Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing locomotor muscle size and strength at low training intensities using eccentric ergometry.

Abstract: An ergometer loading device includes a rotor and a stator which is provided so as to be coaxial with the rotor and have a prescribed gap from the rotor. The stator is provided with a core and a plurality of exciting coils. The rotor includes a ferromagnetic body such as a steel plate and a conductor of small electric resistance provided on the ferromagnetic body. Since the conductor faces the core of the stator with the prescribed gap therebetween, an ergometer loading device which is adjusted easily and applies large torque can be provided.

Abstract: An exercise machine is described which is entirely self-contained without any source of outside power. A rechargeable battery is used to maintain the exercise system operative for a time-out period. At all other times the machine is powered by the user. The machine is compact, light, rigid and sized to fit through a standard doorway. The entire exercise machine is provided with a wrap-around handrail into which a display input/output unit has been integrally provided. The exercise machine or stepper utilizes a dynamically controllable load or alternator which is controlled by a computer circuit to maintain the power input into the exercise machine or to maintain metabolically energy consumption rate within a user of the exercise machine at a predetermined, approximately constant level, regardless of the speed of stepping or the actual or effective weight of the user. The alternator is dynamically controlled by pulse width modulating its field coils.

Abstract: An activity controlled audio-visual system is disclosed. A device for connecting exercise equipment such as a pedal exerciser to a user sensory interface, such as a television set or computer so that the user has to pedal at a rate above a preset rate or threshold rate in order to be able to view the user sensory interface signal. The act of pedaling above a preset rate turns on a switch box which controls the input to the user sensory interface. In this way a normally sedentary activity such as watching television or a video, playing a video game, or using a computer is converted to one that requires physical activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake device with a combination of power-generating and eddy-current magnetic resistance having an outer ]-shaped fly wheel fastened on a central axle of a frame and fitted with a permanent magnet on the inner circular edge to form a rotor type, and the fly wheel is connected with a stator core fastened on the frame; moreover, one end of the central axle is stretching out of the frame and fitted with a belt wheel; the front end of the frame is fitted with a brake core adjacent to the outer edge of the fly wheel to supply a planned eddy current magnetic resistance to the fly wheel; in accordance with such design, the device generates power by means of the exercise force of users to drive the fly wheel to rotate, after passing through a DC power supply, it provides display & controlling gage with power source so that the power-generating and the eddy current magnetic resistance are integrated to reach the effect of reducing the volume and the producing cost.

Abstract: A device for vacuuming, which is powered by the leg exercise motion of a user, includes a pair of bellows units which are mounted on the user's feet and a tank which is mounted on the user's back. A hand-held cleaning wand is connected to the tank by a flexible hose. The user alternately compresses and releases the bellows units, overcoming an internally mounted spring, and as the bellows unit returns to its original shape, a partial vacuum is formed therein. The bellows units are connected to the tank by flexible tubes and the partial vacuum draws air into the cleaning wand, thereby vacuuming dirt and debris into the tank.

Abstract: An improved mechanism to the electronic control panel of treadmills includes a main electronic control board which including a framework, a main control board, and a base plate. The main control board is assembled at a receiving slot in the center of the framework, while on one side of the receiving slot, an elongated groove is furnished, which is connected and fastened to the main control board so that it joins the opposite side of the main control board to form a gliding slot for the motor speed-control button. In the mean time, one side wall beneath the main control board near the gliding slot is equipped with an adjustable resistor that controls the motor operating cycle, and the adjustable resistor is made in a paralleled condition to the sliding slot, while the lever is extended towards outside. In such configuration, it serves to engage the shaft receptacle at the motor speed control button to complete the assembly.

Abstract: A wrist exerciser includes a spherical hollow casing having a top opening and a bottom opening. A ring is received within the casing and substantially coincident with a great circle of the casing and concentric with and rotatable about a first axis of the casing. A rotor is received within the ring and rotatably supported on the ring, having a central bore coaxial with and rotatable about a second axis of the casing that is substantially normal to the first axis. The rotor has a circumferential groove formed on the outer surface thereof with light emitting diodes (LEDs) equally spaced therein. A magnet is also disposed in the groove. The central bore of the rotor is partitioned into chambers which cause sound during the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A movement training device includes a crank including crankarms and pedals disposed on the crankarms, the pedals being connectable to feet or arms of a person training; an electric motor transmission-connected to the crank for driving and braking the crank in both directions of rotation; a four-quadrant power electronics device operatively connected to the motor for supplying current thereto to drive and brake the crank; and a computer for detecting an angular position, a speed of rotation and a torque of the crank including respective directions thereof as instantaneous actual characteristic quantities of a crank movement and for placing the instantaneous actual characteristic quantities in a digital and thereby freely utilizable form.

