Multiple torque arm exercise device

Details Multiple torque arm exercise device Multiple torque arm exercise device

2001-12-13

2003-06-10

Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)

Exercise devices

User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...

Utilizing weight resistance

C482S100000, C482S137000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06575881

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercise devices used on the human body and, more particularly, to exercise devices wherein the resistance curve experienced by the human body can be selectively and easily adjusted.
2. Background of the Invention
As discussed in some detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,243, most exercise devices provide only a single resistance curve that cannot be altered to conform to individual requirements. A number of exercise devices enables resistance curves to be varied, but only with severe practical and functional limitations.
In the exercise device of U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,199, for example, the resistance can be varied through the range of motion of an exercise by selectively adjusting the radial position of a weight arm upon which a weight member is affixed. Through the relative placement of the weight arm with respect to the exercise arm, different resistance curves can be experienced during the course of the exercise motion. That device, however, has inherent limitations that make its practical application severely limited. Moreover, those limitations can be dangerous in an uncontrolled setting.
For example, because the degree of rotation of the weight arm is equivalent to that of the exercise or leg arm of that device, the sinusoidal resistance force generated by the weight arm is directly correlated to (that is, having a one-to-one correlation with) the degree of rotation of the exercise arm. Such direct correlation results in several substantial limitations. Seldom if ever is a desired sinusoidal resistance curve achieved through a direct correlation between the rotation of the exercise arm and the rotation of the weight arm, especially in a situation where the radial position of the weight arm is being varied. To illustrate, if the weight arm is set to place maximum overload at the beginning of the motion, and the exercise arm is rotated more than 90 degrees, the weight arm will generate negative resistance during the end of the exercise motion. A resistance force that suddenly changes from a positive resistance force to a negative resistance force may cause the user to lose control of the exercise arm, resulting in a substantial risk of injury. Moreover, when negative resistance occurs in the device of U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,199, the user must cease the exercise until the exercise arm is brought back to the starting position. Additionally, a negative resistance force is clearly undesirable for strength conditioning. Finally, a resistance curve that either decreases or increases too rapidly, whether or not it results in a negative resistance force, leads to an awkward exercise motion and less than optimal training.
The device of U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,199 is further limited by providing only a single sinusoidal resistance force via a single weight arm thereof. Even absent the concerns of negative resistance, an excessive, or a too rapidly changing resistance, less than optimal control over the resistance forces results from the single sinusoidal pattern. Often, the desired resistance curve for a particular exercise motion for a specific individual is something other than a simple sinusoidal resistance curve. It is, therefore, highly desirable to enable manipulation of the rate of change of the pattern of the resistance curve. Such manipulation is impossible with a single weight arm.
Furthermore, because the variance of the force is achieved by altering the radial position of the weight in the device of U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,199, to alter the resistance force the user must either unload the weight arm and then rotate it or attempt to rotate the loaded weight arm. In the former case, the user is substantially inconvenienced. In the latter case, the user is risking serious injury. Additionally, a linkage for connecting a weight arm at different radial positions is quite expensive and generally leads to a loose connection point.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,128 disclosed an exercise device comprising multiple torque arms designed to enhance or offset the weight of the human body as an individual performs a sit-up exercise. Through offsetting body weight, the invention is intended, in part, to assist weak persons in performing sit-ups. The invention thus has the inherent requirement of generating negative resistance forces to counterbalance the user's body weight. Additionally, the degree of rotation of the torque arms and the degree of rotation of the chest engaging means are required to correlate on a one-to-one basis. Otherwise the desired counter-balancing would not be achieved. While such operation may be desirable for a sit-up device seeking to counter-balance and add resistance to the body-weight of the user, the negative resistance generated by the torque arms and the direct correlation between the rotation of the torque arms and that of the chest engaging means results in the same inherent limitations discussed above in connection with U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,199.
Very recently, a number of advances have been made in the exercise arts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,243, for example, discloses an exercise device combining the resistance generated by a plurality of torque arms with a conversion mechanism that creates a greater degree of rotation of the torque arms than that of the exercise arm. It is possible, through proper relative placement of weights along designated torque arms, to achieve desirable resistance curves. However, both positive and negative resistance forces are achievable during the exercise motion. Consistently maintaining a desired resistance curve and consistently maintaining a positive resistance load throughout the exercise motion requires proper adjustment of numerous torque arm variables. The proper adjustment of such variables may in many cases be beyond the patience and/or the knowledge of the average exercise equipment user.
It is desirable to develop an exercise device that overcomes the limitations of current exercise devices. It is particularly desirable to develop an exercise device that provides a plurality of resistance curves, but will not result in a resistance curve that changes too rapidly or results in a negative resistance force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an exercise device in which resistance curves can be selectively varied and controlled to achieve a desired positive resistance curve notwithstanding the degree of rotation of the exercise motion. The present invention utilizes a unique torque arm assembly that preferably comprises a plurality of torque arms positioned at different radial positions such that the relevant placement of weight members on the torque arms results in an endless array of resistance curves. In any such resistance curve, the present invention continuously maintains a positive resistance force regardless of the manner of loading of the torque arms.
Generally, the exercise device of the present invention comprises a support frame upon which a first shaft is rotatably supported. A user interface member (or exercise member) is connected to the first shaft such that when the user interface member is displaced by a user the first shaft is caused to rotate. A second shaft is also rotatably supported on the support frame. A torque arm assembly comprising of a plurality of torque arms is connected to the second shaft. Each of the plurality of torque arms is adapted to support a weight member thereon. In one embodiment, an independent weight member on each of the plurality of torque arms is linearly positionable on each of the plurality of torque arms. A conversion mechanism connects the first and the second shafts to control the degree of rotation of the second shaft in such a manner that the resistance generated by the torque arm assembly cannot result in a negative resistance force. In preventing a negative resistance force, the conversion mechanism may either limit or magnify the rotation of the second shaft, provided that in no case is the rotation of the second shaft sufficient to create a negative resistance force.
The support

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Multiple torque arm 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 Multiple torque arm exercise device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multiple torque arm exercise device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3135854