COMPUTER CONTROLLED EXERCISE EQUIPMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20110165995A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Original Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Inventors: Shaw, James, Paulus, David, Deaconu, Stelu, Reich, Alton
• Application Number:
  US13/010,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20110165995A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• 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 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0005 with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• 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 23/12 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 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

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using computer configured exercise equipment and an electric motor. A computer-controlled robotic resistance system is used for training, diagnosis and/or therapy. The resistance system comprises: a subject interface, software control, a controller, an electric servo assist/resist motor, an actuator, and/or a subject sensor. The system overcomes the limitations of the existing robotic rehabilitation, weight training, and cardiovascular training systems by providing a training and/or rehabilitation system that adapts a resistance or force applied to a user interactive element in response to the user'"'"'s interaction with the training system, a physiological strength curve, and/or sensor feedback. For example, the system optionally provides for an automatic reconfiguration and/or adaptive load adjustment based upon real time measurement of a user'"'"'s interaction with the system or sensor based observation by the exercise system as it is operated by the subject.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus configured for use by a subject, comprising:

an electric motor;

a subject interface element;

a resistance cable comprising;

a first cable end attached directly or indirectly to said electric motor;

a second cable end attached to said subject interface; and

a controller, said controller configured to control movement of said electric motor, movement of said electric motor configured to provide a force transferred by said cable to said subject interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said subject interface element configured for interaction by the subject.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a winding spool, said cable configured to wind on said spool during use.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor, said sensor configured to provide biomechanical feedback to said controller, said controller configured to adjust the force applied by said electric motor based upon said biomechanical feedback.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer configured to transform information, said computer programmed with a physiological strength curve, said computer electrically connected to said controller, said controller configured to adjust the force transferred to said cable based on said physiological strength curve.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, said electric motor configured to apply assistance to movement of said resistance cable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, said controller programmed to modify the force within a single repetition of movement of said subject interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, said electric motor configured to provide an isometric resistance to said subject interface element via said cable for a period of at least three seconds during an exercise repetition.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electric motor provides a resistive force to rotation of a cable spool.

10. A method for exercising a subject, comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise apparatus comprising;

an electric motor;

a subject interface element; and

a resistance cable comprising;

a first cable end attached directly or indirectly to said electric motor;

a second cable end attached directly or indirectly to said subject interface element; and

controlling movement of said electric motor with a controller, movement of said electric motor configured to provide a force transferred by said cable to said subject interface.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

the subject exercising through applying a user force against the resistive force supplied by said electric motor.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

said exercise apparatus recognizing the subject using a wireless element.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

said controller adjusting a programmed resistance profile applied by said electric motor to said subject interface based on data received via said wireless element.

14. The method of claim 13, said step of adjusting comprising use of any of:

a workout history of the subject;

a physiology of the subject; and

a preference of the subject.

15. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a user interface element;

an electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to said user interface element, wherein the resistive force varies according to a force profile within a single direction of movement of a repetition of movement of said interface element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the force profile comprises any of:

an increasing force profile as a function of time;

a decreasing force profile as a function of time;

a step function force profile as a function of time;

a varying force profile wherein a start point of said single direction of movement of said repetition comprises a first force both differing by at least ten percent and within thirty percent of a second force at an endpoint of said single direction of movement of said repetition.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a series of the repetition of movement comprises an exercise set.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a first profile during a first repetition of said exercise set comprises an average resistance differing by at least ten percent from a second profile during a second repetition of said exercise set.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said resistive force is transferred using any of:

a flexible metallic cable;

a fibrous cord; and

a sheathed Kevlar cord.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said resistive force is applied along an about linear axis not more than fifteen degrees off of an axis aligned with gravity.