Patent Publication Number: US-10786699-B2

Title: Apparatus for physical exercise

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/035,373 filed May 9, 2016, pending, and is a national phase of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2014/074198 filed Nov. 10, 2014, and claims priority to GB Patent Application Serial No. 1319777.7 filed Nov. 8, 2013, the entire specifications of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for physical exercise and in particular to a dual resistance apparatus. 
     Exercise equipment which takes advantage of biased or resilient members to create resistance has been well disclosed in prior art. The user acts against the resistance created and in doing so works particular muscle groups associated with a particular movement. Typically, the devices of the prior art provide resistance in one direction so that the user must use their own strength to move a part of the apparatus in a first direction against the direction of resistance. Once the movement is completed and the direction of movement is reversed, the resistive force is removed and the user can return the apparatus to its original state without resistance. 
     Some devices are known which provide a resistive force in both the first direction and the reverse direction. These devices are mostly complicated and involve electronics to control the resistive forces increasing cost and complexity further. 
     Still more solutions are available that incorporate larger ranges of motion or resisted motion in two directions, but these machines tend to be cumbersome in size and shape and often require adjustments to allow resistance in different directions. As a result, a user would have to stop between exercises to adapt the machine. 
     It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of providing a dual resistance exercise apparatus having a range of motion useful for multiple exercise types and at a non-prohibitive cost. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for physical exercise comprising; 
     a resistance arrangement having at least one resistance means adapted for providing resistance forces in at least a first and a second direction; 
     a force transmission assembly through which the resistance forces are operable, at least one actuation means being in operable engagement with the force transmission assembly and being adapted to transfer forces generatable by a user in at least two directions of motion to the at least one resistance means via the force transmission assembly, the resistance forces opposing the user generatable forces. 
     Ideally, the apparatus for physical exercise comprises a means for operably engaging the resistance means locatable between the resistance means and the force transmission assembly. 
     Preferably, means for engaging the resistance means is operably couplable to the actuation means. 
     Preferably, the force transmission assembly has linkage means for linking to the means for operably engaging the resistance means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is operable between the means for operably engaging the resistance means and the actuation means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means facilitates movement of the resistance means in both directions of motion of the resistance means. 
     Preferably, the actuation means is adapted to transfer forces generatable by a user in at least two directions of motion to the means for operably engaging the resistance means via the linkage means, the resistance forces opposing the user generatable forces. 
     Preferably, manipulation of the actuation means results in movement of the linkage means and resulting movement of the means for operably engaging the resistance means. 
     Advantageously, the means for operably engaging the resistance means is linked by the linkage means and the user manipulates the linkage means via the actuation means to operate the apparatus. Whichever direction the linkage means is moved, resistance is encountered as the means for operably engaging the resistance means will encounter resistance to movement in that direction. 
     Further advantageously, user generated forces can be opposed in at least two directions of motion without making adjustments to the apparatus, providing a more thorough physical workout. 
     Ideally, the resistance arrangement comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder. 
     Preferably, the resistance arrangement comprises two hydraulic cylinders. 
     Ideally, the resistance arrangement comprises a dual action hydraulic cylinder. 
     Preferably, the means for engaging the resistance means has one or two ends. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is operably engaged with at least one end of the means for engaging the resistance means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is operably engaged with at least an upper end of the means for engaging the resistance means. 
     Preferably, the linkage means is a rigid linkage means. 
     Ideally, the actuation means is movably coupled to a support structure or frame. 
     Ideally, the actuation means is rotatably mountable to a support structure or frame. 
     Preferably, the apparatus has a support means and the actuation means comprises means for movably coupling the actuation means to the support means. 
     Preferably, the actuation means comprises an axle rotatably mountable to the support structure or frame. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is in fixed connection with the actuation means at a first end. 
     Preferably, the linkage means is fixably attached to the axle of the actuation means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means extends from the axle of the actuation means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the axle of the actuation means. 
     Preferably, movement of the actuation means causes an arcuate movement of the end of the linkage means distal the end fixably attached to the actuation means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is in rotatable connection with the means for engaging the resistance means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is in rotatable connection with the means for engaging the resistance means at a second end distal the first end. 
