SYSTEM FOR MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT BASED ON ECCENTRIC, CONCENTRIC AND ISOMETRIC CONTRACTIONS OF AGONISTIC AND ANTAGONISTIC MUSCLES, REACTIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF THE FORCE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor-driven device for concentric, isometric and eccentric muscle development, the triggering direction of which is reactive to the direction of the force of the user. The invention specifically relates to a motor-driven device with two operating directions, with reacts to the force of a user in order to counteract with an adjustable muscle development load in a reversible movement. It consists of a reversible motor-driven support which moves a mobile support (2)(30)(51) on which a part of the body is supported, and provides a muscle development load; and a stationary support (3)(33)(52) on which another part of the body is supported so as to counteract the motor-driven force of the mobile support (2)(30)(51). A system (6)(39)(58) for detecting the direction of the force of the user allows the control of the mechanism such that it can be motor-driven in the reverse direction, or stopped if the force of the user becomes insufficient The device according to the invention particularly targets muscle development based on isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions, that can be adapted to all sports activities. The device according to the invention can take the form of structures allowing vertical, horizontal or rotary types of force, or a combination of said types

Description

The present invention relates to a motorized device in two opposite and reversible directions of operation which reacts to the effort of the user through a detection system of the direction of an effort applied by the user by systematically generating a force and displacement of a mobile support in an opposite direction to the direction and reversal direction of the effort of the user. If the effort of the user is lower than the motorized force, the direction of movement and the direction of the motorized strength are maintained, if the strength of the user is greater than the motorized force, the displacement of the movable support is reversed but the direction of the motorized force is maintained, if there is equality, movement stops but the motorized force retains its direction. The system allows an agonist and antagonist muscle-strengthening exercise through back-and-forth contractions movements that can be either eccentric only or only concentric or only isometric or a particular combination of these three modes of contractions alternating agonist and antagonist work-out, according to: the set displayed for setting the strength of the engine, the effort of the user and from any position of the motorized device.

It allows back and forth movements from any starting point and any point of arrival, according to the random inversions of the direction of the user's effort.

The device shuts down its operation as soon as the user stops his effort.

It is reminded that:

• • If the user moves a load in a movement opposed to the direction of the load; his muscles are in concentric contractions,
  • If the user holds the load in a static position, his muscles are isometric contractions,
  • If the user is driven by the load having the same motion as the load direction by slowing the movement of the load, his muscles are working-out through eccentric contractions,
  • Strength exercise with back and forth movements, allows alternatively to use agonist and antagonist muscle, through opposing movements and efforts such as: the push and pull, lifting and lowering, pedaling in one or other direction.
  • the main agonist and antagonist muscles are couples: biceps-triceps, hamstrings quadriceps, abdominal-lumbar . . . .

Many experts give the eccentric contraction bodybuilding virtues superior to the concentric contraction but with some risk of burst of muscle fibers and higher recovery times.

Within the same exercise, alternating muscle-strengthening exercises: agonist muscle then antagonist muscle is especially recommended to have a harmonious and balanced development of the musculature. The weight machines are traditionally constituted by systems that mimic the weight load by gravity namely:

• • A first move in the “forward” direction that moves the load in the direction imposed by the user because the user is stronger than the load, this is a concentric contraction of the agonist muscle,
  • a second movement in the reverse direction that brings back the load to its original position in the direction imposed by the load because the user exerts a braking force which intensity is lower than the intensity of the load, it is a (pseudo) eccentric contraction of the same agonist muscle.

The contraction is called pseudo eccentric because in this case the user is stronger than the load; it is only a voluntary reduction of his effort that drives the load.

The real eccentric contraction corresponds to the case wherein the load exceeds the physical possibilities of the user. Working-out through a true eccentric contraction, the user can only slow down the movement of the load, the load must be greater than its physical capacity.

The problem in eccentric contraction is the fact that it exceeds the concentric effort from the user capacity; the user doesn't control its physical effort any more, he is dominated by the load. Thus, the descent of a load that can't be lifted, can be slowed down, nevertheless, once the load hit the lowest point, the user cannot lift it back up to the highest point without external assistance. Few machines enable an eccentric strength training. Most motorized eccentric weight machines require a prior concentric effort to move the gravity load. In the end of a concentric movement, the machine automatically adds a gravity load by a mechanical system to obtain a gravity load above the user's physical abilities allowing eccentric contractions in the direction of the initial load gravity load increased by the additional load.

Eccentric contractions through motorized weight training systems without gravitational mass, mainly pneumatic, do not allow the user to stop when he wants to stop his effort; motorized displacement will finish his shift and at the end of the shift a sensor or a stop enables to stop the movement. For security reasons, the displacement of motorized fitness systems while eccentric contractions movement is initially set between an adjustable starting point and an adjustable point of arrival to avoid the user to be locked into a load that cannot move because it exceeds his physical abilities.

Systems other than motorized treadmills are especially used in rehabilitation accompanying user's movements through concentric or eccentric contractions but these systems favor one direction of operation. These systems do not have two back-and-forth operating directions with eccentric contractions. Thus, during a workout session, within the same phase, the user cannot suddenly reverse the direction of his effort to work the antagonistic muscle in the initial effort; current systems do not instantly adapt to the direction of the user's effort. Currently, in the best case, we must stop the machine and set it in reverse motion, if it exists.

There are no motorized machine that allows a user to build muscle soliciting eccentric contractions in agonist and antagonistic balanced bodybuilding with back and forth horizontal, vertical or rotary displacement.

None of the existing fitness machines can generate a motorized force that is always exercised in opposition to the direction of the user's effort in such a way that it moves the user if the user's effort is lower than the motorized strength or is moved by the user if the effort of the user is greater than the motorized force and this, with back and forth movements, according to the direction reversals of the user's effort.

