US4569518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable exercise system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-02-16
•
Granted: 1986-02-11
•
Expires: 2003-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A physical training apparatus having at least one load member for engagement with and movement by an individual throughout a predetermined range of movement. A variable clutch selectively applies torque from a motor to the load member. A load, having a magnitude which corresponds with the magnitude of torque applied to the load member, is applied to the individual by the load member. A sensor detects the position and direction of movement of the load member. A digital processor, connected to the sensor, controls the magnitude of torque applied to the load member by the clutch as a function of the location and direction of movement of the load member relative to the predetermined range of movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent B. Fulks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:13
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/005; A63B21/0057; A63B21/0058; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901; Y10S482/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An exerciser comprising: at least one load member having a predetermined range of movement through a positive stroke and a negative stroke for producing a load throughout the predetermined range of movement in response to the application of torque thereto; an electromechanical motor for providing a torque throughout the period during which the exerciser is in use; variable torque means for selectively applying the torque provided by said motor to said load member, said variable torque means including a frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving the torque from said motor and selectively varying the magnitude of the torque applied to said load member throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of the load member; sensor means for detecting the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement; and programmable means operatively connected to said variable torque means and said sensing means for controlling the magnitude of the torque applied to said load member by said variable torque means as a function of the location and direction of movement of said members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An exerciser comprising: at least one load member having a predetermined range of movement through a positive stroke and a negative stroke for producing a load throughout the predetermined range of movement in response to the application of torque thereto; an electromechanical motor for providing a torque throughout the period during which the exerciser is in use; variable torque means for selectively applying the torque provided by said motor to said load member, said variable torque means including a frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving the torque from said motor and selectively varying the magnitude of the torque applied to said load member throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of the load member; sensor means for detecting the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement; and programmable means operatively connected to said variable torque means and said sensing means for controlling the magnitude of the torque applied to said load member by said variable torque means as a function of the location and direction of movement of said members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The exerciser according to claim 1, wherein said programmable means includes digital processor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The exerciser according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises a motion transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The exerciser according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises a potentiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The exerciser according to claim 1, further comprising: input means connected to said digital processor means for selectively inputting data thereto which represents at least one parameter utilized by a program of said digital processor means; and a display means for visually presenting data from said digital processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The exerciser according to claim 1, further comprising safety means for selectively interrupting the application of torque to said load member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
A physical training apparatus comprising: an electromechanical motor for providing torque throughout the period during which the apparatus is in use; a plurality of load members, each such load member for producing a load throughout a positive stroke and a negative stroke of a predetermined range of movement in response to the application of the torque thereto; a transmission for transmitting and applying the torque from said motor to said load member, said transmission including a frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving torque from said motor and selectively varying the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of the load member; a sensor for detecting the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to said predetermined range of movement; and a programmable digital processor operatively connected to said clutch and said sensor for varying the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission as a function of the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
177 words
A physical training apparatus comprising: an electromechanical motor for providing torque throughout the period during which the apparatus is in use; a plurality of load members, each such load member for producing a load throughout a positive stroke and a negative stroke of a predetermined range of movement in response to the application of the torque thereto; a transmission for transmitting and applying the torque from said motor to said load member, said transmission including a frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving torque from said motor and selectively varying the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of the load member; a sensor for detecting the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to said predetermined range of movement; and a programmable digital processor operatively connected to said clutch and said sensor for varying the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission as a function of the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The physical training apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a safety means for selectively deactivating said motor and said clutch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The physical training apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clutch provides a substantially frictionless torque transmission by utilizing magnetic attraction to transmit said torque, the magnitude of the magnetic attraction being variable in response to an output from said digital processor to vary the magnitude of the torque transmitted to said load member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The physical training apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a keyboard connected to said digital processor for inputting at least one parameter to a program of said digital processor to selectively vary the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission as a function of the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The physical training apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a display connected to said digital processor for outputting visually receivable data from said digital processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
The physical training apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a safety means for selectively deactivating said motor and said clutch; a keyboard connected to said digital processor for inputting at least one parameter to a program of said digital processor to selectively vary the torque transmitted to said load member by said transmission as a function of the location and direction of movement of said load member relative to the predetermined range of movement; and a display connected to said digital processor for outputting visually receivable data from said digital processor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for controlling the load applied by an exercising apparatus comprising: providing an electromechanical motor for supplying a torque throughout the period during which the apparatus is in use; providing an adjustable frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving the torque applied by said motor and selectively transmitting said torque from said motor within a predetermined range; providing means for transforming said torque into a load; applying said load to a portion of an individual throughout a predetermined range of movement including a positive stroke and a negative stroke; detecting the location and direction of movement of the portion of the individual relative to the predetermined range of movement; producing an electrical signal representing the location and direction of movement of the portion of the individual relative to the predetermined range of movement; processing said electrical signal in accordance with an algorithm to formulate an electrical output signal, said output signal representing the degree of variance of the load which is necessary to substantially compensate for changes in muscle leverage of the individual throughout the predetermined range of movement; and adjusting said clutch in response to said output signal to vary the load applied to the individual throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of movement thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for controlling the load applied by an exercising apparatus comprising: providing an electromechanical motor for supplying a torque throughout the period during which the apparatus is in use; providing an adjustable frictionless eddy-current clutch for receiving the torque applied by said motor and selectively transmitting said torque from said motor within a predetermined range; providing means for transforming said torque into a load; applying said load to a portion of an individual throughout a predetermined range of movement including a positive stroke and a negative stroke; detecting the location and direction of movement of the portion of the individual relative to the predetermined range of movement; producing an electrical signal representing the location and direction of movement of the portion of the individual relative to the predetermined range of movement; processing said electrical signal in accordance with an algorithm to formulate an electrical output signal, said output signal representing the degree of variance of the load which is necessary to substantially compensate for changes in muscle leverage of the individual throughout the predetermined range of movement; and adjusting said clutch in response to said output signal to vary the load applied to the individual throughout the positive stroke and the negative stroke of movement thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for controlling the load applied by an exercising apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said load is varied to maintain a substantially constant tension in the muscles resisting the load throughout the predetermined range of movement.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |