EP0411892A2 - Energy absorbing exercising and training machine - Google Patents
Energy absorbing exercising and training machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0411892A2 EP0411892A2 EP90308400A EP90308400A EP0411892A2 EP 0411892 A2 EP0411892 A2 EP 0411892A2 EP 90308400 A EP90308400 A EP 90308400A EP 90308400 A EP90308400 A EP 90308400A EP 0411892 A2 EP0411892 A2 EP 0411892A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- exercising
- frame
- harness assembly
- relative
- 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.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
Definitions
- This invention relates to exercising and training machines. More particularly, this invention relates to exercising and training machines for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as which occurs during a baseball or golf swing.
- exercising and training machines designed to exercise portions of a person's body.
- the most predominant type of exercising and training machine utilizes weight resistance which, through repetition, builds the person's muscles.
- an exercise and training machine which exercises a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as what occurs during the swinging of a baseball bat or a golf club.
- an exercising and training machine which isolates individual muscle groups and measures acceleration of a portion of a person's body. Indeed, many professional athletes such as golfers and baseball players refrain from resistance weight training during season in fear of adversely affecting their flexibility and ability to swing their golf club or baseball bat in a controlled manner.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which exercises and trains a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which is to be utilized by golfers in exercising their golf swing.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine to be used by golfers in exercising their backswing.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising machine which allows the user to regulate the amount of resistance in accordance with the user's physical ability and which can, 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 invention comprises 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, including an energy-storing device e.g. 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.
- 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 to the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised.
- the interconnecting means also allows the flywheel to disengage and freely rotate relative to the harness assembly upon deceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel.
- the body portion being exercised may therefore be forcibly accelerated in the first direction along the path of motion against the inertia of the flywheel.
- 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.
- the interconnecting means comprises an overrunning clutch having an inner race mounted to a shaft which is connected to the flywheel and journaled in the pair of bearings and having an outer race connected relative to the harness assembly.
- the exercising and training machine of the invention may be utilized in conditioning and training for many sports and other activities that encourage the rapid accelaration of a portion of the person's body, such as occurs in baseball, golf, and other swing-type activities.
- the machine is also usable in exercising individual muscle groups that are customarily exercised through weight lifting exercises like bench presses, bi-ceps curls and overhead presses.
- the exercising and training machine is described herein as being utilized in conditioning for golf by exercising the twisting acceleration of the golfer's torso and legs during a golf swing.
- the exercising and training machine of the invention when utilized as a torso and legs exercising machine for golfers, the exercising and training machine of the invention comprises a stand which adjustably positions the flywheel, shaft, and overruning clutch in a position above the golfer's head, with the harness assembly connected to the lowermost end of the shaft by means of a universal joint, preferably a constant velocity universal joint.
- the harness assembly comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped or V-shaped rigid configuration for fitting over the shoulders and upper torso of the golfer's body.
- the universal joint allows the torso harness assembly to universally pivot during the golf swing.
- the frame comprises a carriaged frame that is operatively connected to the stand by means of slide bearings which allow the frame, flywheel, shaft and torso harness assembly to freely reciprocate sideways above the golfer's head, the sideways movement being geared to the rotation of the torso harness of the shaft.
- the shaft is preferably slidably journalled within the pair of journal bearings and the inner race of the over-running clutch to allow the shaft to easily reciprocate vertically.
- the sideways movement of the carriaged frame, the vertical movement of the shaft, and the pivoting of the torso harness assembly via the universal joint allows tha golfer to exercise and be trained in a recommended golf swing which requires canting and vertical and sideways movement of the golfer's torso during the backswing and through the golf swing.
- the golfer's torso may accelerate to his fullest ability and the energy created thereby forces the flywheel into accelerating rotational movement and such energy is absorbed.
- the overrunning clutch disengages the shaft allowing the flywheel to freely rotate.