Abstract: A pulse controlled exercise system is disclosed which incorporates an exercise device, a monitor capable of displaying images formed from television signals, a pulse rate sensor for sensing the pulse rate of a user of the pulse controlled exercise system, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the pulse rate sensor, to the exercise device, and to the monitor. The controller is used to control the exercise device's speed and other states and to cause the pulse rate of the user to be displayed on the monitor as the user progresses through his or her exercise regimen. Moreover, disclosed is an exercise device which has circuitry to generate a television type signal which may be displayed on a monitor which is capable of displaying images formed from such television type signals.

Abstract: An automatic magnetic controller is linked with a computer to process a formula for the relationship between the wattage and the expended calories. Then the desired numbered of calories will be accurately exhausted based on a relative arrangement between a magnetic member and a flywheel by means of a motor controller and a position controller. By this arrangement, the tension can be accurately calculated based on the rotations per minute of the flywheel. The tension is continuously arranged and adjusted to make the wattage remain at a constant value. Additionally, the number of calories remaining to be exhausted is displayed on the computer. In this manner, the exhausted calories can be accurately controlled. The magnetic controller controls the tension on the flywheel such that at high flywheel speeds, the tension is smaller, and on the contrary, the lower the flywheel speed, the higher the tension.

Abstract: Generators attached to bright lights on exercise clothing are turned by recoiling pull-cords attached to hand grips pulled during the normal arm movement of the exercise to light the path of the exerciser. Bright white front lights may pivot to adjust for the body angle of the exerciser. Colored back lights may also be lighted to make the exerciser more visible from the rear. A vest or belt and shoulder straps both attached adjustably by VELCRO (hooks and loops fastener) are used to support the generators and lights on the body of the exerciser. Wires run under the material of the belt or vest to the lights. Alternately, a single generator in the center of the back with two separate cord reels, on at each side, may be used to turn the generator. The generators and reels are covered by water-proof material. A one-way drive in the cord reel turns the generator only in one direction to create power. Weights may be added to the hand grips to enhance the exercise effect of moving the arms.

Abstract: A jogging electric current generator which comprises a drum-shaped rotatable exercising unit operatively connected to an electric current generator. The drum-shaped unit is constructed so that a jogger can enter the unit and jog for purposes of exercising and also simultaneously therewith generate an electric current through operation of the generator. The jogging generator may be located closely adjacent to a dwelling structure so that one may leave a dwelling structure and immediately enter the jogging generator. The drum-shaped unit may also be constructed so as to operate as a water vane with water being moved during the jogging activity. A hand-held control unit may also be employed by the user of the apparatus.

Abstract: A jogging electric current generator which comprises a drum-shaped rotatable exercising unit operatively connected to an electric current generator. The drum-shaped unit is constructed so that a jogger can enter the unit and jog for purposes of exercising and also simultaneously therewith generate an electric current through operation of the generator. The jogging generator may be located closely adjacent to a dwelling structure so that one may leave a dwelling structure and immediately enter the jogging generator. The drum-shaped unit may also be constructed so as to operate as a water vane with water being moved during the jogging activity. A hand-held control unit may also be employed by the user of the apparatus.

Abstract: An exercise machine and transmission for converting first and second rotary inputs into a single rotary output. The machine has a first input shaft, a second input shaft coupled to the first shaft, and a shell. The shafts are mounted to the shell on a common axis, and one-way clutches are disposed between the shell and each respective shaft. The torques of the first and second shafts in one rotational direction are combined in the shell for single output to a load.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise device providing mechanical actions for independent or simultaneous exercise of the upper and lower body of a human user. Each action incorporates a mechanical movement converting output of the user to rotational motion and thereby powering one of two electrical generators. An exercise controller selects loads to be applied to the generators. The loads are coupled by the mechanical movements back to the user to provide resistance to the exercise effort. The exercise controller drives an electronic display which informs the user of his or her intensity of effort as well as the proportion of that effort being met through exercise of the upper body and the part being met through exercise of the lower body.