Abstract:
The disclosure shows and describes a resistance training apparatus that enables one to use a single machine to exercise antagonistic muscle groups by enabling one to select a first level of resistance in a first direction and select a second level of resistance in a second direction. The apparatus will include a frame assembly, and shaft rotatably mounted to the frame assembly. The apparatus has first and second disks, first and second calipers respectively engaging the disks, and first and second adjustment means that respectively provide varying resistance when one imparts rotating torque is imparted to a first direction or second direction, respectively.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a resistance training apparatus having a frame assembly and a shaft rotatably mounted to it. The apparatus will also have a first disk mounted to the shaft, and a first one way clutch configured to transfer rotating torque from the shaft to the first disk in a first direction. This first clutch allows only allows rotation when rotating torque is imparted to the shaft in the first direction. 
     A first caliper frictionally engages the first disk. In that regard, the invention will include a first adjustment means that allows one to selectively adjust an amount of frictional resistance that the first caliper imparts onto the first disk. 
     The invention also includes a second disk mounted to the shaft. In a like manner, the invention will have a second one way clutch that transfers rotating torque to the second disk in a second direction. The second clutch, however, will only transfer rotating torque to the second disk when shaft is rotated in the second direction. 
     The invention will also have a second caliper that frictionally engages the second disk. Analogously, the invention will include a second adjustment means that allows one to selectively adjustment an amount of frictional resistance that the second caliper imparts onto the second disk. 
     It is preferred that the each of the adjustment means be similar, yet independent. In that regard, each of the first and second adjustment means will preferably include a actuator adjustment wheel having coupled to an actuator housing, preferably at a hollow hub that extends from the actuator adjustment wheel. The adjustment means will also require an actuator shaft positioned within the housing such that its first end extends from the housing to engage a respective caliper piston. The shaft also passes through the hollow hub such that its second end extends outwardly a distance from the actuator adjustment wheel. 
     The adjustment means of the invention further includes a spring that biases the shaft into engagement with the respective caliper. By rotating the adjustment wheel, frictional resistance is selectively varied because the rotation of the wheel changes the position of the wheel along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby changing the biasing force of the actuator shaft onto the respective caliper piston. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resistance training apparatus will include an actuator adjustment bearing positioned within the hollow hub of the actuator wheel. The actuator adjustment bearing has an opening allowing the shaft to pass there through. Additionally, a plurality of detents is formed on the actuator adjustment bearing. In this embodiment, a plurality of apertures (or vessels) are formed on the actuator adjustment wheel, and a respective spring plunger is positioned within at least one of the respective apertures. The wheel, aperture, bearing, and spring plunger are all cooperatively configured so that each spring plunger, which is biased into contact with the bearing, creates a tactile feedback signal as the spring plunger passes over the detents when the actuator adjustment wheel is turned. This tactile feedback signal will only be realized when sufficient friction between the spring and bearing are achieved to overcome the bias of a spring plunger against a bearing detent. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, apertures that house the spring plungers pass through the actuator adjustment wheel and handles extend outwardly from each aperture. In this embodiment, the spring plunger is biased inwardly toward the actuator adjustment bearing such that it passes over the plurality of detents as the actuator adjustment wheel is rotated. 
     The spring plungers passing over the detents provide a means for giving a tactile signal when the actuator adjustment wheel is rotated. Other means, however, are certainly possible and within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     A threaded coupling connects the actuator housing to the actuator adjustment wheel. Rotation of the actuator adjustment wheel, therefore, selectively moves the actuator adjustment wheel along a longitudinal axis of the actuator adjustment shaft, which passes through the wheel. Thus, the movement varies the space between a terminal end of the actuator adjustment wheel and the actuator adjustment housing and further selectively varies the biasing force imparted by the spring that engages both the wheel and the shaft. 
     In a preferred embodiment, indicia (such as colored, annular rings) are etched on the second end of the actuator shaft. As the adjustment wheel is rotated, the distance the second end extends outwardly from the wheel varies. The indicia, therefore, enable one to visually observe this distance with greater ease. This distance is directly correlated to the bias of the spring against the caliper piston and therefore the frictional resistance created by the caliper and disk coupling. The indicia, therefore, enable one to visually observe this spring bias and proportionate frictional resistance with greater ease. 