None of the existing machines have detection systems of the direction of the force that enable the machine to react in opposition to the detected direction. There are no back and forth motorized displacements related to detections of the direction inversions of the user's effort.

As part of a muscle work rotation, horizontal or vertical translation in contractions: concentric, isometric and eccentric, there are no motorized machine that provides a motorized force in the opposite direction to the direction of the effort of the user as soon as the user provides a force in one direction or the other. The absence of detection systems of the user effort direction makes instant alternation of the user's efforts impossible in one and the other direction with each time a constant and reversible force that can be greater than the user's effort in either direction. Alternating an agonist and antagonist muscle exercises into back and forth movements with a non-predetermined length displacement according to the will of the user, is thus, impossible during the same phase of work.

• • The invention WO 2011140432 (AI) entitled “linear motor system for a weight machine” is based on linear motors which are resistant to the efforts of the user, causing a bodybuilding efforts in concentric contractions in a predefined direction. This system does not allow eccentric or isometric strength training. As the system has no detection system of user's effort, the movements are executed between a predefined initial starting point and a predefined end point; it does not allow back and forth movements from any point of departure and any point of arrival, according to the non-predefined direction inversions of user's effort. Currently, full weight training requires a lot of time because there are many muscles to work on. In order to reduce the necessary time to bodybuilding or fitness sports, some motorized bodybuilding systems allowing to obtain: a full body workout by combining a treadmill with a strength training system.

Systems designed from electric treadmills used in bodybuilding are systems that do not achieve an strength training exclusively eccentric or concentric in both back and forth motion in order to solicit agonist and antagonist muscle in the same exercise; ie without new system settings.

This is what presents:

• • The invention WO 99/52601 OMESI RONEN in its title “Treadmill training to pull and push efforts” filed Mar. 5, 1999 and published Oct. 21, 1999. In this case, the electric motor is used as a brake resisting the user's thrust. The displacement is caused by the user when the force is greater than the braking force of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt cannot put the user in muscle strain. This conveyor belt does not allow eccentric contractions in bodybuilding or weight lifting isometric contractions.

The invention WO 2009/014330 A1 (KIM JAE-CHUL) [KR] seeks only agonist muscles of the user in concentric contractions in one direction and pseudo eccentric contractions in the other direction, the antagonist muscles cannot be solicited within the same exercise.

In no way the invention can work the agonists then antagonists muscles in only eccentric or only concentric contractions. The conveyor belt has always a resisting direction; it is the user's strength that creates the movement, and motor direction; this is the engine that brings the user back to the initial position. The invention does not have a motorization with two directions of displacement available in the same exercise while back and forth movements (see 16.157).

The invention does not have any system to detect direction of the user's effort, but only the conveyor belt displacement sensors. Back and forth movements enabling to work agonists and antagonists' muscles, in exclusively concentric or eccentric contractions exclusively related to the detection of the direction inversions and direction of the user's effort are impossible.

The following inventions are also motorized weight training systems enabling concentric strength training, pseudo eccentric and isometric

US 2007/123396 A1 (K JOSEPH ELLIS [US]), US 2011/123396 A1 (K JOSEPH ELLIS [US]), WO 2009/008877 A1 (K JOSEPH ELLIS [US]) In the description of these inventions, the conveyor belt only serves to force the user to find his balance while walking forward or backward while making an effort with the upper body.

These systems comprising a traction mechanism or pulling on arms combined with the rotation of a treadmill, all require the user to supply an initial effort higher than the load in order to move it. This initial effort will allow the user to exercise with the arms, a bodybuilding effort with concentric contractions of the agonist muscle. None of these inventions can:

• • start its operation by the implementation of a higher power than the physical abilities of the user, causing a displacement in the opposite direction of the user's effort,
  • generate forces greater than the physical capabilities of users that drive the user into back and forth motions in the opposite direction of its effort with eccentric contractions.
  • allow in the same exercise, to work agonist and antagonist muscles in back and forth movements, exclusively in concentric or exclusively eccentric contractions by inversions of the load's direction related to the detection of direction and direction reversals of the user's effort.

The analysis of the previous existing technics shows that there is no motorized exercise machine allowing, in the same exercise, alternating work of agonist and antagonist muscles in exclusively eccentric contractions or only concentric or isometric in particular combination of these three modes of contractions. No previous inventions allow back and forth movements from any point of departure and from any point of arrival, according to the non-predetermined direction reversals of the user's effort since none of these inventions have systems to detect the user's effort direction.

The technical problem can be summarized in the following points:

• • displacements generated in opposite directions, in other words back and forth movements enabling to work agonists and antagonists muscles in eccentric contractions only or concentric isometric only, without any intervention on the machine controller during the sequence of movements that is to say during the exercise,
  • possibility to generate, from the beginning of the exercise, forces which exceed the physical abilities of the user which will move the user's support in the opposite direction of his effort and allow back and forth movements with a motorized force always greater than the effort of the user and always directed in the opposite direction of the user's effort,
  • start, stop and reverse displacements according to the user's will: at any time and without predetermined position.
  • User's Safety setting on a system that consistently opposed its action to the direction of his effort, which exerts a greater force than the physical resilience of the user and which moves the support of the user in a movement that the user cannot hold back.

The device of the invention overcomes all these drawbacks.

The user leans on the movable support of the motorized mechanism with a part of his body (2) (30) (51), the other part of his body is linked with the resistant support (3) (33) (52) allowing the user to find its footing to apply an opposite effort to the motorized force of the mobile support.

When the user applies a force on the movable support (2) (30) (51) of the motorized mechanism, according to one of the two directions of movement of this mechanism, a detection system (6) (39) (58) acquires the direction of this effort, the detection system (6) (39) (58) may be composed of sensors (23) and (24), (40) and (41), or strain gauges (56) and (57) to control:

• • The motorization force direction and displacement that results.
  • Direction reversals each time the user reverses the direction of its efforts during the exercise,
  • The system shutdown when there is no more effort direction detected

System startup is triggered only when a direction of an effort is detected regardless of the intensity of effort.

