Apparatus system and method for providing adjustable cranks in an exercise device

A crank-driven exercise device (100). The crank-driven exercise device (100) includes a frame (102), a spindle (202) rotatably connected to the frame (102), a crank arm (104) connected to the spindle (202), and a user input (208) connected to the crank arm (104) configured to receive a force from a user. In some embodiments, the crank arm (104) includes a proximal section (204) and a distal section (206). The proximal section (204) may be connected to the spindle (202) at a spindle interface (302), the distal section (206) may be rotatably connected to the user input (208) at a user input interface (306), and the distal section (206) may be selectively fastenable and selectively rotatable relative to the proximal section (204) at a crank interface (304).

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention provides a crank-driven exercise device. The crank-driven exercise device includes a frame, a spindle rotatably connected to the frame, a crank arm connected to the spindle, and a user input connected to the crank arm configured to receive a force from a user. In some embodiments, the crank arm includes a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section may be connected to the spindle at a spindle interface, the distal section may be rotatably connected to the user input at a user input interface, and the distal section may be selectively fastenable and selectively rotatable relative to the proximal section at a crank interface. Other embodiments of dual treadle treadmills are also described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While many embodiments are described herein, at least some of the described embodiments provide a method for providing adjustable cranks in an exercise device.

FIG. 1depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise device100. The exercise device100shown inFIG. 1is an upper body ergometer (“UBE”), deigned to provide exercise for a user's upper body. In an alternative embodiment, the exercise device100may be any other type of exercise device using a crank, including, but not limited to an exercise cycle or a recumbent cycle. The exercise device100includes a body102and left and right crank arms104A,104B. The exercise device100provides resistance to rotation of the crank arms104A,104B.

The exercise device100, in certain embodiments, is operated by rotation of the crank arms104A,104B. A user may engage the crank arms104A,104B by applying force to a user input106A, such as a handle or a pedal, connected to the crank arms104A,104B and rotating the crank arms104A,104B relative to the body102. In the illustrated embodiment, the user input106A is a handle.

The exercise device100may provide resistance to the crank arms104A,104B using any known method. In one embodiment, the resistance provided to the crank arms104A,104B is variable and controllable. In some embodiments, an electronic device (not shown) such as a microprocessor manages the resistance provided to the crank arms104A,104B. Resistance may be provided by an electrical device that converts energy generated by rotation of the crank arms104A,104B to another form of energy, such as electricity or heat. In another embodiment, resistance is provided by friction. In one embodiment, resistance is provided by a fan.

FIG. 2depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the exercise device100ofFIG. 1. The left crank arm104A, in one embodiment, includes a proximal section204and a distal section206. In some embodiments, the proximal section204is connected to a spindle202which rotates relative to the body102of the exercise device100.

In some embodiments, the proximal section204is permanently or quasi-permanently connected to the spindle202. For example, the proximal section204can be connected to the spindle202using a connection that requires a tool for attachment or removal, such as a clamp on the proximal section204that uses one or more screws to fasten the clamp to the spindle202. In one embodiment, the interface between the proximal section204and the spindle202is keyed such that the proximal section204may be connected to the spindle202in one or more predetermined orientations. In another embodiment, the proximal section204is adjustably connected to the spindle202. For example, a user-operable lever may be engageable to selectively release and fasten the proximal section204to the spindle202. The proximal section204may be rotated relative to the spindle202in some embodiments in response to the proximal section204being released from the spindle202and fastened to the spindle202at a user-selectable rotational position in response to the proximal section204being fastened to the spindle202.

The proximal section204, in some embodiments, is adjustably connected to the distal section206. In certain embodiments, the distal section206may be selectively rotated relative to the proximal section204. In one embodiment, the distal section206may be selectively secured to the proximal section204such that rotation relative to the proximal section206is resisted. Embodiments of crank arms104are discussed in greater detail in relation to subsequent figures below.

In some embodiments, a user input208is connected to the distal section206. The user input208provides an engagement for a user to operate the exercise device100. In some embodiments, the user input208is rotatably connected to the distal section208. In one embodiment, the user input208is positioned a predetermined distance from an interface between the proximal section204and the distal section206.

In some embodiments, the left crank arm104A and the right crank arm104B are structurally identical. For example, a crank arm may be attached to the left end of the spindle202to become the left crank arm104A, while a substantially identical crank arm may be attached to the right end of the spindle202in a rotated orientation to become the right crank arm104B. In an alternate embodiment, the left crank arm104A and the right crank arm104B may be different. For example, the right crank arm104B may be a mirror image of the left crank arm104A.

