GB2437494A

GB2437494A - Exercise apparatus simulating free weight training

Info

Publication number: GB2437494A
Application number: GB0608180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick John Trainor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-25
Filing date: 2006-04-25
Publication date: 2007-10-31
Also published as: WO2007122397A1; GB0608180D0

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises a Hoeken's linkage 1,2,3 and a carriage 18 mounted on the Hoeken's linkage 1,2,3, wherein the Hoeken's linkage and the carriage 18 are arranged to allow movement of the carriage 18 in a substantially straight line. An arm 22 is mounted on the carriage 18 and arranged for pivotal movement relative to the carriage 18, a grip (50, figure 7) at the end of the arm 22 is able to move substantially horizontally along lines of approximately constant resistance, so that the resistance at the grip (50) changes with height but not with horizontal translation. Thus, the apparatus is able to mimic free weight training. Link rods 4 and 5 control the attitude of the carriage 18 with respect to the base 12.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS

This invention relates to exercise devices, in particular exercise devices which can be used to allow a number of different exercises to be carried out while in a gymnasium or at home. The possible exercises may include a very wide range of exercises covering all muscle groups.

Most exercise techniques for exercising specific muscle groups involve the use of free weights, or else dedicated exercise machines. Free weights may require a high degree of experience for effective use, while dedicated exercise machines often have very little flexibility in the way they may be used.

A number of assemblies are known that aim to simulate free weight training and allow a varied number of exercises to be safely and easily carried out. In a known assembly a user may operate an exercise machine by movement of a handle or grip. The grip may move horizontally along lines of approximately constant potential. Potential at the grip is arranged to change with height, and not with horizontal translation. This gives a similar result to the way in which the potential energy of a mass changes as it is raised or lowered but is unchanged as it translates horizontally; this is what allows known assemblies to mimic free weight training.

In a specific known assembly, horizontal freedom of movement is provided by means of an unresisted rail or track, and a further freedom of movement is provided by means of a resisted arm that can be arced about a pivot point. A user may move the handle in whichever way they wish provided the movement comprises components in each of these two directions; generally this movement will be confined to a two-dimensional plane. The user may experience resistance to the movement of the handle provided the movement is not entirely horizontal.

Such a system provides flexibility in the type of exercises that can be undertaken.

However, a problem arises since rails and/or tracks can become easily obstructed.

In addition the runners on tracks may become dislodged under the potentially high pressures experienced during exercise.

Another known system provides horizontal freedom of movement with an unresisted Chebyshev straight-line linkage. Machines embodying these systems typically take up a large amount of space and may be cumbersome to use. In addition these machines comprise a large number of crush points that must be shielded if they are not to pose a danger to a user.

It is an aim of the present invention to alleviate some of the problems associated with existing exercise devices.

According to the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising: a Hoeken's linkage mounted on a base; a carriage mounted on the Hoeken's linkage, wherein the Hoeken's linkage and the carriage are arranged to allow movement of the carriage in a substantially straight line; an arm mounted on the carriage and arranged for pivotal movement relative to the carriage; and means for controlling the attitude of the carriage with respect to the base; wherein the means for controlling the attitude of the carriage comprises two rods, which are substantially parallel to two other rods within the Hoeken's linkage.

The present invention may provide the advantage that, by using a Hoeken's linkage, a more compact apparatus may be produced in comparison to apparatus using other linkage arrangements. Therefore, an apparatus embodying the invention may take up less space, which is equally important both in gymnasiums and at home. In addition, the compact nature of the apparatus may lower moving masses and thus lower the inertia of the apparatus. This may make the apparatus less cumbersome and easier for a user to operate.

