Exercise Apparatus With an Inertia System
An oscillating inertia system for use in an exercise apparatus that provides instantaneously variable amplitude. In one example, an oscillating inertia system includes a rotational oscillator having inertial mass. The rotational oscillator is coupled to a limb engagement member through a coupling member. During operation, the oscillating inertia system is configured to rotate in one direction, come to a stop, rotate in the other direction, come to a stop, and so on repetitively. This oscillating rotation causes the limb engagement member of the exercise device to move through a range of motion where one extent of the range of motion is fixed and the other extent of the range of motion is variable in real time responsive to a user's exerted/applied force.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/337,332 filed on Feb. 2, 2010 and entitled “VARIABLE AMPLITUDE INERTIA DEVICE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present description relates generally to an exercise apparatus having an oscillating inertia system and more particularly it relates to an exercise apparatus having an oscillating inertia system with instantaneously variable amplitude.
BACKGROUNDIt can be appreciated that exercise devices have been in use for many years, and many of these devices use rotary inertia devices such as a flywheel. The flywheel is typically is used to make the exercise motion more fluid. Devices that may use flywheels include exercise bicycles, elliptic motion exercise devices, linear motion exercise devices such as cross country ski trainers, and certain pendulum exercise devices.
Exercise bicycles have been in use for many years, and many use continuously rotating flywheels to smooth the exercise motion. The flywheel is typically coupled to a crank with pedals to which the user applies force. However, the amplitude of the exercise motion is constrained by the crank system and the extension and flexion of the user's limbs is defined.
Conventional elliptic motion machines use flywheels coupled to a crank system to smooth the motion of the machine. Although the elliptic path of motion of the pedals is not circular as with the exercise bike, the path is nonetheless defined and constrained by the dimensions and configuration of the crank and linkage system.
BRIEF SUMMARYVarious embodiments of the invention are directed to devices, systems and methods relating to exercise apparatuses that utilize oscillating inertia systems having instantaneously variable amplitude. In one example, an oscillating inertia includes a rotational oscillator having inertial mass. The rotational oscillator is coupled to a limb engagement member through a coupling member. During operation, the oscillating inertia system is configured to rotate in one direction, come to a stop, rotate in the other direction, come to a stop, and so on repetitively. This oscillating rotation causes the limb engagement member of the exercise device to move through a range of motion where one extent of the range of motion is fixed and the other extent of the range of motion is variable in real time responsive to a user's exerted/applied force applied to the limb engagement member.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Rotational oscillator 110 is coupled to shaft 112 which may be supported by an axial rotation mechanism, such as bearings 114. In one embodiment, bearings 114 are mounted to and supported by frame 101 and together with frame 101 provide support to shaft 112. In some embodiments, rotational oscillator 110 is an approximate cardoid shape. Rotational oscillator 110 may be configured to have significant rotational inertia and also function as an inertial device by incorporating weight such as weight 130. Weight 130 may be placed on rotational oscillator 110 in an asymmetric position so that in a top dead center condition, weight 130 creates a torque to displace rotational oscillator 110 from the top dead center condition.
If there is insufficient inertia in rotational oscillator 110, additional inertia devices may be utilized in some embodiments. As an example, additional inertia/brake device 116 is mounted to shaft 112. Inertia/brake device 116 may serve dual purposes. It may be an inertia device and/or a brake device. Brakes frequently have significant rotational inertia, so a brake can perform dual functions of providing inertia and braking. In one embodiment, pulley 117 is mounted to shaft 112 and is coupled to a second inertia/brake device 120 by belt 118. Inertia/brake device 120 may be supported by bearings, not shown for visual clarity. In such cases, said bearings may be mounted to and supported by frame 101. Rotational oscillator 110 and/or inertia/brake device 116 may provide adequate inertia, but if not, second inertia/brake device 120 may be utilized to add inertia to the oscillating inertia system. Accordingly, in some embodiments, three different devices may operate as inertia devices and contribute significant inertia to the oscillating inertia system, the rotational oscillator 110, the inertia/brake device 116, and the inertia/brake device 120.
Any or all of the above-described devices may be used to add inertia to the oscillating inertia system. Those skilled in the art will understand that any moving components, such as shafts, pulleys, and bearings, have nominal inertia and nominal friction. However, such nominal inertia and nominal friction generally have only a small effect on the feel and operation of an exercise apparatus. In the disclosed embodiments, inertia devices have sufficient rotational inertia to allow smooth and satisfying operation of the exercise device, and brake devices have sufficient resistance to motion to provide meaningful workloads for the user of the exercise device.
