Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is composed of a counterweight device, a pulley assembly, a pulley sensor, an operating device, and a control device. The counterweight device includes a frame, a plurality of weight pieces mounted to the frame, and a plurality of electronic switches mounted to the frame for detecting the number of the weight pieces that are moved. The pulley assembly includes at least one pulley mounted to the frame; and a transmission member mounted to the pulley and connected with the weight pieces. The pulley sensor is mounted to the frame for sensing the status of the pulley. The operating device is connected with the transmission member for driving the pulley assembly to move the weight pieces. The control device is electrically connected with the electronic switches and the pulley sensor for calculating, displaying, and recording data of the user's exercise performance.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a counterweight device having a frame, a plurality of weight pieces mounted to the frame, and a plurality of electronic switches mounted to the frame for detecting the number of the weight pieces that are moved;   a pulley assembly having at least one pulley and a transmission member, the at least one pulley being mounted to the frame, the transmission member being mounted to the at least one pulley and connected with the weight pieces;   a pulley sensor mounted to the frame for sensing the status of the at least one pulley;   an operating device connected with the transmission member for driving the pullet assembly to move the weight pieces; and   a control device electrically connected with the electronic switches and the pulley sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic switch is a reed switch or a photoelectric switch. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic switch is the reed switch, and each of the weight pieces comprises a magnetic portion, the electronic switches corresponding to the magnetic portions respectively, the magnetic portions magnetically triggering the electronic switches. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a processor electrically connected with the electronic switches and the pulley sensor, the processor referring to the number of the moved weight pieces and the status of the at least one pulley for inferring data of performance of a user's muscle strengthening. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the data comprises at least one of load of weight, exercise frequency, exercise time, and calorie expenditure. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the control device further comprises a display panel electrically connected with the processor for displaying the data. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the control device further comprises a memory module electrically connected with the processor for recording the data. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the transmissions member is a cable wire or a belt. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pulley sensor is a Hall sensor, a pressure sensor, or a photoelectric sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A method based on the exercise apparatus defined in  claim 1  for inferring the data of performance of the user's muscle strengthening includes steps of:
 a) sensing by the pulley sensor as to whether the at least one pulley is moved or not; if the at least one pulley remains still, repeat this step; if the at least one pulley is moved, proceed to the next step; 
 b) detecting the weight pieces by the electronic switches to identify the number of the moved weight pieces; 
 c) calculating the exercise time and the calorie expenditure; 
 d) detecting by means of the pulley sensor as to whether the at least one pulley is rotated counterclockwise; if the at least one pulley is not rotated counterclockwise, repeat this step; if the at least one pulley is rotated counterclockwise, proceed to the next step; 
 e) accumulate the exercise frequency; 
 f) sensing by the pulley sensor as to whether the at least one pulley is rotated clockwise; if the at least one pulley is rotated clockwise, proceed back to the step b); if the at least one pulley is not rotated clockwise, proceed to the next step; and 
 g) sensing by the pulley sensor as to whether the at least one pulley stops rotation; if the at least one pulley does not stop rotation, proceed back to the step f); if the at least one pulley stops rotation, the processor stops counting the time.