Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus ( 5 ) comprising: a user input device ( 5 i ) mounted to a frame for movement in a first direction ( 6 f ) and for movement in a second direction ( 6 o ) that is generally opposite the first direction ( 6 f ), the user input device ( 5 i ) comprising a manually engageable device ( 5 e ) interconnected to a first fan ( 20 ) adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a first resistance (R 1 ) on rotation in one direction and a second fan ( 22 ) adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a second resistance (R 2 ) on rotation in one direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus ( 5 ) comprising:
 a user input device ( 5   i ) mounted to a frame for movement in a first direction ( 6   f ) and for movement in a second direction ( 6   o ) that is generally opposite the first direction ( 6   f ),   the user input device ( 5   i ) comprising a manually engageable device ( 5   e ) that is manually engageable by a user to drive the user input device ( 5   i ) in the first and second directions ( 6   f ,  6   o ) along first and second paths of travel ( 6   fa ,  6   oa ),   the user input device ( 5   i ) being interconnected to a first fan ( 20 ) that is adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a first resistance (R 1 ) in response to driven movement of the user input device ( 5   i ) in the first direction ( 6   f ) and interconnected to a second fan ( 22 ) that is adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a second resistance (R 2 ) in response to driven movement of the user input device ( 5   i ) in the second direction ( 6   o ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first fan ( 20 ) is adapted to be rotatable in a single rotatable direction ( 20   c ) to exert the first resistance (R 1 ) and the second fan ( 22 ) is adapted to be rotatable in a single rotational direction ( 22   cc ) to exert the second resistance (R 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a clutch apparatus ( 26 ) that is interconnected between the user input device ( 5   i ) and the first fan ( 20 ) and between the user input device ( 5   i ) the second fan ( 22 ), the clutch apparatus being adapted to automatically or sequentially change driving interconnection of the user input device ( 5   i ) between the first and second resistances (R 1 , R 2 ) on a change in movement ( 6   f ,  6   o ) of the user input device ( 5   i ) between the first direction ( 6   f ) and the second direction ( 6   o ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first ( 20 ) and second ( 22 ) fans are be respectively interconnected to the user input device ( 5   i ) via first and second one-way rotation devices ( 26 ) that limit driven rotation ( 20   c ,  22   cc ) of the first and second fans by movement of the user input device to a single rotational direction. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second fans create first (R 1 ) and second (R 2 ) resistances that are different when the degree of the first ( 6   p , FF) and second ( 6   t , SF) selected amounts of force exerted on the engagement device are different. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first ( 20 ) and second ( 22 ) fans are sized such that the first and second fans create corresponding first (R 1 ) and second (R 2 ) resistances that are different when the speed or velocity of travel of the user input device ( 5   i ) along the first and second paths of travel ( 6   fa ,  6   oa ) are the same. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first ( 6   fa ) and second ( 6   oa ) paths of travel are the same or are different from each other. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one or the other or both of (a) the degree of the first resistance (R 1 ) varies with the degree of the first selected amount of force ( 6   p ) exerted on the engagement device and (b) the degree of the second resistance (R 2 ) varies with the degree of the second selected amount of force ( 6   t ) exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the degree of the first resistance (R 1 ) exerted by the first fan ( 20 ) and the degree of the second resistance (R 2 ) exerted by the second fan ( 22 ) vary differently with the degree of force ( 6   p ,  6   t ) exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an eddy current brake interconnected to the user input device to exert an additional resistance. 
     
     
         11 . A method of performing an exercise comprising a user's manually engaging the manually engageable device ( 5   e ) of the exercise apparatus ( 5 ) of  claim 1  and exerting the first ( 6   p ) and second ( 6   t ) selected amounts of force thereon. 
     
