Vibrationary exercise equipment

Abstract

An exercise apparatus including a fluid pump means operated by movement of the user and control means arranged for intermittently varying fluid flow in the pump means thereby forming a vibration facility to impart vibration to the user.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising a fluid pump means operated by movement of the user and control means arranged for intermittently varying fluid flow in said pump means thereby forming a vibration facility to impart vibration to the user.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the vibration frequency is from 1 Hz to 100 Hz.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  and wherein the vibration frequency is from 10 Hz to 35 Hz.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and comprising a piston cylinder arrangement whereby tension and compression are effected as between said piston, via a connecting rod, and said cylinder.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  and wherein a fluid circuit is connected between both sides of said piston and arranged to carry the vibration facility.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  and having a bleed through said piston.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus a claimed in  claim 4  and having a non-return valve enabling a different resistance to be obtained as between tensile and compression movement.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , and having a pressure relief valve enabling a different resistance to be obtained as between tensile and compression movement.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  and wherein said non-return valve is located in said piston.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  and wherein said pressure relief valve is located in said piston.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein said fluid pump means also incorporates static resistance means whereby said fluid pump imposes the load as well as the vibration on the user.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  and arranged to load the user in both directions, push and pull, compression and tension.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and which is portable for use in one hand or between a user's two hands for arm strengthening and “chest expanding”.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  and having a restrictor or pressure relief valve means for providing the static load.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  and wherein said restrictor or pressure relief valve means are adjustable to provide different loads.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  and equipped with an indicator of the load being applied.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  and having a non-return valve arranged to enable the load to differ as between the two directions.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  and having a control cock arranged to block or open said non-return valve and convert the apparatus between uni-directional and bi-directional strength training.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  and wherein the vibration is arranged to differ as between push and pull.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the fluid is a liquid.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  and wherein the gas is at a pressure between 2.5 bar and 4.5 bar.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and comprising an operating bar arranged to be pushed and/or pulled by a user, and a base and wherein said fluid pump means is interposed between said bar and said base.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  and wherein said fluid pump means is constructed as a retrofit to an existing weight training equipment.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and having at least one motorised valve arranged for generating the vibration.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  and wherein said at least one motorised valve is a solenoid valve.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  and wherein said at least one valve is a rotary valve.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  and wherein a plurality of solenoid valves are employed in a bridge configuration.  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  and wherein a plurality of solenoid valves have independent regulators enabling the provision of random vibration.  
   
   
       30 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  and wherein said at least one solenoid valve is arranged to be OPEN when unpowered.  
   
   
       31 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  and wherein said at least one solenoid valve is a Festo™ low latency solenoid valve type MHE2-S with a 2 ms latency.  
   
   
       32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  and having an electric motor arranged for driving said rotary valve.  
   
   
       33 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 32  and wherein said motor is a stepper motor employing electronic commutation and having multiple poles.  
   
   
       34 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the vibration is arranged for at least one of random or pseudo random amplitude and frequency.  
   
   
       35 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  and wherein said valve comprises (i) a housing containing a fluid flow path with a central axis, (ii) a plug having a sealing face cooperating with said housing in the closed position to block the fluid path, and (iii) a support shaft arranged to carry said plug means and being rotatable on an axis which is normal to and spaced from the axis of said valve seat and located outside of the flow path so that rotation of the said shaft moves said plug means relative to said housing.  
   
   
       36 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  and wherein said valve is arranged to permit a small throughput of fluid therethrough when the valve is ostensibly closed.  
   
   
       37 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  and wherein the rotary valve obturator has a groove therearound to permit a small throughput of fluid therethrough when the valve is in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       38 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and having a damping structure to provide user comfort.  
   
   
       39 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  and which is a muscle strengthening apparatus having a bar arranged for bearing upon the lower part of a user's shins whereby the user moves said bar against an adjustable weight.  
   
   
       40 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  and wherein the damping structure comprises a plastics foam.  
   
   
       41 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 40  and wherein said foam is one which under the influence of body warmth and pressure distorts to mould itself to the profile of that part of the body applying the force.  
   
   
       42 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 41  and wherein said foam comprises Conforfoam™ type “CF-47 green” produced by E.A.R. Speciality Composites.  
   
   
       43 . Strength training apparatus comprising a member movable by a user against a resistance, the member having a layer of foam with minimum vibration damping characteristics, and a vibration generator.  
   
   
       44 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 43  and wherein said vibration generator is embedded in said foam.  
   
   
       45 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 43  and wherein said foam comprises Conforfoam™ type “CF-47 green” produced by E.A.R. Specialty Composites.  
   
   
       46 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein said vibration is arranged to be aligned with the direction of loading.  
   
   
       47 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 43  and wherein said vibration is arranged to be aligned with the direction of loading.  
   
   
       48 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the direction of vibration is adjustable.  
   
   
       49 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 47  and having a motor arranged to drive a crank coupled through a connecting rod to a crosshead to which is attached a relatively large mass, the crosshead being constrained by guide bars to shuttle linearly.  
   
   
       50 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and having a data entry device arranged for programming the operation thereof.  
   
   
       51 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  and having a readout device arranged for indicating the weight and/or vibration applied and the amplitude of apparatus expansion or compression.  
   
   
       52 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  and wherein said vibration facility comprises a rod carrying a helix and a disc held to said piston and mounted on said rod so that movement of said piston along said cylinder causes said disc to rotate, there being channels through said piston and said disc which are thereby intermittently aligned.  
   
   
       53 . An exercise apparatus comprising (i) a resistance means arranged to provide resistance to a movement by a user and (ii) a vibration means arranged to impart a vibration to the user, wherein: 
 said vibration means acts on a muscle or muscle group being exercised;    said vibration means comprises a piston, connecting rod and cylinder arrangement and a fluid flow connection between both sides of the piston and at least one valve interposed in said fluid flow and arranged for intermittent opening and closing at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz; and    said resistance means is selected from free weights, a weight machine, a spring resistance, an hydraulic resistance and a pneumatic resistance.    
   
   
       54 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 resistance means arranged to provide adjustable resistance to a movement by a user;    vibration means arranged to impart a vibration to the user's muscle or muscle group being exercised;    an input device arranged for converting an input signal into controls for said resistance means and said vibration means;    an output device arranged to provide an indication of the programme completed; and wherein    said vibration means comprises a piston, connecting rod and cylinder arrangement and a fluid flow connection between both sides of the piston and at least one valve interposed in said fluid flow and arranged for intermittent opening and closing at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz; and    said resistance means is selected from free weights, a weight machine, a spring resistance, an hydraulic resistance and a pneumatic resistance.