The information of the detected direction of the user's effort is transmitted to a control unit which controls the motorized mechanism so that the motor force transmitted to the movable support (2) (30) (51) is applied to the user in the opposite direction to the direction of the user's effort and causes an initial displacement of the mobile support (2) (30) (51) always in the opposite direction to the effort of the user and therefore in the same direction as the motor force.

During the exercise, the user simply has to change the direction of his effort to reverse the motorization action. The motorized force and the initial displacement reverse their direction, so that they are always opposed to the user's effort direction detected. This operation allows generating back-and-forth movements that enable the alternate work of agonist and antagonist muscles through many sequences in the same exercise.

Whatever the direction of use, horizontal, vertical or rotary, the motorized mechanism must be reversible; a reversible motorization allows movement in the opposite direction of the motorized direction in the case the action of the user effort generates a resistance force greater than the intensity of the motorized force. When the intensity of the user's effort is greater than the intensity adjustment of the motorized force, the reversibility of the mechanism allows having a direction of an effective displacement opposed to the direction of movement initially controlled by the motorized mechanism. The reversibility of the mechanism allows the concentric training. This reversible motorized system is reversible in both directions of the motorization. Each operating direction has: a direction, an adjustable rate, adjustable force.

The initial effort of the user can be performed from any position of the mechanical device and in any working direction. The motorized mechanism will react in opposition to the direction of this initial effort and stop applying force and moving as soon as the user will release his effort. The direction of the effective displacement of the motorized mechanism may be different from the reversible direction controlled because it depends on the ratio between the intensity of the user's effort and the intensity of the motorized forces:

• • If the user's effort is lower than the motorized force, the effective displacement of the mechanism is in the direction of the power and strength in the opposite direction of the user's effort; the user works in eccentric contractions, the originally ordered displacement direction is maintained,
  • If the user's effort is equal to the motorized force, reversible mechanism cannot generate movement but will continue to exert a motorized force in the opposite direction of the effort of the user; the user works in isometric contractions, the initially controlled movement is blocked,
  • If the user's effort is greater than the motorized force, reversibility of the motorized mechanism allows effective movement opposed to the direction of the motorized force and in the same direction as the effort of the user; the user is working in concentric contractions, the direction of movement initially set-up is reversed.

The reversibility of the motorized mechanism may be acquired by the particular use of DC motors, brushless motors, of stepper motors, asynchronous motors associated with electronic speed and mechanical reductions gears reversible. One of the easiest solutions to implement is the addition of an electromagnetic coupling to an asynchronous motor reducer. An electromagnetic powder coupler (4) provides the transmission of a constant torque to the mechanism which is maintained whatever the direction of displacement imposed or suffered by the user. The torque partially or completely transmitted from the engine torque, according to the transmitted electromagnetic coupling adjustment. During isometric and concentric contractions exercises, this technological solution avoids the addition of a subsequent cooling system to an engine temperature rise that no longer rotates in the direction controlled as it continues to provide power at movable support (2) (30) (51) in the opposite direction to the detected direction.

To allow safe operation, a minimum trigger effort and stop motorized mechanism has to be implemented to prevent a child from starting the system or a tired user from being stuck under the motorized load. The intensity of this minimum security effort can be close to 10 daN while the maximum intensity of the motorized force can far exceed 100 daN, depending on the power of the chosen engine. The device therefore includes a system which allows the detection of the minimum effort intensity from the user to control:

• • the motorized mechanism shutdown when the user supplies an effort with a lower intensity than the safety value,
  • The set in motion of the motorized mechanism when the user supplies an effort with a greater intensity than this safety value.

Several technological solutions can allow adjusting the minimum effort trigger:

• • The deformation of an adjustable spring (28),
  • Setting the detection threshold of a strain gauge (56) (57).

A conventional automation (programmable logic controller, electronic card technology wired): controlling, stopping or the direction of the motor rotation, based on the detection of the direction of the minimum security efforts

• • a speed variator: allowing the progressive implementation of the target force
  • a display system of user's effort duration,
  • a display system of the user's posture during exercise,
  • an adjustment of the motorized force intensity of each displacement direction,
  • an adjustment of the motorized speed of each displacement of the mobile support (2) (30) (51),

Thus, the motorized mechanism of the invention, allows having in the same exercise the opportunity to work the agonist and antagonist muscles contractions: concentric, isometric and eccentric without changing either configuration or setting of this motorized machine through back and forth movements. These back and forth movements are generated by the detection of voluntary and not predetermined direction inversions of the user's effort.

The invention thus allows a series of exercises of agonist and antagonist muscles through exclusively eccentric contractions workout or exclusively concentric or isometric contractions according to the setting value of the motorized force intensity and the intensity of user's effort based on its physical capacity.

To meet the different needs of users, from the same motorized mechanism of the invention, the device comes in mainly three structural positions: horizontal, vertical and rotary. Motorized mechanisms: horizontal and vertical, horizontal and rotary, can be combined to create complex weight machines that reduce the time devoted to strength training exercises.

The horizontal configuration includes: —reversible motorized mechanism (4, 5), as described above, resulting in a movable support (2) consisting of a conveyor belt in the direction, front and back, on which the user can alternate front and rear efforts,

• • a fixed bearing support (3), formed by a horizontal crossbar related to motorized mechanism by two vertical elements of adjustable height on which the user builds with his upper body.
  • A detection system of the direction (6) and direction inversions of the user's effort.

Thus, if the user exerts an effort toward the rear, the system reacts and puts the reversible conveyor belt into forward movement by exerting a force equal to the set value, if the user pushes the conveyor belt forward; the system reacts and puts the reversible belt into backward motion by exerting a force equal to the set value.

