Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus

Abstract

Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus designed to offer resistance to opposing muscle groups. The apparatus provides continuous and sequential resistance during the extension and flexion phases. The apparatus includes a controller including a graphic display. Resistance is provided by a variable resistance element such as a magnetic brake. A chair or other body supporting devices support the user depending on the exercise being performed. Force is applied by the user to a rotatable limb or torso retaining member and is transferred to the shaft of the magnetic brake. The brake applies variable resistance determined by the software instructions issued by the controller. The resistance levels can be pre-programmed or specifically selected by the user. The brake force varies instantaneously during the flexion and extension phases based on the angular position of the input shaft. A record of the exercise activity can be stored and displayed by the microprocessor controller.

1 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a chair portion including a seat, a backrest, a backrest support member and supporting legs;    a pair of parallel spaced elongate padded ankle retaining members;    an elongate padded thigh retaining member;    a pivotally mounted swing arm attached to said ankle retaining members;    a pivotally mounted swing arm attached to said thigh retaining member;    said pivot pins mounted to and through the side wall of a control box;    said control box containing a variable resistance mechanism such as a magnetic brake, a pulley attached to the shaft of said brake, a larger arc reducing pulley, a belt joining said shaft pulley and said arc reducing pulley;    said ankle pivot pin fixedly attached to the central aperture of said larger arc reducing pulley; and    a microprocessor or personal computer and associated software that is attached to said variable resistance mechanism so that the resistance can be controlled by said computer.    
   
   
       2 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the length of said swing arms is adjustable.  
   
   
       3 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said chair portion includes hand grips mounted on either side of said seat portion.  
   
   
       4 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said back rest is adjustable in and out with respect to said back rest support member  
   
   
       5 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising alternate embodiments of said apparatus that are designed to provide said bi-directional resistance exercise for other muscle groups by incorporating said variable resistance device and associated said microprocessor controlling software into other traditional exercise apparatus including chest/row, overhead press/pulldown, quadriceps/hamstring, abdominals/lower back and biceps/triceps type exercise devices.  
   
   
       6 . Bi-directional resistance exercise as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said microprocessor or personal computer and associated software can direct said variable resistance mechanism so that the resistance can be controlled instantly and sequentially, and wherein said computer retains custom software that allows the user to select from pre-programmed resistance levels or to manually adjust the resistance of the inward and outward stroke of said second swing arm and attached ankle retaining members, when a user flexes his or her quadriceps and hamstring muscles.    
   
   
       7 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said bi-directional resistance can be programmed to change within a single in and out cycle and can be also programmed to change over a plurality of cycles.  
   
   
       8 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the said user's exercise results can be recorded, stored and retrieved by said computer or microprocessor or can be sent to a second central computer where exercise results can be further analyzed.  
   
   
       9 . Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus independently claimed comprising: 
 a chair portion including a seat, a backrest support member and supporting legs;    additional standard leg and arm supporting and retaining members;    a control box containing a variable resistance mechanism such as an electromagnetic brake and an electric motor that provides an automatic positive return force;    a microprocessor that controls the said variable resistance mechanism and said automatic positive return force mechanism;    associated software that allows said exercise device to act as both a bi-directional resistance machine, and a machine that provides resistance in one direction and an automatic positive return force in the opposite direction.    
   
   
       10 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said resistance mechanism can be used during the flexion portion of the cycle and said automatic positive return force portion can be used in the extension portion of the exercise cycle or conversely, the said automatic positive return force mechanism can be used during the flexion portion of the cycle and said resistance force mechanism can be used during the extension portion of the cycle.  
   
   
       11 . Bi-directional resistance apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said automatic positive return force mechanism includes a slip clutch that can be electronically adjusted to provide more or less force during said return portion of the cycle.  
   
   
       12 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein alternate means can be used to provide return force such as compressed air or springs or a weight stack.  
   
   
       13 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein a microprocessor controlled DC motor can provide variable force instead of a motor with a slip clutch.  
   
   
       14 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus independently claimed wherein adjustment mechanisms are delineated comprising: 
 a seat servo motor;    a microprocessor;    an input keyboard;    a thigh servo motor;    a thigh retaining pad;    a thigh pad pressure sensor;    a leg length servo motor;    a pair of ankle pads; and    an ankle space adjusting servo motor;    said servo motors mounted in conjunction with standard components of a stationary exercise equipment apparatus so that said servo motors can adjust the position of said exercise equipment's seat, thigh pads and ankle retaining pads to the measurements of a particular user.    
   
   
       15 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said servo motors are controlled by inputting measurement information into said microprocessor via said keyboard.  
   
   
       16 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said measurement information can be stored in said microprocessor so that before a user starts his or her exercise, he can enter a specific code and said exercise apparatus will automatically adjust to said user's dimensions.  
   
   
       17 . Bi-directional exercise apparatus independently claimed wherein specific firmware is implemented comprising: 
 a microprocessor and associated electronics for controlling the electronic resistance mechanism of a bidirectional exercise device including an RS-232 input port, an EEPROM, an angular position transducer, a timing circuit, a reset circuit, a force range switch reader, a brake force reader, a memory storage device and a power supply.    
   
   
       18 . Firmware design for bidirectional exercise equipment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein when said power is turned on, the said microprocessor is initialized, clearing and setting ports, variables, and other normal functions.  
   
   
       19 . Firmware design for bi-directional exercise equipment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said angular position transducer provides data to a floating start point that recalibrates force and resistance to said resistance mechanism at each step of the extension and flexion halves of the resistance cycle.  
   
   
       20 . Firmware design for bi-directional exercise equipment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said angular position transducer is accurate to within one half of one degree.  
   
   
       21 . Firmware design for bi-directional exercise equipment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said microprocessor includes a force table in its memory so that as the force range is read, the user can change force range at any point during the cycle.