US 5,511,740 A · Resistance mechanism for exercise equipment

Abstract

An exercise resistance mechanism provides resistance to unwinding of a flexible line from about a reel. In a preferred embodiment, an arbor is mounted on a shaft by a one-way clutch in such a manner that the arbor rotates in one direction together with the shaft, and rotates in a second, opposite direction relative to the shaft. A first portion of the arbor is connected to an end of a spring extending from a recoil spring pack. A second portion of the arbor is connected to the reel in such a manner that the reel rotates together with the arbor. The arbor and spring end are in full view during assembly of the resistance mechanism. Two holes are provided near the hub of the reel so that a replacement line can be secured to the reel while the original flexible line remains connected thereto and provides a handle for maintaining tension in the recoil spring.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A resistance mechanism for exercise equipment, comprising:

a flexible line;
a reel;
a first line securing means on said reel for securing said flexible line to said reel, wherein an end of said flexible line is secured to said first line securing means, and said flexible line is wound about said reel;
a resistance means for resisting unwinding of said flexible line from said reel;
a rewinding means for rewinding said flexible line about said reel;
and
a second line securing means on said reel for securing a replacement line to said reel, wherein said flexible line can be completely unwound from said reel and held while an end of said replacement line is secured to said second line securing means, such that said replacement line will automatically wind onto said reel when said flexible line is freed from said first line securing means.

4 more elements

A resistance mechanism for exercise equipment, comprising:

a shaft that rotates about an axis;
a recoil spring pack having a central aperture and a spring end extending into said central aperture, wherein said shaft extends axially through said central aperture;
an arbor connected to said shaft by means of a one way clutch in such a manner that said arbor rotates in a first direction together with said shaft, and said arbor rotates in a second, opposite direction relative to said shaft, wherein said arbor has a first portion disposed within said central aperture and a second portion disposed outside said central aperture, and said spring end is connected to said first portion in such a manner that rotation of said arbor in said first direction stores energy in said spring, and rotation of said arbor in said second, opposite direction releases energy from said spring;
a reel connected to said second portion of said arbor in such a manner that said reel rotates together with said arbor;
a flexible line wound about said reel in such a manner that unwinding of said flexible line from said reel causes said reel and said arbor to rotate in said first direction together with said shaft;
and
a resistance means connected to said shaft for resisting rotation of said shaft in said first direction.

4 more elements

A resistance mechanism for exercise equipment, comprising:

a shaft that rotates about an axis;
a recoil spring pack having a central aperture and a spring end extending into said central aperture, wherein said shaft extends axially through said central aperture;
an arbor connected to said shaft by means of a one way clutch in such a manner that said arbor rotates in a first direction together with said shaft, and said arbor rotates in a second, opposite direction relative to said shaft, wherein said arbor has a first portion disposed within said central aperture and a second portion disposed outside said central aperture, and said spring end is connected to said first portion in such a manner that rotation of said arbor in said first direction stores energy in said spring, and rotation of said arbor in said second, opposite direction releases energy from said spring;
a reel connected to said second portion of said arbor in such a manner that said reel rotates together with said arbor;
a flexible line wound about said reel in such a manner that unwinding of said flexible line from said reel causes said reel and said arbor to rotate in said first direction together with said shaft;
a resistance means connected to said shaft for resisting rotation of said shaft in said first direction;
and
a housing, wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted within said housing, and said recoil spring pack, said arbor, said reel, and said resistance means are axially aligned with said shaft and disposed within said housing, and wherein said housing provides an inwardly facing cylindrical contact surface, and said resistance means includes a rotor connected to said shaft in such a manner that said rotor rotates together with said shaft, and at least one brake shoe is pivotally mounted on said rotor in such a manner that rotation of said rotor causes said at least one brake shoe to pivot toward said cylindrical contact surface and forces a brake pad on said at least one brake shoe into contact with said cylindrical contact surface.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Resistance mechanism for exercise equipment

Life of this patent

Resistance mechanism for exercise equipment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20