     The invention imparts the principle of allowing one to use a single machine to work antagonistic muscle groups by providing resistance in two different directions. In that regard, the machine provides the capability for independent adjustment of these separate directions. For example, the frame assembly may form a leg exercising machine (as shown) that enables a first resistance in a leg extension direction, but a second resistance in a leg curl direction. Additionally, a frame assembly forming an arm exercise machine that allows one to choose a first resistance in the bicep curl direction, and a second resistance in a tricep extension direction. Analogously, the invention may be incorporated into a frame assembly that allows one to perform a chest press, upward using a first resistance, then a lat-pull, downward movement using a second resistance. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the resistance training apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the disk rotors, calipers, and linear actuator mechanisms. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective and exploded view isolating the parts of a one-way clutch assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective and exploded view showing the parts of the linear actuator mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the linear actuator mechanism 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the inventive resistance training apparatus  10 , according to the principles of the invention. As shown, the apparatus  10  forms a basic leg extension machine having a frame assembly  12  that supports a seat  14  and a back  16 . As will become apparent as further embodiments are discussed, the inventive concept of a dual-directional resistance training apparatus  10  can incorporate any well-known resistance training apparatus, such as fly machines, a bench-press machine (with antagonistic rowing movement resistance), a military press (with antagonistic movement of lat-pull) machine, or the like. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  also bears a pair of rollers  18  for engaging the user&#39;s feet or ankles. When a user moves the rollers  18 , movement is imparted to driving wheel  19 , and the rotation is transferred via belt  20  to a driven wheel  22 , which is coupled to a shaft  24  (shown aft). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the resistance assembly  26  includes a first disk  28  and a second disk  42 , each coupled to the shaft  24 . A first linear actuator apparatus  32  is configured to selectively vary the frictional resistance that a first caliper (not viewable in  FIG. 1 , but viewable aft) imparts onto the first disk  28 . A second linear actuator apparatus  40  is configured to selectively vary the frictional resistance that a second caliper (not viewable in  FIG. 1 , but viewable aft) imparts onto the second disk  42 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional detail of the resistance apparatus  26  coupled to the shaft  24 . The resistance apparatus will include a first disk  28  coupled to a first clutch bearing assembly  30 , each mounted to the shaft  24 . The first clutch bearing assembly  30  is configured to allow rotation of the shaft  24  only in a first direction (i.e., clockwise). 
     The first disk  28  frictionally engages a first caliper apparatus  34  with a frictional force that may be varied by the first linear actuator apparatus  32 . The first linear actuator apparatus  32  includes a linear actuator shaft  33  that engages the caliper piston  35 , which in turn urges the caliper pads  36  into contact with the first disk  28 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the resistance apparatus  26  will also include a second disk  42  coupled to a second clutch bearing assembly  44 , each mounted to the shaft  24 . The second clutch bearing assembly is configured to allow rotation of the shaft  24  only in a second direction (i.e., counterclockwise). The second disk  42  frictionally engages a second caliper apparatus  38  with a frictional force that may be varied by the second linear actuator  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second linear actuator  40  includes a second linear actuator shaft  35  that engages the caliper piston  37  of the second caliper apparatus  38 , thereby urging the caliper pads  39  of the second caliper apparatus into contact with the second disk  42 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view isolating the clutch bearing assembly  30 . As noted in  FIG. 2 , the resistance apparatus  26  has a first clutch bearing assembly  30  and a second clutch bearing assembly  44 . It is to be understood that each of the clutch bearing assemblies bear analogous parts, and separate discussion of each would be repetitive. For the sake of brevity, the detail is discussed with regard to the first clutch bearing assembly  30 . The first clutch bearing assembly  30  will include a bearing housing  130  positioned between a primary clutch bearing  132  and a secondary clutch bearing  134 . A primary retaining ring  136  and a secondary retaining ring  138  are respectively positioned adjacent the primary clutch bearing  132  and secondary clutch bearing  134 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the primary clutch bearing  132 , secondary clutch bearing  134  and an inner surface of the clutch housing  130  bear a slot that is configured to receive a key  139 . Additionally the clutch bearing assembly  30  will also include a rotor adapter  140  coupled to the clutch housing  130  on a first face, and coupled to the first disk  28  (see  FIG. 2 ) on its opposite face. In this way, the clutch bearing assembly  30  will rotate with the shaft ONLY when the shaft is turned in a first direction, and will “freewheel” (i.e., not engage) when the shaft is turned in a second direction. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view that isolates the first linear actuator mechanism  32 . For the sake of brevity, the first linear actuator mechanism is shown in this detailed view, but it is to be understood that each of the first  32  and second  40  linear actuator mechanisms bear analogous parts. The first linear actuator mechanism  32  will have an actuator adjustment wheel  50  bearing a hub  52 . The actuator adjustment wheel  50  has a plurality of apertures  54  around its periphery. As shown, a spring plunger  55  fits within each respective aperture  54 , and a handle  56  is then inserted into the apertures atop the spring plunger  54 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the linear actuator mechanism  32  will include an actuator shaft  64  having a first end  68  and a second end  66  having indicia (such as etched annular rings, as shown), and a raised portion  70  positioned near the first end  68 . The actuator shaft will pass through a compression spring  62  and an actuator bearing  58  that has detents  60  formed adjacent its terminal end. When the linear actuator mechanism  32  is assembled, the spring plungers  55  will engage the bearing  58  and will pass over the detents  60  formed on the bearing  58 , thereby emitting a tactile signal as the actuator adjustment wheel  50  is rotated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the linear actuator mechanism  32  will also include an actuator housing  72  that will couple to the hub  52  of the actuator wheel  50  by a threaded connection. Consequently, the actuator housing  72  will attach to the caliper apparatus (Ref No  34  in  FIG. 2 ) at one end, and the actuator wheel  50  at the other. When assembled, the first end  68  of the actuator shaft will pass through the actuator housing  72  to engage the caliper piston (Ref  35  in  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the fully-assembled first linear actuator apparatus  32 . The actuator apparatus  32  includes an actuator wheel  50  having handles  56  inserted into apertures  54  that also house spring plungers  55 , which are biased into engagement with the bearing  58 . When the actuator wheel  50  is rotated, the spring plungers  55  pass along the surface of the bearing and engage within detents  60  on the bearing  58 , thereby creating a tactile signal. Additionally, as the actuator wheel  50  is rotated in a clockwise direction A about the longitudinal axis of the actuator shaft  64 , the threaded coupling that joins the hub  52  of the wheel  50  to the actuator housing  72  will urge the wheel in direction d, thereby compressing the spring  62  toward the raised portion  70  of the actuator shaft  64 , which also biases the actuator shaft  64  in direction d. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , a portion of the first end  68  of the actuator shaft  64  extends outwardly of the actuator housing to engage the caliper piston ( 35 ; see  FIG. 2 ), which will thereby increase the frictional force exerted upon the first disk ( 28 ; see  FIG. 2 ). As the wheel is rotated in direction A so that it travels in direction d, the second end  66  of the actuator shaft protrudes outwardly a distance from the actuator wheel  50 . The second end  66  may bear indicia that facilitate visual clues as to how much biasing force the actuator shaft  64  puts on the caliper piston. 
     The distance that the second end  66  extends is directly correlated to the bias on the spring and therefore the frictional resistance created by the caliper and disc, which is translated into the resistance force felt by the user of the equipment. Generally, the indicia will be annular rings of varying colors. This feature makes it possible for the user to set the same resistance level when returning to the machine on the next workout. Without this observable feature, the user would need to make multiple adjustments until the resistance “felt” correct. 
     Additionally, the tactile signal emitted by the spring plungers adds even greater sensitivity and accuracy in the adjustment of the frictional resistance. For example, a user could desire to turn the wheel until the red indicator was exposed on the second end, then continue turning until two (or more) tactile cues were emitted. The combination of the indicia and the detents gives much more repeatability to the user. Additionally, the combination of detents and indicia will provide a predictability and uniformity of resistance that is independent of pad wear. 
     Having described and illustrated the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the above and foregoing is for illustration and demonstration only. The descriptions herein are not intended to limit the breadth of this invention. The breadth and scope of the invention shall be limited only by claims.