Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Equipment control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-05-01
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Equipment control
C482S008000, C482S900000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224512
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a testing and training device intended primarily for testing and training knee and leg muscles and also for use in the rehabilitation of such muscle groups.
BACKGROUND ART
Eccentric training and its positive effects on quality and strength in respect of elite athletes has been known for many years. The possibilities of creating a reliable and relevant lifting appliance for training with eccentric loads have been discussed in athletic clinics. The person lifting an eccentric load is much stronger in the eccentric phase than in the concentric phase. A person capable of managing a lift of 160 kg from a knee-bent position can normally manage to retard the downward movement of a weight of 210-220 kg.
The problem with conventional barbel bars, i.e. bars to which disc-shaped weights can be attached at each end, is that the weight lifter is unable to add weights above 200 kg, since he/she is unable to manage such a heavy weight in an upward lift. A weight lifter is at his/her weakest at the turning point.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a training and testing appliance that will solve the problems associated with earlier testing and training appliances intended for knee and leg muscles. Studies have shown that persons who have earlier had problems with their knees during training with barbel bars can now train with heavier weights without difficulty when using the inventive appliance.
A further object is to enable a weight lifter to retard downward movement of the weights to the greatest possible extent and also to control the weights at the turning point, without being afraid that the bar will fall across the weight lifter.
A further object of the invention is to provide an appliance that can be used in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from different types of injury. The appliance can be adapted to suit many different types of training, for instance eccentric training, concentric training, bench presses, floor lifts, forward thrusts, etc.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The weight lifting part of the inventive appliance is based on an hydraulic system in the form of at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder device that functions to control a vertically movable load to a position and at a speed that are in accordance with a pre-determined movement plan. When supplemented with two precision scales as load indicator elements, and registering and calculating equipment, possibilities are also created for both training and measuring in a novel manner relevant to athletes and sportsmen.
An appliance constructed in accordance with the invention can also be built to customer size requirements, e.g. in respect of basket ball players. Concentric exercises can also be performed when the weight in the form of a barbel bar is on the way up. The weight may exceed the maximum weight that the weight lifter can manage with free weights by 20%, and even higher. The equipment can be dimensioned for a maximum load of 550 kg for instance.
The speed at which the load moves in accordance with the plan can be set to any value whatsoever, e.g. slow movement on the way down and fast movement on the way up, or vice versa. The plan may also include accelerating or retarding speeds.
Furthermore, the top position to which the load can be lifted, i.e. the lifting height, and the bottom limit position of the load, i.e. the turning point, can be set freely in different vertical positions.
The scales measure the right and left legs in accordance with staring so as to ascertain which of the legs is weakest, and to ascertain from a print-out diagram the braking effect of the object, e.g. the lifter.
All data relating to a lifter is saved until his/her next training session. The curves on respective diagrams can then be superimposed and compared, in order to establish improvements in the condition of the person concerned.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5407403 (1995-04-01), Coleman
patent: 5431609 (1995-07-01), Panagiotopoulos et al.
patent: 5827154 (1998-10-01), Gill
patent: 5989166 (1999-11-01), Capizzo et al.
Richman Glenn E.
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
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