Abstract:
An exercise machine that provides a generally consistent resistive force against a user who walks, steps, or runs away from the machine as part of a strength training exercise program. The machine is built upon a movable frame having transport wheel assemblies that allow the exercise machine to be placed on an indoor floor surface or on the ground outdoors. The frame of the device further supports three parallel spinning assemblies that together allow a length of linear strap attached to the user to run out from the machine and thereafter be retracted or rewound back into the machine. The spinning assemblies include a flywheel assembly, a spool assembly, and a spring assembly, each co-axially arranged on a spin axle extending across the frame. The spring assembly is fixed against the frame and incorporates a coil spring that tightens with the rotation of the spin axle in a first direction (allowing the linear run-out strap to extend out from the spool assembly). The coil spring in the spring assembly thereafter tends to direct the rewinding of the strap back onto the spool assembly. The coaxial flywheel assembly provides both an initial stationary inertia and a subsequent rotational inertia. The flywheel acts as a governor to balance the changing forces associated with the resistive force increasing in the spring assembly. Positioned on the spin axle between the flywheel assembly and the spring assembly is a spool assembly that allows the strap to unwind and subsequently to be wound back onto the spool. A guide strap may be provided around the spool to maintain the linear run-out strap within the spool assembly. A resistance adjustment assembly presses a brake pad against the perimeter surface of the flywheel to adjust the force required to direct rotation of the system. A weight horn bracket is provided to add additional disc weights if necessary.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/764,074, filed Apr. 20, 2010; which further claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/214,078, filed Apr. 20, 2009; the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to exercise machines and systems for providing resistive force exercise to the user. The present invention relates more specifically to an exercise machine structured to provide a consistent force resisting the ambulatory (walking and/or running) motion of a user moving away from and then back towards the machine. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many exercise regimens call for the repeated movement of the exercising individual from a first point to a second point, typically across a gym floor or across an outdoor field. In some cases this movement is simply a straight line run from one point to the next. In some cases the movement involves weaving around cones or other small obstacles in the path. Some efforts have been made in the past to increase the strength and/or energy required to make this movement by securing a weight to the exercising individual that must be pulled along during the exercise. One such effort in the past has been to provide a weight sled that may be connected to the exercising individual by a line (a cord or a rope) and is drug along the ground by the individual as they attempt to run. Clearly the process of dragging such a weight sled across a floor surface indoors can be problematic. 
         [0006]    Even when used outdoors, the typical weight sled offers a very inconsistent resistive force to the user and often results in intervals of high resistance (where the sled sticks or digs into the ground) followed by intervals of very little resistance (where the sled looses contact with the ground and jumps a distance). 
         [0007]    A further effort in the past to provide additional resistive force to an exercising individual replaces the sliding weight sled with a fixed but stretchable “bungee cord” line attached to a fixed anchor and to a harness on the individual. Rather than provide a consistent resistive force, however, such systems provide an initial weak force that gradually increases to very strong force. This often results in the individual being awkwardly jerked backwards at the end of the exercise motion. Many injuries have resulted from the use of both types of resistance exercise systems. 
         [0008]    It would be desirable to provide a resistance exercise system that could be easily used indoors or outdoors without concern for damaging the indoor floor surface or the outdoor turf. It would be desirable if the system provided a generally consistent resistive force rather than one that dramatically increased during the exercise or one that provided a resistive force in jerking catches and releases. It would further be desirable if such a system provided a gradual but consistent recoil at the end of the exercise so as to allow the user to return casually to the starting point of the exercise to complete the workout or to start the exercise again. 
         [0009]    It would further be desirable to provide a mechanism for adjusting the resistive force exerted against the user during the exercise and to provide an easy and accurate means for indicating the level of the resistive force. It would be beneficial if the resistive force exercise device were capable of easily resetting itself without tangling or damaging the line attached between the device and the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In fulfillment of the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an exercise machine that establishes a generally consistent resistive force against a user who walks, steps, or runs away from the machine as part of a strength training exercise program. The machine is built upon a movable frame having transport wheel assemblies that allow the exercise machine to be place on a floor surface indoors or on the ground outdoors. The frame of the device further supports three parallel spinning assemblies that together allow a linear strap attached to the user to run out from the machine and to thereafter be retracted or rewound back into the machine. 
