MULTI-FUNCTION RESISTANCE TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to a resistance training apparatus and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a mufti-function resistance training apparatus. The apparatus includes a primary unit, biasing unit, and accessory exchanger unit. The primary unit includes at least one resistance training member extending from the unit. The resistance training members are movable to adjust its height and is mechanically connected to biasing means which resists movement of the resistance training member. The biasing unit is removably attached to the primary unit by interlocking attachment members and provides the necessary bias to the primary unit. The accessory exchange unit may be used to exchange accessories for use with the resistance training member. The apparatus includes a plurality of actuators and motors to automate many of the functions of the apparatus from a remote device.

Claims

1. A resistance training apparatus comprising: a primary unit including a resistance training member pivoted on two shafts where one of the shafts is hollow and is concentrically enclosing the other shaft which is solid; the resistance training member being movable longitudinally along with the primary unit and securable at a position along the axis of longitudinal movement; the resistance training member being rotatable about two axes, one axis perpendicular to the axis of longitudinal movement and the other along the longitudinal axes, and rotationally settable to a desired position such that, when the resistance training member is set to the desired position, it is mechanically connected to biasing means which resists rotation of the resistance training member, and where the resistance training apparatus is controlled by means of an electronic control unit.

2. The resistance training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resistance training member is an arm which is movable and securable longitudinally along the height of the primary unit such that the arm may be secured at a desired height and further can be secured against rotation in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

3. The resistance training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the arm includes two concentric shafts at one end thereof and the arm is connected to the outer hollow shaft by means of a bevel gear, and to the inner solid shaft by means of a cylindrical joint, and where the arm is rotatable about the concentric shafts in one plane, and about a shaft in the bevel gear in another plain perpendicular to the first plane.

4. The resistance training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the arm includes an accessory attachment element for attaching an accessory to the arm and wherein the accessory has a stud at one end and where the arm has a spring actuated gripper mechanism, and where the stud is locked into the arm by means of the gripper arms.

5. The resistance training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rotation and movement of the arm and engagement of the clutch is actuated and controlled through a control unit.

6. The resistance training apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control unit is an electronic control unit and the actuation is performed through electric motors controlled by the electronic control unit.

7. The resistance training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the shaft of the arm includes a mechanical connection to the outer hollow shaft and the inner solid shafts are both alternatively connected to a biasing means.

8. The resistance training apparatus of claims 2 to 7 wherein the apparatus includes an accessory exchanger unit which detaches, stores, and attaches accessories to one of the accessory attachment elements of the arm.

9. The resistance training apparatus of claim 8 wherein the accessory exchanger unit includes a stack of accessory units, each equipped with a number of actuators for unlocking, detaching, storing, changing, attaching and locking an accessory to the accessory attachment element of the arm.

10. The resistance training apparatus of claim 8 wherein accessory units are connected to a conical tool end and a stud.

11. The resistance training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein actuators of the apparatus are controlled through a number of electronic control units which include communication means for controlling the apparatus from a remote device.

12. The resistance training apparatus of claim 11 wherein the remote device has a user interface which includes one or more controls for: moving each of the units; engaging and disengaging a biasing unit to a primary unit by actuating the complementary interlocking members; adjusting the rotational position and height of the arm; disengaging the biasing means from the arm; adjusting height of the carriage of the secondary resistance training member; adjusting the weight to be engaged by a biasing unit; and selecting and initiating the exchange of an accessory.

13. The resistance training apparatus of claim 11 wherein the user interface includes features for storing: a profile of a user; physical dimensions of the user; a selected exercise, accessory, and weight; number of repetitions completed for a selected exercise.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of a non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a resistance training apparatus;

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of part of a primary unit;

[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of part of a primary unit including a resistance member with related parts;

[0053] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of part of a primary unit including part of an intermediate plate and linear guides;

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of part of a primary unit including a drive gear, bidirectional pulley and part of an intermediate plate;

[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of part of a compensation mechanism;

[0056] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of part of a primary unit showing the secondary resistance member and related parts;

[0057] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a carriage and related parts;

[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of accessories;

[0059] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of part of the internal parts of an accessory exchanger unit;

[0060] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of part of the internal parts of an accessory exchanger unit;

[0061] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of part of the internal parts of an accessory exchanger unit;

[0062] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of part of the internal parts of an accessory exchanger unit;

[0063] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of part of the internal parts of an accessory exchanger unit and a resistance member being engaged by the accessory exchanger unit, including a detail view showing the engagement of the resistance member;

[0064] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of he internal parts of a biasing unit;

[0065] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the internal parts of a biasing unit;

[0066] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a weight and pulley;

[0067] FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of complementary interlocking attachment members in an interlocked configuration;

[0068] FIG. 19 is a schematic view of complementary interlocking attachment members which are disengaged

