Device for applying a load to exercise equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for applying a load to an exercise equipment ( 1 ) comprising driving means ( 2 ), control means ( 3 ) adapted to control the driving means ( 2 ), attachment means ( 4 ) adapted to attach the device to the exercise equipment ( 1 ), and connection means ( 5 ) connecting the driving means ( 2 ) to the attachment means ( 4 ), wherein the device comprises a load sensor ( 6 ), wherein the load sensor ( 6 ) is adapted to measure the load applied to the exercise equipment ( 1 ) by the driving means ( 2 ), and wherein the load sensor ( 6 ) is connected to the control means ( 3 ). The invention further relates to a system and a method.

1 . Device for applying a load to an exercise equipment ( 1 ) comprising
 driving means ( 2 ),   control means ( 3 ) adapted to control the driving means ( 2 ),   attachment means ( 4 ) adapted to attach the device to the exercise equipment ( 1 ), and   connection means ( 5 ) connecting the driving means ( 2 ) to the attachment means ( 4 ),   
       characterized in that the device comprises a load sensor ( 6 ), wherein the load sensor ( 6 ) is adapted to measure the load applied to the exercise equipment ( 1 ) by the driving means ( 2 ), and wherein the load sensor ( 6 ) is connected to the control means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises two driving means ( 2 ,  2 ′,  2 ″), two connection means ( 5 ), and optionally two attachment means ( 4 ). 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that a first driving means ( 2 ′) is provided in a first load unit ( 7 ′), and that a second driving means ( 2 ″) is provided in a second load unit ( 7 ″), wherein the first load unit ( 7 ′) and the second load unit ( 7 ″) are separate from each other. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each load unit ( 7 ′,  7 ″) has a weight of more than 40 kg, preferably of more than 100 kg, and/or that each load unit ( 7 ′,  7 ″) is provided with fastening means for fastening the drive element to a surface. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that each connection means ( 5 ) is provided with a load sensor ( 6 ). 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the first and second load units ( 7 ′,  7 ″) each comprise a data transfer unit ( 8 ), adapted to send and/or receive data to/from the data transfer unit ( 8 ) of the other load unit ( 7 ′,  7 ″). 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the first load unit ( 7 ′) and the second load unit ( 7 ″) are mechanically connected to each other by means of a fixing element. 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the fixing element is embodied in the form of a base plate, in particular adapted for a user to stand on. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the connection means ( 5 ) comprises an elastic element ( 9 ), in particular a rubber element, or a spring element. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the driving means ( 2 ) comprises a guide rail ( 10 ) and a trolley ( 11 ) movable along the guide rail, wherein the connection means ( 5 ) is guided from the driving means ( 2 ) to the attachment means via the trolley. 
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the trolley ( 11 ) comprises a trolley drive ( 12 ), wherein the trolley drive ( 12 ) is operable by the control means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the trolley ( 11 ) is freely movable along the guide rail ( 10 ). 
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the trolley ( 11 ) is fixable along the guide rail ( 10 ) by fastening means. 
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the device comprises a tilt sensor ( 13 ) adapted to determine the tilt of the attachment means ( 4 ), wherein the tilt sensor ( 13 ) is connected to the control means ( 3 ), characterized in that the control means ( 3 ) is adapted to control the position of the trolley ( 11 ) via the trolley drive ( 12 ) based on the data received from the tilt sensor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the driving means ( 2 ) is adapted to adjust the free length ( 14 ) of the connection means ( 5 ) by winding the connection means ( 5 ) over a drive shaft ( 15 ) and/or by unwinding the connection means from the drive shaft ( 15 ). 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises a length sensor ( 17 ) adapted to measure a free length ( 14 ) of the connection means ( 5 ). 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . Device according to  claim 20 , characterized in that the length sensor ( 17 ) is a resistive mechanical length sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a torque sensor, or a height sensor. 
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 20 , characterized in that the load sensor ( 6 ) and the length sensor ( 17 ) are provided in one sensor element. 
     
     
         24 . System comprising a device according to  claim 1  and an exercise equipment ( 1 ). 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . Method of operating a device, in particular a device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the method comprises
 controlling driving means by a control means,   measuring the load exerted by a driving means to an exercise equipment by a load sensor during an exercise cycle.   
     
     
         27 .- 40 . (canceled)