AU2004100382A4 - Exercise machine with freewheel(s) and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Description

EXERCESE MACHINE WITH FREEWHEEL(S) AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF This invention relates to exercise machines and more particularly to exercise machines, where back and forth movements of user's hands or feet are converted in resisted forward rotation of wheel.

Road or stationary bicycle exercises are well recognized for lower body muscle training as well as for cardio training. All bicycles share the principle, where alternate pushing cranks by legs is converted into forward rotation of the chain wheel, which drives forward rotation of a freewheel connected to the wheel. A bicycle's freewheel has a ratchet which causes the sprocket to turn the wheel forward when the user pedals forward, but allowing the wheel to turn forward even when the pedals are not being turned or being turned in the opposite direction. This is achieved by disengagement of freewheel and wheel when freewheel rotates in opposite direction of wheel rotation. In the road bicycle such ratchet mechanism makes coasting possible, whereas in stationary bicycles it maintains speed of wheel rotation steady.

Bicycle exercises exclude upper body training because the prescribed leg manoeuvre and fixed position of hands on handles prevent the use of upper body muscles, though, some bicycles have been designed to be operated by hands. These machines consist of conventional bicycle mechanism with the same short bicycle's cranks, but with pedals adopted for the use by hands.

However, short length of cranks and limited strength of upper body muscles, as compared to low body muscles, cause quick fatigue that precludes efficient training. In addition to that, the prescribed cranking manoeuvres by user's arms and crouched posture are uncomfortable and not physiological. This results in much lower popularity and narrower market for hand-driven bicycles (hand-cycles), than for conventional 'leg' bicycles.

Conventional means of the upper body training are exercise machines (home and commercial gyms) and free weights, i.e. barbells with plates for incremental weight selection, dumbbells, etc. However, there are significant number of disadvantages known for both exercise machines and free weights.

The exercise machines, for example, are bulky and require a lot of space to accommodate and operate. They are expensive with the cost increasing proportionately with the number of possible exercises. There is also safety concerns about the use of exercise machines because of complex organisation of numerous moving parts and easy access to heavy blocks moving up and down. Fingers can be easily caught between moving blocks.

Free weights are relatively inexpensive and take much lesser space in comparison to exercise machines, but one apparent disadvantage relates to safety as user may be trapped beneath a bar in exercises such as bench press. There is also the danger of dropping a weight so as to cause personal injury. Another disadvantage of free weights is that, during weight exercises, the exerciser must take position to accommodate himself or herself to vertical gravity force. Such positions, i.e. during bench press, are not always comfortable and, as mentioned above, safe.

Further disadvantage of existing exercise machines and free weights is draw back force caused by gravitation. For example, during bench press exercise, the user pushes weights upwards to full extension of his or her arms. The reverse movement of weights towards the user's body is facilitated by gravitation force and the user struggles to oppose this force in order to stop weights before being hit by cross bar. Similar mechanics applies to most exercise machines and other type of weight exercises, where the user has to control reverse movement of handles to initial position against gravitation.

Therefore, the reverse movement is the most uncomfortable and dangerous part of weight exercises, contributing to fatigue and injuries.

Apart from the above considerations, both exercise machines and free weights provide only one type of exercises isometric. In isometric exercises resistance remains the same in full amplitude of the motion, causing fast muscle fatigue that makes weights exercises less attractive for cardio training than bicycle exercises.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which is a modified hand-cycle machine that provides physiologically comfortable, versatile and safe exercises in both aerobic and anaerobic regimes.

In one form of the invention, the exercise machine comprises two symmetrical halves, operating independently, so that to allow independent movement of left and right user's hands or feet in alternate exercises, and parallel movement of user's hands in simultaneous exercises of both upper or lower extremities. Each half comprises a long crank arm to be pushed or pulled by user's hands (or foot) against resistance, where resistance is applied only when the user's extremity moves in one (forward) direction, but the reverse movement is effortless because of ratchet mechanism.

The crank arm has adjustable length to accommodate user's height, for different types of exercises and to change of resistance. The crank is attached to a chain-wheel, which is linked by chain to a freewheel connected to the wheel. Alternatively, a belt or shaft system can be used instead of chain, or the crank arm may be attached directly to the freewheel. A bicycle's (or another type) freewheel is connected to the wheel via ratchet mechanism that allows free rotation of the wheel only in one (forward) direction.

Alternatively, the machine may comprise only one wheel with two ratchet mechanisms.

A bicycle's (or another type, i.e. disk) brake controls resistance to wheel rotation in response to crank arm movement forward.

