Vibrationary exercise equipment

Abstract

A muscle training apparatus arranged for cyclic concentric and eccentric loading phases including load imposition means arranged for a user to exercise against load variation means arranged for varying the load as between concentric and eccentric loading phases, a vibrator operational to apply vibration between the user and the load, a controller operational to control the vibrator and to vary the extent of vibration as between concentric and eccentric phases.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A muscle training apparatus arranged for cyclic concentric and eccentric loading phases and comprising:
 load imposition means arranged for a user to exercise against;   load variation means arranged for varying the load as between concentric and eccentric loading phases;   a vibrator operational to apply vibration between the user and the load, and   a controller operational to control the vibrator and to vary the extent of vibration as between concentric and eccentric phases.   
     
     
         51 . A muscle training apparatus arranged for cyclic concentric and eccentric loading phases and comprising:
 load imposition means operational to impose a load upon muscles of a user; and   an hydraulic system operational to increase the imposed load during the eccentric phase.   
     
     
         52 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and further comprising an hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement operationally interposed between a user and the load imposition means. 
     
     
         53 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 51  and further comprising an hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement operationally interposed between a user and the load imposition means. 
     
     
         54 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and operational to impose an increase during the eccentric phase of up to 120% of the load moved in the concentric phase. 
     
     
         55 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 51  and operational to impose an increase during the eccentric phase of up to 120% of the load moved in the concentric phase. 
     
     
         56 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein the vibration frequency is from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. 
     
     
         57 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein the vibrator is a rotary valve. 
     
     
         58 . A muscle training apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein the vibration variation control is operational to vary the vibration randomly. 
     
     
         59 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 52  and having a bleed through said piston. 
     
     
         60 . Apparatus a claimed in  claim 52  and further comprising a non-return valve enabling a different resistance to be obtained as between tensile and compression movement. 
     
     
         61 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 52  and further comprising a pressure relief valve located in said piston. 
     
     
         62 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and arranged to load the user in both directions, push and pull, compression and tension. 
     
     
         63 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and which is portable for use in one hand or between a user's two hands for arm strengthening and “chest expanding”. 
     
     
         64 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and equipped with an indicator of the load being applied. 
     
     
         65 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and further comprising a non-return valve arranged to enable the load to differ as between the two directions. 
     
     
         66 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 65  and further comprising a control cock arranged to block or open said non-return valve and convert the apparatus between unidirectional and bi-directional strength training. 
     
     
         67 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein said vibrator comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         68 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 57  and wherein said rotary 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. 
     
     
         69 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 57  and wherein said valve is arranged to permit a small throughput of fluid therethrough when the valve is ostensibly closed. 
     
     
         70 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  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. 
     
     
         71 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein said vibration is arranged to be aligned with the direction of loading. 
     
     
         72 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and wherein the direction of vibration is adjustable. 
     
     
         73 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and further comprising a data entry device arranged for programming the operation thereof. 
     
     
         74 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 50  and further comprising a readout device arranged for indicating the weight and/or vibration applied and the amplitude of apparatus expansion or compression. 
     
     
         75 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 53  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. 
     
     
         76 . 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 program 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.