GB2539673A

GB2539673A - Resistance strength training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2539673A
Application number: GB1511018.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nemanja Bacanovic Milan
Original assignee: JOHN DUDLEY WILSON
Current assignee: JOHN DUDLEY WILSON
Priority date: 2015-06-23
Filing date: 2015-06-23
Publication date: 2016-12-28
Also published as: GB201511018D0; WO2016207615A1

Abstract

A resistance training apparatus 10 comprises: a manual actuator 42 that drives rotation of a wheel 14 relative to a static structure 24; one of the wheel 14 or static structure 24 includes one or more permanent magnets 26 and the other a conductive material that generate electromagnetic induction to resist rotation of the wheel 14 relative to the static structure 24; wherein an adjustment mechanism selectively alters the resistance caused by the magnets 26. Preferably there are a plurality of angularly spaced magnets 26 and the adjustment means adjusts the relative position of the magnets 26 and conductive material to alter the resistance; preferably the adjustment means adjusts the amount of overlap between the magnets 26 and the conductive material.

Description

Resistance Strength Training Apparatus The present invention relates to resistance apparatus, in particular weight training apparatus.

Many people take part in weight training as an alternative to, or in addition to, aerobic exercise in order improve fitness, increase strength and improve muscle tone. There exists a large variety of weight training equipment, in different configurations, designed to target different muscle groups.

The two general categories of conventional weight training equipment comprise free weights and resistance weight machines. Resistance machines are often used in weight training, instead of free weights, as they are typically safer, with the weights being constrained for linear motion in stacks. The weight to be lifted can easily be changed by selecting the desired number of weights from the stack using a pin located at the desired height within the stack. Furthermore, resistance weight machines are advantageous as they allow the direction of the applied force by a user to differ from the direction of stack movement, e.g. using a pulley system. Examples of resistance machines include bench press, chest press, leg press, shoulder press, etc. There are several disadvantages associated with resistance machines. The stack of weights is heavy by its very nature, meaning that resistance weight machines are cumbersome, awkward to move and expensive to transport. The use of weights in a stack means that weights are elevated by the user when applying a force in a first direction. However on the return stroke, the weights tend to fall under gravity back to their starting position. This presents a significant hazard of crushing anything inadvertently placed beneath the stack or trapped within the mechanism.

Furthermore, a user of the machine is intended to resist the return force caused by the falling weight in a controlled manner. However inexperienced users or users who have attempted to lift too great a weight simply allow the weights to fall with minimal resistance such that the weight lifting exercise is not correctly completed. Alternatively, if a user attempts to resist falling weights beyond their capability, the user runs the risk of injury.

Aside from the safety risks posed by conventional weight stack resistance machines the power input by a user is not readily discernible. It is possible to count the number of times the weight stack has been lifted and to what height so as to thereby calculate a total force input. However resistance within the machine mechanism, amongst other factors, can lead to inaccuracy such that the actual force required to lift the weight stack may not be equal to the value indicated on the weight stack. Additionally, large increments in the weight stack may result in a user being unable to select an appropriate weight for use in the resistance machine.

A user can apply a significant force in trying to lift a weight stack, but in failing to raise the weight stack, the user would be uncertain how much force had actually been applied and how much to alter the weight stack for the next attempt. Furthermore, once a user has overcome the initial inertia in lifting the weight stack, the user may reduce the applied force as the weight stack decelerates towards to the top of its movement. Thus the full force applied by a user may only be applied for a very small portion of the lift.

Conventional resistance weight machines do little to help a user improve technique. That is to say, unless a user is accompanied by someone else who can advise on lifting technique, the user will have little way of knowing if he/she is adopting a good technique or a poor technique, and therefore has little way of improving or comparing performance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide resistance training apparatus 30 which overcomes or substantially mitigates some or all of the above mentioned and/or other disadvantages associated with conventional resistance machines.

According to a first aspect on the invention there is provided resistance training apparatus comprising a manual actuator operably connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in use, the wheel being mounted adjacent a static structure, wherein one of the wheel and static structure comprises a permanent magnet and the other comprises a conductive material mounted opposite the magnet such that resistance to movement of the actuator is provided by relative movement between the wheel and static structure, the apparatus further comprising an adjustment mechanism for selectively altering the resistance to motion of the manual actuator caused by the magnet.

