Exercise machine for muscle speed and explosiveness

Abstract

As shown in FIG. 1 the exercise machine of the preferred embodiments includes a mechanical force input interface designed to interface with a user and allow the user to input force into the exercise machine; a force resistor that functions to resist force input into the mechanical force input interface by a user; and a trigger mechanism that functions to cause a sudden change in the resistance provided against the force input by the user. The exercise machine of the preferred embodiments is designed to exercise muscles in a way that improves muscle speed, explosiveness, or both. The exercise machine of the preferred embodiments may be configured to exercise any muscle of the human body in any motion, providing any muscle in any motion with increased muscle speed, explosiveness, or both. The exercise machine of the preferred embodiments, however, may be used for any suitable purpose.

1 ) An exercise machine comprising: a mechanical force input interface adapted to interface with a user; a force resistor adapted to resist force input into the mechanical force input interface by a user; and a trigger mechanism adapted to cause a sudden change in the resistance provided against the force input by the user, wherein the force resistor is coupled to at least one of the mechanical force input interface and the trigger mechanism, and the trigger mechanism is coupled to at least one of the mechanical force input interface and the force resistor. 
     
     
         2 ) The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the change in the resistance provided against the force input by the user is adapted to at least one of (a) reduce the resistance provided against the force input by the user, (b) provide force assisting the force input by the user, and (c) change the direction of the resistance provided against the force input by the user. 
     
     
         3 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the force resistor comprises at least one weight. 
     
     
         4 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the force resistor comprises at least one of (a) a hydraulic device, (b) a pneumatic device, (c) at least one spring, and (d) at least one elastic member. 
     
     
         5 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the force resistor comprises a friction mechanism. 
     
     
         6 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the force resistor comprises at least one of (a) an electromechanical device, (b) a magnetic device, (c) an electromagnetic device, (d) an actuator, and (e) a flowing fluid adapted to induce drag. 
     
     
         7 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the mechanical force input interface comprises at least one of (a) at least one pedal, (b) a platform, and (c) at least one padded structural member. 
     
     
         8 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the mechanical force input interface comprises at least one of (a) a bar, (b) at least one strap, and (c) at least one handle. 
     
     
         9 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the mechanical force input interface comprises at least one of (a) an article of clothing, (b) at least one shoe, and (c) at least one glove. 
     
     
         10 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a disconnect coupled to the mechanical force input interface and coupled to the force resistor, wherein the disconnect is adapted to transmit force between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, wherein the disconnect is further adapted to uncouple the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface. 
     
     
         11 ) The exercise machine of  claim 10  wherein the uncoupling of the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface causes at least one of (a) a reduction in the resistance force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, (b) the elimination of resistance force transmission between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, and (c) a change in the direction of the resistance force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface. 
     
     
         12 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  further comprising a forcing device coupled to the mechanical force input interface, wherein the forcing device applies force to the mechanical force input interface assisting the force input into the mechanical force input interface by the user one of (a) at least once during the operation of the exercise machine and (b) continuously. 
     
     
         13 ) The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein the forcing device comprises at least one of (a) at least one spring, (b) at least one elastic element, (c) an actuator, (d) a pneumatic device, (e) a hydraulic device, (f) an electromagnetic device, (g) an electromechanical device, and (h) a magnetic device. 
     
     
         14 ) The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein the action of the trigger mechanism causes the net force applied to the mechanical force input interface by the force resistor and the forcing device to be in assistance to the force input to the mechanical force input interface by the user. 
     
     
         15 ) The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a disconnect coupled to the mechanical force input interface and coupled to the force resistor, wherein the disconnect is adapted to transmit force between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, wherein the disconnect is further adapted to uncouple the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, wherein the uncoupling of the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface causes the net force applied to the mechanical force input interface by the force resistor and the forcing device to be in assistance to the force input into the mechanical force input interface by the user. 
     
