Devices for exercise apparatuses

Abstract

A device for an exercise apparatus includes a linear adjustment system and a sensor coupled to the linear adjustment system. The linear adjustment system varies a length of the device thereby fixing the loading interface of the exercise apparatus at any one of a plurality of functional positions in the functional range of the loading interface. The sensor measures the force exerted on the linear adjustment system. A correlating mechanism is used to correlate the force exerted on the linear adjustment system with the force exerted on the loading interface. The device allows exercisers to exert high or maximum loads in any one of a plurality of positions throughout their entire range of motion without first passing through a weak range of motion.

1 . A device for an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus includes a loading interface and a frame coupled to the loading interface for performing an exercise, the device comprising:
 a linear adjustment system that varies a length of the device in a longitudinal direction thereby fixing the loading interface of the exercise apparatus at any one of a plurality of functional positions in a functional range of the loading interface, wherein,
 the linear adjustment system comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end is configured to be fixedly connected to one of the loading interface and the frame of the exercise apparatus; and 
   a sensor comprising a first side fixedly coupled to the second end of the linear adjustment system and a second side configured to be fixedly connected to the other of the loading interface and the frame, wherein
 the sensor measures a force exerted on the linear adjustment system, and the sensor outputs a signal in accordance with the force exerted on the linear adjustment system, 
   wherein,
 the exercise exerts a muscle group of a subject through a range of motion, the range of motion includes a first subrange and a second subrange, 
 the first subrange is characterized by a first maximum force, wherein the first maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the first subrange, 
 the second subrange is characterized by a second maximum force, wherein the second maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the second subrange, 
 the second maximum force is greater than the first maximum force, and 
 the linear adjustment system fixes the loading interface at a position in the functional range of the loading interface that permits the subject to exert a force on the loading interface with the muscle group at a point in the range of motion that is in the second subrange without any requirement of passing through the first subrange. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a correlation mechanism that correlates the measured force on the linear adjustment system to an actual force exerted on the loading interface from the exercise. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be retro-fitted into the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be retro-fitted into the exercise apparatus, and the exercise apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a leg press machine, an adjustable cable machine, a chest press machine, and a machine bench press. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device replaces a hydraulic cylinder or a weight stack in the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device serves as a rigid beam to fix a lever arm or a movable element of the loading interface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise is a leg press exercise, a core pull exercise, a chess press exercise, or a vertical lift exercise. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise apparatus is an adjustable cable machine and the exercise is a single-arm cable row, a V-grip cable row, a close-grip lateral pulldown, a kneeling lateral pulldown, a face pule external rotation, a standing rotational chop, a cable crunch, a half-kneeling rotational chop, a cable overhead triceps extension, a one-arm cable lateral raise, a 30-degree lateral pulldown, a rope pressdown, a 90-degree cable external rotation, a behind-the back one-arm cable curl, a knelling rotational chop, a cable external rotation, a kneeling stability reverse chop, a cable core press, a straight-arm pulldown, a cable pressdown, a standing cable pullover, a seated cable row, a half-kneeling stability chop, a single-arm cable chest press, a standing side crunch, a face pull, a cable front raise, a kneeling oblique cable crunch, or a reverse-grip. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the loading interface includes one or more leg press plates, one or more chest-press loading interfaces, one or more core-pull loading interfaces, or one or more vertical-lift loading interfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear adjustment system is a linear actuator, a crank-driven mechanical system or a manually adjustable pin system. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear adjustment system is configured so that the length of the linear adjustment system is incrementally adjustable by an increment amount. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the increment amount is a fixed amount that is between 0.3 inches and 0.5 inches, between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inch, between 1.0 inches and 1.5 inches, between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches, between 2.0 inches and 2.5 inches, between 2.5 inches and 3.0 inches, between 3.0 inches and 3.5 inches, between 3.5 inches and 4.0 inches, between 4.0 inches and 4.5 inches, or between 4.5 inches and 5.0 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear adjustment system comprises:
 a fixed portion,   an extendable portion axially aligned with the fixed portion, wherein the extendable portion is moveable with respect to the fixed portion in the longitudinal direction of the linear adjustment system; and   a locking mechanism to lock the extendable portion at a selected position with respect to the fixed portion.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the linear adjustment system further comprises:
 a handle for manually moving the extendable portion with respect to the fixed portion along the longitudinal direction of the linear adjustment system.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the fixed portion and the extendable portion are concentric. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the fixed portion and the extendable portion are concentric and have substantially same cross-sections in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the extendable portion has a nominal diameter smaller than the fixed portion. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the fixed portion has a hole formed on a wall of the fixed portion;   the extendable portion has a plurality of holes formed on a wall of the extending portion and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the linear adjustment system; and   the locking mechanism includes a fastener configured to engage the hole on the fixed portion with anyone of the plurality of holes on the extendable portion to lock the extendable portion with respect to the fixed portion.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of the following:
 a first connector fixedly connecting the first end of the linear adjustment system with the one of the loading interface and the frame;   a second connector fixedly connecting the second side of the sensor with the other of the loading interface and the frame; and   a third connector fixedly connecting the second end of the linear adjustment system with the first side of the sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the first connector or the second connector is selected from the group consisting of a tang, a clevis, a clamp, a fastener, a pin, a screw, a bolt, and a ring. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein connection of the first end of the linear adjustment to the one of the loading interface and the frame is achieved by connecting the first end of the linear adjustment to one or more components in the exercise apparatus that extend from the loading interface or the frame. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein connection of the first end of the linear adjustment to the one of the loading interface and the frame is achieved by connecting the first end of the linear adjustment to one or more bars or plates in the exercise apparatus that extend from the loading interface or the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein connection of the second side of the sensor to the other of the loading interface and the frame is achieved by connecting the second side of the sensor to one or more components in the exercise apparatus that extend from the loading interface or the frame. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein connection of the second side of the sensor to the other of the loading interface and the frame is achieved by connecting the second side of the sensor to one or more bars or plates in the exercise apparatus that extend from the loading interface or the frame. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a load cell that outputs an analog signal in accordance with the force exerted on the linear adjustment system;   electronic circuitry for converting the analog signal to a digital signal; and   a port that outputs the digital signal.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the electronic circuitry converts the analog signal to a USB-compatible digital signal, and the port is a USB port. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensor stores a predetermined master table for the exercise apparatus, and   for each functional position in the plurality of functional positions and for each weight in a plurality of weights, the predetermined master table includes a set of forces measured by the sensor and corresponding forces exerted on the loading interface.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensor stores a predetermined master table for the exercise apparatus, wherein for each functional position in the plurality of functional positions and for each weight in a plurality of weights, the predetermined master table includes a set of forces measured by the sensor and corresponding forces exerted on the loading interface; and   the sensor further comprises a processor that uses the predetermined master table to determine the force exerted on the loading interface based on the force exerted on the linear adjustment system by an exerciser and the functional position of the loading interface.   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is electrically or wirelessly connected to an electronic device, and the sensor outputs one or more of the measured force on the linear adjustment system and the force exerted on the loading interface of the exercise apparatus to the electronic device. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the electric device is a display, a smartphone, a computer, a server, or a receiver. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the electronic device performs one or more of the following:
 displaying the one or more of the measured force on the linear adjustment system and the force exerted on the loading interface; and   determining an osteogenic loading based on the one or more of the measured force on the linear adjustment system and the force exerted on the loading interface.   
     
