Abstract:
The invention relates to a novel foot trainer for building muscles and increasing the endurance of muscles in the sole of the foot, the ankle joint, and the calf by regulating the resistance of concentric forces.
Abstract:
An exercise device includes a pivot frame rotatably mounted to a base support along a pivot axis, wherein a pivot brace forms a rotatable connection between the pivot frame and the base support. The pivot frame is formed with two pivot frame ends which are disposed at an angle with respect to a location of the pivot brace. A user position a potion of his body between the ends. The pivot frame includes a plurality of pulley sheaves or wheels operative to transmit energy from the user through one or more cables. One or more handles or grips, each grasped by the hand of a user, are connected to the cable, which extends in substantially opposite directions from the grip. Resistance means comprises a housing connected to the pivot frame operable to rotatably receive a spool to take-up the cable, and which imposes a resistance to the free rotation of the spool, the resistance imparted to the user for therapeutic benefit.
Abstract:
A controller (1) for operating a computer game on a computer and/or a television game console (2), which comprises at least a controller housing (3) comprising a first controller part (4) and a second controller part (20) where the controller housing (3) contains the electric circuits required for electrical communication within the controller (1), the first controller part (4) comprises at least one elongated control stick (5,6) protruding from the controller housing (3) pivotally connected to the controller housing (3) in electrical and/or mechanical communication to the electrical circuits within the controller housing (3) to provide control movements in at least two dimensions when pivotally moved away from a neutral position. The second controller part (20) comprises at least one control button (21,22,23,24) providing control means via electrical and/or mechanical communication when activated or deactivated where the control means are defined by the computer game. The at least one elongated control stick (5,6) extends at least 30 cm away from the controller housing (3). The long controller parts require larger movements than short controller parts and the energy utilization of the operator (25) is significantly increased.
Abstract:
A controller (1) for operating a computer game on a computer and/or a television game console (2), which comprises at least a controller housing (3) comprising a first controller part (4) and a second controller part (20) where the controller housing (3) contains the electric circuits required for electrical communication within the controller (1), the first controller part (4) comprises at least one elongated control stick (5,6) protruding from the controller housing (3) pivotally connected to the controller housing (3) in electrical and/or mechanical communication to the electrical circuits within the controller housing (3) to provide control movements in at least two dimensions when pivotally moved away from a neutral position. The second controller part (20) comprises at least one control button (21,22,23,24) providing control means via electrical and/or mechanical communication when activated or deactivated where the control means are defined by the computer game. The at least one elongated control stick (5,6) extends at least 30 cm away from the controller housing (3). The long controller parts require larger movements than short controller parts and the energy utilization of the operator (25) is significantly increased.
Abstract:
An exercise device (10) can include a pair of pedal members (12), each of which can be rotatably connected on at least one end to a planet gear 12) that is rotatable about a sun gear (13) on each side of the device. The pedal (12) members and the planet gears (14) can be rotated to provide an elliptical exercise motion. The device can include a mechanism (33) for simultaneously rotating each of the sun gears (13) together to change the orientation of the elliptical exercise motion relative to a user. The orientation of an elliptical exercise motion (60) can be changed dynamically from one orientation to another, for example, from horizontal to uphill or downhill, during a particular workout period. The exercise device (10) can change the orientation of an elliptical exercise motion (60) while maintaining a user's ankles at a substantially constant angle during the exercise cycle.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an exercising device (10, 10a) with combined stepping and twisting functions comprising a base member (11), a stepper mounting means (12) mounted on the base member (11), a stepper assembly (13) pivotably and rotatably secured with respect to the mounting means (12) and base member (11) in a manner that the stepper assembly (13) is capable of performing simultaneously or one at a time stepping and twisting functions through an engaging rotatable mechanism (14) into which the stepper assembly (13) is movably engaged through a linkage means (15), and a selecting means (16) for selectively activating or deactivating the functions being provided thereto. The characterizing features of the invention include the stepper mounting means (12) and engaging rotatable mechanism (14), preferably also a stepper resistance-providing mechanism, that are lockably and horizontally rotatable relative to each other and the base member (11) at a common axis of rotation (17) located proximate the central section of the device (10, 10a), such that a stepping function is activated solely when the mounting means (12) is made non-rotatable relative to the base member (11) while the mechanism (14) being in a rotatable state relative to the mounting means (12); a twisting function is activated solely when the mechanism (14) is made non- rotatable relative to the mounting means (12) while the mounting means (12) being in a rotatable state relative to the base member (11); and combined stepping and twisting functions are activated simultaneously when the mechanism (14) is made non-rotatable relative to the base member (11) while the mounting means (12) being in a rotatable state relative to the base member (11) and the mechanism (14).
Abstract:
A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.
Abstract:
An elliptical exerciser comprising a frame, a crank assembly providing a crank axis fixed with respect to frame above the horizontal surface, crank assembly including oppositely extending left and right cranks providing parallel rotational axis spaced equidistantly from crank axis, left and right pedal members having rear portions connected with left and right cranks respectively, left and right rollers mounted on frame for rotation about a single rolling axis parallel with respect to crank axis in a forward position above the horizontal surface a distance less than the distance of crank axis above horizontal surface, left and right pedal members having straight downwardly facing surfaces rollingly supported on left and right rollers respectively, left and right pedal members providing left and right foot supporting structures of improved construction enabling a user to impart cyclical movements to the pedal members resisted by a variable resistance assembly, each cyclical movement including (1) a downward moving stroke wherein the ball of the user's foot moves forwardly along a first curved path merging into a relatively small generally arcuate end path and from generally arcuate forward end path rearwardly along a second curved path symmetrical to first path with respect to an axis of symmetry and (2) an upward return stroke wherein the ball of the user's foot moves rearwardly from second path rearwardly along a third curved path different from second path merging into a relatively large generally arcuate rearward end path and from generally arcuate rearward end path forwardly along a fourth curved path symmetrical to first path with respect to the aforesaid axis of symmetry, axis of symmetry extending downwardly and forwardly and having an extent between end paths which is generally equal to the distance between the parallel rotational axis provided by cranks and at least three times greater than the extent from a juncture between fourth and first curved paths to a juncture between third and second paths, the distance between crank axis and rolling axis, being at least three times greater than the distance between the parallel rotational axes provided by cranks.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device for training a human or animal body, comprising engaging means for receiving a part of the human or animal body, which engaging means are arranged for exertion thereon of a muscular force produced by the body. Motion means are connected to said engaging means for describing a movement under the influence of the muscular force being exerted. The device further comprises counteracting means operatively connected to the motion means for counteracting the movement of the motion means so as to provide a load to the body, wherein the counteracting means comprise base load means for providing a continuous base load. The counteracting means further comprise reflex load means for providing a reflex load of varying intensity while said movement is being described. The invention also provides reflex load means that may be operatively connected to counteracting means of a device for training a body. The invention further provides a method for training a body.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to an orthopedic exerciser and its actuating mechanism which, more specifically, are used for therapy, post-surgery rehabilitation or healing of a knee, of a joint, or the muscles of a leg or any other body member. Such exercisers usually allow a combination of exercises that help in the recovery of the joint, but to minimize the chances of further injuring the body part and therefore increase the recovery process, the exerciser must submit the body part to a controlled level of force. The orthopedic exerciser of the present invention includes an actuating mechanism cooperating with a resistance assembly which provides resistance and/or assistance along different directions of movement of the actuating mechanism.