GB2175812A - Pedalling-type exerciser - Google Patents

Pedalling-type exerciser Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2175812A
GB2175812A GB08514444A GB8514444A GB2175812A GB 2175812 A GB2175812 A GB 2175812A GB 08514444 A GB08514444 A GB 08514444A GB 8514444 A GB8514444 A GB 8514444A GB 2175812 A GB2175812 A GB 2175812A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cam
pedal
cam follower
shaft
exerciser
Prior art date
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08514444A
Other versions
GB8514444D0 (en
GB2175812B (en
Inventor
Roger Michael Smith
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.)
JUSTWISE Ltd
Original Assignee
JUSTWISE 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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JUSTWISE Ltd filed Critical JUSTWISE Ltd
Priority to GB8514444A priority Critical patent/GB2175812B/en
Publication of GB8514444D0 publication Critical patent/GB8514444D0/en
Publication of GB2175812A publication Critical patent/GB2175812A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2175812B publication Critical patent/GB2175812B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A63B21/012—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
    • A63B21/40—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
    • A63B21/4049—Rotational movement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
    • A63B22/0605—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An exerciser comprises a pedal shaft (22) carried on a frame (10). The shaft carries a cam (26) and a flywheel (29) held fast with the shaft, and a cam follower (28) held in position by a cam follower locater (30). A flexible belt (48) is looped around the cam follower and urges the cam follower against the surface of the cam to apply a braking force thereon. The surface of the cam has at least one flat to periodically reduce the effective force applied by the cam follower. The flat is arranged to pass a lobe (46) on the cam follower when the pedal passes top dead centre to produce a smooth pedal action. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exerciser The present invention relates to static exercise machines, more specifically to such machines having a pedal mechanism.
Known pedal exercise machines provide a constant resistance but the user cannot apply a constant driving force since when one pedal passes top dead centre and the other passes bottom dead centre, the force exerted by the user's legs on the pedals is lower than at the remainder of the arc of revolution. This variation of force relative to constant resistance may be partially overcome by using a heavy flywheel. However this adds to the cost and weight of the exerciser and increases the force required at start up.
According to the present invention there is provided an exerciser comprising a pedal operable shaft, cam means fast with the shaft, follower means for applying a braking force to the cam means and resilient braking applicator means urging the follower means against the cam means, a portion of the cam surface being shaped to periodically reduce the effective force of the braking means.
A better understanding of the invention may be gained from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example only, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a static exerciser frame; Figure 2 is a rear view of the frame of Fig.
1; Figure 3 is a front view of the exerciser pedal mechanism; Figure 4 is a side view of the mechanism of Fig. 3, and Figure 5 is an exploded view of the pedal mechanism.
Figs. 1 and 2 show an exercise machine frame for receiving the mechanism of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The frame comprises a member 10 attached at its lower end to a base member 12 provided with lateral support legs 14, 16, and its upper end telescopically receiving an adjustable seat and handle part 18. A pedal shaft will be received in a bearing sleeve 20.
Turning now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, pedal shaft 22 carries fast with it a flywheel 24, and a cam 26, the latter having an associated cam follower 28. A shaft bearing cum cam follower locater 30 and a shaft bearing 32 are received in sleeve 20 and themselves receive the shaft. Flywheel 24 has a cover 34 secured to the flywheel. The cam 26 and flywheel 24 are held against relative rotation by a key 36 and keyway 38 as shown in Fig. 5, while bearing cum cam follower 30 is held against rotation by member 10 and itself holds cam follower 28 against rotation by means of a slot 40 engaging a peg 42 in the cam follower.
Cam follower 28, as can be seen in Fig. 4, is an annular segment provided with two slots 44 which render the segment resilient whereby lobes 46 are radially movable relative to cam 26 and are biased radially inwardly by a flexible belt 48 e.g. a wire cable. The periphery of cam 26 has a flat 50 which when passing a lobe reduces the braking force applied by the lobe.
Belt 48 defines a loop, passing around the cam follower between guides 51, a collar 52 clamping free end of the belt to a mid part of the belt to define the loop while the other end is anchored on a threaded stem 54 received non-rotatably by a bracket 56 mounted on the frame. A spring 58 biases the stem towards the cam follower against the action of an adjuster 60 threaded on the stem and bearing, as does spring 58 on the bracket.
Shaft 22 has pedal cranks 62 and 64, to each of which a pedal is attached. Flat 50 of cam 26 is set to pass a lobe as a pedal passes top dead centre, whereby the resistance preset by cam follower 28 on cam 26 is reduced where the force exerted by the user is at a minimum providing a smoother pedal action.
Flat 50 is defined preferably as an arc of a greater radius of curvature than the rest of the cam periphery. Two flats positioned diametrically opposite may be provided as an alternative.
1. An exerciser comprising a pedal operable shaft, cam means fast with the shaft, follower means for applying a braking force to the cam means and resilient braking applicator means for urging the follower means against the cam means, a portion of the surface of the cam means being shaped to periodically reduce the effective force of the braking means.
2. An exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the effective force reducing portion of the surface of the cam means comprises a flat having an arc of greater radius of curvature than the rest of the cam surface.