     Preferably, a joining means is locatable between the linkage means and the means for engaging the resistance means. 
     Ideally, the linkage means is in rotatable connection with the joining means. 
     Preferably, the means for engaging the resistance means is in rotatable connection with the joining means. 
     Ideally, the resistance arrangement is pivotally mounted to a support structure or frame. 
     Preferably, the resistance arrangement is pivotally mounted to the support structure or frame at an end distal the end closest to the linkage means. 
     Advantageously, as the actuation means is moved causing arcuate movement of the linkage means, the combination of the pivotal mounting of the resistance arrangement and the at least one rotatable connection between the linkage means and the means for engaging the resistance means permits pulling/pushing of the means for engaging the resistance means in an axial direction of the resistance arrangement throughout the arcuate movement of the linkage means and directly against the resistance provided by the resistance arrangement. 
     Ideally, the first and second ends of the means for engaging the resistance means are operably engaged by the linkage means. 
     Ideally, the first and second ends of the means for operably engaging the resistance means are linked by the linkage means such that movement of the linkage means in one direction results in the linkage means pulling on the first end of the means for operably engaging the resistance means, movement in the opposing direction results in pulling on the second end thereof. 
     Advantageously, the resistance to movement is experienced in both directions of motion of the actuation means and during all phases of the motion. 
     Preferably, whichever end of the means for operably engaging the resistance means is pulled, a force resistive to motion in the pulled direction is experienced. 
     Alternatively, the resistance means is one or more pneumatic cylinders, springs, or other such suitable means for providing resistance. 
     Preferably, the linkage means has a linkage member. 
     Ideally, the linkage member forms an endless connection to the engagement means. 
     Preferably, the linkage means forms an endless connection between the first and second ends of the means for operably engaging the resistance means. 
     Ideally, the linkage member forms an endless path when connected to the resistance arrangement. 
     Preferably, the linkage member is a chain, belt, or other such elongate flexible member which forms an endless path of connection when connected to the resistance arrangement. 
     Ideally, the linkage member has two ends, each end being operably engagable with an end of the means for operably engaging the resistance means, forming an endless connection. 
     Preferably, the linkage means has at least two support means. 
     Ideally, the support means comprise a support around which the linkage member passes. 
     Preferably, the linkage means has two support means, one locatable on each side of the resistance arrangement. 
     Ideally, the support means are locatable on opposing sides of the resistance arrangement in alignment with the main axis of movement of the resistance arrangement. 
     Preferably, at least part of the outer circumference of the support means is in alignment with the main axis of movement of the resistance arrangement. 
     Ideally, the support means are rotatable such that they rotate as the linkage member passes thereover. 
     Ideally, the support means are cogs or the like. 
     Alternatively, the support means are pulleys or the like. 
     Ideally, the cogs have teeth for operable engagement with at least a portion of the chain. 
     Ideally, the apparatus has a supporting structure or frame. 
     Ideally, the housing of the resistance arrangement is fixed to the supporting structure such that movement of the means for operably engaging the resistance means does not result in movement of the housing of the resistance arrangement. 
     Preferably, the linkage support means are mountable on the supporting structure. 
     Ideally, the linkage support means are mountable via an axle to the supporting structure. 
     Preferably, the linkage support means are rotatable about the axle. 
     Ideally, the axle is rotatable with respect to the supporting structure. 
     Preferably, the axle of the linkage support means is mountable such that its axis is substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of the at least one resistance means. 
     Ideally, the two linkage supporting means are mountable such that one is below and one is above the resistance arrangement during use. 
     Ideally, the two linkage support means are mountable one above and one below the resistance arrangement in alignment with the axis of movement of the resistance means. 
     Preferably, the two linkage support means are mountable such that the linkage member passes thereover and is at least partially tensioned therebetween. 
     Ideally, the actuation means is a user operated actuation means. 
     Preferably, the actuation means comprises at least one handle, pad, surface, or other such feature with which a user interacts. 
     Ideally, the actuation means comprises at least one lever arm. 
     Preferably, the actuation means comprises two lever arms. 
     Ideally, the two lever arms are joined to form one user actuator. 
