RESISTANCE EXERCISE DEVICE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 18/147,374, filed Dec. 28, 2022, as a continuation-in-part thereof, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure relates to exercise devices and, more particularly, to a multi-directional resistance exercise device.

Presently, there are many exercise resistance devices on the market. Most operate by pulling or pushing of a lever. However, the lever only provides resistance in one direction. When resetting the device, pulling, or pushing the lever back to its original position, no resistance is provided. This results in a less efficient work out.

Some devices can provide resistance in both directions. Though they utilize compression pads, essentially acting as brake pads. This results in wear and tear of moveable pieces which lose resistance over time if not replaced. There are also some with no friction but have a period of no-resistance when changing direction.

As can be seen, there is a need for a resistance exercise device that can generate resistance in both directions without replacement parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the subject disclosure, a bidirectional rotational resistance assembly includes the following: a lever coupled to one or more discs so that a first torque imparted in a first rotational direction on the lever determines a rate of change of an angular momentum of each of the one or more discs in the first rotational direction in such a way as to oppose a second torque imparted in a second rotational direction on the lever; and a central axis operatively associated with lever, wherein the central axis is spaced apart from the one or more discs, wherein the first and second rotational directions are opposites; and a bearing between the central axis and the lever.

In another aspect of the subject disclosure, the assembly may further include, for each disc of the one or more discs, a central gear interconnecting the disc and the central axle, a disc gear operatively associating the disc and the respective central gear, wherein each disc is powered, and/or wherein the one or more discs comprise two opposing inertial discs.

In yet another aspect of the subject disclosure, a method of providing bidirectional rotational resistance to a lever through a rotational force reaction of one or more discs, the method providing the following steps: coupling the one or more discs to the lever so that a first torque imparted in a first rotational direction on the lever determines a rate of change of an angular momentum of each of the one or more discs in the first rotational direction in such a way as to oppose a second torque imparted in a second rotational direction of the lever; and operatively associating a central axle to the lever, wherein the first and second rotational directions are opposites.

In still yet another aspect of the subject disclosure the method of providing bidirectional rotational resistance to a lever through a rotational force reaction of one or more discs may further include the steps of interconnecting a bearing between the central axle and the lever, and for each disc of the one or more discs, interconnecting the disc and the central axle by way of a central gear and/or operatively associating a disc gear between the disc and the respective central gear, wherein each disc gear is powered, or wherein the one or more discs comprise two opposing inertial discs.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating the subject disclosure operatively associated planetary gear supports (20) to the multiplier forward planetary gearset (18) that increase the spin of the inertial disks (8). The revolution of the planetary gear will work against inertial disk rotation, so the inertial disk gears should be small and multiplier ratios high to compensate. Critically, the subject disclosure only requires a bearing connection in the central axle 2, no clutch on the central axle 2. The disks can move backward along the stationary central gear without affecting disk spin, like how the one-way clutch of a bicycle allows backward pedaling. By having inertial disks of opposing rotation moving simultaneously, the powered disk might add motion to the idle disk, which is not desirable. If the effect is severe, the independent disc scheme of the parent patent may be preferable.

FIG. 1B is a front elevation of the first embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a detailed elevation view of a reducing planetary forward gear of the planetary gear system which may be utilized with all embodiments of the subject disclosure, illustrating a flange that meets the smaller gears of the six concentric gears. The large circle outer to the planets is the extent of the pocket that keeps the larger gears of the concentric gear from touching the central axle.

FIG. 1D is a detailed elevation view of a multiplier forward planetary gearset of a planetary gear system which may be utilized with all embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 1E is a detailed elevation view of an alternative gear system which may be utilized with all embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating only one stationary central gear (4) with clutches in two inertial disks set to oppose the other two, wherein in all versions of four inertial disks, disks can overlap if made large and/or set a short distance from the central axle, and wherein all inertial disks revolve on the same stationary central gear.

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the second embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating that it is only necessary to have one stationary central gear and one inertial disk gear per lever, wherein opposing inertial disks share the same inertial disk gear.

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the third embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating a moving central gear, which requires a planetary gearset (16) or a multiplier planetary gearset (17), wherein the central gear is powered to add rotation. In drawings with more than two inertial disks, any bar joining them, including the handle, can be considered an inertial disk bar (10)). Pairs of inertial disks have oppositely set clutches to idle their motions while the other pair powers. Not shown is bracing for these planet hubs, which must attach past the central axle's bearing connection, where it is stationery.

