EP4637937A1 - Verbesserungen an widerstandstrainern - Google Patents

Verbesserungen an widerstandstrainern

Info

Publication number: EP4637937A1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: spool; cable; resistance; housing; motor
Prior art date: 2022-12-22
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Pending

Application number

EP23906256.5A

Other languages

English (en)

French (fr)

Inventor

Craig Mounsey

James Laurence VAN OOSTEN

Michael William CARSWELL

Ashley James KLEMKE

Simon Gerard Hall

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

F&P Tech Fitness Ltd

Original Assignee

F&P Tech Fitness Ltd

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

2022-12-22

Filing date

2023-12-22

Publication date

2025-10-29

2022-12-22 Priority claimed from AU2022903963A external-priority patent/AU2022903963A0/en

2023-12-22 Application filed by F&P Tech Fitness Ltd filed Critical F&P Tech Fitness Ltd

2025-10-29 Publication of EP4637937A1 publication Critical patent/EP4637937A1/de

Status Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/005—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
- A63B21/0058—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters using motors
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/012—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using frictional force-resisters
- A63B21/015—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using frictional force-resisters including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/02—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters
- A63B21/04—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters attached to static foundation, e.g. a user
- A63B21/0442—Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
- A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
- A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
- A63B21/153—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
- A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
- A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
- A63B21/4035—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
- A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
- A63B21/4043—Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
- A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
- A63B23/03533—With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
- A63B23/03541—Moving independently from each other
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
- A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
- A63B23/1209—Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
- A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
- A63B2071/026—Supports, e.g. poles stabilised by weight
- A63B2071/027—Supports, e.g. poles stabilised by weight using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
- A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
- A63B21/154—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains using special pulley-assemblies
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
- A63B21/157—Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/20—Distances or displacements
- A63B2220/24—Angular displacement

