GB2214095A

GB2214095A - Exercise machine with video tape player

Info

Publication number: GB2214095A
Application number: GB8800401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Dorrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-08
Filing date: 1988-01-08
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Also published as: GB8800401D0

Abstract

An exercise machine such as an exercise cycle, or a rowing machine or a jogging machine (Figs 2, 3) includes a video tape player and a viewing screen 12 mounted in such a position that it can be viewed by the user of the machine. Headphones 14 permit the user to listen to the soundtrack of the video tape. The machine may include a coin or token receiving unit arranged such that the video tape player is freed to play a video tape and/or the machine is freed for exercising, preferably for a fixed period, on receipt of a coin or token (Fig 5). In another embodiment the machine may be freed for exercising by loading a video tape into the player (Fig 6) and can preferably only be used whilst a video tape is playing. <IMAGE>

Description

EXERCISE MACHINE This invention pertains to exercise machines of the kind which allow the user to exercise whilst remaining in one location. Examples of such machines include exercise cycles, rowing machines and jogging machines.

Such machines are often used for a set period each day as part of a training programme. The idea behind this invention is to provide an exercise machine which permits the user to make better use of the time spent on the machine.

The present invention provides an exercise machine, comprising a chassis adapted to remain in a static position on the ground in use and support a user thereon, moveable reaction means for engagement by the user for exercise purposes, means for playing a prerecorded video tape, and a viewing screen connected to the tape playing means for displaying a moving picture recorded on the video tape and mounted in such a position that it can be viewed by the user whilst using the machine.

Thus, the user may for example watch an educational or training film whilst using the machine, or he may simply watch a film for entertainment.

The machine will normally incorporate sound reproduction means connected to the tape playing means to permit the user to listen to the soundtrack of the video tape. Although the sound reproduction means may comprise a loud speaker, headphones are preferred since the user can make use of the machine with minimum disturbance to other people in the vicinity. A number of such machines could also be used in close proximity to each other without mutual interference.

The viewing screen may be fixed but is preferably mounted for pivotal adjustment about a substantially horizontal axis which is substantially parallel to the screen.

The machine preferably includes video cassette receiving means by which a video tape contained within a cassette can be loaded into the player.

In one embodiment of the invention the machine includes coin or token receiving means, and the arrangement is such that the tape playing means is freed to play a video tape and/or the machine is freed for exercising on receipt of a coin or token by the said receiving means. Preferably the tape playing means is freed and/or the machine is freed as aforesaid for a predetermined period on receipt of a coin or token.

In another embodiment the machine may be freed for exercising by loading a video tape into the player.

The machine can preferably only be used for exercising whilst a video tape is playing.

The invention may be applied to exercise cycles of the kind which comprises a seat, hand grips, and moveable reaction means comprising pedals. The video tape player could be mounted in any convenient position relative to the frame or body and the viewing screen may be mounted between or in front of the hand grips, i.e. on the opposite side of the grips to the user.

A further application of the invention lies in rowing machines of the kind which comprises a seat mounted for reciprocation relative to the chassis, foot rest means, and moveable reaction means comprising hand grips.

Again, the video tape player could be mounted in any convenient position relative to the frame or body.

A third application of the invention lies in machines of the kind which comprises moveable reaction means comprising a power driven endless belt which provides a moving floor to support the user, the video tape player being mounted in any convenient position relative to the frame or body.

The invention will now be exemplified in the following description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exercise cycle in accordance with the invention Figure 2 shows a rowing machine in accordance with the invention, Figure 3 shows a jogging machine in accordance with the invention, and Figures 4 to 6 are block diagrams showing various ways in which the main elements of the machines of Fig.s 1 to 3 may be interconnected.

The exercise cycle of Fig. 1 comprises an enclosed chassis 1 provided with an upstanding seat 2 which is adjustable in height to suit the requirements of the user. Forwardly of the seat 2 a pair of cranked pedals 3, 4 project from opposite sides of the chassis and these are coupled to a reaction mechanism (not shown) which can be adjusted by a knob 5 to provide varying degrees of reaction against which the pedals must be turned. The knob 5 is provided on the rear face of an upstanding column 6, from opposite sides of which project two upturned handle bars 7, 8 which carry hand grips 9, 10 respectively at their upper ends. On top of the column is mounted a housing 11 having a video monitor screen 12 mounted in its rear wall to face the user of the machine.The housing is mounted on the column 6 for pivotal adjustment about a generally horizontal axis disposed transversely to the chassis 1 and parallel to the screen 12. The housing 11 includes a drive mechanism (not shown) and associated electronic circuitry for playing a video tape contained in a cassette which can be loaded into the machine through a slot 13 in the top of the housing. A pair of headphones 14 are connected to the housing 11 enabling the user of the machine to listen to the soundtrack of the tape whilst viewing the picture derived from the video track on the monitor screen 12.

