Abstract:
An exercise and rehabilitation apparatus is provided having resistance load units comprising a resistance drum rotabably coupled to a user crank handle mechanism, a friction strap surrounds the resistance drum wherein the level of friction resistance between the drum and the resistance load unit housing is user selectable thereby selecting the force required to rotate the user crank. Once user adjusted the resistance load unit provides a constant load to the user crank. Resistance load units are mounted opposingly providing a left and right hand user crank. A variety of user crank embodiments are provided for simulating the forces and motion experienced by a user in various sporting, exercising and rehabilitation user activities.

Description:
This non-provisional utility patent application, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/141,178 filed Mar. 31, 2015 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to exercise and rehabilitation equipment; and, more particularly, to exercise apparatuses providing adjustable and constant load resistance to a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many variations of exercise machines are provided in the prior art typically utilizing elastomeric bands or weights and pulleys as the means for providing a resistance load to a user. There are many limitations related to the use of bands and weights that typically restrict the use of the machine to exercising a specific set of muscles, consequently there are many exercise machines directed to specific uses. Further, the mechanisms for creating the load to a user typically provide a varying load throughout the range of motion. What is needed is an exercise apparatus that is configurable for exercising many different muscle groups and provides constant resistance load, safety, and durability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved exercise and rehabilitation station providing adjustable and constant resistance load throughout the exercise stroke, and, more specifically, to an apparatus providing simulation of the motion and forces experienced whilst conducting particular sporting, exercise, and rehabilitation activities. The apparatus presents a preselected constant load to a user throughout the full stroke of motion without utilizing weights and pulleys or elastomeric bands typically incorporated in prior art devices. Further elastomeric bands vary in load throughout the stroke and inherently have limited motion direction making simulation of activities cumbersome. Similarly weights and pulleys have similar motion limitations as well as safety concerns. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a constant load to a user throughout the range of motion whilst using the apparatus. An adjustable and constant resistance load unit is provided wherein a rotatable hub presents a constant resistance to turn by a user. The resistance unit comprises a rotatable drum and a means for adjusting the tension of a tensioner band against the top of a friction strap disposed around the drum wherein increasing the tension on the band increases the friction between the strap and the drum thereby increasing the force required to rotate the resistance drum. A sprag clutch is further provided disposed between the hub and the drum engaging the hub rotation with the drum rotation and restricting the rotational direction of the engagement. 
     The resistance units may be utilized in tandem to accommodate both arms of the user. Various attachments may be optionally fixed to the hub to provide simulated range of motion thereby exercising the muscle groups associated with the motion. The apparatus has many advantages over the prior art as it is highly configurable, effectively simulates the range of motion and load experienced in many sporting activities, and provides safe and reliable load to a user for exercise, thereby substantially obviating one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the features, advantages, and principles of the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the dual resistance unit according to the present invention showing the unit optionally mounted to a vertical stand. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the of the dual resistance unit of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section view taken on Line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing details of the rotatable mounting plate attachment received by the optional vertical stand. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view taken on Line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the face of the resistance band tensioner adjustment knob of the right hand resistance unit showing the resistance load markings. 
         FIG. 6  is a vertical cross section view taken on Line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2  showing the assemblage and spatial relationship of the various elements of the resistance unit. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section view taken on Line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  illustrating the interconnectivity of the hand hub with the spline of the sprag clutch and the surrounding dog gear of the resistance drum wherein a drum locking pin is disposed within the dog gear to lock the rotation of the handle hub to the resistance drum. 
         FIG. 8  is an inset cross section view taken on Line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing details of the drum locking pin T handle bolt in the handle hub and securing the locking pin in the disengaged position. 