Coupling member 122 is coupled to rotational oscillator 110 at rotational oscillator coupling location 124. In this embodiment, coupling member 122 is coupled to rotational oscillator 110 using a pin at coupling location 124. However, other ways of coupling the coupling member 122 to rotational oscillator 110 may be utilized. Alternate ways of coupling may utilize bolts, rivets, adhesives, pulley, or pin with bushing or bearing, but coupling is not limited to these examples.
Coupler 122 may be guided by guide elements 128 and 129 which contact coupler 122. Guide elements 128 and 129 may be coupled to and supported by frame 101 and may be implemented as pulley devices, static elements, etc. Coupling member 122 is functionally coupled to limb engaging member 103 at coupling location 126. In the embodiment shown in
In
The initial position of rotational oscillator 110 is shown in Phase 1. This initial position of the rotational oscillator also correlates to the position shown in
During Phase 2 and Phase 3, the user continues to apply force to limb engagement member 103, limb engagement member continues to move downward, rotational oscillator 110 continues to accelerate in a clockwise direction, and energy is added to any inertial devices coupled to shaft 112.
During Phase 4 a transition occurs. At the beginning of Phase 4, rotational oscillator coupler location 124 is at a position where portions of coupling member 122 and limb engagement member 103 are nearly stationary. This may also be referred to as an equilibrium point. Coupling member 122 and limb engagement member 103 have moved to their furthest extents. Further, force applied by the user to limb engagement member 102 at the beginning of Phase 4 does not cause any further rotational acceleration of rotational oscillator 110. Although portions of coupling member 122 and limb engagement member 103 are nearly stationary at the beginning of phase 4, rotational oscillator 110 continues clockwise rotation driven by inertia devices. Immediately after the beginning of Phase 4, the limb engagement member 103 begins to move upward. Additionally, coupling member 122 is in contact with rotational oscillator 110 on a second surface of coupling member 122. Downward force applied to limb engagement member 103 causes deceleration of rotational oscillator 110. As the limb engagement member 103 moves upward while the user applies force downward, energy is subtracted from any inertial elements coupled to shaft 110.
During Phase 5 and Phase 6, limb engagement member 103 continues to move upward and any downward force applied by the user causes deceleration of rotational oscillator 110 and further subtraction of energy from any inertial devices coupled to shaft 112.
During Phase 7 a transition occurs. Forces applied to the limb engagement member 103 by the user and by gravity have decelerated rotational oscillator 110 to zero velocity at the beginning of phase 7. This is the second dwell point, or point of no velocity. Immediately after the beginning of phase 7, rotational oscillator 110 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, opposite that of Phases 1 through 6. As the user applies force to limb engagement member 103, force is transmitted through coupling member 122 to rotational oscillator 110. The transmitted force causes rotational acceleration of rotational oscillator 110 resulting in downward motion of limb engagement member 103. As the rotational oscillator gains rotational velocity during Phase 7, energy is added to any inertial devices which may be coupled to shaft 112.
During Phase 8 and Phase 9, the user continues to apply force to limb engagement member 103, limb engagement member continues to move downward, rotational oscillator 110 continues to accelerate, and energy is added to any inertial devices coupled to shaft 112.
During Phase 10, another transition occurs that is similar to the transition of Phase 4. At the beginning of Phase 10, rotational oscillator coupler location 124 is at a position where portions of coupler 122 and limb engagement member 103 are nearly stationary for an instant. Further, force applied by the user to limb engagement member 103 at the beginning of Phase 10 does not cause any further rotational acceleration of rotational oscillator 110. Immediately after the beginning of Phase 10, the limb engagement member 103 begins to move upward. Downward force applied to limb engagement member 103 causes deceleration of rotational oscillator 110. As the limb engagement member 103 moves upward while the user applies force downward, energy is subtracted from any inertial elements coupled to shaft 112.
During Phase 11 and Phase 12, limb engagement member 103 continues to move upward and any downward force applied by the user causes deceleration of rotational oscillator 110 and further subtraction of energy from any inertial devices coupled to shaft 112.
At the beginning of Phase 13, rotational oscillator 110 and coupling member 122 are in the same position as Phase 1. Once oscillation cycle of rotational oscillator 110 has completed, a new cycle begins repeating Phases 1 through 12. As can be seen, because of the oscillating motion provided by rotational oscillator 110, as opposed to a continuously rotating crank-type device, a user may move in a smaller amplitude of motion and maintain the same general motion pattern corresponding to the type of exercise being done by the user.
