WO2005032663A1

WO2005032663A1 - Exercise device and exercise handle

Info

Publication number: WO2005032663A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/011346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Jeffery Amann
Original assignee: Michael Jeffery Amann
Priority date: 2003-10-03
Filing date: 2004-10-04
Publication date: 2005-04-14
Also published as: EP1520605A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an exercise device for muscular training of a person, comprising: - a frame; - at least one upright elongated element, - at least one pivot arranged between the frame and the upright element so as to have one end of the element movable in a substantially horizontal plane, said end of the at least one elongated element being provided with a handle for gripping by the person; - resistance means arranged between the elongated element and the frame for providing resistance against said horizontal movement of said end of the elongated element by the person gripping the handle; whereby at least one actuator arranged between the elongated element and the frame for forcing said at least one elongated element to move in said substantially horizontal plane.

Description

EXERCISE DEVICE AND EXERCISE HANDLE

The present invention relates to an exercise device for muscular training of a person. The present invention also relates to an exercise handle and to the use of the exercise device and exercise handle. In recent years numerous devices for exercising various muscles in the body of a person have been developed. Many exercise devices use exchangeable weights in order to set the level of resistance to be overcome by the person performing the exercise. Other devices make use of hydraulic or pneumatic elements in order to provide a suitable level of resistance. US 4 629 185 discloses an apparatus including a frame provided with two gimbals, each of which having a forwardly extending rod that is provided with a handle for gripping by the person. The gimbals enable simultaneous movement of the handles in more than one plane. Multiple hydraulic cylinders are provided so as to control the resistance experienced by the person. One of the drawbacks of this apparatus is that the person at all times must overcome the gravitational force exerted on the handle and the rod as the handles are movable in the vertical plane. Especially when a patient is recovering from a serious injury the gravitational force may jeopardize the healing process. Since the person assumes a sitting position during his exercises, only a limited number of muscles are trained. The muscles in the upper body part are exercised, while the muscles in the lower body parts, for example the legs, tend to be trained insufficiently. US 4 872 668 discloses an exercise device having a first boom member with a handle, a pivotally mounted second boom member and a pivotally mounted third boom member. Also resistance means operably connected between the first and second boom members, between the second and third boom member and between the third member and a base are provided for resisting pivotal movement. The device provides the user an exercise apparatus for resisting motion of the user in all directions including in directions in the vertical plane. Therefore also in this device the user must overcome the gravitational force exerted on the handle and the boom(s) attached to it. US 5 372 564 discloses an exercise device having a flat support frame from which two vertical engagement members extend. The engagement members are mounted to the support frame so as to be pivotable in the vertical plane only. US 3 587 319, on which the preamble of the independent claim is based, discloses an exercise device comprising a pole pivotably mounted on a flat surface of a base, the poles being movable in the horizontal plane.

