Patent Description:
Conventional workout devices are known to include a vertically aligned frame that accommodates a weight stack attached via and cable and pulley system to one or more handles. The cable runs through an adjustable pulley system, allowing the handle grip to be pulled from a desired height. The user selects the desired resistance by inserting a fastener (e.g., a pin or other type of locking mechanism) into one of the weights in the stack and that weight along with all overlying weights are lifted by the user to provide resistance to the cable. Conventional workout devices are used for exercise, strength training, and physical therapy.

Although effective for providing resistance, these conventional workout devices are very cumbersome and have many shortcomings. For example, the conventional devices are very large, sometimes having dimensions of between <NUM>-<NUM> wide, <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> feet wide, <NUM>-<NUM> feet tall, and <NUM>-<NUM> feet deep).

The machines are also very heavy and, depending on how many weights are included in the weight stack, the machines can weigh more than <NUM> (<NUM> pounds).

Additionally, conventional devices are difficult to store in a compact manner and usually require substantial space to store in a home setting. The heavy and bulky nature of conventional workout machines makes them impractical for home use.

<CIT> discloses a resistance apparatus for use with exercise devices that includes an axle an outer housing for rotatably mounting the axle therein. At least one inner housing includes an opening for receiving the axle therethrough so that the inner housing is fixably mounted on the axle. The inner housing is rotatably mounted inside the outer housing to permit rotation of the inner housing along with the axle within the outer housing. At least a first tensioned member is disposed within the inner housing. The first tensioned member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the tensioned member engages an engagement area of the inner housing. The second end of the tensioned member engages an engagement area of the outer housing. The tensioned member creates a rotational restoring force between the inner housing and the outer housing. <CIT> describes a preloaded resistance pack and exercise device. The resistance pack includes an elastomeric resistance element coupled to a hub and disposed on a plate. The hub includes a pair of radially extending wings that lie against a surface of the plate. The plate includes a pair of raised tabs that lie within a rotational path of the wings. An initial rotation of the hub relative to the plate causes the wings to slide over and beyond the raised tabs and at least partially stretches the resistance element. Interaction between the tabs and wings prevents the hub from rotating back to an initial position and maintains the resistance element in a preloaded, tensioned condition. The exercise device is configured to detect a number of the resistance packs coupled thereto as well as data associated with exercise movements employing the resistance packs. <CIT> discloses an improved device for athletic exercise by pulling at a resisting force. The device consists of a number of spring housing assemblies that are stacked and clamped in a column with at least one pulley wheel assembly to which a cord and pull handle is attached. A grooved metal shaft is disposed throughout the column longitudinal axis to drive all the constant-force spring assemblies which are stacked inside the device when the pulley wheel is caused to rotate. A person uses the device by first selecting which spring assemblies he wants to produce a particular resisting force level, by pushing separate selector levers, one for each spring. He then pulls at the pull handle to experience the chosen resisting force. The device design allows a user the choice of many resisting force levels, using only a small number of spring assemblies. The device is small, light in weight and conveniently shaped for easy attachment to any suitable restraining object.

Given the impracticality of moving and storing conventional cable resistance workout machines in the home, there is a need for cable strength training devices that are easily movable and able to be compactly stored in a home setting, for saving space in a physical therapy clinic, or as a portable medical device. The presently disclosed devices can be used in many different types of settings and for various purposes, including but not limited to sports and athletic training, home fitness, gyms, and for strength and conditioning purposes. The presently disclosed cable training devices are modular and capable of delivering a cable workout similar to that of gym equipment using a lightweight and portable device.

The disclosed cable training devices include a base unit that is easily attachable to and removable from modular spring plates that provide resistance. The devices can be mounted on virtually any accessible surface via a modular mounting platform. The base unit of the cable training devices contains a reel or spool with a low-stretch cable wound around it. Pulling on the cable is resisted by the attached modular spring plates, which each contain a coil or power spring. The modular spring plates can be added or removed from the base unit to vary the resistive force applied to the cable. The internal configuration of the stackable modular spring plates creates equal tension of the cable during both extension and retraction of the cable.

