AU2010201921A1 - Resistance system for an exercise device - Google Patents

Description

5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .o 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to upper and/ or lower body rotary or elliptical trainers. These machines can be driven with direct drive or a one way bearing to freewheel or with 2 opposing one way bearings to allow freewheel and reverse operation. .s Flywheel size is important when choosing direct drive operation. Upper body exercise using small muscles and more delicate joints are more susceptible to injury when operated in direct drive. However, direct drive has important benefits for general exercise in continuity such as the indoor cycling classes. It also has benefit in rehabilitation where a 'o weaker limb can be exercised by following along with the stronger limb and the direct drive and flywheel inertia assist the exercise continuity. There is a need to provide upper and lower body exercise devices which are not as cumbersome and expensive to produce as devices that include two sets of pedals. There is also a need to provide lower body exercise s with the higher inertia in direct drive of a flywheel and resistance system such as used in indoor cycling classes while providing upper body exercise at reduced resistance and flywheel inertia. Upper body exercise in particular benefits from the fixed flywheel approach where reversing the action uses antagonistic muscle groups. 30 Therefore there is a need in home, fitness club and rehabilitation facilities to provide a means of exercise where upper and lower body exercise can be undertaken with the one device. Taking into account cost and space considerations there is also a need to provide a device where the above is accomplished with a single crank. There is also a need to 35 provide upper and lower body exercise in direct and indirect drive means where resistance and inertia differing needs are met with considerations to minimal space requirements and cost effectiveness. This invention addresses these problems. o 2. Description of Prior Art There are a number of dual crank devices providing separate upper and lower body cranks. There are also a number of patents such as US 5232422 Bishop that utilize a rotating single crank for upper and lower body as used such as used in this invention. None of these devices uses s the split flywheel and of this invention. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS io FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the device with the crank arm down; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the device with the crank arm in the upper position; 5 FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the device with the crank arm in the down position; FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic plan view of the flywheel mechanism; FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic plan view of the flywheel mechanism 60 with a modified multiple flywheel engagement mechanism; FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic plan view of the angled flywheel clamping parts; FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the flywheels with a secondary resistance system; i5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 'O A detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes for practicing the invention are described herein. Incorporation in Exercise Machines '5 FIG. 1 refers to the cycle with seat frame 1, flywheel frame 2, flywheel/ crank pivoting frame 3, flywheel axle and pivoting frame pivot point 4 and pedal/ crank arm 5; FIG. 2 refers to the cycle with flywheel/ crank pivoting frame 3 in the io upper position; FIG. 3 refers to the cycle flywheel axle and pivoting frame pivot point 4 and pedal/ crank arm 5 and front frame adjuster knob 6 and large flywheel 7 and small flywheel 8 and resistance adjuster 9 and crank frame pivot adjuster 10; 85 FIG. 4 refers to the large flywheel 7 and small flywheel 8 and spacer 10 and right resistance pad 11 and left resistance pad 12 and clutch pad 14 and sprocket attached to small flywheel 15 and thrust bearing 16 and angled adjuster plate 17 and angled adjuster plate 18; FIG 5 refers to the large flywheel 7 and small flywheel 8 and spacer 10 90 and right resistance pad 11 and left resistance pad 12 and clutch pad 14 and sprocket attached to small flywheel 15 and thrust bearing 16 and angled adjuster plate 18 and angled adjuster handle 19; FIG 6 refers to the angled adjuster plate 17 and angled adjuster plate 18. The contacting faces of 17 and 18 have a typically 2 degree angle. Plate 5 18 remains fixed to frame 2 and plate 17 rotates with frame 3; FIG 7 refers to the secondary resistance system 20 connected by a drive belt; In use the cycle can be adjusted for leg or arm length by loosening )o adjustment knob 6 and sliding frame 2 forward or rearward. To pivot the machine for upper body use frame upward adjuster 10 is disengaged and frame 3 rotated upward. Pedal and hand hold combination 5 are used for either feet or hand engagement for lower or upper body exercise. In leg use the flywheel 7 and clutch plate 14 and flywheel 8 are clamped )5 together by angled plates 17 and 18 expanding against each other laterally along the angled faces as frame 3 is turned downward and plate 17 turns with it. The force against thrust washer 16 clamps flywheels 7 and 8 together at clutch plate 7 are both are engaged and resistance is provided by resistance pads 11 and 12. For upper body use frame 3 is .o pivoted upward and static angled plate 18 is disengaged from angle plate 17 which rotates upward with frame 3. In the disengaged state flywheel 8 is driven by sprocket 15 and resisted by resistance pad 11. Flywheel 7 and resistance pad 12 remain stationary. Figure 7 shows an example of a secondary drive connecting flywheels 7 15 and or 8 to resistance mechanism 20 which in this case is a magnetic system. In use large flywheel 8 is coupled or decoupled from the drive to raise or lower inertia. This system is particularly suitable for elliptical devices which typically need lower inertia to start them moving and can then be coupled with the larger flywheel to provide greater exercise 20 continuity provided by the higher intertia of the coupled flywheels. The device operator is able to exercise legs with full inertia of the two flywheels and full available resistance of the two resistance pads. In the upper body position the large flywheel and one resistance pad are automatically or manually disengaged. Typically the lower resistance of 5 the single working resistance pad then available for upper body use is suitable to continue the exercise program and the lower inertia of the small flywheel is suitable for upper body exercise.

Claims (7)

1. An exercise apparatus including crank assembly operatively connected to a resistance device via a transmission means, the crank assembly being rotated about a first axis and the resistance device providing a resistance force opposing the rotational movement of said crank assembly, the resistance means including at least 2 flywheels; wherein the plurality of flywheels have means to rotate together, and wherein the flywheels include means to decouple so at least one flywheel remains in communication with the exercise means,

2. The device of claim one where means is provided by the rotation about a first axis to disengage at least one flywheel from said transmission means,

3. The device of claim 1 and 2, wherein the resistance means is provided by friction pads acting on the surface of a plurality of flywheels such that the decoupling of one or more flywheels reduces the flywheel surface available for said resistance means,

4. The device of claim 1 and 2, wherein the resistance means is provided by magnetic means acting on the surface of a plurality of flywheels such that the decoupling of one or more flywheels reduces the flywheel surface available for said resistance means,

5. The device of claim 1 and 2, wherein the resistance means is provided by a secondary drive connected to the flywheel of claim one that remains coupled to the exercise means,

6. The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 where the drive flywheel is fixed.

7. The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 where the drive flywheel is connected by a one way clutch. 7. The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 where the drive flywheel is connected by a 2 opposing one way clutches.