Definitions

the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to resistance trainers.
the present invention may be a resistance trainer used for fitness training or exercising.
the present invention may in particular, but not solely, be a resistance mechanism that may be incorporated in resistance trainers of many different kinds.
resistance trainers available for people to use. Commonly they are used to perform a variety of different exercises for fitness and training purposes. Typically such resistance trainers use weights and are reliant on gravity to provide load resistance for a user. Such devices go by many names. Examples include a Cable Machine, Smith Machine or Power Rack. Such may comprise of a stack of selectively engageable weight plates and a cable, often fed around a pulley system, that is able to lift the selected plates. A handle at the end of the cable allows a user to apply a load to the cable to lift the selected plates. Weight-based resistance trainers are cheap to produce but are heavy to ship and relocate and lack the ability to help guide a user to ensure correct use of the device. Instruction manuals or a personal trainer are the usual sources to help guide a user who is not familiar with the use of such resistance trainers.
WO '278 there is described a resistance trainer that relies on an electrically driven resistance mechanism utilising an electric motor, a spool that is coupled to the motor and a cable.
the cable has a handle at one end that a user is able to grasp to apply a load to the cable.
the other end of the cable is spooled onto the spool yet can be unspooled when the user applies a load to the cable.
the motor is able to be controlled to apply resistance to the load that is applied by the user via the cable as the cable is spooled and unspooled from the spool. In this manner the user may experience a load that replicates a weight-based resistance trainer but without involving heavy weight plates to provide the load.
Motor-based resistance trainers like those described in WO '278 can offer a number of additional advantages such as providing a user with performance feedback. Load, motion and position feedback may be provided to the user in real-time, as described in WO '278,
the nature of a resistance mechanism that applies resistive force during resistance training can affect the performance of the resistance trainer, including the comfort and safety that is experienced by the user of the trainer.
Rotational inertia of resistance mechanisms can be a cause of poor performance and user discomfort or injury in motor-based resistance trainers. This is because inertia can cause the cable spool to overrun as the cable is extended and retracted during operation. Overrun as the cable unspools can in turn cause a temporary slackening of the cable which in turn results in the user experiencing a sudden jerk as the cable comes back under tension again. In such motor-based resistance trainers where real-time use feedback is provided for the user, overrun and jerking may create inaccuracies in the feedback provided.
the rotational inertia that may be generated can be significant.
the mass of the rotor and magnets can be high in order to ensure that enough resistance force is able to be applied to the cable for meaningful exercising.
the speed at which the cable is able to be wound up on the spool is also a factor in motor design.
FIG. 1A-C shows a sequence of conditions of a prior art motor-based resistance trainer.
H is indicative of the handle that the user can grasp.
C is the cable.
the resistance mechanism in this prior art example comprises of a spool S and a motor M that is coupled to the spool using a belt drive B.
T indicates the motor torque and R1 and R2 are motor output shaft and spool rotational directions respectively.
D indicates the direction of travel of the handle and F is the load force that the user applies to the handle.
Figure 1A shows the condition during a load stroke, where a user is pulling up on the handle in direction D1 to unwind the cable from the spool.
the torque T of the motor applies a resistance to that motion.
the force F is able to overcome the resistance applied by the resistance mechanism as the cable unwinds from the spool.
the user pulls the cable up in direction D1 to rotate the motor rotor and spool against resistance of motor.
the cable remains taut.
Figure 1 B shows a condition when the user has reduced or complete releases the load F and the cable can become slack. This may occur for example when there is a change in direction of the motion of the handle.
Figure 1C shows a condition where the slack in the cable is taken up by the resistance mechanism as the cable travels downwardly in direction D2.
the motor torque T is applied in the same direction to help ensure that the user experiences a smooth (although optionally variable) resistance force and to help ensure that the cable is capable of being spooled onto the spool.
rotational inertial of the resistance mechanism may cause the spool to continue to momentarily rotate in the same direction as in figure 1 A.
This rotational momentum is rapidly reduced by the motor but it is not instantaneous upon the release of the force F and can cause spool over run which in turn causes the cable to slacken.
the motor force takes over again to bring the cable back under tension as seen in figure 1C.
Spool overrun can cause the cable to not re-wind onto the spool properly. This can have an undesired effect on the performance of motor-based resistance exercise devices. It may cause the cable to jam. It may also affect accurate sensing that may provide inaccurate feedback for the user. Spool overrun can also cause a sudden jerking force to be applied to the cable and hence user, as the motor takes up the cable slack. The harder and faster a user pulls on the cable to unwind the cable from the spool, the more rotational inertia is generated in the resistance mechanism and the greater the undesirable overrun effects may be.
the term “cable” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of flexible elongate members such as wire rope, synthetic rope, monofilament, chains, webbing and belts as examples.
handle is intended to mean a component to be grasped by a user and I or otherwise engage a users hand, foot or body such as, a bar, hand grip, hoop, strap, or any other suitable piece of equipment enabling a person to apply tension to a cable attached to the component or "handle" via the users hand, foot or body.
a handle or component may therefore be described as a "user interface”.
the term “extend vertically” (or similar terms such as extending vertically) is intended to mean the cable extends in a direction with a significant or predominant vertical component (and may include a horizontal component).
more than one controller such as a motor controller and a system controller
more than one controller may be implemented by a single controller, such as a single electronic processer.
a controller such as a system controller is described
such a controller may be implemented by one or more than one controller, such as two or more electronic processes in electrical communication.
One or more controllers may be provided remotely.
one or more sensors provide (s) one or more outputs from which a value or perimeter may be determined (such as an angle or position), the one or more outputs are said to be indicative of the value of the perimeter.
the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing presenting a substantially horizontal deck on which a user stands when using the resistance trainer, b. a resistance mechanism mounted as a unit inside said housing beneath the deck and comprising:
a spool mounted to rotate relative to said housing about a spool axis that is coaxial the output axis and able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction
a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d.
a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool and wind off the spool, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the motor can generate a force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool to wind cable onto the spool.
the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted as a unit inside said housing beneath the deck and comprising: a motor having a rotational output axis, a spool mounted to rotate relative to said housing about a spool axis that is coaxial the output axis and able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction, c. a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d.
a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool and wind off the spool, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the motor can generate a force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool to wind cable onto the spool.
the present invention may be said to be a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising:
a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and coupled directly or indirectly to and be able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction about the spool axis
a sleeve located about the spool to define a confined gap about the spool and within the sleeve the spool can rotate about the spool axis
a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d.
a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool in a conically or helically coiled configuration to locate in said confined gap and is able to wind off the spool, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the motor force to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction, to cause cable to wind off the spool, and wherein when spool overrun occurs, cable in coiled configuration on the spool can be caused to start to spiral outwardly in the confined gap to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the present invention may be said to be a method of passively braking a spool that has cable wound onto it in a coiled configuration and that, in a first rotational direction of the spool can cause cable to be wound onto the spool, the method to reduce spool overrun caused when the cable is pulled sufficiently hard to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction to wind cable off the spool, the method comprising causing the cable wound on the spool to spiral outwardly from its coiled configuration in a confined gap between the spool and a sleeve about the spool to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the present invention may be said to be a self braking spool module comprising: a. a spool that can have a cable wound onto it in a coiled configuration and that is biased for rotation in a first rotational direction to cause cable to be wound onto the spool, b.
a spool housing to mount the spool in a rotational manner relative thereto and presenting a sleeve about the coiled cable outwardly spaced a sufficient distance from the coiled cable to not be contacted by the cable save for when the cable is pulled sufficiently hard against the bias to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction to wind cable off the spool and cause spool overrun causing cable wound on the spool to spiral outwardly off the spool in and to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the present invention may be said to be a self braking spool module comprising a spool that can have a cable wound onto it when rotated in a first rotational direction to cause cable to be wound onto the spool.