     Preferably, the at least one lever arm is in operable engagement with at least one of the linkage support means. 
     Ideally, the lever arms are in operable engagement with at least one of the linkage support means. 
     Ideally the lever arm is operably engaged to the at least one support means at or about one end of the lever arm. 
     Preferably, a portion of the at least one lever arm which extends from the operable engagement with the at least one linkage support means forms a user interaction portion. 
     Preferably, the actuation means is operably engagable with the axle of the at least one linkage support means. 
     Ideally, the at least one lever arm is operably engagable with the axle of the at least one linkage support means. 
     Preferably, at least a portion of the axle of the at least one linkage support means extends through the supporting structure. 
     Preferably, a portion of the axle of the at least one linkage support means extends through the supporting structure on each side of the supporting structure. 
     Ideally, the lever arms are operably engagable with the portions of the axle of the at least one linkage support means which extend through the supporting structure. 
     Preferably, the lever arms are operably engagable with the upper linkage support means. 
     Advantageously, as the lever arm is rotated about its engagement with the linkage support means, it forces the axle of the linkage support means to rotate and as a result, the linkage member to pass over the linkage support means, pulling the means for operably engaging the resistance means from at least one end of the resistance arrangement. 
     Preferably, the user interaction portion has handles or grips thereon. 
     Ideally, a user grips the handles or grips during use. 
     Ideally, the user interaction portion has padding thereon. 
     Preferably, a user contacts the padding with their shoulders or any other relevant body part during use. 
     Ideally, the dual action hydraulic cylinder and associated engaging means are of sufficient length such that the range of motion of the actuation means is sufficient to allow a wide range of exercise to be performed. 
     Ideally, the range of motion of the lever arm is greater than 90 degrees. 
     Preferably, the range of motion of the lever arm is greater than 110 degrees. 
     Ideally, the range of motion of the lever arm is less than 175 degrees. 
     Preferably, the range of motion of the lever arm is less than 150 degrees. 
     Most preferably, the range of motion of the lever arm is 125 degrees. 
     Preferably, the lever arm has ballast means. 
     Ideally, the ballast means is locatable at the end of the lever arms distal the user interaction portion. 
     Preferably, the ballast means is locatable on the lever arm on the other side of the axle of the linkage support means to the user interaction portion. 
     Preferably, the connection of the lever arm to the linkage support means is locatable between the ballast and the user interaction portion. 
     Advantageously, the ballast means helps to balance the weight of the lever arm such that the lever arm does not move when the user is not causing their movement. 
     Alternatively, the ballast means is locatable on the linkage means or otherwise inside the support structure. 
     Preferably, the dual action hydraulic cylinder comprises a hollow cylindrical body portion. 
     Ideally, the hollow cylindrical body portion has an opening on at least one end face. 
     Preferably, the hollow cylindrical body portion has an opening on each end face. 
     Ideally, the dual action hydraulic cylinder has a piston head having a piston rod extending therefrom. 
     Preferably, the dual action hydraulic cylinder has a piston head having a plurality of piston rods extending therefrom. 
     Preferably, the piston head has a hollow cylindrical body facing portion and two end faces which face the end faces of the hollow cylindrical body portion. 
     Ideally, the piston head is locatable within the hollow cylindrical body portion and is of a size just less than the internal size of the hollow cylindrical body portion. 
     Preferably, a piston rod extends from one or both faces of the piston head and extends out through the opening in one or both end faces of the hollow cylindrical body portion. 
     Ideally, the hollow cylindrical body portion is sealed about its end faces about the one or more openings for the one or more piston rods. 
     Preferably, hydraulic fluid is provided internal the hollow cylindrical body portion and on each side of the piston head. 
     Ideally, the portions of the hollow cylindrical body each side of the piston head are in fluid communication with each other. 
     Preferably, the supporting structure is a support frame. 
     Ideally, the supporting structure is fixed to the ground. 
     Preferably, the supporting structure is manufactured from steel or other such suitably strong material. 
     Ideally, the supporting structure will have an aesthetic cladding or other such aesthetic treatment applied thereto. 
