Exercise device

Abstract

A resistance device for an exercise machine which includes a flywheel which is mounted for rotation about an axis and two actuators, on opposed sides of the flywheel, which are mounted for rotation in unison about the axis and which are directly coupled to the flywheel.

1 . A resistance device comprising: 
 a load-resisting member mounted for rotation about a first axis; 
 a drive member mounted for rotation about the first axis;  
 at least a first actuator for rotating the drive member; and  
 a drive transfer arrangement for translating rotational drive from the drive member into rotational drive of the load resisting member, wherein the rotational speed of the load-resisting member is greater than the rotational speed of the drive member.  
   
     
     
         2 . The resistance device according to  claim 1  wherein the drive transfer arrangement further comprises: 
 a shaft which is parallel to the first axis;    a first pulley driven from the drive member and mounted to the shaft on a first side of the load-resisting member;    a second pulley positioned on a second side of the load-resisting member, remote from the first side, the second pulley being fixed to the shaft; and    a third pulley which is fixed to the load-resisting member and which is rotatable in at least a first direction about the first axis, in unison with the load-resisting member.    
     
     
         3 . The resistance device according to  claim 1  wherein the load-resisting member is a flywheel.  
     
     
         4 . The resistance device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a braking mechanism which is operable to vary a force which acts against rotation of the flywheel.  
     
     
         5 . The resistance device according to  claim 1  wherein the first actuator is on a first side of the load-resisting member, said resistance device further comprising a second actuator for rotating the drive member on a second side of the load-resisting member opposite the first side.  
     
     
         6 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an axle disposed along the first axis, said driver member being first to said axle.  
     
     
         7 . The resistance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first pulley has a smaller diameter than the drive member, and the third pulley has a smaller diameter than the second pulley.  
     
     
         8 . The resistance device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a one-way drive device connecting the third pulley to the load-resisting member.  
     
     
         9 . A resistance device comprising: 
 an axle;    a flywheel mounted for rotation about the axle;    a drive pulley fixed to the axle on a first side of the flywheel;    a shaft which is spaced from, and which is parallel to, the axle;    a first pulley fixed to the shaft, and being driven by the drive member;    a second pulley fixed to the shaft;    a third pulley disposed on a second side of the flywheel for rotation about the axle, said third pulley connected to the flywheel and being driven by the second pulley; and    at least one actuator for rotating the axle.    
     
     
         10 . A resistance device for an exercise machine comprising: 
 a flywheel mounted for rotation about an axis; and    two actuators disposed on opposing sides of the flywheel, said actuators mounted for rotation in unison about the axis and being directly coupled to the flywheel.