Patent Publication Number: US-RE37132-E

Title: Energy absorbing exercising and training machine

Description:
This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 07/388,116 filed on 08/01/89, now abandoned.This is a continuation of application Ser. No.  08 / 126 , 301  filed Sep.  23 ,  1993 , now abandoned, which is a reissue of  07 / 607 , 641  filed Oct.  25 ,  1990 , U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 050 , 871 , which is a continuation of application Ser. No.  07 / 308 , 116  filed Aug.  1 ,  1989 , now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to exercising and training machines. More particularly, this invention relates to exercising and training machines for exercising a person&#39;s ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as which occurs during a baseball or golf swing. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Presently there exists many types of exercising and training machines designed to exercise portions of a person&#39;s body. The most predominant type of exercising and training machine utilizes weight resistance which, through repetition, builds the person&#39;s muscles. Unfortunately, there exists a need for an exercise and training machine which exercises a person&#39;s ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as what occurs during the swinging of a baseball bat or a golf club. There also exists a need for an exercising and training machine which isolates individual muscle groups and measures acceleration of a portion of a person&#39;s body. Indeed, many professional athletes such as golfers and baseball players refrain from resistance weight training during season in fear of adversely affecting their flexibility and ability t swing their golf club or baseball bat in a controlled manner. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the exercising art. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which exercises and trains a person&#39;s ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which is to be utilized by golfer&#39;s in exercising their golf swing. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine to be used by golfer&#39;s in exercising their backswing. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising machine which allows the user to regulate the amount of resistance in accordance with the user&#39;s physical ability and which can, therefore, be used for rehabilitation of muscles. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising and training machine which allows a person to time the release of energy at the instant of the most importance. 
     The foregoing has outlines some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises an energy absorbing exercising and training machine for exercising a person&#39;s ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion. The machine comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to a frame by means of a pair of journal bearings. A harness assembly is provided for connection to the portion of the person&#39;s body to be exercised. Means are provided for interconnecting the flywheel and the harness assembly allowing the flywheel to rigidly engage relative to the harness assembly upon acceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised. The interconnecting means also allows the flywheel to disengage and freely rotate relative to the harness assembly upon deceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel. 
     The body portion being exercised may therefore be forcibly accelerated in the first direction along the path of motion against the inertia of the flywheel. Upon deceleration of the body portion, the flywheel disengages relative to the harness assembly thereby precluding the inertia of the flywheel from exerting a force on the body portion along the path of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the interconnecting means comprises an over-running clutch having an inner race mounted to a shaft which is connected to the flywheel and journaled in the pair of bearings and having an outer race connected relative to the harness assembly. 
     The exercising and training machine of the invention may be utilized in conditioning and training for many sports and other activities that encourage the rapid acceleration of a portion of the person&#39;s body, such as occurs in baseball, golf, and other swing-type activities. The machine is also usable in exercising individual muscle groups that are customarily exercised through weight lifting exercises like bench presses, bi-ceps curls and overhead presses. The exercising and training machine is described herein as being utilized in conditioning for golf by exercising the twisting acceleration of the golfer&#39;s torso and legs during a golf swing. 
     Specifically, when utilized as a torso and legs exercising machine for golfers, the exercising and training machine of the invention comprises a stand which adjustably positions the flywheel, shaft, and overrunning clutch in a position above the golfer&#39;s head, with the harness assembly connected to the lower most end of the shaft by means of a universal joint, preferably a constant velocity universal joint. The harness assembly comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped or V-shaped rigid configuration for fitting over the shoulders and upper torso of the golfer&#39;s body. The universal joint allows the torso harness assembly to universally pivot during the golf swing. 
     Preferably, the frame comprises a carriaged frame that is operatively connected to the stand by means of slide bearings which allow the frame, flywheel, shaft and torso harness assembly to freely reciprocate sideways above the golfer&#39;s head, the sideways movement being geared to the rotation of the torso harness of the shaft. Furthermore, the shaft is preferably sliceable journaled within the pair of journal bearings and the inner race of the over-running clutch to allow the shaft to easily reciprocate vertically. The sideways movement of the carriaged frame, the vertical movement of the shaft, and the pivoting of the torso harness assembly via the universal joint allows the golfer to exercise and be trained in a recommended golf swing which requires canting and vertical and sideways movement of the golfer&#39;s torso during the backswing and through the golf swing. 