During Phases 1 though 13, limb engagement member 103 in this embodiment has completed two cycles of a continuous periodic motion, during a single oscillation period of rotational oscillator 110. Phases 1-6 represent one cycle and phases 7-13 represent a second cycle. Specifically, limb engagement member 103 has started at its highest position, moved downward to its lowest position, changed direction, moved upward to its highest position, changed direction, moved to its lowest position, changed directions and moved to its highest position. During Phases 1 through 13, rotational oscillator has started at dwell point 1, rotated to the equilibrium point, changed rotational direction, rotated back to the equilibrium point, and returned to dwell point 1 where the cycle begins again. The embodiments of
During operation, the user steps onto right and left plate 105 and begins a vertical stepping motion by alternately stepping downward and upward with each foot. The downward stepping motion of the right foot applies force to limb engagement member 103 and accelerates rotational oscillator 110. An example of such acceleration and motion is illustrated with respect to Phases 1 through 3 in
During operation of the embodiment of
During operation of an exercise apparatus having an oscillating inertia system, the user may prefer to have resistance to motion. In the embodiment of
In embodiment of
The configuration and sizing of the rotational oscillator 110 and any possible inertia devices coupled to the rotational oscillator may be done so as to accommodate the intended user and the intended exercise pattern. For example, the designer of the exercise apparatus of some embodiments may choose an average weight, an average exercise stepping cadence, and an average step height. As the user applies full body weight at the top of a step and moves downward to the bottom of the step, the potential energy of the user at the top of the step is converted to rotational kinetic energy in rotational oscillator 110 and any inertia devices at the bottom of the step, assuming no frictional or braking resistance. The potential energy at the top of the step is proportional to step height multiplied by user body weight. The rotational kinetic energy in the inertia devices is proportional to rotational mass multiplied by rotational velocity squared. User weight, exercise cadence, step height, and rotational mass of the inertia devices are all interrelated as potential energy is converted to rotational kinetic energy and vice versa. The designer may define the potential energy at the top of the step by selecting the user body weight and the step height. In this case, the designer may select appropriate rotational oscillator 110 characteristics and inertia device rotational mass to achieve the desired exercise cadence and limb engagement member velocity profile. The rotational mass of the inertia devices can be increased by adding or redistributing mass to a radial location further from the center of rotation of the inertia device.
As shown in
It may be desirable to allow the user to make adjustments to the exercise apparatus to alter the feel or function. Referring to
Referring to
As shown in the embodiment in
In this illustrated embodiment, arcuate motion member 174 is pivotally coupled to frame 101 at coupling location 174. Limb engagement member 103 may also be coupled to arcuate motion member 172 at coupling location 176. Arcuate motion member 174 has an upper portion 178. Upper portion 178 may be used as a handle by the user. Arcuate motion member 178 may be straight, curved, or bent in any manner to accommodate a design preference for the apparatus. Limb engagement member 103 has foot plate 105 on which the user stands. Limb engagement member 103 may also be straight, curved, or bent in any manner to accommodate a design preference for the apparatus.
In the embodiment of
During operation of the embodiment shown in
The operation of the rotational oscillator 110 provides a defined direction reversal of foot plate 105 at the bottom of each step or stride taken by the user. The variation in the vertical amplitude of step or stride height occurs at the mid portion of the step or stride while the bottom of the step or stride is defined and controlled by the oscillating inertia system and is the same from step to step. The user may instantaneously alter stride length by altering the forward and rearward force he/she applies to foot plates 105. The user may instantaneously select a nearly vertical step with little horizontal displacement, or he/she may instantaneously select a longer stride with greater horizontal displacement. When the user displaces the foot plates horizontally, the combined vertical displacement and horizontal displacement results in a closed path where the amount of horizontal and vertical displacement is controllable by the user in real-time.
Further, the systems described herein may have exercise parameters adjusted by a user. In one embodiment, an exercise apparatus may include an input device pad 300 which allows a user to select one or more factors such as weight, exercise velocity, and the like. Upon selection by a user, a control system 301 within the exercise apparatus may send control signals via control lines 302 in order to engage/disengage or alter properties of one or more portions of the apparatus, such as an inertia device 116, the operational range of rotation of rotational oscillator 110, etc., in order to conform to the user's specifications.