a spool housing is provided to mount the spool in a rotational manner relative thereto and presenting a sleeve about the coiled cable outwardly spaced a sufficient distance from the coiled cable to not be contacted by the cable save for when the cable is pulled sufficiently hard against the bias to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction to wind cable off the spool and cause spool overrun causing cable wound on the spool to spiral outwardly off the spool in and to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the present invention may be said to be a self braking spool module comprising: a. a spool that can have a cable wound onto it in a coiled configuration dictated by a helically spiralled groove of the spool in which the cable can seat, b. a housing to mount the spool in a rotational manner relative thereto and presenting a sleeve about the coiled cable outwardly spaced a sufficient distance from the coiled cable to not be contacted by the coiled cable yet is able to be contacted by the cable when the cable spirals outwardly from its coiled configuration.
a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising:
a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and relative the housing c.
the resistance mechanism further comprises a coupling between the motor and the spool that is adapted and configured to couple the motor and spool for co-rotation in the same rotational direction, while allowing the motor and spool to rotationally decouple for rotation in relatively opposite directions; and wherein the resistance mechanism is further configured to generate a driving force of the motor that both: a) drives rotation of the spool in a first rotational direction about the spool axis to wind cable onto the spool, and b) resists, via the spool and
a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising: an electric motor having a rotational output axis, a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and relative the housing, and
a coupling between the motor and the spool c. a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d. a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool in a coiled configuration, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the resistance mechanism is configured to generate a driving force of the motor that both: a) drives rotation of the spool in a first rotational direction about the spool axis to wind cable onto the spool, and b) resists, via the spool and cable, user-driven rotation of the spool in a second rotational direction about the spool axis; and wherein the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the resistive driving force of the motor, so that both spool and motor are caused to rotate in the second rotational direction and
the present invention may be said to be a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising:
the self braking spool module as herein before described wherein the spool is mounted to rotate about a spool axis and coupled directly or indirectly to and be able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction about the spool axis, and c. a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d.
a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool in a conically or helically coiled manner to locate in said confined gap and is able to wind off the spool, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the motor can generate a motor force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement by the user, and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool about the spool axis to wind cable onto the spool, and wherein the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the motor force to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction, to cause cable to wind off the spool.
the present invention may be said to be a spool module as herein described when used with a resistance trainer as herein described- in a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising: a motor having a rotational output axis,
a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and relative the housing c.
the present invention may be said to be a resistance trainer comprising: a. a housing, b. a resistance mechanism mounted to said housing and comprising:
a motor having a rotational output axis and that can generate a rotational force
a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and relative the housing
a coupling between the motor and the spool c. a user interface presented external of the housing, able to be subjected to movement by the user relative the housing when using the trainer, d. a cable extending between the user interface and the spool and having (i) a first end region at where cable is able to wind onto the spool in a coiled configuration, and (ii) a second end region where the cable is coupled directly or indirectly to the user interface, wherein the rotational force of the motor, via the coupling, can (i) apply a resistance force via the spool and the cable to the user to resist said movement by the user, and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool about the spool axis that corresponds to a first rotational direction of the motor, to wind cable onto the spool, and wherein the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the motor force to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction and via the coupling cause the motor
the present invention may be said to be a resistance mechanism for use in or with a resistance trainer that utilises a user interface able to be subjected to movement by the user and a cable operative between the user interface and the resistance mechanism to provide a resistance force to said movement, the resistance trainer comprising: a motor having a rotational output axis,
a spool mounted to rotate about a spool axis and able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction, wherein the motor can generate a force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool to wind cable onto the spool.
the resistance trainer comprising a housing presenting a substantially horizontal deck on which a user stands when using the resistance trainer, and the resistance mechanism is mounted as a unit inside said housing beneath the deck.
the present invention may be said to be a resistance mechanism for a resistance trainer, as herein defined..
the resistance mechanism is mounted inside the housing as a unit with the spool axis and rotational output axis oriented substantially vertical when the trainer is in use.
the spool is mounted by a spool housing in a manner to allow the spool to rotate about the spool axis and the motor comprises a stator and a rotor able to rotate relative the stator about the rotational output axis, wherein the stator is secured to the spool housing in a fixed manner to allow the rotor and spool to rotate in a coaxial manner to each other and rotate relative to the housing and the spool housing.
stator is secured to the spool housing in a fixed manner and at least one of stator and the spool housing is secured to the housing in a fixed manner to mount the resistance mechanism as a unit to the housing.
the spool is able to be driven by the motor to rotate in the first rotational direction to co-rotate with the motor about the spool axis that is coaxial the rotational output axis.
motor comprises a stator and a rotor able to rotate relative the stator about the rotational output axis and the spool is able to be driven by rotor to rotate in the first rotational direction to co-rotate with the rotor about the spool axis that is coaxial the rotational output axis.
a shaft is provided operational between the motor and spool to cause the spool to co-rotate with the motor in the first rotational direction.
the shaft is mounted to rotate about the spool axis.
the motor comprises a stator and a rotor able to rotate relative the stator about the rotational output axis and the shaft is secured to the stator to co-rotate with the rotor and is secured to the spool to co-rotate with the spool.
the shaft is connected at of end of the shaft to the rotor and at another end of the shaft to the spool.
a cable guide is provided intermediate of the user interface and the spool.
the cable guide is secured to the housing.
the cable guide is secured to the housing at an opening through the deck.
the cable passes via an opening in the deck from the housing to the user interface and is able to extend from and retract towards the housing via said opening when the user interface is subjected to said movement and wherein at the opening there is provided a cable guide to guide a change in trajectory of the cable as it extends from and retracts towards the housing, the change in trajectory being between a first trajectory between the cable guide and the spool to variable trajectory determined by the position of the user interface relative the deck.
the first trajectory is a direct and linear trajectory of the cable between the cable guide and the spool.
the first trajectory is one where the trajectory of the cable from the cable guide towards the spool is coincident the trajectory of the cable from the spool towards the cable guide.
the trajectory of the cable from the spool is substantially horizontal.
the cable guide comprises a primary pulley mounted by the housing to have a rotational axis that is normal to a notional plane that the first trajectory of the cable lies in.
the notional plane is co-incident a tangent of the spool.
the trajectory of the cable from the spool to the cable guide is linear.
the housing has a general rectangular footprint.
the cable guide may be located on the major axis of symmetry of the rectangular footprint.
the cable guide is located adjacent a minor edge of the rectangular footprint.
the primary pulley may have an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the major axis of symmetry so that the cable has a natural trajectory from the primary pulley that lies in a vertical plane that extends along the major axis of symmetry.
the resistance mechanisms each mounted inside said housing beneath the deck and two of said user interfaces and two of said cables for each respective said resistance mechanisms and user interfaces, a first of said cables extending from an opening in the deck at a first location and the second of said cables extending from an opening in said deck from a second location that is spaced from said first location and where the resistance mechanism are located intermediate of the first and second locations.
the trajectory of the cable from one of the resistance mechanism to its respective cable guide extends in a notional plane that the trajectory of the cable from the other resistance mechanism to its respective cable guide also extends in..
the trajectory of the cable from one of the two resistance mechanisms extends in a notional plane that the trajectory of the cable from the other of the two resistance mechanisms also extends in.
the axis of rotation of a first of said primary pulleys lies in a notional plane that is parallel a notional plane that a second of said primary pulleys lies in.
the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the force of the motor to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational to direction to cause the cable to wind off the spool.
the motor can generate a motor force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement by the user, and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool about the spool axis to wind cable onto the spool.
spool overrun may occur wherein when the pull force is sufficient to cause the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction to cause spool overrun.
spool overrun may occur due to a reduction or cessation in pull force after the cable has been pulled with sufficient force to cause the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction.