The resistance training apparatus may advantageously make use of one or more magnet instead of a conventional weight stack. The apparatus may be strength training or so-called 'weight training' apparatus. That is to say, the apparatus may provide a strength training or weight training function, e.g. in addition to or instead of an aerobic exercise function.

A plurality of magnets may be provided on the wheel and/or static structure. The plurality of magnets may be spaced circumferentially about the wheel axis. The magnets may be arranged so as to have rotational symmetry about the wheel axis.

The resistance to movement may be adjustable by varying the relative positioning of the magnet(s) and the opposing conductive material. Additionally or alternatively, one or more gear may be provided, e.g. in the force path between the manual actuator and wheel.

The adjustment of the magnet(s) in order to adjust resistance may beneficially avoid or reduce the need for multiple gears. Thus the resistance may be adjusted continuously or with a desired number of increments through a predetermined range without requiring a gearing for each increment. Gearings could be used, if desired, for macroscopic changes in resistance, with magnetic resistance adjustment being used for finer changes. Additionally or alternatively, a single gear could be used to modify the torque/rotational speed between an input rotor and the wheel.

The manual actuator may be operably connected to the wheel with a fixed transmission ratio relationship, e.g. in one or both of first and second rotational directions. The manual actuator may be directly connected to the wheel or may be connected by a force transfer member or transmission mechanism, such as a gearing, chain, pulley or the like. The transmission mechanism may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

The manual actuator may be bi-directionally connected to the wheel, e.g. so as to drive rotation of the wheel in first and second opposing directions. The resistance to motion in a first direction may be the same as, or different from, the resistance in the second direction. In another example, the manual actuator may drive rotation of the wheel in the first direction only and may rotate, e.g. freely, and/or disengage the wheel in the second direction. A clutch may be provided in the force path between the manual actuator and wheel.

The relative positions of the magnet(s) and the opposing conductive material may be adjustable in a direction of the axis of the wheel. Axial adjustment between the wheel and static structure may be used to vary the resistance to the movement of the manual actuator. Adjustment of the position of a wheel axle may advantageously allow adjustment of the resistance.

The magnet(s) and opposing conductive material may or may not be mounted at a fixed or predetermined gap/spacing. Varying the relative positioning between the magnet(s) and opposing conductive material may comprise varying the amount of overlap between the magnet(s) and conductive material. This may change the location of the conductive material within the magnetic field of the magnet(s) in a simple and readily controllable manner.

The conductive material may or may not comprise a non-magnetic, or substantially non-magnetic, material. The conductive material may comprise a metal. The conductive material may comprise copper or aluminium.

The conductive material may be arranged in a ring/annulus about the axis of rotation of the wheel, e.g. on the wheel or the opposing static structure. A complete/continuous annulus of conductive material may be provided.

The resistance to movement of the wheel may be provided by electromagnetic induction within the conductive material.

The gap between the magnet(s) and conductive material may be less than 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm or 1mm.

The relative positions of the magnet(s) and opposing conductive material may be selectively adjustable. Adjustment may be manual or powered. Adjustment may be manually or electronically controlled.

Electronic control of the resistance may allow dynamic/reactive resistance adjustment during operation for a fixed power output per stroke of the manual actuator. Thus the user can set a desired power output per stroke or per set of repetitions. And the electronic controller can adjust the resistance to ensure the desired output is reliably achieved.

An adjustment mechanism may be constrained to linear adjustment of the wheel relative to the static structure or vice versa.

The resistance training apparatus may comprise a visual indication to inform the user of the force selected by adjustment of relative positions of the magnet(s) and opposing conductive material. For example, the apparatus may comprise a display that indicates the force required to move the actuator. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may comprise an adjustment member which is moved in use to adjust the position of the magnet(s) relative to the wheel. The adjustment member may include one or more marker which may indicate the force required to move the wheel within the magnets The magnet(s) may comprise or consist of one or more rare-earth magnet(s) such as for example one or more neodymium magnet.

The magnet(s) may be provided on the static structure. The magnet(s) may be positioned on a ring which is concentric with the wheel and/or wheel axis.