A modular resistance device is disclosed that includes a base unit and at least a first modular spring plate. The base unit includes a cable wound around a spool and a recoil spring coupled to the spool such that the recoil spring exerts a resistive force upon the spool to resist unwinding of the cable from the spool. The first modular spring plate includes a power spring mounted on a shaft. The first modular spring plate is couplable to and decouplable from the base unit, and the resistive force applied to the cable increases when the first modular spring plate is coupled to the base unit and the resistive force applied to the cable decreases when the first modular spring plate is decoupled from the base unit.

In some embodiments, the base unit also includes a housing, the spool is retained within the housing, and the cable extends at least partially outside of the housing. In these and other embodiments, the spool has an axis shaped to mate with an axis of the first modular spring plate. In some such embodiments, the axis of the spool is shaped as a female polygon and the axis of the first modular spring plate is shaped as a mating male polygon.

In some embodiments, the modular resistance device also includes a second modular spring plate that includes a power spring mounted on a shaft. In some such embodiments, the first modular spring plate is attachable to a first side of the base unit and the second modular spring plate is attachable to a second side of the base unit and the first side of the base unit is opposite the second side of the base unit.

In some embodiments, the shaft of the first modular spring plate includes a male polygon profile on a first side of the first modular spring plate and a female polygon profile on a second side of the modular spring plate opposite the first side. In some such embodiments, the first side of the modular spring plate is directly attachable to and removable from the base unit. In these and other embodiments, the modular resistance device also includes a second modular spring plate attachable to and removable from the first modular spring plate or the base unit, wherein the second modular spring plate includes a power spring mounted to a shaft and the shaft includes a male polygon profile configured to mate with the female polygon profile of the first modular spring plate or a female polygon profile of the spool of the base unit.

In some embodiments, the spool of the base unit has a tapered barrel. In these and other embodiments, the base unit is couplable to and removeable from a modular mount. In some such embodiments, the modular mount is selected from the group consisting of: a physical wall mount, an easy on/off magnet mount, a pole mount, a post mount, a tree mount, a fence mount, and a suction cup.

In some embodiments, the first modular spring plate is attachable to the base unit with interlocking ball detents and mating tabs. In these and other embodiments, the cable in implemented with a high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE). In select embodiments, the cable includes an HMPE core with a polyester cover. In these and other embodiments, the cable has a length of between <NUM> and <NUM> (six and twelve feet).

The presently disclosed cable training devices are modular in nature. In particular, the base unit of the device can be used with a variable number of modular spring plates to set the resistance of the cable at a desired level. In contrast to conventional cable training devices that contain a very heavy stack of internal weights at all times, the disclosed modular cable training device is easily customizable and only requires a minimum amount of weight to achieve the desired amount of resistance. Also, the mechanisms employed by the disclosed cable training devices significantly reduce the overall weight of the device, making it easily portable. Specifically, while conventional devices rely on simply the weight of stacked metal components for cable resistance, the disclosed cable training devices apply resistive force using torque from various springs or other mechanisms inside the device, making the devices lightweight and facilitating customized resistance since the modular spring plates to be added or removed are not heavy.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the features of example embodiments.