     
         32 . A device for an exercise apparatus that includes a loading interface and a frame coupled to the loading interface for performing an exercise, the device comprising:
 a linear adjustment system that varies a length of the device in a longitudinal direction thereby fixing the loading interface of the exercise apparatus at any one of a plurality of functional positions in a functional range of the loading interface, wherein the linear adjustment system comprises a first end and a second end;   a sensor coupled to the linear adjustment system and configured to measure a force exerted on the linear adjustment system, wherein the sensor comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is fixedly coupled to the second end of the linear adjustment system;   a first connector configured to fixedly connect the first end of the linear adjustment system to one of the loading interface and the frame of the exercise apparatus; and   a second connector configured to fixedly connect the second side of the sensor with the other of the loading interface and the frame of the exercise apparatus;   wherein:
 the exercise exerts a muscle group of a subject through a range of motion, the range of motion includes a first subrange and a second subrange, 
 the first subrange is characterized by a first maximum force, wherein the first maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the first subrange, 
 the second subrange is characterized by a second maximum force, wherein the second maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the second subrange, 
 the second maximum force is greater than the first maximum force, and 
 the linear adjustment fixes the loading interface at a position in the functional range of the loading interface that permits the subject to exert a force on the loading interface with the muscle group at a point in the range of motion that is in the second subrange without any requirement of passing through the first subrange. 
   
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the device is configured to be installed in one or more different types of exercise apparatuses. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the device further comprises a correlation mechanism that correlates the measured force on the linear adjustment system to an actual force exerted on the loading interface from the exercise. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the correlation mechanism is embedded in the sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the correlation mechanism comprises a predetermined master table for the exercise apparatus, wherein for each functional position in the plurality of functional positions and for each weight in a plurality of weights, the predetermined master table includes a set of forces measured by the sensor and corresponding forces exerted on the loading interface. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the device is configured to perform one or more of the following:
 replacing a hydraulic cylinder or a weight stack in the exercise apparatus; and   serving as a rigid beam to fix a lever arm or other movable element of the loading interface in the exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         38 . A device for an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus includes a loading interface and a frame coupled to the loading interface for performing an exercise, the device comprising:
 a linear adjustment system that varies a length of the device in a longitudinal direction thereby fixing the loading interface of the exercise apparatus at any one of a plurality of functional positions in a functional range of the loading interface, wherein the linear adjustment system comprises a first end and a second end;   a sensor coupled to the linear adjustment system and configured to measure a force exerted on the linear adjustment system, wherein the sensor comprises a first side and a second side, and the first side is fixedly coupled to the second end of the linear adjustment system;   a first connector that fixedly connects the first end of the linear adjustment system to one of the loading interface and the frame of the exercise apparatus;   a second connector that fixedly connects the second side of the sensor with the other of the loading interface and the frame of the exercise apparatus; and   a correlating mechanism that correlates a force exerted on the linear adjustment system with a force exerted on the loading interface of the exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus is any one of a plurality of different types of exercise apparatuses;   wherein:
 the exercise exerts a muscle group of a subject through a range of motion, the range of motion includes a first subrange and a second subrange, 
 the first subrange is characterized by a first maximum force, wherein the first maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the first subrange, 
 the second subrange is characterized by a second maximum force, wherein the second maximum force is a maximum force that can be exerted by the subject through the second subrange, 
 the second maximum force is greater than the first maximum force, and 
 the linear adjustment fixes the loading interface at a position in the functional range of the loading interface that permits the subject to exert a force on the loading interface with the muscle group at a point in the range of motion that is in the second subrange without any requirement of passing through the first subrange. 
   
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the plurality of different types of exercise apparatuses comprises a leg press machine, an adjustable cable machine, a chest press machine, and a machine bench press. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the correlating mechanism comprises a predetermined master table for the exercise apparatus, wherein for each functional position in the plurality of functional positions and for each weight in a plurality of weights, the predetermined master table includes a set of forces measured by the sensor and corresponding forces exerted on the loading interface.