RESISTANCE EXERCISE DEVICE

A bidirectional rotational resistance assembly is provided. The assembly includes a lever coupled to the one or more discs so that a first torque imparted in a first rotational direction on the lever determines a rate of change of each disc's angular momentum in the first rotational direction in such a way as to oppose a second torque imparted in a second rotational direction on the lever, wherein the first and second rotational directions are opposites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise devices and, more particularly, to a resistance exercise device.

Presently, there are many resistance exercise devices on the market. Most operate by pulling or pushing of a lever. However, the lever only provides resistance in one direction. When resetting the device, pulling, or pushing the lever back to its original position, no resistance is provided. This results in a less efficient work out.

Some devices can provide resistance in both directions. Though they utilize compression pads, essentially acting as brake pads. This results in wear and tear of moveable pieces which lose resistance over time if not replaced. There also some with no friction but have a period of no-resistance when changing direction.

As can be seen, there is a need for a resistance exercise device that can generate resistance in both directions without replacement parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of providing bidirectional rotational resistance to a lever through a rotational force reaction of one or more discs includes the following: coupling the one or more discs to the lever so that a first torque imparted in a first rotational direction on the lever determines a rate of change of each disc's angular momentum in the first rotational direction in such a way as to oppose a second torque imparted in a second rotational direction on the lever, wherein the first and second rotational directions are opposites; and further including the following: operatively associating a spindle to the lever by way of a spindle clutch; radially connecting a rod to the spindle for each disc; and rotatably connecting each disc to a respective rod by way of a disc clutch; and operatively associating a fixed gear and a disc gear between the rod and the disc, wherein the fixed gear and the disc gear comprise a planetary gear multiplier system.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bidirectional rotational resistance assembly including the following: a lever coupled to the one or more discs so that a first torque imparted in a first rotational direction on the lever determines a rate of change of each disc's angular momentum in the first rotational direction in such a way as to oppose a second torque imparted in a second rotational direction on the lever, wherein the first and second rotational directions are opposites.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the bidirectional rotational resistance assembly further includes a spindle operatively associated with the lever by way of a spindle clutch; a rod radially connected to the spindle for each disc; each disc rotatably connected to a respective rod by way of a disc clutch; and a fixed gear and a disc gear operatively associated between the rod and the disc, wherein the fixed gear and the disc gear comprise a planetary gear multiplier system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A general overview of the various features of the invention will be provided, with a detailed description following. Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a resistance exercise device. The device may generate resistance in both directions of exercise motions.

The present invention may comprise portions or parts of a resistance-based exercise apparatus wherein an exercise bar may move in two directions and resistance is generated in each direction.

The present invention may utilize a resistance assembly to provide a resistive reaction to moments and forces produced by at least one spinning disc. In some embodiments, reciprocally powered wheels with damper vanes are utilized for resistance.

Resistance may be achieved by moving or compressing a fluid or reversing a weight's movement or reversing a wheel's spin. The present invention may also utilize resistance by counter-moment of spinning discs. Advantageously, discs will not have to reverse direction for resistance to be achieved in an opposite direction.

During the power motion, the resistance assembly resists the user's movement due to the disc rotation. The reactions can be seen in the demonstration of a person in swivel chair holding out a spinning, horizontal wheel. The spinning forces, or angular momentum of the wheel, urges the chair to rotate in a direction that generates its own angular momentum to conserve momentum. An external force stopping the chair would not stop wheel spin, and the wheel spin would not cause the chair to resist the external force. If the wheel accelerates, the chair would resist, similar to a motorcycle resisting gravity in a sudden-start wheelie. In the application, the user likewise accelerates the disc in the power phase.

In all embodiments, the user will move their limbs along a first plane, such as the vertical plane, though it is understood that in some embodiments the user could have its resistance mechanism laid horizontally—i.e., the resistance principle could be used in horizontal and linear user movements. Some orientation may introduce an unwanted rotational force due to a possible gravity effect (uphill rotations adding a local weight-like force while downhill ones subtract). This force may counter resisting force. To rid this extra force, rotating parts downstream of the user lever may be set on a horizontal plane.

A user may operate the present invention by a circular motion. A hip or shoulder may line up with a user lever, though it understood other joints may be engaged with the resistance of the present invention. The user lever may comprise an adjustable sleeve or bracket to accommodate a user's hand or foot (not shown). The device may provide one user lever for each limb of the user. In some embodiments, a single limb will work more than one disc/disc rod. In some drawings the disc rods are not labeled, and the user's exercise bar basically doubles as a disc rod, but it is still one user bar per limb even when there are a few discs.

Referring now to the Figures,FIGS.1and2show two power connections30, such as a clutch, on a center spindle24. The user may engage the user lever10, which engages the power connections30on the center spindle24. The disc rod16rotates, along with a section of center spindle24between the disc rod16and user lever10. Closer to an end of the center spindle24is a free rotation connection28. The free rotation connection28is not a clutch and enables resistance-free rotation in either direction. This keeps the outer section of the center spindle24still. In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer section of the center spindle24attaches to a frame support of an exercise apparatus.