For simplicity, the crank arms104A,104B may be referred to as the crank arm104throughout this document. Notwithstanding this simplification, it should be noted that in some embodiments, a distinct left crank arm104A and a distinct right crank arm104B may be employed and each or either may include any feature described herein. Such implementations are within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 3depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the crank arm104ofFIG. 2. The crank arm104includes a proximal section204and a distal section206. The crank arm104transmits rotation from the user input208to the spindle202.

The proximal section204is connectable to the spindle202at a spindle interface302. The proximal section204is connected to the distal section206at a crank interface304. The distal section206is connected to the user input208at a user input interface306.

The spindle interface302may implement any known method for attaching the proximal section204to the spindle202. In some embodiments, the spindle interface302may permanently or quasi-permanently connect the proximal section204to the spindle202. In certain embodiments, the spindle interface302includes a keyway308to interface with a key (not shown) to control the rotational position of the proximal section204relative to the spindle202.

The crank interface304, in some embodiments, allows for selective rotation of the distal section206relative to the proximal section204. In certain embodiments, the crank interface304may be selectively engaged and disengaged, wherein the distal section206is free to rotate relative to the proximal section204in response to the crank interface304being disengaged. Rotation of the distal section206relative to the proximal section204is resisted in response to the crank interface304being engaged. The crank interface304is described in greater detail in relation toFIGS. 4-7below.

The user input interface306may implement any known method for attaching the distal section206to the user input208. In certain embodiments, the user input is rotatably connected to the distal section206at the user input interface306.

A crank length310is the distance between an axis of the spindle interface302and an axis of the user input interface306. The crank length310determines the radius of motion of the user input208as the exercise device100is operated. Rotation of the distal section206relative to the proximal section204changes the crank length310. The crank length310is longest when the distal section206is not rotated with respect to the proximal section208.FIG. 3illustrates the distal section206being in line or not rotated with respect to the proximal section204, consequently the crank length310is maximized. For the purposes of this description, having the distal section206in line with the proximal section204as illustrated inFIG. 3is referred to as a crank articulation angle of zero degrees.FIGS. 4A-5Eillustrate the crank104in additional crank articulation angles.

A crank angle is the rotational position of the crank104relative to the spindle202. In a traditional one-piece crank arm, the crank angle is fixed. Typically, in a traditional crank, the left crank and the right crank are attached to the spindle such that their crank angles are 180 degrees apart. Consequently, when one crank is pointing straight up in the traditional crank, the other is pointing straight down.

In some embodiments, the proximal sections204of the cranks104are affixed to the spindle such that the crank angles of the proximal sections204are 180 degrees apart from one another. When the crank articulation angle is zero, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the crank angle of the proximal section204matches an effective crank angle defined by a line between the axis of the spindle interface302and the axis of the user input interface306. This effective crank angle changes relative to the crank angle of the proximal section204as the crank articulation angle changes.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bdepict a perspective view of one embodiment of the crank arm104ofFIG. 2with a release lever402in alternate positions.FIG. 4Ashows the release lever402in a first position. The crank interface304is locked in response to the release lever402being in the first position. Rotation of the distal section206relative to the proximal section204is restricted in response to the crank interface304being locked.

FIG. 4Bshows the release lever402in a second position. The crank interface304is unlocked in response to the release lever402being in the second position. Rotation of the distal section206relative to the proximal section204is unrestricted in response to the crank interface304being unlocked.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow the distal section206rotated relative to the proximal section204, causing the crank articulation angle to be non-zero. The crank length310corresponds to the effective length of the crank104. As noted above in relation toFIG. 3, the crank length310is longest when the crank articulation angle is zero degrees. Since the crank articulation angle inFIGS. 4A-4Bis non-zero, the effective crank length310is less than the maximum crank length illustrated inFIG. 3.

In addition to changing the crank length310, a non-zero crank articulation angle also changes the effective crank angle relative to the crank angle of the proximal section204. Note that in some embodiments, the left and right crank articulation angles are independently adjustable. As a result, the left and right cranks may have different effective crank lengths relative to one another and may also have effective crank angles that are an angle other than 180 degrees apart even if the crank angles of the proximal sections204are 180 degrees apart. This can result in different forces being applied to the left and right user inputs and out of phase loading. Differing forces and angles for the left and right user inputs may have beneficial therapeutic effects for a user of the exercise device100.

