Exercise apparatus and technique

• US 5,976,063 A
• Filed: 07/06/1994
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinetecs Incorporated
• Inventors: Hruska, Ronald J. Jr., Joutras, Frank Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARK, JEANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/271,022
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: 482/112, 482/114, 482/115, 482/117, 482/118, 482/124, 601/33, 602/26, 602/27
• US Class Current: 482/114
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0454 including flex control; Dampening means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 19/04 movably supported on a framework or spheres or cylinders carrying the user inside standing on it for equilibrium exercises A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4005 to the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0285 Hanging
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/004 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06
• 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 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/04 : Shoe holders for passing over the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/145 : between two superimposed binding systems, e.g. cradle
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/24 : Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops

Abstract

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

Claims

1. A method of fitting an exercise device that includes a jointed limb brace to a patient comprising the steps of:

examining the patient;

determining the limb that is injured;

measuring the limb and deciding on the intended motion;

fitting said jointed limb brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section to the patient whereby the first section may be connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb, wherein friction means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other is connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said brace joint means;

adjusting the resistance in the friction means connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said brace joint means for varying of movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other about said brace joint means wherein the friction means connected to the first and second sections provides a preadjusted resistance to motion, wherein the resistance is adjusted to provide a program for varying a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program at different angles between the first and second sections;

the friction means being controlled by the amount of pressure between at least first and second friction members which first and second friction members engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move;

the amount of pressure being controlled by differences in the pressure between the first and second friction members as the angle between the two sections changes, wherein a camming mechanism presses the first and second friction members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section;

causing the first and second friction members to engage each other during rotation in one of clockwise and counterclockwise directions of said first and second sections and a different combination of frictional the third and fourth members to engage each other during the opposite of the clockwise or counterclockwise movement of said first and second sections with respect to each other.

2. A method of fitting an exercise device to a patient comprising the steps of:

examining the patient;

determining the limb that is injured;

measuring the strength and range of motion of the limb and deciding on the range of motion and resistance to motion to be provided by the exercise device;

fitting a Jointed limb brace having a first section, a second section, and a brace joint means connecting said first section and second section to the patient whereby the first section may be connected to a portion of a limb of a person on one side of a joint of the limb and the second section to a portion of a limb of a person on the opposite side of the joint of the limb, wherein friction means for varying the resistance to movement of the first and second sections with respect to each other is connected to said first and second sections adjacent to said brace joint means; and

adjusting the resistance in the friction means wherein the friction means provides a preadjusted resistance to motion independent of the velocity of the motion;

said resistance being controlled by a microprocessor program.

3. A method according the claim 2 in which the step of adjusting includes the step of providing a resistance force against movement of said sections in at least one of clockwise or counterclockwise movement about said brace joint means.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the microprocessor program varies a resistance force over a portion of movement in accordance with the program at different angles between the first and second sections.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the friction means is controlled by the amount of pressure between at least first and second friction members which first and second friction members engage each other and move with respect to each other as first and second sections move.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 in which the amount of pressure is controlled by differences in the pressure between the first and second friction members as the angle between the first and second sections changes.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 in which a camming mechanism presses the first and second friction members together at certain angular positions of the first section with respect to the second section.

8. A method according to claim 2 in which said friction means includes first and second friction members and said microprocessor program controls pressure between said first and second friction members.

9. method according to claim 8 in which the pressure between said first and second friction members is controlled magnetically.

10. A method according to claim 8 in which the pressure between said first and second friction members is controlled by a motor-driven screw drive means.

11. A method according to claim 2 wherein the first section is connected to one of a leg and thigh and the second section is connected to the other of a leg and thigh.

12. A method according to claim 2 wherein the first section is connected to one of a forearm and arm and the second section is connected to the other of a forearm and arm.

13. A method according to claim 2 in which said friction means is removably attached to said first and second sections over said brace joint means.