If the user pushes less than the set value, the motorized force and the effective displacement of the belt will put the user in eccentric contractions.

If the user pushes as much as the set value, the movement of the belt will be null but the force will be maintained, opposed to the effort and constant. The user will be in isometric contraction.

If the user pushes more than the set value, the effective displacement of the conveyor belt will be in the direction of the user's effort; he will be in concentric contractions.

If the user stops pushing, the conveyor belt stops too.

If the user alternates thrust towards the rear with a forward thrust, he is alternating agonist/antagonist workout.

The vertical configuration includes:

• • A reversible motorized mechanism (34,35) as indicated above which has two slides connected by a horizontal cross member which constitutes the movable support (30) sliding in vertical supports in the direction of upward and downward, on which the user may performing with the upper body an upward and downward effort,
  • a bottom bearing support composed of a fixed horizontal support (33), linked to vertical motorized mechanism on which the user leans with his lower body.
  • A detection system of the direction and direction inversions of the user's effort (39).

So:

• • If the user exerts an upward force on the bar, the system responds setting the displacement of the bar downward shift by supplying a force equal to the set value,
  • If the user exerts a downward force on the bar, the system reacts and put the bar in upward movement by delivering a force equal to the set value.
  • If the user exerts a force lower than the set value, the movement of the bar will put the user in eccentric contraction. —If the user pushes as much as the value set, the movement of the bar will be null but the force will remain constant. The user will be in isometric contraction.
  • If the user pushes more than the value set, the movement of the bar will be in the same direction as the user's effort; he will be working through concentric contraction.
  • If the user stops applying a force on the bar, the system is shut down.
  • If the user alternates an upward bar's movement with a downward bar's movement; he is doing an agonist/antagonist workout.

The rotary configuration includes:

• • A reversible motorized mechanism as indicated above, which rotates a lever or pedal that constitutes the movable support (51) around the drive shaft which rotates in both directions, on which the user can perform with arms or with legs a rotation effort,
  • A bearing support (52) consisting of a fixed support connected to the mechanical device on which the user leans with another part of his body.
  • A detection system of directions (56, 57) and directions inversions of the user's effort. Thus, if the user turns the lever (51) in a direction, the system reacts and puts the rotating leverage in the other direction with a torque equal to the set value.

If the user exerts a force lower than the set rotation of the lever will put the user in eccentric contraction, his support will move driven by the movement of the lever.

If the user pushes as much as the value set, the movement of the lever will be null but the couple will remain constant. The user will be in isometric contraction.

If the user pushes more than the set value, the movement of the lever will be in the direction of the user's force; he will be in concentric contraction.

If the user stops exerting a force on the lever, the system stops.

If the user alternates a rotation force in one direction with a rotational force in the other direction; he works agonist/antagonist muscle.

The rotary device according to the invention of the motorized mechanism allows a cyclist to work his legs muscle through an eccentric contraction workout. A motorized pedal according to the invention can provide a higher torque to the torque of the user and impose a reverse rotation to the one sought by the user. It will be a true eccentric contraction very effective, which will allow the user gaining muscle power.

If the user provides a torque equal to the pedal motorization setting, the user will be in isometric contraction; the exercise will be static but also very effective in muscle power gain. If the user provides a greater torque than the pedal motorization setting, the user will be in concentric contraction; the workout will thus remind the existing principles of motorized exercise bikes.

Complex machines can be constituted by a motorized machine with a horizontal structure as described above and a motorized machine with vertical structure as described above or by a motorized machine with a horizontal structure as described above and a motorized machine rotating with structure as described above. In this situation, the vertical or motorized rotary structures are mounted instead of the vertical fixed support of the horizontal power machine. Thus, complex machines can be built with two motorized systems of same composition and homogeneous order.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

FIG. 1 shows the device of the invention with motorized mechanism in the horizontal plane with a forward movement of the conveyor belt which reacts and opposes the force toward the rear of the user on the conveyor belt.

FIG. 2 shows the device of the invention with motorized mechanism in the horizontal plane with a rear movement of the belt which reacts and opposes the force toward the front of the user on the belt

FIG. 3 shows the construction of the horizontal motorized system and more particularly the drive of the conveyor belt supporting the efforts of the user.

FIG. 4 shows the device of the invention with motorized mechanism in the vertical plane with an upward movement of the motorized slides which react and oppose the downward force of the user on the transom.

FIG. 5 shows the device of the invention with motorized mechanism in the vertical plane with a downward movement of the motorized slides which react and oppose the upward force of the user on the transom.

FIG. 6 shows the construction of the vertical version of the invention device.

FIG. 7 shows the device of the invention with rotating motorized mechanism with a rotational movement of the lever which reacts and is opposed to the schedule of the user rotation force on the lever.

FIG. 8 shows the device of the invention with motorized mechanism in rotation with a rotational movement of the lever which reacts and opposed to the counterclockwise rotation of the user's force on the lever.

FIG. 9 shows a combination of the horizontal motorized mechanism with the vertical motorized mechanism.

FIG. 10 shows a possible application of the horizontal motorized system combination with the vertical motorized system. This application relates to the game of rugby in his melee pushing phase.

FIG. 11 shows a possible application of the combination of the horizontal motorized system with a motorized rotating system. Two machines in one can be available:

• • a First horizontal machine composed of motorized horizontal belt according to the invention and a fixed support comprising a fixed lever which can rotate and whose position can be manually adjusted around its rotational axis. The position of the lever is mechanically locked after setting or automatically positioned with its motorization,
  • A second machine composed of a fixed support made up with the belt secured against rotation and a motorized device rotating according to the invention on which the user supplies efforts with his arms on the lever that can be considered as a mobile support.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the device applied to a horizontal drive comprises:

• • An horizontally motorized support at the bottom of the device constituted by a belt (L) in rotation on which the user leans (2) on his feet,
  • a high fixed support (3) composed of a horizontal crossbar on which the user leans on his hands.