In the machine described in this invention, repetitive back and forth movements of a crank arm by user are transferred into rocking movement of the chain-wheel. In turn, the chain-wheel transfers these oscillations to freewheel and wheel. However, the wheel can rotate only in forward direction because the ratchet mechanism disengages freewheel and wheel during backward (reverse) rotation of the freewheel, as it happens in bicycle coasting. The rotation of the wheel is opposed by inertia of the wheel and brake resistance. Inertia of the wheel depends on physical characteristics of the wheel and chain-wheel/freewheel sprocket gauge ratio, whereas degree of brake application determines input of isometric resistance.

In result, forward movements of a crank arm by user are opposed by wheel inertia and isometric brake resistance, whereas backward (reverse) movements of a crank arm are effortless for the user. Repetitive pushing or pulling the crank arm by user against resistance provides muscle exercises.

For example, alternate or simultaneous pushing the crank arms forward by user's hands provides training of corresponding muscles of user's arms and chest.

Versatility of the exercises, using machine described in this invention, is ensured: 1. by changing resistance to wheel rotation by application of brakes.

When brakes are not applied, the exercises occur only against inertia of the wheel. This type of low resistance exercises provides aerobic (cardio) workout because it allows prolonged exercises without muscle n fatigue. Anaerobic exercises occur, when rotation of the wheel is opposed by brakes that makes crank arm movements opposed by isometric resistance. Such exercises simulate the use of weights or other exercise machines. An exceptional feature of machine described in this invention is a combination of inertia and isometric resistance, when brakes partially relaxed. The user can chose a convenient combination of inertia and isometric resistance to combine aerobic/anaerobic training.

2. by changing the gauge of chain-wheel and/or sprocket of the freewheel. Different models of the machine may have different ratios between gauge of chain-wheel and sprocket of the freewheel. Similarly to bicycle, the higher chain-wheel/sprocket gauge ratio the more resistance is applied to crank arm movement. Alternatively the machine may have bicycle's or another type of derailleur to change chain-wheel/sprocket gauge ratio and, therefore, resistance to crank arm movements.

3. by approach to the machine from the front or back for pushing or pulling exercises, respectively. For example, from a standing position in front of machine the user exercises by pushing the crank arms against resistance, whereas reverse (pulling) movement of user's arms is effortless due to ratchet mechanism. This reproduces boxing exercises. From a standing position in the back of machine the user exercises by pulling the crank arms against resistance, whereas reverse (pushing) movement of user's arms is effortless due to ratchet mechanism. This reproduces swimming exercises. Some types of exercises biceps or triceps workout) are possible by approaching the machine from sides. Alternatively, the machine may include a mechanism, allowing rotation of the machine instead of walking around to change the type of exercises.

4. by different positions of the user (standing, sitting or incumbent). For example, in standing position the machine can be used for step exercises. In sitting position the user is able to push or pull against resistance in ascending and descending direction, respectively. In incumbent position the bench-press exercises can be achieved.

by pushing or pulling the crank arms by hands or feets for upper or low body muscle exercises, respectively. For example, in incumbent position crank arms can be pushed up against resistance by hands or feet.

6. by pushing or pulling the crank arms simultaneously or alternately because the machine consist of two symmetrical parts, operating independently. For example, alternate pushing by user's hands reproduces boxing exercises, whereas simultaneous pushing by user's hands reproduces bench-press weight exercises.

7. by changing length of the crank arms, where the shorter a crank arm the shorter lever and higher resistance. Changing of crank arm length can also used to adjust the machine for users of different heights.

Safety of machine described in this invention is ensured by the absence of weights and complex moving parts driven by weights or springs. The only exposed parts are crank arms, which remain stationary in any position when they are not in use. All rotating parts can be concealed in a plastic body, similarly to stationary bicycles. In storage, the length of crank arms may be maximally reduced. Manufacture of the machine is not expensive because it is a compact machine, whereas a half of the machine with only one crank arm is also functional and can be produced even in lower cost.

A more complete understanding of the present invention will be made by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise machine, showing one embodiment of the present invention with description of major components.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1 with description of major components and basic moving parts.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1, showing the basic moving parts in detail.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1, showing of total amplitude of crank arm movement and adjustability of crank arm length.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1 with detailed description of major components.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1, showing a onewheel modification of the machine.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the exercise machine shown at FIG.1 with detailed description of major components.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the exercise machine, according to this invention, comprises: two crank arms 1; axles 2 with mechanism for fixation of crank arm length such as bolt or screw (not shown); bearing holders 3, containing bearings that facilitate rotation of axles 2; chain (or belt) wheels 4; chains (or belts) 5; freewheels 6, containing bicycle's or other type of ratchet mechanism; two wheels 7, rotating over the axle 8 that is facilitated by wheel's inner bearings; stands 9; brake 10, which can be bicycle's or other type of brakes, such as disk and belt brakes; and base 11, which provides stability to the construction.