     It should be appreciated that during the gold swing, the golfer&#39;torso may accelerate to his fullest ability and the energy created thereby forces the flywheel into accelerating rotational movement and such energy is absorbed. When the golfer&#39;s torso begins to decelerate at the end of the golf swing, the overrunning clutch disengages the shaft allowing the flywheel to freely rotate. Thus, the inertia of the rotating flywheel does not exert a force on the golfer&#39;s torso once the golers&#39;s torso begins to decelerate or stop. Over-twisting and possible physical damage is therefore precluded. 
     When the exercising and training machine of the invention is adapted to be utilized as a golf exercising and training machine, it may additionally include means for providing resistance to the golfer&#39;s torso during the backswing and partial extension of the torso at the end of the backswing immediately prior to beginning the golf swing. More particularly, such means may comprise a cammed clutch for interconnecting the flywheel and the shaft. The cammed clutch allows the flywheel to rigidly engage the shaft only during a predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the arcuate path of motion of the backswing. Thus, during the predefined arc of rotation, the flywheel is rigidly connected relative to the harness and provides inertial resistance to the golfer&#39;s torso during the backswing. Toward the end of the backswing, the inertia of the flywheel forces slight extension of the golfer&#39;s torso immediately prior to the golfer exerting energy by twisting his torso in the opposite direction corresponding to a golf swing thereby overcoming the inertia of the flywheel and reversing its direction. Alternatively, the cammed clutch may be adjusted to disengage the flywheel from the shaft at a predefined end of the backswing to preclude overextension of the golfer&#39;s torso and possible physical damage. 
     Finally, a transducer may be operatively connected to the frame to sense the rotational speed of the flywheel over time, which information is then fed into a displayed device to inform the golfer of his progressive ability to accelerate the flywheel. Additional transducers may also be operatively connected to the frame to sense the vertical movement of the shaft, the sideways shifting of the frame and the angular position of the torso harness assembly relative to the shaft. All of such information may then supplied to a computer and analyzed to determine the quality of the golf swing. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and training machine of the invention illustrating the carriaged frame reciprocatably mounted to a vertically adjustable stand and illustrating the flywheel rotatably journalled to the carriaged frame by means of a shaft with a torso harness assembly depending therebelow for exercising the torso and legs of a golfer; 
     FIG. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the torso harness assembly illustrating the inverted substantially V-shaped configuration thereof and the universal joint which interconnects the torso harness assembly with the lowermost end of the shaft; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the exercising and training machine of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along lines  4 — 4  illustrating the over-running clutch which interconnects the flywheel to the shaft for rigid engagement therewith in a first direction corresponding to the golf swing and which illustrates the cammed clutch which rigidly interconnects the flywheel to the shaft during the backswing; and 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the over-running clutch, cammed clutch and upper and lower journal bearings. 
