Abstract:
Weight lifting simulator apparatus includes a primary pneumatic cylinder providing the principal resistance for simulating weight lifting exercise with at least one secondary cylinder in free fluid interconnection with the primary cylinder whereby constant and balanced loading is achieved, with provisions for dynamic simulation of weight inertia effect, and control thereof, as in lifting a real weight. The primary and the secondary cylinders are associated with a guideway, the primary cylinder being fixed to the guideway and the secondary cylinder being slidable relative to the guideway and pivotable relative to the piston rod of the primary cylinder. Variation of the securement position of the primary cylinder on the guideway is available and valving is provided in the fluid interconnection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to weight lifting simulator apparatus for exercise or therapeutic use.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Weight lifting simulator apparatus of conventional form includes the provision of weights giving a resistance loading, which may be varied by selection, for a user who activates the apparatus using a gripping handle operating on a cable and pulley or lever mechanism. It is also known to employ such simulator apparatus that includes either a resistance arrangement on its own, being either elastic, pneumatic or the like, or in combination with weights. Examples of such apparatus are disclosed in US Patent application publication No. US 2003/0115955 to Keiser, which comprises a compact resistance unit that houses a pneumatic cylinder providing resistance through a block-and-tackle mechanism to a handle operable by a user. US Patent application publication No. US 2005/0032612 to Keiser describes a combined weight and pneumatic resistance exercise apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,429 to Bushnell discloses an exercise machine with controllable resistance. In most prior art apparatus control of the resistance level is effected by the use of a simple valve in conjunction with an air compressor which is expensive, cumbersome, noisy and require external power source. All these apparatuses have systems that allow control of some static inertial effect of weight simulation since the control effect depends of the position of the different components of the respective mechanism. None of these apparatuses includes a control of the dynamic inertial effect of weight that depends on the speed the different components move relative to one another during operation of the apparatus, by increasing the inertial effect thereof, especially during movement of the apparatus. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved weight lifting simulator apparatus, which provides the facility for a constant application of resistance at any given setting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved weight lifting simulator apparatus.  
         [0004]     An advantage of the present invention is that the weight lifting simulator apparatus includes a typically controllable dynamic inertial effect simulation of weight displacement in addition to a static inertial effect; the dynamic inertia effect being increased, this increase being dependent on the speed of the activation movement of the apparatus. Typically, the apparatus enables, through a relatively simple mechanism, simulation of weight lifting with a control of the amount of dynamic inertial effect, from constant force with negligible inertial effect all along its extension path to a more real inertial effect feel of the weight as found in conventional weight lifting apparatuses using real weights.  
         [0005]     An advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus is of compact design and construction using elastic or pneumatic technology, and preferably compressible elastic fluid technology for the simulation of weight resistance without the use of active compressor.  
         [0006]     Another advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus allows a ready control and modulation of the weight resistance and/or the dynamic weight inertia effect simulation by simple manipulation of the configuration.  
         [0007]     According to the present invention there is provided a weight lifting simulator apparatus comprising a frame, a guideway pivotally mounted on the frame for activation by a user, a primary load resistant member having generally opposed first and second primary ends respectively pivotally mounted on the frame and pivotally and adjustably securable to the guideway at a desired position therealong, at least one secondary load resistant member having generally opposed first and second secondary ends respectively pivotally mounted on a slider associated with and movable relative to the guideway so as to remain substantially perpendicular thereto and mounted in pivoting fashion in relation to and adjacent the second primary end, the primary and secondary load resistant members being operatively interconnected in such manner as to provide a generally constant resistance with dynamic weight inertial effect upon activation of the guideway by the user, whereby in use upon activation of the guideway the user encounters a dynamically reduced resistance for increased weight inertial effect from both the primary and secondary load resistant members after initial activation of the guideway depending on the displacement speed thereof.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the primary and secondary load resistant members are fluid actuatable cylinders, and typically pull-type load resistant members.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the primary and secondary cylinders are fluidly interconnected in such manner as to constantly provide a uniform internal pressure therein.  
         [0010]     Conveniently, two secondary cylinders are provided, and mounted in parallel relative to one another.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, a clamp is provided for the securement of the second primary end to the guideway.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, a stepped adjustment mechanism is provided for the securement of the second primary end to the guideway.  
         [0013]     Typically, the stepped adjustment mechanism is in the form of a rack, eventually arcuate, with a resiliently-loaded detent engageable with the interstices of the rack, and the resiliently-loaded detent is remotely operable by means of a cable actuable upon the detent.  
         [0014]     Alternatively, the stepped adjustment mechanism includes a scalloped, typically arcuate, slot formed in the guideway, a cam-operable roller engageable with a selected one of the scallops in the slot.  
         [0015]     Conveniently, the cam-operable roller is carried on a yoke having a bridge with a bridge collar mounted adjacent the second primary end, and a fixed collar connected adjacent to the first primary end having pivotally mounted thereon a lever carrying a cam operable upon the bridge collar of the yoke, whereby in use operation of the lever and the cam moves the cam-operable roller into or out of engagement with a scallop in the guideway slot.  
         [0016]     In one embodiment, the slider associated with the guideway includes at least one roller or a linear type bearing engageable with the guideway.  
         [0017]     Typically, the second secondary end is pivotally mounted on a pivot axis substantially intersecting a sliding axis of the slider moving relative to the guideway.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, the secondary load resistant member is further attached to the primary load resistant member in sliding manner through the agency of a mount providing for resiliently-biased linear movement and secured to and adjacent the second primary end so as to further dynamically increase weight inertial effect from both the primary and secondary load resistant members after initial activation of the guideway depending on the displacement speed thereof.  
         [0019]     Typically, the guideway is pivotally mounted on the frame at a pivot axis and the linear movement is along a linear movement axis oriented towards the guideway in a direction away from the pivot axis relative to the second secondary end.  
         [0020]     Conveniently, the linear movement axis is angularly adjustable relative to the guideway for adjustment of the dynamically increased weight inertial effect from the secondary load resistant member.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a user handle connected to the guideway for activation thereof by the user.  
         [0022]     Typically, a cable member and pulley arrangement connects the handle to the guideway.  
         [0023]     Alternatively, the handle is mounted on an extension of the guideway extending longitudinally away from a pivot axis thereof.  
         [0024]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar components, wherein:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a simplified top perspective view of a weight lifting simulator apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing the main cylinder positioned in a heavy-load simulation in an extended configuration;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a partially broken and enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the main cylinder in a contracted configuration;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the main cylinder in an extended configuration, in a light-load simulation;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , showing the main cylinder in a contracted configuration;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a simplified side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention with the cylinder assembly mounted up side down;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a partially broken and enlarged side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , showing another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged section view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , showing another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of a weight lifting simulator apparatus according to the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation. Although the following description describes the use of primary and secondary pneumatic cylinders, any elastic behavior load resistant members, such as elastic springs or the like, could be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0036]     Referring first to FIGS.  1  to  4  there is shown a generally rectangular frame  2  of a weight lifting simulator apparatus  1 , a guideway  4 , or arm, being pivotally mounted thereon at pivot  6  on a side limb  8  thereof for rotation about a pivot axis between two limit angular positions (one position limiting stopper being the piston rod  18  fully retracted inside the cylinder  14  as detailed hereinbelow and shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , the other being shown in  FIG. 9  in dotted lines). The free end of the guideway  4  remote from its pivot  6  either pivotally carries a block-and-tackle arrangement diagrammatically depicted at  10 , the arrangement  10  being connected to a suitable actuating handle  5  (see  FIG. 5 ) via a rope or cable  12 , or is provided with a longitudinal extension  4 ′ and handle  5 ′ (shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 ) of the guideway  4  away from the pivot  6 , for a user.  
         [0037]     A primary load resistant member, typically a pneumatic cylinder  14  is pivotally mounted at a first primary end  16  on the frame  2  as illustrated with its primary second end or piston rod  18  pivotally carrying a clamp  20 , adjacent pivot  19 , for registration with the guideway  4  at any desired and selected position therealong. In this embodiment, twin secondary load resistant members, typically pneumatic cylinders  30  are provided and have a first secondary end pivotally attached to a collar  32  for pivotal connection with and adjacent the end of the piston rod  18 . The second secondary ends or piston rods  34  of the cylinders  30  are pivotally attached to a yoke in the form of a slider  36  bridging the guideway  4  and being slidable therealong, typically using a linear type bearing or the like. The pivot axis  35  of the secondary piston rods  34  is generally perpendicular and typically as close as possible to the sliding axis of the slider  36  for increased smoothness in the sliding motion. Preferably, the pivot axis  35  generally intersects the sliding axis of the slider  36 . In operation, the slider  36  allows the secondary cylinders  30  to remain substantially perpendicular to the guideway  4  during pivotal displacement thereof.  