FIG. 2 shows that, in one embodiment of the present invention (Fig. the each half of the exercise machine comprises crank arm 1; axle 2 with mechanism for fixation of crank arm length such as bolt or screw (not shown); bearing holder 3, containing bearings that facilitate rotation of axle 2; chain (or belt) wheel 4; chain (or belt) 5; freewheel 6, containing bicycle's or other type of ratchet mechanism; wheel 7, rotating over the axle 8 that is facilitated by wheel's inner bearings; stands 9; brake 10, which can be bicycle's or other type of brakes, such as disk and belt brakes; and base 11, which provides stability to the construction. Repetitive back and forth movements of crank arm 1 by user in standing position are converted into forward rotation of wheel 7 (curved arrow) and opposed by inertia of wheel 7 and brake. Large and small arrows show directions of crank arm movements as opposed by resistance and effortless, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows that, in one embodiment of the present invention (Fig. 1), repetitive back and forth movements of crank arm 1 by user are converted into rocking rotation of chain (or belt) wheel 4 and freewheel 6 via chain (or belt) 5. Freewheel 6 with inner ratchet mechanism causes rotation of the wheel 7 forward (arrow on the wheel) over axle 8, when the crank arm 1 is moved forward (large arrow). Reverse backward movement of crank arm 1 (smaller arrow) does not affect rotation of the wheel 7 because of ratchet mechanism of freewheel 6. Therefore, only forward movement of the crank arm 1 (large arrow) causes rotation of wheel 7, which occurs against inertia and brake resistance, whereas backward movement of the crank arm 1 is effortless for the user.

FIG. 4 shows that, in one embodiment of the present invention (Fig. a total amplitude of crank arm 1 movements (from point I to point II) exceed 2400 (curved arrow). This provides a great variety of possible exercises, including bench-press (position I) and step (position II) exercises for arms and legs, respectively, where large arrows point direction of movements against resistance to rotation of wheel 7. The length of crank arm 1 can be changed (small arrows), where shortening the crank arm 1 increases efforts required to turn wheel 7 against resistance.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention (Fig. 1) and demonstrates a symmetrical nature of the machine, each half of which can operate independently. Therefore, a simplified version of the present invention embodiment comprise one crank arm 1; axle 2 with mechanism for fixation of crank arm length such as bolt or screw (not shown); bearing holder 3, containing bearings that facilitate rotation of axles 2; chain (or belt) wheel 4; chain (or belt) 5; freewheel 6, containing bicycle's or another type of ratchet mechanism; wheel 7, rotating over the axle 8 that is facilitated by inner bearings system of the wheel; one or tow stands 9; brake 10, which can be bicycle's or another type of brakes, including belt brake; and base 11, which provides stability to the construction.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, where one wheel 7 is connected to two freewheels 6 each with a ratchet mechanism.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of one embodiment of the present invention (Fig. 1), which consist of two symmetrical halves each comprising a crank arm 1; axle 2 with a mechanism for fixation of crank arm length such as bolt or screw (not shown); bearing holder 3, containing bearings that facilitate rotation of axles 2; chain (or belt) wheel 4; chains (or belt) 5; wheel 7, brake 10, which can be bicycle's or another type of brakes; and base 11, which provides stability to the construction.

Claims (5)

1. An exercise machine comprising: two long crank arms of adjustable length attached to corresponding chain (or belt) wheels so that repetitive back and forth movements of the long cranks are converted into rocking rotation of chain-wheels; two bicycle's (or another type) freewheels with sprockets, which are linked by chains (or belts) to chain-wheels; two (or one) wheel(s), which are connected to freewheels via bicycle's (or another type) ratchet mechanisms and rotate freely over the axle only in one (forward) direction because of ratchet; adjustable brakes, which regulate resistance to wheel rotation; and two stands attached to the base to support the construction.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein has means to transform repetitive back and forth movements of the long crank arms by user's hands or feet into one-directional (forward) rotation of the wheel against wheel inertia and/or brake(s) resistance so that only forward crank arm movement is resisted, as the reverse (backward) movements of the crank is effortless for the user because the ratchet disengages freewheel and wheel when freewheel and wheel rotate in opposite directions.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein has means to regulate resistance to crank arm movements by brakes, so that, when brakes are not applied, the resistance is due solely to inertia of the wheel that depends on physical characteristics of the wheel and chain- wheel/freewheel sprocket gauge ratio, whereas fully engaged brakes provide isometric resistance to crank arm movements and partial brake engagement ensures combined resistance.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein has means that allow a total n range of resisted crank arm rotation of over 2400, permitting the use of the 12 machine in pushing or pulling mode; (ii) standing, sitting or incumbent position; (iii) at any direction in vertical plane; (iv) by hands or feet of the user;

5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein has symmetrical left and right halves, operating independently, that provides means for alternate and simultaneous exercise of both upper or lower extremities and for the use of a fully functional version of the machine with only one crank arm and wheel.