It may be desirable for the arm to have a horizontally moveable pivot point since this gives a large degree of flexibility to the type of exercise which may be undertaken. If the pivot point were not moveable then all exercise movements would have to follow the natural arc of the arm about the pivot point. By providing a moveable pivot point, a combination of horizontal movements and movements along the arc of the arm about the pivot point are possible. Thus a great freedom is provided in the potential movements of the end of the arm. It is preferable to use a Hoeken's linkage and carriage to allow movement of the pivot point in a substantially straight line, rather than providing the pivot point on a horizontal rail or track since a Hoeken's linkage assembly may be less likely to become obstructed than a track would. In addition, fixed pivot points may be more resilient to the high forces experienced during exercise than runners on a track. Therefore a Hoeken's linkage assembly may have the advantage of being more reliable than assemblies with rails or tracks.

By controlling the attitude of the carriage, the carriage may be supported against a force on the arm. In addition it may introduce the possibility of controlling the resting position of the arm. In this way the arm may be positioned conveniently for a user to begin to exercise.

It may be that arranging the two rods so that they are each parallel to another rod in the Hoeken's linkage puts the carriage in a position with a desirable attitude.

In contrast to alternative straight line linkages, and in particular a Chebyshev linkage, a Hoeken's linkage contains relatively few "pinch" points. Therefore it may be easier to cover, or place guards over, the pinch points in a Hoeken's linkage in order to make the apparatus safe for a user to operate.

Preferably there is provided means for resisting the movement of the arm relative to the carriage. In this way the user may exercise by moving the arm about the pivot point on the carriage. This feature enables a wide variety of different exercises, such as lifting, pulling or pushing exercises, to be undertaken. This may simulate free weight training. Alternatively or in addition, resistance means may be provided within the Hoeken's linkage.

Preferably one of the two rods is pivotally mounted on the carnage and the other is pivotally mounted on the base, and the two rods are pivotally connected together. The arrangement of two rods for controlling the attitude of the carriage may establish a further connection between the carriage and the base. The length of this connection may be controllable through the angle between the two rods.

Therefore this connection may be an effective means for controlling the attitude of the carriage, for example if the angle between the two rods is controlled.

Preferably the Hoeken's linkage comprises a first rod and a second rod both pivotally mounted on the base, and a third rod pivotally attached to both the first rod and the second rod. Thus, it may be preferable if at least three rods are mounted on the base. Further, the third rod may have at least a connecting portion extending between the linkage point with the first rod and the linkage point with the second rod, and an extending portion that extends from the linkage point with the second rod. A Hoeken's linkage may be used to trace a substantially straight line with the third rod. The horizontal extent of the traced line defines the range of horizontal translation for the apparatus. Providing an extending portion on the third rod increases the length of the line traced by the end of the third rod. Further, by selecting the relative lengths of the rods, and how they interconnect, the shape of the line traced by the end of the third rod may be controlled.

Preferably the carriage is mounted on the third rod, and preferably still the carriage is mounted on the extending portion of the third rod. This may allow the extent of horizontal translation of the carriage to be controlled. In addition, by selecting the position that the carriage is provided on the third rod the "straightness" of the line can be controlled and may be optimised.

As the carriage is moved in a straight line by the apparatus, the third rod of the Hoeken's linkage changes its angle with respect to the base. If the carriage was locked in position relative to the third rod, the angle of the arm relative to the base may change during horizontal translation of the apparatus (with the end of the arm following a line of constant potential), this may occur since the movement of the arm relative to the carriage may be resisted. This may be undesirable since it may place the arm in an inconvenient position for use in an exercise.

Preferably the carriage is moveable with respect to the third rod. In this way the attitude of the carriage may be changed with respect to the moving third rod.

Therefore the carriage, and consequently the arm, may be moved to a more convenient location after or during a horizontal translation of the apparatus. To this end it is preferable for the carriage to be pivotally mounted on the third rod.

A first distance may be defined between the point where the rod is mounted on the carriage and the point where the carriage is mounted on the third rod, and a second distance may be defined by the distance between the point where the first rod is mounted on the base and the point where the second rod is mounted on the base. Preferably the first distance is less than 1.5 times the second distance, and preferably still the first distance is less than the second distance. In this way, the compact nature of the apparatus may be maintained.