         [0011]    The spinning assemblies include a flywheel assembly, a spool assembly, and a spring assembly, each co-axially arranged on a spin axle extending across the frame. The spring assembly is fixed against the frame and incorporates a coil spring that tightens with the rotation of the spin axle in a first direction (allowing a linear run-out strap to extend from the spool assembly). The coil spring in the spring assembly thereafter tends to direct the rewinding of the linear run-out strap back onto the spool assembly when the extractive force exerted by the user is released. 
         [0012]    The flywheel assembly positioned opposite the spring assembly across the spool assembly provides both an initial stationary inertia that the user must overcome in order to initiate rotation of the assemblies, and a rotating inertia once the system is in rotational motion. The flywheel acts as a governor to balance the changing forces associated with the spring assembly as the coil spring therein tightens and subsequently loosens. Positioned on the spin axle between the flywheel assembly and the spring assembly is a spool assembly which allows the linear run-out strap to unwind and subsequently to be wound back again on the spool. 
         [0013]    A guide strap around the spool helps position and maintains the linear run-out strap within the spool assembly during retraction and extension. A resistance adjustment assembly presses a brake pad against a perimeter surface of the flywheel to allow the user to adjust the force that is required to initiate rotation of the system. An additional weight horn bracket is positioned on the rear of the frame to add additional disc weights to the device if necessary. 
         [0014]    Further objectives of the present invention will become apparent from an understanding of the following detailed description and the attached drawing figures which may be briefly described as follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exercise machine system of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the exercise machine system of the present invention as it might be positioned on a flat indoor floor surface or an outdoor ground surface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the exercise machine system of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detailed side view of the spool assembly and the guide roller assembly of the exercise machine system of the present invention showing the placement and routing of the straps. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the brake assembly (resistance adjustment assembly) of the exercise machine system of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the lead guide rollers assembly of the exercise machine system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a description of the overall system of the present invention. As indicated above, the exercise machine system of the present invention is intended to provide a means for exercising by subjecting oneself to a resistive force while stepping, walking, or running away from a fixed point. Exercise machine  10  of the present invention is comprised of a number of individual assemblies. Exercise machine  10  may be seen to comprise frame assembly  12  which incorporates and supports fly wheel assembly  14 , spool assembly  16 , and spring assembly  18 . The manner in which these assemblies interact is described in more detail below. 
         [0022]    A number of additional smaller assemblies are also included in the overall exercise machine system  10  of the present invention. These smaller assemblies, which are mounted at various places on frame assembly  12 , include lead guide rollers assembly  20  and resistance adjustment assembly (brake assembly)  22 . The structures of these two attachment assemblies are also described in more detail below. 
         [0023]    Also positioned on frame assembly  12  are transport wheels  24 , each mounted to transport wheel brackets  26 . Transport wheel brackets  26  are welded or bolted to frame base  28  of frame assembly  12 . Positioned on an underside of frame base  28  are base gripper pads  30 . Extending up from frame base  28  are left frame arm  32  and right frame arm  34 . These two frame arms  32  and  34  extend upward (to support the rotating assemblies described in more detail below) into upper frame  36  which terminates in transport handle  38 . 
         [0024]    Positioned on a rear facing side of frame base  28  of frame assembly  12  is weight horn assembly  40  which, in the preferred embodiment, is sized and structured to receive additional weights to provide further resistance to the unintended lateral movement of exercise machine  10 . 
         [0025]    Two separate straps are provided in the system of the present invention to effect the functionality of the device. Linear run-out strap  42  is the component that is attached to the individual (by means of a harness and clip) at one end (a first loose end) and that is wound on spool assembly  16  at the opposite end. Linear run-out strap  42  is unwound as the user moves outward from the front of exercise machine  10 . A second guide strap  44  is positioned in a short loop around the spool assembly, covering and partially enclosing the linear run-out strap  42 . The manner in which guide strap  44  helps retain linear run-out strap  42  in a correct position and orientation on spool assembly  16  is described in more detail below. 
         [0026]    Lead guide rollers assembly  20  is supported in an appropriate position adjacent spool assembly  16  by way of guide roller support arm  46  which is mounted on frame base  28  of frame assembly  12 . Structured as described above, exercise machine system  10  of the present invention is capable of functioning to provide a variable resistance backward force that the user runs against or otherwise moves against in the process of exercising. 