The motorization of the belts (1) is formed by an electric geared motor (5) of 550 watts with two directions of rotation. This geared motor has a torque of 80 Nm with an output speed of 10 rev/min. The output shaft of the geared motor is coupled in rotation to a magnetic powder clutch (4) with transmissible torque adjustable by electric control (8) 0-10 volts with a maximum torque of 64 Nm. The output of the clutch shaft is coupled to a general drive shaft which will transmit the torque and running speed to the belt (1).

The magnetic powder clutch (4) is used to provide the same torque proportional to the intensity of a magnetizing current of the powder. The greater the current is, the higher the magnetization and the greater the clutch can transmit torque. The adjustment of this current is carried through to a control unit controlled by a potentiometer (8) 0-10 volts on the control panel (9) available to the user.

The torque transmitted by the powder clutch is perfectly reversible; the reversal does not require additional effort and the set torque is maintained regardless of the direction of rotation.

When the user effort on the conveyor belt generates a torque greater than the torque supplied by the clutch, the output movement of the clutch is reversed but the set torque and direction are maintained. The clutch torque resists concentric contraction of the user; the clutch torque acts as a brake constant.

When the user effort on the conveyor belt generates a torque equal to the torque supplied by the clutch, the output movement of the clutch is null but the set torque and sense are maintained. The clutch torque resists isometric movement of the user; the clutch torque behaves like a fixed charge equal to the effort of the user.

When the user effort on the conveyor belt generates a torque lower than the torque supplied by the clutch, the clutch output movement imposes its direction and value to the conveyor belt. The clutch torque drives the motion, the bottom of the user supports move in the opposite direction of his effort; the user is in an eccentric contraction muscle building phase; under muscular duress he will be forced to move his feet.

This gear motor (5) is controlled by an electronic controller to adjust the basic speed of the belt which is equal to 10 cm/s.

The frequency converter also allows programming a gradual increase in the intensity of the driving force and the progressive increase of the actuation.

The motorized mechanism of bodybuilding providing horizontal movement forward or backward, as described above, drives a specific treadmill (1) from a general transmission shaft (11).

On the general transmission shaft (11), two pinions (12) free-wheel are mounted in opposition. According to the direction of rotation of the controlled general drive shaft, the transmission of the engine will be either towards the “front” shaft (13) or to the “rear” shaft (14). Thus, when the belt is rolling forward the pinions of the shaft “forward” (13) are motors, the pinions of the shaft “rear” (14) remain free and when the belt has to roll toward the rear the pinions of the shaft “rear” (14) are motors, the pinions of the shaft “forward” (13) remaining free. A holding system of the torque provided by the magnetic powder clutch transmits a torque adjustable from 0 to 64 Nm constant regardless of the movement of the belt.

The conveyor belt is composed of rigid boards (10) 80 cm long, 12.5 cm wide and 3 cm thick. These boards roll on a rolling path (15) connected to the frame. This ball raceway allows a substantial reduction in the mechanical friction of the boards on the bottom support. These boards are guided laterally by lateral guides; said guide allows a non-oriented user effort. The drive of the conveyor belt boards is achieved by a system of pinions (16), transmission lines (17) plates of the fastening channels (18) and freewheel (12) allowing the upper part of the conveyor belt be always tensioned whatever the direction of rotation of the motor. The whole conveyor belt (I) thus formed allows the user to push with his feet by putting thrusts forward or backward up to 250 daN. The top support is composed of a simple horizontal effort bar (3) connected to the frame of the bottom support (20) by uprights (21).

These vertical posts have a joint (22) to detect the direction of the forward or backward effort on the belt with a magnetic position sensor (23) indicating that the user creates a rearward effort on the belt by pushing the stress bar and a magnetic sensor (24) indicating that the user creates a forward effort on the conveyor belt by pulling on the stress bar. Compression springs (28) located in the same area are calibrated to a minimum of safety value and require the user to compress them to allow the sensors to initiate movement. If the force is less than the safety value, these springs return the top bracket in the middle position by thereby stopping the movement of the belt by disabling position sensors.

The traditional control box (25) includes a programmable logic controller or an electronic card that manages the operating cycle, the safety and energy power management through variable speed drives associated with the motors.

The communication device with the user enables:

• • the conveyor belt efforts adjustment (26) in both directions of rotation,
  • the displacement speeds of the engine (27) in both directions of rotation,
  • the visualization of the exercise's time.

An auxiliary element is composed of a webcam-type camera that allows the user to see his effort posture on a screen and to correct it in real time.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the device applied to a vertical engine comprising:

• • A top support constituted by a force bar (30) connected to the frame by two motorized slides (31) vertically guided in uprights (32) fixed on the bottom support.
  • a low fixed support (33) consists of a flat surface on which the user leans on his feet.

The motorization of the vertical rails is formed by an electric geared motor (34) of 90 watts with two directions of rotation. This geared motor has a torque of 20 Nm with an output speed of 10 rev/min. The output shaft (37) of the geared motor is coupled in rotation to a clutch (35) to magnetic powder adjustable torque transmitted by electrical control 0-10 volts with a maximum torque of 12 Nm. The output of the clutch shaft is coupled to a general transmission shaft (38) which transmits the torque and running speed to the vertical slideways (31).

The magnetic powder clutch (35) enables to provide the same torque proportional to the intensity of a powder of the magnetizing current. The greater the current is, the higher the magnetization and the greater the clutch can transmit a large torque. The adjustment of this current is carried through to a control unit controlled by a potentiometer (8) 0-10 volts on the control panel (25) available to the user. The torque transmitted by the clutch (35) for powder is completely reversible; the reversal does not require additional effort and the set torque is maintained regardless of the rotation direction.