3. An exerciser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a further effective force reducing portion of the surface of the cam means is located diametrically opposite said portion.
4. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein the cam follower means is held in position by a cam follower locater mounted on the pedal shaft and held against relative rotation with the cam follower means.
5. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient braking applicator means comprises a belt defining a loop around the cam follower means urging the cam follower means against the cam means.
6. An exerciser according to claim 5 wherein the tension in the belt may be varied
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exerciser The present invention relates to static exercise machines, more specifically to such machines having a pedal mechanism. Known pedal exercise machines provide a constant resistance but the user cannot apply a constant driving force since when one pedal passes top dead centre and the other passes bottom dead centre, the force exerted by the user's legs on the pedals is lower than at the remainder of the arc of revolution. This variation of force relative to constant resistance may be partially overcome by using a heavy flywheel. However this adds to the cost and weight of the exerciser and increases the force required at start up. According to the present invention there is provided an exerciser comprising a pedal operable shaft, cam means fast with the shaft, follower means for applying a braking force to the cam means and resilient braking applicator means urging the follower means against the cam means, a portion of the cam surface being shaped to periodically reduce the effective force of the braking means. A better understanding of the invention may be gained from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example only, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a static exerciser frame; Figure 2 is a rear view of the frame of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the exerciser pedal mechanism; Figure 4 is a side view of the mechanism of Fig. 3, and Figure 5 is an exploded view of the pedal mechanism. Figs. 1 and 2 show an exercise machine frame for receiving the mechanism of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The frame comprises a member 10 attached at its lower end to a base member 12 provided with lateral support legs 14, 16, and its upper end telescopically receiving an adjustable seat and handle part 18. A pedal shaft will be received in a bearing sleeve 20. Turning now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, pedal shaft 22 carries fast with it a flywheel 24, and a cam 26, the latter having an associated cam follower 28. A shaft bearing cum cam follower locater 30 and a shaft bearing 32 are received in sleeve 20 and themselves receive the shaft. Flywheel 24 has a cover 34 secured to the flywheel. The cam 26 and flywheel 24 are held against relative rotation by a key 36 and keyway 38 as shown in Fig. 5, while bearing cum cam follower 30 is held against rotation by member 10 and itself holds cam follower 28 against rotation by means of a slot 40 engaging a peg 42 in the cam follower. Cam follower 28, as can be seen in Fig. 4, is an annular segment provided with two slots 44 which render the segment resilient whereby lobes 46 are radially movable relative to cam 26 and are biased radially inwardly by a flexible belt 48 e.g. a wire cable. The periphery of cam 26 has a flat 50 which when passing a lobe reduces the braking force applied by the lobe. Belt 48 defines a loop, passing around the cam follower between guides 51, a collar 52 clamping free end of the belt to a mid part of the belt to define the loop while the other end is anchored on a threaded stem 54 received non-rotatably by a bracket 56 mounted on the frame. A spring 58 biases the stem towards the cam follower against the action of an adjuster 60 threaded on the stem and bearing, as does spring 58 on the bracket. Shaft 22 has pedal cranks 62 and 64, to each of which a pedal is attached. Flat 50 of cam 26 is set to pass a lobe as a pedal passes top dead centre, whereby the resistance preset by cam follower 28 on cam 26 is reduced where the force exerted by the user is at a minimum providing a smoother pedal action. Flat 50 is defined preferably as an arc of a greater radius of curvature than the rest of the cam periphery. Two flats positioned diametrically opposite may be provided as an alternative. CLAIMS
1. An exerciser comprising a pedal operable shaft, cam means fast with the shaft, follower means for applying a braking force to the cam means and resilient braking applicator means for urging the follower means against the cam means, a portion of the surface of the cam means being shaped to periodically reduce the effective force of the braking means.
2. An exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the effective force reducing portion of the surface of the cam means comprises a flat having an arc of greater radius of curvature than the rest of the cam surface.
3. An exerciser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a further effective force reducing portion of the surface of the cam means is located diametrically opposite said portion.
4. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein the cam follower means is held in position by a cam follower locater mounted on the pedal shaft and held against relative rotation with the cam follower means.
5. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient braking applicator means comprises a belt defining a loop around the cam follower means urging the cam follower means against the cam means.
6. An exerciser according to claim 5 wherein the tension in the belt may be varied to vary the pressure exerted on the cam means by the cam follower means.
7. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein the cam follower means is a resilient annular segment having lobes on the inner surface thereof for engaging the surface of the cam means.
8. An exerciser according to claim 7 wherein the annular segment has guides on the outer surface thereof for positioning the braking applicator means.
9. An exerciser according to any preceding claim wherein a flywheel is held fast with the shaft, the flywheel being held against relative rotation with the cam means.
10. An exerciser substantially as herein de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8514444A 1985-06-07 1985-06-07 Exerciser Expired GB2175812B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8514444A GB2175812B (en) 1985-06-07 1985-06-07 Exerciser