the cable is made of a material with adequate stiffness to facilitate outward spiralling of the cable in the event of spool overrun.
the sleeve is provided by or as part of a spool housing having a slotted guide through which the cable passes as it is spooled and unspooled, the resistance trainer being configured, during spool overrun, to provide sufficient resistance to cable passing out through the slot to cause outward spiralling of the cable on the spool.
the confined gap is of a shape and configuration to ensure that cable wound on said spool and in the coiled configuration does not contact said sleeve until spool overrun occurs.
the confined gap is of a shape and configuration to ensure that cable wound on said spool and in the coiled configuration does not contact said sleeve until cable released from its coiled configuration by spiralling outwardly contacts the sleeve.
the sleeve is of a shape and configuration to define a confined gap about the spool that is sufficiently sized to ensure that cable wound on said spool does not contact said sleeve until spool overrun occurs.
the spool is cylindrical in shape and cable winds onto the spool in a helical configuration.
the spool is cylindrical in shape and presents a helical groove to receive cable being wound onto spool to cause cable to wind onto the spool in a helical configuration.
a bias is provided by an electric motor that is directly or indirectly coupled to the spool to bias for rotation and be capable of driving the spool in the first rotational direction, the braking force directly or indirectly also reducing the speed of rotation of the motor in a direction commensurate the second rotational direction.
the spool that can have a cable wound onto it in a coiled configuration dictated by a helically spiralled groove of the spool in which the cable can seat.
the depth of the groove that the coiled cable seats in is greater that the distance between the sleeve and the outer diameter of the coiled configuration of the cable.
the depth of the groove that the coiled cable seats in is greater that the distance between the sleeve and the outer diameter of the coiled configuration of the cable.
the spool is biased for rotation is a first rotational direction.
the cable remains coiled save for when the cable is pulled sufficiently hard against the bias to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction to wind cable off the spool and cause spool overrun causing cable wound on the spool to spiral outwardly off the spool in the confined gap and to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the groove of the spool has a pitch that is substantially equal to the diameter of the cable.
the groove allows the cable to seat therein and prevent the coiled cable from migrating in a direction parallel the spool axis along the spool.
the groove has a depth that is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the coil of cable and the sleeve.
the groove has a depth that is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the coil of cable and the sleeve to help confine the cable to remain in the groove albeit not fully seated in the groove when the cable has spiralled outwardly during braking.
the groove has a depth that is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the coil of cable and the sleeve to help prevent the cable crossing over itself in the confined gap when the cable has spiralled outwardly during braking.
the cable is able to wind on to the spool in a single lap helical configuration.
the cable is not able to wind on to the spool in a manner to overlap itself.
the spool is able to be actively or passively braked to reduce its rotation and/or stop its rotation in the second rotational direction.
the resistance trainer utilises the self-braking spool module as herein described..
the coupling is adapted and configured to decouple the spool from the motor when the pull force is sufficient to cause the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction and cause spool overrun.
the coupling is adapted and configured to decouple the spool from the motor to mitigate spool overrun as pull force is decreased or ceased.
a sleeve is located about the spool to define a confined gap about the spool and within the sleeve the spool can rotate about the spool axis and wherein the coupling is adapted and configured to decouple the spool from the motor when the pull force is sufficient to cause the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction to cause spool overrun such that cable in the coiled configuration on the spool starts to spiral outwardly in the confined gap to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the coupling comprises a spag clutch or sprag bearing to facilitate the decoupling of the motor and spool.
the coupling comprises a torsional spring to facilitate the decoupling of the motor and spool.
the torsional spring is constrained from contracting diametrically and is free to expand diametrically.
the torsional spring is constrained from expanding diametrically and is free to contract diametrically.
the coupling comprises a shaft comprising of two coaxially positioned shaft portions wherein the torsional spring is mounted about and coaxially with the shaft.
each one of the shaft portions is associated with a one of the motor and the spool respectively, and wherein the shaft portions are able to rotate relative to one another.
the torsional spring is mounted snugly about and coaxially with the shaft.
the torsional spring is mounted snugly about and coaxially with the shaft and at or near one end of the spring the spring is secured to a first of said shaft portions and at or near the other end of the spring the spring is secured to a second of said shaft portions.
the motor comprises of a stator mounted in a manner fixed relative to the housing and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative the stator and the housing about the output axis.
the resistance mechanism is mounted inside said housing.
the spool is able to be driven by the motor in a manner not involving an intermediate drivetrain (that may for example involve a gear or belt drive) to co-rotate with the motor about a spool axis that is coaxial the output axis.
an intermediate drivetrain that may for example involve a gear or belt drive
the spool is able to be directly driven by the motor to rotate in the first rotational direction to co-rotate with the motor about the spool axis that is coaxial the rotational output axis.
the motor comprises a stator and a rotor able to rotate relative the stator about the rotational output axis and the spool is able to be directly driven by rotor to rotate in the first rotational direction to co-rotate with the rotor about the spool axis that is coaxial the rotational output axis.
a shaft is provided operational between the motor and spool to cause the spool to co-rotate with the motor in the first rotational direction.
the spool is mounted inside a spool housing in a manner to allow the spool to rotate about the spool axis.
the spool is mounted inside a spool housing in a manner to allow the spool to rotate about the spool axis and relative the housing.
At least one of stator and the spool housing is secured to the housing in a fixed manner to mount the resistance mechanism as a unit to the housing.
the motor can generate a motor force to (i) apply a resistance force via the cable and spool to the user to resist said movement by the user, and (ii) drive the spool to rotate in the first rotational direction of the spool about the spool axis to wind cable onto the spool, and wherein the user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the motor force to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction, to cause cable to wind off the spool, and wherein when the pull force is sufficient to cause the spool to rotate in the second rotational direction to cause spool overrun, cable in coiled configuration on the spool can start to spiral outwardly in the confined gap to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the spool is mounted to rotate about a spool axis and coupled directly or indirectly to and be able to be driven by the motor in a first rotational direction about the spool axis.
a sleeve is located about the spool to define a confined gap about the spool and within the sleeve the spool can rotate about the spool axis.
a user can apply a pull force to the cable to overcome the force of the motor to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction, to cause the cable to wind off the spool.
the spool is biased for rotation in a first rotational direction to cause cable to be wound onto the spool by an electric motor.
a sleeve is provided about the coiled cable outwardly spaced a sufficient distance from the coiled cable to not be contacted by the cable save for when the cable is pulled sufficiently hard against the bias to rotate the spool in a second rotational direction to wind cable off the spool and cause spool overrun causing cable wound on the spool to spiral outwardly off the spool in the confined gap and to contact the sleeve to thereby apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the cable will start to spiral outwardly from its coiled condition and will contact the sleeve to apply a braking force to the spool by virtue of friction between the sleeve, spool and cable to reduce the speed of rotation of the spool in the second rotational direction.
the cable is a metal cable.
the cable as its first end region is made of metal.
the cable is a steel cable.
the steel cable has a minimum bend radius of 25 mm..
the cable has a diameter of between 3.8 and 4.5 mm and preferably 4.2mm..
a clearance of about 0.5 mm exists between the outer diameter of the spooled cable and the sleeve.
the confined gap is approximately 4.7mm.
sensors may optionally be pre-assembled inside of the resistance mechanism.
the resistance mechanism may comprise an encoder or other rotary position sensor.
the encoder or other rotary position sensor could, for example, determine the direction of spool rotation (i.e. whether the cable is being extended or retracted) and the length of cable that has been wound onto or off of the spool (i.e. distance travelled by the user's body at the user interface and speed of travel).
the encoder or other rotary position sensor could be located, for example, in the spool housing or on the stator of the motor..
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.)
FIGS 1 A-C That illustrate a sequence of a prior art exercise device
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the resistance trainer of the present invention
Figure 3 shows the resistance trainer of the present invention with the deck removed
Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the resistance mechanism of the preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the resistance mechanism of the preferred form of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the resistance trainer with the deck removed
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through a preferred form of the resistance mechanism
Figure 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the resistance mechanism
Figure 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the resistance mechanism with certain components removed for clarity
Figure 10A-B are cross-section of plane views through a spool arrangement to illustrate the cable spool breaking effect
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view through an alternative configuration of a resistance mechanism of the present invention.