[0069] FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of complementary interlocking attachment members in an interlocked configuration;

[0070] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of complementary interlocking attachment members in an interlocked configuration showing an actuator;

[0071] FIG. 22 is a schematic exploded side view of complementary interlocking attachment members;

[0072] FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of complementary interlocking attachment members in an interlocked configuration in use;

[0073] FIG. 24 is a schematic view of electronic devices which may be used to interact with a user interface of the apparatus; and

[0074] FIG. 25 is a schematic top view of a number of configurations of the primary, biasing, and accessory exchanger units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] With reference to the drawings, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, a resistance training apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0076] The apparatus 1 includes three major parts: a primary unit 3, a biasing unit 2, and an accessory exchanger unit (AXU) 4 which is shown in one configuration in FIG. 1. The primary unit 3 includes a resistance training member 5 extending from the primary unit 3. The resistance training member 5 is movable longitudinally relative to the primary unit 3 and is securable at a position along the axis of longitudinal movement. In this example the resistance training member is in the form of an arm 5 which is movable and securable longitudinally along the height (along direction 6) of the primary unit such that the arm may be secured at a desired height. For this purpose, the housing of the primary unit 3 includes a rectangular aperture 7 to facilitate the upward and downward movement of the arm 5. The arm 5 is rotatable about an axis 8 which is perpendicular to the axis of longitudinal movement 6 and rotationally settable to a desired position. Arm 5 can also be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to axis 8 by means of a bevel gear (not shown). The arm 5 may be rotated clockwise 9 or counter clockwise 10 in order to reach the desired position and when the arm 5 is set to the desired position, it is mechanically connected to biasing means which resists rotation thereof. This allows the arm 5 (or accessories 11 attached thereto as described further below) to be engaged by a user and used for resistance training exercises.

[0077] The arm 5 includes a hollow shaft 12 which encloses an inner solid shaft and is connected to the arm by means of a bevel gear at one end thereof and the main portion of the arm 5 extends transversely from the shaft such that the arm 5 may rotate about the shaft 12 and rotate around an axis perpendicular to the shaft by means of a bevel gear. The arm 5 includes an accessory attachment element 13 at the other end thereof for attaching an accessory 11 to the arm 5. The arm 5 may include an alternative accessory attachment element 13b for attaching an accessory 11 transverse to the arm 5. Alternatively, a single accessory attachment element 13 may be mounted on a ball and socket, universal, or gimballed connection which can rotate axially and transversely at the free end of arm 5.

[0078] Another version of the arm 5 rotation may include one shaft 12, where arm 5 rotates around shaft 12 only.

[0079] When the arm 5 is set, it is mechanically connected to biasing means, which in the current example is provided by the biasing unit 2 through rope 14 which is attached to rope 15 through complementary interlocking attachment members 16. The tension in rope 15 is transferred to pulley 17 through pulley 18. Pulley 17, in turn, engages rope 19 which connects the compensation means 38 through pulleys (17, 20, 21, and 22) to the bidirectional rotational resistance element 23 (which is in turn mechanically connected to the arm 5).

[0080] In order to set the arm 5 to a desired rotational position without having the rotation resisted, the rotational movement of the arm 5 may be disconnected from the biasing means through a clutch. The clutch may be a traditional frictionally engaged clutch or a dog clutch 24 as shown in FIG. 3. The dog clutch 24 is engaged and disengaged by linear actuator 25 which drives the dog clutch into or out of a complementary receptacle in the shaft 12. Once the clutch 24 is engaged, the rotational position of the arm 5 may be adjusted by making use of motor 26 to adjust the rotational position in an automated fashion. Once the position is set, the clutch 24 will remain engaged until gear 27 engages with gear 28 after which the clutch can disengage so that arm 5 will resist rotational movement. This ensures that when the clutch 24 is engaged, the arm 5 is locked to the motor 26 allowing the arm 5 to be rotated to a desired position and when the clutch 24 is disengaged, the arm 5 is unlocked from motor 26 and at the same time engaged to the biasing means, allowing the user to exercise. The resistance is transferred from the bidirectional rotational resistance disk 23 through gears 27 and 28 to the shaft 12 and consequently the arm 5. Gear 27 may be moved to engage gear 28 through an engaging mechanism 29, driven by motor 30, to move gear 27 into position to mesh with gear 28 such that resistance may be transferred to the arm 5.

[0081] The bidirectional rotational resistance element 23 allows resistance to be transferred to the arm 5 regardless of the direction of rotation. The element 23 includes a shaft and a circular disk 31 with the end of rope 19 is pivotally attached to the periphery of the disk 31 through a pivot 32. The periphery of the disk includes a groove (similar to that of a pulley, which engages the rope 19 as the disk is rotated. Torsional resistance is created in the element 23 whenever disk 31 is rotated from an equilibrium point (which would be where the pivot is aligned with guide pulleys 33) in either direction. This torsional resistance may be applied over almost a full revolution of the disk 31 in either direction of rotation.