When the force of the user on the bar (30) generates a torque higher than the torque value provided by the clutch, the output motion of the clutch is reversed but the target torque and direction are maintained. The clutch torque resists movement in concentric contractions of the user; the clutch torque acts as a constant brake.

When the effort of the user on the bar (30) generates a torque equal to the torque supplied by the clutch, the output movement of the clutch is null but the set torque and direction are maintained. The clutch torque resists movement in isometric contraction of the user; the clutch torque behaves like a fixed resistor equal to the effort of the user.

When the user effort over the bar (30) generates a torque less than the torque supplied by the clutch (35), the clutch output movement imposes its direction up or down and his strength to the bar (30). The clutch torque creates displacement, high sills of the user moving in the direction opposite the direction of his effort; the user is eccentric strength training phase under the muscle strain he will be forced to raise and lower his arms.

This gearbox is controlled by an electronic controller for adjusting the conveyor belt base rate which is 3 cm/s.

This frequency converter can also allow a gradual increase in the intensity of the driving force and the progressive increase of the actuation.

The motorized fitness mechanism providing vertical movement upwards or downwards, as described above, results in slides guided in a specific vertical support from a general propeller shaft.

The transmission of motion is effected by a rack and pinion system: the pinion (43) being fixed on the fixed vertical upright (32) and the rack (42) on the movable upright (31).

The connection between the output of the clutch (35) and the pinion (43) is effected by a chain drive (36) from a small 20 gear teeth pinion to a 40 teeth, this will reduce the transmission speed and increase torque.

Each vertical upright is composed of a fixed part (32) in association with the frame and a movable part (31) guided in vertical translation by bearings (44) fixed to the fixed stay (32). The force bar (30) is connected to the movable part via a mechanism (39) for detecting the direction of the force of the user and verify that the minimum safety force is reached. This detection is done by a magnetic position sensor (40) indicating that the user creates an upward force on the force bar (30) and a magnetic sensor (41)\indicating that user creates a downward force on exercise bar (30). Compression springs in the same area are calibrated to a minimum safety value and require the user to compress them to allow the sensors to initiate movement. If the force is less than the safety level, these springs bring the bar (30) back to the middle position by thereby stopping the movement of the slides by disabling position sensors.

The standard control box (25) includes a programmable logic controller or an electronic card that manages the operating cycle, the safety and energy power management through variable speed drives associated with the motors.

The communication device with the user enables:

• • the setting of the vertical forces (8) in both directions of movement,
  • the displacement speeds of the engine (26) in both directions of movement,
  • the visualization of the exercise's time.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the device applied to a rotary engine comprises:

• • A reversible motor support (53) which rotates in both directions a lever (51) on which the user exerts a rotational force.
  • an auxiliary fixed support (52) on which the user leans.

The motorization of the lever (51) is formed by an electric geared motor (53) of 550 watts with two directions of rotation. This geared motor has a torque of 80 Nm with an output speed of 10 t/min. The gear motor output shaft (54) is rotationally connected to a magnetic particle clutch (56) which transmissible torque is adjustable by electric control (8) 0-10 volts with a maximum torque of 64 Nm. The output shaft of the clutch (55) is coupled to a general transmission shaft which will transmit torque and operating speed of the force lever (51).

The magnetic particle clutch (56) allows to provide the same torque proportional to the intensity of a powder's magnetization current. The higher the current is, the higher the magnetization and the greater the clutch can transmit high torque. The setting of this current is done through a control module controlled by a potentiometer (8) 0-10 volts on the control panel (9) available to the user.

The torque transmitted by the powder clutch is perfectly reversible; the reversal does not require additional effort and the set torque is maintained regardless of the direction of rotation.

When the force of the user on the force lever (51) generates a torque higher than the torque value provided by the clutch, the output motion of the clutch is reversed but the target torque and its direction are maintained. The clutch torque resists concentric movement of the user; the clutch torque acts as a constant brake. When the force of the user on the lever (51) generates a torque equal to the torque supplied by the clutch, the output movement of the clutch is null but the set torque and its direction are maintained. The clutch torque resists isometric resists movement of the user; the clutch torque behaves as a fixed resistor equal to the effort of the user.

When the force of the user on the lever (51) generates a torque lower than the torque supplied by the clutch, the output movement of the clutch imposes its direction and its value to the force lever 51). The clutch torque creates movement, the user's sills on the lever (51) move in the opposite direction opposite of his effort; the user is eccentric strength training phase under the muscle strain he will be forced to turn its sills by accompanying the movement of the lever (51).

This gear motor is controlled by an electronic controller to adjust the basic speed of levera that is equal to 10 t/min.

The frequency converter also allows programming a gradual increase in the intensity of the driving force and the progressive increase of the actuation.

The motorized fitness mechanism providing rotational movement in one direction or the other, as described above, causes a force lever rotated by the general transmission shaft (55).

The transmission of movement is directly on the general shaft. The lever contains a mechanism to detect the direction of the user's effort and to ensure that the minimum security effort is reached. This detection is effected by means of a strain gauge (56) indicating that the user creates a force in one direction on the lever and a strain gauge (57) indicating that the user creates an effort in the other direction on the lever. A rotary joint (55) retrieves the information on the direction of user's effort and a minimum current threshold of this effort. This intensity threshold imposes stopping the motorized mechanism if it is not achieved or stopping the motorized mechanism startup if it is achieved and exceeded.

Referring to FIG. 9, the device applied to combinations of motorized mechanisms for muscle-building comprises:

• • The horizontally motorized bodybuilding mechanism, moving a treadmill as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3.
  • A vertically motorized bodybuilding mechanism, moving a horizontal force bar as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6.
  • a combination of both control systems motorized mechanisms.