The presently disclosed cable training devices address several issues with previous designs. Specifically, in the disclosed cable training devices, modular spring plates provide customizable resistance levels without the need for physical weights. The modular spring plates are stackable and create equal tension on the cable during both extension and retraction of the cable. Also, the disclosed cable training devices can be mounted using various types of modular mounts, enabling the devices to be portable rather than stationary. The cable training devices are also compact in size and lightweight, allowing for easy transport and use. Exemplary structures of the disclosed cable training devices and related methods are discussed in the following sections.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary cable training device <NUM> configured in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cable training device <NUM> includes a base unit <NUM>, which contains a spool and a recoil spring. Details of the base unit <NUM> are shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and discussed in the following paragraphs. The cable training device <NUM> also includes one or more modular spring plates <NUM> which can each be physically coupled to the base unit <NUM>. As will be appreciated, coupling additional modular spring plates <NUM> to the base unit <NUM> increases the resistance of the device.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a fastener <NUM> attaches the base unit <NUM> to a modular mount <NUM>. In some embodiments, fastener <NUM> may be a pin or another type of locking fastener, such as a bolt, anchor bolt, screw or other suitable type of fastener. Modular mount <NUM> may be any desired type of mount. For example, in some embodiments, modular mount <NUM> may be a physical wall mount, an easy on/off magnet mount, a pole mount, a post mount, a tree mount, a fence mount, and/or other type of mount. In select embodiments, modular mount <NUM> may be a commercial-grade suction cup, which can be appropriate for relatively smooth surfaces. In embodiments in which the modular mount <NUM> is a suction cup mount, the modular mount <NUM> may have a <NUM>" diameter, a holding capacity of at least <NUM> pounds, a manual pump to remove pressure between the mounting surface and the suction cup, and/or a colored indication band to signal whether additional suction is needed to properly secure the suction cup to the mounting surface.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example connector <NUM> that can be coupled to a cable exiting from the base unit <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the example connector <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is in the form of a carabiner, but in other embodiments, a different type of connector <NUM> may be used. Connector <NUM> may be used to couple the cable to a desired piece of equipment. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, connector <NUM> is used to couple the cable to a handle <NUM>. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the cable may be directly to a handle <NUM> or another type of equipment.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate features of device <NUM> and, more particularly, base unit <NUM> in greater detail. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base unit <NUM> includes a housing containing various components stored therein. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing is formed of three distinct housing components: <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, but in other embodiments, more or less housing components may be used to form the housing of the base unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing of the base unit <NUM> is assembled by attaching two outer housing components <NUM>, <NUM> to a central housing component <NUM>. These housing components may be attached, in some embodiments, using threaded screws, bolts, or other suitable fasteners.

A cable <NUM> is retained at least partially within the base unit <NUM> and is attachable to a handle <NUM> or another type of equipment pieces, such as a bar, rope, or other type of gripping component. In some embodiments, a connector <NUM> may be used to facilitate attachment of a handle <NUM> or other type of equipment to the cable <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, cable <NUM> is wound around spool <NUM>. In some embodiments, spool <NUM> may have a tapered barrel. In some such embodiments, the tapered barrel of the spool <NUM> may permit the cable <NUM> to be wound and unwound smoothly by ensuring the cable is wound and unwound in an orderly manner on the barrel.

As shown in <FIG>, recoil spring <NUM> is coupled to spool shaft <NUM>, which is coupled to spool <NUM> and exerts a force upon spool <NUM> to wind cable <NUM> into the base unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, spool <NUM> includes a distinct shaft <NUM> component, but other configurations are also possible, such as a spool having an integral shaft. As referred to herein, the term "spool <NUM>" should be understood to include embodiments in which the spool <NUM> includes a distinct spool shaft <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, as well as other possible configurations. Recoil spring <NUM> may be coupled to spool <NUM> using any suitable fastener. For example, in some embodiments, a pin or a screw fastener may be used to attach the spool <NUM> to the recoil spring <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, spool shaft <NUM> may couple the spool <NUM> to the recoil spring <NUM>. In some embodiments, the recoil spring <NUM> may be formed of stainless steel (e.g., Type <NUM> stainless steel) or another type of high-carbon steel, as desired. As will be appreciated upon consideration of the subject disclosure, various additional components may be present inside the base unit <NUM> to facilitate functioning of the device <NUM>, such as bearings and/or screws.

Cable <NUM> may be constructed from any suitable material(s) and, in some embodiments, may be implemented with a material having high strength and a low ability to stretch. In select embodiments, the cable <NUM> is implemented with ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), also known as high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE). In these and other embodiments, cable <NUM> may be braided or double braided. If desired, cable <NUM> may be coated with a polymeric cover, such as polyester.

In some embodiments, cable <NUM> may have a length of at least four feet, six feet, eight feet, ten feet, twelve feet, or fourteen feet, wherein <NUM> foot = <NUM>. In these and other embodiments, cable <NUM> may have a length of less than fourteen feet, twelve feet, ten feet, or eight feet. In select embodiments, cable <NUM> may have a length of between <NUM>-<NUM> feet, <NUM>-<NUM> feet, or <NUM>-<NUM> feet. In one particular embodiment, cable <NUM> is approximately or exactly <NUM> feet in length.