FIGS. 5A-5Edepict a perspective view of one embodiment of the crank arm104ofFIG. 2with the proximal section204and distal section206in various configurations. In some embodiments, the crank articulation angle may be selectively adjustable to a plurality of angles, such as those illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5E. Note that each of the illustrated configurations inFIGS. 5A-5Ehave different effective crank lengths and different effective crank angles.

FIG. 5Edepicts a special case of one embodiment of the crank104. In some embodiments, the crank angle may be adjusted such that the user input interface306and the spindle interface302have a common rotation axis. For example, the distance between the spindle interface302and the crank interface304may be substantially the same as the distance between the crank interface304and the user input interface306. When the crank articulation angle is 180 degrees, the user input interface306and the spindle interface302will be at substantially the same axis as the spindle202.

In this configuration, the user input208can remain in a substantially fixed position as the spindle202rotates. This can have a beneficial therapeutic effect. For example, due to injury, it may be beneficial for a user to exercise one arm while being required to hold the other, injured arm relatively stationary. By adjusting the crank articulation angle on the crank104that corresponds to the injured arm as shown inFIG. 5E, the user can hold the user input208using the injured arm and exercise using the opposing arm.

FIG. 6depicts an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the crank arm104ofFIG. 2. The crank arm104includes the proximal section204, the distal section206, the release lever402, a torsion spring602, a center stack604, a disengagement plate606, one or more locking pins608, one or more compression springs610, and a crank adjustment hub612. The crank arm104is selectively lockable in a plurality of crank articulation angles.

The release lever402, in one embodiment, is rotatable around a pivot. The torsion spring602may be biased to hold the release lever402in a first position. Actuation of the release lever402may rotate the release lever402against the torsion spring602to place the release lever in a second position. In some embodiments, releasing the release lever402will cause the release lever402to return to the first position from the second position in response to the force provided by the torsion spring602.

In some embodiments, the center stack604includes one or more components that are configured to transmit motion from the release lever402to the disengagement plate606. Moving the release lever402from the first position to the second position causes the center stack604to translate through the crank interface304. Translation of the center stack604causes the disengagement plate606to translate away from the crank adjustment hub612.

The one or more locking pins608, in one embodiment, move in response to movement of the disengagement plate606. The one or more compression springs610may be biased to push the one or more locking pins608toward the crank adjustment hub612. Translation of the disengagement plate606away from the crank adjustment hub612may translate the one or more locking pins608away from the crank adjustment hub612and compress the compression springs610.

In one embodiment, the locking pins608may selectively engage one or more holes in the crank adjustment hub612. Engagement of one or more locking pins608with one or more holes in the crank adjustment hub612may result in the crank arm104resisting changes to the crank articulation angle. Actuation of the release lever402to the second position may result in the one or more locking pins608disengaging with the one or more holes in the crank adjustment hub612and allow rotation of the proximal section204relative to the distal section206, thus changing the crank articulation angle, the effective crank length, and the effective crank angle.

In some embodiments, the crank angle can be set to a predetermined number of positions related to the number and position of locking pins608and the number and position of holes in the crank adjustment hub612. In the illustrated embodiment, six locking pins608are evenly spaced around a central axis and the crank adjustment hub612has fifteen holes evenly spaced around the central axis. Due to the geometry of this arrangement, three of the six locking pins608engage holes in the crank adjustment hub612in any of the predetermined positions. The fifteen holes are spaced twenty four degrees apart on the crank adjustment hub612, and the six locking pins608are sixty degrees apart. When three of the holes on the crank adjustment hub612come into alignment with three of the locking pins608, the three aligned locking pins608drop in and lock the crank104into one of the predetermined crank articulation angles. This provides twelve degree adjustment steps and thirty predetermined crank articulation angles.

The locking pins608and the crank adjustment hub612may include any material hard and strong enough to perform the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more locking pins608and the crank adjustment hub612include relatively hard metals. For example, the one or more locking pins608and the crank adjustment hub612may include hardened steel. In other embodiments, the one or more locking pins608and the crank adjustment hub612may include materials including, but not limited to, one or more of titanium, hardened steel, and tool steel.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a different combination of locking pins608and holes could be used to allow for a different number of predetermined crank angles. For example, the crank adjustment hub612could include thirty evenly spaced holes along with the six locking pins608, which would result in sixty predetermined crank articulation angles six degrees apart. In another embodiment, the crank adjustment hub612has fifteen predetermined crank angles that are substantially twenty four degrees apart.

