CA2020183C - Energy absorbing exercising and training machine - Google Patents
Energy absorbing exercising and training machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2020183C CA2020183C CA002020183A CA2020183A CA2020183C CA 2020183 C CA2020183 C CA 2020183C CA 002020183 A CA002020183 A CA 002020183A CA 2020183 A CA2020183 A CA 2020183A CA 2020183 C CA2020183 C CA 2020183C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- exercising
- shaft
- flywheel
- harness assembly
- training machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B23/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
- A63B23/0205—Abdomen
- A63B23/0211—Abdomen moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/22—Resisting devices with rotary bodies
- A63B21/225—Resisting devices with rotary bodies with flywheels
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
- A63B2023/003—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
- A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
- A63B2208/0204—Standing on the feet
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Neurology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
- Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Confectionery (AREA)
- Massaging Devices (AREA)
- Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
Abstract
An energy absorbing exercising and training machine for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion. The machine comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to a frame by means of a pair of journal bearings. A harness assembly is provided for connection to the portion of the person's body to be exercised. An over-running clutch is provided for interconnecting the flywheel and the harness assembly allowing the flywheel to rigidly engage relative to the harness assembly upon acceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised. The clutch also allows the flywheel to disengage and freely rotate relative to the harness assembly upon deceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel.
Description
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F3.ACKGROUND OF 1'I-II; :fNVI::N'I'TON
Field of the Tnven-t-ion This invent:i_on relates to exercising and training machines . More pnr.'l:ir_ul.a-r.l.y, this invention relates to exercising and trai.ni.ng mar.h.i.nc.:~ i:or exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of hi.s bady through a path of motion, such as which occurs during a baseball or go:Lt swing.
Description o.f. the Backqr_ozmd h:rt Presently there: e.x:Lsts many types of exercising arid training machines designed to exercise portions of a person's body. The: most. pi:edomi.nant type of exercising and trai.n:ing machine utilizes weight resistance which, through repetition, builds the per:>on's muscles. Unfortunately, 'there exists a need for an exercise and training machine which exercises a person's ability to accelerate a portion o~
his body 'through a prat:h of motion, such as what occurs during the swinging o:~ a baseball bat or a golf' club. There also exists a need for an exerc:Lsing and training machine which isolates indivi.dua7. muscle groups and measures acceleration of a portion o:L a person' s body. :Indeed, many proLessi.onal athletes such as golfers and baseball players refrain from resistance weight training during season in fear of adversely r :J :9' affecting their flexibility and abil.i_ty to swing their. golf club or baseball bat in a coni:rollod manner.
Therefore, .it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement whs.ch is a s.i.gn.if.i.cant contribution to the advancement of the cxerc.i_sl.IlC~ nrt.
Another object of 'this invention is 'to provide an BXerCising and t2:~llnlllg nlaC~l7_Il-C Wh7.Ch exercises and trains a person's ability to accel.c:rate a porl:ion of hi_s body through a path of mol:ion.
Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training mach.i.ne which is to be utilized by golfer's in exercising 'their golf swing.
Another object of i:h:i.s a.nvention .i.s to provide an exercising and training machine to be used by gol:~er's in exercising their backswing.
Anot:hei- ab jc~r.i: of 't:hi.:> inve:nt::i.on is i:o provide an energy abso.rbi.ng exerc.i.s.i.ng mac:hi.nc: which al7.ows tlae user.
to regulate the amount o.C r:esistance in accordance with the user's physical ability and which call, therefore, be used for rehabilitation of muscles.
Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising and training machine which allows a person to time the release of energy at the instant of the most importance.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and appli.cati.ons of the untended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the i.nventi.on within t:he scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, other objects and a ful.l.er understanding of the invention may be had by referring 'to the summary of the invent:i.on and the detailed des cri.pti.on of the preferred embodiment in addition to 'the scope of 'the invention defined by the claims 'taken in conjunction wit h the accompanying drawings.
F3.ACKGROUND OF 1'I-II; :fNVI::N'I'TON
Field of the Tnven-t-ion This invent:i_on relates to exercising and training machines . More pnr.'l:ir_ul.a-r.l.y, this invention relates to exercising and trai.ni.ng mar.h.i.nc.:~ i:or exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of hi.s bady through a path of motion, such as which occurs during a baseball or go:Lt swing.
Description o.f. the Backqr_ozmd h:rt Presently there: e.x:Lsts many types of exercising arid training machines designed to exercise portions of a person's body. The: most. pi:edomi.nant type of exercising and trai.n:ing machine utilizes weight resistance which, through repetition, builds the per:>on's muscles. Unfortunately, 'there exists a need for an exercise and training machine which exercises a person's ability to accelerate a portion o~
his body 'through a prat:h of motion, such as what occurs during the swinging o:~ a baseball bat or a golf' club. There also exists a need for an exerc:Lsing and training machine which isolates indivi.dua7. muscle groups and measures acceleration of a portion o:L a person' s body. :Indeed, many proLessi.onal athletes such as golfers and baseball players refrain from resistance weight training during season in fear of adversely r :J :9' affecting their flexibility and abil.i_ty to swing their. golf club or baseball bat in a coni:rollod manner.
Therefore, .it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement whs.ch is a s.i.gn.if.i.cant contribution to the advancement of the cxerc.i_sl.IlC~ nrt.
Another object of 'this invention is 'to provide an BXerCising and t2:~llnlllg nlaC~l7_Il-C Wh7.Ch exercises and trains a person's ability to accel.c:rate a porl:ion of hi_s body through a path of mol:ion.
Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training mach.i.ne which is to be utilized by golfer's in exercising 'their golf swing.
Another object of i:h:i.s a.nvention .i.s to provide an exercising and training machine to be used by gol:~er's in exercising their backswing.
Anot:hei- ab jc~r.i: of 't:hi.:> inve:nt::i.on is i:o provide an energy abso.rbi.ng exerc.i.s.i.ng mac:hi.nc: which al7.ows tlae user.
to regulate the amount o.C r:esistance in accordance with the user's physical ability and which call, therefore, be used for rehabilitation of muscles.
Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising and training machine which allows a person to time the release of energy at the instant of the most importance.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and appli.cati.ons of the untended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the i.nventi.on within t:he scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, other objects and a ful.l.er understanding of the invention may be had by referring 'to the summary of the invent:i.on and the detailed des cri.pti.on of the preferred embodiment in addition to 'the scope of 'the invention defined by the claims 'taken in conjunction wit h the accompanying drawings.
~d~~~»
SUMMARY OI' 'PI-IE INVENTION
The invent:10r1 is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment: shown in the attached drawings .
For the purpose of surnmar:izing 'the invention, the invention comprises an energy absorbing exercising and training machine for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a pori:ion of hi.s body through a path o.f motion. '.The machine comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to a frame by means of a pair of journal bearings. A harness assembly i.s provided for connection to the: port:i.on o:f the person's body to be exercised. Means are provided for interconnecting the flywheel and the harness assembly allowing 'the flywheel to rigidly engage relative to the harness assembly upon acceleration of the harness assembly relative U:o the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised. '.t'he int:e.rconnc:cting means also allows 'the flywheel t:o di.sc:ngage: and frtel.y :not:aU:e re7..at:ive to the harness assembly upon deceleration of 'the harness assembly relative 1:0 'the f lywhcel. .