     
         12 . An exercise apparatus ( 5 ) comprising:
 a user input device ( 5   i ) mounted to a frame for movement in a first direction ( 6   f ) and for movement in a second direction ( 6   o ) that is generally opposite the first direction,   the user input device ( 5   i ) comprising a unitary or single piece member ( 23 ,  24 ,  24   s ,  24   t ,  30 ) interconnected to a first fan ( 20 ) and a second fan ( 22 ),   the first fan being adapted to exert a first resistance (R 1 ) to movement of the unitary or single piece member in the first direction, the second fan being adapted to exert a second resistance (R 2 ) to movement of the unitary or single piece member in the second direction,   the user input device ( 5   i ) including an engagement device ( 5   e ) that is manually engageable by a user to exert first and second selected amounts of force ( 6   p ,  6   t ) respectively to manually drive the user input device against the first and second resistances respectively to cause the user input device to travel in the first and second directions respectively.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first fan is interconnected to the user input device ( 5   i ) such that the first fan is rotatably drivable on movement of the user input device solely in a first direction ( 20   c ) to create the first resistance (R 1 ) and the second fan is interconnected to the user input device such that the second fan is rotatably drivable on movement of the user input device solely in a second direction ( 22   cc ) to create the second resistance (R 2 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further including a clutch apparatus ( 26 ) that is interconnected between the user input device and the first fan and the second fan, the clutch apparatus being adapted to automatically or sequentially change driving interconnection of the user input device ( 5   i ) between the first and second resistances (R 1 , R 2 ) on a change in movement of the user input device between the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first and second fans ( 20 ,  22 ) are respectively interconnected to the user input device ( 5   i ) via first and second one-way rotation devices ( 26   c ,  26   cc ) that limit driven rotation of the first and second fans by movement of the user input device to a single rotational direction ( 20   c ,  22   cc ). 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first and second fans create first and second resistances (R 1 , R 2 ) that are different when the degree of the first and second selected amounts of force ( 6   p ,  6   t , FF, SF) exerted on the engagement device are the same. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first and second fans have first and second diameters (D 1 , D 2 ) that are different from each other. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  the first and second paths of travel ( 6   fa ,  6   oa ) are the same or are different from each other. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of any of  claim 12  wherein one or the other or both of (a) the degree of the first resistance varies with the degree of the first selected amount of force exerted on the engagement device and (b) the degree of the second resistance varies with the degree of the second selected amount of force exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the degree of the first resistance exerted by the first fan and the degree of the second resistance exerted by the second fan can vary differently with the degree of force exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         21 . A method of performing an exercise comprising a user's manually engaging the manually engageable device ( 5   e ) of the exercise apparatus of  claim 12  and exerting the first and second selected amounts of force thereon. 
     
     
         22 . An exercise apparatus ( 5 ) comprising:
 a user input device ( 5   i ) mounted to a frame for movement in a first direction ( 6   f ) and for movement in a second direction ( 6   o ) that is generally opposite the first direction,   the user input device ( 5   i ) comprising a unitary or single piece member ( 23 ,  24 ,  30 ) interconnected to a resistance apparatus,   the resistance apparatus comprising a first fan ( 20 ) adapted to exert a first resistance (R 1 ) to movement of the unitary or single piece member in the first direction ( 6   f ) and a second fan ( 22 ) adapted to exert a second resistance (R 2 ) to movement of the unitary or single piece member in the second direction ( 6   o ),   the user input device ( 5   i ) including a manually engageable device ( 5   e ) that is manually engageable by a user to exert first and second selected amounts of force ( 6   p ,  6   t ) respectively to manually drive the user input device against the first and second resistances respectively to cause the user input device to travel in the first and second directions ( 6   f ,  6   o ) respectively,   the resistance apparatus being adapted to exert the first and second resistances automatically or sequentially on a change in movement of the user input device between the first and second directions ( 6   f ,  6   o ).   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  further including a clutch apparatus ( 26 ) that is interconnected between the user input device and the resistance apparatus, the clutch apparatus being adapted to automatically or sequentially change resistance between the first and second resistances on a change in movement of the user input device between the first direction and the second directions. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the resistance apparatus is driven or engaged on movement of the user input device along first and second directions ( 20   c ,  22   cc ) respectively to create the first and second resistances (R 1 , R 2 ) respectively. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the resistance apparatus comprises a first resistance device ( 20 ) that is driven or engaged to create the first resistance (R 1 ) on movement of the user input device solely in the first direction ( 20   c ) and wherein the resistance apparatus comprises a second resistance device ( 22 ) that is driven or engaged to create the second resistance (R 2 ) on movement of the user input device solely in the second direction ( 22   cc ). 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the first and second paths of travel ( 6   fa ,  6   oa ) are the same or different. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the resistance apparatus is adapted such that the degree of the first resistance (R 1 ) varies with the degree of the first selected amount of force ( 6   p ) exerted on the engagement device ( 5   i ) and the degree of the second resistance (R 2 ) varies with the degree of the second selected amount of force ( 6   t ) exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the degree of the first resistance and the degree of the second resistance vary differently with the degree of force exerted on the engagement device. 
     
