Translatory motion strength training system and method

Abstract

A strength training apparatus adapted for conducting translatory motion against a counteracting resistance. The apparatus includes strength training devices wherein a carriage and corresponding guide means are provided for translating mass under the effect of gravity along a rectilinear or curvilinear path. Certain embodiments are configured for utilizing a selectable weight stack, loaded free weights or the user's body weight as a primary resistance that is independent of velocity. The apparatus enhances the results of strength training and exercise equipment for providing velocity-dependent resistance in addition to “static” resistance provided by the apparatus at constant velocity. The apparatus includes velocity-dependent resistance provided by eddy current resistance caused by the interaction of an electrically conductive structure encountering relative motion with a magnetic field. The electrically conductive structure is secured to a frame and magnetic field is provided by one or more permanent magnets secured to the carriage.

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         39 . A translatory motion strength training device for providing resistance over a range of motion comprising:
 a support frame;   a carriage guide means supported on said support frame for directing a load-bearing carriage over a range of translatory motion;   a carriage means supported within said support frame and directed by said carriage guide means for bearing a resistive load over a range of motion;   a velocity-dependent resistance means coupled between said carriage means and said support frame for providing a substantially velocity-dependent resistance over at least a portion of the range of motion provided by said carriage guide means; and   wherein said velocity-dependent resistance means utilizes the interaction of a magnetic field encountering relative translatory motion with respect to an electrically conductive structure.   
     
     
         40 . A translatory motion strength training device for providing resistance over a range of motion comprising:
 a support frame;   a carriage guide means supported on said support frame for directing a load-bearing carriage over a range of translatory motion;   a carriage means supported within said support frame and directed by said carriage guide means for bearing a resistive load over a range of motion;   a velocity-dependent resistance means coupled between said carriage means and said support frame for providing a substantially velocity-dependent resistance over at least a portion of the range of motion provided by said carriage guide means, said velocity-dependent resistance means utilizing the interaction of a magnetic field encountering relative translatory motion with respect to an electrically conductive structure; and   wherein said electrically conductive structure is secured to said frame and said magnetic field is provided by one or more permanent magnets secured to said carriage means.   
     
     
         41 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 40 , wherein permanent magnets are arranged in an array to provide a magnetic field of alternating polarity for electro-magnetic interaction with said electrically conductive structure. 
     
     
         42 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 40 , wherein ferromagnetic material is provided near said one or more permanent magnets of said carriage means, and said ferromagnetic material at least partially conducts the magnetic flux of said permanent magnets. 
     
     
         43 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 40 , wherein said velocity-dependent resistance means is adapted to provide variable resistance with respect to position of said carriage means along the range of motion in addition to the velocity of said carriage means. 
     
     
         44 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 43 , wherein said conductive structure is configured to vary in proximity to said one or more permanent magnets over the range of motion of said carriage means. 
     
     
         45 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 43 , wherein said electrically conductive structure includes a variable cross section and said velocity-dependent resistance is varied by eddy-current interaction of said variable cross-section of said electrically conductive structure in proximity of said permanent magnets over part of the range of motion of said carriage means. 
     
     
         46 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 40 , further including an adjustable velocity-independent resistance means coupled to said carriage means for providing a resistance that is substantially independent of velocity. 
     
     
         47 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 46 , wherein said adjustable velocity-independent resistance means is provided by a mass coupled to said carriage means acting against gravitational forces. 
     
     
         48 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 47  wherein said carriage guide means consists of inclined bars secured to said frame, wherein said carriage means is guided by said inclined bars and is adapted for mechanical coupling to a selectable weight stack and said velocity-independent resistance is provided by mechanical coupling of said carriage means to a selectable weight stack. 
     
     
         49 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 48 , wherein said inclined bars are electrically conductive and wherein said velocity dependent resistance is generated by the relative motion of one or more permanent magnets arranged to wrap at least partially around said inclined bars of said carriage guide means. 
     
     
         50 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 49 , wherein one or more additional permanent magnets are provided in one or more modular resistance blocks directed by said inclined bars, said modular resistance blocks are removably connectable to said carriage means, and each of said modular resistance blocks include an array of magnetic segments producing a variable magnetic field for generating eddy-currents within said inclined bars when encountering relative motion. 
     
     
         51 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 46 , wherein said carriage means further includes a loading bar where said adjustable velocity-independent resistance means is embodied as free weights carried on said loading bar of said carriage means. 
     
     
         52 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 46 , wherein said frame includes two or more spaced apart linear shafts supported along an incline, and said carriage means further includes linear bearing means adapted for interfacing with said linear shafts and being guided along said incline by said linear shafts. 
     
     
         53 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 52 , wherein said carriage means is structurally coupled to parallel spaced-apart counter-opposing magnetic block assemblies, said carriage means includes an array of block magnets arranged with alternating polarity with respect to direction of travel, said magnetic block assemblies being spaced apart for providing a slot associated with a high strength alternating magnetic field, and said electrically conductive structure supported by said frame is a plate supported along an incline within at least a portion of said slot between said magnetic block assemblies for facilitating eddy current resistance when said carriage means encounters relative motion with respect to said conductive plate. 
     
     
         54 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 53 , wherein said frame further includes a pivoting structure for supporting said electrically conductive plate, said pivoting structure includes a pivoting end and a locking end where said locking means can be disengaged so as to allow said conductive plate to be pivoted away from said magnetic blocks of said carriage means for the purposes of adjusting the velocity-dependent resistance acting against said carriage means over at least part of the range of motion. 
     
     
         55 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 46 , wherein said frame includes a vertical support section and one or more linear guide rails, said vertical support section adapted for supporting said one or more linear guide rails on an adjustable incline. 
     
     
         56 . The translatory motion strength training device according to  claim 46 , wherein said carriage means is a user support platform supported on said frame along an adjustable incline and said velocity-independent resistance means is a user's weight supported on said user support platform acting against gravity. 
     
     
         57 . A method of providing resistance for conducting a strength training exercise over a range of translatory motion wherein substantially velocity-dependent resistance is generated by eddy current interaction of a magnetic field subjected to translatory motion with respect to an electrically conductive structure. 
     
     
         58 . The method of providing resistance for conducting a strength training exercise according to  claim 57 , wherein resistance that is substantially independent of velocity is combined with the resistance that is substantially independent of velocity.