[0082] The arm 5 is attached to an intermediate plate 34 within the primary unit 3. The intermediate plate 34 is movable on linear guides, in the form of dual rack 35 and pinion 36 gearsets, which linearly move the intermediate plate 34 up and down within the primary unit to adjust the height of the arm 5. Movement of the plate 34 is facilitated by motors 37 which drive the pinions 36 to move the plate 34. The compensation means 38 ensures that the tension in the rope 19 is maintained as the plate 34 and arm 5 move upwards and downwards and includes a spool 39, wherein one end of the tensioned rope 19 is attached and wound to the spool 39. The spool is driven and held in place by an electric motor 40.

[0083] The rotation and movement of the arm 5, engagement of the clutch, and all other motorized and actuatable parts described above are controlled through an electronic control unit (ECU) which may perform these actions in an automated fashion according to a stored program or in accordance with instructions provided by a user.

[0084] The apparatus 1 may include a secondary resistance training member 41 extending from the primary unit 3. The secondary resistance training member 41 is in the form of a traditional cable/rope which may be used for resistance training and is mechanically connected to the biasing means to resist extension thereof. The rope 41 extends from the unit 3 through two guide pulleys 42 located inside a carriage 43. The free end of the rope may include an accessory attachment element 44 for attaching any one of a number of accessories 44 (as can be seen in FIG. 9) thereto. The accessory 44 may be a handlebar wherein a user engages the handlebar which resists movement through the rope which is useful for traditional cable machine exercises. The carriage 43 is vertically movable along guide rod 45, which includes a horizontal part 46 which extends outside of the primary unit 3. The carriage 43 travels along the guide pole 45 on rollers 47 which may be spring-loaded to engage the pole 45. The biasing means for the secondary member 41 is similar to that used for the arm 5. Rope 48 is attached through attachment members 16 to rope 49 through a series of pulleys to interact with compensation means 50 which compensates for the vertical position of the carriage 43. Since there is no need to convert the bias to a rotational movement, the secondary member 43 is essentially directly mechanically connected to the biasing means through the series of pulleys.

[0085] Biasing units 2 are removably connected to a primary unit 3 through complementary interlocking attachment members 16. The biasing units have an output rope which attaches to an input rope on the primary unit 3 in order to provide the necessary resistance for exercises on the primary unit. Whilst this bias may be produced in many ways, for example, using electric servo motors or spring banks to bias the output, the example described herein makes use of a traditional weight stack and ropes which are controlled in an automated fashion. The internal parts of the biasing unit 2 described in this example is shown in FIG. 15. The output from the biasing unit 2 is a rope 14 which terminates in an attachment member 16 which may be attached to a complementary member 16 on the input side of the primary unit 3 as described above. Rope 14 engages central pulley 51 such that the rope 14 extends through the stacked pallet weights 52 towards the balancing pulley 53 which balances the tension in rope 14 between the two sides of rope 54 (the left side of the rope 54 referred to herein as 54l and the ride side referred to as 54r). The weights are stacked along linear guides 55 on either side of the weights 52 on top of base 56. A carriage 56 may traverse the guides 55 through a rack 58 located adjacent to one of the guides 55 which is engaged by a pinion 59 driven by motor 60. Two gripping actuators 61, located about the rope on either side (54l and 54r) may selectively engage the rope to prohibit the rope from moving without the carriage being lifted along with the ropes.

[0086] In order to set the required weight on the biasing unit, the gripping actuators 61 disengage the rope and the carriage may move into the correct position to engage the required number of weights. Once the correct position is reached, an actuator engages the required number of weights by inserting a locking member, in the form of a pin 62, therein. The rope 54 is engaged with gripping actuators 61 to secure the carriage to the weighted ends of the rope 54. When rope 14 is moved, the carriage, along with all engaged weights, move upward such that the output rope 14 resists movement or extension. The stacked weights may include a central aperture which is shaped and sized such that the pulley 53 may move through the weights 52. This allows the overall design of the biasing unit to be greatly reduced.

[0087] The complementary interlocking attachment members 16 include a hollow frustoconical housing with a rope secured to the apex side of the housing. In this example, the biasing unit 2 has a recess formed therein which is shaped and sized to receive the conical member 16 and serves to self-center and the attachment member 16. This allows attachment between respective units (2 and 3) to be easily achieved and allows such attachment to occur in an automated fashion. One of the interlocking attachment members 16b include an actuation socket 64 which, when engaged, actuates the interlocking mechanism 65 to attach and interlock the members to each other. Each attachment member 16 may have magnets embedded in a rim 66 thereof to allow for easy alignment. Inside the housing, one side of the rope may include a ball 67 which fits into and is engaged by a socket 68 on its counterpart. The interlocking mechanism 65 is a semicircular disk with an annular lip 69 which, when actuated through the socket 64, engages a protrusion (not shown) inside the housing of the complementary attachment member 16a to interlock the members 16.