~rhe body portion being exercised may thereFore be forcibly accelerated in the first: direction along the path of motion against the inertia of 'the flywheel. Upon deceleration of the body portion, the flywheel disengages relative to the harness assembly thereby precluding the inertia of 'the flywheel from exerting a force on 'the body portion along 'the path of motion. In the preferred embodiment, t:he int:erconnect:ing means comp:r..ises an over-running clutch having an inner race mounted to a shaft which is connected to the l:lywheel and journaled in t:he pa9.r of bearings and having an owter race connected relative to the harness assembly.
The exercising and training machine of the invention may be ut:iliu.ed in conditioning and training for many sports and other activities that encourage the rapid acceleration of a portion of ~l:he: pe:rson's body, such as occurs in baseball, golf, and other =swing-'type activities.
The machine is also usab:l.e in e::~tercising i.ndi.vidual muscle groups that are cu:>tomarily e:xe:rcised O.laroucJla wc..i.ght lifting exercises like bench presses, bi-ceps curls and overhead presses. The exercis:i.ng arid ~:ri.Ll.nl.rlCJ Illilchi.IlC: i.:i desc:r.ibed herein as being utilized in condi.tion:incf l:~r golf by exercising 'the twisting acceleration of the golfer's torso and legs during a golf swing, Specifically, when uti:l.ized as a 'torso and legs exercising machine for golfers, the exercising and training machine of the invention c.omprise:~ a stand which adjustably positions the flywheel., shaft, and overrunning clutch in a position above the go.l:Eer's head, wi.Uai the harness assembly ~zr .g ~~
Id ~ ._ ~i e3 connected to the lowermost: end of the shaft by means of a universal joint, preferably a cons'tan't ve7_ocity un.i.versal joint. The harness a:~sc.mb:l.y comprises an inverU:ed substantially U-shaped or V-sha~:ed rigid configuration for fitting over the shoulders and upper t:o:rso o:F the golfe:r's body. The un.i_versal joint allows the torso harness assembly to universa7.7.y pivot during 't:h(? golf swing.
Preferably, t:he frame comprises a carriaged frame that is operatively connected to t:he stand by means of slide bearings which allow the name, flywheel, shaft and torso harness assembly t:o :Lre:el.y rr-~c:i.procate s:i.deways abovr~
the golfer's head, the sideways movement being geared to the rotation of 'the torso harness. o:f n~he sluaft . l~ ur tl'rermore, the shaft: is preferably sl:i.draabl.y jo~.iz-na.l.c~ct w.i.th:i.n tlzcz pair o:f journal bearings and t:he inner race o1: the over-running cl.ut:ch to allow thc~ :;ln:r.f:t: t:o c.w.iai:l.y :rc:<:::i.lo:r:ocal.<:
vcrC:i.c:a:L:l.y.
The sideways ntovemc~nt: of tlm ca:r.°z::i.~ic~oc:l :fa_~amc:, l:lue vert:ira7.
movement of t:he shaft, and 'the p:i.voti.ncf of t:he: torso harness assembly via ta2e universal. joirnt al.:l.ows t:lre golfer to exercise and be trained in a reronun~nded golf swing which requires canting and vertical. and sideways movement of the golfer's torso during the backswing and 'through the golf swing, t~ 3 It should be appreciated that during the golf swing, the golfer's torso may accelerate to his fullest abi:Lity and the cno.rgy <.:r.eated 'L.hereby :forc:es t:he flywheel.
into accelerating rotat1.011c11 movc:rnent and such energy is abosrbed. when the: cJo7.fer's t:o:rso be:g:i.ns Lo decelerate aC
the end of the golf swing, U:l-m overrunning clutch disengages the shaft allowing the flywheel to freely rotate. 'thus, the inertia of the rotating flywhc:c>.7. does riot exert a force on the golfer's torso once 'the goli:c:r's torso begins to decelerate or si:op. Ovc~.r.-'t:wi.:> t.i.ng and pos:; i.bl.c phys:i.ca1 damage is therefore precluded.
When the exercising and U::r:ai.ni.ng machine of the invention is adapted to be utilized a::> m golf exercising and training machine, it may addid::i.onall.y :i.nclude means for providing resistance to the: gol.:f:c::r.'s torso during the backswing and partial extension of t:he toi:so at the end of the backswing immedi.atc:ly p.ra.or t:o lm,c~:i.rtn:i.ng the: golf sw.i.ng.
More particularly, such ye:an:; rnay c~ompr_ise a cammed clutch :For interconnect.irzg i;hc:: I::Lywhc~c:l. ~rnd l:lxc: ::h~zf l:. 'fhe cammed clutch allows i:he :f:lywhee:l. O:o ric.~i.dl.y engage i:he shaft an~.y during a predefined arc; of roi:aU-.i.on which corresponds to the arcua'te path of motion of 'l:lne backswing. Thus, during tlae predefined arc of rotation, t:he :Flywheel is rigidly connected relative to the harness and pz~ovi.dcs ineri::i.a7. resistance to _ ~ _ ~~~~r the golfer' s torso during the backswi.ng . Toward the end of the backswing, the .iner_tia of the flywheel forces slight extension of t=he go7.fer's torso .i.mmediaLeiy prior to the golfer exerting energy by i:w:i.st:ing h.i.s i:orso i.n the opposite direction corresponding to a do:l.f sw:i.ng t;hcr_eby overcoming the inertia of the i:lywleel and .revers.ing its direction.
Alternatively, the rammed clutch may Y>e adjusted to disengage the flywheel from the shaft at a predefined end of the backswing to preclude overextension of 'the golfer's 'torso and possible physical, damage.
Final7.y, a transducer may be operai:ively connected to 'the frame to sense 'the: rotational. sped of 'the flywheel over time, which :i.nformztion i.s then fed into a displayed device to inform the golfer of his progressive ability to accelerate the flywheel. .hdditional. transducers may also be' operatively connected U:o i:he Frame to sense the vertical movement of the shaFt, the sideways shi.f~ing oL the frc'ime aIld the dngular pC)S;l.'l:iOn o:~ thF: l:C)rS0 ild7:IlE:'.uS aSSGmbly relative to 'l:he' Shaf t:. A:L1. o!: such :in:(:o:unaati.on may 'then supplied 'to a computer and ana:l.yred to dc:terrni.ne the qual:Lty of the golf swing.
The foregoing has out:l.i.ned rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of 'the present invention in order that the detailed desc:ri.ption o:f the invention that follows may be bett~:r understood so that the present comt.r_ibution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional. features of: t:he invention will be described hereinafter which I:o:rm the, subject of the claims of the invention. It should be apprc:c_i.aU:ed by 'those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be .readily ut:i.l.i-r.ed as a basis f-.or modifying or designing other structures for rar_rying out the same purposes of the present invention. It: should also be realized by those skilled in the art:1 that such equivalent constructions do not depart from t:he shi.ri.t and scope: of the invention as Se't Forth iri 'the appended c:lalms .