When moving in the powered direction, i.e., the direction in which the user is presently applying force, the disc rod16moves its disc gear14along the stationary gear ring12, forcing the disc gear14to rotate. In this rotary direction the power connection30, located on the disc spindle20, locks and rotates the disc18. When the user completes his power motion, the user lever10comes to a stop. The power connection30on the center spindle24disengages, like a bicycle pedal crankshaft when coasting. The disc rod16loses its power. Its respective disc gear14stops moving along the stationary gear ring12and stops rotating. Its respective power connection30, on the disc spindle20disengages, allowing the disc18to continue its spin. As a result, during the power motion, the resistance assembly resists the user's movement due to imparting disc18rotation.

After power connections30disengage, the disc's rotation forces the now unpowered disc rod16to reverse direction, or, depending on its deceleration, move slowly in the original direction. The disc rod16will not force movement of the user lever10because the power connection30between them has disengaged.

Rotation of the disc gear14during the unpowered phase will counter rotation of the respective disc18. The unpowered phase may be when the clutch is disengaged and applies to a side of the machine that is not presently in the power phase. In some embodiments, the disc gear14may be relatively small to prevent motion nullification in the disc rod16and for a low augmentation of rotation in the disc's unpowered phase. The disc gear14may be small for good rotation multiplication.

At this point, the user may reverse direction of the user lever10. This would be a recovery movement in most exercises, but the present invention offers resistance from the disc18on the opposite side of the user lever10acting in the same manner as the disc that was previously powered. When the user reverses again to repeat the original power motion, both power connections30on the side of the user lever10in the power motion engage or close the original power motion, repeating the process.

At the end of the user lever10and each disc rod16is a counterweight26. Disc counterweights22are situated opposite discs, at the other end of disc spindles20. None of these weights may be essential but they could smooth the operation.

As long as the user applies force to the user lever10, force will be applied to the disc18, creating a force-reaction. After the user completes the power stroke, the behavior of the disc rod depends on the amount of disc's rotational deceleration. If deceleration is low enough to be powerless, the rod may reverse direction to conserve the disc's rotational momentum. If deceleration is high enough to null this effect, the rod may continue in its original direction. In the first case, the user's reengagement will face resistance from reversing the rod. In the second case, resistance will come from accelerating the disc. These resistances are in addition to the force reaction created by the user's exertion. When the discs are unpowered, movement of the disc rod in the original direction might assist the user in the power phase of the counterstroke, so a slow deceleration would be preferable.

Put another way, if the user releases the user lever10, moment reaction of a spinning (but unpowered) disc18may keep the clutches engaged. Moving the user lever10with force in this new direction (and by connection, the disc rod16) would disengage the power connectors30. Even if the power connection remained, the moment reaction would have little influence; the force reaction of the disc18on an opposite side of the spinning disc18would overpower any assistance it gives.

The user may accelerate the disc gear14to high speed on each stroke to get a strong force reaction. This will be less achievable if disc18decelerates when unpowered. In this event, the reverse motions of the disc rods16sustain, and resistance will come mainly from sending the disc rods16back in the original direction on the next engagement. If high deceleration of disc18takes place, an associated disc rod16bar will decelerate when unpowered, giving little resistance. However, high deceleration of disc18will allow the user to accelerate them on every stroke. The work needed to accelerate the disc18and the associated force reaction will provide resistance. If the disc18decelerates little, it is important that the power connection30between the user lever10and the disc rod16has a hub that stays disengaged when the disc rod16reverses in its unpowered phase. Engagement of the unpowered disc rod16would assist the user in moving the opposite disc rod16during its power phase. This assistance in the high-deceleration scenario would be minimal due to the slow movement of the unpowered bar and the force reaction of the powered disc18. Also, if deceleration of the unpowered disc18creates a negative force, its disc rod16would decelerate in the unpowered phase, further minimizing the assist.

These and other embodiments of the present invention may use a planetary gear multiplier system32seen inFIG.3.FIG.3details planet gears34and sun gear36. The planetary gears make the discs more like rings (herein referred to as “disc”). The planetary gear multiplier system32may have mediating gears (between planets and ring)—i.e., additional smaller gears connect the planet gears34to an inner flange of the disc18. The planet gears34are also the multipliers. Each planet gear34may comprise two concentric gears. The smaller of the two contact the sun gear36. The larger of the two contact a pair of small gears that contact the inner rim of the disc18. The multipliers turn the disc18at greater angular speed than the disc gear14. The extra speed is important and useful in limiting the size of the discs18. The planetary gear multiplier system32may have planetary gears with “enmeshed planets” that reversed the ring rotation. Some embodiments of the planetary gear multiplier system32may include concentric gears for extra power. The planetary gear multiplier system32may be used in any embodiment, even though it is shown inFIGS.13,16,17,21, and not shown in1,7,8,10.

