Remote measuring device for an exercise machine with counterweights

Abstract

A device for measuring at least one current mechanical state parameter of a mobile counterweight on an exercise machine with counterweights, in which the counterweight comprises a plurality of weights placed one on top of another, whose number can be selected using a selection pin, which can be attached as required to one of the weights, so as to define a counterweight with a predetermined weight. The device comprises means for generating a signal that indicates the instantaneous position of the pin relative to a predetermined reference part and means for detecting the signal. The generation means and the detector means are directly opposite one another and separated by the distance which the signal covers only once so that the length of the signal path is minimized.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 ) a device for measuring at least one current mechanical state parameter of a mobile counterweight on an exercise machine with counterweights; the counterweight comprising a plurality of weights placed one on top of another, whose number can be selected using a selection pin, which can be attached as required to one of the weights, so as to define a counterweight with a predetermined weight; the device comprising means for generating a signal that indicates the instantaneous position of the pin relative to a predetermined reference part; and means for detecting the signal; and wherein the generation means and the detector means are directly opposite one another, separated by a distance which the signal covers only once so that the length of the signal path is minimized.  
     
     
         2 ) The device according to  claim 1 , comprising remote control means designed to enable the exchange of the signal between the generation means and the detector means.  
     
     
         3 ) The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the remote control means are designed to switch off the generation means after the emission of the position signal.  
     
     
         4 ) The device according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the remote control means are designed to switch on the generation means.  
     
     
         5 ) The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the remote control means are designed to switch also the detector means on and off.  
     
     
         6 ) The device according to any of the claims from  1  to  5 , wherein the generation means are integral with the selection pin.  
     
     
         7 ) The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the reference part is positioned below the selection pin, and is rigidly connected to an apparatus which is fixed relative to a machine frame.  
     
     
         8 ) The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the reference part is positioned above the selection pin, and is rigidly connected to a given apparatus which is fixed relative to a machine frame.  
     
     
         9 ) The device according to at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the generation means are designed in such a way as to emit pulsed signals activated and/or deactivated for predetermined intervals.  
     
     
         10 ) The device according to at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the generation means comprise a signal transmitter which emits the signals with predetermined characteristics, the detector means comprising a receiver designed to receive the signals from the transmitter.  
     
     
         11 ) The device according to  claim 10 , wherein each signal emitted has wavelength and frequency in the ultrasonic spectrum.  
     
     
         12 ) The device according to  claim 10 , wherein each signal emitted has wavelength and frequency in the radio wave spectrum.  
     
     
         13 ) The device according to  claim 10 , wherein each signal emitted has wavelength and frequency in the light spectrum.  
     
     
         14 ) The device according to  claim 10 , wherein each signal emitted has wavelength and frequency in the infrared spectrum.  
     
     
         15 ) The device according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the fixed apparatus is directly connected to the machine frame.  
     
     
         16 ) The device according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the fixed apparatus is independent of the exercise machine frame.  
     
     
         17 ) The device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a calibration device for compensating variations in the speed of propagation of the ultrasound waves due to external interference.  
     
     
         18 ) The device according to any of the foregoing claims, in which the exercise machine with counterweights comprises processing means interfacing with the detector means, for receiving and processing the signal so as to identify the instantaneous position of the pin, the device further comprising a system for monitoring at least one of the mechanical parameters of the pack of weights interfaced with the processing means to supply data correlated to at least one of the selection pin mechanical parameters.  
     
     
         19 ) A method for measuring at least one current mechanical state parameter of a mobile counterweight on an exercise machine with counterweights; the counterweight comprising a plurality of weights placed one on top of another, whose number can be selected using a selection pin, which can be attached as required to one of the weights, so as to define a counterweight with a predetermined weight; the method comprising a step of exchanging a signal between the generation means and the detector means; the signal indicating the instantaneous position of the pin relative to a predetermined reference part; the generation means and detector means being opposite one another and separated by a distance which the signal they exchange covers only once so as to minimize the length of the signal path.  
     
     
         20 ) The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of exchanging a signal between generation means and detector means in turn comprises the steps of: activating the signal generation means, indicating the instantaneous position of the selection pin relative to a predetermined reference part; activating the means which detect the signals emitted by the generation means, located in a fixed apparatus, remote from the generation means; and identifying the current position of the selection pin, relative to the reference part, according to the change in the distance between the selection pin and the fixed apparatus, calculated with reference to given signal propagation parameters between the generation means and the detector means.  
     
     
         21 ) The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the aforementioned steps are reiterated many times, at cyclical intervals, in a given space of time.  
     
     
         22 ) The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the cyclical intervals involve sequential repetition of the steps at least ten times per second.  
     
     
         23 ) The method according to any of the foregoing claims from  20  to  22 , wherein the instantaneous position of the selection pin is indicated by ultrasound signals.  
     
     
         24 ) The method according to any of the foregoing claims from  20  to  22 , wherein the instantaneous position of the selection pin is indicated by light signals.  
     
     
         25 ) The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the light signals are within the visible light spectrum.  
     
     
         26 ) The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the light signals are within the infrared spectrum.  
     
     
         27 ) The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising a step of calibrating the signal, compensating variations in the speed of propagation of the ultrasound waves caused by external interference.