Continuously variable resistance exercise system

Abstract

An exercise system adapted to provide a truly interactive level of exercise with timed exercise intervals that are shown to be optimal in various physiological studies. An example of this invention provides the following unique features: (1) electronically controlled, continuously variable resistance in the positive stroke that responds to the user's efforts and varies the resistance according to the user's current physiological needs; (2) electronically controlled, continuously variable resistance force in the negative stroke that incrementally overcomes the positive muscle contraction and returns to the original position to complete each repetition; and (3) a sophisticated feedback control system that (a) monitors distance, time, and applied force by a user, (b) systematically controls the resistance force to complete each repetition in the specified time intervals, (c) maintains a smooth transition throughout the range of motion, and (d) virtually eliminates the variations of resistance caused by biomechanics, friction, inertia, etc. As a result, an example of the present invention provides the optimum in various types of exercise programs, including but not limited to (1) muscle building, (2) muscle toning, and (3) physical rehabilitation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise system comprising:
 user interface(s), force sensing device(s), electronic controller(s), force generating device(s), or any combination thereof;   said user interface(s) and said force sensing device(s) adapted to provide information to said electronic controller(s);   said electronic controller(s) adapted to convert said information to a continuously variable control signal for said force generating device(s); and   said force generating device(s) adapted to provide variable resistance to a user such that muscle contraction and muscle extension are completed in user specified time intervals;   wherein said system is adapted to allow said user to exert force in one direction through desired repetitions and optimally exercise an isolated muscle or muscle group.   
     
     
         2 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said user interface(s) comprise grip(s), bar(s), pad(s), other exercise station(s), keypad(s), keyboard(s), telephone(s), communication glasses, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A system of  claim 2  wherein:
 said communication glasses comprise glasses that have communication capabilities to transfer data from said microprocessor to said user; and 
 said communication glasses are selected from the group consisting of Google glasses, Apple glasses, or any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         4 . A system of  claim 2  wherein said telephone(s) comprise landline or portable telephone(s) that have communication capabilities to transfer data from said user to said microprocessor or vice versa. 
     
     
         5 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said force sensing device(s) comprise any device(s) adapted to measure and electronically transmit in less than 5 seconds, preferably 10-100 milliseconds information relating to (1) a force generated by the user, (2) a force generated by the force generator system(s), or (3) any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said force sensing device(s) comprise tensile force measuring systems, calibrated power solenoids of known EMF density, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic controller(s) comprise any device(s) adapted to be programmed to (1) receive user and/or exercise data/preferences, (2) combine with measured input parameters, (3) calculate a desired resistance force, and (4) send a control signal to the resistance force generator in less than 5 seconds, preferably 10-100 milliseconds. 
     
     
         8 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic controller(s) comprise digital microprocessors, analog computers, piezoelectric cells, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A system of  claim 6  wherein said electronic controller(s) have graphic display(s), portable data storage device(s), or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A system of  claim 9  wherein said portable data storage device(s) comprise magnetic cards, portable drives, USB drives, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A system of  claim 8  wherein said digital microprocessors comprise programmable computer chips, programmable circuit boards, PC computers, Apple computers, mobile computers, desk top computers, computer tablets, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said force generating device(s) comprise any device adapted to provide force resistance to said user that can be controlled electronically in time intervals less than 5 seconds, preferably 10-100 milliseconds. 
     
     
         13 . A system of  claim 1  wherein said force generating device(s) comprise motor(s), solenoid(s), power winch(es), engine(s), hydraulic system(s), pneumatic system(s), or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An exercise system comprising:
 user interface(s), force sensing device(s), electronic controller(s), force generating device(s), force modification device(s) or any combination thereof;   said user interface(s) and said force sensing device(s) adapted to provide information to said electronic controller(s);   said electronic controller(s) adapted to convert said information to a continuously variable control signal for said force generating device(s); and   said force generating device(s) provide variable resistance to said user such that muscle contraction and muscle extension are completed in specified time intervals;   wherein said system is adapted to allow said user to exert force in one direction through desired repetitions and optimally exercise an isolated muscle or muscle group.   
     
     
         15 . A system of  claim 14  wherein said force modification device(s) comprise any device adapted to increase or decrease said force resistance to said user via mechanical means 
     
     
         16 . A system of  claim 14  wherein said force modification device(s) comprise gear box(es), pulley system(s), sprocket & chain system, or any combination thereof.