US 5,762,587 A · Exercise machine with adjustable-resistance, hydraulic cylinder

Abstract

An exercise machine has a frame, one or more levers pivotally attached to the frame for a user to move in the performance of exercise movements, at least one fluid cylinder connected between the frame and each lever(s) for offering resistance to the exercise movements, and means for adjustment of the resistance of the cylinder by changing the flow rate of fluid in a channel therein. In an illustrated embodiment, the flow rate of the cylinder is varied by rotation of a gear collar affixed to the cylinder, and the adjustment means includes a gear engaged with the gear collar(s) of the cylinder(s), a drive shaft affixed to the gear, and drive means operably associated with the drive shaft. Preferred drive means comprise a motor connected to an electronic controller; however, an alternative embodiment employs a mechanical drive linkage to a knob or crank. Also described are stairclimbing exercise machines incorporating the adjustable-resistance cylinder.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An exercise apparatus comprising:

a support structure;
lever means movably mounted to said support structure for movement by a user in the performance of exercise movements;
resistance means connected between said lever means and said support structure to resist movement of said lever means, said resistance means having external adjustment means for mechanically varying the resistance to movement of said lever means;
operation means for operating said external adjustment means, said operation means being positioned to mechanically cooperate with said external adjustment means for operating said external adjustment means;
and
drive means operably linked to said operation means for operation of said external adjustment means.

3 more elements

An exercise apparatus comprising:

a support structure;
lever means movably mounted to said support structure for movement by a user in the performance of exercise movements;
resistance means connected between said lever means and said support structure to resist movement of said lever means, said resistance means having external adjustment means for mechanically varying the resistance to movement of said lever means, said resistance means including a first cylinder that has a first rod extending outwardly from a body, said first rod being connected to a piston within said body, said body having a hydraulic fluid to resist movement of said piston and said external adjustment means being operable to regulate movement of said piston and said first rod, said body being a double-walled cylinder having first and second ends and an inner wall defining a hollow interior containing said hydraulic fluid and said piston slidably disposed therein and an outer wall enclosing said inner wall and defining a space between said inner and outer walls, said piston rod have a first end terminating in a piston head, and a second end extending sealingly and slidably through said cylinder second end, said first cylinder including a bearing member of annular shape mounted over said piston shaft, fixed to said inner tube wall adjacent said cylinder second end, said bearing member having a semi-circular trough formed thereon, said trough having a depth which varies with angular distance about said piston shaft, from a minimum depth at a starting angular location to a maximum depth at a terminal angular location, and said bearing member including an outlet segment located at said terminal angular location for communicating between said space and said trough, said first cylinder further including a rotatable member of annular shape rotatable about said piston shaft relative to said bearing member, and configured to form a reservoir adjacent said piston shaft, said reservoir receiving fluid from said interior of said inner cylinder, and said rotatable member having an internal orifice with an outlet radially located to communicate with said semi-circular trough and an inlet communicating with said reservoir, and said first cylinder including means operably associated with said rotatable member for rotating said rotatable member to position said outlet at a desired angular location along said trough;
operation means for operating said external adjustment means, said operation means being positioned to mechanically cooperate with said external adjustment means for operating said external adjustment means;
and
drive means operably linked to said operation means for operation of said external adjustment means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Exercise machine with adjustable-resistance, hydraulic cylinder

Life of this patent

Exercise machine with adjustable-resistance, hydraulic cylinder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19