US 6,027,429 A · Variable resistance exercise device

Abstract

A variable resistane exercise device provides a variable resisting force in response to a user applied force. The variable resistance exercise device includes at least one rotating force transmitting means for inputting a user applied force as a rotational force to be resisted, and at least one force transmission member for transmitting the user applied force. The user applied force is resisted by varying the viscosity of a viscosity variable fluid which surround plates rotated by the user applied force. Thus a braking force is applied to actively resist the user applied force. In accordance with the invention, a multi-configurable multi-programmable exercise device is provided which may be used in a variety of exercise modes to provide a resistive force to a user-applied force during a range of motion of a particular exercise. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variable resistance device resists a user-supplied force in one rotational direction only. A gear and clutch system translates a reciprocating user-supplied force, corresponding to a reciprocating range of motion, into the one rotational direction.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An exercise resistance device, comprising:

a first member;
a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said first member;
a second member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said first member and said second member occurs in response to exercise movement;
a magnet mounted on one of said first member and said second member;
a coil mounted on one of said first member and said second member, wherein said magnet and said coil cooperate to generate power upon relative rotation of said first member and said second member;
a third member, wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted relative to said third member;
a fourth member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member occurs in response to exercise movement;
and
magnetic bond forming means operatively connected to said third member and said fourth member, for selectively forming a magnetic bond between said third member and said fourth member, wherein said magnetic bond forming means is driven by power generated by said magnet and said coil, and said magnetic bond resists relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member.

6 more elements

An exercise resistance device, consisting essentially of:

a first member;
a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said first member;
a second member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said first member and said second member occurs in response to exercise movement;
a linking means for linking the resistance device to an exercise operable member in such a manner that movement of said exercise operable member causes relative rotation of said first member and said second member;
a magnet mounted on one of said first member and said second member;
a coil mounted on one of said first member and said second member, wherein said magnet and said coil cooperate to generate power upon relative rotation of said first member and said second member;
a third member, wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted relative to said third member;
a fourth member fixed to said shaft, wherein relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member occurs in response to exercise movement;
and
magnetic bond forming means operatively connected to said third member and said fourth member, for selectively forming a magnetic bond between said third member and said fourth member, wherein said magnetic bond forming means is driven by power generated by said magnet and said coil, and said magnetic bond resists relative rotation of said third member and said fourth member.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable resistance exercise device

Life of this patent

Variable resistance exercise device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20