_ 9 ~~ J
BRIET' DLSCRII".iION OT 7'IiI; DRAWINGS
P'or a fuller_ understanding of -the nature and objects of the i.nventi.on, reference shoo=Ld be had to the following deta.il.ed d~sc:ripl:ion t:aken i.n connection with the accompanying draw.i.ncJs :in whi.cln:
rig. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and training machine of t:l~o invonf:ion illustrating the carriaged frame reciprocatahly mounted t:o a vertically adjustable stand and i:Llust:raO:ing t:he flywlueol rotatably journalled to the ca.rriaged l:z-ame by lilc:allS Of a shaft with a torso harness assembly depending t:herebelow for exercising the torso and logs of a golfer;
rig. 2 is a rc:arwa:rd perspective view of the torso harness assembly il.l.ustraU:i.nd the .inverted substantially ~,~-shaped confi.gwration thereof and the universal jOi.nt Which intCI:COnIIeC.:'l:S l:h(: l:Ox'SO harneSS
assembly with the l.owe:rmost and of tlm shaft;
rig. 3 is a 'top va.ew of the exercising and 'training machine of the .i.nvewtian;
I'ig. ~1 is a cros~~-sect:i.onax. view of rig. 3 along lines 4-4 illus'tra'ting the over-runn.~.ng clutch which interconnects the flywheel to the shaft for rigid engagement therewith in a first diroc:ti.on corresponding to U:he golf swing and which illustrates the carnmed clutch which rigidly interconnects the flywheel to the shaft during the backswing;
and l~.ig. 5 is am ori7.a.i:r°c~ced crass-secl:.iona7. view of the over-running clutch, caromed clue=ch and upper and lower journal bearings.
Similar refe7-ence characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
~d L i~d .i. ll DETAILED DESCRIPTION OI' '.L'IIE I?I21:1~ L;RRED EMi30DIMEN'f Referring to I'ig. l, 'the exercising and training machine 7.0 o:E the .invent.i_on comprises a carriaged frame 12 reciprocatably mounted wiU:h.in a vertically adjustable stand, generally indicat:od by numeral 1.4. A
flywheel 16 is rotatably mount=ed vo tlne carriaged frame 12 by means of a shaft 18. A torso haz°ness assembly 20 is pivotably connected to the lowermost end of the shaft 18 by means of a universal joint 22. 'The torso harness assembly 20 is configured to fit oven a golfer's shoulders and onto his torso as shown in the phami:orn in ): ig . 1 . As described below in greater detail, the exercising and training machine 10 exercises and trains 'the golfer's ability to accelerate his torso through a twisting p4uth of motion in a first direct10I1 corresponding to a proper do7.f swinc,~. ns al.so described below in greater detai:L, 'the exercising and trai.ni.ng machine of the :i.nvention also a7.:lows the. gul.:L:e:r. t.o :f:oz:cib:l..y move his torso in a second cli.rection oppos:i.te to that of the first direction corresponding to a baclcsU:roke and further a7.lows extension of the golfe.r.'s t.or-so at 'the e:nct of 'the golf swing.
As sluown in I~'ig. 2, the torso harness assembly comprises a hori.zonta:L member 24 having a substantially horizontal bracket 26 welded thereto and inverted, substantially V-shaped arms 28 exi:ending downwardly from ~a;~:' opposing ends thereof. '.Phe universal joint 22 is rigidly secured to the bracket 26 by means of U:hreaded fasteners or the like. Inwardly extending pad members 30 are rigidly connected to the arms 2B.
s shown .i.n a~'ig . 1. , U:he :i.nver. t,e:d V-shaped arms 2.8 straddle the golfer's head and :>:l.icic~ over U:he golfer's shoulders onto l.is torso; t:he lio:r_.i'1.o11t:a.l. member 24 being positioned suffic:i.ently above 'the golfer's head so as to not interfere therew.i.l:h. As 'thus configured, the golfer's torso i.s firmly seated within the i:orso harness assembly 2.0 and any rotational or other movement of the t:o:rso is transferred to the shaft 18 via uni.vCrse~.l_ join U: 27.. h:r.e:f:ci-ahly, un.i.versal joint 22 comprises a consi:ant velocity universal joint.
Referring to F9.c3s. 3 an<:1 4, sU:and 14 comprises a genera:Lly rectangular :f:ramework having :f.ronC, rear and left and right side members 323.x, 32R, 32hS and 32RS, respectively, rigidly connecU:ed t.-.oge:l:he~.r. to cle:f.i..nr n gene.;cal7.y rectangular.
configtzi~a~tion hav:Lng an opr-~ned r.oI1'i:e:r' 320. ~ bracket 34 extends from the front: 3?.1~' and r<aal: 32R f.r_ame members :f;or rigid connecU:ion 'Lo .r.ospec l:i.vo cyl.:i.rtd.rvical support guides or collars 36. Each support: guide 3G i.s s7.i.deably fitted over an upstanding cylindrical. support 'tube or p:i.pe 38. The tubes 38 are rigidly secured in -their upright position to a ground platform 40 (see rig. 1).
-. ~.~ fd ~ -. ~.i u'..) 'fhe rectangu~.ar f-raznework 32 is vertically adjustable along the length of the tube s 38 . Specifically, vertical adjustment is provided by means of rotatable lifting rings 42 positioned about t:he respective tubes 38, each of which include a plura7.:ii:y of oi'(-axis ro7.7.er bearing 44 which causes ~t:he lifti.ncJ r:i.ng 42 to ascend i:hca tube 3E3 when ro'ta'ted in one direction and descend t:lae tub<: 38 when rotated in the other direction. Thus, the: height of the rectancJu7.ar framework 32 may be easily adjusted by rotation of the lifting ring 42 on each tube 38.
The carri.aged frame 12 comprises a generally rectangular framework 46 oriented vert.ica7.7.y and having top and bottom frame members 46'f and 4613 and front and roa-r frame members 461 and 46R rigidly connected t:og~ther at tlm_i_r respective corners to defa.ne: a subsU:arztia7.7.y recCancJular configuration. The rectangu:Lar frameworlc 46 of the carriaged frame is dimensioned to :fiU: within the opening 320 def.i.ned by the rectangular framework a2 of the stand 14.
~.('he .recl-.angular framework 46 of the carriaged frame 12 is supported by tlzE rectangular framework 32 of 'the stand 14 by means of a pail: o:E .rails 4(3 which are rigidly secured to left and side frame members 32LS and 32RS of the framework 32 of the stand 42 to span 'the central opening 320 thereof. Slide bearings 50 are rigid7.y connected to the underside of -the top frame member 46T o:( the rectangular framecaork 46 of the carriaged frame 12 fo:r slide able engagement with rails 4Fi, ~l~ereby al.low.ing the carri.aged frame 12 to reciprocate sideways within the opening of the rectangular framework 32. of Lhe stand :1.4.
As shown in l~.i.g 5, t:he shaft 1B is rotatably journalled to the car_riaged f.ram~ 12 by means of a pair of journal bearings 52 connected to U:he top and bottom frame members 461' and 4613 of the rcctangu:l.ar Li:amework 46.
Preferably, shaft 16 compr_.i.ses a spline shaft and the upper journal bearing 4?_ a.ncludr~s a slecwe 52.13 and a ball spline bearing 54 with keyway 51. which allows 'the shaft 18 to reciprocate vertical7.y re:l.at.ivc to 'the journal bearing 52U
and rotate. A stop 56 is connected to the ur~per end of 'the shaft 14 by means of threaded l:ast:oner 53. Spring 60 is positioned between stop 56 and the sleeve 52L~ for cush.ing.
Prefez:ab7.y, the: sideways movement of 'the carriaged frame 12. .i.s geat:ed t:o t:l~e z,ol:aU:i.on of the shaft lfl by means of a cab7.e 53 Wh:l.Ch 1.. w.rappr~~d once around 't:he sleeve 52B and i:he l:rai.l..i.n<~ ends r>5 of l:he cable 53 are rigidly connected 'to the J.e:ft and i°ight side members 32LS and 32RS of the :rectangular framework 32. 'thus, it can be ~) 4'~ / ~ c ~; ~~
appreciated that rotation of the harness assembly 20, shaft 1B and sleeve 52s causes the carriaged frame 1.2 to travel sideways along the lengt:l-~ of the cable 53. Preferably, U:he cable 53 is wrapped about the sleeve 52I3 in such a manner that the carriaged frame 12 is in its fully rightward position when the harness assembly 20 is rotated to a position corresponding to the start of 'the gol.fe:r's swing.