In addition, in some embodiments, the crank articulation angle may be infinitely adjustable. For example, the interface between the proximal section204and the distal section206could be a clamped friction interface, wherein a user could release the clamp, adjust the crank104to the desired crank articulation angle, then tighten the clamp to increase the normal force and the frictional force that resists changes to the crank articulation angle.

FIG. 7depicts a cutaway top view of one embodiment of the crank arm104ofFIG. 2. The crank arm includes the proximal section204, the distal section206, the release lever402, the center stack604, the disengagement plate606, the one or more locking pins608, the one or more compression springs610, the crank adjustment hub612, and one or more locking holes702. The crank arm104is selectively lockable in a plurality of predetermined crank articulation angles.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7, the release lever402is in the first position and the crank articulation angle is locked. At least one of the one or more locking pins608, biased by at least one compression spring610is engaged in at least one locking hole702.

In response to movement of the release lever402to the second position, the center stack604pushes the disengagement plate606away from the crank adjustment hub612. Movement of the disengagement plate606away from the crank adjustment hub612may cause movement of one or more locking pins608away from the crank adjustment hub612and out of engagement with the one or more locking holes702, allowing rotation of the proximal section204relative to the distal section206, thus changing the crank articulation angle, the effective crank length, and the effective crank angle.

In some embodiments, the one or more locking pins608are tapered along their shafts. This taper results in the locking pin608having a smaller diameter at the end where it initially enters the locking hole702than it has at the portion at that engages the locking hole702when the locking pin608is fully seated in the locking hole702. The taper may be any type or degree of taper. In one embodiment, the taper is up to fifteen degrees. Locking pins608having tapered shafts engage corresponding locking holes702more easily and reduce backlash as the crank104is locked into position.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking holes702are tapered such that the area where the locking pin608enters the locking hole702is larger than the area of the locking hole702where the locking pin608fully engages the locking hole702. In yet another embodiment, both the locking holes702and the locking pins608are tapered.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bdepict a side view of one embodiment of an exercise device800with an adjustable height spindle. The exercise device800includes a frame802, a mast804, a spindle806, and a crank808. The exercise device800provides adjustable resistance to the crank808.

In some embodiments, the mast804is selectively fastenable and selectively rotatable relative to the frame802. Rotation of the mast804may result in a change in height of the spindle806relative to the frame802. An engagement mechanism810may selectively allow rotation of the mast804and resist rotation of the mast804relative to the frame802.

In one embodiment, the engagement mechanism810is capable of selectively fastening the mast804relative to the frame802such that the mast804resists rotation. In some embodiments, the engagement mechanism810allows the mast804to be fastened to the frame802at a plurality of predetermined positions. In another embodiment, the engagement mechanism810allows the mast804to be fastened to the frame802at any position. In yet another embodiment, the engagement mechanism810allows the mast804to be fastened to the frame802at any position within a predetermined range of rotation of the mast804. The engagement mechanism810may be operated by a user-accessible actuator812.

The engagement mechanism810may be any structure capable of selectively allowing and resisting rotation of the mast804. For example, the engagement mechanism810may be a selectively engageable hydraulic slider. In another example, the engagement mechanism810may include a plurality of pins and holes where one or more pins are engageable with one or more holes.

In one embodiment, the mast804rotates relative to the frame802at a mast interface812. In certain embodiments, the mast interface812shares a common rotation axis with a drive pulley814. The drive pulley814may transfer rotation from the crank808to a resistance mechanism.

FIG. 9depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a crank adjustment mechanism900. The crank adjustment mechanism900allows selective engagement, disengagement, and rotation of a crank relative to a spindle.

The components described herein may include any materials capable of performing the functions described. Said materials may include, but are not limited to, steel, stainless steel, titanium, tool steel, aluminum, polymers, and composite materials. The materials may also include alloys of any of the above materials. The materials may undergo any known treatment process to enhance one or more characteristics, including but not limited to heat treatment, hardening, forging, annealing, and anodizing. Materials may be formed or adapted to act as any described components using any known process, including but not limited to casting, extruding, injection molding, machining, milling, forming, stamping, pressing, drawing, spinning, deposition, winding, molding, and compression molding.