The wheel may be substantially inhibited from freewheeling by the magnet(s), e.g. according to the strength of the magnet(s) and/or the relative positioning between the magnet(s) and opposing conductive material. The magnet(s) and conductive material may be arranged so as to arrest wheel motion within less than one revolution of the wheel or a fraction thereof, such as less than 45°, 20°, 100, 5°, 2° or 10, upon removal of a manual actuation force. The manual actuator and wheel may be operably connected such that, in use, application of force to the actuator causes the wheel to rotate, and removal of the applied force causes the wheel to stop rotating immediately.

The manual actuator may be pushed or pulled by the user in a given direction in use depending on the specific configuration of actuator for a given exercise. The resistance training apparatus may be adapted to provide strength training for a given group of muscles. For example, the resistance training apparatus may be a bench press, a chest press, a shoulder press, a leg press, etc depending on the particular configuration of the manual actuator and wheel.

The manual actuator and wheel may be operably connected through a pulley system. A generally linear applied force to the actuator may result in rotational motion of the wheel.

In use, the manual actuator may be moved in a first direction such that the wheel rotates in a clockwise manner, and the actuator may also be moved in a second direction which is the reverse of the first direction, such that the wheel rotates in a counter-clockwise manner.

The resistance apparatus may comprise two or more manual actuators operably connected to the same or different wheels. Two or more manual actuators may be operably connected to a common axis for driving rotation of the wheel. If a plurality of wheels is provided, each wheel may have its own corresponding static structure and plurality of magnets.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided resistance training apparatus comprising a manual actuator operably bi-directionally connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in first and second opposing directions in use, a brake arranged to arrest motion of the wheel and a sensor system for determining both the distance of movement of the manual actuator and the force applied in rotating the wheel against the arresting force of the brake, wherein, the sensor system comprises one or more processor arranged to output an indication of the force applied by operation of the manual actuator.

The sensor system may comprise one or more sensor for detecting/measuring rotation of the wheel. The distance of movement of the actuator may be measurable from the rotation of the wheel.

The output indication may comprise a dynamic output that may or may not vary over the duration/length of a single stroke of the manual actuator. The output indication may comprise any or any combination of force, work done, power applied via the manual actuator. The output indication may comprise a total value for each stroke of the manual actuator and/or a summation over a plurality of strokes.

The brake may comprise one or more magnet, such as, for example, one or more permanent magnet. The magnet(s) may be provided on the wheel or a static structure adjacent the wheel. The brake may comprise a conductive material on the other of the wheel and static structure.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided resistance training apparatus comprising a manual actuator connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in use and a sensor system arranged to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the actuator against a resistance to actuation of the wheel provided by magnets positioned around an axis of rotation of the wheel, wherein the sensor system outputs a signal comprising information associated with the measured parameter for communication to the user.

The at least one parameter may be any or any combination of the following: distance of movement, applied force, speed/velocity, power, number of repetitions, actuation time and/or work done. The apparatus may output information regarding the force/power/work applied across a single stroke. The apparatus may provide real-time data capture.

The resistance apparatus may comprise means to determine the load applied to the actuator in a stroke.

The resistance apparatus may comprise a strain gauge.

The resistance apparatus may comprise a chain which moves as force is applied to the actuator/wheel. The chain may drive, or be driven by, the wheel. The sensor may comprise a strain gauge for the chain. The strain gauge may measure the tension in the chain.

The outputted information may be provided on a display. The outputted information may be provided on a remote device, for example a hand-held mobile device in communication with the sensor system. The apparatus may connect wirelessly to the remote device, for example via a suitable radio/microwave frequency signal, such as via a Bluetooth connection.

Any of the essential or optional features defined in relation to any one aspect of the invention may be applied to any other aspect of the invention wherever practicable. Any aspect of the invention may comprise a user interlace by which a user can set one or more parameter or goal to be achieved during resistance training.

Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a resistance training mechanism for use in conjunction with an example of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the assembled mechanism of Fig. 1 from a first side; Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the assembled mechanism of Fig. 1 from a second side; Fig. 4 shows a side view of exercise apparatus according to one example of the invention; Fig. 5 shows a side view of exercise apparatus according to a second example of the invention; Fig. 6 shows a side view of exercise apparatus according to a third example of the invention; Fig. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of exercise apparatus according to a fourth example of the invention; and, Fig. 8 shows a schematic layout of the sensor system for providing feedback to the user.

Turning firstly to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a mechanism 10 that allows magnetic braking/resistance to be used to replace the use of a conventional weight stack in weight training machines. The basic mechanism 10, and variants thereof, as will be described herein, may be deployed in a variety of different kinds of resistance weight training machines.

The mechanism comprises a support structure 12, to which is mounted a rigid annulus 14. The support structure in this example takes the form of a pair of opposing walls 12a and 12b upstanding from a common base 12c in a rigid spaced arrangement. An intermediate wall or spacer 12d is also provided between the opposing walls 12b and 12c at a location spaced from the base 12c, e.g. in this example such that a proximal ends of the walls 12b and 12c contact the base 12c and distal ends of the walls 12b and 12c are joined by the spacer 12d.

The opposing walls 12a and 12b are generally parallel. The wall structure thus defines a frame-like support on which other components of the mechanism can be mounted.

The wheel 14 is annular in form and is fixedly attached to shaft 20 such that it can rotate in unison with the shaft 20 in use. Whilst the annular wheel 14 has a ring-shaped wall 16 and a generally disk-shaped rear wall 18 in this example, in other examples, the relevant structure may comprise any suitable body of revolution, provided it is shaped for mounting at a predetermined spacing relative to a static opposing structure when rotating in use.

The mechanism comprises two shafts 20 and 22 mounted to the support structure 12. The shafts are each mounted to respective walls of the support structure 12 by bearings such that the shafts can rotate in use relative to the support structure. The shafts are spaced and oriented such that the axis of rotation of each shaft is generally parallel.

A static member 24 is mounted about the shaft 20 and is held/fixed relative to the support structure 12 such that it does not rotate due to rotation o fthe shaft 20. The static member 24 is shaped so as to fit closely within the interior surface of the wheel annulus 14, i.e. such that an outer/annular surface of the member 24 maintains a fixed spacing from the opposing surface of the annulus 14 about its periphery. Thus the wheel 14 rotates relative to, and in close proximity to, the stator 24 in use.

The static member 24 is also has rotational symmetry and is generally circular in plan in this example so that the spacing between the static member 24 and wheel 14 remains fixed during wheel rotation.

Rotation between the wheel 14 and static member 24 is braked/resisted by way of a plurality of permanent magnets 26 mounted on the internal wall of the annulus 14. The magnets oppose the outer wall of the member 24. In this example a set of three magnets is visible, although it is proposed to have one or more further set of magnets such that the plurality of sets of magnets define an array of magnets about the wheel axis 28. It may be preferable, although not essential to arrange the array so as to have rotational symmetry about the axis 28.

The number of magnets required is dependent on the strength of the magnets. In order to reduce the magnetic strength of any single magnet, it is preferable that a plurality of magnets are used. It has been found that using so-called rare earth magnets, i.e. alloys of rare earth elements, provides suitable magnetic field strength when an array of four or more magnets are used. Typically in the region of four to twenty individual magnets provide a good balance between cost and ease of mounting/spacing of the magnets. In this example, between nine and fifteen magnets, such as neodymium magnets, are used.

The braking force is achieved by moving a conductive material such as copper or aluminium through the magnetic field so as to induce a current in the conductive material by electromagnetic induction. The current produces an opposing magnetic field which then resists further movement of the conductive material. Resistive losses in the conductor allow energy to be dissipated as heat. This kind of braking system has been found to be particularly beneficial in comparison to friction/contact braking systems, for which the speed of movement and/or temperature can reduce affect the braking force. Also the magnetic braking force is not significantly altered by repeated use.

Whilst the braking system described herein has magnets provided on the rotating structure and the opposing conductive, and preferably non-magnetic, material provided on the static member, it will be appreciated that the opposite arrangement could be used to achieve the desired braking force. Furthermore the static/rotating mounting of the member 24 and annulus 14 could be reversed if desired.

