Abstract
Multiple embodiments of a portable, handheld exercise device comprise a spherical outer shell with multiple parallel handles on the outer surface thereof containing a rotating mass therein. An inner shell is spaced from but attached the outer shell. A gyroscopic energy-generating structure (GEGS) is within the inner shell. The GEGS comprises a rotating disc or a rotating mass simulating a rotating disc. The rotating disc or a mass is powered to spin around an axis orientated in a preselected orientation to the multiple parallel handles. When the one or more handles are held by an individual the spinning characteristics of the rotating disc or mass creates a force against the user's hands. An internal or external controller allows the user to vary the spinning characteristics of the spinning mass and the level and intensity of the resultant exercise provided to the user in counteracting the forces created.
Claims
1. A portable, handheld exercise device comprising: a. a spherical shell with an outer surface having multiple parallel handles mounted to or integral with the outer surface thereof, b. an inner shell within the outer shell and spaced there from but attached the outer shell, c. a gyroscopic energy-generating structure (GEGS) within the inner shell, said GEGS comprising a rotating disc or a rotating mass configured to simulate a rotating disc, 1) the rotating disc or a rotating mass configured to spin around a rotational axis orientated in a preselected orientation to the multiple parallel handles, 2) the rotation of the GEGS powered by an electrical battery positioned within the inner shell, 3) the spinning characteristics of the rotating disc or a rotating mass selected by an internal controller communicating with one or more selector switches on the outer surface of the exercise device and/or a remote controller through a wireless or wired connection.
2. The portable, handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein the spinning characteristics of the rotating disc or a rotating mass comprise rotational speed and orientation of the rotational axis.
3. The portable, handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein the GEGS comprises a disc-shaped flywheel with a shaft attached to a center point of the flywheel mounted to a stabilizing structure, said stabilizing structure secured to the inner shell with a center line within the shaft positioned in a fixed orientation to the multiple parallel handles.
4. The portable, handheld exercise device of claim 2 wherein the GEGS comprises a. an outer ring within the inner shell, the outer ring mounted to an inner portion of the outer shell, b. an inner ring within the outer ring, the inner ring configured to rotate multiple 360° revolutions within the outer ring around a first shaft attaching the inner ring to the outer ring, c. a mounting bracket attached to, and rotational within the inner ring around a second shaft, said second shaft perpendicular to the first shaft, d. the rotating disk comprising a disc-shaped flywheel, said flywheel mounted to a motor, said motor configured to cause the fly wheel to rotate, the motor attached to the support structure within the inner ring, the combination of the rotation of the outer ring, inner ring and mounting bracket around their respective shafts resulting in the orientation of the spinning flywheel being adjustable in relationship to the multiple parallel handles mounted to or integral with the outer surface of the spherical shell.
5. The portable, handheld exercise device of claim 4 further including a remote, wireless controller for controlling the spinning characteristics of the rotating disc and the rotation of the rings.
6. The portable, handheld exercise device of claim 2 wherein the GEGS comprises a. a hollow magnetic array assembly including multiple electromagnetic coils spaced in a predetermined relationship to each other on an outer surface of the magnetic array assembly with multiple Hall effect sensors mounted adjacent to each electromagnetic coil, the magnetic array assembly connected to the inner shell by a support structure, and b. a spherical mass within the magnetic array assembly, said spherical mass free to rotate within the magnetic array in a controlled manner, said spherical mass having multiple magnetic elements therein, each magnetic elements arrayed radially from a central point within the spherical mass, said magnetic elements and a disc mass having a density greater than the density of the material comprising the spherical mass such that the combination of the rotation of the spherical mass within the magnetic array assembly as a result of serial activation of aligned electromagnetic coils on the magnetic array assembly interacting with multiple radially aligned magnetic elements in the spherical mass functions as a rotating disc to create a gyroscopic force relative to the multiple parallel handles mounted to or integral with the outer surface of the spherical shell.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hand-held exercise system incorporating features of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the hand-held exercise system of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 are additional perspective views of the first embodiment of the hand-held exercise system of FIG. 1 rotated so that additional features of the system, such as the location a power switch and power supply jack, can be viewed.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the hand-held exercise system of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the embodiment of FIG. 5, showing a motorized gyroscope within the structure.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the internal structure of the system shown in FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of the internal structure of the system shown in FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view, rotated 90 degrees, of the internal structure of the system shown in FIG. 5.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front view of the outer surface of the internal structure of a third embodiment showing the exercise device of FIG. 1 containing a spherical magnetic array gyroscope.
[0023] FIG. 11 is another front view of the outer surface of the internal structure of the third embodiment showing containing a spherical magnetic array gyroscope attached to a mounting structure.