         FIG. 9  is a horizontal cross section view taken on Line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6  further showing details of the resistance drum, resistance band, tensioner band and tensioner band adjustment knob. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section view taken on Line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the proximate end of the user crank inserted into the handle hub and locked in place by the user crank T handle bolt. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section view taken on Line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the distal end of the user crank and showing the grip mount fixed to the arms of the crank with the user grip post centrally attached to the grip mount. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section view taken on Line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9  showing additional details of the resistance drum, resistance band, tensioner band and tensioner band adjustment knob. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear elevation view of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the various adjustment handles providing user selectable resistance unit mounting positions relative to an optional vertical stand. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross section view taken on Line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13  illustrating the rotational position locking T handle bolt securing the rotational position of the resistance unit relative to the optional vertical stand. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross section view taken on Line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13  illustrating the height position locking T handle bolt being received by a bore in the vertical stand securing the user selectable vertical height position of the resistance unit relative to the optional vertical stand. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternate wall mount embodiment of the stand. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an optional horizontal bench accessory facilitating use of the present invention from a supine, reclined or sitting user position. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the user crank comprising a user leg securing mechanism. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the user crank for exercising the rotator cuff as in simulating throwing or a curl. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the user crank for providing opposing load to a user&#39;s arms for exercising core muscle groups. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the user crank comprising an articulated circular rod with user grip at the distal end primarily directed to simulate the motion of playing golf or batting a ball whilst providing resistance load to develop user strength. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a fifth alternate embodiment of the user crank simulating a military bench press. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Where examples are presented to illustrate aspects of the invention, these should not be taken as limiting the invention in any respect. Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in a perspective view at  30  in  FIG. 1 , a new type of exercise, fitness and rehabilitation machine. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view according to the present invention, the exercise apparatus  30  comprises left and right constant load resistance units  40  and  42  each having a central shaft  44 , opposingly and symmetrically fixed at the proximate end to opposing sides of a mounting plate  46  arranged perpendicular to the central shaft  44  of the resistance units  40  and  42 , each resistance unit having a handle hub  48 , rotatably mounted at the resistance unit distal end and arranged to rotate around the central shaft, receiving a user crank  50  with a grip  52  wherein the resistance units respectively define the force required to rotate the respective handle hubs. The resistance units  40  and  42  each further provide a tensioner adjustment knob  54  facilitating a user to select the force required to rotate the handle hub  48 . 
     Mounting plate  46  is adaptable to receive a variety of optional mounting devices. Referring again to  FIG. 1  wherein an embodiment of an optional vertical mounting stand  56  is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate  46  is perpendicularly fixed to a mounting bracket  64  received by the top end of the vertical member  58  of the optional vertical mounting stand  56 . The vertical member  58  is removably fixed at the bottom end to a plurality of ground support members  60  extending radially from the vertical member  58 . Stabilizing plates  62  attached to the ground support members  60  extend perpendicularly from the ground support members  60  providing a platform for a user to stand upon to further stabilize the apparatus. It will be appreciated that various other means for mounting the apparatus may be utilized. 
     Details of the mounting bracket  64  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  wherein the mounting bracket  64  comprises a front plate  66  perpendicularly attached to the mounting plate  46 , a rear plate  68  rotatably disposed adjacent to the front plate  66  and being secured by mount shaft  70  disposed through central bores in the front and rear plates. As shown further in  FIGS. 4, 13 and 14 , the rotational position of the front plate  66  relative to the rear plate  68  is locked by the user utilizing mount bracket T handle bolt rotation lock  74  disposed as a set screw to bind the front and rear plates together to prevent rotation. A mounting sleeve  72  fixed to the rear plate  68  receives the top end of the vertical member  58  of the mounting stand  56  as in  FIG. 13 . A levered height lock  76  is threaded through the mounting sleeve  72  and disposed as a set screw to selectively bind the vertical member  58  within the sleeve  72  thereby securing the vertical height. A T handle safety pin  78  is arranged to penetrate the sleeve  72  and is received by bores in the vertical member  58  thereby insuring that the vertical height adjustment remains secure as in  FIGS. 13 and 15 . An alternate embodiment of the optional vertical stand is illustrated in  FIG. 16  showing a wall mount stand  180  being received by the apparatus  30  of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the mounting bracket  64  is adaptable to receive a variety of optional mounting devices. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2  showing a top plan view of the present invention, the left  40  and right  42  resistance units are comprised of the same elements and have identical assemblage. The units differ only in rotational restriction of the handle hubs  48  so as to provide complimenting left and right motion. The housings  82  of the units are mounted opposingly on the mounting plate  46  by housing fasteners  84  wherein the unit housing central shafts  44  are disposed in line with each other such that the handle hubs  48  rotate around the same axis. 
     In  FIG. 3 , showing a right side elevation view, the handle hub  48  is fixed to the central shaft  44  by handle hub retainer fastener  86  and handle hub retainer washer  88  wherein the handle hub  48  and associated elements form the distal end of the unit  42 . The handle hub  48  receives a handle or user crank  50  and is gripped in place by the hub crank T handle bolt  90 . Also visible is the hub rotation lock pin knob  92  attached to the hub rotation lock pin  94  that slides within a bore within the handle hub  48  and is selectively secured in position by the pin securing T handle bolt  96  being received by a threaded bore perpendicular to the pin bore in the handle hub  48 . 