     Ideally, the resistance arrangement, and linkage means are locatable within the boundary of the supporting structure. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example three embodiments of a physical exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention. In the drawings; 
         FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of the apparatus for physical exercise showing the linkage means; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus for physical exercise; 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the apparatus for physical exercise showing the ballast means; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the apparatus for physical exercise; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up perspective view of the upper linkage means support means; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the resistance means; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a resistance means having only one piston rod; 
         FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus having a rigid linking member and a resistance arrangement having two piston rods; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of the apparatus having a rigid linking member and a resistance arrangement having one piston rod. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, there is shown an apparatus for physical exercise indicated generally by the reference numeral  1  comprising a resistance arrangement  2  having a dual action hydraulic cylinder  3  for generating resistive forces in a first and a second direction. The resistive forces acting through at least first and second piston rods  4 ,  5  of the resistance arrangement  2  respectively. A chain  6  links the first and second piston rods  4 ,  5  in operable engagement and at least one actuation member  7  is in operable engagement with the chain via an upper cog  8 . The actuation member  7  is adapted to transfer forces generated by a user in two directions of motion to the piston rods  4 ,  5  via the chain  6 . The user generated forces opposing one resistive force provided by the resistance arrangement  2  in each direction of motion. As a result, manipulation of the actuation member  7  results in rotation of the upper cog  8  and resulting translation of the piston rods  4 ,  5 . As the piston rods  4 ,  5  are linked by the chain  6  and the user manipulates the chain  6  via the upper cog  8  and actuation member  7  to operate the apparatus  1 , whichever direction the chain  6  is moved resistance is encountered as one or the other of the piston rods  4 ,  5  will experience resistance in that direction due to the compression and restricted flow of hydraulic fluid in the cylinder. The piston rods  4 ,  5  are linked by the chain  6  such that movement of the chain  6  in one direction results in the chain  6  pulling on the upper piston rod  4 , and movement of the chain  6  in the opposing direction results in pulling on the lower piston rod  5 . As a result, the resistance to movement is experienced in both directions of motion and during all phases of the motion. 
     The chain  6  has two ends  9 ,  10 , each end being operably engaged with one of the two piston rods  4 ,  5 , forming an endless or closed loop connection. 
     The chain has two support members in the form of cogs  8 ,  11 , one being the upper cog  8  and the other being a lower cog  11 . The chain  6  passes around the cogs  8 ,  11  and one cog is located on each side of the resistance arrangement  3 . The outer circumference of the cogs  8 ,  11  are located in alignment with the main axis of the hydraulic cylinder  3 . The cogs  8 ,  11  are rotatable such that they rotate as the chain  6  passes thereover, the cogs  8 ,  11  having teeth  12  for operable engagement with at least a portion of the chain  6 . 
     The resistance arrangement  2  is fixed to a supporting structure  13  such that movement of the piston rods  4 ,  5  does not result in movement of the housing of the resistance arrangement  2 . The cogs  8 ,  11  are mountable on the supporting structure  13  via axles  14 ,  15  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ) which are rotatable with respect to the supporting structure  13 . The axles of the cogs  4 ,  5  are mountable such that their axis is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of motion of the dual action hydraulic cylinder  3  and the piston rods  4 ,  5 . The two cogs  8 ,  11  are mountable such that the chain  6  passes thereover and is at least partially tensioned therebetween. The chain tension is adjustable to suit the application. 
     The actuation member  7  comprises two lever arms  16 ,  17  joined to form one actuation member  7 . The lever arms  16 ,  17  are in operable engagement with the axle  14  of the upper cog  8  at or about one end  18 ,  19  of the lever arms  16 ,  17  respectively. The portion of the lever arms  16 ,  17  distal to the operable engagement with the axle  14  of the upper cog  8  form a user interaction portion  20  with handles  21  thereon. At least a portion of the axle  14  of the upper cog  8  extends through two bearing housings  31  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the supporting structure  13  on each side of the supporting structure  13  and the lever arms  16 ,  17  are operably engagable with the portions of the axle  14  of the upper cog  8  which extend through the bearing housings  31  of the supporting structure  13 . 