         [0027]    The manner of using exercise machine system  10  of the present invention is now described again primarily with reference to  FIG. 1 . Exercise machine system  10  may be moved to an appropriate position, either indoors or outdoors, with the overall weight of the device typically providing sufficient frictional force with the floor or ground surface to prevent its lateral motion during use. Additional weight may be added to exercise machine system  10  by the placement of typical disc weights (such as may be utilized on a barbell) onto weight horn assembly  40 . This assembly (shown in clearer detail in  FIG. 2 ) is sized to receive the standard Olympic sized weight discs and to be retained thereon utilizing standard Olympic bar spring clips. The type of surface the device will be used on will typically determine whether addition weight will be required to hold it in place. 
         [0028]    The exercise machine system  10  of the present invention may be moved to the appropriate placement position by grasping transport handle  38  and tilting the entire machine backwards onto transport wheels  24 . Transport wheels  24  are positioned such that when the machine is tilted back the wheels come into contact with the floor or ground and allow for the easy transport of the device. When the proper placement is achieved, the device is then tilted forward such that transport wheels  24  no longer make contact with the floor or ground surface. Once in position and once any additional weight has been placed on weight horn assembly  40  the user then retrieves the end of linear run-out strap  42  and clips this end onto a harness generally worn about the shoulders and chest. This harness is preferably reversible and may be typically connected such that the clip-in point is on the back of the user, which allows the user to run forward away from the front of the exercise machine. In other exercise environments the user may choose to clip into linear run-out strap  42  on the front of the harness such that the user would move backwards from the machine to exercise different sets of muscles. 
         [0029]    Once clipped in, the user may then choose to adjust the resistance that the machine will provide to the user during run out. Resistance adjustment assembly  22 , alternately referred to as a brake assembly, is fixed to the interior side of upper frame  36  in a position that allows it to come into spring loaded contact with flywheel assembly  14 . A knob adjustment increases or decreases the force exerted by resistance adjustment assembly  22  onto the peripheral surface of flywheel assembly  14 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a digital readout provides an indication of the force that has been dialed in by a particular user. The details of the structure of this alternate embodiment are shown below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0030]    Once clipped in to linear run-out strap  42  the user may then run or walk either forward or backward away from the front of exercise machine system  10  in a manner that allows the user to benefit from the retractive force generated by the exercise machine. This retractive force is a combination of the inertia provided initially by flywheel assembly  14  which generally resists the rotational motion of the assembly and thereby initially resists the unwinding of the linear run-out strap  42  from spool assembly  16 . In addition to the inertia provided by the heavy flywheel assembly  14 , spring assembly  18  comes into play the further the user is removed from the exercise machine  10 . As the user extracts the linear run-out strap  42 , spring assembly  18  begins providing greater resistance to this unwinding effort. 
         [0031]    Spring assembly  18 , as described in more detail below, includes a coil spring that, as the spinning assemblies of the exercise machine rotate in a manner directed by the movement of the user away from the machine, is coiled tighter within a fixed housing. One of the benefits of the present invention, however, is the fact that as the user initiates the rotation of the spinning assemblies of the present invention, the flywheel component, which initially provides an inertial resistance to rotational motion, begins to provide assistance to such rotational motion once it is rotating with some velocity. In contrast, spring assembly  18  provides generally little resistance initially, but as the spring within spring assembly  18  is wound tighter, the resistance force increases. These two resistive forces (which are changing in opposite directions) counter-balance each other in the process of rotation such that a generally consistent resistive force is experienced by the user. That is, initially the user is working primarily against the inertial resistive force required to begin spinning the flywheel assembly  14  experiencing less resistive force from spring assembly  18 . Once moving, however, flywheel assembly  14  actually assists in the rotational movement and the motion outward by the user. As the spring in spring assembly  18  is wound tighter, it correspondingly provides a greater resistive force. 
         [0032]    When the user has run the extent of linear run-out strap  42  (typically 40 yards in the preferred embodiment of the present invention) the user stops and then returns to the exercise machine  10  for further exercise or to disconnect. The process of returning to the machine directs a re-coiling or rewinding of linear run-out strap  42  as a result of the counter-rotation directed by the now tightly wound spring within spring assembly  18 . As with the run-out with the strap, the return winding of the strap is likewise regulated in its speed by way of the interactive effects between flywheel assembly  14  and spring assembly  18 . Because flywheel assembly  14  provides an inertial force counter to the tendency of spring assembly  18  to rotate and re-wind linear run-out strap  42 , the process of rewinding is carried out at a moderate rate rather than with any sudden jerking motions or with any great force. The combination of the rotating assemblies therefore acts as a governor to the speed with which the rotating assemblies turn all the while providing a relatively constant resistive force to the user during run-out and a constant retraction force during the rewinding return. 