[0088] The internal components of the AXU 4 is shown in FIGS. 10 to 14. The purpose of the AXU 4 is to detaches, stores, and re-attach accessories to one of the accessory attachment elements 13 of the arm 5. The AXU includes a stack of exchanger slots 70, each equipped with a number of actuators for unlocking, detaching, storing, changing, attaching and locking an accessory 11 to the accessory attachment element 13 of the arm 5. The stack moves upward and downward on dual rack 71 and pinion 72 sets which are driven by motors 73. This allows the stack to be collectively moved and individual slots to be aligned to the arm 5 for attachment.

[0089] To attach an accessory to the arm, a motor 73A drives a rack 74 and pinion 75 set to drive the accessory selector 76 into the accessory holder 77 to push the accessory 11 into the accessory attachment element 13. A selector engagement slot 78 is provided to lock the accessory selector pins 79. This allows the accessory selector 76 to engage the accessory 11 with its slot from the arm 5 to detach and retrieve an accessory 11 and store it in the PAU 4.

[0090] When an accessory is aligned to the attachment element 13 of the arm 5 a linear actuator 82 drives a tool 83, herein shown as a square key, into a corresponding socket on the attachment element 13. Once engaged, the tool is rotated by motor 81 through gear assembly 80 to fasten and unlock an accessory 11 to and from the arm.

[0091] Each of the primary 3, biasing 2, and accessory exchanger 4 units include motorized wheels to allow the units to be independently moved and steered. This is useful to allow the apparatus to be arranged into any of the configurations shown in FIG. 25. The units may further include securing formations and mechanisms such that the units may be secured to a base or floor. The units may also be joined with a frame which secures the units in a chosen configuration and such frame may be v-shaped to secure the units in a v-shaped arrangement.

[0092] The actuators of the apparatus 1 as described above, including all linear actuators, motors, and related components are controlled through a number of electronic control units (ECUs) which include communication means for controlling the apparatus 1 from a remote device.

[0093] The ECUs may also be connected to sensors which measure movement of the various actuators and parts of the apparatus 1. This is useful to keep track of exercises performed. The apparatus may be controlled through a user interface which may be accessed from a number of devices such as, a tablet 84, smartphone 85, laptop 86, or desktop computer 87.

[0094] Each of these devices will be able to access a database 88 which may store details of exercises performed by users and the configuration of the apparatus 1.

[0095] The user interface will typically include controls which allow the user to control and actuate the automated aspects of the apparatus described above. For example, the user may control the apparatus by moving each of the units, through their motorized wheels, to position the apparatus 1. Where the attachment of units is automated, a user may engage and disengage a biasing unit to a primary unit by actuating the complementary interlocking members. The user may adjust the rotational position and height of the arm, adjust the weight for the biasing unit, and initiate an exchange of an accessory. Whilst it is possible for a user to perform these actions manually, it is also desirable that the actions be performed in an automated fashion by running a program to configure the apparatus 1 for a specific exercise which is set up for a specific user.

[0096] In use, a user will use their device to access the features of the apparatus 1. The user will create a profile which may include the name of the user along with dimensions such as weight and height. The user will select a specific exercise to perform on the apparatus 1.

[0097] The AXU will move into position to remove a previous accessory 11 and install a desired accessory 11 on the arm 5. With the accessory engaged, the arm will move to the desired height which is calculated from the user's actual height and which is applicable to the selected exercise. The biasing unit 2 will engage the desired weight which is appropriate for the exercise selected by the user.

[0098] The user may then perform the selected exercise, in accordance with instructions which may be provided on the device. The details of the exercise, along with weight, time, speed, range, and number of repetitions will be stored and may be associated with the user's profile. This also allows a performance measurement to be performed and recommendations to be made for future exercises of the user.

[0099] It is envisaged that the invention will provide a resistance training apparatus which is modular and can facilitate a wide variety of strength training exercises for users on a single machine. This allows the apparatus to be used in many different configurations and conserves valuable floor space in a gym. The apparatus also enables automation of various tedious tasks which are currently associated with conventional resistance training equipment and allows users to store information about exercises performed with the apparatus.

[0100] The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. For example, instead of using rack and pinion guides, linear rails and actuators may be employed to move various subassemblies of the apparatus. Further, instead of using gears and gearset, belts and pulleys may be used to achieve the same effect. Similarly, instead of weights being used for resistance, electric motors or springs may be used. The examples described herein provide for separate primary, biasing, and accessory exchanger units, however, these units need not be separate and may be different integrated parts of a single unit with motorized wheels so it may be collectively moved.