     As the lever arms  16 ,  17  are rotated about their engagement with the axle  14  of the upper cog  8 , it forces the axle  14  and cog  8  to rotate and as a result, causes the chain  6  to pass over the cog  8 , pulling either one or the other of the piston rods  4 ,  5  from the dual action hydraulic cylinder  3  depending on the direction of motion applied. 
     The dual action hydraulic cylinder  3  (best illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) and associated piston rods  4 ,  5  are of sufficient length such that the range of motion of the lever arms  16 ,  17  is sufficient to allow a wide range of exercise to be preformed, the range of motion being approximately 90-175 degrees. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the lever arms  16 ,  17  have ballast  22  located at the ends of the lever arms  18 ,  19  distal the user interaction portion  20  and the connection of the lever arms  18 ,  19  to the axle  14  of the upper cog  8  is locatable between the ballast  22  and the user interaction portion  20 . 
     The ballast  22  helps to balance the weight of the lever arms  16 ,  17  such that the lever arms  16 ,  17  do not move when the user is not causing their movement. 
     The dual action hydraulic cylinder  3  comprises a hollow cylindrical body portion  23  having openings  24 ,  25  on each end face  26 ,  27  and a piston head  28  having the piston rods  4 ,  5  extending therefrom. The piston head  28  is located within the hollow cylindrical body portion  23  and is of a size just less than the internal size of the hollow cylindrical body portion  23 . The piston rods  4 ,  5  extend out through the openings  24 ,  25  in each end face  26 ,  27  of the hollow cylindrical body portion  23  and the hollow cylindrical body portion  23  is sealed about its end faces  26 ,  27  at the openings  24 ,  25  for the piston rods  4 ,  5 . Hydraulic fluid (not shown) is provided internal the hollow cylindrical body portion  23  and on each side  29 ,  30  of the piston head  28  and the portions  29 ,  30  of the hollow cylindrical body each side of the piston head  28  are in fluid communication with each other via a conduit  41  for controlling/restricting hydraulic fluid flow. The volume of the conduit  41  and the orifices connecting the inside of the hollow cylindrical body portion  23  with the conduit  41  can be predetermined to control the resistance forces. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cylinder similar to that described above in reference to  FIG. 6 , having only one piston rod  4  extending therefrom. 
     The supporting structure  13  is a metallic frame has a heavy base  33  and is fixed to the ground. Four beams  34  extend upright from the base  33  defining a quadrangular shaped open frame. The upper ends of the four beams  34  are held together by a quadrangular cap  35 . The axle bearing housings  31  are mounted on two parallel cross members  36  which span between the two pairs of mutually opposing beams  34 . The support frame is reinforced using cross members  42  and/or in any other way necessary. 
     The supporting structure  13  may have an aesthetic cladding or other such aesthetic treatment applied thereto and may incorporate features such as a screen or other such visual display unit. The resistance arrangement  2  and chain  6  are located within the boundary of the four beams  34  of the supporting structure  13  enhancing the safety of the apparatus  1 . 
     A second embodiment  100  of the invention is shown in  FIG. 8  wherein chain  6  is replaced by a rigid linkage member  101 . The rigid linkage member  101  is in fixed connection with the axle  14  and extends from the axle  14  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the axle  14 . Movement of the axle  14  causes an arcuate movement of the end  102  of the linkage member  101  distal the end fixed to the axle  14 . The linkage member  101  is in rotatable connection with the piston rod  4  a second end  103  distal the first end  102 . The resistance arrangement  2  is pivotally mounted to a support structure  13  at an end  104  distal the end closest to the linkage member  101  either directly or via a mounting plate  105 . As the user rotates the lever arms  16 ,  17 , the axle  14  is moved causing arcuate movement of the linkage member  101 , the combination of the pivotal mounting of the resistance arrangement  2  and the rotatable connection between the linkage member  101  and the piston rod  4  permits pulling/pushing of the piston rod  4  in an axial direction of the resistance arrangement  2  throughout the arcuate movement of the linkage member  101  and directly against the resistance provided by the resistance arrangement  2 . 
     A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 9 , the third embodiment comprising the same elements and functionality of the second embodiment but having a resistance arrangement  2  with only one piston rod  4 . 
     In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment. 
     In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value. 
     The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.