Figure 12A-C show a sequence of the resistance trainer in use of the present invention
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative configuration of the resistance mechanism of the present invention.
Figure 14 illustrates the resistance mechanism of the present invention in use as a resistance trainer
Figure 15 is a partial perspective view of an alternative drive train arrangement that may be utilised in an embodiment of the current invention.
the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to resistance trainers that may be used by a person for example for exercising or for training such as for sport, fitness or rehabilitation training.
the invention may be a resistance trainer per se or it may reside as or in such or in components that can be used in or with resistance trainers as well as methods relating thereto.
FIG 2 An example of a resistance trainer 1 in accordance with or utilising an embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 2.
the present invention may manifest in a number of different configurations.
An "exercise platform” style resistance trainer as seen in figure 1, will herein be used as the primary example to describe aspects of the invention.
the resistance trainer 1 may comprise of a frame or housing 2 (herein after "housing”).
the housing 2 is able to contain or allow the mounting of some or all of the components of or for the resistance trainer 1 .
the housing 2 may present a deck or platform 3 (herein after "deck") that can be supported at an elevation above a floor or ground on which the resistance trainer 1 is able to be supported.
the resistance trainer 1 may be supported on a floor by a plurality of feet 300 to the support resistance trainer 1 in a stable manner.
the feet may be adjustable in height.
the deck 3 is substantially of a rectangular plan shape.
the deck is provided to allow a user to stand on the resistance trainer 1 to perform exercises or training movements.
the resistance trainer 1 as seen in figure 2 may include two user interfaces 4. Each user interface 4 may be a handle for example. Each handle 4 is connected to a respective flexible elongate member 5.
the flexible elongate member is preferably a cable such as a metal wire cable although alternative flexible elongate members are envisaged. It may be that the cable comprises partly of a wire section and partly of chain section connected to the wire section for example.
Each handle 4 is engaged at a distal end of a respective cable 5.
the handles are able to be moved by a user relative to the housing 2 against a controlled resistance force in a manner controlled by the cable, as will hereinafter be described.
the resistance trainer 1 as shown in figure 2 allows a user to stand on the deck 3, grasp a handle 4 in each hand and allow the user to lift those handles away from the deck and lower them back to the deck in a repetitive manner. Resistance force is able to be provided against such movement by a user, by a resistance mechanism 301. Via the cable, the mechanism 301 provides a resistance to the user as user lifts the handles to extend the cables from the housing 2 and lowers the handles 4 towards the housing 2.
the resistance trainer presents 2 handles.
Each handle has a dedicated resistance mechanism 301.
the resistance trainer seen in figure 3 has two resistance mechanisms 301a and 301 b, one for each handle and respective cable. However, it is envisaged that a single handle or user interface may be presented for use hence requiring only one resistance mechanism 301.
the resistance mechanism 301 comprises of an electric motor 6 a spool 7.
the cable is attached at is first end region to the spool.
the cable at its second end region is attached directly or indirectly to the handle 4. It is at its first end region where the cable is able to be wound onto and be unwound from the spool 7. Only part of the cable is able to be wound onto and unwound from the cable.
the cable winding on and winding off the spool it is to be understood that its merely part of the cable, that part at the first end region.
a power supply 12 for the motor is preferably contained in the housing 2. This may be plugged into a mains power supply. Alternatively, a battery in the housing may provide power for the motor.
a motor controller 13 and system controller 14 and related power and control components may also be contained in the housing and powered by the power supply. Details of such are not repeated here as they are well described in WO2022/075864 which is hereby incorporated by way of reference.
the motor 6 is coupled to the spool to drive the spool for rotation to aid in the winding of the cable onto the spool.
the motor 6 is used to generate and apply a rotational force (torque) to the spool 7 in order to apply a resistance force via the cable 5 to the user as the cable is unwound from the spool.
a rotational force torque
the user will cause the handle 4 to lift away from the deck 3 and for the cable 5 to unwind from the spool 7 as it extends from the housing 2.
the resistance mechanism may cause the cable to retract into the housing and the cable to be wound onto the spool.
Control software may be used to control the motor to keep the cable under a controlled (such as even) tension as the cable retracts. The manner in which the motor is controlled may depends on the speed that the user is moving the handle back towards the deck, rather than necessarily trying to overpower the resistive force of the user.
the cable may be guided to extend from the deck by a cable guide 302.
the cable guide may be positioned intermediate of the handle and resistance mechanism. It may be positioned at an opening through the deck at where the cable can pass out of the housing to the handle.
the cable guide preferably comprises of a primary pulley 101 that guides the cable from a first trajectory, which is preferably substantially a horizontal trajectory from the resistance mechanism 301 to or towards a variable trajectory that in use may be more substantially vertical trajectory (when being used) extending from the deck 3 to the handle 4.
the first trajectory may be a fixed trajectory.
Sensors may be used to allow for the position of the handle in space in relation to the deck to be sensed.
the guiding of the cable by the cable guide 301 and the sensing of the position of the handle 4 is space in relation to the deck 3 using a sensor arrangement and related components are well described in the published patent specification of PCT application WO2022/075864. Details of such are hence not set out in this detailed description.
the embodiments of the exercise devices shown in WO2022/075864 show examples of features that at the exit region of the cable from the deck 3, may to all intents and purposes be the same or similar for the embodiments described herein.
a full sensing capability to determine user motion in 3 dimensions may be provided within a component of the deck that dually functions as both a position sensor and a cable guide.
the resistance mechanism herein described may be provided as a module or unit. Sensing capability may optionally be pre-assembled inside of the resistance mechanism before the resistance mechanism is assembled onto the rest of the deck. In this case the cable guide could merely guide the cable through openings in the deck, but would not be required for sensing.
the resistance mechanism may comprise an encoder or other rotary position sensor, data from which could be used to determine information about user motions.
the encoder or other rotary position sensor could, for example, determine the direction of spool rotation (i.e. whether the cable is being extended or retracted) and the length of cable that has been wound onto or off of the spool (i.e. distance travelled by the user's body at the user interface and speed of travel).
the encoder or other rotary position sensor could be located, for example, in the spool housing or on the stator of the motor.
the resistance mechanism 301 comprises of a motor 6 and a spool 7 as seen in the exploded view in figure 4.
the motor is coupled to the spool to cause rotation and to provide resistance to rotation of the spool.
the spool rotates in a first direction and the motor operates in a generator or brake mode to resist the unwinding.
the motor causes a winding of the cable onto the spool, the motor operates in a motor or drive mode and the spool rotates in the direction opposite the first direction.
the motor and the spool are arranged in a coaxial manner.
the motor comprises of a rotor 303 and a stator 304.
the motor is preferably a permanent magnet motor in an outer rotor configuration.
the stator may comprise a metallic core. It may further comprise a series of energizable coils wound onto the core, and an insulator between the coils and the core.
the stator 304 is held stationary relative the housing 2 whereas the rotor 303 is able to rotate about the axis XX.
the spool 7 is mounted for rotation about axis XX also.
the spool 7 may be mounted relative to the housing 2 by and preferably inside a spool housing 307.
the spool housing 307 is preferably secured to the housing 2 so that it remains stationary to the housing 2.
a shaft 305 mounted by bearings 306A and 306B to the spool housing, may mount the spool in a manner rotational about axis XX.
the shaft, at its end 308 may be coupled to the rotor 303 to connect the spool 7 to the motor 6.
the rotor 303 located concentric with the stator 304, may connect with the end 308 of the shaft 305 such that rotation of the rotor 303 can apply a toque to and drive rotation of the spool 7.
a nut and washer may be screwed down onto a threaded end 308 of the shaft 305 that extends through a central aperture of the rotor 303 in order to couple the rotor 303 and shaft.
the stator 304 is preferably secured to the spool housing 307 to allow for the motor and spool to be held in a coaxial manner and as a unit.
the stator 304 may comprise a mounting portion 314 that extends inwardly from the metallic core.
the mounting portion 314 may provide features for locating with and mounting to the spool housing 307.
the mounting portion 314 may be part of an at least partial polymeric over-moulding of the metallic core, which in some embodiments may also serve as an insulator of the stator core.
the mounting portion 314 may comprise apertures 315 to locate with corresponding bosses 316 on the sleeve portion 312 of the spool housing 307. Screws can then be used to secure the stator 304 in place.
the motor and spool are mounted to the housing 2 so the axis XX is substantially vertical.
Axis XX is substantially normal to the general plane P of the deck 3.
the spool housing 307 may comprise of two parts, a base 311 and a sleeve portion 312 that sleeves over the spool.
the spool 7 and spool housing 307 may define at least part of what is herein described as a spool module 318.
the spool module may be a self braking spool module.
the braking mechanism is preferably a passive braking mechanism and will herein after be described.
the base 311 may include fastener regions for fastening the spool module 318 to the housing 2.
the bearing 306B may be located to the base 311 of the spool housing 307 to support the shaft below the spool and the bearing 306A may be located to the sleeve portion 312 of the spool housing 307 to support the shaft 305 above the spool.
the sleeve or sleeve portion 312 preferably provides an inner surface that is concentric with the spool. In some forms the sleeve may provide a plurality or discontinuous surfaces presented for purposes herein described.