- the inertia of the rotating flywheel does not exert a force on the golfer's torso once the golfer's torso begins to decelerate or stop. Over-twisting and possible physical damage are therefore precluded.
- the exercising and training machine of the invention may additionally include means for providing resistance to the golfer's torso during the backswing and partial extension of the torso at the end of the backswing immediately prior to beginning the golf swing. More particularly, such means may comprise a cammed clutch for interconnecting the flywheel and the shaft.
- the cammed clutch allows the flywheel to rigidly engage the shaft only during a predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the arcuate path of motion of the backswing.
- the flywheel is rigidly connected relative to the harness and provides inertial resistance to the golfer's torso during the backswing.
- the inertia of the flywheel forces slight extension of the golfer's torso immediately prior to the golfer exerting energy by twisting his torso in the opposite direction corresponding to a golf swing thereby overcoming the inertia of the flywheel and reversing its direction.
- the cammed clutch may be 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.
- a transducer may be operatively connected to the frame to sense the rotational speed of the flywheel over time, which information is then fed into a displayed device to inform the golfer of his progressive ability to accelerate the flywheel.
- Additional transducers may also be operatively connected to the frame to sense the vertical movement of the shaft, the sideways shifting of the frame and the angular position of the torso harness assembly relative to the shaft. All of such information may then supplied to a computer and analyzed to determine the quality of the golf swing.
- the exercising and training machine 10 of the invention comprises a carriaged frame 12 reciprocatably mounted within a vertically adjustable stand, generally indicated by numeral 14.
- a flywheel 16 is rotatably mounted to the carriaged frame 12 by means of a shaft 18.
- a torso harness 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 over a golfer s shoulders and onto his torso as shown in Figure 1.
- the exercising and training machine 10 exercises and trains the golfer's ability to accelerate his torso through a twisting path of motion in a first direction corresponding to a proper golf swing.
- the exercising and training machine 10 of the invention also allows the golfer to forcibly move his torso in a second direction opposite to that of the first direction corresponding to a backstroke and further allows extension of the golfer s torso at the end of the golf swing.
- the torso harness assembly 20 comprises a horizontal member 24 having a substantially horizontal bracket 26 welded thereto and inverted, substantially V-shaped arms 28 extending downwardly from opposing ends thereof.
- the universal joint 22 is rigidly secured to the bracket 26 by means of threaded fasteners or the like.
- Inwardly extending pad members 30 are rigidly connected to the arms 28.
- the inverted V-shaped arms 28 straddle the golfer's head and slide over the golfer's shoulders onto his torso; the horizontal member 24 being positioned sufficiently above the golfer's head so as not to interfere therewith.
- the golfer's torso is firmly received within the torso harness assembly 20 and any rotational or other movement of the torso is transferred to the shaft 18 via universal joint 22.
- universal joint 22 comprises a constant velocity universal joint.
- stand 14 comprises a generally rectangular framework having front, rear and left and right side members 32F, 32R, 32LS and 32RS, respectively, rigidly connected together to define a generally rectangular configuration having an opened center 32 ⁇ .
- a bracket 34 extends from the front 32F and rear 32R frame members for rigid connection to respective cylindrical support guides or collars 36.
- Each support guide 36 is slideably fitted over an upstanding cylindrical support tube or pipe 38.
- the tubes 38 are rigidly secured in their upright position to a ground platform 40 (see Fig. 1).
- the rectangular framework 32 is vertically adjustable along the length of the tubes 38. Specifically, vertical adjustment is provided by means of rotatable lifting rings 42 positioned about the respective tubes 38, each of which include a plurality of off-axis roller bearing 44 which causes the lifting ring 42 to ascend the tube 38 when rotated in one direction and descend the tube 38 when rotated in the other direction.
- rotatable lifting rings 42 positioned about the respective tubes 38, each of which include a plurality of off-axis roller bearing 44 which causes the lifting ring 42 to ascend the tube 38 when rotated in one direction and descend the tube 38 when rotated in the other direction.