~.Chus, as the golfer 'takes hi.s golf swing, the ca.rriaged frame 12 is forceabl.y nu>ve:d :Lc:f Lwnrc! i n sym::hvron.i.sm to i:he x'ol:r_nt.ion of the golfer's 'torso, thereby t:rain.ing 'the golfer to exercise a proper golf swincJ.
~'he flywheel 16 comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration (see 1.~'ig. 3). ~1 plurality of upstanding pins 62 are positioned equ.i.di.stantly about an outer periphery of the flywheel 16 for receiving removable wea.ghts 64 to attain a Llywheel having a dosi.ro:d mass .
~.'he f: l.ywheel. 16 is s:igirily connected to the upper protrudincJ port9.on of the lovrer sleeve: bush_i.ng 52L13 by means o:E weldincJ 66 or the l.i.ke. '.I'he flywheel 16 i_s operatively connected to the shaft 1Q by means of an over-running clutch 6E3 having an outer raceway 6E30 rigidly connected at a lower surface to the; flywheel 16 by means of threaded fasteners 70. A bal.1 spline kwaring 72 is positioned within the inner raceway 6BT of the clutch 6t3 and i.s keyed thereto by means of keyway 74. I3a11 spline bearing 72 allows vertical movement: o:f i:he shaLU: 18 therethrough while nonrotat:ably secuz-.i.nci the: :i.nnevr .raceway 68I to the shaft 18. A shim bush.incJ 76 may be interposed between the inner raceway 68I and the spline bearing 72.
Rotation of shaf t: :18 .in one direction causes the inner. raceway 687: to wi_g.i.cl.Ly encJr~gc-: the ornt:er :rarewtoy 6f30 oL the clutch 6Q thereby :r.i.g:i.c9:Ly interconnecting the flywheel 16 'to the: shaft :LB. l7ecel.c:rmt.i.on of t:he: sha:(1: 18 re:l.at:ivo to the flywheel 16 causes the :rac:e.way 6130 and 6F3I to d:i.sengage allowing the flywheel 16 to :Creel.y ovei:-.run without exerting any torque on the shaft: 18. 'L'r~.us, with the 'torso harness assembly 20 connected to~the end o:E the sha~~t 1~3, it can be readily appreciated that the cJol:Cer's twisting of his torso during the golf swincJ wi. ~.:1_ :forci.bly accel.e:rate the :flywheel 1G and, at l:he end o:f i;l~c: do l.: .,w:i.ncJ when 't:he 'torso begins t:o dece7.erai:e, the flywheel. :l.(~ l~:uec::Ly ove:r:ri.ms to p.r.event any Force being imparted to U-.hc: torso ha:rnc.ss assembly 2.0 which would ol:herwise adver;~ely ai:f:cact tllc c~ol.L swing and possibly cause physica:L damage to the c~ol.:Ler.
The exercising and l:raining machine 10 of the invention further :i.ncludc-:s a c~ammecl c7.utch, generally indicated by numeral 78, wh:i.ch interconnects 'the flywheel 16 and the shaft 18 and allows the flywheel 16 to rigidly engage j,~ ;~ ~ .~~
the shaft 18 during a predefined arc of r_o~tation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfe.r's backswing opposite i:o the :first: di:rvecl:ion coz.respondi.ng i:o l:he golfe:r's golf swing.
More parti.cu7.ar:l.y, U:he c<.immed c:l.utch 78 comprises a first clutch plat:e 80 which .is rigidly connected to the upper sleeve bushing 52L~13 of 'the: upper journal bearing 52. The caromed clutch '78 further comprises a second clutch plate 82 positioned in al.ignmenl: with the f.i.:c:st clutch plate 80 and rigidly connected to the upper surLace of -the outer raceway 680 of the over-running clutch 68 by means o:L
threaded fastener 84 . A wearable clutch 86 .i.s pos itioned between the: clutch p:l.al:.es F30 and f32. An a:z-rual:e cam 88 is rigidly connected to t;he uppFr surface of the first clutch plate 80 and lIlCludes end ramp 88R. A corresponding cant rollea: 90 is ratatably connected t:o a bracket 92 depending from the top frame member 4G~I' of the a°ectanrJula.r framework 46 in alignment with cant 88. A lowe2: cam a:o:l.:l.er 9~1 may also be rotatably connected to bracket 92 foa: support: to 'the underside of the second clutch plate 8?..
The cam 88 is arcua~tG~.y shaped to be engaged by the cam roller 90 along 'the predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to 'the backswing of tl-ze golfer when the golfer is facing forwardly. Thus, as the gol..f-er begins hi.s backswing, Id J,. 'v cam roller 90 engages cam (3~3 t:o .(::r.:i.cl;i.ona.:l.:l.y engage U:he clutch plates 80 and (32 toge:t:hc:r. and riga.d7.y interconnecting the flywheel 16 to l:he shai:t: :1 f3 v.i.rz ~J.ecvcz 5?I3 and ba7.l spline bearing ~4. '_t'hc~ go7.:~er. must. 'Lhtu:~ exer(: enough backswing force to :rol:atc: :f ly~uhc.cl 1.6. I~t the end of the golfer's backswing, cam ro:l.ler JO wo.~7.7.:; oft .ramp 88R of corn 88 thereby disengaging Cto~ plates f30 and 82 arid allow? ng flywheel 16 to freely rotate. The relative positioning of ramp 88R of cam 88 dc-:t:e:rminc:s when 'the. ~:l.ywl~cc:l 68 is disengaged. Thus, i.t: earn Lie apprec:i.ate<1 that: a certain amount of extension of 'the go l.ter's torso c~zn be achieved by proper positioning oi: ~t.he crlnl l:nmp f38R relative to thc~
golfer's backswing.
'fhe present disc::l.o:u:ce .inc7_udes U:hat contained in the appended cl.a.i.ms, ~zs.~ wel..l. as l:hat: of U:he foregoing description. Althollgh Clt:Ls .I.ILVC:IIt:ion hrz:s b~c:l'1 described :i.n its preferred form wii:h a certain degz:ee of pa:r.ticulari.ty, it .i.s understood l:h~tt: l:lt~ lpe:sc~nl: d.iso:l.o::~u:rc: o.f: t:lrt:
prc~::(_nz:~:rc:d form has been made only by way of c~xomp.l.r-.: wzlld that rtume.rot.ts changes in the details of c:onst:a°uct:ion ~znd l:he.~ combination arid arrangement of par t:5 mny 1:>e T-e~sorl:ed 'to without departing :~7:Onl l:hf: sp;Lr.7.l: Ol: l:ll(: .I.fIV(:lll::1.011.
- 1~ -
SUMMARY OI' 'PI-IE INVENTION
The invent:10r1 is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment: shown in the attached drawings .
For the purpose of surnmar:izing 'the invention, the invention comprises an energy absorbing exercising and training machine for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a pori:ion of hi.s body through a path o.f motion. '.The machine comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to a frame by means of a pair of journal bearings. A harness assembly i.s provided for connection to the: port:i.on o:f the person's body to be exercised. Means are provided for interconnecting the flywheel and the harness assembly allowing 'the flywheel to rigidly engage relative to the harness assembly upon acceleration of the harness assembly relative U:o the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised. '.t'he int:e.rconnc:cting means also allows 'the flywheel t:o di.sc:ngage: and frtel.y :not:aU:e re7..at:ive to the harness assembly upon deceleration of 'the harness assembly relative 1:0 'the f lywhcel. .