As previously mentioned, the base unit <NUM> may be coupled to one or more modular spring plates <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, spool <NUM>, or particularly spool shaft <NUM>, may include features to facilitate attachment and removal of modular spring plates <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the axis of the spool <NUM> (e.g., spool shaft <NUM>) may include a female polygonal shape configured to receive mating features of a male polygonal shape included on a modular spring plate <NUM>. However, other variations in connective features of the spool <NUM> and/or spool shaft <NUM> and modular spring plates <NUM> are also possible and contemplated herein.

<FIG> illustrate features of an exemplary modular spring plate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the modular spring plate <NUM> may include a power spring <NUM> mounted on a shaft <NUM>. In some embodiments, shaft <NUM> may include a male polygon profile on a first side and a female polygon profile on a second side to enable coupling to a base unit <NUM> and/or additional modular spring plates <NUM>. A screw or other type of fastener may be included to secure the power spring <NUM> to the shaft <NUM>. Housing components <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured together using screws, bolts, or other fasteners to securely retain all internal components inside the modular spring plate <NUM>.

The power spring <NUM> may be configured in any suitable manner to provide the desired level of resistance to the cable <NUM>. In some embodiments, the power spring <NUM> may be formed of stainless steel (e.g., Type <NUM> stainless steel) or another type of high-carbon steel. In select embodiments, the power spring <NUM> may be a <NUM> (<NUM> inch-pound) power spring (for example, having a case ID of <NUM>" or between <NUM>"-<NUM>"; wherein <NUM>" = <NUM>) a width of <NUM>" (or a width of between <NUM>" - <NUM>"), a metal band thickness of <NUM>" (or a metal band thickness of between <NUM>" - <NUM>"), a turn of <NUM> (or a turn of between <NUM>-<NUM>), and/or a torque of <NUM> inch-pounds (or a torque of between <NUM> inch-pounds - <NUM> inch-pounds), wherein <NUM> inch-pound = <NUM>.

Numerous configurations and variations of power spring <NUM> are possible and contemplated herein.

The base unit <NUM> and modular spring plate(s) <NUM> may be configured to include various features to ensure proper interaction of the components. For example, in some embodiments, one or more modular spring plates <NUM> may be coupled to the base unit <NUM> with interlocking ball detents that interface with corresponding tabs. Exemplary ball detents <NUM> and corresponding tabs <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>. In embodiments in which ball detents and interlocking tabs are used, modular spring plates <NUM> can be coupled to the base unit <NUM> by bringing the components into contact with one another and twisting one or both relative to the other. In some such embodiments, the modular spring plates <NUM> can be uncoupled from the base unit <NUM> by twisting as well. Various other types of mechanisms can also be used to couple the modular spring plates <NUM> to the base unit <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, magnets may be included in the modular spring plate(s) <NUM> and the base unit <NUM> to facilitate attachment. Specifically, in some such embodiments, magnets may be included in housing components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> to promote coupling of the base unit <NUM> and the modular spring plate(s) <NUM>. In these and other embodiments, male pins may be included on the face of the modular spring plates <NUM> to fit into holes on the base unit <NUM> to prevent axial movement of the modular spring plate <NUM> relative to the base unit <NUM>. In these and other embodiments, female-male P3 (or other) polygon profiles may be used to couple the rotational movement of the spool <NUM> within the base unit <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> within the modular spring plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, to prevent a modular spring plate <NUM> attached to a base unit <NUM> from rotating during use, one or more fasteners (e.g., socket head cap screw heads) may be attached to the housing of the modular spring plate <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In some such embodiments, <NUM>¼" - <NUM>" socket head cap screw heads may be used, wherein <NUM>" = <NUM>.

Numerous configurations and variations are possible and within the scope of the subject disclosure.