a permanent magnet motor in an outer rotor configuration provides a low profile motor that can be mounted in the housing in a manner to take advantage of its low profile by allowing a low profile housing to be provided.
the lack of an intermediate pulley or other intermediate drivetrain components between the motor and the spool also means that such do not contribute to the inertial energy that, during some instances of use of the resistance trainer, may need to be rapidly absorbed by the motor (acting in a brake mode) to help prevent spool overrun, a problem previously herein described.
the described configuration of the spool and the motor means that an intermediate pulley such as pulley 8 as seen in WO2022/103278 is not required for the purposes of redirecting and guiding the cable between the spool and the cable guide 302.
the cable preferably has a straight or linear trajectory intermediate of the cable guide 302 and the resistance mechanism 301. This may be referred to as the first trajectory of the cable.
the cable preferably has a direct trajectory between the spool and the cable guide. As seen in figure 6 the cable 5 spans between the cable guide 302 and the resistance mechanism 301 in a straight manner.
the resistance mechanism is able to locate under the deck 3 in a location that helps align the trajectory of the cable from the spool with the trajectory of the cable from the primary pulley 101 of the cable guide.
the resistance trainer may have a generally rectangular footprint.
a cable guide 302 may be located on the major axis of symmetry MA, at each minor edge of the rectangular form.
the primary pulley 101 may have an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the major axis of symmetry MA so that the cable has a natural trajectory from the primary pulley that lies in a vertical plane that extends along the major axis of symmetry.
Each resistance mechanism is located to have its axis of rotation XX at or proximate the minor axis of symmetry Ml but offset from the major axis of symmetry MA by an amount equal to the radius of the spool. This helps ensure that a notional plane that is tangential to the spool, is coincidental the vertical plane mentioned above. This helps ensure that the cable has a natural trajectory from the spool towards the cable guide, that is aligned with the natural trajectory of the cable from the cable guide towards the spool.
the natural trajectory of the cable from the cable guide towards the spool is defined by the peripheral groove of the primary pulley 101 by which the cable is guided about the primary pulley. No intermediate pulleys or other cable guidance is required to align the two natural trajectories.
the cable extends parallel the major axis of symmetry.
the axis of rotation of the pulley 101 lies in a plane, a normal to which lies in a tangential plane to the diameter of the spool. It is desirable the peripheral groove in the primary pulley that guides the cable about the pulley, lies in a plane that is tangential to the diameter of the spool in order to ensure the two natural trajectories described above are coincidental.
the two resistance mechanisms 301 are proximate to each and intermediate of the two cable guides302.
the trajectory of the cable from one of the resistance mechanism to its respective cable guide extends in a notional plane the trajectory of the cable from the other resistance mechanism to its respective cable guide also extends in.
one motor may be provided to simultaneously control two spools that each have a respective cable connected.
the speed of cable winding on and off the spools will be equal.
the spools and motor may be coaxially aligned, for example, the motor may be located intermediate of the two spools stacked on top of one another. This can allow for matched motion of each arm of a user to be achieved, which may be desirable is some applications of the present invention.
the spool is preferably of a cylindrical shape having a constant diameter. It is envisaged that the spool may instead be of a varying diameter and may for example be frustoconical in shape. This may be desirable in some situations where for a given rotational speed of the spool a varying rate of cable winding or unwind is desired.
the spool may comprise of a helical or conical coiled guide surface such as the groove 319 that causes the cable, whilst being wound onto the spool, to assume a helical or conically coiled shape.
a groove may help to avoid the cable crossing over itself and potentially becoming jammed.
avoiding cable cross over on the spool is desirable to help ensure the cable remains at a constant or known diameter on the spool. If the cable were to lap or cross over itself one or more times, the effective diameter at where the cable is operational on the spool changes. This may have undesirable effects on the sensing and/or cable forces and/or control of the motor, especially where the laps or cross overs are not predictable.
a single lap helical configuration of wound cable on a cylindrical spool is hence desirable.
the diameter of the spool and the diameter of the rotor are in a ratio of approximately 1 :2.
the spool housing 308 may include a guide 309 that defines a slot 310 via which the cable can pass to and from the spool 7.
the slot is preferably tall enough to accommodate the vertical travel of the cable as helically winds on and off the spool.
the spool housing 307 preferably comprises of a sleeve that sleeves over the spool.
the sleeve preferably defines a complimentary cylindrical shaped inner wall 320 that is concentric with the spool to define a confined gap 313 between the diameter of the spool and the inner wall 320 of the sleeve 312.
the confined gap can assist with guiding the cable around the spool. It can help retain the cable in place about the spool 7 and help prevent cable cross-over to reduce the prospects of tangling.
a confined gap 313 between the spool and the sleeve for the cable also allows the cable in certain conditions to act as a brake on the spool to help avoid the above mentioned problem of spool over run. This will now be explained.
the spool module 318 may comprise of a spool housing 307 that defines a sleeve portion 314 with an inner wall 320 that encompasses the outer diameter of the spool 7.
a confined gap 313 is defined between the inner wall 320 and the spool and is where the cable is held in a coiled configuration about the spool 7 in a helical manner.
the spool 7 may have helical guide surfaces on it to seat the cable and ensure it consistently assumes the same coiled configuration on the spool. Such may be defined by the helical groove 319. It may have a pitch commensurate with the diameter of the cable so that the cable can assume compact helical shape on the spool.
the inner wall may be continuous or comprise of segments or portions. It may for example comprise of a series of equispaced rods extending parallel the spool axis in close formation about the spool to present an effective inner wall.
the spool housing 307, and hence the sleeve portion 312, preferably remain fixed while the spool 7 is able to rotate inside of the spool housing 307- l.e. the spool housing and its sleeve portion 312 do not rotate with the spool 7.
One end of the cable 5 is secured to the spool. It may be fixed, fastened, trapped, tied or locked onto the spool 7 at for example the end 312 of the helical groove 319.
the other end of the cable (being the end attached to the handle 4) exits the spool module through an aperture such as defined by the slot 310 of the spool housing 307.
the pull force F may be significant enough to create rotational inertia in the spool and motor that will cause the spool 7 to want to continue to rotate in the cable unwinding direction for a duration after the pull force F reduces or suddenly stops. This may occur when:
the pull force stopping or significantly reducing may herein be referred to as a "change of pull force" phase and is when the aforementioned spool overrun may happen.
the cable unwinding in direction OR of the spool will cause the diameter of at least some of the cable coiled on the spool to increase until it reaches diameter D2 and the cable starts to contact the inner wall 320. This contact causes a damping of the inertia effects.
the expanded diameter of the cable causes a braking effect between the spool and the spool housing.
Frictional force Fl and FS will create a compressive force in a section 322 of the cable that spans between the spool 7 and the inner surface 320.
the cable needs to be sufficiently strong to handle the compressive force and not buckle.
the cable may have a sufficient degree of bending movement stiffness that may bias is towards assuming a larger diameter than that of the spool to assist the cable in spiralling outwardly at the change of pull force phase, rather than remain tightly wound onto the spool at diameter D1. This may help the cable to "spring" out or spiral out towards the inner wall 320 when the force F reduces sufficiently to cause over run.
the cable may be subjected to a slight resistance to it passing out of the housing, such as at the slot 310. Eg a drag may be applied to the cable. Such may assist in the cable diameter increasing inside the spool housing in an over run situation so that it can start to act as a brake against the inner wall 320.
Frictional forces between the spool and cable may be enhanced where a spool with a groove (to seat the cable) in is provided.
a slot or channel or groove increases the contact surface area between the cable and the spool. In this manner friction between cable, spool and sleeve will brake the the spool's rotation during a "change of pull force" phase, and the feeling of cable slack and a subsequent jerk that the user would otherwise experience may be avoided.
the cable coiled around the spool is caused to expand outwardly and engage against the inner wall to "brake” or prevent further ingress of the cable. This prevents tangling and jamming of the spool by a user trying to manually stuff an extended cable back inside of the spool housing rather than allowing the motor to retract the cable correctly.
the two effects/functions mentioned above rely on an adequate stiffness of the cable material - for example a steel cable may be used.
a very flexible cable e.g. made of paracord
a steel cable with a minimum bend radius of 25 mm performs effectively.
the small clearance helps to reduce the span 322 of cable between the inner wall and the spool so that its buckling strength across that span is sufficiently strong.
the small clearance also helps as a guide that restricts the spooling cable from being able to "jump" the groove 319 and tangle on the spool.
the inner wall 320 may allow a clearance of 0.5 mm outside of the cable. (So the total clearance between spool and inner wall may be approximately 4.2 + 0.5mm).
the groove has a depth that is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the coil of cable and the sleeve to help confine the cable to remain in the groove albeit not fully seated in the groove when the cable has spiralled outwardly during said braking..
the groove has a depth that is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the coil of cable and the sleeve to help prevent the cable crossing over itself in the confined gap when the cable has spiralled outwardly during said braking.
the cable when expanding in diameter inside the confined space and by virtue of the cable being able to act in a rigid manner under compression, will cause a braking of the resistance mechanism at the spool.
