Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing frictional force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-07
2001-10-30
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing frictional force resistance
C482S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309328
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to resistance-training devices that use cables or ropes drawn out from an anchored housing.
2. Description of Related Art
A portable exercise device is described by Edmond R. Dudley, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,480, issued Dec. 10, 1985. Such device is intended for arm and leg exercises in which a cord resists being pulled from a housing. A handle or strap is provided for the user's hands and feet, and another end is anchored to a doorway or other fixed object. An internal self-rewinding spool takes up any slack in the cord. The cord makes a right-angle turn inside around a rubbing block before entering between a pair of pinching wedges. These wedges are caged inside opposing rollers. As the cord is drawn out of the housing, the wedges move forward and are squeezed harder and harder by action of the rollers trying to climb the wedges' inclined ramps. An adjustment limits how far the wedges can travel, and thus how tightly the cord can be pinched. This adjustment sets the training level for the resistance presented to the user.
Such exercise device has proven effective in numerous user tests, but strong-enough axles and mounts for the rollers have been hard to implement in an affordable, mass-produced version. Such axles, mounts, and their rollers concentrate too much force for the typical yield strengths of polycarbonate and other plastics. Metal castings and machining are generally much more expensive than plastic-molded pieces. What is needed is a portable exercise device like that described by Edmond R, Dudley, but with a more readily producible mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device for resistance training of a user's arms, legs, abdomen, and back.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that can be inexpensively manufactured from readily obtainable commercial materials.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that can be adjusted to provide a variety of resistance training levels.
Briefly, an exercise device embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing with a self-rewinding spool of cord. The cord is threaded out between a pair of inner wedgeblocks that can move together and pinch the cord. The amount of pinch applied determines how much resistance will be applied when the user exercises by pulling out the cord on handles. The inner wedgeblocks are disposed between a pair of outer fixed wedgeblocks. Facing channels in the interfaces between the inner and outer wedgeblocks have ball bearings that run on inclined ramps. When the inner wedgeblocks are pulled by the cord out of alignment with the outer wedgeblocks, the inclined ramps and ball bearings press the inner wedgeblocks together. The more they press together, the more the cord resists being pulled out. An adjustment limits how far the inner wedgeblocks can move out of alignment.
An advantage of the present invention is that an exercise device is provided that is effective.
Another advantage of the present invention is that an exercise device is provided that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that an exercise device is provided that permits a range of user adjustments.
The above and still further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3596907 (1971-08-01), Brighton
patent: 4040627 (1977-08-01), Useldinger
patent: 4114875 (1978-09-01), Deluty
patent: 4174832 (1979-11-01), Thompson
patent: 4557480 (1985-12-01), Dudley
Crow Stephen R.
Main Richard B.
LandOfFree
Exercise device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Exercise device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exercise device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2579721