[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise apparatus for use by human beings for
physiological conditioning and pertains more particularly to movable structures which
provide a resistance force which is electrically controllable.
[0002] One prior art weight training apparatus is disclosed by Bradley in U.S. Patent 4,138,106.
Bradley .discloses the use of an electrical rewind motor to control the restraining
effect on a cable reel which is connected, through cables, to a lifting bar.
[0003] Another type of prior art exercise apparatus is disclosed by Jungreis in U.S. Patent
3,731,922, entitled "Method of Isotonic Exercise". Jungreis discloses the use of an
electric motor to slideably move a weight along a beam in order to vary the force
on the muscles of the user.
[0004] Various combinations of mechanical elements have been used in the past to construct
exercise devices. Levers, weights, tables, and pulleys are among the elements which
have been combined in various ways to produce exercise apparatus. A problem with the
prior art is the unavailability of low cost, lightweight, portable, adjustable exercise
apparatus for which the -magnitude of resistance-force may be precisely controlled
across a range of movement.
[0005] According to the invention there is provided an exercise apparatus, comprising:
a base;
a member, mounted on said base, and movable relative thereto, said member positioned
to be manipulated by an operator;
a brake mounted on said base for providing variable resistance to movement of said
member relative to said base; and
an electrical control device for varying said brake resistance.
[0006] The exercise apparatus of this invention may form a therapy table for use in the
physiological conditioning of human beings. The apparatus may be of lightweight and
compact construction.
[0007] The therapy table exercise apparatus provides a resistance force to movement by a
user in which the magnitude of the resistance force.is electrically controllable.
[0008] The apparatus of this invention may produce a resistance force in use which varies
with the position of a manipulated bar and with the direction of movement of the bar.
[0009] A preferred apparatus of this invention comprises a member such as a holder bar rotatably
mounted on a base which may be in the form of a bench or table. The holder bar is.designed
to be grasped by the user and resistance to the rotation of the holder bar is provided
by an electrically controlled brake. The braking force provided by the brake is adjustable,
such as by potentiometers, to control the magnitude of the braking force over separate
regions in the range of movement of the holder bar. Means such as switches and a relay
are provided to sense the direction of movement of the holder bar and to vary the
braking force in accordance with the direction of movement of the holder bar. Means
such as commutator switch is provided to detect the rotational position of the holder
bar and to reverse the forces when the rotational.direction is transversed. Thus means
may be provided in the apparatus for automatically varying the braking force in response
to the angular orientation of the member or bar on the base.
[0010] Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer
to the same or similar parts'throughout the several views.
Figure 1 is a partially cut-away side perspective view of the therapy table exercise
apparatus;
Figure 2 is a partially cut-away sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken
along the arrows 2-2; and
Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the brake and the electrical control
circuitry used for controlling the brake in this invention.
[0011] Figure 1 shows a therapy table exercise apparatus 10 including a bench 12 which consists
of a horizontal slab 14 mounted on a plurality of vertical legs 16. The bench 12 is
of sufficient size and construction to support a supine human being 11. A holder bar
18, formed as a rectangular C-shaped bar, is rotatably mounted about an axis 13 on
the bench 12. The holder bar 18 may be rotated with respect to the bench 12 to move
counterclockwise in the direction shown by an arrow 20, by the user 11, or to move
clockwise in the direction shown by an arrow 22.
[0012] A combined pivot bearing and brake 24 is securely attached to one side of the bench
12 at the axis 13 and is axially aligned with a bearing 26, which is attached to the
opposite side of the bench 12 along the axis 13. The holder bar 18 is rotatably mounted
on the brake 24 and the bearing 26, so that the holder bar 18 is retained relative
to bench.12 but is rotatable about the axis 13 with respect to the bench 12, with
the brake 24 providing resistance force to clockwise and counterclockwise movement
of the holder bar 18.
[0013] A rotational transducer 28 is mounted between the holder bar 18 and the bench 12
to sense the angular orientation of holder bar 18 with respect to bench 12. The rotational
transducer 28 also serves to produce an electrical orientation signal indicative of
the angular orientation of the holder bar 18 with respect to the bench 12 and also
of the end limits of travel.
