Apparatuses for retrofitting exercise equipment and methods for using same

Abstract

An exercise apparatus, comprising: a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of the apparatus; and, an actuator module operatively connected to the resistance element and operative to vary a resistance perceived by the user without changing the resistance element.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of said apparatus; and,    an actuator module operatively connected to said resistance element and operative to vary a resistance perceived by said user without changing the resistance element.    
   
   
       2 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said resistance element is a weight.  
   
   
       3 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said resistance is transferred to said user via a transfer element and wherein said actuator module acts on said transfer element to vary the perceived resistance.  
   
   
       4 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said actuator module is in series with said transfer element.  
   
   
       5 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said actuator module acts directly on said resistance element.  
   
   
       6 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a control device adapted to issue operation commands to said actuator module.  
   
   
       7 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising at least one sensor wherein said at least one sensor provides data to said control device for analysis regarding operation commands to be given to said actuator module.  
   
   
       8 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of said apparatus;    at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor is added to said apparatus after-market and wherein said at least one sensor measures parameters associated with said apparatus or said user; and,    a control device, wherein said control device added to said apparatus after-market, is in communication with said at least one sensor, and wherein parameters are received from said at least one sensor for analysis by said control device.    
   
   
       9 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising an actuator module, said actuator module added to said apparatus after-market and wherein said actuator module is connected to said resistance element and operative to vary a resistance perceived by said user without changing the resistance element.  
   
   
       10 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein at least one sensor provides parameters to said control device for analysis regarding operation commands to be given to said actuator module.  
   
   
       11 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of said apparatus;    an actuator module operatively connected to said resistance element and operative to vary a resistance perceived by said user without changing the resistance element; and,    a control device, wherein said control device is added to said apparatus after-market, is in communication with said actuator module, and wherein said control device issues commands to said actuator module to act on said resistance upon indication of an unsafe situation.    
   
   
       12 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  further comprising at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor measures parameters associated with said apparatus and said user and communicates said parameters to said control device for analysis pertaining to an unsafe situation.  
   
   
       13 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor measures parameters associated with said apparatus;    an enhanced environment control device, wherein said device relates said parameters to a program contained on said device and produces an output integrating said parameters and said program; and,    a display, wherein said display is in communication with said device and displays said output to a user of said apparatus.    
   
   
       14 . An exercise apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising an intermediate device positioned between said enhanced environment control device and said display, but which still provides communication between said enhanced environment control device and said display.  
   
   
       15 . A method of after-market retrofitting an exercise apparatus, comprising at least a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of said apparatus, comprising: 
 adding at least one sensor, wherein said at least one sensor is added to said apparatus and wherein said at least one sensor measures parameters associated with said apparatus or said user; and,    adding a control device, wherein said control device added to said apparatus, is in communication with said at least one sensor, and wherein parameters are received from said at least one sensor for analysis by said control device.    
   
   
       16 . A method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said retrofitting further comprises adding an actuator module.  
   
   
       17 . A method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said retrofitting further comprises adding an environment enhancer control device.  
   
   
       18 . A method of after-market retrofitting an exercise apparatus, comprising at least a resistance element, operative to supply a resistance to movement by a user of said apparatus, comprising: 
 adding an actuator module operatively connected to said resistance element and operative to vary a resistance perceived by said user without changing the resistance element; and,    adding a control device, wherein said control device is added to said apparatus after-market, is in communication with said actuator module, and wherein said control device issues commands to said actuator module to act on said resistance upon indication of an unsafe situation.    
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said retrofitting further comprises adding at least one sensor for measuring parameters associated with said apparatus.  
   
   
       20 . A method in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said retrofitting further comprises adding an environment enhancer control device.