Integrated revolving assembly structure for multi-axis resistance exercise device

Abstract

The instant invention is based on a revolving, integrated, radial assembly structure (revolving assembly) that provides improved structural support for functional components of a multiple axis, resistance exercise device. This revolving assembly has a central revolving axis that is coincident with a line that passes through a musculoskeletal joint of a user positioned in user station of the device, a user actuated lever or handle (user interface) that aligns with and provides for engagement by said joint and associated extremity of the user, which said user interface is both operationally fixed on the periphery of revolving assembly, and operationally linked to a resistance mechanism. As a result of the equidistant, revolving relationship of user interface to and about the joint and associated extremity of the user, user interface can be operationally engaged by said extremity and joint of the user at any rotational position of revolving assembly. Further, revolving assembly can be fixed or positioned in any of an infinite number of rotational positions. Therefore, revolving assembly and user interface can provide an infinite number of radial planes of resistance exercise for a joint and associated extremity of a user. The invention also ideally incorporates and includes a Countermass (or counterweight) in the revolving assembly, overload rollers, and braking/locking mechanism(s).

I claim: 
     
         1 . An integrated revolving assembly comprising:
 a central weight bearing revolving shaft with a cylindrical centerline which is collinear with and operationally fixed on the revolving axis of the device, centerline of revolving shaft is collinear with a line (or axis) passing through the joint and associated extremity of a user positioned in user station of the device, and may be capable of structurally supporting entire weight of revolving assembly;   radial structural and functional components where each radial component is substantially joined to revolving shaft centrally and revolves in unison with revolving shaft and other radial components, may be of any number and may take any form, can provide counterbalance (ballast) for other radial and functional elements of the device, including user interface and other components of drive or resistance mechanism;   a revolving circle which is substantially joined circumferentially with peripheral edges of radial elements, integrating the periphery of revolving assembly structure, and also revolves in unison (by way of radial structure) about revolving axis of device; and   a more substantial structural assembly as a result of integration of structural elements, including central integration to central shaft in combination with peripheral integration of individual radial elements to revolving circle, resulting in radial element function analogous to spokes of a wheel, central integration of radial elements resulting in continuous diagonal structure, spanning the diameter of revolving circle, circumferential integration of radial components by revolving circle providing circumferential strut and circumferential barrel ring effects, and effective diagonal integration of peripheral ends of radial structure by mirror-image arcs of revolving circle.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: a radial component with ballast incorporated in material mass at its peripheral end that counterbalances the gravitational and rotational weight of opposing radial structure and asymmetric weight of functional components comprising revolving assembly; and components that may take any radial or non-radial form and consist of any number of diametric radial structural elements that oppose the gravitational and rotational weight of functional components of the revolving assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 overload rollers substantially fixed to stationary frame elements, said rollers providing smooth contact and full overload support for integrated revolving assembly structure, which rollers may also provide at least one of the following:   compliant material contact surface (like plastic or rubber) providing smooth contact with and full overload support for integrated revolving assembly structure,   be capable of carrying any load or partial load that may be of sufficient magnitude to cause bending or deformation of structural frame, bending of central revolving shaft, deformation of structural components of integrated revolving assembly, and backlash or lateral or thrust movement within bearings (or equivalent) that convey central revolving shaft,   mechanical buffer effect (like a shock absorber) when roller is in contact with peripheral circular edge of revolving assembly,   regulating revolution of revolving assembly with frictional contact speed control, and   providing mechanical drive to revolving assembly through electromechanical, user, or other drive mechanism.   
     
     
         4 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 overload rollers substantially fixed to stationary frame elements, said rollers providing smooth contact and full overload support for integrated revolving assembly structure, which rollers may also provide at least one of the following:   compliant material contact surface (like plastic or rubber) providing smooth contact with and full overload support for integrated revolving assembly structure,   be capable of carrying any load or partial load that may be of sufficient magnitude to cause bending or deformation of structural frame, bending of central revolving shaft, deformation of structural components of integrated revolving assembly, and backlash or lateral or thrust movement within bearings (or equivalent) that convey central revolving shaft,   mechanical buffer effect (like a shock absorber) when roller is in contact with peripheral circular edge of revolving assembly,   regulating revolution of revolving assembly with frictional contact speed control, and   providing mechanical drive to revolving assembly through electromechanical, user, or other drive mechanism.   
     