- the carriaged frame 12 comprises a generally rectangular framework 46 oriented vertically and having top and bottom frame members 46T and 46B and front and rear frame members 46F and 46R rigidly connected together at their respective corners to define a substantially rectangular configuration.
- the rectangular framework 46 of the carriaged frame is dimensioned to fit within the opening 32 ⁇ defined by the rectangular framework 32 of the stand 14.
- the rectangular framework 46 of the carriaged frame 12 is supported by the rectangular framework 32 of the stand 14 by means of a pair of rails 48 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 32 ⁇ thereof.
- Slide bearings 50 are rigidly connected to the underside of the top frame member 46T of the rectangular framework 46 of the carriaged frame 12 for slideable engagement with rails 48, thereby allowing the carriaged frame 12 to reciprocate sideways within the opening of the rectangular framework 32 of the stand 14.
- the shaft 18 is rotatably journalled to the carriaged frame 12 by means of a pair of journal bearings 52 connected to the top and bottom frame members 46T and 46B of the rectangular framework 46.
- shaft 18 comprises a spline shaft and the upper journal bearing 52 includes a sleeve 52B and a ball spline bearing 54 with keyway 51 which allows the shaft 18 to reciprocate vertically relative to the journal bearing 52U and rotate.
- a stop 56 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 14 by means of threaded fastener 58.
- Spring 60 is positioned between stop 56 and the sleeve 52B for cushioning.
- the sideways movement of the carriaged frame 12 is geared to the rotation of the shaft 18 by means of a cable 53 which is wrapped once around the sleeve 52B and the trailing ends 55 of the cable 53 are rigidly connected to the left and right side members 32LS and 32RS of the rectangular framework 32.
- rotation of the harness assembly 20, shaft 18 and sleeve 52B causes the carriaged frame 12 to travel sideways along the length of the cable 53.
- the cable 53 is wrapped about the sleeve 52B 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 golfer's swing.
- the carriaged frame 12 is forcibly moved leftward in synchronism with the rotation of the golfer's torso, thereby training the golfer to exercise a proper golf swing.
- the flywheel 16 comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration (see Fig. 3).
- a plurality of upstanding pins 62 are positioned equidistantly about an outer periphery of the flywheel 16 for receiving removable weights 64 to attain a flywheel having a desired mass.
- the flywheel 16 is rigidly connected to the upper protruding portion of the lower sleeve bushing 52LB by means of welding 66 or the like.
- the flywheel 16 is operatively connected to the shaft 18 by means of an overrunning clutch 68 having an outer raceway 68 ⁇ rigidly connected at a lower surface to the flywheel 16 by means of threaded fasteners 70.
- a ball spline bearing 72 is positioned within the inner raceway 68I of the clutch 68 and is keyed thereto by means of keyway 74. Ball spline bearing 72 allows vertical movement of the shaft 18 therethrough while nonrotatably securing the inner raceway 68I to the shaft 18.
- a shim bushing 76 may be interposed between the inner raceway 68I and the spline bearing 72.
- Rotation of shaft 18 in one direction causes the inner raceway 68I to rigidly engage the outer raceway 68 ⁇ of the clutch 68 thereby rigidly interconnecting the flywheel 16 to the shaft 18.
- Deceleration of the shaft 18 relative to the flywheel 16 causes the raceway 68 ⁇ and 68I to disengage allowing the flywheel 16 to freely over-run without exerting any torque on the shaft 18.
- the exercising and training machine 10 of the invention further includes a cammed clutch, generally indicated by numeral 78, which interconnects the flywheel 16 and the shaft 18 and allows the flywheel 16 to rigidly engage the shaft 18 during a predefined arc of rotation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfer s backswing opposite to the first direction corresponding to the golfer's golf swing.
- a cammed clutch generally indicated by numeral 78, which interconnects the flywheel 16 and the shaft 18 and allows the flywheel 16 to rigidly engage the shaft 18 during a predefined arc of rotation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfer s backswing opposite to the first direction corresponding to the golfer's golf swing.