     A user rotates the user crank  50  around the axis of the resistance unit  42 . The resistance unit provides resistance to the rotation. As in  FIG. 5 , the amount of resistance is user selectable by rotating the tensioner knob  54  to a position corresponding to the load required. The tensioner knob  54  has load markings  102  wherein the selected indicia is rotated to the vertical position thereby setting the resistance load presented to the handle hub  48 . In  FIG. 5 , the load setting of twenty is shown selected at  104 . 
     The essential component of the present invention is the resistance unit. A cross section of an embodiment of the resistance unit  100  is shown in  FIG. 6 , a view taken on Line  6 - 6  of the left resistance unit  40  of  FIG. 2 . A resistance drum  106  having a cylindrical shape with the distal end being a plate  136  having a concentrically and longitudinally disposed cylindrical bearing housing  134  surrounding the central shaft  44  of the unit  100 . The drum  106  is free to rotate around the central shaft  44  and is secured in position at the proximate end by rear thrust washer  138  and a lock nut  140  received by threads on the central shaft  44 . A dog gear  108  is concentrically disposed and fixed on the plate  136  of the resistance drum  106  with the dog gear engagement teeth  110  arranged along the periphery and extending outwardly and perpendicularly from the resistance drum plate  136 . The dog gear  108  has a central recess forming a housing for a sprag clutch  150  centrally disposed within the housing. The sprag clutch is a typical one-way freewheel clutch with inner and outer races permitting rotation in one direction. The sprag clutch  150  is secured within the housing by a sprag clutch retainer ring  152 . A spline  154 , being secured in place by spline thrust bearing  156 , is in direct mechanical communication with the central portion of the sprag clutch  150  and engages the spline receiver  142  of the handle hub  48  wherein the sprag spline  154  is free to rotate around the central shaft  44 . As the housing of the dog gear  108  is contiguous with the resistance drum  106 , a mechanical linkage is formed from the handle hub  48 , through the spline  154 , through the sprag clutch  150  and to the resistance drum  106 . Sprag clutches inherently permit rotation in one direction only therefore in one direction of rotation the handle hub  48  rotation is the same as the resistance drum  106  whilst in the opposite direction of rotation the handle hub  48  is free to rotate without engaging the resistance drum  106 . Therein lies the only distinction between the left  40  and right  42  resistance units as the sprag clutch permitted rotation directions oppose each other. 
     The user may optionally defeat the rotation of the sprag clutch  150  by engaging the rotation lock pin  94  with the dog gear teeth  110 . In the lock position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the handle hub  48  and the resistance drum  106  must rotate together in both rotational directions of the handle hub  48 . In the unlocked position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the rotation lock pin  94  is withdrawn into the handle hub  48  and does not engage the teeth  110  of the dog gear  108 . The sprag clutch  150  is therefore re-engaged and the rotation restriction is restored. The lock pin securing T handle bolt  96  provides the functionality of a set screw to secure pin  94  in place in the unlocked position as in  FIG. 6  and the locked position as in  FIG. 8 . 
     The handle hub  48  being secured to the central shaft  44  by retainer fastener  86  is drawn against the hub bearing surface  144  of the resistance unit housing  82  by tightening the fastener  86 . A bearing material, being the handle hub bearing  98 , is disposed between the hub  48  and the bearing surface  144  to permit rotation of the handle hub  48 . The bearing material may be nylon or other similar materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  a cross section of the resistance unit  100  taken on Line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6  wherein the resistance generating elements are shown in greater detail. The outside circumference of the resistance drum  106  is polished to form a smooth resistance friction surface  146 . The bottom of the resistance band friction strap  132  surrounds the drum surface  146 . The strap  132  is formed from a fabric material having a friction coefficient with metal sufficiently to grasp the drum when pressure is applied to the strap whilst sufficiently low to allow the drum to rotate when no pressure is applied. The strap  132  is held in position around the circumferential surface of drum  106  by pinching and securing the material between flanges  126  of the resistance band  112  contacting the top side of the strap  132  thereby preventing the friction strap  132  from turning with the drum  106 . The resistance band  112  is constructed from flexible metal sheeting disposed around the strap  132 , resistance band shoe  124  and tensioner receiver  114 . The resistance shoe  124  is a plate having a curvature to complement the curvature of the drum  106  and is positioned against the outer surface of the friction strap  132 . The tensioner receiver  114  is a rectangular box shaped element disposed between the top of the resistance shoe  124  and the inside surface of the resistance band  112 . The tensioner knob  54  has a threaded shaft  118  inserted through the resistance unit housing  82 , through a bore in the resistance band  112  and received by a threaded bore through the tensioner receiver  114  wherein the distal end of the shaft  118  contacts the top surface of the resistance shoe  124 . Turning the tensioner knob  54  threads the tensioner shaft  118  further into the tensioner receiver  114  pressing the tensioner receiver  114  against the inside surface of the resistance band  112  and also increasing the pressure of the resistance shoe  124  against the friction strap  132 . The resistance band  112  responsively tightens against the friction strap  132  around the resistance drum  106 . The combination of increased pressure on the resistance shoe  124  and the increased pressure from the resistance band  112  on the friction strap  132  increases the force required to rotate the handle hub  48  thereby accomplishing the selection of the constant load of the resistance unit  100  of the apparatus. 