[0014] The rotational transducer 28 is an electrical. commutator switch assembly consisting,
in part, of a plate 30 having plural electrically conductive sector pads 32, 34, 36,
42 and 44 mounted along a circular path. The pads 32, 34, and 36 serve to define angular
ranges in the rotation of the holder bar 18 with respect to the bench 12. The plate
30 is securely attached to the brake 24 so that the plate 30 is fixed in place relative
to the bench 12.
[0015] The rotational transducer 28 also includes a wiper 38 rotatably mounted on plate
30 so that wiper 38 passes over, and makes electrical contact with, each of the sector
pads 32, 34, 36, 42 and 44 as holder bar 18 is rotated with respect to bench 12. The
wiper 38 is securely mechanically attached to the holder bar 18 and is electrically
connected to a control box 39 by means of an electrical cable 40. The cable 40 includes
a plurality of electrically conductive wires for interconnecting the wiper 38 and
the sector pads 32, 34, 36, 42 and 44 with the control box 39.
[0016] The pair of sector pads 42 and 44 are securely mechanically attached to the plate
30 and thus fixed relative to the bench 12. As the holder bar 18 is rotated to the
end of its motion in a forward direction, as shown by the arrow 20, the wiper 38
contacts the sector pad 44. Similarly, the sector pad 42 is contacted. by wiper 38
when the holder bar 18 is rotated to the end of its motion in a reverse direction,
as shown by the arrow 22. Taken together, sector pads 42 and 44 cooperate to define
an operating angular range in the rotation of the holder bar 18 with respect to the
bench 12.
[0017] Although the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 discloses a rotational transducer 28
having five sector pads 32, 34, 36, 42 and 44, it should be understood that any number
of sector pads greater than one would suffice to allow sensing of the angular orientation
of the holder bar 18 with respect to the bench 12. The sector pads 32, 34, 36, 42
and 44 may be arranged in a circumferentially spaced-apart fashion as shown in Figure
1 or may be radially staggered so that wiper 38 is allowed to simultaneously contact
adjacent sector pads. The precision or resolution of the sensing of angular orientation
between the holder bar 18 and the bench 12 ' would be increased by increasing the
number of sector pads mounted on plate 30.
[0018] The control box 39 houses a power supply circuit which produces an electrical output
signal, and a force programming circuit electrically connected to the power supply
circuit. The force programming circuit controls the transfer of electrical power from
the power supply circuit to the brake 24 to thereby control the braking force exerted
by the brake 24 on the holder bar 18. Plural control knobs 46, 48, and 50 are mounted
on the control box 39 and are-adjustable to independently control the magnitude of
the.braking force provided by the brake 24 at each of the three angular orientations
defined by pads 32, 34, and 36 when the holder bar 18 is moved in a forward direction
20. Similarly, plural control knobs 52, 54, and 56 are mounted on the control box
39 and are adjustable to control the braking force as holder bar 18 is rotated in
a reverse direction 22.
[0019] Referring next t6 Figure 2, the brake 24 includes a stator 58 attached to the bench
12 and having a stator coil 60 securely mounted therein. The stator coil 60 consists
of a plurality of electrically conductive wire windings. The brake 24 is a commercially
available electromechanical brake of the type manufactured by
W. J. Industries, Inc., 10235 Bach Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132, U.S.A. The
brake 24 also includes a rotor 62 and a pair of bearings 64 and 66 which support and
align the rotor 62 in the stator 58. A shaft 68 extending from the holder bar 18 along
the axis 13 is insertably mounted in and attached to the rotor 62. Thus, the bearings
64 and 66 rotatably support and align the holder bar 18 in stator 58 and further serve
to retain the holder bar 18 relative to the bench 12.
[0020] Magnetic powder 70 is contained within the brake 24 between the coil 60 and the rotor
62. This magnetic powder 70 provides a bonding force between the coil 60 and the rotor
62, the magnitude of which is controlled by the magnitude of an electrical braking
signal provided to the coil 60 from the control box 39. This magnetic powder 70 is
a key element in the operation of the brake 24, in that the powder 70 functions as
an electrically controllable, variable bond or link between the rotor 62 and the coil
60. The bonding force provided by the powder 70 is transferred through the coil 60,
the stator 58, and the rotor 62 to produce a braking force that opposes rotation of
the holder bar 18 relative to the table 12.
