Platform-based cable exercise device and method

Abstract

A portable exercise device has a base with a pair of contact surfaces suitable to receive the feet of a user, and first and second retracting cables connected to the base. First and second independent springs are biased to retract the cables onto the respective take-up reels. A user-variable, common resistance mechanism includes two brake drums connected to associated take-up reels by one-way clutch mechanisms. Methods of using the device are also disclosed.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A portable exercise device, comprising: 
 a base having a pair of contact surfaces suitable to receive the feet of a user;    first and second retracting cables connected to said base;    first and second means to rewind said first and second retracting cables from a withdrawn position, respectively;    said first and second rewinding means being independent of one another;    common means to adjust a resistance to the withdrawal of said first and second retracting cables, said common adjustable resistance means being adjustable by said user.    
     
     
         2 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said device further comprises first and second take-up reels associated with said first and second retracting cables, respectively;    said common adjustable resistance means further comprises means to inhibit a rotation of said first and second take-up reels, only during withdrawal of said respective cables.    
     
     
         3 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 2 , wherein said common adjustable resistance means comprises: 
 a brake drum associated with one of said first and second take-up reels;    a brake band operable to contact said brake drum;    means to rotationally interconnect said brake drum and said one take-up reel during withdrawal of an associated cable, said rotational interconnection means being inoperable during rewinding of said associated cable.    
     
     
         4 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 3 , wherein said rotational interconnection means comprises a one-way clutch.  
     
     
         5 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 3 , wherein said adjustable resistance means comprises: 
 means to adjust a tension in said brake band, said tension adjustment means being adjustable between first and second positions;    said tension in said brake band being controlled in part by an elastic means.    
     
     
         6 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 5 , wherein said elastic means reduces a change in tension in said brake band when said tension adjustment means is moved between said first and second positions, as compared to if said elastic means were inelastic.  
     
     
         7 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 6 , wherein said tension adjustment means has predetermined minimum and maximum tension positions and said elastic means is not in an at-rest position when said tension adjustment means is in either of said minimum or maximum tension positions.  
     
     
         8 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 5 , wherein, during rewinding, said elastic means permits loosening movement of a portion of said brake band adjacent said elastic means.  
     
     
         9 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 5 , wherein said tension adjustment means comprises: 
 a threaded shaft operable to be turned by said user;    a threaded block disposed on said threaded shaft;    said threaded block imparting movement of said brake band via said elastic means.    
     
     
         10 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 9 , wherein said common adjustable resistance means comprises: 
 first and second brake drums independently rotationally interconnected to said first and second take-up reels, by first and second one-way clutch means, respectively;    said brake band being in contacting relation to both said first and second brake drums;    first and second free ends of said brake band being connected to a rigid member; and    said elastic means being disposed between said threaded block and said rigid member.    
     
     
         11 . A portable exercise device as in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said elastic means comprises a linear spring;    said threaded shaft is directed through a hole in a portion of said brake band spanning between said first and second brake drums, through a hole in said rigid member, and through said linear spring.    
     
     
         12 . A method of exercising comprising: 
 securing a portable exercise device by applying a user's weight to a base portion of said portable exercise device;    withdrawing first and second independently retracting cables connected to said base against a common resistance means adjustable by said user;    returning said first and second retracting cables to said base via first and second means to rewind said first and second retracting cables, said first and second means to rewind being independent of one another; and    said common adjustable resistance means being independent of said first and second means to rewind and being inoperable during rewinding of said first and second retractable cables.