         [0038]     The primary and secondary cylinders  14 ,  30  are typically fluidly interconnected, to generally keep all internal pressures uniform, by suitable hoses  40  which typically unite in a pressure control or fill/purge valve  42 , such as a typical bicycle fill valve or the like, to eventually allow selective modification of the total amount of fluid, or fluid pressure, inside the cylinders  14 ,  30 . The filling of the cylinders  14 ,  30  could be performed via a conventional manually or power activated pump. Obviously, more sophisticated pump mechanisms with predetermined pressure levels could also be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention; the more fluid there is inside the cylinders the more resistive the created force will be.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 1  the apparatus  1  has the guideway  4  in its maximum upward angular displacement or extension such that the primary cylinder  14  has had its piston as “fully extended” as possible by a user employing the block-and-tackle  10  and the rope  12 , which is accordingly taut. The cylinder  14 , which obviously still has a minimum volume of air therein, is in a heavy load simulation with the clamp  20  secured near the free end of the guideway  4  and the slider  36  of the secondary cylinders  30  having moved towards side limb  8  with their collar  32  locked to the rod  18  to remain substantially perpendicular to the guideway  4 . This relative movement occasions free fluid interflow between the primary and secondary cylinders  14  and  30  thereby distributing the resistive force and providing a generally constant resistance to the user. Depending on the weight of the slider  36 , the sliding displacement of the secondary cylinders  30  along the guideway  4  dynamically increases the weight inertial effect of the load simulator; i.e. the relatively small dynamic load reduction felt by the user, as would be naturally felt with a real weight being lifted, will be larger if the displacement speed of the slider  36  induced by the rotational displacement of the guideway  4  is larger.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows the cylinder  14  in a contracted (seating) position corresponding to a resting configuration of the apparatus  1  ensured by the built-in pressure inside the cylinders. In the apparatus resting configuration, the rope or cable  12  is released by the return stroke of the user with the handle  5  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) up to an abutment position against a stopper or the like (not shown) that could also be the handle  5  itself or even protectors thereof that would be blocked by the first pulley it encounters or the like. The slider  36  of the secondary cylinders  30  has moved along the guideway  4  towards the block-and-tackle  10 , and this reciprocating movement is repeated as the user moves the rope  12  into a heavy load and then into a return or release position.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the clamp  20  in a different position nearer to the pivot  6  of the guideway  4  with the rod  18  extended to a smaller extent than in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The close position of the clamp  20  provides for a smaller lever length to the cylinder  14  on the guideway  4 , associated with a smaller range of travel of the piston in the primary cylinder  14 , give a lower resistance weight loading simulation. Again, the interflow of air between the cylinders with the sliding of the piston rods  34  on the guideway  4  provides for a balancing of force that gives a smoothe and constant application of load resistance with dynamic weight inertia effect.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the primary cylinder  14  is pivotally attached to an upper region  50  of the apparatus  1  and the guideway  4  is pivoted at  6  in a relatively lower region  51  of the apparatus. The clamp  20  is in the form of a spring-loaded detent  52  registering and engaging with a rack  54  of arcuate form provided in a slot  56  within the guideway  4 . The detent  52  is actuable by means of a wire or cable  58  and accordingly resetting the detent  52  in a recess of the rack will change the resistance loading of the primary cylinder  14  as with the first embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  4 . The clamp  20  is pivotally carried by an arm  53  which is attached to the piston rod  18  of the primary cylinder  14 . The slider  36  of the secondary cylinders  30  engages the guideway  4  in the manner shown in the drawings; the secondary cylinders  30  are connected in a similar manner to a collar (not shown) pivotally mounted on the piston rod  18 .  
         [0043]     The guideway  4  carries at the free end remote from its pivot  6  a pulley  60  which is one of an array  70  of pulleys provided for the apparatus  1  as shown. The cable  12  is reeved around the pulley  60  and upon appropriate movement of the cable the guideway  4  is caused to pivot about its mounting at  6 . A pull on the cable causes tension therein and brings the guideway  4  into a downward path thus generating resistance via the compressed fluid in the primary and the secondary cylinders  14 ,  30  which are balanced due to the fluid flow therebetween via the hoses  40 . The advantage of the arrangement is as previously indicated in relation to the first embodiment. However, the setting of the primary cylinder orientation relative to the guideway is fixed by virtue of the rack, which provides for predetermined incremental steps to give discrete modulation.  