The means for controlling the attitude of the carriage may maintain the attitude of a portion of the carriage substantially constant with respect to the base. By keeping the attitude of a portion of the carriage constant with respect to the base, the angle of the arm with respect to the base can also be kept substantially constant with respect to the base. Thus, even during horizontal translation of the apparatus the angle of the arm with respect to the base may not change substantially, and the height of the end of the arm may be maintained substantially constant. This may be desirable since an optimal resting angle may be selected for the arm relative to the base. In some embodiments it may be advantageous for a portion of the carriage to maintain a constant attitude with respect to the base, and another portion of the carriage to be moveable with respect to the base.

The apparatus may comprise means for maintaining the two rods substantially parallel to two other rods within the Hoeken's linkage; this feature may provide an angle between the two rods that is suitable for controlling the attitude of the carriage and maintaining it substantially constant with respect to the base.

One of the rods may comprise a bar in a first substantially parallel four-bar linkage, and the other rod may comprise a bar in a second substantially parallel four-bar linkages. By using two parallel four-bar linkages the movement of the carriage may be unrestricted and further the carriage may be supported. This may be possible because the two rods are connected together and therefore the two parallel four-bar linkages are also connected. In addition, since the two opposite bars of a parallel four-bar linkage remain parallel the carriage may be attached to one of the parallel four-bar linkages and to keep the attitude of the carriage substantially constant with respect to the base. Preferably the carriage comprises a bar in one of the substantially parallel four-bar linkages, and the base comprises a bar in the other substantially parallel four-bar linkage, wherein the base bar is substantially parallel to the carriage bar. By arranging a portion of the carriage as a bar in one of the four-bar linkages it is possible not only to keep the attitude of the carriage constant with respect to the base, but also to keep a portion of the carriage parallel with respect to the base.

Alternatively the two rods may be rods in a second Hoeken's linkage which is substantially similar to but offset from the first Hoeken's linkage. In this case, the second Hoeken's linkage may be substantially similar to the first Hoeken's linkage, i.e. the lengths of a rod in one Hoeken's linkage may be substantially the same as the corresponding rod in the other Hoeken's linkage and the rods may be pivotally attached to one another, and the base, in corresponding locations. In this way, the movements of the two Hoeken's linkages may follow one another, and the carriage may be supported with an attitude that is substantially constant with respect to the base. This feature may enable horizontal translation of the apparatus without changing the attitude of the carriage with respect to the base.

The base may be mounted on a supporting member, for attachment to a bracket.

In this way the apparatus may be connected to a wall, a ceiling, or to the ground.

In addition a portion of the carriage may be pivotal about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base. Thus, a user of the apparatus may have three dimensional freedom in how they move the arm. In this embodiment, the arm may move in the following three ways: in a substantially straight line due to the Hoeken's linkage; pivotally against resistance means with respect to the carriage; and pivotally about an axis which is perpendicular to the base. It may be advantageous to provide this large flexibility in the type of exercises which may be undertaken by a user. A portion of the carriage alone may be pivotal about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base; or as an alternative, a portion of the carriage along with the entire apparatus may be pivotal about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base.

The apparatus may comprise means for resisting rotation of the portion of the carriage about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base. By resisting rotation of the portion of the carriage, a user may have a second component of resistance to work against. Alternatively or in addition there may be provided means for resisting movement of the carriage in a substantially straight line.

Any of the means for resisting mentioned herein may comprise a piston and cylinder arrangement and/or a pneumatic arrangement, or any other arrangement such as a spring, a moving mass, or an arrangement with a frictional contact.

Preferably the arm comprises a grip that is convenient for the user to exercise with. In addition, the grip may be pivotal about at least one axis with respect to the arm, and means may be provided to resist movement of the grip relative to the arm. This may provide another degree of freedom in the exercises which may be undertaken by a user.

Where the resistance means are linear resistance means, for example a piston and cylinder arrangement, it is preferable if any or all of the resistance means are user controllable. Specifically it may be desirable if a user can selectively turn one or more resistance means off, or else adjust the strength of resistance experienced, or else select the direction (or directions) in which resistance is experienced. In this way the user may have complete flexibility in the type of exercise they may undertake and also which muscle group they target.