     
         16 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the trigger mechanism is adapted to cause at least one of (a) a reduction in the resistance force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface, (b) the elimination of force transmission between the force resistor and the mechanical input interface, and (c) a change in direction of the force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface. 
     
     
         17 ) The exercise machine of  claim 16  further comprising a transmission, wherein the transmission is coupled to the force resistor and coupled to the mechanical force input interface, wherein the trigger mechanism is coupled to at least the transmission, wherein the trigger mechanism is adapted to control the transmission, wherein the transmission is adapted to control at least one of (a) the amount of force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface and (b) the direction of the force transmitted between the force resistor and the mechanical force input interface. 
     
     
         18 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the trigger mechanism is coupled to a trigger, wherein the trigger is adapted to control the trigger mechanism. 
     
     
         19 ) The exercise machine of  claim 18  wherein the trigger comprises at least one of (a) a mechanical system, (b) an electronic system, (c) an electromechanical system, and (d) a processor coupled to at least one of (1) an electronic system and (2) an electromechanical system. 
     
     
         20 ) The exercise machine of  claim 18  wherein the trigger controls the trigger mechanism automatically. 
     
     
         21 ) The exercise machine of  claim 18  wherein the user controls the trigger and the trigger controls the trigger mechanism only when given input from the user. 
     
     
         22 ) The exercise machine of  claim 18  comprising more than one trigger system, wherein the user controls at least one trigger system and at least one trigger system comprises automatic control, wherein the trigger mechanism is controlled by a combination of the at least one trigger controlled by the user and the at least one trigger comprising automatic control. 
     
     
         23 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the coupling between the mechanical force input interface and at least one of (a) the force resistor and (b) the trigger mechanism comprises at least one cable. 
     
     
         24 ) The exercise machine of  claim 23  wherein the mechanical force input interface comprises at least one of (a) a bar, (b) at least one handle, and (c) at least one strap. 
     
     
         25 ) The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the force resistor comprises at least one of (a) a hydraulic device, (b) a pneumatic device, (c) at least one weight, (d) at least one spring, and (e) at least one elastic element. 
     
     
         26 ) The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the user inputs force into the mechanical force input interface cyclically, wherein the trigger mechanism is adapted to operate cyclically. 
     
     
         27 ) The exercise machine of  claim 26  wherein the trigger mechanism operates cyclically at least one of (a) at least once per cycle of cyclical user force input, (b) once in a multiple of cycles of cyclical user force input, (c) at uneven points within the cycles of cyclical user force input, and (d) randomly within the cycles of cyclical user force input. 
     
     
         28 ) An exercise method comprising: (a) the application of a force in resistance to a motion of a user; (b) a trigger event; and (c) a sudden change in the resistance force applied to the motion of the user, wherein the change in resistance force at least one of (1) reduces the level of resistance to a motion of the user (2) assists a motion of the user. 
     
     
         29 ) The exercise method of  claim 28  wherein the sudden change in the resistance force applied to a motion of the user is adapted to occur within the range of motion of a motion of the user and during a motion of the user. 
     
     
         30 ) The exercise method of  claim 28  wherein a motion of the user is cyclical and the sudden change in the resistance force applied to the motion of the user takes place at least one of (a) at least once per cycle of user motion, (b) once in a multiple of cycles of user motion, (c) at uneven points within the cycles of user motion, and (d) randomly within the cycles of user motion. 
     
     
         31 ) Sports equipment comprising: a piece of sports equipment; and an exercise device one of (1) coupled to the piece of sports equipment and (2) integrated into the piece sports equipment, wherein the exercise device comprises: a mechanical force input interface adapted to interface with a user; a force resistor adapted to resist force input into the mechanical force input interface by a user; and a trigger mechanism adapted to cause a sudden change in the resistance provided against the force input by the user, wherein the trigger mechanism is coupled to at least one of the mechanical force input interface and the force resistor, and wherein the force resistor is coupled to at least one of the mechanical force input interface and the trigger mechanism.