Rotary exercise equipment apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using computer configured exercise equipment and an electric motor. A computer-controlled robotic resistance system is used for training, diagnosis and/or therapy. The resistance system comprises: a subject interface, software control, a controller, an electric servo assist/resist motor, an actuator, and/or a subject sensor. The system overcomes the limitations of the existing robotic rehabilitation, weight training, and cardiovascular training systems by providing a training and/or rehabilitation system that adapts a resistance or force applied to a user interactive element in response to the user's interaction with the training system, a physiological strength curve, and/or sensor feedback. For example, the system optionally provides for an automatic reconfiguration and/or adaptive load adjustment based upon real time measurement of a user's interaction with the system or sensor based observation by the exercise system as it is operated by the subject.

1 . An exercise apparatus for operation by a user, comprising:
 a rotatable crank; and   means for varying resistance of rotation of said rotatable crank, wherein said means for varying resistance comprises use of an electric motor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said resistance of rotation varies by at least ten percent during a single revolution of said crank. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said means for varying resistance further comprising:
 a controller, said controller configured to control the resistance of rotation provided by said electric motor.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said controller comprises use of a computer implemented function relating human physiological strength to angle of rotation of said rotatable crank. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said means for varying resistance comprising use of data output from a pressure pad, the data used by said controller to control the varying resistance generated by said electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for varying resistance of rotation further comprises use of an encoder to determine an angular position of said rotatable crank. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said means for varying resistance further comprising use of an accelerometer sensor configured to measure acceleration associated with rotation of a shaft of said electric motor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said electric motor changes level of said resistance of rotation to at least fifteen separate levels during use of a single program in an exercise period of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said electric motor configured to supply resistance to movement of at least two workout station user interfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a linear movement system, wherein said linear movement system comprises:
 a subject interface element; 
 a resistance cable comprising:
 a first cable end attached directly or indirectly to said electric motor; 
 a second cable end attached to said subject interface; and 
 
 a controller, said controller configured to control movement of said electric motor, movement of said electric motor configured to provide a force transferred by said cable to said subject interface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a user interface;   a cable linked to said user interface;   said electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to movement of said cable;   a sensor configured to provide a feedback sensor reading; and   a controller electrically connected to said motor, said controller configured to use the feedback sensor reading in control of the resistive force to movement of at least one of:
 said rotatable crank; and 
 said cable. 
   
     
     
         12 . A method for exercising a user, comprising the steps of:
 providing a rotatable crank; and   varying resistance of rotation of said rotatable crank using an electric motor.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 using a controller electrically linked to said electric motor to vary the resistance of rotation.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 controlling the resistance at least two user interface stations with said electric motor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said two user interface stations comprises:
 a handle grip; and   a cable linked to said handle grip, said electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to movement of said handle grip.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating a feedback signal with a sensor; and   using the feedback sensor reading in control of the resistive force applied to movement of at least one of:
 said rotatable crank; and 
 said cable. 
   
     
     
         17 . An exercise apparatus for operation by a user, comprising:
 a user interface comprising at least one of:
 a rotatable crank; and 
 a handgrip; 
   a cable or linkage connected to said user interface;   an electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to movement of said user interface;   a sensor configured to provide a feedback sensor reading; and   a controller electrically connected to said motor, said controller configured to use the feedback sensor reading in control of said motor generating the resistive force.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , said sensor configured to generate said feedback sensor reading in response to interaction by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , said controller configured to automatically adapt the resistive force based upon an observation of a mechanical element, said mechanical element not touched by the user. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said electric motor comprises an electric servo assist/resist motor.