the sleeve and the spool will effectively bind to each other due to the cable. This will help arrest the rotation of the spool and preferably also the motor rapidly to help reduce the amount of cable over run.
the braking will help absorb the inertia of the spool and rotor.
braking occurs in a passive manner without the need for an active braking systems that may involve controllers and sensing of cable tension, cable motion or rotational directions of the spool. Under the presently described configuration, the braking effect is an inherent outcome of the initiation of spool over-run.
the use of the cable to effect spool braking allows the resistance mechanism to self brake in a passive manner.
the invention herein described passively causes the braking effect to brake the spool and avoid spool overrun.
the present invention may provide an ability to decouple the motor from the spool.
rotation of the spool alone can be arrested (eg by using the cable spool brake approach described above or some other braking of the spool) without the inertia of the rotor needing to also be absorbed during such braking.
the motor's rotational direction can be reversed more rapidly in the direction to cause the cable to be wound onto the spool, without the motor needing to also absorb the spool's inertia.
the spool is able to be braked (eg using the cable spool brake approach as described above) whilst the motor's rotational direction can be reversed independent of the rotation and rotational direction and inertia of the spool.
decoupling may occur and be used as a means reducing spool overrun together with the preferred spool braking mechanism described above.
alternative means of spool braking may be employed in combination with decoupling.
Other means of braking the spool may be employed.
the decoupling embodiments described below rely on a relative speed differential between the rotor and spool and this involves braking of the spool to get the speed differential.
the advantage of using the cable to brake is that it automatically brakes the spool at the right time - otherwise you might have to use sensors etc to determine the right time to apply the brake.
the decoupling may be achieved by a spag clutch or sprag bearing 323.
the resistance mechanism 301 may include a mechanism to de-couple the rotor and the spool, so that rotation of the spool can be braked (e.g. using the cable spool brake described) during the "change of pull force" phase, while the rotor is allowed to continue spinning to bleed off momentum independently.
this is achieved by a sprag clutch 323 operational between the spool and the rotor.
the spag clutch 323 connects the spool 7 to the rotor 303.
the sprag clutch allows relative rotation between two components in a first direction and locks the two components together in the opposite direction so that the two components rotate synchronously in a second opposite direction.
the sprag clutch 323 may be operationally located intermediate of the spool 7 and shaft 305.
An outer race 324 of the sprag clutch/bearing 323 is connected to the spool. It may be a splined or press-fitted relationship to ensure that the outer race rotates with the spool.
An inner race 325 is connected to the shaft which in turn is connected to the rotor. It may be a splined or press-fitted relationship to ensure that the inner race rotates with the shaft and rotor. Relative rotation between the inner and outer races is what causes the clutch/bearing to lock in one direction of rotation and allow rotation independently in the opposite direction thereby decoupling the rotor and the spool
a user is able to pull the cable 5 with force F to rotate rotor 303 and spool 7 against the resistance of the motor 6.
T represents motor torque
RSR is the rotor and spool rotational direction.
the motor force will try to pull the rotor 303 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the user is pulling the spool 7.
the cable will be taut and a torque is applied by the spool to the rotor via the sprag clutch 323.
the sprag clutch or bearing is locked so that the rotor and spool are coupled for rotation together.
the spool and rotor gain additional momentum in the rotational direction opposite to the motor force that can cause spool overrun to occur.
the sprag clutch will decouple the spool from the rotor so that the rotor can rotate independently of the spool.
the spool may be braked (e.g. by the cable spool brake as described or other rotational brake). Braking to bring the spool to a stop may happen rapidly as the braking forces are also not having to brake the rotor.
the rotor is at this stage decoupled from the spool.
Preventing spool overrun will help ensure the cable inside the spool does not jam by unwinding to an extent that it may create a "birdnest" inside the spool housing.
the rotor's inertia is also not acting on the cable when the cable is engaged for braking (in embodiments which rely on the cable for spool braking).
the load on the cable to effect braking is hence less, and the likelihood of the braking resulting in a buckled or jammed cable/spool is lessened.
the extent and/or duration that the cable may go slack on the user is substantially less due to the decoupling of the rotor and spool.
the motor rotates the rotor and spool against the resistance of the user to retract the cord.
the motor force is pulling the rotor in the direction opposite to which the user is resisting retraction of the spool (and in preferred embodiments the motor is controlled to keep an even force on the user as the handle is lowered).
the sprag bearing is locked so that the rotor and spool are coupled for rotation together.
the rotor and spool rotate in direction RSR again.
FIG 13 where is shown a spool 7 and rotor 303 that can be coupled/de-coupled for rotation by a torsional spring such as a helical spring.
the shaft 305 is a two part shaft.
a first (upper) shaft portion 327 which is connected to the rotor, and a second (lower) shaft portion 328 is connected to the spool.
a helically coiled spring 326 is arranged co-axially with and encircling the shaft, with the length of the spring extending across the interface 329. The opposite ends of the spring are connected to the first and second portions of the shaft respectively.
the spring provides torsional resistance to relative rotation between the first and second shafts (and hence between the rotor and spool).
the diameter of the spring coil reduces or contracts inwardly until it is constrained to do so such as when it clamps against the shaft.
the elasticity in the spring in a tortional manner is eliminated.
the elasticity of the spring allows a degree of free relative rotation between the rotor and spool.
the diameter of the spring coil can expand or enlarge, eg when the relative momentum between the spool and rotor is sufficient, and release from the shaft.
the momentum of the rotor in this direction can be bled off. This can happen to some degree independent of the spool. It is rotationally independent but some degree of torsional force still exists due to the presence of the spring.
an encoder 330 (or other rotational position sensor) to keep track of the rotational position of the spool separately to keeping track of the rotational position of the rotor (first encoder, not shown).
the encoder 330 may be located in the base of the spool housing. Encoders/rotational position sensors can be used, for example, for determining the length of cable unspooled in a given time period. In some embodiments this determination may be made using data from the electric motor module in order to facilitate measurement and analysis of user motions on the resistance trainer.
an active braking arrangement may be provided. This may apply a resistance or drag to the cable's motion and may act on the cable and/or the spool. It may be active in the sense that sensors may exist that control when such braking occurs.
the passive cable braking arrangement described above may not be provided and instead an active braking arrangement is provided to reduce spool overrun but where the coupling arrangement utilising the sprag clutch for example is used to allow decoupling of the spool from the rotor.
cable braking as described above may be used with or without there being provision to decouple the rotation of the rotor and the spool.
provision to decouple the rotation of the rotor and the spool as described above may or may not occur with the spool cable braking as described and may occur with a different kind of spool braking.
the rotational output axis of the motor may not be co-incident the spool axis yet coupling between the rotor and the spool may exist that can allow for the motor to drive rotation of the spool and also allow decoupling of the motor and spool to occur.
Some drivetrain mechanism may exist intermediate of the spool and rotor so that the spool axis and the motor's rotational output axis are spaced apart. The two axes are preferably still parallel.
the drivetrain may be a belt or chain drive for example.
the drivetrain may be such that the rotational direction of the rotor is opposite that of the spool when seen from a common direction.
the spool may be rotating in a first rotational direction to cause cable to be wound onto the spool by a motor that is rotating in an opposite direction connected to the spool via a gear or belt drive for example.
a gear or belt drive for example.
an ability to decouple may be provided.
the sprag clutch/bearing may be provided at the motor or at the spool drive sprockets if a chain drive is used. Or at the motor or the spool belt pulley if a belt drive is used as the drivetrain.
the belt 500 could be configured to engage with the spool 7 for driving via a series of teeth 501 around a vertica lly/axial ly lower belt pulley 502.
the cable may be wound around the helical guides of the spool.
the spool 7 and belt pulley 502 are able to rotate about a common axis.
a sprag bearing may connect the spool and belt pulley so that they so that they co-rotate in a first direction and are able to rotate independently in the other (second) direction.
a rotor of the motor can drive the spool, via the belt, to extend and retract the cable (in which case relative rotation between the spool is locked in the first direct) .
the resistance mechanism 301 herein described may be used in other types of training or exercise equipment. Whilst its use with a deck style resistance trainer is described above, the resistance mechanism 301 may be incorporated in equipment such as other cable machines like a Smith Machine and other rack type devices such as Power Racks. It may also be used in the likes of rowing machine, elliptical trainers and other fitness or training equipment.
the resistance mechanism 301 may be provided in equipment as an alternative for weight plate-based resistance training. Such equipment may for example be a fly machine, a quad machine and upright cable machines. Some such machines may also utilise the cable guide and related sensors for purposes as described above.
the cable guide acting intermediate of the handle and the resistance mechanism may also be optional.
the cable 5 may extend directly from the resistance mechanism 301 to the handle 4 without an intermediate cable guide.
the resistance mechanism may be mounted to the frame 2 that may be secured to a surface of a power rack for example in a rotational manner using bearings.
Figure 14 helps to illustrate that the present invention may be utilised in several other ways and not just as part of deck-based equipment.
the present invention may also be used as or in training equipment that may be used for therapeutic and/or rehabilitation purposes for example.

