : Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/50 : Force related parameters
• 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 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 : Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 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 49/02 : Frames
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/06 : Vaulting poles ; Take-off boxes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/10 : Non-metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/20 : having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 : Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/70 : with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 : Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/20 : Shock or vibration absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/07 : comprising means for adjusting stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 : Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

A resilient rod that provides adjustable directional resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod and a position of an applied force with respect to a fulcrum point. In another aspect of the invention, at least one spine may be attached to the beam to increase a diameter of the beam along one axis. The resistance level may be determined based on the thickness of the rod, the position of the applied force and an orientation of the at least one spine with regard to the direction of the applied force. In other aspects of the invention, the resilient rods may be incorporated into a golf club that provides for adjustable resistance levels.

Claims

1. An equipment comprising:

a hollow shaft,

a rod, positionable within said hollow shaft;

a cap positioned on an upper end of the hollow shaft retaining the rod within the hollow shaft, the cap comprising;

a worm gear configured to;

rotate a screw thread adjustment mechanism incorporated into the cap, the adjustment mechanism altering a position of the rod within the hollow shaft.

2. The equipment of claim 1, wherein the rod within in the hollow shaft is at least one of:

rotational positionable and linearly positionable.

3. The equipment of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible material in communication with said rod at a lower end of said rod, wherein said position of said rod is lowered within the hollow shaft by compressing the flexible material.

4. The equipment of claim 3, wherein said rod is raised within said hollow shaft by uncompressing said flexible material.

5. The equipment of claim 1, wherein said rod comprises:

a center portion having a cylindrical shape.

6. The equipment of claim 5, wherein said rod further comprises:

at least one spine portion, the at least one spine portion extending substantially a length of said center portion, said center portion and said at least one spine portion creating an elongated cross-sectional profile.

7. The equipment of claim 6, wherein said at least one spine portion is selected from the group consisting of:

solid, semi-solid and hollow.

8. The equipment of claim 6, wherein the at least one spine portion is external to the center portion.

9. The equipment of claim 6, wherein the at least one spine portion is internal to the center portion.

10. The equipment of claim 1, wherein said rod comprises:

a center portion having a major axis and a minor axis.

11. The equipment of claim 1, wherein said rod is selected from a group consisting of:

solid, semi-solid and hollow.

12. The equipment of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is incorporated in-line with the rod.

13. The equipment of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of graduated indicia incorporated into said cap.

14. A golf club comprising:

a hollow shaft comprising a first end having attached a golf head thereto and a second end;

a rod, having a circular cross-section, incorporated within the hollow shaft, said circular rod providing 360 degree symmetry about a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft;

a flexible material positioned near the first end of the hollow shaft and in contact with the rod; and

a cap fixed on the second end, the cap

comprising;

means for engaging a screw thread assembly, the screw thread assembly configured to;

raise and lower the rod within the hollow shaft; and

a plurality of indicia indicating a position of the rod within the hollow shaft.

15. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the cap, is rotatable about said second end, and engages the screw thread assembly.

16. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the means for engaging the screw thread assembly is in-line with the cap.

17. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the screw thread assembly is one of:

internal to the hollow shaft and external to the hollow shaft.

18. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the rod is cylindrical.