The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 1991
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1988
William H Englehardt, Wood Dale, IL (US);
Olgerts J Svilans, Chicago, IL (US);
Augustine Nieto, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Bally Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
In an exercise machine where an electric motor is used to simulate a weight stack a more realistic feel plus stability of operation is achieved by compensating the torque output of the motor for the mechanical characteristics of the machine including inertia, friction and gravitational effects on the user interface. Also by controlling the motor so as to increase its output torque as a function of the displacement of the user interface, it is possible to produce a measure of the user's strength. A heavy negative feature which may be selected by the user is provided as well. The exercise machine additionally includes a computer control which allows a pyramid type exercise program to be implemented. The pyramid exercise program has a progressive phase in which the force opposing the user is increased from a starting level to a plateau level over a first group of repetitions; a plateau phase in which the force opposing the user is maintained constant over a second group of repetitions; and a regressive phase in which the force opposing the user is decreased from the plateau level to the starting level over a second group of repetitions. The exercise machine is capable of measuring the maximum force which can be opposed by the user. The heavy negative feature allows the force opposing the user to be gradually increased on a return stroke of an exercise repetition from the force applied on the forward stroke of the repetition.