~rhe body portion being exercised may thereFore be forcibly accelerated in the first: direction along the path of motion against the inertia of 'the flywheel. Upon deceleration of the body portion, the flywheel disengages relative to the harness assembly thereby precluding the inertia of 'the flywheel from exerting a force on 'the body portion along 'the path of motion. In the preferred embodiment, t:he int:erconnect:ing means comp:r..ises an over-running clutch having an inner race mounted to a shaft which is connected to the l:lywheel and journaled in t:he pa9.r of bearings and having an owter race connected relative to the harness assembly.
The exercising and training machine of the invention may be ut:iliu.ed in conditioning and training for many sports and other activities that encourage the rapid acceleration of a portion of ~l:he: pe:rson's body, such as occurs in baseball, golf, and other =swing-'type activities.
The machine is also usab:l.e in e::~tercising i.ndi.vidual muscle groups that are cu:>tomarily e:xe:rcised O.laroucJla wc..i.ght lifting exercises like bench presses, bi-ceps curls and overhead presses. The exercis:i.ng arid ~:ri.Ll.nl.rlCJ Illilchi.IlC: i.:i desc:r.ibed herein as being utilized in condi.tion:incf l:~r golf by exercising 'the twisting acceleration of the golfer's torso and legs during a golf swing, Specifically, when uti:l.ized as a 'torso and legs exercising machine for golfers, the exercising and training machine of the invention c.omprise:~ a stand which adjustably positions the flywheel., shaft, and overrunning clutch in a position above the go.l:Eer's head, wi.Uai the harness assembly ~zr .g ~~
Id ~ ._ ~i e3 connected to the lowermost: end of the shaft by means of a universal joint, preferably a cons'tan't ve7_ocity un.i.versal joint. The harness a:~sc.mb:l.y comprises an inverU:ed substantially U-shaped or V-sha~:ed rigid configuration for fitting over the shoulders and upper t:o:rso o:F the golfe:r's body. The un.i_versal joint allows the torso harness assembly to universa7.7.y pivot during 't:h(? golf swing.
Preferably, t:he frame comprises a carriaged frame that is operatively connected to t:he stand by means of slide bearings which allow the name, flywheel, shaft and torso harness assembly t:o :Lre:el.y rr-~c:i.procate s:i.deways abovr~
the golfer's head, the sideways movement being geared to the rotation of 'the torso harness. o:f n~he sluaft . l~ ur tl'rermore, the shaft: is preferably sl:i.draabl.y jo~.iz-na.l.c~ct w.i.th:i.n tlzcz pair o:f journal bearings and t:he inner race o1: the over-running cl.ut:ch to allow thc~ :;ln:r.f:t: t:o c.w.iai:l.y :rc:<:::i.lo:r:ocal.<:
vcrC:i.c:a:L:l.y.
The sideways ntovemc~nt: of tlm ca:r.°z::i.~ic~oc:l :fa_~amc:, l:lue vert:ira7.
movement of t:he shaft, and 'the p:i.voti.ncf of t:he: torso harness assembly via ta2e universal. joirnt al.:l.ows t:lre golfer to exercise and be trained in a reronun~nded golf swing which requires canting and vertical. and sideways movement of the golfer's torso during the backswing and 'through the golf swing, t~ 3 It should be appreciated that during the golf swing, the golfer's torso may accelerate to his fullest abi:Lity and the cno.rgy <.:r.eated 'L.hereby :forc:es t:he flywheel.
into accelerating rotat1.011c11 movc:rnent and such energy is abosrbed. when the: cJo7.fer's t:o:rso be:g:i.ns Lo decelerate aC
the end of the golf swing, U:l-m overrunning clutch disengages the shaft allowing the flywheel to freely rotate. 'thus, the inertia of the rotating flywhc:c>.7. does riot exert a force on the golfer's torso once 'the goli:c:r's torso begins to decelerate or si:op. Ovc~.r.-'t:wi.:> t.i.ng and pos:; i.bl.c phys:i.ca1 damage is therefore precluded.
When the exercising and U::r:ai.ni.ng machine of the invention is adapted to be utilized a::> m golf exercising and training machine, it may addid::i.onall.y :i.nclude means for providing resistance to the: gol.:f:c::r.'s torso during the backswing and partial extension of t:he toi:so at the end of the backswing immedi.atc:ly p.ra.or t:o lm,c~:i.rtn:i.ng the: golf sw.i.ng.
More particularly, such ye:an:; rnay c~ompr_ise a cammed clutch :For interconnect.irzg i;hc:: I::Lywhc~c:l. ~rnd l:lxc: ::h~zf l:. 'fhe cammed clutch allows i:he :f:lywhee:l. O:o ric.~i.dl.y engage i:he shaft an~.y during a predefined arc; of roi:aU-.i.on which corresponds to the arcua'te path of motion of 'l:lne backswing. Thus, during tlae predefined arc of rotation, t:he :Flywheel is rigidly connected relative to the harness and pz~ovi.dcs ineri::i.a7. resistance to _ ~ _ ~~~~r the golfer' s torso during the backswi.ng . Toward the end of the backswing, the .iner_tia of the flywheel forces slight extension of t=he go7.fer's torso .i.mmediaLeiy prior to the golfer exerting energy by i:w:i.st:ing h.i.s i:orso i.n the opposite direction corresponding to a do:l.f sw:i.ng t;hcr_eby overcoming the inertia of the i:lywleel and .revers.ing its direction.
Alternatively, the rammed clutch may Y>e adjusted to disengage the flywheel from the shaft at a predefined end of the backswing to preclude overextension of 'the golfer's 'torso and possible physical, damage.
Final7.y, a transducer may be operai:ively connected to 'the frame to sense 'the: rotational. sped of 'the flywheel over time, which :i.nformztion i.s then fed into a displayed device to inform the golfer of his progressive ability to accelerate the flywheel. .hdditional. transducers may also be' operatively connected U:o i:he Frame to sense the vertical movement of the shaFt, the sideways shi.f~ing oL the frc'ime aIld the dngular pC)S;l.'l:iOn o:~ thF: l:C)rS0 ild7:IlE:'.uS aSSGmbly relative to 'l:he' Shaf t:. A:L1. o!: such :in:(:o:unaati.on may 'then supplied 'to a computer and ana:l.yred to dc:terrni.ne the qual:Lty of the golf swing.
The foregoing has out:l.i.ned rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of 'the present invention in order that the detailed desc:ri.ption o:f the invention that follows may be bett~:r understood so that the present comt.r_ibution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional. features of: t:he invention will be described hereinafter which I:o:rm the, subject of the claims of the invention. It should be apprc:c_i.aU:ed by 'those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be .readily ut:i.l.i-r.ed as a basis f-.or modifying or designing other structures for rar_rying out the same purposes of the present invention. It: should also be realized by those skilled in the art:1 that such equivalent constructions do not depart from t:he shi.ri.t and scope: of the invention as Se't Forth iri 'the appended c:lalms .