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the fourth embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating two inertial disks per side with a pawl disk/ring (21) may be a solid disk (in this illustration) with a pawl track or a ring connected to the frame (12) by supports, wherein the pawl ring acts as a back check to unintended reverse motion. Both pawl disk/rings rotate with the lever. The axes of disk gears and inertial disks are inserted into the tracks. The pawl disk/ring 21 is used as a substitute for the central axle's pawls. It can be used in other versions.

FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of the fifth embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of a sixth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating two powered central gears per lever and clutch in the central axle, wherein a user can force the lever (1), turning the central axle (2), which engages a one-way clutch (15) on each side of the lever. The central axle on the far side of the clutches connects to the inertial disk bars (10). The central axle tapers again on the far side of the bars, joining another one-way clutch (15), which connects to a multiplier forward planetary gearset (18) that engages the double central gear (3), which splits into two disks toward its perimeter. On the counterstroke, the one-way clutch disengages. The central gear, inertial disks, and inertial disk assembly may still move slowly, though no torque is produced, where at this time, the clutch on the opposite side engages the corresponding parts, and the power phase occurs on that side. Not shown are connections to the planetary gear carriages, which must reach the lower part of the frame to stay stationary.

FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the sixth embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a side elevation view of the sixth embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of the subject disclosure, like the sixth embodiment where two central gears per inertial gear assembly, except with two central gears rather than one, where all other parts are the same. And as before, high planetary gear ratios and a small disk gear would help.

FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of an eighth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating the subject disclosure having two central gears, where the outer one is stationary while the other moves. Rotation from the lever (1) closes a one-way clutch (15). The central axle (2) at the far end of the clutch turns, turning the assembly of inertial disk bars (10), and closes a one-way clutch (15) that turns a multiplier forward planetary gearset (18) that turns the moving central gear (5). A bearing connection (14) on its far side prevents the stationary central gear (4) from rotating. The inertial disk assembly and the moving central gear turn as they did in the last version. The assembly moves along the gear teeth of the stationary central gear. Not shown is a bearing in the outer part of the inertial disk gear that idles its section in contact with the stationary central gear.

FIG. 8B is a right-side elevation view of the eighth embodiment of the subject disclosure on an upstroke.

FIG. 8C is a left-side elevation view of the eighth embodiment of the subject disclosure on the upstroke.

FIG. 8D is a right-side elevation view of the eighth embodiment of the subject disclosure on a downstroke.

FIG. 8E is a left-side elevation view of the eighth embodiment of the subject disclosure on the downstroke.

FIG. 9A is a front elevation view of a ninth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating a single wheel with only one one-way clutch in each transmission train.

FIG. 9B is a front elevation view of the ninth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating two moving central gears and only one clutch on a central axle (two clutches may not be necessary and delay gear engagement).

FIG. 9C is a front elevation view of the ninth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating inertial disk bars doubled on a side- and one moving central gear and one stationary, using only one clutch (two clutches may not be necessary and delay gear engagement).

FIG. 10A is a front elevation view of a tenth embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating a back check ring having a groove that dowels in the inertial disk bars may fit into, wherein back check does not follow the lever. Pawls in the groove restrict any backward motion that may occur. If such motion is greater than the handle turn on the counterstroke, the motion will assist the lever (1), leading to less resistance. Assistance could be eliminated with a two-way clutch. The back check ring can be used on all embodiments disclosed and incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 10B is a side elevation of the tenth embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of an eleventh embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating a one-way clutch method wherein, instead of axle diameters decreasing like a telescoping series, the axle at the lever (1) cups to reach the assembly bars while the connecting part of the axle keeps its diameter. Thus, the clutch need not require the central axle to taper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Parts List

• • 1. LEVER
  • 2. CENTRAL AXLE
  • 3. DOUBLE CENTRAL GEAR
  • 4. STATIONARY CENTRAL GEAR
  • 5. MOVING CENTRAL GEAR
  • 6. INERTIAL DISK GEAR
  • 7. INNER INERTIAL DISK
  • 8. INERTIAL DISK
  • 9. DISK GEAR DOWEL
  • 10. INERTIAL DISK BAR
  • 11. INERTIAL DISK ONE-WAY CLUTCH
  • 12. FRAME
  • 13. BACK CHECK RING
  • 14. BEARING CONNECTION
  • 15. ONE-WAY CLUTCH CONNECTION
  • 16. PLANETARY GEAR/GEARSET
  • 17. MULTIPLIER PLANETARY GEAR/GEARSET
  • 18. MULTIPLIER FORWARD PLANETARY GEAR/GEARSET
  • 19. REDUCING FORWARD PLANETARY GEAR/GEARSET
  • 20. PLANETARY GEAR SUPPORTS
  • 21. PAWL DISK/RING

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.