Beneath the flat surface of the base two dampers are provided for damping the movement of the pole. Because the poles extend upward and the person gripping the handle will move them in any direction in the horizontal plane, the exercise can be performed substantially without gravitational force being applied by the device on the person. However, the known device can only be used in a passive mode, i.e. the user is to provide the right amount of resistance against displacement of the poles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a more versatile exercise device for exercising in any direction in a substantially horizontal plane. This object is achieved in an exercise device for muscular training of a person, comprising: - a frame; - at least one upright elongated element, - at least one pivot arranged between the frame and the upright element so as to have one end of the element movable in a substantially horizontal plane, said end of the at least one elongated element being provided with a handle for gripping by the person,- - resistance means arranged between the elongated element and the frame for providing resistance against said horizontal movement of said end of the elongated element by the person gripping the handle; - at least one actuator arranged between the elongated element and the frame for forcing said at least one elongated element to move in said substantially horizontal plane. The task of the person, in the active mode, is to exert a counter force on the handles that are being forced in specific directions by the actuators so as to prevent displacement of the handles or at least to oppose the movement of the handle. The active mode and passive mode for either of the handles can alternate during an exercise. In a preferred embodiment the at least one actuator and said resistance means are combined. For instance, in a specific embodiment hydraulic cylinders are employed, that may be used in the passive mode to provide the right amount of resistance against displacements of the upright caused by the person, or in the active mode, in combination with one or more hydraulic pumps, to bring about a displacement of the one ore more uprights. In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises at least one sensor for providing displacement data representative of the actual displacement of the upright element and a storage for storing the displacement data. By storing the data on a storage device, for example an electronic memory or the hard disk of a computer, the actual movement performed by a person is recorded for later use. The thus pre-stored data can be used later to assess the progress in time the person makes as a result of his exercises. The pre-stored data of the person can also be used to teach another person, as will be explained later. In another preferred embodiment the device is provided with means for controlling the actuator so as to displace the upright element based on displacement data pre- stored on a storage device, preferably the storage device wherein the displacement data from the sensor are stored. In a preferred embodiment the pivot comprises at least one ball-and-socket joint attached to said frame and to said at least one upright elongated element. A joint of this type requires a minimum maintenance effort and is relatively inexpensive. However, various other embodiments of pivoting means are conceivable as well. For example, pivoting means may be made up of a gimbal assembly, as explained hereafter. In a preferred embodiment the resistance means comprise a first and second hydraulic cylinder, the proximal end of each cylinder being attached to said frame and the distal end of each cylinder being connected to the elongated element, and wherein the first cylinder extends substantially perpendicular to the second cylinder. Using the hydraulic cylinders the resistance to movement in any direction may be varied relatively easy. In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises a first upright elongated element with a handle to be gripped by the left hand of the person and a second upright elongated element with a handle to be gripped by the right hand of the person. In this way at least both arms can be trained simultaneously. The person assumes an upright position when performing his exercises. Therefore, in order to make the exercise device suitable for people of different height, the length of the elongated elements can be varied. Preferably the elongate element then comprises: - a cylinder including a housing and a plunger movable in and out the housing; - fastening means for releasably fastening the plunger to the housing at a position suitable for the height of the person exercising. In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises a spring arranged in the housing so as to exert an outward force on the plunger. In this way the plunger may be used in further exercises, especially abdominal exercises, wherein the user pushes the handle and hence the plunger in a downward direction against the action of the spring to exercise specific muscles and wherein the user displaces the handle in a controlled manner in an upward direction while offering resistance to the force exerted by the spring on the plunger. In a further preferred embodiment the handle comprises : - a yoke, provided with means for connecting with the rod; - an outer ring, pivotably mounted to the arms of the yoke,- - an inner ring, snugly fitted in the outer ring, the inner ring being rotatable in the outer ring; - a bar being rotatably or fixedly mounted in the inner ring. This embodiment is in particular advantageous when the connecting means are shaped so as to connect the yoke also to one or more exchangeable weights. In this way the handle can be used on its own, i.e. detached from the exercise device, to perform different exercises, for example exercises that usually are performed using one or more dumb bells. Dumb bells have the disadvantage that improper use thereof may cause serious injuries to the muscles in general and the tendons in particular. Due to the construction of the handle the chance of injuries is substantially reduced. In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises resistance control means for controlling the resistance of the horizontal movement. Before, after or even during the exercises the resistance against displacement of the upright elongated elements may be varied, enabling training characteristics optimal for the specific situation or person. Preferably the control means are connected to the first and second hydraulic cylinder so as to independently adjust the resistance of the cylinders. The resistance to displacement in one direction need not be identical to the resistance to displacement in another direction. For example, in some case a one-dimensional movement of the uprights is preferred. Then the resistance of one of the cylinders is set at a very high value, essentially locking the upright in a predetermined orientation, while- the resistance of the other cylinder is set to be suitable for the purpose of the one- dimensional displacement of the upright. In a further