         [0033]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  for a further detailed description of the components of the exercise machine system  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the components situated on the left hand side of the device (as viewed from behind the device, such as when holding onto the transport handle). From this side view, spring assembly  18  can be seen in profile and the manner in which it is attached to upper frame  36  at left frame arm  32  is also disclosed. Spring assembly  18  is attached to left frame arm  32  at two spring assembly brackets  52 . Brackets  52  receive bolts extending from spring assembly enclosure  54 . Spin axle  48  is seen on end extending out of the center of spring assembly  18 . Spin axle  48  is retained within axle bearing  50  which is bolted to left frame arm  32  as shown. A similar bearing structure is provided on the opposite side of the frame. 
         [0034]    Also seen in  FIG. 2  is guide roller support arm  46  which elevates and supports lead guide rollers assembly  20 . Linear run-out strap  42  and guide strap  44  are omitted in  FIG. 2  for clarity. Also positioned on frame assembly  12  extending above frame base  28  are transport wheel brackets  26  (one on each side) which each support a transport wheel  24 . Seen between transport wheels  24  is weight horn assembly  40 . Finally seen in  FIG. 2  is resistance adjustment assembly  22  with a brake pad shown in contact with flywheel assembly  14  (not seen in the view from this side of the device). 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  provides a top plan view of the exercise machine system of the present invention showing in greater detail the three spinning assemblies that make up the primary functional components of the system. In  FIG. 3  frame assembly  12  is seen to include frame base  28  as well as left frame arm  32  and right frame arm  34  which extend up to position and retain transport handle  32 . Weight horn assembly  40  is seen positioned on the rear side of frame assembly  12 . Transport wheel brackets  26  are positioned on each side of fame assembly  12  and support each of the two transport wheels  24 . 
         [0036]    Spin axle  48  is shown to extend across frame assembly  12  and thereby positions and supports each of the three spinning assemblies including flywheel assembly  14 , spool assembly  16 , and spring assembly  18 . Lead guide rollers assembly  20  is shown positioned at the end of guide roller support arm  46  which extends up from frame base  28 . Here again, linear run-out strap  42  and guide strap  44  are omitted for clarity. The internal structure of spool assembly  16  can better be seen in this view of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  which is a detailed view of spool assembly  16  and lead guide rollers assembly  20 . In this partially schematic view, the manner in which linear run-out strap  42  and guide strap  44  are retained on and positioned in conjunction with spool assembly  16  is shown. Spool assembly  16  is comprised of two parallel discs separated by a center drum  56 . The assembly is positioned on spin axle  48  (not shown) by way of keyed center aperture  58 . 
         [0038]    At one point on the wall that forms drum  56  is a slot  60  suitable for insertion of a fixed end of linear run-out strap  42  which retains a looped end section that may be retained by a pin positioned through the spool assembly. In this manner, a fixed end of linear run-out strap  42  is retained on drum  56  and may thereafter be wound by way of the rotation of spool assembly  16 . The opposite end of linear run-out strap  42  extends from the surface of the drum (that is, from the surface of the extent to which the strap is wound about the drum  56 ) and between the rollers positioned within lead guide rollers assembly  20 . Top roller  62  is approximately as wide as linear run-out strap  42  while bottom roller  64  contains a peripheral channel within which linear run-out strap  42  is held. In this manner, the combination of top roller  62  and bottom roller  64  serve to move linear run-out strap  42  in and out of spool assembly  16  in a flat orientation suitable for winding about spool assembly  16 . Therefore whether the linear run-out strap  42  is being drawn back into the system or is being pulled out from the system, the roller assembly serves to straighten the strap into a preferable orientation. 
         [0039]    Also included in lead guide rollers assembly  20  are guide strap retention pins  66  and  68 . Guide strap  44  is a short section of strap similar in width dimension to linear run-out strap  42 . The purpose of guide strap  44  is to facilitate the organized rewinding of linear run-out strap  42  onto spool assembly  16 . By riding loosely around drum  56  of spool assembly  16 , guide strap  44  serves to prevent the bunching or entanglement of linear run-out strap  42 , primarily as it is returned into spool assembly  16  during the process of rewinding. Linear run-out strap  42  could have a tendency to extend outside of the parallel discs that make up spool assembly  16  if it were not for the closure of the same by guide strap  44 . 