Limb engagement member 103 is coupled to the frame at coupling location 190 and its orientation is generally vertical. Limb engagement member 103 has foot plate 105 against which the user applies force. Limb engagement member 103 may be straight, curved, or bent in any manner to accommodate a design preference for the apparatus. In the embodiment of
During operation of the embodiment shown in
It is noted that adjustment mechanisms, such as those illustrated with respect to
It is appreciated that embodiments of the teachings disclosed herein may be used in multiple types of exercise equipment devices as shown above. Example devices may include an elliptical device, stair climber, recumbent exercise apparatus, combination devices which utilize arm motion (e.g., with recumbent/elliptic devices), upper body exercise devices, and the like.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- an oscillating member configured to oscillate about an axis of rotation;
- an engagement member configured to accept force exerted by a user and configured to move in a periodic motion path; and
- a coupling member attached between the oscillating member and the engagement member, the coupling member configured to transfer force exerted by a user on the engagement member to the oscillating member,
- wherein the oscillating member is configured to move about both directions of the axis of rotation in a single oscillation period during two cycles of the periodic motion path of the engagement member.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oscillation period of the oscillating member is configured to oscillate at a variable amplitude in response to force changes exerted by a user.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an inertia device mechanically coupled to the oscillating member, the inertia device configured to provide inertial force to the oscillating member.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a brake device mechanically coupled to the oscillating member, the brake device configured to provide inertial force to the oscillating member.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one guide element configured to guide the coupling member along a path of motion.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one guide element is adjustable so as to change the path of motion of the coupling member in order to alter a resistance property of the exercise apparatus.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the engagement member is configured to accept force exerted from the lower body of a user.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the engagement member is configured to accept force exerted from the upper body of a user.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oscillating member includes a counterweight configured to create a torque to displace the oscillating member from a top dead center condition.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oscillating member is an cardoid shape.
12. An exercise system comprising:
- an engagement member configured to receive force exerted by a user, the engagement member further configured to travel in a continuous periodic path; and
- an oscillating inertial system including at least one inertial device configured to receive energy and to deliver energy during oscillation, said oscillating inertial system comprising a rotational oscillator configured to oscillate past an equilibrium point while maintaining the continuous periodic motion of the engagement member.
13. The exercise system of claim 12 wherein the continuous periodic path of the engagement member simulates a stair climbing motion.
14. The exercise system of claim 12 wherein the continuous periodic path of the engagement member corresponds to the motion of an elliptical exercise device.
15. The exercise system of claim 12 wherein the continuous periodic path of the engagement member corresponds to the motion of a recumbent exercise apparatus.
16. The system of claim 12 further comprising a second inertial system coupled to a second engagement member, wherein the second inertial system comprises a rotational oscillator configured to oscillate past an equilibrium point while maintaining a continuous periodic motion path of the second engagement member.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the periodic motion path of the first and second engagement members are instantaneously variable in amplitude.
18. The exercise apparatus of claim 12 further comprising at least one spring coupled to said rotational oscillator, the at least one spring configured to provide supplemental inertial forces to the oscillating inertial system.
19. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a rotational oscillator configured to oscillate about an axis of rotation;
- an engagement member configured to be displaced by force applied by a user;
- a coupling member configured to couple the engagement member to the rotational oscillator and to transfer force therebetween, the coupling member having a first and a second surface configured to alternately contact the rotational oscillator during a period of rotation.
20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first and second surface alternately contact the rotational oscillator during a single periodic motion of the engagement member.
21. The exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the amplitude of oscillation is configured to be instantaneously variable.
22. An exercise apparatus comprising:
- a limb engagement member configured to engage a limb of a user and to be displaced repetitively by a force applied by said user;
- an oscillating inertial system comprising a rotational oscillator, said rotational oscillator having an axis of rotation, said rotational oscillator configured to rotate first in one direction of rotation about the axis of rotation and then in the opposing direction of rotation;
- a coupling member coupling the limb engagement member to the oscillating inertial system,
- wherein during operation the limb engagement travels through a range of motion between a first dwell point and a second dwell point of the rotational oscillator.
23. The exercise apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first and second dwell points are variable from one cycle of operation to the next cycle of operation.
24. The exercise apparatus of claim 22 further comprising at least one spring coupled to said rotational oscillator, the at least one spring configured to provide supplemental inertial forces to the oscillating inertial system.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 2, 2011
Publication Date: May 3, 2012
Inventor: Robert E. Rodgers, JR. (Canyon Lake, TX)
Application Number: 13/019,544
International Classification: A63B 21/22 (20060101);