[0021] The.electric braking signal provided by the control box 39 creates a current in'the
coil 60 which, in turn, creates a magnetic field (flux) which passes through the rotor
62, stator 58, and the magnetic powder 70. The magnetic field aligns the powder 70,
forming links or bonds between the rotor 62 and the coil 60. The magnitude of bonding
is approximately proportional to the magnitude of current in coil 60.
[0022] A wiper pad 72 is electrically conductive and is a portion of the wiper 38. Wiper
pad 72 passes over, and makes electrical contact with, each of the sector pads 32,
34, and 36, in turn, as the holder bar 18 is rotated with respect to the bench 12.
The wiper pad 172 is electrically connected with the control box 39.
[0023] Referring next to Figure 3, the control box 39 includes a power supply 76, a commercially
available unit which serves to convert AC line power to a regulated DC voltage.
[0024] The DC control voltages of the power supply 76 are electrically connected to a double
throw relay 78 of the usual, commercially available type. The relay 78 includes one
pole for each of the. number of sector pads mounted on the plate 30. As will be understood
from the following description, the relay 78, in conjunction with the sector pads
42 and 44, provides a latching relay function. The unlatched state of the relay 78
corresponds to operation of the exercise apparatus 10 when the holder bar 18 is moving
in a forward direction, as shown by arrow 20 (Figure 1). The latched state of relay
78 corresponds to the operation of exercise apparatus 10 when the holder bar 18 is
moving in a reverse direction, as shown by arrow 22 (Figure 1).
[0025] - The electrical contacts 42a and 44a are the electrical schematic representation
of the sector pads 42 and 44, respectively, shown in Figure 1. The electrical contact
44a is normally open and momentarily closes to energize the coil 80, and thus close
the relay contactor 79 to latch the relay 78, when the holder bar 18 contacts the
electrical contact 44. The electrical contact 42a is normally open and is connected
in parallel with the electrical contact 44a to provide current to the coil 80, and
thus latch the relay 78, ,once the switch 44a has been momentarily closed. After assuming
a latched state, the relay 78 assumes an unlatched state when the wiper 38 contacts
the sector pad 42. Thus, the relay 78 provides a "memory" to indicate the direction
that the holder bar 18 is being moved.
[0026] . Plural variable resistors 52a, 54a, and 56a correspond to the control knobs 52,
54, and 56, respectively, of Figure 1. The wipers of these variable resistors 52a,
54a, and 56a are connected to a first terminal 81 of the relay 78 to energize the
power supply 76 only when the relay 78 is in its unlatched state. Thus, the variable
resistors 52a, 54a, and 56a serve to control the magnitude of current provided to
the brake 24a when the holder bar 18 is moving in a reverse direction, as shown by
arrow 22 (Figure 1). The brake 24a is an electrical schematic representation corresponding
to the.brake 24 of Figure 1.
[0027] An additional group of variable resistors 46a, 48a, and 50a correspond to control
knobs 46, 48, and 50 of Figure 1. The wipers of these resistors 46a, 48a, and 50a
are connected to a second terminal 83 of the relay 78 to energize the power supply
76 only when the relay 78 is in its latched state. The variable . resistors 46a, 48a,
and 50a serve to control the magnitude of current provided to the brake 24a when
the holder bar 18 is moved in a forward direction, as shown by arrow 20 (Figure 1).
[0028] The variable resistors 46a-56a may each be independently adjusted to control the
magnitude of current provided to the brake 24a as the wiper 38 (Figure 2) moves across
sector pads 32, 34, and 36, respectively. Electrical contacts 32a, 34a, and '36a are
schematic representations of the sector pads 32, 34, and 36 (Figure 1), respectively,
while a switch arm 72a is an electrical schematic representation of the wiper 38.
The function of switch arm 72a is to make selective electrical contact with one of
the electrical contacts 32a, 34a, or,36a as the holder bar 18 is moved through sequential
rotational segments. When the switch arm 72a connects with the contact 32a, power
for the brake 24a is controlled by the variable resistor 46a or 52a, depending upon
the state of relay 78. Similarly, when the switch arm 72a connects with contact 34a,
the current in the brake 24a is controlled by the variable resistor 48a or 54a, depending
upon the state of relay 78. Also, when switch arm 72a connects with contact 36a, the
variable resistor 50a or 56a controls the current provided to brake 24a, depending
upon the state of relay 78.