     
         29 . A method of performing an exercise comprising a user's manually engaging the engagement device of the exercise apparatus of  claim 22  and exerting the first and second selected amounts of force thereon. 
     
     
         30 . A back or abdominal muscle exercise apparatus ( 5 ) comprising:
 a frame ( 12 ),   a seat ( 16 ) having a forward edge, a rearward edge and a generally planar seating surface (PS), a foot rest disposed forwardly of and below the seating surface and a pelvic stabilization pad ( 18 ) having a lower back engagement surface (ES) disposed at the rearward edge of the seat,   a user input device ( 5   i ) mounted to the frame for movement in a first direction ( 6   f ) and for movement in a second direction ( 6   o ) that is generally opposite the first direction,   the user input device ( 5   i ) comprising a unitary or single piece member ( 30 ) interconnected to a first fan ( 20 ) that is adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a first resistance (R 1 ) in response to driven movement of the user input device ( 5   i ) in the first direction ( 6   f ) and interconnected to a second fan ( 22 ) that is adapted to be rotatably driven to exert a second resistance (R 2 ) in response to driven movement of the user input device ( 5   i ) in the second direction ( 6   o ).   the seating surface (PS) being disposed at an angle (SA) relative to horizontal selected such that a rearward edge ( 16   r ) is disposed horizontally above a forward edge ( 16   f ) and such that the user can sit in a forward facing direction on the angled seating surface (PS), simultaneously engage the user's foot on a foot rest ( 12   f ) and push the user's lower back ( 7 ) along the angled (SA) seating surface into engagement with the lower back engagement surface (ES) by extending the user's legs,   the user input device ( 5   i ) including an engagement device ( 5   e ) and being arranged on the frame ( 12 ) relative to the seating surface (PS) such that the user can manually engage (ME) the engagement device ( 5   e ) when seated on the angled seating surface (PS) with the user's lower back engaged against the lower back engagement surface (ES) of the pelvic stabilization pad ( 18 ),   the engagement device ( 5   e ) being manually engageable by the user to exert first and second selected amounts of force (FF, SF) respectively to manually drive the user input device against the first and second resistances R 1 , R 2 ) respectively to cause the user input device ( 5   i ) to travel in the first and second directions ( 6   f ,  6   o ) respectively.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further including a clutch apparatus ( 26 ) that is interconnected between the user input device and the resistance apparatus ( 20 ,  22 ), the clutch apparatus being adapted to automatically or sequentially change resistance between the first and second resistances (R 1 , R 2 ) on a change in movement of the user input device between the first direction and the second directions. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the resistance apparatus comprises a first resistance device that is driven or engaged to create the first resistance (R 1 ) on movement of the user input device solely in the first direction ( 6   f ) and wherein the resistance apparatus comprises a second resistance device that is driven or engaged to create the second resistance (R 2 ) on movement of the user input device solely in the second direction ( 6   p ). 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the first ( 20 ) and second ( 22 ) fans are be respectively interconnected to the user input device ( 5   i ) via first and second one-way rotation devices ( 26 ) that limit driven rotation ( 20   c ,  22   cc ) of the first and second fans by movement of the user input device to a single rotational direction. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a cam device ( 17 ) interconnected to the user input device ( 5   i ) in an arrangement such that the cam device ( 17 ) is movably driven or translated in a first direction ( 17   f ) together with movement in the first direction ( 6   f ) of the input device ( 5   i ) and movably driven or translated in a second opposite direction ( 17   o ) together with movement in the opposite direction ( 6   o ) of the input device ( 5   i ).