Exercise apparatus using high drag fan

[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise machines and, more particularly, to an exercise machine which utilizes variable resistance derived from the use of a high drag fan in combination with attachment means for strength training the actual motion used in a particular sporting activity.

[0002] Exercise machines are well known in the prior art. These machines use a variety of resistance mechanisms and allow a number of different motions for strength training. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,396 entitled “Energy Absorber for Exercising Machines” which issued on Aug. 27, 1985 to Hooper discloses an exercise device utilizing an air displacement fan which is operated by pull cords while U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,091 entitled “Exercising Machine Having Flywheel With Variable Resistance” which issued on Aug. 13, 1991 to Johnson shows an exercise machine using a variable resistance flywheel which enables the user to perform golf club swings, baseball bat swings, canoeing strokes, football kicks, tennis serves, ball throwing, weight lifting, bike exercise and numerous other athletic motions with pre-selected amounts of resistance.

[0003] Other examples of exercise machines disclose numerous devices which allow a user to perform various athletic motions while using said devices including swing training (U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,224), strength training for tennis, baseball, golf or the like (U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,491), strength training (U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,552), baseball batting (U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,794), body movements in general (U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,845), swing training for baseball, golf, hockey, tennis, cricket and the like (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,156,402, 3,876,212 and U.S. Published Application US2005/0014571).

[0004] None of the prior art employs the combination of high fan drag and attachment means for strength training the actual motion used in a particular sporting activity.

[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide an exercise machine which uses high fan drag for variable resistance.

[0006] It is a further object of this invention to provide an exercise machine having attachment means for strength training the actual motion used in a particular sporting activity.

[0007] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in this specification and the claims below.

[0011] The present invention is an exercise apparatus 10 that provides variable resistance primarily from the use of a high drag fan 12. High drag fan 12 includes a plurality of fan blades 14 radially mounted on an axle 16. A pulley 18 is also mounted to axle 16. A belt 20 extends from pulley 18 to a multi-ratio pulley system 22 which comprises a number of different pulleys 24, each having a different diameter to provide variable resistance. Moving belt 20 between the different pulleys 24 changes the resistance.

[0012] In turn, pulley system 22 is axially mounted with and driven by a simple cord 26 which is wound around a cord reel 28. Pulling cord 26 turns cord reel 28, which rotates pulley system 22, belt 20, pulley 18 and finally fan 12 via axle 16. A recoiling mechanism 30 is provided which automatically rewinds cord 26 onto cord reel 28 once an exercise movement is completed.

[0013] The recited elements are mounted to the top of a frame 32 which comprises a rectangular base 34, which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises square tubing. Two vertical square tubes 36 extend upwardly from adjacent corners of base 34 and are joined at the top by a horizontal square tube 38. A brace piece 37 extends rearwardly and downwardly from an upper portion of one of said vertical square tubes 36 to engage another corner of base 34 for extra strength. Extending rearwardly from horizontal square tube 38 are a first pair of mounting brackets 40 which rotatably capture axle 16 therebetween. A second pair of mounting brackets 42 extend rearwardly and downwardly from horizontal square tube 38 rotatably capture pulley system 22, cord reel 28 and recoiling mechanism 30 therebetween.

[0014] Cord 26 extends downwardly and passes through a guide 44 to an apparatus attachment point 46. Guide 44 is mounted to vertical square tube 36, preferably the one of the vertical square tubes 36 having brace 37 mounted thereto. Guide 44 includes a sleeve 48 which slidably engages vertical square tube 36 and a horizontal mount 50 which laterally extends towards the other of the vertical square tubes 36. A U-shaped bracket 52 is positioned at the distal end of mount 50 to received cord 26 therethrough.

[0015] Sleeve 48 includes a plurality of holes 54 which align with a corresponding plurality of holes 56 provided in vertical square tube 36. A T-handle 58 is adapted to threadedly extend through sleeve 48 and vertical square tube 36 to allow height adjustment for users of varying heights as well as for differing sporting activities by simply turning T-handle 58 in either direction.

[0016] Apparatus attachment point 46 is adapted to allow a user to affix many different sporting goods thereto, including, but not limited to, a baseball 60, a baseball bat 62, a tennis racket 64, a golf club 66 and the like. In a simple embodiment, apparatus attachment point 46 is a lobster claw latch 70 which engages an eyebolt 72 mounted on a particular piece of sporting equipment.

[0017] In use, the sporting goods, for example, baseball 60, is affixed to the apparatus attachment point. The user then “pitches” baseball 60 using the actual motion for same. Fan 12 fan provides resistance to the movement. The purpose of the apparatus is to provide strength training to the actual motion used in a particular sporting activity. Thus, a pitcher would strengthen all the muscles used to pitch, the batter would strengthen the muscles used in batting, a tennis player would strengthen the muscles used for tennis, etc.

[0018] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment. it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.