The rowing machine of Fig. 2 comprises an open frame 21 and a seat 22 which is mounted on the fame for reciprocation in a fore and aft direction. A pair of foot rests 23, 24 are upstanding from the frame forwardly of the seat 22, and a pair of hand bars 25, 26 ending in hand grips 27, 28 are upstanding from opposite sides of the frame 21 intermediate between the seat 22 and the foot rests. The hand bars are pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement in a fore and aft direction against a reaction provided by a pair of piston and cylinder devices 29. Each cylinder is pivotally coupled to the frame at 30 forwardly of the respective hand bar, and each piston rod is pivotally connected at 31 part way along the respective hand bar. At the front end of the frame 21 beyond the foot rests 23, 24 there is mounted an upstanding column 32, atop which is mounted a housing 11.The housing is pivotally mounted about a transverse horizontal axis and again includes a video tape player with a video cassette loading slot 13, a rearwardly facing monitor screen 12 and headphones 14.

The jogging machine of Fig. 3 comprises a chassis 41 including an endless belt 42 which is driven by an electric motor (not shown) to present a moving upper surface 43. On each side of the belt there is an upstanding hand rail 44, 45, the upper front ends of which are joined by a cross bar 46. The speed of the belt can be controlled by the user by means of controls 47 mounted on hand rail 44. At the front end of the machine there is an upstanding frame 48 atop which is mounted a housing 11, again mounted for pivotal adjustment about a generally horizontal transverse pivot axis, and including a screen 12, a slot 13 for a video tape cassette, and headphones 14.

Fig. 4 illustrates a basic arrangement for any of the machines described above, which may be employed in machines intended for home use for example. The machine includes a meachanism 51 for receiving and mechanically driving a video tape cassette and which includes read heads for reading picture and sound information recorded on the tape to produce low level output signals. These are fed to electronic circuitry 52 which converts the signals into a composite video output signal and a separate sound signal for driving headphones 14. The video output signal is fed to a video monitor unit 53 which incorporates the viewing screen 12. In this arrangement the blocks 51, 52 and 53 are controlled by a single on/off switch (not shown) and a cassette can be loaded into the mechanism 51 and played as required.If required, the machine can be used for exercising independently of the tape playing facility. The machine could also be installed in a gymnasium for example and hired out for use. In this case the blocks 51 to 53 could be controlled by an on/off switch at a remote location so that the machine can only be used on payment of a fee. In the case of the jogging machine, power to the belt driving motor could also be remotely controlled so that the machine could not be used for jogging without payment of a fee.

Similarly, the exercise cycle and the rowing machine could be provided with an electrically controlled locking system so that the machine could only be used for exercising when an appropriate control signal is received from the remote location. The locking system could for example act by locking the pedals of the cycle or the hand bars of the rowing machine so that they can only be moved when freed.

The system of Fig. 5 again includes a cassette receiving and driving mechanism 51, appropriate electronic circuitry 52, headphones 14 and video monitor 53. However, the operation of the drive unit 51, and optionally also the units 52 and 53, is controlled by a coin or token receiving unit 54 incorporating a coin or token operated switch. Thus the user can only watch the material recorded on a tape by inserting the required coin or token into the unit 54. The switch can also be used to control operation of the machine in addtion to or instead of controlling the tape playing facility by either activating the drive motor of the jogging machine or by freeing a locking system of the cycle or rowing machine (represented by box 55) as described above. The unit 54 may incorporate a timer so that the tape can only be played and/or the machine freed for exercising for a predetermined period on receipt of a coin or token.

Alternatively, the cassette driving mechanism 51 and/or the exercise facility may be arranged such that it can be freed once only on receipt of a coin or token.

The control system of Fig. 6 again includes driving mechanism 51, circuitry 52, headphones 14 and monitor 53, but the mechanism 51 is adapted to send a control signal to the motor or locking system 55 so that the machine can only be used for exercising whilst a cassette is loaded into the mechanism 51. Thus, the machine could only be used for exercising after hiring out a tape for example.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising a chassis adapted to remain in a static position on the ground in use and support a user thereon, movable reaction means for engagement by the user for exercise purposes, means for playing a pre-recorded video tape, and a viewing screen connected to the tape playing means for displaying a moving picture recorded on the video tape and mounted in such a position that it can be viewed by the user whilst using the machine.

2. A machine according to Claim 1, comprising sound reproduction means connected to the tape playing means to permit the user to listen to the soundtrack of the video tape.

3. A machine according to Claim 2, in which the sound reproduction means comprises headphones.

4. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the viewing screen is mounted for pivotal adjustment about a substantially horizontal axis which is substantially parallel to the screen.

5. A machine according to any preceding claim, including video cassette receiving means by which a video tape contained within a cassette can be loaded into the player.

6. A machine according to any preceding claim, which includes coin or token receiving means, and the arrangement is such that the tape playing means is freed to play a video tape and/or the machine is freed for exercising on receipt of a coin or token by the said receiving means.

7. \ A machine according to Claim 6, in which the tape playing means is freed and/or the machine is freed as aforesaid for a predetermined period on receipt of a coin or token.

8. A machine according to any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the machine is freed for exercising by loading a video tape into the player.

9. A machine according to Claim 8, in which the machine is such that it can only be used for exercising whilst a video tape is playing.

10. A machine according to any preceding claim, which comprises a seat and hand grips, and the movable reaction means comprises pedals.

11. A machine according to any of Claims 1 to 9, which comprises a seat mounted for reciprocation relative to the chassis and foot rest means, and the movable reaction means comprises hand grips.

12. A machine according to any of Claims 1 to 9, in which the movable reaction means comprises a power driven endless belt which provides a moving floor to support the user.

13. An exercise machine substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.