_ 9 ~~ J
BRIET' DLSCRII".iION OT 7'IiI; DRAWINGS
P'or a fuller_ understanding of -the nature and objects of the i.nventi.on, reference shoo=Ld be had to the following deta.il.ed d~sc:ripl:ion t:aken i.n connection with the accompanying draw.i.ncJs :in whi.cln:
rig. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and training machine of t:l~o invonf:ion illustrating the carriaged frame reciprocatahly mounted t:o a vertically adjustable stand and i:Llust:raO:ing t:he flywlueol rotatably journalled to the ca.rriaged l:z-ame by lilc:allS Of a shaft with a torso harness assembly depending t:herebelow for exercising the torso and logs of a golfer;
rig. 2 is a rc:arwa:rd perspective view of the torso harness assembly il.l.ustraU:i.nd the .inverted substantially ~,~-shaped confi.gwration thereof and the universal jOi.nt Which intCI:COnIIeC.:'l:S l:h(: l:Ox'SO harneSS
assembly with the l.owe:rmost and of tlm shaft;
rig. 3 is a 'top va.ew of the exercising and 'training machine of the .i.nvewtian;
I'ig. ~1 is a cros~~-sect:i.onax. view of rig. 3 along lines 4-4 illus'tra'ting the over-runn.~.ng clutch which interconnects the flywheel to the shaft for rigid engagement therewith in a first diroc:ti.on corresponding to U:he golf swing and which illustrates the carnmed clutch which rigidly interconnects the flywheel to the shaft during the backswing;
and l~.ig. 5 is am ori7.a.i:r°c~ced crass-secl:.iona7. view of the over-running clutch, caromed clue=ch and upper and lower journal bearings.
Similar refe7-ence characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
~d L i~d .i. ll DETAILED DESCRIPTION OI' '.L'IIE I?I21:1~ L;RRED EMi30DIMEN'f Referring to I'ig. l, 'the exercising and training machine 7.0 o:E the .invent.i_on comprises a carriaged frame 12 reciprocatably mounted wiU:h.in a vertically adjustable stand, generally indicat:od by numeral 1.4. A
flywheel 16 is rotatably mount=ed vo tlne carriaged frame 12 by means of a shaft 18. A torso haz°ness assembly 20 is pivotably connected to the lowermost end of the shaft 18 by means of a universal joint 22. 'The torso harness assembly 20 is configured to fit oven a golfer's shoulders and onto his torso as shown in the phami:orn in ): ig . 1 . As described below in greater detail, the exercising and training machine 10 exercises and trains 'the golfer's ability to accelerate his torso through a twisting p4uth of motion in a first direct10I1 corresponding to a proper do7.f swinc,~. ns al.so described below in greater detai:L, 'the exercising and trai.ni.ng machine of the :i.nvention also a7.:lows the. gul.:L:e:r. t.o :f:oz:cib:l..y move his torso in a second cli.rection oppos:i.te to that of the first direction corresponding to a baclcsU:roke and further a7.lows extension of the golfe.r.'s t.or-so at 'the e:nct of 'the golf swing.
As sluown in I~'ig. 2, the torso harness assembly comprises a hori.zonta:L member 24 having a substantially horizontal bracket 26 welded thereto and inverted, substantially V-shaped arms 28 exi:ending downwardly from ~a;~:' opposing ends thereof. '.Phe universal joint 22 is rigidly secured to the bracket 26 by means of U:hreaded fasteners or the like. Inwardly extending pad members 30 are rigidly connected to the arms 2B.
s shown .i.n a~'ig . 1. , U:he :i.nver. t,e:d V-shaped arms 2.8 straddle the golfer's head and :>:l.icic~ over U:he golfer's shoulders onto l.is torso; t:he lio:r_.i'1.o11t:a.l. member 24 being positioned suffic:i.ently above 'the golfer's head so as to not interfere therew.i.l:h. As 'thus configured, the golfer's torso i.s firmly seated within the i:orso harness assembly 2.0 and any rotational or other movement of the t:o:rso is transferred to the shaft 18 via uni.vCrse~.l_ join U: 27.. h:r.e:f:ci-ahly, un.i.versal joint 22 comprises a consi:ant velocity universal joint.
Referring to F9.c3s. 3 an<:1 4, sU:and 14 comprises a genera:Lly rectangular :f:ramework having :f.ronC, rear and left and right side members 323.x, 32R, 32hS and 32RS, respectively, rigidly connecU:ed t.-.oge:l:he~.r. to cle:f.i..nr n gene.;cal7.y rectangular.
configtzi~a~tion hav:Lng an opr-~ned r.oI1'i:e:r' 320. ~ bracket 34 extends from the front: 3?.1~' and r<aal: 32R f.r_ame members :f;or rigid connecU:ion 'Lo .r.ospec l:i.vo cyl.:i.rtd.rvical support guides or collars 36. Each support: guide 3G i.s s7.i.deably fitted over an upstanding cylindrical. support 'tube or p:i.pe 38. The tubes 38 are rigidly secured in -their upright position to a ground platform 40 (see rig. 1).
-. ~.~ fd ~ -. ~.i u'..) 'fhe rectangu~.ar f-raznework 32 is vertically adjustable along the length of the tube s 38 . Specifically, vertical adjustment is provided by means of rotatable lifting rings 42 positioned about t:he respective tubes 38, each of which include a plura7.:ii:y of oi'(-axis ro7.7.er bearing 44 which causes ~t:he lifti.ncJ r:i.ng 42 to ascend i:hca tube 3E3 when ro'ta'ted in one direction and descend t:lae tub<: 38 when rotated in the other direction. Thus, the: height of the rectancJu7.ar framework 32 may be easily adjusted by rotation of the lifting ring 42 on each tube 38.
The carri.aged frame 12 comprises a generally rectangular framework 46 oriented vert.ica7.7.y and having top and bottom frame members 46'f and 4613 and front and roa-r frame members 461 and 46R rigidly connected t:og~ther at tlm_i_r respective corners to defa.ne: a subsU:arztia7.7.y recCancJular configuration. The rectangu:Lar frameworlc 46 of the carriaged frame is dimensioned to :fiU: within the opening 320 def.i.ned by the rectangular framework a2 of the stand 14.
~.('he .recl-.angular framework 46 of the carriaged frame 12 is supported by tlzE rectangular framework 32 of 'the stand 14 by means of a pail: o:E .rails 4(3 which are rigidly secured to left and side frame members 32LS and 32RS of the framework 32 of the stand 42 to span 'the central opening 320 thereof. Slide bearings 50 are rigid7.y connected to the underside of -the top frame member 46T o:( the rectangular framecaork 46 of the carriaged frame 12 fo:r slide able engagement with rails 4Fi, ~l~ereby al.low.ing the carri.aged frame 12 to reciprocate sideways within the opening of the rectangular framework 32. of Lhe stand :1.4.
As shown in l~.i.g 5, t:he shaft 1B is rotatably journalled to the car_riaged f.ram~ 12 by means of a pair of journal bearings 52 connected to U:he top and bottom frame members 461' and 4613 of the rcctangu:l.ar Li:amework 46.
Preferably, shaft 16 compr_.i.ses a spline shaft and the upper journal bearing 4?_ a.ncludr~s a slecwe 52.13 and a ball spline bearing 54 with keyway 51. which allows 'the shaft 18 to reciprocate vertical7.y re:l.at.ivc to 'the journal bearing 52U
and rotate. A stop 56 is connected to the ur~per end of 'the shaft 14 by means of threaded l:ast:oner 53. Spring 60 is positioned between stop 56 and the sleeve 52L~ for cush.ing.
