Exercise Machine Retrofit with the Capacity to Pump Fluid

Abstract

A mechanism for modifying existing exercise machines to enable them to move fluid in addition to providing variable resistance to the operator. This may include at least one original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pull, push, or rotational motion exercise machine and the described retrofit system and method to allow for fluid pumping.

1 . A method for modifying an exercise machine to pump fluid, the exercising machine including a human interface mechanism to allow at least one human to engage with the exercise machine, the human interface mechanism connected to a drive chain, the drive chain engaging with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) drive shaft, the exercise machine including a frame, the method comprising:
 removing an OEM assembly from the frame of the exercise machine;   affixing a bracket to the frame of the exercise machine, for securing a pump to the frame of the exercise machine, the bracket including a modified drive shaft with first and second ends;   securing a drive train to a first end of the modified drive shaft and OEM drive shaft, the drive train causing rotational movement to transfer power from the OEM drive shaft to the modified drive shaft;   securing a pump to the first end of the modified drive shaft and a flywheel to the second end of the modified drive shaft, the pump including an inlet and outlet for fluid transfer through a hose;   whereby engagement with the human interface mechanism of the exercise machine drives the pump to draw fluid through the inlet and discharge fluid through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising securing a modified flywheel to the bracket and the second end of the modified drive shaft, whereby the flywheel maintains rotational velocity of the pump, even when the human interface mechanism is not engaged. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising installing a flywheel damper onto the modified flywheel to provide variable resistance to the human interface mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drive train comprises a large timing pulley, small timing pulley, and a timing belt to cooperatively transfer power from the OEM drive shaft to the large timing pulley, through the timing belt to the small timing pulley to gear up/down the rotational speed of the pump [to match the operating speed of the selected pump] 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pump includes one of a centrifugal, diaphragm, peristalsis or impeller pump. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a human engages with the human interface mechanism through one of a pull, push, and/or rotational type motion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the OEM assembly includes a flywheel assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is expelled through the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is pumped though the outlet and fed into a fluid structuring and oxygenating element and is recirculated back into the inlet of the pump. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is discharged through the outlet into a nutrient reservoir and is recirculated back into the inlet of the pump. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise machine is connected in series to at least one additional exercise machine through a Y connector affixed to the hose. 
     
     
         12 . A modified exercise machine, comprising:
 a frame;   a human interface mechanism to allow at least one human to engage with the exercise machine;   a drive chain connected to the human interface mechanism, the drive chain engaging with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) drive shaft;   a bracket affixed to the frame, for securing a pump to the frame of the exercise machine, the bracket including a modified drive shaft;   a drive train connected to a first end of the modified drive shaft and OEM drive shaft, the drive train causing rotational movement to transfer power from the OEM drive shaft to the modified drive shaft;   a pump connected to the modified drive shaft, the pump including an inlet and outlet for fluid transfer;   whereby engagement with the human interface mechanism of the exercise machine drives the pump to draw fluid through the inlet and discharge fluid through the outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a modified flywheel connected to the bracket and the second end of the modified drive shaft, whereby the flywheel maintains rotational velocity of the pump, even when the human interface mechanism is not engaged. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising flywheel damper installed onto the modified flywheel to provide variable resistance to the human engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the drive train comprises a large timing pulley, timing belt, and small timing pulley, to cooperatively transfer power from the drive shaft to the timing belt to gear up/down the rotational speed of the pump [to match the operating speed of the selected pump]. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the drive train includes a large timing pulley, small timing pulley, and timing belt to cooperatively transfer power from the drive shaft to the timing belt to gear up/down the rotational speed of the pump [to match the operating speed of the selected pump] 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pump includes one of a centrifugal, diaphragm, or impeller pump. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a human engages with the human interface mechanism through one of a pull, push, or rotational type motion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the OEM assembly includes a flywheel assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is expelled through the outlet. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is discharged through the outlet into a fluid structuring and oxygenating element and is recirculated back into the inlet of the pump. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid drawn through the inlet is discharged through the outlet into a nutrient reservoir and is recirculated back into the inlet of the pump. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the exercise machine is connected in series to at least one additional exercise machine through a Y connector affixed to the hose. 
     
     
         24 . A system for vortexing water, comprising:
 a handle, pedal or other human interface mechanism for a user, the human interface mechanism affixed to a drive train which rotates the OEM drive shaft. This shaft rotates a large timing pulley that engages with the timing belt and transfers power and rotational motion to a small timing pulley.   a drive train for transferring power from the OEM drive shaft to the timing belt works in conjunction with the small timing pulley to gear up/down the rotational speed of the modified drive shaft to match the operating speed of the selected pump;   a modified drive shaft that transfers power from small timing pulley to pump;   the pump connected to an inlet hose and outlet hose;   whereby the pump thrusts water through the outlet hose through a vortex system, and returns through the inlet hose.