[0029] The elements disclosed in Figure 3, absent the brake 24a, form an electrical control
circuit to supply an electric braking signal to the brake 24a, and to thereby control
the braking ·force provided by the brake 24. The arm 72a, when combined with the contacts
32a, 34a, and 36a, corresponds to a rotational transducer which produces an electrical
orientation signal indicative of the angular orientation of the holder bar 18 with
respect to the bench 12. Taken together, the variable resistors 46a-56a form a force
programming circuitry to control the transfer of electrical power from the power supply
76 to the brake 24a and to thereby control the braking force provided by the brake
24. Taken together, the relay 78, the electrical contact 42a, and the electrical contact
44a form a direction sensing and control circuit to sense the direction of rotation
of the holder bar 18 with respect to the bench 12 and to control the force programming
circuitry to independently select the magnitude of braking force for each direction
of rotation of the holder bar 18.
[0030] The electrical resistance of each of the variable resistors 46a-56a are independently
adjustable to control the transfer of electrical power to the brake
'24a. These variable resistors 46a-56a cooperate with the sector pads 32, 34, and 36
to define independently adjustable resistance force ranges corresponding to angular
ranges in the rotation of the holder bar 18.
[0031] Thus, when holder bar 18 is rotated so that the wiper 38 contacts the sector pad
32, and the holder bar 18 is moving in a forward direction so that the relay 78 is
in an unlatched state, the magnitude of braking ; provided by the brake 24 is controlled
by the setting of variable,resistor 46a. Under the same conditions, as bar 18 is
rotated so that the wiper 38 moves onto pad 34, the setting of the variable resistor
48a controls the braking force provided by the brake 24. Then, under the same conditions,
as the wiper 38 moves onto the pad 36, the magnitude of braking force is controlled
by the setting of the variable resistor 50a. When the holder bar 18 moves fully forward
to touch limit switch 44, thus causing the relay 78 to latch, the variable resistor
56a will control the magnitude of current provided to.brake 24a as holder bar 18 is
moved in a reverse direction, as shown by the arrow 22. As the holder bar 18 is pulled
further backwards, the wiper 38 moves into contact with the pad 34 so that the variable
resistor 54a controls the magnitude of braking force. Under the same conditions, as
the holder bar 18 is rotated so that the wiper 38 contacts the sector pad 32, the
variable resistor 52a controls the magnitude of braking force provided by the brake
24. Finally, the holder bar 18 is moved fully back. in a reverse direction, the holder
bar 18 contacts the sector pad 42 which causes the relay 78 to unlatch, thus allowing
the cycle to be repeated.
[0032] The sector pads 32-36 are formed to cover rotational segments of the bar 18 in accordance
with physical therapy requirements, and may thus extend through unequal angular ranges.
[0033] In operation, a person using this exercise apparatus 10 may lie down in a horizontal
position on the slab 14. The user's upper torso is preferably placed across the axis
13 so that the user's arms may conveniently be extended to allow the user to grasp
the holder bar 18. The holder bar 18 is then rotated by the user who may exert pushing
and pulling forces using his or her arm, shoulder, and back muscles. 'The rotational
transducer 28 defines a plurality of angular ranges in the rotation of the holder
bar 18 so that braking forces applied to the bar 18 may be adjusted according to the
angular orientation of the bar 18. As the bar 18 is rotated, various different groups
of the user's muscles come into play and the groups of muscles vary in their relative
strength. Thus, the rotational transducer 28 allows the exercise apparatus 10 to be
adjusted so that each of the groups of the user's muscles is stressed to the desired
degree. This adjustment is performed by varying the settings of the knobs 46-56.
[0034] When in such a horizontal, supine position, the user imitates a rowing motion with
his hands to cause the holder bar 18 to oscillate between the sector pad 42 and the
sector pad 44. The relay 78 is provided to allow a different level of stress to be
applied to muscles which are used to push the bar 18 in the direction 20 than the
stress which is provided to muscles which are used to pull the bar 18 in the direction
22.
[0035] The exercise apparatus 10 may be modified by changing the shape of holder bar 18
to allow a user to sit upon the slab 14 and to move the bar 18 with the user's feet
and legs. A further possible variation for the exercise apparatus 10 is to change
the shape of holder bar 18 so that a user may stand vertically adjacent the bench
14 and move the bar 18 up and down. with the aid of the user's hands and arms.
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising a member (18) mounted on a base (12) and movable
relative thereto, the member (18) being positioned to be manipulated by an operator,
characterized by a brake (24) mounted on the base (12) for providing variable resistance
to movement of the member (18) relative to the base (12) and an electrical control
device (39) for varying the brake resistance.
2.. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control device
(39) comprises means (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) for varying the resistance in response to
the relative positions of the base (12) and the member (18).
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the control device (39)
comprises means (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) for automatically varying the resistance in response
to the angular orientation of the member (18) on the base (12).
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the control device
(39) comprises means (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) to control the magnitude of the resistance
in separate regions in the range of movement of the member (18).
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control
device (39) comprises means (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) for varying the resistance in response
to the direction of travel of the member (18) relative to the base (12).
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the brake
(24) comprises a stator (58) attached to the base (12) and having a stator coil (60)
securely mounted therein, the stator coil (60) being electrically connected to the
electrical control device (39); a rotor (62) attached to the member (18) and rotatably
mounted within the stator coil (60); and magnetic powder (70) positioned between the
stator coil (60) and the rotor (62), said magnetic powder (70) providing a bonding
force between the stator coil (60) and the rotor (62), the magnitude of said bonding
force being controlled by the magnitude of the braking signal, said bonding force
being transferred through the stator (58) and the rotor (62) to produce the braking
force.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical
control device (39) comprises a power supply (76) providing in use, an electrical
power output signal; a rotational transducer (28) mounted between the member (18)
and the base (12) for sensing the angular orientation of the member (18) with respect
to the base (12), and for producing an electrical orientation signal indicative of
said angular orientation; and a force programmer (46a, 48a, 50a, 52a, 54a, 56a) electrically
connected to the power supply (76) to the rotational transducer (28) and to the brake
(24), for controlling the-transfer of the electrical power output signal to the brake
24 to control the braking force said force programmer being adjustable to independently
control the magnitude of the braking force at each of a plurality of said angular
orientations.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the rotational transducer
(28) comprises an electrical commutator switch assembly which comprises a plate (30)
having a plurality of electrically conductive sector pads (32, 34, 36, 42, 44) mounted
along a circular path thereon, said sector pads defining angular ranges in the rotation
of the member (18) with respect to the base (12); and a wiper (38) rotatably mounted
on the plate (30) and having an electrically conductive wiper pad (72), said wiper
pad making electrical sequential contact with each of said sector pads as the member
(18) is rotated with respect to the base (12).
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the force programmer
comprises a plurality of resistors (46a, 48a, 50a, 52a, 54a) connected to the brake
(24) and to separate ones of said sector pads, the electrical resistance of each resistor
being adjustable to independently control the transfer of the electrical power output
signal to the brake (24), said resistors cooperating in use with said sector pads
to define independently adjustable resistance force ranges corresponding to said'angular
ranges.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the electrical control
device (39) further comprises a first electrical contact (42) mounted on the base
(12) and positioned to be activated as the member (18) is rotated in a first direction;
a second electrical contact(44)mounted on the base (12) and positioned to be activated
as the member (18) is rotated in a second direction, said first and second electrical
contacts defining an operating angle range in the rotation of the member (18) with
respect to the base (12); and relay means (78) electrically connected to said first
electrical contact (42), said second electrical contact (44), said brake (24), and
said plurality of resistors, for providing a first direction state in response to
said first electrical contact, and a second direction state in response to said second
electrical contact, and for electrically connecting a first set of said resistors
to said brake in said first direction state, and electrically connecting a second
set of said resistors to said brake in said second direction state.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that said electrical
control device (39) further comprises direction sensing and control means, electrically
connected to said force programmer, for sensing the direction of rotation of the member
(18) with respect to the base (12), and for controlling said force programmer to independently
select the magnitude of said braking force for each direction of rotation of said
member with respect to said base.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterized in that said base
forms a bench to support a supine human being and said member forms a holder bar.