[0024] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the hand-held exercise system including the spherical magnetic array gyroscope attached to a mounting structure as shown in FIG. 11.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the internal structure of the spherical magnetic array gyroscope of FIGS. 10-12.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a ¼ cutaway view of the internal structure of the system shown in FIG. 13.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a cutaway view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing a cross-section within the internal structure of the spherical magnetic array.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical arrangement for controlling the operation of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-15.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical arrangement for controlling the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The exercise system provides a light-weight, portable, handheld device containing a rotating mass that is activated by the user. The rotating mass applies forces in various directions against a user holding the device. The system provides for controlled rotation of the mass and in the second and third embodiments controlled rotation of the mass as well as controlled changes to the orientation of the axis of rotation of the mass within the external surrounding shell of the device. Thus the forces applied to the user holding the device are varied by controlling the rotational speed, the rotational direction and the axis of orientation. The external surface of the device includes several handles for users to grasp the device and can also include rings to mount straps or elastic bands, which add to the range of resistance that the device can provide. The system also provides dynamic engagement, haptic interfacing and user sensed tactile information as a result of the internal rotating mass.
[0031] A first embodiment of the system incorporating features of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The device 100 has an outer shell 102 that comprises two substantially identical components (upper and lower portions 104 and 106) and two pairs of parallel handles 108 (three handles are shown in FIG. 1) that are removable and replaceable along with 4 additional parallel fixed handles 109. Four D-Rings 110 are provided for attachment of straps or elastic bands (not shown) that can be connected to the D-rings to increase the resistance range of the device. An inner shell 112 protects the internal electronics and structure of the device.
[0032] FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the exercise device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Components located in the inner shell 112 comprise a rotating mass 202, referred to alternatively as a fly wheel, located within a stabilizing structure 204, and a drive motor 206 mounted below the stabilizing structure 204, the drive motor 206 connected to the rotating mass 202 by a shaft (not shown). The drive motor 206 is positioned in a receiver 208 in the controller/charger/positional tracker component 210. One or more batteries 212, preferably rechargeable, are electrically connected to the drive motor 206 which is mounted on the controller/charger/positional tracker component 210.
[0033] One of the pairs of handles 108 are attached to the stabilizing structure 204 with the handle screws 214. The handle screws 214 also pass through and firmly attach the outer shell 104 to the stabilizing structure 204. This firm attachment of the components is an important aspect of the design; a stabilizing structure is required to ensure the robustness of the design due to the high gyroscopic forces created by the rotating mass 202. Also, because unsupported motors cannot handle the forces created by the changes in angular momentum of the device, the stabilizing structure 204 is required.
[0034] The controller/charger/positional tracker 210 controls the speed of the motor and balances the delivery of power from the one or more batteries 212. The controller/charger/positional tracker 210 can also include wireless connectivity to allow connection to external devices. For example, see a wireless controller 220 shown in FIG. 5. This allows exercise data and device operational data to be uploaded to the external devices and/or the cloud for analysis the users exercise regime using external wireless communication.
[0035] The D-Rings 110 are firmly attached to the outer shell 102 while allowing them to rotate slightly to adjust to the position of any straps or elastic bands when are attached to the exercise device 100. The upper and lower portions 104 and 106 of the outer shell 102 are secured together using housing screws. 216. The stabilizing structure 204 secured with in the outer shell 102 helps to maintain the rigidity of the exercise device 100. The removeable handles 108 allow for easy replacement by the user providing the ability to easily change the grip style or add other attachments to the exercise device 100.
[0036] FIGS. 3 and 4 are alternate views of the exercise device 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the location of the power supply jack 300 for connecting to an external power source to charge the batteries. FIG. 4 shows the location of the power switch 302 for use to turn the exercise device 100 on and off.
[0037] FIGS. 5 through 9 show another embodiment of the internal components of the exercise device 100 incorporating a multiple ring gyroscopic assembly 400 for stabilizing the exercise device 100 during operation. FIG. 6 is an expanded view which shows the internal gyroscopic assembly 218 positioned within the central portion of the exercise device 100 in place of the flywheel 202 assembly shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 also shows an alternative external controller 220 which allows wireless communication with the various internal components of the exercise device 100.