It is to be understood that the presently disclosed cable training devices are not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail here. Numerous alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the subject disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary method <NUM> of using the presently disclosed cable training devices. As shown in <FIG>, method <NUM> includes mounting the cable training device onto a surface (Block <NUM>). The disclosed cable training device can be mounted on any desired surface, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, furniture surface, or any sturdy and stable structure suitable for supporting the cable exercise device. Any suitable type of mounting technique may be used in the disclosed methods. In some embodiments, to mount the cable training device, a modular mount <NUM> may be attached to a base unit <NUM> using a fastener <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

Method <NUM> of <FIG> continues with attaching one or more modular spring plates to a base unit of the cable training device (Block <NUM>). Modular spring plates <NUM> may be attached to a base unit <NUM> of the cable training device to reach a desired resistance level. In some embodiments, at least one, two, three, four, five, six, or more modular spring plates <NUM> are attached to the base unit <NUM>. The desired number of modular spring plates may be attached to the base unit without the assistance of tools, in some embodiments.

Method <NUM> of <FIG> continues with pulling a cable secured at least partially within the base unit (Block <NUM>). When pulling the cable, the user may grasp a handle <NUM> or another connective feature. As the cable is pulled, spool <NUM> rotates and this rotation is translated out of the base unit <NUM> and into the modular spring plate(s) <NUM> (through female-male P3 polygon coupling or another coupling mechanism). Method <NUM> of <FIG> continues with allowing the cable to return to a resting position within the base unit (Block <NUM>).

As will be appreciated, when the cable <NUM> is pulled, it unwinds, making spool <NUM> rotate. As spool <NUM> rotates, recoil spring <NUM> (which is attached to spool <NUM>) winds up. When the cable <NUM> is released after being pulled, the cable <NUM> is automatically wound back up around spool <NUM> by recoil spring <NUM> until it returns to its initial location.

When coupled to the base unit <NUM>, the modular spring plate(s) <NUM> provide additional resistance to cable <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> within the modular spring plate <NUM> is coupled to the spool <NUM> within the base unit <NUM> and maintains the rotational properties previously described with respect to spool <NUM>. The rotation of shaft <NUM> thus causes a power spring <NUM> within the modular spring plate <NUM> to wind up. When the cable <NUM> is released from being pulled, the cable is automatically wound around spool <NUM> by recoil spring <NUM> and power spring <NUM> until the cable <NUM> returns to its initial location.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary track mount device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, track mount device <NUM> includes a traveler <NUM> that moves axially along t-slotted framing <NUM> that has been permanently mounted to a sturdy structure. Base unit <NUM> (as previously described herein) attaches to traveler <NUM> using fastener <NUM>. One or more modular spring plates <NUM> may be coupled to the base unit <NUM>, as desired using devices and techniques previously discussed. Traveler <NUM> can be fastened at any location along the t-slotted framing <NUM> for the optimal desired position.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary strap mount device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the strap mount device <NUM> uses a strap <NUM> with a clasp <NUM> attached to the base attachment plate <NUM>. The strap <NUM> may be wrapped around any pole, beam, or sturdy structure (not shown) and then tightened by attaching and pulling strap <NUM> with clasp <NUM>. The base attachment plate <NUM> is attachable to base unit <NUM> using fastener <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A modular resistance device (<NUM>) comprising:
a base unit (<NUM>) comprising a cable (<NUM>) wound around a spool (<NUM>) and a recoil spring (<NUM>) coupled to the spool (<NUM>) such that the recoil spring (<NUM>) exerts a resistive force upon the spool (<NUM>) to resist unwinding of the cable (<NUM>) from the spool; and
a first modular spring plate (<NUM>) comprising a power spring (<NUM>) mounted on a shaft (<NUM>),
wherein the first modular spring plate (<NUM>) is couplable to and decouplable from the base unit (<NUM>);
wherein the first modular spring plate (<NUM>) is removable from the base unit (<NUM>); and
wherein the resistive force applied to the cable (<NUM>) increases when the first modular spring plate (<NUM>) is coupled to the base unit (<NUM>) and the resistive force applied to the cable (<NUM>) decreases when the first modular spring plate (<NUM>) is decoupled from the base unit (<NUM>).