Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9616276-B2
Application number	US-201615019088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2016
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Apr 11, 2017
Grant date	Apr 11, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the strength training apparatus includes a base member and a tower structure coupled with the base member. At least one arm is pivotally coupled with the tower structure. A flywheel and a cable and pulley system are associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel. The strength training apparatus may include a selectively adjustable magnetic braking mechanism associated with a flywheel that is configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. A torque sensor may be associated with the flywheel and the measured torque during operation of the apparatus may be used to calculate the work expended in rotating the flywheel. In one embodiment, the calculated work may be expressed in units of watts.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A strength training apparatus, comprising:
a base member;
a tower structure coupled to the base member;
at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;
a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;
a cable extending through the pulley;
a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;
a flywheel connected to the tower structure;
a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel; and
a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism;
wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

2. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , further including a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel.

3. The strength training apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the biasing member is in communication with a sprocket, and the cable extends through the sprocket.

4. The strength training apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled.

5. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm is pivotally coupled to the tower structure.

6. The strength training apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least one arm is movable with respect to the tower structure to position the handle at multiple locations with respect to the tower structure.

7. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , further including a torque sensor proximate the flywheel.

8. The strength training apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the console is configured to provide an indication of an amount of work upon rotation of the flywheel.

9. The strength training apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the console further includes an input for selecting an amount of resistance applied by the magnetic braking mechanism to the flywheel.

10. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure.

11. The strength training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable is in communication with a drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism is attached to a shaft supporting the flywheel through a drive belt.

12. The strength training apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism includes an input shaft and an output shaft.

13. The strength training apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the output shaft is rotational in just the first direction.

14. A strength training apparatus, comprising:
a base member;
a tower structure couple to the base member;
at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;
a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;
a cable extending through the pulley;
a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;
a flywheel connected to the tower structure;
a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel;
a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism; and
a drive mechanism in communication with the cable, the drive mechanism further including:
an input shaft;
a concentric output shaft disposed within the input shaft;

wherein the drive mechanism is in communication with the flywheel through a drive belt;
wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the concentric output shaft is rotational in just the first direction;
wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

15. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure.

16. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , further a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel.

17. The strength training apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is in communication with a sprocket that supports a portion of the cable.

18. The strength training apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled.

19. The strength training apparatus of claim 14 , further including:
a torque sensor proximate the flywheel;
wherein the console is configured to provide an indication of an amount of work performed upon rotation of the flywheel.

20. A strength training apparatus, comprising:
a base member;
a tower structure couple to the base member;
at least one arm coupled to the tower structure;
a pulley being coupled to the at least one arm;
a cable extending through the pulley;
the cable includes a second end that is fixed to the tower structure;
a handle coupled to a first end of the cable;
a flywheel connected to the tower structure;
a magnetic braking mechanism that resists movement of the flywheel;
a console in communication with the magnetic braking mechanism;
a drive mechanism in communication with the cable, the drive mechanism further including:
an input shaft;
a output shaft disposed within the input shaft;

a biasing member that returns the handle without causing rotation of the flywheel;
a sprocket that supports a portion of the cable is in communication with the biasing member; and
the sprocket is displaceable relative to the tower structure when the handle is pulled;
wherein the drive mechanism is in communication with the flywheel through a drive belt;
wherein the input shaft is rotational in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the output shaft is rotational in just the first direction;
wherein displacement of the handle results in rotation of the flywheel.

Assignees

• Icon Health & Fitness Inc

Inventors

• Dalebout William
• Olson Michael L

Classifications

• A63B21/4035

  for operation by hand · CPC title

• A63B21/154

  using special pulley-assemblies · CPC title

• A63B21/151

  Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains · CPC title

• A63B2024/0093

  the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed · CPC title

• A63B23/03541

  Moving independently from each other (A63B22/00 takes precedence) · CPC title