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8514444A GB2175812B (en) 1985-06-07 1985-06-07 Exerciser

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8514444D0 GB8514444D0 (en) 1985-07-10
GB2175812A true GB2175812A (en) 1986-12-10
GB2175812B GB2175812B (en) 1989-07-19

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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GB8514444A Expired GB2175812B (en) 1985-06-07 1985-06-07 Exerciser

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4951937A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-08-28 Schwinn Bicycle Company Load mechanism for exercise devices
AT398377B (en) * 1990-04-03 1994-11-25 Wunderl Johann TRAINING DEVICE
WO2013109141A1 (en) * 2012-01-20 2013-07-25 Ramdas Saileshkoemar Training device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7226393B2 (en) 2001-01-19 2007-06-05 Nautilus, Inc. Exercise bicycle

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1521473A (en) * 1975-10-10 1978-08-16 Ablec Ltd Exercising apparatus

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1521473A (en) * 1975-10-10 1978-08-16 Ablec Ltd Exercising apparatus

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4951937A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-08-28 Schwinn Bicycle Company Load mechanism for exercise devices
AT398377B (en) * 1990-04-03 1994-11-25 Wunderl Johann TRAINING DEVICE
WO2013109141A1 (en) * 2012-01-20 2013-07-25 Ramdas Saileshkoemar Training device
US9415259B2 (en) 2012-01-20 2016-08-16 Saileshkoemar Ramdas Training device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8514444D0 (en) 1985-07-10
GB2175812B (en) 1989-07-19

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee