Exercise machine with movable belt or chain

Abstract

A pilates reformer machine comprising a frame having at least one longitudinal rail 102 extending between a first support member and a second support member 106, a carriage 108 supporting a platform moveable along the at least one rail and at least one movable belt or chain 105 attached to the carriage, movement of the at least one belt or chain being controlled by a motor 109 to apply resistance to movement of the carriage along the at least one longitudinal rail.

1 . An exercise machine comprising a frame having at least one longitudinal rail extending between a first support member and a second support member, a carriage supporting a platform moveable along the at least one rail and at least one movable belt or chain attached to the carriage, movement of the at least one belt or chain being controlled by a motor to apply resistance to movement of the carriage along the at least one longitudinal rail. 
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one movable belt or chain is a continuous loop, with each end of the loop mounted on a pulley. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is attached to the belt by a connector extending through a slot in the longitudinal rail or in a gap provided between two rails. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein voltage supplied to the motor controls the resistance to movement of the carriage along the at least one rail and at least one sensor is provided to monitor the resistance applied. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one moveable belt or chain comprises a drive belt or chain connected to a return belt or chain, the return belt or chain being anchored to the machine. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from at least one of a position sensor, encoder on the motor and a load cell. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is provided with a torque arm to measure the torque applied, and wherein a spring of a controlled stiffness is attached to the torque arm allowing displacement to be measured. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the belt and motor arrangement are mounted on a support having means for force measurement. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is provided with additional drive ratio. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one moveable belt or chain comprises a drive belt and the drive belt is geared, further comprising a gearbox or a toothed belt mounted on a pulley of the drive belt, the toothed belt being controlled by the motor. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a worm and wheel arrangement provided between the motor and the drive belt to resist reversal of the belt. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cord extending between the carriage to an end of the machine via a pulley mechanism for enabling a user to move the carriage by pulling on the at least one cord. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 16  wherein one end of the cord is wound around a bobbin provided in a recoil unit that is attached to the carriage and the other end of the cord terminates in a handle or cuff, the cord passing around a first pulley provided at an end of the machine. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein resistance to movement of the at least one cord is provided by movement of at least one belt or chain being controlled by a motor. 
     
     
         19 . An machine comprising a frame having at least one longitudinal rail extending between a first support member and a second support member, a carriage supporting a platform moveable along the at least one rail, at least one movable belt or chain attached to the carriage, movement of the at least one belt or chain being controlled by a motor to apply resistance to movement of the carriage along the at least one longitudinal rail, a cross bar pivotally connected to an end of the frame by at least one pivot arm and at least one cord extendable from the carriage or platform of the frame around a part of the cross bar via at least one pulley, wherein the at least one cord is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position movement of the cord affects movement of the carriage and in the second position movement of the cross bar affects movement of the carriage. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein a pair of cords is provided, each cord extending between the carriage or platform and one end of the crossbar, wherein each end of the cross bar is provided with a pulley around which the cord always passes. 
     
     
         21 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the cross bar is selected from a T-shaped member that is pivotally attached to the frame and a member attached to two arms that are each pivotally attached to the frame. 
     
     
         22 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein in the first position the cord extends around a first set of pulleys mounted on the frame and a pulley on the cross bar back towards the carriage such that applying tension on the cord by a user pulling the cord moves the carriage and in the second position, the cord or cuff may be hooked onto the carriage such that moving the crossbar in turn moves the carriage. 
     
     
         23 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein positional sensing of the carriage along the platform, measurement of torque and the resistance on the belt or chain, together with speed of travel enables an interface to be provided detailing performance, including at least one of work rate and energy consumption. 
     
     
         24 . The exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller to control and monitor the voltage and current supplied to the at least one movable belt to control the resistance applied to movement of the carriage and/or cords.