preferred embodiment the first cylinder and second cylinder each have an input port and output port interconnected via an adjustable flow valve. The resistance of the hydraulic cylinders may be varied by adjusting the throughput of the adjustable valve. Preferably the frame of the device comprises a surface on which the person can take position. The person will normally assume a standing position in order to exercise as many different muscles as possible. Furthermore, a wide variety of different exercises, including a number of exercises which to the present day were impossible to carry out, can be performed using the present device. For example, when training tennis players a complete displacement of the body during a backhand stroke may be simulated and trained accordingly. A further advantage of exercising in a standing position is that a relatively short exercise time is needed to achieve the wanted effect or result. According to another aspect of the present invention an exercising handle for gripping by a person is provided, comprising: - a yoke, provided with means for connecting with the rod; - an outer ring, pivotably mounted to the arms of the yoke; - an inner ring, snugly fitted in the outer ring, the inner ring being rotatable in the outer ring; - a bar being rotatably mounted in the inner ring; wherein the connecting means are shaped so as to connect the yoke to one or more exchangeable weights. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof. Reference is made in the description to the figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a partly cut-away view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the exercise device; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section through one of the uprights, the length of which can be adjusted; Figure 3 shows a view, partly in cross-section, of a preferred embodiment of the handle; and Figure 4 shows a partly exploded perspective view of the handle of figure 3, wherein a weight is attached to the handle . Figure 1 shows the exercise device 1 in a partly cutaway perspective view. Device 1 comprises a frame in which two uprights are freely movable. The frame is constructed from a number of legs 2 on which rests a horizontal plate 3. This latter functions as mounting for the uprights and as surface on which the person stands during training. Arranged at two positions in the flat plate 3 are openings, on the edge of which are provided upright flanges 4. The mutual distance between the two openings corresponds roughly to the width of the shoulders of the person using the exercise device (about 50 centimeters) . Provided in the shown embodiment in each of the openings is a ball-and-socket joint 5 built up of a housing 6 arranged against the plate and the upright flange 4 and a spherical element 7 mounted in the housing. In another embodiment the ball-and-socket joints are replaced by gimbals. An upright 8 is arranged on the top side of ball-and- socket joint 5 (or the gimbal) . As a result of the shown mounting with a ball-and-socket joint or gimbal, the upright has two degrees of freedom, i.e. the upright can be displaced in both the X-direction and the Y-direction. The top side of the upright 8 passes through an almost horizontal plane during such a displacement. A handle 9 is provided at the top of the upright. The handle comprises a support 10 which in known manner is arranged rotatably on a displaceable element 11 (arrow P . A yoke 13 is further arranged on the support. As is shown in more detail in figure 3, yoke 13 is connected rotatably to an outer ring 14 using rotation shafts 34. Outer ring 14 can therefore be displaced rotatably in the direction of arrow P₂. An inner ring 15 is also provided, wherein between outer ring 14 and inner ring 15 a large number of ball bearings 35 are arranged. Owing to this construction the inner ring 15 can be rotated relative to outer ring 14 (arrow P₃) . Finally, a bar 16 is arranged transversely of inner ring 15 and optionally provided with a covering (not shown) to make the bar sufficiently rough. As a consequence of the shown construction of handle 9, the bar 16 can be moved in practically all directions, whereby the danger of injuries to the hands and arms of the user of the exercise device is minimal. Referring to figure 1, a support 17 is arranged against the underside of each ball-and-socket joint 5. Using pivots 27 this support 17 is connected to respectively a first hydraulic cylinder 21 and second hydraulic cylinder 22. Each hydraulic cylinder comprises a housing 25 in which a plunger 26 can be moved in and out. Housing 25,30 is fastened to plate 3 of the frame by means of pivots 24,29 and fastening pins 23,28. By placing the two hydraulic cylinders 21,22 at a determined angle to each other, preferably at an angle of about 90', the movement of support 17 can be slowed down in the X,Y plane. Cylinders 21,22 do after all provide a resistance to displacement of the lower end 17 and thereby of the other elements mounted thereon, such as handle 9. The resistance applied by the cylinders can be adjusted as required by operation of schematically shown control means 20. Cylinders with adjustable resistance are known as such and will not be discussed here in detail. The resistance of these cylinders can be adjusted individually by actuating the respective control means 20 provided on each of the cylinders . In another embodiment (shown in figure 1 with dashed lines) wherein for example hydraulic cylinders are used, the cylinders are included in a control system with connection lines 40 and a controller 41, for example a micro controller or a personal computer, connecting all cylinders to each other so as to enable the resistances of the various cylinders to be controlled in their mutual relationship. In case of two-way hydraulic (including pneumatic) cylinders, the cylinders are filled with liquid or gas. Also the cylinders are mutually connected via a network of liquid or gas conduits and one or more adjustable flow valves, so that the liquid is displaced from one end of a cylinder to the other end when plunger 26 is pressed in or out. The degree of resistance of each of the hydraulic cylinders can be individually adjusted by controlling the relevant flow valve (s), the valves being controlled by the controller 41. The operation of exercise device 1 is as follows. The person will stand with both legs on the flat plate 3 and grip both handles 9. In this starting position no force at all, such as for instance gravitational force, will be exerted by the device on the muscles of the person. After setting the appropriate resistances of cylinders 21,22 of the left-hand upright and setting the resistances of cylinders 21,22 of the right-hand upright, the person can start training. The person then exerts a force on one or both handles, with the result that the handles are displaced in a substantially horizontal plane (in fact a spherical plane with the radius corresponding to the distance between ball-and-socket joints 5 and handle 9, wherein the radius is however very large in proportion to the maximum deflection of the uprights) . Owing to the many rotation options of the handle the arms generally of a person, and the wrists in particular, will be spared as much as possible in this movement, which reduces the danger of injury. Depending on the application, the resistance provided by hydraulic cylinders 21,22 can be adjusted during the exercise so as to make the exercise more difficult or easier. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 is dotted lines, the control means 20 of the cylinders are driven by a central control 41, for example a computer or micro-controller. It is also possible to provide the cylinders with electric actuators and/or to give the cylinders an active form such that they can be displaced mechanically. In this case it is the task of the person to exert counter force and to prevent displacement of the handles. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the resistance means and actuator (s) are combined into cylinders that are used in a passive mode wherein the cylinders have a constant or variable resistance and/or in an active mode, wherein the cylinders may cause the uprights to move in any desired direction in the horizontal plane. Other embodiments are feasible as well. The displacement of the upright (s) may for instance be accomplished by electric motors attached to the frame and each of the uprights. In a further preferred embodiment the central controller 41 comprises storage means (hard disk, recordable DVD or CD, or similar storage facilities) so as to store the displacements of each of the plungers of the cylinders when a certain movement of the handle is carried out. Displacements of the plunger are measured by sensors 42 (figure 1) . The sensors are connected via lines 40 to the controller 41. For example, the back hand stroke of a top tennis player can be stored in the storage means of the controller 41. Afterwards, when another user uses the exercise device, the cylinders may be actuated so as to force another user of the device to follow the displacements recorded on the recording means. In this way the other user might train his back stroke technique. It is to be understood that the pre-stored displacements may also be derived from another exercise device and that the storage means of a specific exercise device may contain data representative of numerous pre-stored motions, such as different types of backhand or forehand strokes of different tennis players. Also the displacement data can be derived from other means than the above sensors. Even in an embodiment without sensors pre-stored displacement data may present in the memory of the controller. The displacement data may be used to vary the resistance and/or the force exerted by one or more actuators during the exercise, as will be explained hereafter. During the exercise the user will, in the passive mode, displace the handles against the resistance exerted on the uprights by the resistance cylinders. In the active mode, the uprights are forcibly moved and the user will exert an opposing force on the handles to counteract the displacement thereof. During the exercise the left and right uprights may be in identical or in opposing modes. Also the the modes may alternate during the exercise between the passive and active mode, depending on the kind and seriousness of the injury of the user. In order to make the exercise device suitable for persons of different height, the uprights 8 are embodied such that the length thereof can be adjusted. Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an upright adjustable in the length. The upright herein comprises a housing 29 in which a rod 11 can slide in and out (arrow P₄) . The rod is provided at a number of positions with a groove 32. At the top of upright 8 is provided a screw element 12, on the inner side of which there are provided a number of ball bearings 33. When screw element 12 is unscrewed, a clearance is created between the ball bearings and rod 11 such that rod 11 is freely slidable in the height. When screw element 12 is tightened however, the clearance is reduced and at a certain point the ball bearings 33 will become fixed in grooves 32. In this manner the rod can be fixed at a number of positions (in the shown embodiment four) to make the exercise device suitable for people of differing height. In the preferred embodiment shown in figure 2 a helical spring 30 is also provided which ensures that when screw element 12 is unscrewed the rod 11 is automatically displaced in upward direction. Figure 4 shows that in a special embodiment the above mentioned handle 9 can also be applied separately of exercise device 1. An opening is herein provided on the underside of support 10, in which opening can be screwed a protrusion 37 of an element of a predetermined weight . The weight of handle 9 can hereby be increased as desired. Depending on the desired weight, a heavy or less heavy element 36 is applied. Once again the person can now do exercises to train the muscles, wherein the arm of the person, and in particular his/her wrist, is spared as much as possible due to the mobility of the handle. In the embodiment shown in figure 4 the handle 9 can be arranged on the uprights 8 of the exercise device as well as being used as separate training element as just described. It is however also possible to embody handle 9 such that it can only be used as handle for the interchangeable weights (elements 36) . In a preferred embodiment the device is provided with electrical or optical sensors that determine the degree of motion of the handle. When for example each of the cylinders connected to the pivot is provided with a motion sensor and the respective sensors are connected to a central processing unit, the processing unit is able to perform (preferably in real time) a determination of the exact position in three- dimensional space of the handle based on the data received from the sensors. Therefore, in this embodiment the handle may be used to control the motion of a further device that is controlled by the central control, such as a robot or similar device. The rights sought are not limited to the above described embodiments of the invention but are defined by the claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Exercise device for muscular training of a person, comprising: - a frame; - at least one upright elongated element, - at least one pivot arranged between the frame and the upright element so as to have one end of the element movable in a substantially horizontal plane, said end of the at least one elongated element being provided with a handle for gripping by the person; - resistance means arranged between the elongated element and the frame for providing resistance against said horizontal movement of said end of the elongated element by the person gripping the handle; characterized by at least one actuator arranged between the elongated element and the frame for forcing said at least one elongated element to move in said substantially horizontal plane.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises an electric motor.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator and said resistance means are combined.