The position of the wheel 14 relative to the member 24 is adjustable. In this example an adjustment mechanism allows selective adjustment of the wheel in a linear direction, i.e. in the direction of axis 28. The adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded member 30 mounted on the shaft 20, e.g. on a free end thereof depending outwardly from wall 12b of the support structure. A corresponding threaded member is provided by way of adjustment member 32, in this example by a threaded internal surface of the adjustment member 32 which opposes the external thread of the member 30.

The position of the adjustment member 32 is fixed to the support structure, in this example by way of bolts such that when the wheel 14 is mounted on the shaft, the wheel is moved towards or away from the member 24 by rotation of the adjustment member. In this example, the wheel is fixed on the shaft and the adjustment moves the shaft 20 in an axial direction, along with the wheel mounted thereon relative to the static annulus 14. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide an adjustment member that selectively adjusts the static member 24 rather than the wheel 14. In any embodiment, the adjuster could be selectively engagable/disengagable from the adjustment mechanism as necessary.

Whilst specific indicia are omitted from the drawings for clarity, the adjustment member 32 and/or the static structure adjacent the adjuster will typically have indicia of resistance and/or corresponding weight/load settings thereon so that the user can select a desired setting in advance of use of the apparatus.

Rotation of the shaft 20 in this example is driven in use by a transmission arrangement comprising a sprocket/gear wheel and chain system. A sprocket 34 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 20 for rotation therewith. A further sprocket 36 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 22 for rotation therewith. A common chain 37 passes around both sprockets and engages with the teeth thereon so as to communicate a driving force in use between the shafts 22 and 20. Thus shaft 22 comprises an input shaft and shaft 20 comprises a driven shaft in this example.

The input sprocket 36 is of larger diameter than the driven sprocket 34 in this example. Thus the rotation speed of shaft 20 is increased relative to shaft 22 in use by way of the gearing provided by the different sprocket diameters. In this example, the size/diameter of the member 24 and/or wheel 14 is greater than that of the sprocket 34. The wheel 14 will thus turn through a greater angle than the input shaft 22 upon actuation thereof in use.

An additional sprocket 38 is provided on the input shaft 22 so as to allow transmission of torque to the input shaft 22 by a manual actuator as will be described below.

In this example, the use of a chain 37 in the transmission system is beneficial in that the tension in the chain can be readily sensed to as to determined the load/force transmitted to the wheel 14. A load sensor in the form of a strain gauge is mounted against the chain for this purpose. The load sensor is mounted to the static support structure 12, such as a wall thereof, by a suitable bracket. The load sensor may comprise a polymer block that is pressed into the chain when at rest such that actuation of the chain pushes against the block resulting in a measurable strain/deformation.

In other examples, the chain 37 may be omitted and teeth of opposing gear wheels could mesh directly together to transfer torque between shafts. Alternatively the manual actuator could act on the shaft 20 directly, without the need for an intermediate/transmission shaft 22. In such examples, amongst others, the strain gauge 40 could be replaced with another kind of load sensor, such as a torque sensor on shaft 20, or conventional load sensor.

In use, the resistance to rotation can be set manually by turning the adjustment member 32 to a desired setting in order to alter the amount of overlap between the conductive material on the member 24 and the array of magnets 26 on the wheel annulus 14. Torque applied to the input shaft 28 is thus resisted by the interaction between the magnetic field produced by the magnets on the rotating annulus 14 and the conductive material on the member 24. The braking force of the magnets arrests motion of the wheel 14 very rapidly when the applied manual input force is removed such that freewheeling of the wheel is prevented. This has been found not only to provide a controlled resistive force suitable for weight training in place of conventional weight stacks, but also to provide a system in which the applied force can be accurately/conveniently measured in order to provide feedback to the user.

Figures 4 to 6 show examples of the mechanism 10 for resistance training being used in different types of strength training apparatus.

In the example of Fig. 4, a manual actuator 42 in the form of an arm is provided for pivoting rotational input. In this example, the manual actuator has a grip for actuation by hand but could also be adapted for leg extensions or other exercise as necessary.

The manual actuator 42 is pivotably actuable relative to an axle 44. In this example, a sprocket 46 is mounted on the axle 44 for rotation therewith. The sprocket is connected to the input shaft sprocket 38 by a chain 48. The chain 48 provides a closed loop around both sprockets 38 and 46 so as to provide a bi-directional link between the manual actuator 42 and resistance mechanism 10.

When a user actuates the actuator 42 in the direction of arrow A, it drives rotation of the sprocket 46 and hence sprocket 38 via chain 48 to thereby turn shafts 22 and 20 of the resistance mechanism 10. In this example, return actuation of the actuator 42 causes an equal return resistance and so provides for strength training in both forward and reverse directions.

In the example of Fig. 5, the manual actuator 42 is directly mounted to input shaft 22 instead of a separate axle 44 and thereby avoids the need for chain 48, allowing an input rotation of the actuator 42 to turn the input shaft and sprocket 36 in unison.

In the examples of Figs 4 and 5, the actuator 42 is located relative to a seat 50 to allow the relevant strength training to be performed in a conventional seated position. Other examples may allow for standing, lying or seated exercises as necessary to recreate the exercises performed using conventional weight training or resistance weights machines.

In either of the examples of Figs. 4 or 5, the equipment could be modified to perform strength training in one direction only by providing a suitable clutch mechanism in the force path between the manual actuator and input shaft. The actuator could thus be effectively disengaged from a driving relationship with the mechanism 10 when actuated in a return direction. The actuator could thus be returned to a starting position in readiness for repetition of a unidirectional actuation without driving rotation of the wheel 14, and under minimal resistance. A one way clutch in the form of a locking pawl acting on a suitably toothed wheel could provide one form of such a clutch mechanism.

Turning now to Fig. 6, there is shown an alternative form of manual actuator to accommodate a linear manual input force. In this example, a handle 52 is connected to a chain 54 which passes around sprocket 38 such that manually applied tension in the chain 54 causes it to drive the mechanism 10. Depending on the direction of manual actuation, the apparatus may include a further sprocket 56 so that the chain 54 and handle 52 is correctly positioned for actuation.

In this example, the chain is not provided in a loop but is attached at one end to a fixed anchor point 58 via a resilient, e.g. elastic, member 60. When manual actuation of the handle 52 provides sufficient tension in the chain to drive the resistance mechanism 10, the resilient member 60 extends to accommodate the movement of the chain. When the actuation force is released, the applied tension in the resilient member 60 causes the chain and handle 52 to retract to the starting position for a further iteration. In such examples, the resistance mechanism typically provides the majority of the braking force, with the resilient member 60 providing a minor additional resistance so as to return the handle after each iteration.

The example of Fig. 6 and/or the mechanism 10 described above may be extended to cater for a bidirectional drive system as per the example of Fig. 7 in which a first pulley/chain system 62 acts on a first sprocket 64 on the input shaft 22 and a second pulley/chain system 66 acts on a second sprocket 68 on the input shaft 22, spaced from the first. The use of two sprockets on the input shaft allows two unidirectional pulley/chain systems to act in opposition to provide a bidirectional mechanism. Thus a first pulley/chain system drives rotation of the mechanism in a first direction and the second pulley/chain system drives reverse rotation of the mechanism in an opposing direction. Each sprocket may be connected to the shaft 22 via a one-way clutch.

The chain/pulley systems 62 and 66 are connected to the same manual actuator so as to accommodate opposing actuation motions thereof.

Alternatively the mechanism of Fig. 7 can be adapted for use with two manual actuators by attaching the first pulley system 26 to one manual actuator and the second pulley system 68 to the other actuator. Thus a first actuator can drive the mechanism in a first direction, whereas the second actuator can drive the mechanism in the opposing direction. In the example of two manual actuators, the two actuators could drive a common shaft of the same resistance mechanism. Alternatively, each actuator could drive a different shaft of a common resistance mechanism or else different/separate resistance mechanisms. In such examples, a separate strain gauge (or other load sensor) could be provided for each actuator so as to determine the individual contribution of each actuator to the total applied force by the user.

In any of the examples discussed above in relation to Fig. 7, the same or a different gearing between the manual actuator and input shaft could be provided for each pulley/chain system 62 and 66. Thus the resistance to motion of the manual actuator is opposing directions could be the same or different as required by the resistance training machine in question.