- the cammed clutch 78 comprises a first clutch plate 80 which is rigidly connected to the upper sleeve bushing 52LB of the upper journal bearing 52.
- the cammed clutch 78 further comprises a second clutch plate 82 positioned in alignment with the first clutch plate 80 and rigidly connected to the upper surface of the outer raceway 68 ⁇ of the over-running clutch 68 by means of threaded fastener 84.
- a wearable clutch 86 is positioned between the clutch plates 80 and 82.
- An arcuate cam 88 is rigidly connected to the upper surface of the first clutch plate 80 and includes end ramp 88R.
- a corresponding cam roller 90 is rotatably connected to a bracket 92 depending from the top frame member 46T of the rectangular framework 46 in alignment with cam 88.
- a lower cam roller 94 may also be rotatably connected to bracket 92 for support to the underside of the second clutch plate 82.
- cam 88 is arcuately shaped to be engaged by the cam roller 90 along the predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the backswing of the golfer when the golfer is facing forwardly.
- cam roller 90 engages cam 88 to frictionally engage the clutch plates 80 and 82 together and rigidly interconnects the flywheel 16 to the shaft 18 via sleeve 52B and ball spline bearing 54.
- the golfer must thus exert enough backswing force to rotate flywheel 16.
- cam roller 90 rolls off ramp 88R of cam 88 thereby disengaging the plates 80 and 82 and allowing flywheel 16 to freely rotate.
- ramp 88R of can 88 determines when the flywheel 68 is disengaged.
- a certain amount of extension of the golfer's torso can be achieved by proper positioning of the cam ramp 88R relative to the golfer's backswing.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to exercising and training machines. More particularly, this invention relates to exercising and training machines for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as which occurs during a baseball or golf swing.
- Presently there exist many types of exercising and training machines designed to exercise portions of a person's body. The most predominant type of exercising and training machine utilizes weight resistance which, through repetition, builds the person's muscles. Additionally, there exists a need for an exercise and training machine which exercises a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion, such as what occurs during the swinging of a baseball bat or a golf club. There also exists a need for an exercising and training machine which isolates individual muscle groups and measures acceleration of a portion of a person's body. Indeed, many professional athletes such as golfers and baseball players refrain from resistance weight training during season in fear of adversely affecting their flexibility and ability to swing their golf club or baseball bat in a controlled 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 which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the exercising art.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which exercises and trains a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine which is to be utilized by golfers in exercising their golf swing.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an exercising and training machine to be used by golfers in exercising their backswing.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an energy absorbing exercising machine which allows the user to regulate the amount of resistance in accordance with the user's physical ability and which can, 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 applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises 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, including an energy-storing device e.g. 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. 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 to the flywheel in a first direction along the path of motion of the body portion being exercised. The interconnecting means also allows the flywheel to disengage and freely rotate relative to the harness assembly upon deceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel.
- The 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, the interconnecting means comprises an overrunning clutch having an inner race mounted to a shaft which is connected to the flywheel and journaled in the pair of bearings and having an outer race connected relative to the harness assembly.
- The exercising and training machine of the invention may be utilized in conditioning and training for many sports and other activities that encourage the rapid accelaration of a portion of the person's body, such as occurs in baseball, golf, and other swing-type activities. The machine is also usable in exercising individual muscle groups that are customarily exercised through weight lifting exercises like bench presses, bi-ceps curls and overhead presses. The exercising and training machine is described herein as being utilized in conditioning for golf by exercising the twisting acceleration of the golfer's torso and legs during a golf swing.
- Specifically, when utilized as a torso and legs exercising machine for golfers, the exercising and training machine of the invention comprises a stand which adjustably positions the flywheel, shaft, and overruning clutch in a position above the golfer's head, with the harness assembly connected to the lowermost end of the shaft by means of a universal joint, preferably a constant velocity universal joint. The harness assembly comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped or V-shaped rigid configuration for fitting over the shoulders and upper torso of the golfer's body. The universal joint allows the torso harness assembly to universally pivot during the golf swing.