         [0044]     With reference now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  there is shown a variation on the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in that the guideway  4  is in two parts  4   a  and  4   b  generally parallel to each other; the slot  56  is formed in each part and is of scalloped form on its relatively upper margin, each scallop  72  being so shaped as to accommodate a roller  74  carried on a yoke  76  which embraces both parts as more clearly can be seen in  FIG. 8 . A bridge piece  78  of the yoke  76  is mounted on the piston rod  18  also connected to a collar  80  mounted thereon. A fixed collar  82  is provided on the cylinder  14  and carries an actuating lever  84  with a cam  86  that abuts the collar  80  when the apparatus  1  is in the resting configuration with primary cylinder  14  in a substantially contracted configuration, rotation of the lever and thus the cam occasioning movement of the yoke  76  to engage or disengage the rollers  74  in a respective scallop  72  as desired to change the setting and to fix the rollers in the required setting. The slider  36  comprises spool type rollers  90  which engage the lower side of each of the parts  4   a  and  4   b  as can be seen in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pivot mounting  19  of the piston rod  18  would typically coincide with the axis of rollers  74  while the pivot  35  of the piston rods  34  would typically coincide with the rotation axis of the rollers  90 . The operation of this embodiment is essentially the same as that of the previous embodiment except that the setting of the primary cylinder is effected by the interengagement of the rollers  74  with the scallops  72  in contrast to the rack formation and the locking of the setting is secured by the use of a cam operated lever arrangement.  
         [0045]      FIG. 9  depicts a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in terms of the connection mount between the primary and secondary cylinders  14  and  30 . The connection  100  provides for a linear displacement of the secondary cylinder(s)  30  relative to the rod  18  with a resilient bias giving a damping effect. In this connection, the connection  100  comprises a slideway bracket  104 , tightly secured to the rod  18  at  102 , holding a pin  106  on which the end  108  of the cylinder(s)  30  slides reciprocally, as shown by the straight arrow Y, as much as possible in a frictionless manner, typically via a linear bearing or the like. A spring  110  is provided on the pin  106  and thus gives a bias to the end of the cylinder(s)  30 . Obviously, the end  108  of the cylinder(s)  30  is pivotally mounted relative to the pin  106  as shown by arrow X.  
         [0046]     The pin  106  has its axis  107  (linear movement axis) that is typically angularly oriented towards the guideway  4  in a direction away from the pivot axis relative to the cylinder(s)  30 , or towards the free end of the guideway  4  when the latter is in its limit angular position away from the main cylinder  14 , as shown by angle T of  FIG. 9  with the limit angular position of the guideway  4  shown in dotted lines. Obviously, when the angle T is properly set with the main piston rod  18  connected to the guideway  4  at its far most location relative to the pivot  6  (in a heavy load configuration, not illustrated), any other subsequent location of the piston rod  18  on the guideway  4  would be automatically set, with the effect of the connection  100  being the most apparent in that heavy load configuration where it is expected the most.  
         [0047]     The provision of the connection  100  is to further dynamically increase the weight inertial effect of the load simulator by increasing the simulation of the weight reduction feeling occurring during the lifting movement when lifting real weight bars, depending on the speed of the movement. The secondary cylinder(s)  30  always tends to remain generally perpendicular to the guideway  4  while contracting as much as possible, thus having the first secondary end or piston rod(s)  34  slide toward the spring  110  upon lifting movement because of the angle of the pin axis  107 . The biasing spring  110  is there to bias this displacement and prevent any shock that could occur, especially at the end of the linear displacement path along the pin  106 .  
         [0048]     Typically, the angular position of the mount connection  100  relative to the piston rod  18  can be adjusted, preferably incrementally, via an adjustment mechanism  102  such as a tightening bolt or the like, to control the additional dynamic weight inertia effect of the apparatus  1  provided by this connection  100 .  
         [0049]     The overall advantage of the present invention is to simulate weight lifting apparatus by the use of pneumatic cylinders with free interflow of air thus facilitating the achievement of constancy in terms of resistance.  
         [0050]     Although the above description refers to resistance provided by pull-type cylinders (or other pull-type load resistant members), it would be obvious to one skilled in the art to use push-type cylinders (or other push-type load resistant members) without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0051]     In order to further control the dynamic weight inertia effect response of the apparatus  1 , some weight (not shown) could be selectively added/removed to the slider  36  or rollers  90  of FIGS.  1  to  4  since the gravity effect works in the same direction as the sliding movement direction of the secondary second end or piston rod(s)  34  on the guideway  4 . Additionally, when the guideway  4  is below the cylinders  14 ,  30  as in FIGS.  5  to  9 , some hanging weight W or the like biasing force (as shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 7 ) could be even connected to the slider  36  to reorient the resulting gravity effect in the same direction as the sliding inertial effect of the piston(s)  34  on the guideway  4  by counteracting the direct effect of gravity on the slider  36  that would otherwise tend to generate some shuddering of its sliding movement.  
         [0052]     Although the present weight lifting simulator apparatus has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.