Control for hydraulic system for exercise equipment

Abstract

Hydraulic fitness equipment requires a push and pull effort by a user. The present invention comprises of a hydraulic control device and method for controlling the resistance settings of fluid-based hydraulic fitness equipment. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic control device is in fluid communication with the fluid-based hydraulic system of the fitness equipment and is able to control the flow of the hydraulic fluid in two directions using dual proportional independent resistance valves and dual opposing one-way hydraulic flow valves. The hydraulic control device controls the fluid resistance of the push effort, independently from the fluid resistance of the pull effort.

1 . Hydraulic control device for exercise equipment having a hydraulic fluid system to create a push effort and a pull effort comprising: 
 a first and a second fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the hydraulic fluid system;    a first and a second one-way valve, wherein the first one-way valve is coupled within the first fluid conduit and the second one-way valve is coupled within the second fluid conduit, such that the hydraulic fluid in the first and second conduit flow in opposing directions;    a first and a second adjustable flow control valve, wherein the first flow control valve is coupled within the first fluid conduit to adjust a fluid resistance of the push effort, and the second flow control valve is coupled within the second fluid conduit to adjust a fluid resistance of the pull effort; and    means for controllably adjusting the fluid resistances of the adjustable flow control valves.    
   
   
       2 . Hydraulic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid conduits are fluidly interconnected.  
   
   
       3 . Hydraulic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means comprises a lever or knob.  
   
   
       4 . Hydraulic control device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means comprises a first motorized actuator coupled to the first adjustable flow control valve, and a second motorized actuator coupled to the second adjustable flow control valve.  
   
   
       5 . Hydraulic control device of  claim 4 , further comprising a first and second electrical computer signal inputs coupled to the first and second actuators, whereby the first and second actuators automatically change the resistance level in response to data communicated to the exercise equipment by a wired or wireless connection.  
   
   
       6 . Hydraulic control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a covering member.  
   
   
       7 . Hydraulic control device for exercise equipment having a hydraulic fluid system to create a push effort and a pull effort comprising: 
 a base member having an interior comprising a first and a second fluid conduit, said first conduit having a first end allowing fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid system and a second end allowing fluid communication with the second fluid conduit; and said second conduit having a first end allowing fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid system and a second end allowing fluid communication with the first fluid conduit;    a first and a second one-way valve, wherein the first one-way valve is coupled within the first fluid conduit and the second one-way valve is coupled within the second fluid conduit;    a first and a second adjustable flow control valve, wherein the first flow control valve is coupled within the first fluid conduit to adjust a fluid resistance of the push effort, and the second flow control valve is coupled within the second fluid conduit to adjust a fluid resistance of the pull effort; and    means for controllably adjusting the fluid resistances of the adjustable flow control valves;    wherein the first one-way valve permits the hydraulic fluid to flow into the first fluid conduit to create a fluid resistance of the push effort, and the second one-way valve permist the hydraulic fluid to flow into the second fluid conduit to create a fluid resistance of the push effort.    
   
   
       8 . An exercise machine having at least one actuator member movable between an extended position and a retracted position, comprising: 
 a hydraulic resistance system comprising two cylinder assembly coupled to the actuator member, such that the hydraulic resistance system containing a hydraulic fluid provides resistance to movement of the actuator member betweeen the extended position and the retracted position; and    a hydraulic control device comprising at least two adjustable flow control valves to independently adjust the level of resistance of the push effort and the pull effort.