The arrangement of the two devices is organized as follows: —The support plate (33) of the vertical device is removed,

• • The joint (22), the region (6) with the detection system (23) (28) and (24) of the horizontal device are transferred to the vertical stand (32) of the vertical system,
  • The Control part is managed with a traditional automatism, which is the juxtaposition of the two control systems of the horizontal device and vertical device.

Operation resumes characteristics of both horizontal and vertical devices.

Initially, the user is resting with his feet on the bottom bracket and in connection with his upper body over the top support.

The horizontal motorization concerns the horizontal front and rear displacement conveyor belt, the bar (30) being fixed in the horizontal direction.

The vertical motorization is dedicated to the bar (30) vertically moving upward or downward. Both modes horizontal and vertical of constraints can operate simultaneously or one without the other.

The value of the horizontal force of the belt (I) and the value of the vertical force of the bar (30) are adjustable on a control panel (9).

The value of the horizontal speed of the bottom support and the vertical speed value of the top support are adjustable on a control panel.

It is the effort forward or rearward of the user on the conveyer belt (1) that triggers the motion of the belt (1) with the power set at the target value.

It is the effort upward or downward of the user on the horizontal bar (30) that triggers the motion of the bar (30) with the power set at the target value.

These efforts are considered only if they exceed a minimum safety value, thus preventing children from using the system.

If the user doesn't supply the minimum safety effort while the system is operating, the motion is shut down enabling the user to stop working under the constraint when desired.

For the motorization of the conveyor belt (1):

• • If the user produces minimal effort in a rear direction on the conveyor belt, the belt will go forward and put the user in physical stress between the conveyor belt (1) and the horizontal bar (30),
  • If the user provides a minimum effort in forward direction on the conveyor belt (1), the belt (1) will go backward and put the user in physical stress between the belt (1) and the horizontal bar (30),
  • If the user provides an equal and opposite effort to the force of the conveyor belt (1), the belt (1) will be blocked in its progression but the force of the belt (1) will remain equal to the nominal value and will continue to be applied to the user, the user will be isometric strength training, —if the user provides a force greater and opposite to the force of the belt (1), the belt (1) will reverse its direction of displacement but the driving force of the belt (1) remain equal to the target value and will continue to be applied to the user in the original direction, the user will be concentric body building,
  • If the user provides a lower effort and opposite to the conveyor belt force (1), the belt (1) keeps the direction of displacement requiring the user to move his feet on the belt (1) to find a new effort position on the belt (1), the user will be involved in an eccentric strength exercise.

For the horizontal bar motorization (30):

• • If the user provides a minimal upward effort on the horizontal bar (30), the horizontal bar comes down and put the user in physical stress between the belt (1) and the bar (30),
  • If the user provides a minimal downward effort on the horizontal bar (30), the bar (30) will go up and put the user under physical constraint,
  • If the user provides a force equal and opposite to the force of the horizontal bar (30), the bar (30) is blocked in its progression but the strength of the bar (30) will remain equal to the nominal value and will continue to be applied to the user, the user will be isometric strength training,
  • if the user provides a force greater and opposite to the force of the bar (30), the bar (30) will reverse its direction of displacement but the driving force of the bar (30) will remain equal to the nominal value and will remain applied to the user in the original direction, the user will be concentric strength training,
  • If the user provides a lower effort and opposite to the force of the bar (30), the bar (30) will keep its displacement direction requiring high supports of the user to keep up with the movement of the bar (30), the user will be eccentric strength training.

In both cases, the user can alternately go from a thrust eccentric movement on the belt (1) back to an eccentric thrust forward movement, a concentric movement thrust on the belt (1) back to an eccentric thrust forward movement, an eccentric upward movement of the bar (30) to an eccentric downward movement and concentric upward movement of the bar (30) to a downward movement within the same exercise. Thus achieving a real weight training agonist/antagonist.

Referring to FIG. 10

The combination of defined systems of the invention enables to create a driving machine to the specific thrust scrum rugby game.

This system consists of:

• • The horizontal motorized mechanism according to the invention as described above and illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, —The vertical motorized mechanism according to the invention as described above and shown in FIGS. 4,5 and 6.
  • A constructive organization as previously described and illustrated in FIG. 9. Scrum machine pad (60) is attached to the horizontal bar (30) which is driven in a vertical movement. The player pushes back on the conveyor belt (1), the belt reacts and applies a force to the front putting the player in muscle strain. If the player provides a force greater than the belt, the belt is spread backwards; the player's movement corresponds to that of a player who moves forward. If the player provides a lower effort than the belt's force, the belt runs forward; the player movement corresponds to that of a player who moves back.

If with his upper body, the player exerts a force upward, the scrum machine will force downward.

If with his upper body, the player exerts a downward force, the scrum machine will force upward.

The resulting displacement of this struggle between player and power machine will be the displacement imposed by the player if he is stronger than the machine or displacement of the machine if it is stronger than the player. The struggle ends as soon as the player releases his effort; the power machine stops its movement.

The device of the invention is particularly intended for the training of athletes:

• • to gyms allowing users:
  • to seek in no time maximum muscle groups,
  • to work safely eccentric muscle contractions that corresponds to the case where the loads cause the movement by putting the user into resistance. This is the most effective weight training mode but the fact that the load dominates the user makes it dangerous with traditional devices. The device of the invention allows the blocking of the load as soon as the user disengages.
  • to work within the same exercise without changing the bearings, the agonist and antagonist muscles alternately along both directions of the engine in the three modes of contraction: isometric, concentric and eccentric, ensuring a balanced weight.
  • to rugby clubs attaching over the horizontal bar (30) scrum machine pad (FIG. 10). Such a system enables a player to work out individually the pushing for scrum. After removing the pad, the system will find a configuration for a complex bodybuilding use.
  • to cyclists who wish to gain pedaling power by working on a pedal to eccentric muscle contraction. The engine crank seeks to turn the pedals in the opposite direction to that of the user.