- Preferably, the frame comprises a carriaged frame that is operatively connected to the stand by means of slide bearings which allow the frame, flywheel, shaft and torso harness assembly to freely reciprocate sideways above the golfer's head, the sideways movement being geared to the rotation of the torso harness of the shaft. Furthermore, the shaft is preferably slidably journalled within the pair of journal bearings and the inner race of the over-running clutch to allow the shaft to easily reciprocate vertically. The sideways movement of the carriaged frame, the vertical movement of the shaft, and the pivoting of the torso harness assembly via the universal joint allows tha golfer to exercise and be trained in a recommended golf swing which requires canting and vertical and sideways movement of the golfer's torso during the backswing and through the golf swing.
- It should be appreciated that during the golf swing, the golfer's torso may accelerate to his fullest ability and the energy created thereby forces the flywheel into accelerating rotational movement and such energy is absorbed. When the golfer's torso begins to decelerate at the end of the golf swing, the overrunning clutch disengages the shaft allowing the flywheel to freely rotate. Thus, the inertia of the rotating flywheel does not exert a force on the golfer's torso once the golfer's torso begins to decelerate or stop. Over-twisting and possible physical damage are therefore precluded.
- When the exercising and training machine of the invention is adapted to be utilized as a golf exercising and training machine, it may additionally include means for providing resistance to the golfer's torso during the backswing and partial extension of the torso at the end of the backswing immediately prior to beginning the golf swing. More particularly, such means may comprise a cammed clutch for interconnecting the flywheel and the shaft. The cammed clutch allows the flywheel to rigidly engage the shaft only during a predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the arcuate path of motion of the backswing. Thus, during the predefined arc of rotation, the flywheel is rigidly connected relative to the harness and provides inertial resistance to the golfer's torso during the backswing. Toward the end of the backswing, the inertia of the flywheel forces slight extension of the golfer's torso immediately prior to the golfer exerting energy by twisting his torso in the opposite direction corresponding to a golf swing thereby overcoming the inertia of the flywheel and reversing its direction. Alternatively, the cammed clutch may be 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.
- Finally, a transducer may be operatively connected to the frame to sense the rotational speed of the flywheel over time, which information is then fed into a displayed device to inform the golfer of his progressive ability to accelerate the flywheel. Additional transducers may also be operatively connected to the frame to sense the vertical movement of the shaft, the sideways shifting of the frame and the angular position of the torso harness assembly relative to the shaft. All of such information may then supplied to a computer and analyzed to determine the quality of the golf swing.
- The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
- For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and training machine of the invention illustrating the carriaged frame reciprocatably mounted to a vertically adjustable stand and illustrating the flywheel rotatably journalled to the carriaged frame by means of a shaft with a torso harness assembly depending therebelow for exercising the torso and legs of a golfer;
- Fig. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the torso harness assembly illustrating the inverted substantially V-shaped configuration thereof and the universal joint which interconnects the torso harness assembly with the lowermost end of the shaft;
- Fig. 3 is a top view of the exercising and training machine of the invention;
- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 along lines 4-4 illustrating the over-running clutch which interconnects the flywheel to the shaft for rigid engagement therewith in a first direction corresponding to the golf swing and which illustrates the cammed clutch which rigidly interconnects the flywheel to the shaft during the backswing; and
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the over-running clutch, cammed clutch and upper and lower journal bearings.
- Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
- Referring to Fig. 1, the exercising and
training machine 10 of the invention comprises acarriaged frame 12 reciprocatably mounted within a vertically adjustable stand, generally indicated bynumeral 14. Aflywheel 16 is rotatably mounted to thecarriaged frame 12 by means of ashaft 18. Atorso harness assembly 20 is pivotably connected to the lowermost end of theshaft 18 by means of auniversal joint 22. Thetorso harness assembly 20 is configured to fit over a golfer s shoulders and onto his torso as shown in Figure 1. As described below in greater detail, the exercising andtraining machine 10 exercises and trains the golfer's ability to accelerate his torso through a twisting path of motion in a first direction corresponding to a proper golf swing. As also described below in greater detail, the exercising andtraining machine 10 of the invention also allows the golfer to forcibly move his torso in a second direction opposite to that of the first direction corresponding to a backstroke and further allows extension of the golfer s torso at the end of the golf swing. - As shown in Fig. 2, the
torso harness assembly 20 comprises ahorizontal member 24 having a substantiallyhorizontal bracket 26 welded thereto and inverted, substantially V-shapedarms 28 extending downwardly from opposing ends thereof. Theuniversal joint 22 is rigidly secured to thebracket 26 by means of threaded fasteners or the like. Inwardly extendingpad members 30 are rigidly connected to thearms 28. - As shown in Fig. 1, the inverted V-shaped
arms 28 straddle the golfer's head and slide over the golfer's shoulders onto his torso; thehorizontal member 24 being positioned sufficiently above the golfer's head so as not to interfere therewith. As thus configured, the golfer's torso is firmly received within thetorso harness assembly 20 and any rotational or other movement of the torso is transferred to theshaft 18 viauniversal joint 22. Preferably,universal joint 22 comprises a constant velocity universal joint. - Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, stand 14 comprises a generally rectangular framework having front, rear and left and
right side members bracket 34 extends from the front 32F and rear 32R frame members for rigid connection to respective cylindrical support guides orcollars 36. Eachsupport guide 36 is slideably fitted over an upstanding cylindrical support tube orpipe 38. Thetubes 38 are rigidly secured in their upright position to a ground platform 40 (see Fig. 1). - The
rectangular framework 32 is vertically adjustable along the length of thetubes 38. Specifically, vertical adjustment is provided by means of rotatable lifting rings 42 positioned about therespective tubes 38, each of which include a plurality of off-axis roller bearing 44 which causes the liftingring 42 to ascend thetube 38 when rotated in one direction and descend thetube 38 when rotated in the other direction. Thus, the height of therectangular framework 32 may be easily adjusted by rotation of the liftingring 42 on eachtube 38. - The
carriaged frame 12 comprises a generallyrectangular framework 46 oriented vertically and having top andbottom frame members rear frame members rectangular framework 46 of the carriaged frame is dimensioned to fit within the opening 32ϑ defined by therectangular framework 32 of thestand 14. - The
rectangular framework 46 of thecarriaged frame 12 is supported by therectangular framework 32 of thestand 14 by means of a pair ofrails 48 which are rigidly secured to left and side frame members 32LS and 32RS of theframework 32 of thestand 42 to span the central opening 32ϑ thereof.Slide bearings 50 are rigidly connected to the underside of thetop frame member 46T of therectangular framework 46 of thecarriaged frame 12 for slideable engagement withrails 48, thereby allowing thecarriaged frame 12 to reciprocate sideways within the opening of therectangular framework 32 of thestand 14. - As shown in Fig.5, the
shaft 18 is rotatably journalled to thecarriaged frame 12 by means of a pair of journal bearings 52 connected to the top andbottom frame members rectangular framework 46. Preferably,shaft 18 comprises a spline shaft and the upper journal bearing 52 includes asleeve 52B and a ball spline bearing 54 withkeyway 51 which allows theshaft 18 to reciprocate vertically relative to the journal bearing 52U and rotate. Astop 56 is connected to the upper end of theshaft 14 by means of threadedfastener 58.Spring 60 is positioned betweenstop 56 and thesleeve 52B for cushioning. - Preferably, the sideways movement of the