Preferably the only effective contact between a user and the carriage is via the arm.

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with references to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exercise apparatus in an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the exercise apparatus of Figure 1 in a second position; Figure 3 shows the exercise apparatus of Figure 2 in a perspective view; Figure 4 shows the exercise apparatus of Figure 1 in a range of positions; Figure 5 shows a side view of an exercise apparatus in another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows the exercise apparatus of Figure 2 with resistance means shown in greater detail; Figure 7 shows the exercise apparatus of Figure 6 in a perspective view.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an exercise apparatus. A bracket 10 is mounted to a surface 12, which is the floor of a gymnasium, but may equally be a wall, ceiling, or other supporting plane. Attached to the bracket 10 is a tubular supporting member 14, which extends axially from the bracket 10 to a base platform 16. The base platform 16 is substantially parallel to the floor 12 and the supporting member 14 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 10 so that the base platform 16 rotates about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor 12.

A first rod 1 is connected at one end to the base platform 16 by means of a pin extending through the first rod 1, such that the first rod 1 may pivot about the pin.

Thus the first rod 1 pivots about an axis which is substantially parallel with the floor 12. Bearings may be provided to reduce any friction in this joint, or any of the joints herein described. The first rod 1 is connected to the base platform 16 at pivot point B and is pivotally connected by means of a pin at its other end to a third rod 3, at point E. A second rod 2 is connected at one end to the base platform 16 by means of a pin at point C, such that the second rod 2 is pivotal about the pin. The linkage point C between the base platform 16 and the second rod 2, defines a proximal end of the second rod 2. The distal end of the second rod 2 is attached to a third rod 3 at point D by means of another pin, such that the two rods may pivot with respect to one another. In this way the third rod is pivotal about two axes along its length, both of which are substantially parallel to the floor 12.

The third rod 3 has a proximal end connected to rod 1, a connecting portion extending between the first rod 1 at point E and the second rod 2 at point D, and an extending portion extending from the connection point D with the second rod 2 to a distal end A. The first rod 1, second rod 2, and third rod 3 thus define a Hoeken's linkage. A Hoeken's straight line linkage is a special type of four-bar linkage that produces nearly straight line horizontal motion for the distal end A of the third rod 3. In order to achieve this, the relative lengths of the three rods and where they are interconnected must be carefully chosen. The relevant lengths to be chosen are: Ri -the distance by which Point B is offset from point C on the base platform 16; R2 -the length of the first rod 1 from point B to point B; R3 -the length of the connecting portion of the second rod 2 from point E to point D; R4 -the length of the second rod 2 from point C to point D; and R5 -the length of the extending portion of the third rod 3 from point D to point A. The optimal ratio of lengths for approximately straight line horizontal motion of the distal end A of the third rod 3 may be where R3=R4 and Ri: R2: R3: R5 = 2.3: 1.1: 2.8: 5.65. However, many other ratios may be chosen that also produce an acceptably straight horizontal motion at the distal end A. At the distal end A of the third rod 3 is an L-shaped carriage 18. The carriage 18 is pivotally mounted on the third rod 3 by means of a pin at its vertex. The L-shaped carriage 18 has a horizontal portion 19 and a vertical portion 20.

Also mounted on a pin at the distal end A of the third rod 3 is an arm 22. The arm is arranged to pivot with respect to the third rod 3 and the carriage 18. Resistance means 24 in the form of a piston and cylinder arrangement are provided between the vertical portion of the carriage 20 and the arm 22, so that the movement of the arm with respect to the carriage is resisted. As well as being able to move the arm 22 about its pivot point on the carriage 18, a user may be able to move the arm 22 about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor 12. Although Figure 1 shows this by means of the supporting member 14 being pivotally mounted on the bracket 10, there are many other ways of achieving this effect.

For example (and not shown in the Figures), the arm 22 may be mounted on a first portion of the carriage 18 that is pivotal with respect to a second portion of the carriage 18 which is mounted on the third rod 3; the axis about which the first portion of the carriage 18 pivots may be substantially perpendicular to the floor 12.