Claims

1) A body-building device, reactive to the direction of an effort, enabling eccentric, concentric and isometric muscles contractions of agonists and antagonists muscles. The device is composed of:

A motorized mechanism (5) (34) (53) in two opposite directions of operation which provides for each direction a motorized force with adjustable intensity (8) (9) to a movable support (2) (30) (51) on which a part of the body of the user is supported and exerts an effort,

A fixed support (3) (33) (52) allowing the user to take a second support to resist in either direction the motorized strength of the mobile support (2) (30) (51);

Characterized in that the acquisition by a detection system (6) (39) (58) of the direction of a minimum effort applied by the user on the supports with a preset intensity (2)(30)(51) and (3)(33)(52), starts a reversible motorized mechanism (5)(34)(53) that transmits its motive force to the mobile support (2)(30)(51) in the opposite direction to the detected direction of the user minimum effort and also causes the inversion of the displacement direction when the user reverses the direction of his minimum effort: there is an instant inversion of the direction of the motorized force that occurs on the mobile support (2) (30) (51) and the resulting displacement of the mobile support (2)(30)(51), which provides during the exercise:

When the intensity of the user's effort is lower than the intensity of the power strength: the direction of the mobile support motorized force (2) (30) (51) remains in the opposite direction to the user's effort and the mobile support displacement (2)(30)(51) stays in the opposite direction to the user effort,

When the intensity of the user effort is equal to the intensity of the motorized force, the mobile support (2) (30) (51) is stabilized and comes to a standstill while the direction of the motorized force remains in the opposite direction to the user effort,

When the intensity of the user effort is greater than the intensity of the power strength: whereas the direction of the motorized force remains in the opposite direction to the user effort, the displacement of the mobile support (2)(30)(51) is reversed and follows the same direction as the user effort,

When the intensity of the user effort is lower than the minimum safety effort: the motorized mechanism is shut down (5) (34) (53).

2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motorized mechanism (5)(34)(53) has a reversible transmission (4) (35) (56) in both directions of displacement which allows the motorized force of the mobile support to keep the same direction and intensity set (2)(30)(51) while:

the displacement of the mobile support (2) (30) (51) driven by the effort of the user towards the opposite direction from the motorized force transmitted to the mobile support (2)(30)(51) when the user effort is greater than the motorized motive force,

the immobility of the mobile support (2)(30)(51) caused by an effort supplied by the user on the mobile support that is equal to the preset intensity (89)(9) of the motorized force transmitted to the mobile support (2)(30)(51).

3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a detection system (6) (39) (58) which detects the direction of the effort of the user on his fixed or mobile bearing surface through proximity sensors (23) and (24), (40) and (41), that detect the compression of springs (28),(39) or strain gauges (56) and (57) that act on the operation safety enabling to start or stop the system only after the detection of the preset intensity of the minimum safety effort supplied by the user to trigger the control of:

the motorized mechanism shutdown (5)(34)(53) as soon as the user releases his effort below the intensity of the minimum effort;

the set into motion of the motorized mechanism (5)(34)(53) as soon as the user supplies an effort intensity more important than the minimum effort;

the direction of the motorized force in the opposite direction to both directions of the minimum effort and the resulting displacement;

the direction inversions each time the user reverses the direction of his effort during the exercise.

4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that has a conventional automatic control system (25)(26) characterized in that it comprises:

A programmable automaton (PLC) or an electronic card: controlling, the rotation's stops and directions of the engine according to the detection of the minimum effort's direction,

a speed variator, allowing a escalation in the application of the target force,

a display system of user effort's duration,

a display system of the user posture during exercise,

an adjustment of the intensity of the motorized force and speed of each movement.

5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in its horizontal configuration includes:

Motorized mechanism according to the invention that draws in the forward and backward directions a treadmill (1), on which the user can be supported ( ) to make forward and backward efforts within the same exercise,

a system for detecting the direction of the force (6),

a fixed bearing support formed by a horizontal crosspiece (6) connected to the frame of the motorized mechanism by two vertical elements (7) of adjustable height on which the user takes support (3) with the upper body,

A control unit (25) (26).

6) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in its vertical configuration:

Motorized mechanism according to the invention which draws in a vertical movement a movable support constituted by two slideways (31) joined by a horizontal crosspiece (30) sliding in the vertical supports (32) in the direction up and down, on which the user can perform with the upper body of an ascent and descent effort,

A detection system of the direction of the minimum effort (39),

a fixed support for low support (33) composed of a fixed horizontal support connected to the vertical motorized mechanism where the user leans on with the lower body,

a control unit (25) (26).

7) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in its rotary configuration:

A motorized mechanism according to the invention which rotates around the motor axis a movable support constituted by a lever (51) on which the user can apply with one of his body part: hands or feet, a rotational effort in one direction or the other,

a detection system of the effort direction (58),

a fixed support (52) connected to the frame of vertical motorized mechanism on which the user is supported to apply the rotational effort,

a control unit (25) (26).

8) Device according to claims 5 and 6 characterized in that it comprises in a complex configuration in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10:

The bodybuilding mechanism horizontally motorized moving a conveyor belt as illustrated on the FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3.

A bodybuilding mechanism vertically motorized moving an horizontal strength bar as illustrated on FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6;

A combination of both motorized mechanisms control systems,

A control unit managed with a conventional automatism which is a juxtaposition of both horizontal and vertical devices' control system.

9) Device according to claims 5 and 7 characterized in that it comprises in a complex configuration in reference to FIG. 11:

the motorized device of the invention in its horizontal configuration associated with a motorized mechanism according to the invention in its rotary configuration, fixed on the vertical support of the fixed support in the horizontal configuration,

a control unit (25) (26).