carriaged frame 12 is geared to the rotation of theshaft 18 by means of acable 53 which is wrapped once around thesleeve 52B and the trailing ends 55 of thecable 53 are rigidly connected to the left and right side members 32LS and 32RS of therectangular framework 32. Thus, it can be appreciated that rotation of theharness assembly 20,shaft 18 andsleeve 52B causes thecarriaged frame 12 to travel sideways along the length of thecable 53. Preferably, thecable 53 is wrapped about thesleeve 52B in such a manner that thecarriaged frame 12 is in its fully rightward position when theharness assembly 20 is rotated to a position corresponding to the start of the golfer's swing. Thus, as the golfer takes his golf swing, thecarriaged frame 12 is forcibly moved leftward in synchronism with the rotation of the golfer's torso, thereby training the golfer to exercise a proper golf swing. - The
flywheel 16 comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration (see Fig. 3). A plurality ofupstanding pins 62 are positioned equidistantly about an outer periphery of theflywheel 16 for receivingremovable weights 64 to attain a flywheel having a desired mass. - The
flywheel 16 is rigidly connected to the upper protruding portion of the lower sleeve bushing 52LB by means of welding 66 or the like. Theflywheel 16 is operatively connected to theshaft 18 by means of an overrunningclutch 68 having an outer raceway 68ϑ rigidly connected at a lower surface to theflywheel 16 by means of threadedfasteners 70. A ball spline bearing 72 is positioned within the inner raceway 68I of the clutch 68 and is keyed thereto by means ofkeyway 74. Ball spline bearing 72 allows vertical movement of theshaft 18 therethrough while nonrotatably securing the inner raceway 68I to theshaft 18. Ashim bushing 76 may be interposed between the inner raceway 68I and thespline bearing 72. - Rotation of
shaft 18 in one direction causes the inner raceway 68I to rigidly engage the outer raceway 68ϑ of the clutch 68 thereby rigidly interconnecting theflywheel 16 to theshaft 18. Deceleration of theshaft 18 relative to theflywheel 16 causes the raceway 68ϑ and 68I to disengage allowing theflywheel 16 to freely over-run without exerting any torque on theshaft 18. Thus, with thetorso harness assembly 20 connected to the end of theshaft 18, it can be readily appreciated that the golfer's twisting of his torso during the golf swing will forcibly accelerate theflywheel 16 and, at the end of the golf swing when the torso begins to decelerate, theflywheel 16 freely overruns to prevent any force being imparted to thetorso harness assembly 20 which would otherwise adversely affect the golf swing and possibly cause physical damage to the golfer. - The exercising and
training machine 10 of the invention further includes a cammed clutch, generally indicated bynumeral 78, which interconnects theflywheel 16 and theshaft 18 and allows theflywheel 16 to rigidly engage theshaft 18 during a predefined arc of rotation of the shaft in a second direction corresponding to the golfer s backswing opposite to the first direction corresponding to the golfer's golf swing. - More particularly, the cammed clutch 78 comprises a first
clutch plate 80 which is rigidly connected to the upper sleeve bushing 52LB of the upper journal bearing 52. The cammed clutch 78 further comprises a secondclutch plate 82 positioned in alignment with the firstclutch plate 80 and rigidly connected to the upper surface of the outer raceway 68ϑ of the over-running clutch 68 by means of threadedfastener 84. Awearable clutch 86 is positioned between theclutch plates arcuate cam 88 is rigidly connected to the upper surface of the firstclutch plate 80 and includesend ramp 88R. A corresponding cam roller 90 is rotatably connected to abracket 92 depending from thetop frame member 46T of therectangular framework 46 in alignment withcam 88. Alower cam roller 94 may also be rotatably connected tobracket 92 for support to the underside of the secondclutch plate 82. - The
cam 88 is arcuately shaped to be engaged by the cam roller 90 along the predefined arc of rotation which corresponds to the backswing of the golfer when the golfer is facing forwardly. Thus, as the golfer begins his backswing, cam roller 90 engagescam 88 to frictionally engage theclutch plates flywheel 16 to theshaft 18 viasleeve 52B andball spline bearing 54. The golfer must thus exert enough backswing force to rotateflywheel 16. At the end of the golfer's backswing, cam roller 90 rolls offramp 88R ofcam 88 thereby disengaging theplates flywheel 16 to freely rotate. The relative positioning oframp 88R ofcan 88 determines when theflywheel 68 is disengaged. Thus, it can be appreciated that a certain amount of extension of the golfer's torso can be achieved by proper positioning of thecam ramp 88R relative to the golfer's backswing. - The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (10)
energy-storing means, e.g. a flywheel (16);
a frame (12; 32);
bearing means (52) for rotatably connecting said energy-storing means (16) relative to said frame (12);
a harness assembly (20), e.g. a torso harness assembly, for connection to a portion, e.g. the torso, of the person's body to be exercised; characterised by
means (68) for interconnecting said energy-storing means (16) and said harness assembly (20) and effective to allow the former (16) rigidly to engage relative to said harnesss assembly (20) upon acceleration of said harness assembly (20) relative to said energy-storing means (16) 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 (20) upon deceleration of said harnesss assembly (20) relative to said energy-storing means (16) such that the body portion being exercised may be accelerated in said first direction along the path of motion; and also effective, on deceleration of the body portion, to cause said energy-storing means (16) to disengage relative to said harness assembly (20), thereby precluding said energy-storing means (16) from exerting a force on the body portion along the path of motion.
a first clutch plate (80);
means (52LB) for non-rotatably, reciprocatably mounting said first clutch plate (80) to said shaft (18);
a second clutch plate (82);
means (84) for rigidly connecting said second clutch plate (82) relative to energy-storing means (16);
a cam roller (90) rotatably mounted relative to said frame; and
a cam (88) mounted to said first clutch plate (80) for engagement by said cam roller (90) during said predefined arc of rotation, whereby said first clutch plate (80) is cammed into frictional engagement with said second clutch plate (82) when said cam roller (90) engages said cam (88) thereby interconnecting said shaft (18) and said energy-storing means (16) during said predefined arc of rotation; and also characterised in that, optionally, a wearable clutch (86) is positioned between said first clutch plate (80) and said second clutch plate (82).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US38811689A | 1989-08-01 | 1989-08-01 | |
US388116 | 1989-08-01 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0411892A2 true EP0411892A2 (en) | 1991-02-06 |
EP0411892A3 EP0411892A3 (en) | 1991-07-10 |
EP0411892B1 EP0411892B1 (en) | 1996-03-20 |
Family
ID=23532771
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90308400A Expired - Lifetime EP0411892B1 (en) | 1989-08-01 | 1990-07-31 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5219210B2 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2013-06-26 | エイ. ウェーレル マイケル | Physical training equipment |
US9616274B2 (en) | 2005-03-01 | 2017-04-11 | Michael A. Wehrell | Swing training apparatus and method |
Citations (4)
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 |
US4732381A (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1988-03-22 | Lumex, Inc. | Upper body rotation assembly for a back test, rehabilitation and exercise machin |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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
Patent Citations (4)
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 |
US4732381A (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1988-03-22 | Lumex, Inc. | Upper body rotation assembly for a back test, rehabilitation and exercise machin |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69026001T2 (en) | 1996-10-10 |
EP0411892B1 (en) | 1996-03-20 |
AU632143B2 (en) | 1992-12-17 |
AU5874190A (en) | 1991-02-07 |
CA2020183C (en) | 2000-05-23 |
JP2908537B2 (en) | 1999-06-21 |
DE69026001D1 (en) | 1996-04-25 |
EP0411892A3 (en) | 1991-07-10 |
JPH03139373A (en) | 1991-06-13 |
CA2020183A1 (en) | 1991-02-02 |
ATE135593T1 (en) | 1996-04-15 |
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