The carriage 18 is pivotally mounted with respect to the third rod 3 and the arm 22, and therefore there exists a means for controlling at the attitude of at least a portion of the carriage 18 with respect to the base platform 16. Were this means absent, the carriage 18 would simply rotate when the user exerted force on the arm, and the user would experience no resistance. To this end, two substantially parallel four- bar linkages are provided to support the carriage (wherein a parallel four- bar linkage comprises two pairs of parallel rods connected together in a polygon).

A fourth rod 4 is pivotally connected by means of a pin to the horizontal portion 19 of the carriage 18 at point F. The fourth rod 4 extends from point F to point G where it is pivotally connected to both a fifth rod 5 and a parallel supporting member 6. The parallel supporting member 6 extends from point G to point D where it is pivotally connected by means of a pin to both the third rod 3 and second rod 2. The fifth rod 5 extends from point G to point H, where it is pivotally connected by means of a pin to the base platform 16. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, point H is located on the base platform 16 between points B and C. However, it is clear that this need not be the case.

The apparatus of Figure 1 thus comprises two parallel four-bar linkages. A first parallel four-bar linkage exists in the polygon with vertices defined by points D, 0, H and C; and a second parallel four-bar linkage exists in the polygon with vertices defined by points D, 0, F and A. The sixth rod 6 is common to both four-bar linkages between points D and U. In the first parallel four-bar linkage the sixth rod 6 is parallel to the base platform 16 between points H and C. In the second parallel four-bar linkage the sixth rod 6 is parallel to the horizontal portion 19 of the carriage 18 between points F and A. Consequently the horizontal portion 19 of the carriage 18 is maintained substantially parallel to the base platform 16, and the floor 12 of the gymnasium at all times. Also, the two parallel four-bar linkages support the carriage 18 against the relative movement of the arm 22 and allow the user to work against the resistance means 24. It should be borne in mind that maintaining a constant attitude for the carriage 18 keeps the resting position of the arm 22 at a constant angle with respect to the carriage 18 and floor 12. This may be desirable so that it is always in the same starting position for a user beginning exercises.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1, with the arm 22 in a new position. The movement of the arm 22 from its angled position in Figure 1 to its horizontal position of Figure 2 may represent work that would need to be done by a user against the resistance means 24, depending on whether the resistance means 24 were configured to resist that movement. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of Figure 2. It is clear from Figure 3 that the third rod 3, and fourth rod 4 are in fact two-piece units, whereas they have been described as single rods in the preceding paragraphs for the sake of brevity.

The sixth rod 6 extends (between the pivot points G and D) in a cleft between the two-pieces of the third rod 3 and the fourth rod 4. The precise arrangement of this apparatus, including whether rods are individual members or comprised of more than one unit, could be reconfigured in a number of ways which will be obvious to the skilled person. For example, the other rods could be two piece units instead.

Figures 4A-4C shows side views of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1 in a range of positions. These Figures show the operation of the Hoeken's linkage and the two parallel four-bar linkages, and specifically how they can arrange for straight line movement of the carriage. Figure 4A shows the arm 22 at a depressed position and the carriage 18 horizontally translated to the left. Figure 4B shows the arm 22 in a horizontal position with the carriage 18 in a central position.

Figure 4C shows the arm 22 in an elevated position, and the carriage 18 horizontally translated to the right. If the Figures 4A-4C represent a movement of the apparatus, it is apparent that the Hoeken's linkage translates the carriage in a substantially straight horizontal line, and that the two four-bar linkages maintain the attitude of the carriage 18 substantially constant with respect to the ground 12.