The above described variety of manual input mechanisms are provided as examples only to show how the core magnetic braking principle can be applied to a wide variety of different conventional types of weight training machine. Those examples are non-limiting and intended to show how the skilled person can adapt the conventional rotational or linear manual input into the required rotational input for mechanism 10 to provide resistance for strength training.

Turning now to Fig. 8 there is shown a schematic layout of the sensor system 100 for apparatus according to the various examples of the invention described herein.

The sensor system comprises a load sensor 102, such as the strain gauge 40 sensor or one or more other suitable sensor for indicating the force exerted by the user via the manual actuator.

The system comprises either or both of a displacement sensor 104 and a timer 106 in addition to the load sensor. The displacement sensor in this example monitors the angular rotation of at least one of the rotors described herein as being part of the resistance training apparatus, such as the wheel 24, either shaft 20, 22 or any of the sprockets. Alternatively, the displacement sensor may monitor the angular displacement of the manual actuator at its axis of rotation.

In the event that a timer is used, it measures the duration of each stroke of the manual actuator. This may be measured by the initiation and cessation, or change in direction, of angular rotation of any of the rotors described above.

The sensor readings are transmitted to a processor 108, which may comprise a programmable chip, having one or more algorithm or module of machine readable code for determining one or more output for the user. The load sensor reading may be used to infer the force applied by the user, e.g. in newtons. The displacement sensor may be used to infer the distance of travel of the manual actuator or the wheel/chain in metres. Whether or not those readings are converted to corresponding readings for the manual actuator, the availability of force and displacement readings, e.g. for the wheel 24 in the mechanism 10, allows determination of the work done in joules by calculating force multiplied by displacement. Similarly the processor can determine the associated power input by the user in watts as a measure of work/energy over time and/or the impulse applied by the user.

As well as determining total values of such variables for each successive stroke or a number of successive strokes, the processor can output successive values of those variables during each stroke over time and/or distance. Thus the processor can output a transient trace/plot for each stroke so as to indicate how the user is applying force to the actuator.

Any or any combination of the above outputs can be transmitted as a corresponding data signal to a user output device 110, such as a visual display screen and/or speaker. The output device may be provided as part of the machine and may comprise a wired or wireless connection to the transmitter circuit associated with the processor. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may communicate with a separate electronic output device, such as a smartphone, tablet or other suitable device of the user. This may be achieved for example by low power wireless communication, such as Bluetooth (RTM) or similar.

The electronic requirements of the sensor system are sufficiently low to allow operation of the system for extended periods of time from a single charge of a conventional rechargeable cell, such as the type of cell found in mobile telephones and smartphones.

The magnetic braking systems and/or corresponding sensor systems described herein are beneficial in allowing calibration of resistance weight training machines so as to provide uniformity of resistance and/or reporting to users across different resistance weight training machines.

The adjustment of the position of the magnets relative to the conductive material and the resistance to relative motion provided thereby may also be standardised across different machines. Whilst a manual adjustment mechanism is described herein in which a setting is selected in advance before each actuation or set of actuations of the apparatus, it is also possible for the one or more controller to control adjustment of the mechanism, either in response to a user adjustment input or automatically over a training set or programme according to predetermined or dynamic/responsive adjustment criteria. An electrically powered adjustment mechanism may be provided for this purpose instead of, or in addition to, the manual adjustment mechanism described above.

The ability to provide an accurate measure of applied power is particularly advantageous since the rapid actuation of the manual actuator requires a significantly different power input from a more gradual operation. Thus the ability to measure power output as well as work done by a user allows different attributes of resistance training to be assessed.

The use of electronic resistance control allows permits alternative modes of operation or user settings. A first mode may allow for a substantially constant resistance to be set by a user. A second mode of operation may allow dynamic adjustment of resistance. For example a user could set a desired power output in watts per stroke as a training parameter and the electronic control could adjust resistance in response to the user input so as to ensure the same parameter value is achieved per stroke. User inputs may be achieved by a suitable user interface.