     As in  FIG. 12 , the resistance band  112 , being formed from a sheet of metal, has a flange  126  as each end. The flanges  126  are bolted together with flange fasteners  128  and flange fastener nuts  130 . The ends of friction strap  132  are disposed between the flanges  126  and secured by the fasteners. The length of the friction strap  132  is determined by the outside diameter of the resistance drum  106  wherein the friction strap  132  fits snugly against the friction surface  146  of the resistance drum  106 . 
     An optional protective dust cover  120  around the tensioner knob threaded shaft  118 , is disposed between the housing  82  and the bottom of the tensioner knob  54 . Optional shaft packing material  122  fills the voids within the dust cover  120 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 9 , the cross sectional view of the handle hub  48  depicted provides a view of the handle receiver bores  170  and  172  wherein bore  170  is intersected by crank T handle bolt  90 . Various handle or user crank  50  types may be fitted to the handle hub  48 ; however, all handles types have round crank arm rods  160  and  162  that are received by bores  170  and  172  and secured in place by crank T handle bolt  90  performing the function of a set screw against the crank rod  170  as further illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The various user handle or crank embodiments interact with a user to simulate the motion and load experienced in various user sporting, exercising and rehabilitation activities. A first embodiment of the user crank  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 11  wherein the user crank arms are joined at the distal end by a user crank grip support  164  with grip  52  perpendicularly mounted on the support  164 . With the same embodiment installed on both resistance units  40  and  42  respectively, the user may optionally stand in front of the apparatus whilst rotating the cranks. An optional adjustable horizontal bench  116  as illustrated in  FIG. 17  may be utilized to facilitate interacting with the present invention from a supine, reclined or sitting user position. 
     A second alternate embodiment  182  of the user crank is illustrated in  FIG. 18  wherein the crank comprises the requisite arm rods  188  received by a handle hub and having a leg strap  184  fixed to the distal end. The user straps their leg into the assembly thereby providing a load to the user&#39;s leg as the leg rotates the handle hub. A grip handle  186  disposed between the arm rods  188  is further provided. The embodiment provides simulation of sporting activities including kicking a ball and motion for rehabilitation. 
     A third alternate embodiment  190  of the user crank is illustrated in  FIG. 19  and is directed to rotator cuff exercising including simulation of load and motion associated with throwing and curls. An extendable rod  194  has a cylindrically shaped user grip  183  concentrically fixed to the distal end and is received by the arm  196  being fixed to the requisite crank rods  198  for attachment to the handle hub  48 . 
     In  FIG. 20 , a fourth alternate embodiment  200  of the user crank is directed towards exercising the core muscle groups and comprises a single crank arm rod  202  mounted in the handle hub  48  through bore  170  and secured centrally along the length of the rod by crank T handle bolt  90 . The embodiment has a left grip  206  fixed to one end of the rod  202  and a removable right grip  204  at the opposing end allowing disassembly for purposes of installation in the handle hub. 
     A fourth alternate embodiment  210  of the user crank is illustrated in  FIG. 21  directed to the simulation of load and motion as experienced whilst playing golf and batting. The embodiment comprises the requisite crank rods  212  received by a handle hub, the crank rods  212  jointed to the proximate end of a curve shaped circular extension arm  216  by swivel joint  214 , the distal end of the curved extension arm  216  further joined to the proximate end of a secondary extension arm  220  by a first flexible joint  218 , and the distal end of the secondary curved extension arm  220  further joined to the user grip  222  by a second flexible joint  208 . The various joints and swivel of the embodiment facilitate positioning of the user grip  222  to a golfing or batting position, and provide the flexibility allowing simulation of the corresponding activities. 
     In  FIG. 22 , a fifth alternate embodiment  224  of the user crank simulates the loads and motions of a military press and comprises a left crank arm rod  228  received by the handle hub  48  of the left resistance unit  40  and a right crank arm rod  230  received by the handle hub  48  of the right resistance unit  42 . A push grip rod  226  is secured by bushings  234  in grip rod mounting plates  232  formed in the distal ends of the crank arm rods.