Exercise machine

Abstract

An improved exercise apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical element and a flexible member associated with the cylindrical element. The flexible member is movable between a wound configuration, in which the member is wound around the cylindrical element, and an unwound configuration, in which the member is unwound from the cylindrical element. The apparatus further comprises a recoil means biased to move the flexible member to the wound configuration and a resistance means that resists movement of the flexible member from the wound to the unwound configurations. The resistance means comprises an energy storage device, which is in a geared relationship with the cylindrical element. In a preferred embodiment the energy storage device is a flywheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable exercise apparatus comprising a pull-cord unit and a pull cord, the pull-cord unit comprising:
 a chassis;   a drum mounted to rotate relative to the chassis, the pull-cord being movable between a wound configuration in which it is substantially wound around the drum and an unwound configuration in which it is at least partially unwound from the drum, the pull cord unit further comprising:
 a recoil means cooperating with the chassis and the drum to rotationally bias the drum to move the pull-cord towards the wound configuration; 
 a flywheel mounted to rotate relative to the chassis, the flywheel being coupled to the drum by a one-way transmission such that the flywheel rotates in a constant direction at a rotational speed greater than that of the drum as the pull-cord is unwound; 
 a resistance mechanism adapted to apply a resisting torque to the flywheel, wherein the portable exercise apparatus further comprises: 
   a first handle connectable to the pull cord unit and means for affixing the pull-cord to a second handle or fixture at, or towards, a free end of the pull cord, wherein, in use, a user grips said first handle and moves the pull-cord unit such that the pull-cord unwinds against the action of the resisting torque.   
     
     
         2 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second handles are detachably affixable to the chassis and pull cord, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The portable exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull-cord unit further comprises a performance measuring means. 
     
     
         4 . The portable exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the performance measuring means comprises a speed sensor that senses the rotational speed of the flywheel. 
     
     
         5 . The portable exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the speed sensor comprises a Hall sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The portable exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the speed sensor provides a speed sensor output corresponding to the speed of the flywheel, and the pull-cord unit further comprises a processor for calculating exercise data based on the speed sensor output. 
     
     
         7 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a radio or wireless data transmitter.   
     
     
         8 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the radio or wireless data transmitter transmits the exercise data to an external device. 
     
     
         9 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein exercise data is transmitted to a mobile phone, the mobile phone being programmed to receive and process the data such that exercise parameters are displayed to the user. 
     
     
         10 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a receiving device programmed to receive and process the data such that exercise parameters such as speed, distance, and power can be displayed to a user.   
     
     
         11 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the radio or wireless data transmitter comprises a Bluetooth transceiver. 
     
     
         12 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one-way transmission comprises a one-way clutch. 
     
     
         13 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the resistance mechanism comprises an eddy current resistance mechanism comprising a magnet adapted to interact with the flywheel, wherein rotation of the flywheel relative to the magnet causes eddy currents to be set up. 
     
     
         14 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the flywheel comprises at least one electrically conductive element, such as copper or brass. 
     
     
         15 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the position of the magnet relative to the flywheel is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is operatively coupled to the drum via a gear assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel is operatively coupled to the drum via an epicyclical gearbox. 
     
     
         18 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed to  claim 1 , wherein the flywheel comprises radially extending features such that upon rotation of the flywheel air is forced radially outwards, resulting in an increased rate of heat dissipation from the flywheel. 
     
     
         19 . The portable exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable exercise apparatus is of a size and shape so as to be convenient to carry in hand-baggage during travel and easy to store in a cupboard or drawer in the home.