         [0040]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 5  for a detailed description of the resistance adjustment assembly  22  comprising a resistance braking mechanism for adjusting the resistive force exerted by the system of the present invention. Resistance adjustment assembly  22  comprises a housing  70  enclosing a pivoting brake arm  76  that pivotally retains brake pad  74 . Brake pad  74  is curved on an underside surface so as to follow the contours of the perimeter surface of flywheel assembly  14 . Housing  70  is rigidly mounted to the upper frame  36 , and more specifically to right frame arm  34  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Bolt  78  holds housing  70  to the frame of the machine, while also providing a pivot axle for brake lever arm  76 . In this manner, brake pad  74 , which in turn pivots on pin  80  extending through brake lever arm  76 , may ride on the peripheral surface of flywheel assembly  14 . 
         [0041]    Adjustments to the pressure with which the brake pad  74  is forced against flywheel assembly  14  are made with adjustment knob  72  which extends through housing  70  with a threaded aperture and threaded end section  82 . This threaded adjustment mechanism allows the user to turn knob  72  and direct pressure against the brake spacing components situated on top of brake lever arm  76 . Included among the spacing components compressed between brake lever arm  76  and adjustment knob  72  are brake component retention pads  76  which, in a first embodiment may simply fill the space between brake lever arm  76  and adjustment knob shaft  72 . In an alternate embodiment, load cell  84  may be positioned between brake spacer components  86  and adjustable knob  72  so as to measure the force exerted between the movable brake lever arm  76  and the fixed housing  70 . In this manner, digital display  88  may be positioned on a handle portion on the upper frame  36  of exercise machine  10  in order to provide the user with a digital readout of the force that has been set as a resistance force against the flywheel. 
         [0042]    Reference is finally made to  FIG. 6  for a detailed description of the lead guide rollers assembly and the manner in which the linear run-out strap  42  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) and guide strap  44  (also not shown in  FIG. 6 ) are fed through the rollers to provide optimum winding and unwinding of the system. Lead guide rollers assembly  20  is constructed of a U-shaped plate frame that is attached to guide roller support arm  46  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Between the parallel faces of frame  90  are positioned top roller  62  and bottom roller  64 . As described above, top roller  62  is approximately the width of the linear run-out strap while bottom roller  64  comprises a recessed channel that is also approximately the width of the linear run-out strap. In this manner, the linear run-out strap is held between the rim edges of bottom roller  64  and is pressed into the recessed channel therein by top roller  62 . Linear run-out strap  42  may then simply fed in either direction between the two rollers. Top roller  62  is held within the frame  90  by way of axle pins  94  while bottom roller  64  is held within frame  90  by way of axle pin  92 . 
         [0043]    In addition to the two rollers described above, frame  90  retains two further retention pins designed to hold the looped ends of guide strap  44 . Retention pin  66  holds a first end of guide strap  44  that extends over the top of spool assembly  16  (not shown). Retention pin  68  holds the opposite looped end of guide strap  44  after it passes behind and below spool assembly  16 , again as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, guide strap  44  presents a nearly closed loop around spool assembly  16  with the only point of exit being between rollers  62  and  64  for linear run-out strap  42 . With this structure, guide rollers assembly  20  helps to accurately and cleanly feed and retract the linear run-out strap of the exercise device of the present invention. 
         [0044]    A variety of means for providing resistance in the present invention are anticipated. The flywheel may be used with a friction brake as shown in the preferred embodiment described above or a hydraulic pump with a valve may be used. Other resistance means such as paddles in water, or fan blades in air, or magnetic forces in an electric generator. Any of these means for providing resistance may be used separately or in combination. In addition, one or more clutch bearings may be used on a spool for the device, as well as a ratchet and pawl. In addition, the clutch bearing may be located on the flywheel instead of the spool. In addition to having an adjustable braking system with any combination of resistance means as described above, a coach&#39;s brake may also be included wherein someone other than the exerciser may apply or relieve the resistive force on the runner using a means such as a lever, a handle, or a foot pedal. 
         [0045]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications in the present invention that might accommodate specific exercise regimen requirements and limitations. Such modifications as to structure, size, and even the specific arrangement of components, where such modifications are coincidental to the exercise environment or the specific workout regimen being pursued, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.