[0038] The multiple ring assembly best shown in FIG. 6 comprises a middle ring 404 within an external (outer) ring 406, with the middle ring 404 attached by an outer shaft 408 to the external ring 406, the middle ring 404 configured to rotate within the outer ring 406 around the outer axis 403 of external (outer) shaft 408. The flywheel 202 is caused to rotate by the drive motor 206 which is mounted in an internal bracket 402 that stabilizes the rotating flywheel 202. The drive motor 206 is positioned in the internal bracket 402 which is in turn mounted within the middle ring 404 by a middle ring shaft 410, the internal bracket 402 along with the flywheel 202 being configured to rotate within the middle ring 404 around the middle ring axis 405 through the middle ring shaft 410. The internal bracket motor 409 mounted on the middle ring 404 rotates the internal bracket 402 relative to the middle ring 404 by use of the paired gears 414 (see FIG. 8). The middle ring motor 412 functions to rotate the middle ring 404 around the axis 403 of the outer shaft 408 by way of the paired gears 414. Power, and controller instructions to the internal rotating components, are transmitted from the internal controller 210 through the connector 418, conductive slip rings 420 and the wires 416 attached to the rings 404. Slip rings are used for each axis of rotation (outer axis 403 and the middle ring axis 405).
[0039] FIGS. 6 and 7 also show a stabilizing structure 204 used to mount the internal gyroscopic assembly 218 to the outer shell 102. The stabilizing structure is attached to the outer ring, allowing mounting of the assembly into the outer shell 102. The controller 210 internal to the shell is in communication by the wire 416 with the connector 418 on the outer ring. Due to the complex operation modes of this embodiment an external wireless controller 220 is used to deliver instructions to the operating components within the exercise device 100. The middle ring motor 412 and internal bracket motor 409 rotate the middle ring 404 and internal bracket 402 respectively allowing the flywheel 202 to dynamically change its axis of rotation, thereby creating a perceived force vector. Electrical signals travel through the wiring 416 to the motors 412, 409, 420 through a slip ring 420 on the middle ring to another slip ring 420 on the outer ring 406, through the wire 416 to the motors 409, 412 and the encoders 501, 502 and to the drive motors 206. A slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals from a stationary to a rotating structure. These slip rings 420 allow transmission of power and electrical signals from a stationary to a rotating structure. The wiring 416 then follows the curve of the outer ring 406 to the middle ring 404 motor 409 and to the internal bracket and the drive motor 206. All the motors 412, 409, 206 and encoders 501, 502 and signal wires 416 are wired to the connecter 418 that is then connected to the internal controller 210.
[0040] The arrows 503 in FIG. 7 illustrate the rotation direction of the internal bracket 402. Activation of the exercise device 100 causes the flywheel 202 to rotate generating the forces (i.e., resistance) as the mass of the flywheel 202 rotates within the stabilizing multiple ring assembly 400.
[0041] The external ring 406 holds the middle ring 405, the axis of rotation 403 allowing the external ring 406 and middle ring 405 to rotate relative to each other. The external ring 406 is fixed to the internal surface of the outer shell 102 by the stabilizing structure 204. The axis 403 is fixed to the middle ring 404 but free to rotate in the external ring 406.
[0042] FIGS. 8 and 9 are additional views of the multiple ring assembly 400 with the arrows 701 in FIG. 9 illustrating the direction of rotation of the middle ring 404. The middle ring motor 412, the internal bracket motor 409, and the internal bracket motor encoder 501 respectively provide for positioning and tracking of the flywheel 202 in a wide variety of preferred orientations.
[0043] The middle ring arrows 701 in FIG. 9 illustrate the rotational direction of the middle ring 404 around the middle ring axis 405 to allow for positioning and tracking of the middle ring 404 around the outer axis 403. The ability to control and reorient rotation around the middle ring axis 405 and the outer axis 403 provides unlimited control over the spherical rotation of the rotating flywheel mass 202 and the gyroscopic forces generated by that rotation.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram 1100 showing the electrical components and connections for the internal gyroscopic assembly embodiment 218 indicating the internal controller 210 which includes a driver circuit 1002 and a logic circuit 1004. The command signal is provided by the external wireless controller 220 which, in turn engages the movement of the drive motor 206 and the motors 409 and 412 based on user and/or pre-program input. The encoders 501, 502 determine the position of the motors which are represented by the middle ring motor 412 and internal bracket motor 409 and the internal bracket 402 motor 206 which in combination control the speed and position (orientation) of the flywheel 202.
[0045] Another embodiment using and controlling a rotating mass and the resultant gyroscopic forces incorporates a spherical magnetic array assembly 800 illustrated in FIG. 10 to FIG. 15 and described below. Primary components of the magnetic array assembly 800 are a coil array housing 802 with multiple individual coils 804 shown extending from the surface of the coil array housing 802, Hall effect sensors 806 and an internal magnetic array housing 900 (see FIG. 13). A Hall-effect sensor is a device that measures the magnitude of a magnetic field. Its output voltage is directly proportional to the magnetic field strength through it. Hall-effect sensors are used for proximity sensing, positioning, speed detection, and current sensing applications.