FIGS.4and5show the resistance mechanism ofFIG.2flipped horizontally. In both figures, the user lever10connects to a shaft, which connects to either a bevel or constant velocity joint (position indicated by11), and then to another shaft. The bevel/CV joint is configured to transfer the horizontal rotary motion (initiated by the user lever10) to a vertical rotary motion, reaching the gear48. InFIG.4, a stationary gear ring is no longer stationary and becomes a rotational member, a large gear50. It connects with small gear48. Alternatively, a sprocket38and chain42may be used as shown inFIG.5.

FIGS.6and7represent an alternate embodiment of the present invention with four discs18on each side of the user lever10. The disc rod counter weight26is absent from this embodiment as the four discs18balance each other.

FIGS.8and9represent an alternate embodiment of the present invention with two discs on one rod.

FIGS.10-11represent an alternate embodiment of the present invention with two discs on one rod with discs over lapping and offset.

FIG.12andFIG.13feature an alternate embodiment that does not use a disc gear14or stationary gear ring12. A fixed sprocket140is mounted so that it does not turn. The user rotates an alternate embodiment of the user lever110so that it pivots about the fixed sprocket140. A chain142loops around the fixed sprocket140and second sprocket138. The second sprocket138rotates as the alternate embodiment of the user lever110pivots, turning the alternate embodiment of the disc118, which generates a resisting reaction. As shown, the alternate embodiment of the disc118does not coast or maintain a constant direction of rotation. For this reason, the alternate embodiment of disc118and fixed sprocket140assembly may be very shear resistant.FIG.13is shown with the planetary gear multiplier system132replacing disc118.

In some embodiments, this setup may feature pairs of discs rotating in opposition, each disc rotating in one direction with a clutch to allow coasting as shown inFIG.14.FIG.14is likeFIG.12, but it is an alternate embodiment that includes two power connections130, an alternate embodiment of disc rods116, and an additional alternate embodiment of discs118. The user moves the alternate embodiment of the user lever110. An alternate embodiment of the power connections130will engage, forcing the alternate embodiment of the near-side disc rod116to rotate in the same direction of the alternate embodiment of the user lever110. On the user's countermovement/counterstroke, the alternate embodiment of the power connection130disengages. The alternate embodiment of the power connection130on the opposite side engages, and the entire assembly on its side is driven for power. The actions of the alternate embodiment of the disc rods116and alternate embodiment of the discs118are similar to those in the versions of first embodiment covered as shown inFIGS.1-4, though no power connections130at the discs or stationary gear rings12are used. The alternate embodiment of the disc rods116may optionally feature counterweights22. Unlike the embodiment ofFIG.12, discs and chains maintain rotational direction.

FIGS.15and16show an embodiment similar toFIG.14but with four discs118on each side of the alternate embodiment of the user lever110, two offset chains142, and no dead-mass counter weighting. Each side may utilize two offset fixed sprockets140and four sprockets. To ensure chain traction, the fixed sprockets140may require a greater diameter (like the larger sprocket339inFIG.21). Alternatively, there may be four offset chains per side, requiring stacks of four fixed sprockets140. No larger diameter would be needed in such an arrangement.

FIGS.17and18are side and top views respectively of an embodiment that uses no stationary gear ring or chain. The user moves a third embodiment of the user lever210, engaging power connections230. This turns a spindle section between and an end power connection230. This end power connection engages and moves the third embodiment of the disc218. Inner power connections (near the third embodiment of the user lever210) may be optional. If so, the entire spindle and powered disc rotate in the same direction. Only the coasting disc would rotate in the opposite direction. With only two power connections230, there is more mass-motion inequality between each side ensuring symmetry about the pivot and lever do not cancel equal forces. With two sets of power connections230(an inner and outer set), the spindle sections may become independent but move in the same direction as the adjacent disc. This may equalize mass-motion.

Alternatively, one set of power connections may be utilized at equal distance from the third embodiment of the user lever210not at any distance shown in the drawing. An effective spot may then be determined by trial and error.

In the two pair connection arrangement ofFIGS.17and18, there should be some mass-movement inequality and especially a force inequality because the powered disc accelerates (rapidly if a planetary system is in the hub) while the coasting disc slowly decelerates. If deceleration results in a negative force, a resisting-force may occur in the unpowered disc because it rotates in the opposite direction of the powered one, though its force will quickly wipe out if it reacts to the powered disc. Optionally, the present invention may comprise power connections230set near the discs, and a single set with no determined distance from the lever.

FIG.19applies the principles of the embodiment inFIG.18, though has an angled spindle (using bevels or constant velocity joints11) to rid any force or moment interference discs might have with each other.

FIGS.20and21are top and side views respectively of a fourth embodiment that uses no force reaction. It is much like a bicycle with a sprocket and chain that loop around both front and rear wheel hubs. The user rotates the fourth embodiment of the user lever310, which turns the fourth embodiment of the sprocket339which powers the fourth embodiment of the chain342which turns the small sprockets338. A first sprocket will not power an inertial disc344because it is disengaged, while a second sprocket will. During a reverse stroke, the engaged/disengaged disposition switches. Radial damper vanes346may be used to add resistance to inertial disc rotation. Like most other embodiments, the user's power disconnects and reconnects from rotation loads. The rotation of each may not be equal on reconnection, but they will match in rotational direction.