Whilst the invention is described herein as a resistance training machine, it is noted for completeness, that the adjustment mechanism described herein may allow sufficient reduction in resistance such that the machine can be used for other general exercise purposes. This may allow a comprehensive range of use that can bridge the conventional differences between cardiovascular/aerobic exercise machines and strength training machines. Thus, whilst having at least one strength-training mode of operation, the invention may allow optional additional lower resistance modes of operation according to various different examples of its implementation.

The apparatus/machines according to aspects of the invention may be characterised in that they use magnets to achieve a maximum resistance equivalent to a weight stack in excess of 70kg, 80kg or 100kg and typically anywhere in the region of 100kg to 150 or 200kg. The resistance may be adjusted by the various means described herein to achieve a variable resistance between substantially zero or 1kg and the maximum resistance.

Claims

Claims: 1. Resistance training apparatus comprising a manual actuator operably connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in use, the wheel being mounted adjacent a static structure, wherein one of the wheel and static structure comprises a permanent magnet and the other comprises a conductive material mounted opposite the magnet such that resistance to movement of the actuator is provided by relative movement between the wheel and static structure, the apparatus further comprising an adjustment mechanism for selectively altering the resistance to motion of the manual actuator caused by the magnets.
2. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of magnets angularly spaced about the wheel axis.
3. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the relative positioning of the one or more magnet and the opposing conductive material.
4. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism selectively moves the wheel in a direction of its axis of rotation toward and/or away from the static structure.
5. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the wheel and static structure are mounted such that a predetermined gap is achieved between the one or more magnet and the opposing conductive material and adjustment mechanism alters the amount of overlap between the conductive material and the one or more magnet.
6. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive material and one or more magnets are arranged such that relative movement therebetween causes electromagnetic induction within the conductive material, thereby braking said relative motion.
7. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the resistance to wheel motion caused by the electromagnetic induction in the conductive material generates energy loss due to electrical resistance which is dissipated as 5 heat.
8. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive material comprises a substantially non-magnetic metal, such as copper or aluminium.
9. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the manual actuator is bi-directionally connected to the wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in first and second opposing directions.
10. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the wheel is substantially inhibited from freewheeling by the mounting of the conductive material relative to the one or more magnet so as to arrest wheel motion within less than 100 of revolution of the wheel, upon removal of a manual actuation force on the actuator.
11. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conductive material is arranged in a annulus about the axis of rotation of the wheel.
12. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the wheel is mounted on a shaft comprising a sprocket and a chain is mounted in a force transfer relationship with the sprocket.
13. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a load sensor is mounted so as to measure the tension applied to the chain.
14. Resistance training apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a sensor for sensing a force applied via the manual actuator in turning the wheel and a processor for receiving said sensor reading and outputting a signal for communication to the user indicative of the applied force or a measure of work, energy or power derived therefrom for each stroke of the manual actuator.
15. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 14, comprising a displacement sensor and/or timer, wherein the processor is arranged to output a transient plot of applied force or a measure of work, energy or power derived therefrom over the course of one or more stroke of the manual actuator.
16. Resistance training apparatus comprising a manual actuator bi-directionally connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in first and second opposing directions in use, a brake arranged to arrest motion of the wheel and a sensor system for determining both the distance of movement of the manual actuator and the force applied in rotating the wheel against the arresting force of the brake, wherein, the sensor system comprises one or more processor arranged to output an indication of the force applied by operation of the manual actuator.
17. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sensor system comprises one or more sensor for measuring rotation of the wheel.
18. Resistance training apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the brake comprises one or more magnet provided on the wheel or a static structure adjacent the wheel and a conductive material on the other of the wheel and static structure.
19. Weight training apparatus comprising a manual actuator connected to a wheel so as to drive rotation of the wheel in use, a brake comprising magnets positioned around an axis of rotation of the wheel to arrest motion of the wheel substantially immediately once a force applied via the manual actuator is removed and a sensor system arranged to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the actuator against a resistance to actuation of the wheel provided by the brake, wherein the sensor system outputs a signal comprising information associated with the measured parameter for communication to the user.
20. Weight training apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one parameter comprises any or any combination of: distance of movement; applied force; speed/velocity; power; number of repetitions; actuation time and/or work done.
21. Weight training apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the sensor system outputs a real time output for the measured parameter to the user.