[0046] FIG. 12 is an expanded view showing the magnetic array assembly 800 positioned within the central portion of the exercise device 100 in place of the flywheel 202 assembly shown in FIG. 2.
[0047] As best shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the magnetic array housing 900, located within the coil array housing 802 comprises a spherical mass 902 and an array of magnetic elements 906 in a preferred embodiment extending radially across the diameter of the spherical mass 902. The magnetic elements 906 are arrayed in a disc-like orientation around and embedded in the spherical mass 902 over a disc mass 904. FIG. 13 shows the ends of six magnetic elements 906. However, a typical arrangement will comprise at least 12 to 25 magnetic elements 906 arrayed radially from the center of the spherical mass 902. FIG. 14 is a partial cut-away view of the spherical mass 902 with the magnetic elements 906 arrayed radially from the center. FIG. 15, a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10, shows magnetic elements 906 on the top and bottom of a disc mass 904 which extends across the diameter of the spherical mass 902. As is evident from FIGS. 13 and 14 multiple radial magnetic elements 906 can be arranged to provide alternative axis of rotation.
[0048] The spherical mass 902 has significantly less weight and density than the disc-like array of magnetic elements 906 and disc mass 904. This provides a stable rotation axis for the magnet array housing 900 which is free to rotate within the coil array housing 802. In a preferred embodiment the magnetic elements 906 in combination with the coils 804 are electromagnets so that when individual selected coils 804 are energized with an electrical current a magnetic field is generated around each of the adjacent magnetic elements 906.
[0049] In order to rotate the magnetic array housing 900 utilizing magnetic elements 906 on a single axis the coils 804 that activate the magnetic elements 906 positioned in a single plane perpendicular to that axis are energize in a sequential manner. To change the axis of rotation other magnetic elements 906 are energized perpendicular to the desired axis of rotation. Hall Effect sensors 806 placed at each coil 804 determine the axis of orientation and rotational speed of the magnetic array housing 900.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 11, the embodiment of FIGS. 10-15 has a stabilizing structure 204 that is attached to the coil array housing 802 by mounts 808. The stabilizing structure 204 provides mounting of the magnetic array assembly 800 into the outer shell 102 of the exercise device 100. A controller 210 is located internal to the shell 102. A connection point 418 on the magnetic array assembly 800 provides wired communication to the controller 210. Due to the complex operation modes of this embodiment an external wireless controller 220 is used to enable the exercise device 100. In FIGS. 10-12 all of the coils 804 and hall effect sensors 806 are wired to the connector 418 that is the main connection point to the internal controller 210. The hall effect sensors 806 are positioned between the coils 804 and close to the magnetic array assembly 800 in order to sense the magnitude of a magnetic field generated. The Hall effect sensors 806 are also much closer to the magnets than the coils to primarily sense the magnets in the magnetic array assembly 800. As the magnetic array assembly 800 rotates the sensors 806 sense the position and rotation speed of the magnetic array assembly 900.
[0051] FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic diagrams of the wiring connecting the various controllers, motors and rotational components within the embodiments of the exercise devices 100.
[0052] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram 1000 showing the electrical components and connections for the magnetic array embodiment indicating the internal controller 210 which includes a driver circuit 1002 and a logic circuit 1004. The driver circuit 1002 powers the electromagnet coils 804 arrangement). The Hall effect sensors 806 generate a signal based on the magnetic field sensed from the electromagnets, that signal being feed to the logic circuit 1004, thus providing a closed loop feed-back system. The controller 210 receives a command signal from the external wireless controller 220 to move, the logic circuit 1004 processes the command along with the input of the hall effect sensors 806 that sense the position and rotational speed of magnet array assembly 900. The driver circuit then engages the coils 804 which create an electromagnet and a magnetic field that pushes the magnetic elements 906 in the magnetic array housing 900 causing the magnet array housing 900 to rotate and/or change axial orientation. As shown in FIGS. 13-15 the spherical mass 902, which is made of a lighter material, for example a plastic resin, has a lesser density than the magnetic elements 906 and the disc mass 904. This arrangement creates a preferred stable axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the magnetic elements 906 and disc mass 904, creating the same effect as a rotating flywheel. The disc mass 904 is preferable made of a ferrite material. The coils 804 arranged equally spaced around the coil array housing can thus move the magnet array housing 900 in a way that changes its preferred stable axis of rotation and dynamically changes the preferred axis of rotation to create the perceived force vector.
[0053] Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art will recognize that a similar exercise device with a single axis of rotation can be constructed using permanent magnetic elements 906 or a combination of electromagnets and permanent magnets can be utilized to generate a hybrid device. The devices described herein can easily be miniaturized and the method of using the devices and different methods of inducing localized magnetic fields can also be employed.
[0054] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Based on the description herein various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