     
         5 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a braking mechanism having at least one of:
 locking mechanism including a standing braking mechanism, for automatic and constant engagement of braking function via a spring operated brake lever and pad mechanism or a hydraulic brake mechanism,   a substantial revolving or stationary circle providing a continuous revolving or stationary surface for engagement of brake pad or clamp of braking or locking mechanism,   standing brake mechanism substantially fixed on revolving assembly with a substantial stationary circle for engagement of standing braking mechanism (as described in specification), or vice versa, brake may be fixed to stationary component of machine with a revolving circle (for continuous revolving surface for engagement of stationary brake) substantially fixed to revolving assembly, and   a hand (handle) or foot (pedal) actuated lever mechanism (or other user actuated tension or compression mechanism), with operational linkage to standing braking mechanism, for disengaging standing brake mechanism; when said handle or pedal is actuated by user, thereby disengaging braking mechanism, revolving assembly can be freely revolved to any new position for exercise. When handle or pedal is released, standing braking mechanism re-engages providing constant braking function to hold revolving assembly in new position for exercise.   
     
     
         6 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a braking mechanism having at least one of:
 locking mechanism including a standing braking mechanism, for automatic and constant engagement of braking function via a spring operated brake lever and pad mechanism or a hydraulic brake mechanism,   a substantial revolving or stationary circle providing a continuous revolving or stationary surface for engagement of brake pad or clamp of braking or locking mechanism,   standing brake mechanism substantially fixed on revolving assembly with a substantial stationary circle for engagement of standing braking mechanism (as described in specification), or vice versa, brake may be fixed to stationary component of machine with a revolving circle (for continuous revolving surface for engagement of stationary brake) substantially fixed to revolving assembly, and   a hand (handle) or foot (pedal) actuated lever mechanism (or other user actuated tension or compression mechanism), with operational linkage to standing braking mechanism, for disengaging standing brake mechanism; when said handle or pedal is actuated by user, thereby disengaging braking mechanism, revolving assembly can be freely revolved to any new position for exercise. When handle or pedal is released, standing braking mechanism re-engages providing constant braking function to hold revolving assembly in new position for exercise.   
     
     
         7 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a braking mechanism having at least one of:
 locking mechanism including a standing braking mechanism, for automatic and constant engagement of braking function via a spring operated brake lever and pad mechanism or a hydraulic brake mechanism,   a substantial revolving or stationary circle providing a continuous revolving or stationary surface for engagement of brake pad or clamp of braking or locking mechanism,   standing brake mechanism substantially fixed on revolving assembly with a substantial stationary circle for engagement of standing braking mechanism (as described in specification), or vice versa, brake may be fixed to stationary component of machine with a revolving circle (for continuous revolving surface for engagement of stationary brake) substantially fixed to revolving assembly, and   a hand (handle) or foot (pedal) actuated lever mechanism (or other user actuated tension or compression mechanism), with operational linkage to standing braking mechanism, for disengaging standing brake mechanism; when said handle or pedal is actuated by user, thereby disengaging braking mechanism, revolving assembly can be freely revolved to any new position for exercise. When handle or pedal is released, standing braking mechanism re-engages providing constant braking function to hold revolving assembly in new position for exercise.   
     
     
         8 . The integrated revolving assembly set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a braking mechanism having at least one of:
 locking mechanism including a standing braking mechanism, for automatic and constant engagement of braking function via a spring operated brake lever and pad mechanism or a hydraulic brake mechanism,   a substantial revolving or stationary circle providing a continuous revolving or stationary surface for engagement of brake pad or clamp of braking or locking mechanism,   standing brake mechanism substantially fixed on revolving assembly with a substantial stationary circle for engagement of standing braking mechanism (as described in specification), or vice versa, brake may be fixed to stationary component of machine with a revolving circle (for continuous revolving surface for engagement of stationary brake) substantially fixed to revolving assembly, and   a hand (handle) or foot (pedal) actuated lever mechanism (or other user actuated tension or compression mechanism), with operational linkage to standing braking mechanism, for disengaging standing brake mechanism; when said handle or pedal is actuated by user, thereby disengaging braking mechanism, revolving assembly can be freely revolved to any new position for exercise. When handle or pedal is released, standing braking mechanism re-engages providing constant braking function to hold revolving assembly in new position for exercise.