Exerciser with programmable resistance

[0001] The present invention relates to an exerciser having a control unit to control the resistance required.

[0002] A conventional weight training exerciser “A” is shown in FIG. 1 and generally includes a frame 10 composed of multiple metal tubes and a weight device 12 is located at a rear end of the frame 10. A plurality of weights 12 are movably mounted on two guide rails 11 and a cable 20 is connected to the weights 12 and reeves through several pulleys 21. A handle 22 is connected to a distal end of the cable 20 such that when the user pulls the handle 22 down, the weights 12 are lifted by the cable 20 so as to exercise the user's muscles. However, the weight training exerciser “A” is a bulky exerciser and the number of weights 12 has to be carefully determined so as to protect the muscles which might be hurt if the weight to be lifted is over the muscles can afford. Therefore, the users have to try several times to determine the number of the weights 12 and this takes a lot of time.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide an exerciser which includes a control unit to set the resistance required by input commands via a panel and the control unit checks the load during operation to provide safety protection to the users.

[0004] The present invention relates to an exerciser which comprises a resistance mechanism which can be controlled by programmable commands to provide desired resistance. The resistance mechanism includes a control unit including a panel and a circuit board on which a Micro Control Unit (MCU) is connected. The circuit board is operated by pre-set programs. A driving mechanism controlled by the MCU has a motor electrically connected with the control unit and a driving device which includes a reel and a cable reeves through the reel. The reel is driven by the motor. A load detection device is connected between the cable and the control unit so as to detect the tension of the cable and to send signals to the MCU on the circuit board.

[0005] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a conventional weight training exerciser;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the resistance mechanism of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view to show the resistance mechanism of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 4 shows the operation flow chart of the resistance mechanism of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the resistance mechanism of the present invention used with a weight training exerciser;

[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the user pulls the cable down and release the cable of the weight training exerciser;

[0012] FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the resistance mechanism of the present invention, and

[0013] FIG. 8 shows that the resistance mechanism of the present invention can be used in another way.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the exerciser “B” of the present invention comprises a resistance mechanism “C” which includes a control unit 40. The exerciser “B” has a frame 30 which is composed of a plurality of metal tubes and a plurality of pulleys 34 is connected to proper positions on the frame 30 and a cable 31 reeves through the pulleys 34. A handle 33 is connected to the cable 31 so that a user can pull the cable 31 which is applied with resistance from the resistance mechanism “C”.

[0015] The control unit 40 includes a panel 41, a circuit board 42 on which a Micro Control Unit (MCU) is connected, a box 50, a driving mechanism 52 and a load detection device 60. The circuit board 42 is operated by pre-set programs which are input by the users via operation buttons on the panel 41 so as to drive the parts of the exerciser “B” and the resistance mechanism “C”. The control unit 40 can be connected to proper positions on the frame 30 of the exerciser “B”, or received in the box 50.

[0016] The driving mechanism 52 is received in the box 50 which is installed to a proper position of the exerciser “B” and includes a motor 53 electrically connected with the control unit 40, a gear box 54 which is connected to an output shaft of the motor 53, a driving device including a reel 55 and the cable 31 reeves through the reel 55 which is driven by the motor 53. The cable 31 passes through the box 50 and includes a connection member 32 so as to be connected with the handle 33.

[0017] The load detection device 60 is received in the box 50 and connected between the cable 31 and the control unit 40 so as to detect the tension of the cable 31 and sends signals to the MCU on the circuit board 42. The load detection device 60 includes a load cell 61 which has one end connected to an axle of the pulley 56 to form a point of force applying 62, the other end of the load cell 61 is fixed to the exerciser “B” to form a fixed point 63. The load cell 61 is electrically connected to the MCU on the circuit board 42 of the control unit 40.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the method for controlling the resistance of the exerciser “B” includes the following steps:

[0019] step (a) setting a load according exerciser status via the panel 41;

[0020] step (b) detecting the load detection device 60 by the MCU on the circuit board 42 and transmission parts and control parts are then driven by the programmable commands;

[0021] step (c) driving the reel 55 to rotate to release or pull the cable 31 reeving through the reel 55 so as to provide resistance;

[0022] step (d) sending signals to the MCU on the circuit board 42 according to results of detection of the cable 31 by the load detection device 60;

[0023] step (e) the MCU on the circuit board 42 comparing the programmable commands and the results of the detection of the cable 31 by the load detection device 60, then sending controlling signals to the driving mechanism 52, and

[0024] step (f) sending control signals to the driving mechanism 52 to stop or to slower operation of the driving mechanism 52 when the load detection mechanism 60 detects an unusual situation on the cable 31.

[0025] The users can set the desired resistance by inputting programmable commands via the panel 41 to control the operation of the motor 53 so that the resistance can be instantly adjusted without removing the heavy weights. The resistance mechanism “C” occupies less space so that the whole exerciser “B” can be reduced and because no weights are required, no noise is generated. When pulling the handle 33 up and down as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the resistance exercises the muscles of the user. If the cable 31 unusually moves such as loose its tension or has any unusual situation, the load detection mechanism 60 sends a signal to stop or slower the motor 53 to protect the users. The consumption of calories, date, time, times of heart beats, and load setting can be input and/or output by the MCU on the circuit board 42 via the panel 41.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7 which shows a second embodiment of the resistance mechanism of the present invention, wherein the load cell 61 of the load detection device 60 has one end connected to an axle of the pulley 56 to form a point of force applying 62, the other end of the load cell 61 is pivotably connected to a first end of a link 64, a second end of the link 64 is pivotably connected to the exerciser “B”, the link 64 is pivotably connected to an axle of the pulley 56.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows that the resistance mechanism “C” can be cooperated with another type of exerciser so that the user lies on a bench to lift the cable 31 upward to exercise muscles.

[0028] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.