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EP23906256.5A 2022-12-22 2023-12-22 Verbesserungen an widerstandstrainern Pending EP4637937A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
AU2022903963A AU2022903963A0 (en)		2022-12-22	Improvements in or relating to resistance trainers
PCT/IB2023/063160 WO2024134605A1 (en)	2022-12-22	2023-12-22	Improvements in or relating to resistance trainers

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CN120643291B (zh) *	2025-07-02	2025-12-30	西安长安子午终南骨科医院	一种骨外固定架的主杆连接装置

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US4082267A (en) *	1976-05-12	1978-04-04	Flavell Evan R	Bilateral isokinetic exerciser
US4261562A (en) *	1978-12-22	1981-04-14	Flavell Evan R	Electromagnetically regulated exerciser
DE4416979C2 (de) *	1993-06-04	2002-07-04	Brose Fahrzeugteile	Seiltrommel für Seilfensterheber
JP4329985B2 (ja) *	2003-03-06	2009-09-09	古河電気工業株式会社	フラットケーブル巻取り器
US8968155B2 (en) *	2012-07-31	2015-03-03	John M. Bird	Resistance apparatus, system, and method
WO2015017838A1 (en) *	2013-08-02	2015-02-05	Bodyfly Fitness, Llc	Portable cable resistance pulley exercise equipment and related methods
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US12409359B2 (en) *	2020-10-08	2025-09-09	F&P Tech Fitness Limited	Exercise device
WO2022103278A1 (en) *	2020-11-11	2022-05-19	June365 Limited	An exercise device
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2023
- 2023-12-22 EP EP23906256.5A patent/EP4637937A1/de active Pending
- 2023-12-22 WO PCT/IB2023/063160 patent/WO2024134605A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2023-12-22 CN CN202380088438.7A patent/CN120641185A/zh active Pending

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