Energy absorber for exercising machines

An energy absorber module for an exercising machine, including:

• a frame;
• an energy absorber in the form of an air displacement fan rotatably mounted on said frame;
• a clutch means;
• a drive means, including a drive shaft, a drum and at least one pull cord;
• and
• a return means, including a spring means, a plurality of pulleys, said drum and a return cord, wherein said drive shaft is rotatably mounted on said frame with its axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said fan, said drum is rotatably mounted on said shaft and said pull cord is connected to said drum and is wound thereupon when said drum is in a rest position, and said pull cord is operable to cause rotation of said drum in one direction only relative to said frame, and said clutch means is operable to only transmit drive from said drum to said shaft when said drum is rotating in said one direction, to cause said fan to rotate, and wherein said return cord is also connected to said drum so that an end portion thereof is wound upon the drum as the drum rotates in said one direction, and wherein said return cord is turned about said plurality of pulleys to increase the purchase of said return means, wherein one of said pulleys is arranged for movement relative to said frame;
• and
• a spring means connected to said frame is also connected to said movable pulley and said return cord, whereby said spring means is operable to unwind the return cord from said drum and said return means is operable to rotate said drive means in the direction opposite said one direction, and thereby return said drive means towards a rest position when tension in said pull cord is released.

An energy absorber for ergometric apparatus including a rotor operable to cause displacement of air, said rotor comprising a cylindrical impeller having a plurality of blades arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship about the periphery thereof, shroud means at least partially enclosing said rotor and being arranged to modify the movement of said displaced air, inlet means whereby air is induced into said absorber through operation of said rotor, outlet means through which said displaced air is exhausted from said absorber, said impeller having a hollow interior into which air is induced through said inlet means and said blades are operable to cause centrifugal displacement of air in response to rotation of said impeller, an air passage formed between the cylindrical outer periphery of said impeller and a wall of said shroud means which extends around said outer periphery, said air passage communicating with said outlet means and being arranged to encourage flow of said displaced air through said outlet means, said shroud means wall is involute in shape and substantially surrounds said impeller, said air passage is defined by a space extending around said impeller and which progressively increases from a minimum to a maximum circumferentially of said impeller, and said outlet means is defined by an opening in said shroud at a location substantially coincident with where said space is at the maximum.