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the exercising and training machine  10  of the invention comprises a carriaged frame  12  reciprocatably mounted within a vertically adjustable stand, generally indicated by numeral  14 . A flywheel  16  is rotatably mounted to the carriaged frame  12  by means of a shaft  18 . A torso harness assembly  20  is pivotably connected to the lowermost end of the shaft  18  by means of a universal joint  22 . The torso harness assembly  20  is configured to fit over a golfer&#39;s shoulders and onto his torso as shown in the phantom in FIG.  1 . As described below in greater detail, the exercising and training machine  10  exercises and trains the golfer&#39;s ability to accelerate his torso through a twisting path of motion in a first direction corresponding to proper golf swing. As also described below in greater detail, the exercising and training machine  10  of the invention also allows the golfer to forcibly move his torso in a second direction opposite to that of the first direction corresponding to a backstroke and further allows extension of the golfer&#39;s torso at the end of the golf swing. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the torso harness assembly  20  comprises a horizontal member  24  having a substantially horizontal bracket  26  welded thereto and inverted, substantially V-shaped arms  28  extending downwardly from opposing ends thereof. The universal joint  22  is rigidly secured to the bracket  26  by means of threaded fasteners or the like. Inwardly extending pad members  30  are rigidly connected to the arms  28 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the inverted V-shaped arms  28  straddle the golfer&#39;s head and slide over the golfer&#39;s shoulders onto his torso; the horizontal member  24  being positioned sufficiently above the golfer&#39;s head so as to not interfere therewith. As thus configured, the golfer&#39;s torso is firmly seated within the torso harness assembly  20  and any rotational or other movement of the torso is transferred to the shaft  18  via universal joint  22 . Preferably, universal joint  22  comprises a constant velocity universal joint. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, stand  14  comprises a generally rectangular framework having front, rear and left and right side members  32 F,  32 R,  32 LS and  32 RS, respectively, rigidly connected together to define a generally rectangular configuration having an opened center  320 . A bracket  34  extends from the front  32 F and rear  32 R frame members for rigid connection to respective cylindrical support guides or collars  36 . Each support guide  36  is slideably fitted over an upstanding cylindrical support tube or pipe  38 . The tubes  38  are rigidly secured in their upright position to a ground platform  40  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     The rectangular framework  32  is vertically adjustable along the length of the tubes  38 . Specifically, vertical adjustment is provided by means of rotatable lifting rings  42  positioned about the respective tubes  38 , each of which include a plurality of off-axis roller bearing  44  which causes the lifting ring  42  to ascend the tube  38  when rotated in one direction and descend the tube  38  when rotated in the other direction. Thus, the height of the rectangular framework  32  may be easily adjusted by rotation of the lifting ring  42  on each tube  38 . 
     The carriaged frame  12  comprises a generally rectangular framework  46  oriented vertically and having top and bottom frame members  46 T and  46 B and front and rear frame members  46 F and  46 R rigidly connected together a their respective corners to define a substantially rectangular configuration. The rectangular framework  46  of the carriaged frame is dimensioned to fit within the opening  320  defined by the rectangular framework  32  of the stand  14 . 
     The rectangular framework  46  of the carriaged frame  12  is supported by the rectangular framework  32  of the stand  14  by means of a pair of rails  48  which are rigidly secured t left and side frame members  32 LS and  32 RS of the framework  32  of the stand  42  to span the central opening  320  thereof. Slide bearings  50  are rigidly connected to the underside of the top frame member  46 T of the rectangular framework  46  of the carriaged frame  12  for slideable engagement with rails  48 , thereby allowing the carriaged frame  12  to reciprocate sideways within the opening of the rectangular framework  32  of the stand  14 . The slide bearings  51  of the carriaged frame assembly  12  facilitates mounting of the carriaged framework  12  relative to the fixed framework  14  to allow translational movement of the harness assembly  20  and the rotatable shaft  18  during exercising and to preclude fixed coupling of the harness assembly  20  and the rotatable shaft  18  relative to the fixed framework  14  during exercising. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft  18  is rotatably journalled to the carriaged frame  12  by means of a pair of journal bearings  52  connected to the top and bottom frame members  46 T and  46 B of the rectangular framework  46 . Preferably, shaft  18  comprises a spline shaft and the upper journal bearing  42  includes a sleeve  52 B and a ball spline bearing  54  with keyway  51  which allows the shaft  18  to reciprocate vertically relative to the journal bearing  52 U and rotate. A stop  56  is connected to the upper end of the shaft  14  by means of threaded fastener  58 . Spring  60  is positioned between stop  56  and the sleeve  52 B for cushing. 
     Preferably, the sideways movement of the carriaged frame  12  is geared to the rotation of the shaft  18  by means of a cable  53  which is wrapped once around the sleeve  52 B and the trailing ends  55  of the cable  53  are rigidly connected to the left and right side members  32 LS and  32 RS of the rectangular framework  32 . Thus, it can be appreciated that rotation of the harness assembly  20 , shaft  18  and sleeve  52 B causes the carriaged frame  12  to travel sideways along the length of the cable  53 . Preferably, the cable  53  is wrapped about the sleeve  52 B in such a manner that the carriaged frame  12  is in its fully rightward position when the harness assembly  20  is rotated to a position corresponding to the start of the golfer&#39;s swing. Thus, as the golfer takes his golf swing, the carriaged frame  12  is forceably moved leftward in synchronism to the rotation of the golfer&#39;s torso, thereby training the golfer to exercise a proper golf swing. 