4. Device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 , comprising: - at least one sensor for providing displacement data representative of the actual displacement of the upright element; - a storage for storing the displacement data.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for controlling the actuator so as to displace the upright element based on pre-stored displacement data.

6. Exercise device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot comprises at least one ball-and- socket joint attached to said frame and to said at least one upright elongated element.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resistance means comprise a first and second hydraulic cylinder the proximal end of each cylinder being attached to said frame and the distal end of each cylinder being connected to the elongated element, and wherein the first cylinder extends substantially perpendicular to the second cylinder.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first upright elongated element with a handle to be gripped by the left hand of the person and a second upright elongated element with a handle to be gripped by the right hand of the person.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated element is extendable so as to be adaptable to the height of the person.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the elongated element comprises: - a cylinder including a housing and a plunger movable in and out the housing; - fastening means for releasably fastening the plunger to the housing at a position suitable for the height of the person exercising.

11. Device according to claim 10, comprising a spring arranged in the housing so as to exert an outward force on the plunger.

12. Device according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the handle comprises: - a yoke, provided with means for connecting with the rod; - an outer ring, pivotably mounted to the arms of the yoke; - an inner ring, snugly fitted in the outer ring, the inner ring being rotatable in the outer ring; - a bar being rotatably mounted in the inner ring.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the connecting means are shaped so as to connect the yoke also to one or more exchangeable weights.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising resistance control means for controlling the resistance of the horizontal movement.

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means are connected to the first and second hydraulic cylinder so as to independently adjust the resistance of the cylinders.

16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cylinder and second cylinder include each have an input port and output port interconnected via an adjustable flow valve.

17. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises a surface on which the person can take position.

18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot comprises at least one gimbal assembly attached to said frame and to said at least one upright elongated element.

19. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: - a frame; - at least one upright elongated element, - at least one pivot arranged between the frame and the upright element so as to have one end of the element movable in a substantially horizontal plane, said end of the at least one elongated element being provided with a handle for gripping by the person; - at least one sensor for providing displacement data representative of the actual displacement of the upright element; - means for controlling the movement of element based on the displacement data.

20. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: - a yoke, provided with means for connecting with the rod; - an outer ring, pivotably mounted to the arms of the yoke; - an inner ring, snugly fitted in the outer ring, the inner ring being rotatable in the outer ring; - a bar being rotatably mounted in the inner ring; wherein the connecting means are shaped so as to connect the yoke to one or more exchangeable weights.

21. Use of the exercise device and/or exercise handle according to any of the preceding claims.