Apparatus and method for increased realism of training on exercise machines
AssigneeCrew Innovations, LLC
InventorsMichael V. Schaefer, John A. Balint
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.
Claims17
A rowing exercise machine, comprising:
- a mechanical energy storage device;
- a handle coupled to the mechanical energy storage device via a connective structure wherein relative movement of the handle with respect to the mechanical energy storage device urges motion of the mechanical energy storage device;
- an apparatus configured to dynamically supplement a resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance;
- and
- a controller in communication with the mechanical energy storage device and the apparatus, the controller having computer readable instructions to determine the added resistance and to dynamically and selectively adjust the added resistance to alter a load experienced by a rower participating in a group exercise by applying force to the handle;
- and
- a communication pathway between the controller of the rowing exercise machine and a controller of at least one additional associated rowing exercise machine that permits application of the forces applied in each of the rowing machines to a shared load of a multi-rower watercraft.
A kit for modifying an existing rowing machine, comprising:
- an electric machine;
- a mechanical energy storage device;
- a transmission for coupling the electric machine to the mechanical energy storage device;
- an electrical load bank to be coupled to the electric machine;
- a controller to be placed in communication with the electric machine and the electric load bank and having computer readable instructions to selectively adapt an operation of the electric machine or the electric load bank to provide a dynamic selective alteration of a load experienced by a user of the rowing machine;
- and
- an electronic memory in communication with the controller, the electronic memory containing computer readable instructions having load characteristics of a multi-rower watercraft, providing a shared load to one or more associated rowing machines,
- wherein the kit components are used to modify an associated existing exercise machine thereby enabling field upgrade of said associated existing exercise machine to be capable of communication with at least one additional associated exercise machine, wherein a total resistance in said associated exercise machine is duplicated in an additional associated exercise machine such that a first rower operating said exercise machine and a second rower operating said additional associated exercise machine operate as a virtual team.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.