     The flywheel  16  comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration (see FIG.  3 ). A plurality of upstanding pins  62  are positioned equidistantly about an outer periphery of the flywheel  16  for receiving removable weights  64  to attain a flywheel having a desired mass. 
     The flywheel  16  is rigidly connected to the upper protruding portion of the lower sleeve bushing  52 LB by means of welding  66  or the like. The flywheel  16  is operatively connected to the shaft  18  by means of an over-running clutch  68  having an outer raceway  680  rigidly connected at a lower surface to the flywheel  16  by means of threaded fasteners  70 . A ball spline bearing  72  is positioned within the inner raceway  68 I of the clutch  68  and is keyed thereto by means of keyway  74 . Ball spline bearing  72  allows vertical movement of the shaft  18  therethrough while nonrotatably securing the inner raceway  68 I to the shaft  18 . A shim bushing  76  may be interposed between the inner raceway  68 I and the spline bearing  72 . 
     Rotation of shaft  18  in one direction causes the inner raceway  68 I to rigidly engage the outer raceway  680  of the clutch  68  thereby rigidly interconnecting the flywheel  16  to the shaft  18 . Deceleration of the shaft  18  relative to the flywheel  16  causes the raceway  680  and  68 I to disengage allowing the flywheel  16  to freely over-run without exerting any torque on the shaft  18 . Thus, with the torso harness assembly  20  connected to the end of the shaft  18 , it can be readily appreciated that the golfer&#39;s twisting of his torso during the golf swing will forcibly accelerate the flywheel  16  and, at the end of the golf swing when the torso begins to decelerate, the flywheel  16  freely overruns to prevent any force being imparted to the torso harness assembly  20  which would otherwise adversely affect the golf swing and possibly cause physical damage to the golfer. 
     The exercising and training machine  10  of the invention further includes a cammed clutch, generally indicated by numeral  78 , which interconnects the flywheel  16  and the shaft  18  and allows the flywheel  16  to rigidly engage the shaft  18  during a predefined arc of rotation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfer&#39;s backswing opposite to the first direction corresponding to the golfer&#39;s golf swing. 
     More particularly, the cammed clutch  78  comprises a first clutch plate  80  which is rigidly connected to the upper sleeve bushing  52 LB of the upper journal bearing  52 . The cammed clutch  78  further comprises a second clutch plate  82  positioned in alignment with the first clutch plate  80  and rigidly connected to the upper surface of the outer raceway  680  of the over-running clutch  68  by means of threaded fastener  84 . A wearable clutch  86  is positioned between the clutch plates  80  and  82 . An arcuate cam  88  is rigidly connected to the upper surface of the first clutch plate  80  and includes end ramp  88 R. A corresponding cam roller  90  is rotatably connected to a bracket  92  depending from the top frame member  46 T of the rectangular framework  46  in alignment with cam  88 . A lower cam roller  94  may also be rotatably connected to bracket  92  for support to the underside of the second clutch plate  82 . 
     The cam  88  is arcuately shaped to be engaged by the cam roller  90  along the predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the backswing of the golfer when the golfer is facing forwardly. Thus, as the golfer begins his backswing, cam roller  90  engages cam  88  to frictionally engage the clutch plates  80  and  82  together and rigidly interconnecting the flywheel  16  to the shaft  18  via sleeve  52 B and ball spline bearing  54 . The golfer must thus exert enough backswing force to rotate flywheel  16 . At the end of the golfer&#39;s backswing, cam roller  90  rolls off ramp  88 R of cam  88  thereby disengaging the plates  80  and  82  and allowing flywheel  16  to freely rotate. The relative positioning of ramp  88 R of cam  88  determines when the flywheel  68  is disengaged. Thus, it cam be appreciated that a certain amount of extension of the golfer&#39;s torso can be achieved by proper positioning of the cam ramp  88 R relative to the golfer&#39;s backswing. 
     The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.