Multipurpose Exercise Machine Utilizing Vacuum Springs

Abstract

A multipurpose exercise machine comprising a compact movable frame, a large diameter pulley and a plurality of novel low friction vacuum springs for generating a force is disclosed. The vacuum springs are comprised of two rigid end pieces that are movable relative to each other. A flexible membrane couples the two rigid end pieces to each other and encloses a hermetically sealed region in between the movable bodies and the flexible membrane. A user operating the machine exerts a force that pulls the two end pieces are apart which forms a vacuum that opposes the motion.

1 . A multipurpose exercise machine comprising:
 a frame,   a plurality of vacuums spring comprising;
 a. two substantially rigid end pieces having interlocking surfaces in their center that substantially eliminate any open space between them when positioned next to each other, 
 b. a flexible membrane forming a closed loop and having two ends and a concave shape with the apex of the concave pointing generally toward the middle of the loop, 
 c. a means for coupling the two ends of the flexible membrane and the two end pieces together whereby an air tight seal is formed between the end pieces and the flexible membrane, 
 and whereby when the two end pieces are pulled apart a vacuum is formed in the region in between the two end pieces and the flexible membrane which opposes the motion of the two end pieces moving apart and assists the motion of the two end pieces when they move toward each other, 
   a means for attaching one end piece of each vacuum spring to the frame,   a rotatable shaft mounted on the frame,   a large diameter pulley coupled to the shaft,   a plurality of flexible linkages,   a plurality of cams coupled to the shaft having an attachment for the flexible linkages and having an outside surface whose distance from its axis of rotation to the point where the flexible linkage separates decreases when the pulley is rotated through a forward stroke and increases when the pulley rotates through a reverse stroke,   a foundation for mounting the frame on,   a device for attaching the frame to the foundation,   a cable for wrapping around the large diameter pulley whereby a user can pull on the cable and force the pulley to rotate.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  having a valve means for purging air out of the interior of the vacuum spring. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the end pieced of the vacuum spring have interlocking dome shaped structures for efficiently absorbing pressure forces. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the flexible membrane of the vacuum spring that is comprised of both an elastic material and a plurality of high tensile strength filament segments that are aligned parallel to each other and traverse the flexible membrane from one base to the other whereby tensile forces exerted on the flexible membrane are transferred to the end pieces. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the vacuum spring are positioned on generally opposite sides of the shaft whereby the forces exerted on the shaft partially cancel each other out and reduce the forces exerted on the bearing supporting the shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  having a hinge between the bottom of the frame and the base of the machine whereby the machine can tilt about a horizontal axis. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the frame is mounted on top of a bearing whereby the frame can rotate about a vertical axis. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7  wherein the base is has a locking device to prevent the frame from rotating about a vertical axis. 
   
   
       9 . An exercise machine comprising at least two of the exercise machines of  claim 1 , a foundation to support the weight of a user and at least two devices for attaching the two bases of the two exercise machines to the foundation. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  wherein the pulleys of the exercise machines of  claim 1  are on opposites sides whereby both pulleys face inward toward the middle of the foundation.