Systems for weight or aerobic training including motor, spool, and handle

Abstract

A system for simulated weight or aerobic training includes a spool configured to rotate about an axis, a handle, a cord extending from the handle to the spool and configured to wrap around the spool during operation of the system, a motor connected to the spool and configured to provide a torque to the spool, and a controller configured to operate the motor to regulate the torque provided to the spool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for simulated weight or aerobic training, the system comprising:
 a spool configured to rotate about an axis;   a handle comprising:
 a grip sized and shaped to be gripped by a user during operation of the system; 
 a sensor assembly attached to the grip and configured to detect information relating to a position and usage of the grip; and 
 a force sensor connected to the grip and configured to measure force applied to the grip; 
   a cord extending from the handle to the spool and configured to wrap around the spool during operation of the system;   a motor connected to the spool and configured to provide a torque to the spool;   a controller configured to operate the motor to regulate the torque provided to the spool based at least in part on the position of the grip and the force applied to the grip;   a first communication component connected to the controller and configured to provide communication between at least two of the spool, the handle, the motor, or the controller; and   a second communication component configured to communicate with a device on a network.   
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a communication component connected to the grip of the handle and configured to send information from the sensor assembly and the force sensor to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to operate the motor based at least in part on the information from the sensor assembly and the force sensor. 
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a housing including:
 a frame supporting the motor and the spool; and   a shell mounted on the frame, wherein the housing encloses the spool, the motor, and the controller.   
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising a position sensor attached to the housing and configured to detect a position of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises an inertial measuring unit (IMU) configured to detect information relating to the position of the grip. 
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the system has an off mode in which the motor is off, a standby mode in which the controller operates the motor based on a first torque setting, and a training mode in which the controller operates the motor based on a second torque setting, and wherein the controller switches between the modes based at least in part on information received from at least one of the sensor assembly or the force sensor. 
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface attached to the grip and configured to provide feedback to the user during a training routine. 
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a memory, wherein the controller is configured to record training information to the memory during a training routine, the training information including at least one of a number of sets performed, a force provide on the grip, or a position of the grip. 
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface adapted to be provided on a portable computing device, wherein the user interface is configured to display training data from operation of the system and receive a user input relating to a setting of the system. 
     
     
         10 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a tension device configured to regulate the tension of the cord. 
     
     
         11 . A system in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the tension device comprises a leaf spring positioned to engage the cord when the cord is wrapped around the spool. 
     
     
         12 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising another spool, handle, cord, motor, and controller, wherein the controllers communicate with each other via the first communication component or the second communication component and are synchronized with each other to operate simultaneously and provide a dual weight training experience for the user. 
     
     
         13 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the second communication component enables the controller to link with the device on the network to provide paired operation of the controller and the device. 
     
     
         14 . A system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the device comprises a cellular telephone, virtual reality device, headphones, a tablet, or a smart device. 
     
     
         15 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the second communication device enables the controller to control a device including a camera, wherein the controller is configured to use the sensor to perform at least one of recording, analyzing, or marking a video. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a base unit comprising:
 a spool configured to rotate about an axis; 
 a motor connected to the spool and configured to provide a torque to the spool; 
 a controller configured to operate the motor to regulate the torque provided to the spool; 
 a housing enclosing the motor, the controller, and the spool; and 
 a power source connected to the motor and configured to provide power to the motor during operation of the system; 
   a handle comprising a grip sized and shaped to be gripped by a user during operation of the system; and   a cord extending from the handle to the base unit and configured to wrap around the spool during operation of the system,   wherein the system is portable and is sized to be carried by a single person, and   wherein the motor forms a direct drive system, and the controller is configured to regulate the torque of the motor to provide a simulated weight resistance.   
     
     
         17 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the motor includes a shaft operatively connected to the spool to form a direct drive system. 
     
     
         18 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the housing of the base unit includes:
 a frame supporting the motor and the spool; and   a shell mounted on the frame.   
     
     
         19 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery that is removably attached to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the housing completely encloses the spool and the motor to prevent a user from contacting moving parts of the spool and the motor during operation, and wherein the housing defines an outlet for the cord to extend outward from the housing and between the spool and the handle. 
     
     
         21 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the base unit, the handle, and the cord cumulatively weigh 16 lbs. or less. 
     
     
         22 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to regulate the torque of the motor to provide a simulated weight resistance of 100 lbs. or less. 
     
     
         23 . A system comprising:
 a base unit comprising:
 a spool configured to rotate about an axis; 
 a motor connected to the spool and configured to provide a torque to the spool; 
 a controller configured to operate the motor to regulate the torque provided to the spool, the controller including a first communication component; and 
 a power source connected to the motor and configured to provide power to the motor during operation of the system; 
   a handle comprising:
 a grip sized and shaped to be gripped by a user during operation of the system; 
 a first user interface connected to the grip and configured to at least one of provide feedback to the user during a training routine or receive an input from the user related to operation of the base unit; and 
 a second communication component communicatively connected to the controller; 
   a cord extending from the handle to the base unit and configured to wrap around the spool during operation of the system; and   a second user interface adapted to be provided on a portable computing device, wherein at least one of the second user interface and the controller is configured to identify sets in a training routine performed using the system and determine training information based on the sets in the training routine, and wherein the first user interface is configured to provide the training information to a user.   
     
     
         24 . A system in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the handle includes a sensor attached to the grip and configured to detect information relating to a position of the grip relative to the base unit or to a force applied to the grip or cord, wherein the second communication component is connected to the sensor and configured to send the information from the sensor to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to operate the motor based at least in part on the information from the sensor. 
     
     
         25 . A system in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the controller is configured to identify the sets in the training routine based on the information received from the sensor, and to send information related to the sets of the training routine to the first user interface. 
     
     
         26 . A system in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the base unit includes a third user interface configured to receive a selection from the user, wherein the controller is configured to determine at least one of a mode and a desired resistance based on the user's selection.