Prefez:ab7.y, the: sideways movement of 'the carriaged frame 12. .i.s geat:ed t:o t:l~e z,ol:aU:i.on of the shaft lfl by means of a cab7.e 53 Wh:l.Ch 1.. w.rappr~~d once around 't:he sleeve 52B and i:he l:rai.l..i.n<~ ends r>5 of l:he cable 53 are rigidly connected 'to the J.e:ft and i°ight side members 32LS and 32RS of the :rectangular framework 32. 'thus, it can be ~) 4'~ / ~ c ~; ~~
appreciated that rotation of the harness assembly 20, shaft 1B and sleeve 52s causes the carriaged frame 1.2 to travel sideways along the lengt:l-~ of the cable 53. Preferably, U:he cable 53 is wrapped about the sleeve 52I3 in such a manner that the carriaged frame 12 is in its fully rightward position when the harness assembly 20 is rotated to a position corresponding to the start of 'the gol.fe:r's swing.
~.Chus, as the golfer 'takes hi.s golf swing, the ca.rriaged frame 12 is forceabl.y nu>ve:d :Lc:f Lwnrc! i n sym::hvron.i.sm to i:he x'ol:r_nt.ion of the golfer's 'torso, thereby t:rain.ing 'the golfer to exercise a proper golf swincJ.
~'he flywheel 16 comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration (see 1.~'ig. 3). ~1 plurality of upstanding pins 62 are positioned equ.i.di.stantly about an outer periphery of the flywheel 16 for receiving removable wea.ghts 64 to attain a Llywheel having a dosi.ro:d mass .
~.'he f: l.ywheel. 16 is s:igirily connected to the upper protrudincJ port9.on of the lovrer sleeve: bush_i.ng 52L13 by means o:E weldincJ 66 or the l.i.ke. '.I'he flywheel 16 i_s operatively connected to the shaft 1Q by means of an over-running clutch 6E3 having an outer raceway 6E30 rigidly connected at a lower surface to the; flywheel 16 by means of threaded fasteners 70. A bal.1 spline kwaring 72 is positioned within the inner raceway 6BT of the clutch 6t3 and i.s keyed thereto by means of keyway 74. I3a11 spline bearing 72 allows vertical movement: o:f i:he shaLU: 18 therethrough while nonrotat:ably secuz-.i.nci the: :i.nnevr .raceway 68I to the shaft 18. A shim bush.incJ 76 may be interposed between the inner raceway 68I and the spline bearing 72.
Rotation of shaf t: :18 .in one direction causes the inner. raceway 687: to wi_g.i.cl.Ly encJr~gc-: the ornt:er :rarewtoy 6f30 oL the clutch 6Q thereby :r.i.g:i.c9:Ly interconnecting the flywheel 16 'to the: shaft :LB. l7ecel.c:rmt.i.on of t:he: sha:(1: 18 re:l.at:ivo to the flywheel 16 causes the :rac:e.way 6130 and 6F3I to d:i.sengage allowing the flywheel 16 to :Creel.y ovei:-.run without exerting any torque on the shaft: 18. 'L'r~.us, with the 'torso harness assembly 20 connected to~the end o:E the sha~~t 1~3, it can be readily appreciated that the cJol:Cer's twisting of his torso during the golf swincJ wi. ~.:1_ :forci.bly accel.e:rate the :flywheel 1G and, at l:he end o:f i;l~c: do l.: .,w:i.ncJ when 't:he 'torso begins t:o dece7.erai:e, the flywheel. :l.(~ l~:uec::Ly ove:r:ri.ms to p.r.event any Force being imparted to U-.hc: torso ha:rnc.ss assembly 2.0 which would ol:herwise adver;~ely ai:f:cact tllc c~ol.L swing and possibly cause physica:L damage to the c~ol.:Ler.
The exercising and l:raining machine 10 of the invention further :i.ncludc-:s a c~ammecl c7.utch, generally indicated by numeral 78, wh:i.ch interconnects 'the flywheel 16 and the shaft 18 and allows the flywheel 16 to rigidly engage j,~ ;~ ~ .~~
the shaft 18 during a predefined arc of r_o~tation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfe.r's backswing opposite i:o the :first: di:rvecl:ion coz.respondi.ng i:o l:he golfe:r's golf swing.
More parti.cu7.ar:l.y, U:he c<.immed c:l.utch 78 comprises a first clutch plat:e 80 which .is rigidly connected to the upper sleeve bushing 52L~13 of 'the: upper journal bearing 52. The caromed clutch '78 further comprises a second clutch plate 82 positioned in al.ignmenl: with the f.i.:c:st clutch plate 80 and rigidly connected to the upper surLace of -the outer raceway 680 of the over-running clutch 68 by means o:L
threaded fastener 84 . A wearable clutch 86 .i.s pos itioned between the: clutch p:l.al:.es F30 and f32. An a:z-rual:e cam 88 is rigidly connected to t;he uppFr surface of the first clutch plate 80 and lIlCludes end ramp 88R. A corresponding cant rollea: 90 is ratatably connected t:o a bracket 92 depending from the top frame member 4G~I' of the a°ectanrJula.r framework 46 in alignment with cant 88. A lowe2: cam a:o:l.:l.er 9~1 may also be rotatably connected to bracket 92 foa: support: to 'the underside of the second clutch plate 8?..
The cam 88 is arcua~tG~.y shaped to be engaged by the cam roller 90 along 'the predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to 'the backswing of tl-ze golfer when the golfer is facing forwardly. Thus, as the gol..f-er begins hi.s backswing, Id J,. 'v cam roller 90 engages cam (3~3 t:o .(::r.:i.cl;i.ona.:l.:l.y engage U:he clutch plates 80 and (32 toge:t:hc:r. and riga.d7.y interconnecting the flywheel 16 to l:he shai:t: :1 f3 v.i.rz ~J.ecvcz 5?I3 and ba7.l spline bearing ~4. '_t'hc~ go7.:~er. must. 'Lhtu:~ exer(: enough backswing force to :rol:atc: :f ly~uhc.cl 1.6. I~t the end of the golfer's backswing, cam ro:l.ler JO wo.~7.7.:; oft .ramp 88R of corn 88 thereby disengaging Cto~ plates f30 and 82 arid allow? ng flywheel 16 to freely rotate. The relative positioning of ramp 88R of cam 88 dc-:t:e:rminc:s when 'the. ~:l.ywl~cc:l 68 is disengaged. Thus, i.t: earn Lie apprec:i.ate<1 that: a certain amount of extension of 'the go l.ter's torso c~zn be achieved by proper positioning oi: ~t.he crlnl l:nmp f38R relative to thc~
golfer's backswing.
'fhe present disc::l.o:u:ce .inc7_udes U:hat contained in the appended cl.a.i.ms, ~zs.~ wel..l. as l:hat: of U:he foregoing description. Althollgh Clt:Ls .I.ILVC:IIt:ion hrz:s b~c:l'1 described :i.n its preferred form wii:h a certain degz:ee of pa:r.ticulari.ty, it .i.s understood l:h~tt: l:lt~ lpe:sc~nl: d.iso:l.o::~u:rc: o.f: t:lrt:
prc~::(_nz:~:rc:d form has been made only by way of c~xomp.l.r-.: wzlld that rtume.rot.ts changes in the details of c:onst:a°uct:ion ~znd l:he.~ combination arid arrangement of par t:5 mny 1:>e T-e~sorl:ed 'to without departing :~7:Onl l:hf: sp;Lr.7.l: Ol: l:ll(: .I.fIV(:lll::1.011.