Although Hoeken's linkage arrangements contain comparatively few pinch points to other straight line linkage arrangements (such as Chebyshev linkages) it is clear that some pinch points do exist. For example, if the apparatus were moved from the position in Figure 4B to the position in Figure 4A there would be a pinch point between the first rod 1 and the third rod 3. Such a pinch point could be dangerous in operation. A user or third party could trap a limb in a pinch point were one left unguarded. Therefore a baffle or screen (not shown) is provided to protect users and third parties from such pinch points.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the base platform 16, the first rod 1, the second rod 2, and the third rod 3 are connected together in a Hoeken's linkage in the same way as in Figures 1 to 4. As in Figures 1 to 4, the distal end of the third rod 3 is connected to a carriage 18 and an arm 22. In this embodiment there exists a second Hoeken's linkage with first rod 101 connected at one end to the base platform 16 at location lOB, and connected at its other end to a third rod 103. A second rod 102 is connected at one end to the base platform 16 at position bC, and is connected at its other end to the third rod 103. The third rod 103 is connected at its proximal end to the first rod 101, connected at a position along its length to the second rod 102, and connected at its distal end to the carriage 18 at position 1OA.

This second Hoeken's linkage is offset from the first Hoeken's linkage by a distance "d", such that the distances from: point 1OA to A; lOB to B; and IOC to C are all substantially equal to "d". In this way, the second Hoeken's linkage supports the carnage 18 against the relative movement of the arm 22. The lengths R1-R5 are substantially similar to lengths R101-R105. Therefore the paths traced out by the distal ends A and IOA of the third rods 3 and 103 of the two Hoeken's linkages are substantially similar but are horizontally offset by distance "d". In this arrangement the carriage 18 is supported against the relative movement of the arm 22, and in addition the attitude of the carriage is maintained constant with respect to the ground 12. As with the two parallel four-bar linkage arrangement of Figures 1 to 4, this is true even when the carriage is horizontally translated in a substantially straight line by operation of the Hoeken's linkage assembly.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 2 with resistance means included in greater detail. The resistance means 40 is a piston and cylinder arrangement extending from the bottom of the vertical portion 20 of the carriage 18 to a point on the arm 22. This cylinder may provide resistance to the movement of the arm 22 relative to the carriage 18. A second piston and cylinder arrangement 42 is provided and extends from point B on the base platform 16 to a point on the length of the second rod 2. This piston and cylinder arrangement 42 provides resistance to the horizontal movement of the carriage 18. Figure 7 is a perspective view of Figure 6, from which it may be seen that the piston and cylinder arrangement 42 actually comprises a pair of piston and cylinderarrangements. In this embodiment the pair of piston and cylinder arrangements 42 provide a resistance force that is substantially parallel to the arm 22. If only a single piston and cylinder arrangement were used, it may create a resistance force that is off-axis with respect to the arm 22. This could have a flexing effect on the apparatus, which may be undesirable. However, this arrangement for resisting horizontal translation of the carriage 18 could be configured in a number of ways which will be obvious to a skilled person. A third piston and cylinder arrangement 44 extends from a point on the bracket 10 to a point on the supporting member 14. This piston and cylinder pair 44 can provide resistance to rotational movement of the supporting member.

Figures 6 and 7 also show a grip 50 mounted at the end of the arm 22, wherein the grip 50 is substantially perpendicular to the arm 22. The grip 50 is arranged to be pivotal about two axes 51, 52, which are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the arm 22. Although not shown in the Figures, resistance means may be provided to resist rotation of the grip about either or both of these axes.

In the embodiment where the cylinder 40 is arranged to push up against the arm 22, the user must do work to pull down on the grip 50. The carriage 18 (within its range of movement and in the absence of other forces) will move along a straight line, provided there is a component of force acting in that direction, so as to find a point of lower potential. A deviation in the straightness of the line along which the carriage 18 moves may provide a point of minimum potential (a low point in the line) and the carriage 18 will naturally gravitate towards this point when moved along the line. This may introduce a resting position for the carriage in a point of minimum potential. In addition, it tends to compromise the natural freedom of movement of the grip 50 that the apparatus is designed to provide and thus makes the apparatus cumbersome to control. For this reason it is desirable for the line along which the carriage 18 moves to be close to straight.

In the embodiment where the second piston and cylinder arrangement 42 resists the horizontal motion of the carriage 18, the tolerance on the "straightness" of the line along which the carriage 18 moves need not be so strict. Thus, even if there is a point of minimum potential within the range of movement of the carriage 18, the carriage 18 may be resisted from resting there due to the horizontal resistance force of the second piston and cylinder arrangement 42. This may restore some of the natural flexibility of the apparatus.

For these reasons, a machine in which cylinder 40 is to be used alone or in combination with cylinder 42 and/or 44 will benefit from using guidance means that produces a closer approximation to a straight-line than a machine in which cylinder 40 will only be used if it is in combination with cylinder 42 and/or 44.

Any of the resistance means mentioned herein may be selectively turned on or off, and the resistance experienced in any direction can be controlled.

By providing flexibility in the number of components of resistance, and in which direction resistance is experienced, a user may have a large degree of flexibility in how they may exercise. This arrangement may allow for very specific exercise of targeted muscle groups, and may have particular benefits in exercises for specialist sports and rehabilitation therapy.

Claims

Claims 1. Exercise apparatus comprising: a Hoeken's linkage mounted on

a base; a carriage mounted on the Hoeken's linkage, wherein the Hoeken's linkage and the carriage are arranged to allow movement of the carriage in a substantially straight line; an arm mounted on the carriage and arranged for pivotal movement relative to the carriage; and means for controlling the attitude of the carriage with respect to the base; wherein the means for controlling the attitude of the carriage comprises two rods, which are substantially parallel to two other rods within the Hoeken's linkage.

2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for resisting the movement of the arm relative to the carriage.

3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one of the two rods is pivotally mounted on the carriage and the other is pivotally mounted on the base, and the two rods are pivotally connected together.

4. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the Hoeken's linkage comprises a first rod and a second rod both pivotally mounted on the base, and a third rod pivotally attached to both the first rod and the second rod.

5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the carriage is mounted on the third rod.

6 Exercise apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the third rod has at least a connecting portion extending between the linkage point with the first rod and the linkage point with the second rod, and an extending portion that extends from the linkage point with the second rod.

7 Exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the carriage is mounted on the extending portion of the third rod.

8. Exercise apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the carriage is moveable with respect to the third rod.

9. Exercise apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the carriage is pivotally mounted on the third rod.

10. Exercise apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 9, when dependent on claim 3, wherein a first distance is defined between the point where the rod is mounted on the carriage and the point where the carriage is mounted on the third rod; and a second distance is defined by the distance between the point where the first rod is mounted on the base and the point where the second rod is mounted on the base; and wherein the first distance is less than 1.5 times the second distance.

11. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means for controlling the attitude of the carriage is arranged to maintain the attitude of a portion of the carriage substantially constant with respect to the base.

12. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising means for maintaining the two rods substantially parallel to two other rods within the Hoeken's linkage.

13. Exercise apparatus according to claim 12 wherein one of the rods comprises a bar in a first substantially parallel four-bar linkage, and the other rod comprises a bar in a second substantially parallel four-bar linkages.

14. Exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the carriage comprises a bar in one of the substantially parallel four-bar linkages, and the base comprises a bar in the other substantially parallel four-bar linkage, wherein the base bar is substantially parallel to the carriage bar.

15. Exercise apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the two rods are rods in a second Hoeken's linkage which is substantially similar to but offset from the first Hoeken's linkage.

16. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein a portion of the carriage is pivotal about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base.

17. Exercise apparatus according to claim 16 comprising means for resisting rotation of the portion of the carriage about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the base.

18. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising means for resisting the movement of the carriage in a substantially straight line.

19. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means for resisting comprises a piston and cylinder arrangement.

20. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the means for resisting comprises a pneumatic arrangement.

21. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the arm comprises a grip.

22. Exercise apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the grip is pivotal about at least one axis with respect to the arm.

23. Exercise apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22 comprising means for resisting movement of the grip relative to the arm.

24. Exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the only effective contact between a user and the carriage is via the arm.

25. Exercise apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.