- 1~ -
Claims (17)
1. An exercising and training machine for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of the person's body through a non-continuous path of motion, comprising in combination:
flywheel;
frame;
bearing means for rotatably connecting said flywheel relative to said frame;
harness assembly for. connection to the portion of the person's body to be exercised; and means for interconnected said flywheel and said harness assembly allowing said flywheel to rigidly engage relative to said harness assembly upon acceleration of said harness assembly relative to said flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised and to disengage and freely rotate relative to said harness assembly upon deceleration of said harness assembly relative to said flywheel such that that body portion being exercised may be accelerated in said first direction along the path of motion and upon deceleration or the body portion, said flywheel disengages relative to said harness assembly thereby precluding of said flywheel from exerting a force on the body portion alone the path of motion.
flywheel;
frame;
bearing means for rotatably connecting said flywheel relative to said frame;
harness assembly for. connection to the portion of the person's body to be exercised; and means for interconnected said flywheel and said harness assembly allowing said flywheel to rigidly engage relative to said harness assembly upon acceleration of said harness assembly relative to said flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised and to disengage and freely rotate relative to said harness assembly upon deceleration of said harness assembly relative to said flywheel such that that body portion being exercised may be accelerated in said first direction along the path of motion and upon deceleration or the body portion, said flywheel disengages relative to said harness assembly thereby precluding of said flywheel from exerting a force on the body portion alone the path of motion.
2. The exercising and training machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means comprises an over-running clutch having an outer race connected to said flywheel and having an inner race connected relative to said harness assembly and wherein said bearing means comprises a journal bearing mounted to said frame through which said shaft is rotatably journalled.
3. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said interconnecting means further comprises a universal joint interconnecting said shaft and said harness assembly.
4. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said universal joint comprises a constant velocity universal joint.
5. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said journal bearing comprises means for reciprocatably connecting said shaft relative to said frame and wherein said inner race of said over-running clutch comprises means for reciprocatably mounting said shaft therethrough, whereby said shaft may reciprocate relative to said frame and said flywheel.
6. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 5, further including a spring-loaded stop connected to said shaft to prevent said shaft from sliding out of said journal bearing and said inner race of said over-running clutch when the exercising and training machine is utilized with said shaft positioned vertically and said harness assembly depending therebelow.
7. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 2, further including a cammed clutch interconnecting said flywheel and said shaft allowing said flywheel to rigidly engage said shaft during a predefined are of rotation of said shaft in a second directing opposite to said first direction.
8. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 7, wherein said cammed clutch comprises:
a first clutch plate;
means for non-rotatably, reciprocatably mounting said first clutch plate to said shaft;
a second clutch plate;
means for rigidly connecting said second clutch plate relative to said flywheel;
cam roller rotatably mounted relative to said frame; and cam mounted to said first clutch plate for engagement by said cam roller during said predefined arc of rotation, whereby said first clutch plate is cammed into frictional engagement with said second clutch plate when said cam roller engages said cam thereby interconnecting said shaft and said flywheel during said predefined arc of rotation.
a first clutch plate;
means for non-rotatably, reciprocatably mounting said first clutch plate to said shaft;
a second clutch plate;
means for rigidly connecting said second clutch plate relative to said flywheel;
cam roller rotatably mounted relative to said frame; and cam mounted to said first clutch plate for engagement by said cam roller during said predefined arc of rotation, whereby said first clutch plate is cammed into frictional engagement with said second clutch plate when said cam roller engages said cam thereby interconnecting said shaft and said flywheel during said predefined arc of rotation.
9. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 13, wherein said cammed clutch further comprises a wearable clutch positioned between said first clutch plate and said second clutch plate.
10. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said shaft is positioned vertically relative to said frame with said harness assembly depending therebelow and wherein said frame is adjustably elevated by means of a stand, thereby allowing adjustment of the height of said harness assembly,
11. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 10, wherein the body portion being exercised comprises a torso and wherein said harness assembly comprises a torso harness assembly.
12. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 11, wherein said torso harness assembly comprises an inverted substantially V-shaped configuration for fitting over the shoulders and onto the upper torso of the person's body.
13. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said shaft is positioned vertically relative to said frame with said harness assembly depending therebelow and wherein said frame comprises a carriaged frame horizontally and reciprocatably mounted relative to an upstanding stand allowing said carriaged frame to horizontally reciprocate.
14. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 13, the body portion being exercised comprises a torso and wherein said harness assembly comprises a torso harness assembly.
15. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 14, wherein said torso harness assembly comprises an inverted substantially v-shaped configuration for fitting over the shoulders and onto the upper torso of the person's body.
16. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 13, further including means for moving said carriaged frame sideways as said shaft is rotated.
17. The exercising and training machine as set forth in Claim 16, wherein said moving means comprises a flexible member connected relative to said shaft and whose trailing ends are rigidly connected to opposing sides of said upstanding stand such that rotation of said shaft in one direction moves said carriaged frame in one sideways direction and rotation of said shaft in the other direction moves said carriaged frame in the other sideways direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US38811689A | 1989-08-01 | 1989-08-01 | |
| US07/388,116 | 1989-08-01 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2020183A1 CA2020183A1 (en) | 1991-02-02 |
| CA2020183C true CA2020183C (en) | 2000-05-23 |
Family
ID=23532771
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002020183A Expired - Fee Related CA2020183C (en) | 1989-08-01 | 1990-06-29 | Energy absorbing exercising and training machine |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0411892B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2908537B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE135593T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU632143B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2020183C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69026001T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9616274B2 (en) | 2005-03-01 | 2017-04-11 | Michael A. Wehrell | Swing training apparatus and method |
| NZ591429A (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2012-11-30 | Michael A Wehrell | Physical training apparatus with adjustable training vectors providable a pully and elastic rope system |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4077626A (en) * | 1974-11-13 | 1978-03-07 | Joe Westley Newman | Exercising machine |
| US4296924A (en) * | 1980-08-04 | 1981-10-27 | Health Innovations, Inc. | Torsion exercise apparatus |
| US4305579A (en) * | 1980-08-25 | 1981-12-15 | Max Rice | Exercising device |
| US4470597A (en) * | 1982-04-20 | 1984-09-11 | Mcfee Richard | Exerciser with flywheel |
| US4673177A (en) * | 1985-11-12 | 1987-06-16 | Excelsior Fitness Equipment Co. | Resistance freewheel mechanism |
| US4732381A (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1988-03-22 | Lumex, Inc. | Upper body rotation assembly for a back test, rehabilitation and exercise machin |
| US4756615A (en) * | 1986-11-05 | 1988-07-12 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Portable folding microform reader |
-
1990
- 1990-06-29 CA CA002020183A patent/CA2020183C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-07-05 AU AU58741/90A patent/AU632143B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-07-23 JP JP2193201A patent/JP2908537B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-07-31 AT AT90308400T patent/ATE135593T1/en active
- 1990-07-31 DE DE69026001T patent/DE69026001T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-07-31 EP EP90308400A patent/EP0411892B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH03139373A (en) | 1991-06-13 |
| DE69026001D1 (en) | 1996-04-25 |
| DE69026001T2 (en) | 1996-10-10 |
| ATE135593T1 (en) | 1996-04-15 |
| EP0411892A3 (en) | 1991-07-10 |
| EP0411892B1 (en) | 1996-03-20 |
| JP2908537B2 (en) | 1999-06-21 |
| AU5874190A (en) | 1991-02-07 |
| CA2020183A1 (en) | 1991-02-02 |
| EP0411892A2 (en) | 1991-02-06 |
| AU632143B2 (en) | 1992-12-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |