Resistance mechanism for an exercise machine

Abstract

A resistance mechanism for an exercise machine, the resistance mechanism comprising: a drive interface, suitable for transferring motion from a drive assembly driven by a user of the exercise machine to the resistance mechanism, a flywheel comprising a first disc operatively coupled to the drive interface and arranged to be rotated by the drive interface, a magnetic assembly having at least one magnet arranged on at least one side of the first disc, a displacement assembly comprising a pivoting element, arranged to pivot about a rotation axis, said magnetic assembly being fastened to the pivoting element, such that the magnetic assembly is displaced between a first position and a second position when the pivoting element pivots about the rotation axis, wherein in the first position, the magnetic assembly is arranged distally from the first disc or is arranged overlapping at least a first area of the first disc, and in the second position, the magnetic assembly is arranged overlapping at least a second area of the first disc, said second area being greater than said first area, said pivoting element further comprising an arcuate toothed portion including a plurality of teeth extending in a radially outward direction with respect to the arcuate toothed portion; a toothed gear arranged in engagement with the arcuate toothed portion and configured to pivot the pivoting element about the rotation axis to move the magnetic assembly between the first position and the second position; and a handle operatively coupled to the toothed gear and configured to rotate the toothed gear and thereby move and position the magnetic assembly between the first position and the second position to thereby adjust the resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the motion of the drive interface.

Description

[0001] RESISTANCE MECHANISM FOR AN EXERCISE MACHINE

[0002] Technical Field of the invention

[0003] The current invention relates to a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine (or fitness machine) that enables a user to select a resistance provided by the exercise machine to a desired level. In an aspect, the current invention also discloses an exercise machine comprising a resistance mechanism.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Selecting a desired resistance setting of currently available exercise machines, such as exercise bicycles, is currently provided by many different types of mechanisms. Some mechanisms are based on friction, some on electrical power dissipation and others are based on magnetic braking principles such as eddy current braking. Some of the resistance mechanisms comprise adjusting assemblies which provide slow and inaccurate resistance settings. As such, alternative mechanisms are always of interest.

[0006] Different mechanisms have previously been proposed which provide systems which should be easier to use for the user. Some prior art examples of more advanced mechanisms for resistance selection are disclosed in W02008051693, US2022176196, US11633647, and EP3278842. However, these mechanisms all have different advantages and disadvantages.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] It is therefore a first aspect of the current invention to provide a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine that provides a plurality of manually selectable resistance settings to a user of the exercise machine. A second aspect of the current invention is to provide a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine which has a more linear relationship between the position of an input handle and the resistance level than prior art devices.

[0009] A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine which has a simple construction.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the current invention is to provide a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine which allows for flexible installation.

[0011] At least some of the above mentioned aspects are solved by a resistance mechanism according to claim 1 .

[0012] In this way, the magnetic assembly is moved / displaced between the first position and the second position to vary a strength of the magnetic field in which the first disc rotates, thereby varying i.e. , increasing or decreasing the resistance to motion of the flywheel and hence the drive interface due to eddy currents generated in the first disc.

[0013] In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly comprises at least two magnets with at least one magnet of the magnetic assembly arranged on either side of the first disc. In this way, the magnetic field can be made more concentrated as well as making the forces more balanced.

[0014] In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly is arranged on one side of a plane comprising the rotation axis of the pivoting element and the arcuate toothed portion is arranged on another side of said plane. In this way, a balanced mechanism is provided where the forces on the mechanism are reduced, since they are more balance on either side of the rotation axis. It could also be noted that the distance between the magnetic assembly and the rotation axis is reduced in this manner, thereby reducing the bending loads on the pivot element.

[0015] In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly is configured to be positioned at a plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. In this way, the resistance of the resistance mechanism can be adjusted at a number of levels between a minimum resistance when the magnetic assembly is located in the first position and a maximum resistance when the magnetic assembly is located in the second position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism includes a holding mechanism to hold the magnetic assembly at a discreet number of intermediate positions between the first and second positions and / or at the first or second position. In this way, the user can place the resistance mechanism in a number of discreet positions. In some embodiments, there are more than 5, more than 7 more than 9 discreet positions. In some embodiments, there are less than 20, less than 18 or less than 15 discreet positions.

[0017] In some embodiments, the holding mechanism is arranged to increase the resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the magnetic assembly is at one of said discreet number of intermediate positions and / or at the first or second position. In this way, the system will be in a stable resistance level during use and will not switch resistance level, unless a user actively applies force to the handle to move the magnetic assembly.

[0018] In some embodiments, the holding mechanism comprises: a plurality of spaced apart depressions defined on an outer surface of a rotating part of the resistance assembly connected to the handle and arrayed circularly on said outer surface, and a spring-loaded element biased to extend inside a depression of the plurality of depressions to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the spring-loaded element is extended into a depression. In this way a form of snap or indexing mechanism is provided which gives the user rotating the handle a tactile feedback for when the mechanism is arranged in one of the discreet positions. In some embodiments, the spring loaded element is a spring loaded pin.

[0019] In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism includes a shaft, and the toothed gear is mounted on the shaft, wherein the holding mechanism comprises: a plurality of depressions defined on an outer surface of the shaft and arrayed circularly on the outer surface of the shaft, and a spring-loaded element biased to extend inside a depression of the plurality of depressions to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the spring-loaded element is extended into a depression.

[0020] In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a wavy portion on the handle with a series of high points and a series of low points and a spring-loaded element biased to engage with the wavy portion to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the springloaded element is arranged in a low point of the wavy portion. In some embodiments, the wavy portion extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the handle.

[0021] It should be noted that the current resistance mechanism provides a mechanism which has an inertial resistance component and a frictional resistance component. Inertial resistance will provide resistance against changes in speed of the flywheel while the frictional resistance will provide resistance against the continued rotation of the flywheel. The position of the magnets with respect to the first disc will increase or decrease the frictional resistance while the inertia of the flywheel will increase or decrease the inertial resistance. Accordingly, by varying the inertia of the flywheel, the inertial resistance provided by the resistance mechanism can be varied. Likewise, by increasing the size and / or number of the magnets, the maximum frictional resistance provided by the resistance mechanism can be varied. Furthermore, by changing a gearing between the components of the drive interface, the properties of the resistance mechanism can also be adjusted. In this way, the same resistance mechanism can be used for different types of exercise machines where different levels of resistance are required, just by varying the size / number of magnets and / or the inertial weight of the flywheel.

[0022] In some embodiments, the flywheel comprises an inertial element detachably attached to the first disc and arranged to rotate with the first disc. In this way, the inertial resistance of the resistance mechanism can be changed by changing the size of the inertial element attached to the first disc.

[0023] In some embodiments the first disc is made of aluminium. In some embodiments the inertial element is made of a material which has a higher mass per unit volume than the first disc. In some embodiments, the inertial element is made of iron, steel or lead. In some embodiments, the inertial element is made in the form of a circular disc.

[0024] In some embodiments, the drive interface includes a drive roller adapted to be rotated by a user to perform the exercise, a driven roller operatively coupled to the drive roller and configured to rotate the flywheel, and a drive belt coupling the drive roller to the driven roller to rotate the driven roller in response to the rotation of the drive roller. By changing the size ratio between the driven roller and the drive roller, the gearing of the drive interface can be changed to change the properties of the resistance mechanism. Further, in some embodiments, the drive interface includes a tensioner, for example, an idler arranged contacting the belt to maintain the belt at a desired tension. In some embodiments of the mechanism, a position of the idler may be adjusted to adjust the tension in the belt to a desired level. In some embodiments, the positon of the idler is biased in one direction via a spring element.

[0025] In some embodiments, a position of the idler depends on a direction of the rotation in which the drive roller is to be rotated to enable the user to exercise on the exercise machine. By positioning the idler on opposite sides of the driven roller or the drive roller, the direction of rotation in which the driver roller is to be rotated can be changed.

[0026] In some embodiments, said resistance mechanism further comprises a central plate, wherein the flywheel and the displacement mechanism are mounted on the central pate.

[0027] In some embodiments, the handle is arranged on one side of the plate and the flywheel is arranged on the other side of the plate.

[0028] In some embodiments, the drive interface is arranged on one side of the plate and the flywheel and the displacement mechanism are arranged on the other side of the plate.

[0029] In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a first cover element and a second cover element, where the first cover element is detachably attached to one side of the plate and the second cover element is detachably attached to the other side of the plate. In some embodiments, the first cover element covers the flywheel and the displacement mechanism and the second cover element covers the drive interface. In this manner, the moving components of the resistance mechanism can be accessed by removing the first and / or second cover elements, without affecting the functioning of the elements. This is in contrast to most prior art systems, where the components of the resistance mechanisms are connected to cover elements themselves. For example, the drive belt can be replaced, just by removing one cover element. Likewise, the other cover element can be removed to service the flywheel and / or the displacement mechanism and / or the magnetic assembly.

[0030] In one aspect of the current invention, an exercise machine is provided comprising a resistance mechanism as described in one of the embodiments above.

[0031] In some embodiments, the exercise machine is a cross trainer.

[0032] In some embodiments, the exercise machine is a recumbent bike.

[0033] In some embodiments, the exercise machine is an arm bike.

[0034] In some embodiments, the exercise machine is a stationary upright bike.

[0035] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising / comprised of" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0036] Brief description of the drawings

[0037] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a left perspective view of a resistance mechanism for an exercise machine.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a right perspective view of the resistance mechanism of figure 1 .

[0040] Figure 3 shows a right perspective view of the resistance mechanism of figure 2 with a cover removed and depicting components of the resistance mechanism.

[0041] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the resistance mechanism of figure 3.

[0042] Figure 5 shows a left perspective view of the resistance mechanism of figure 1 with a cover removed and depicting components of a drive interface of the resistance mechanism and a holding mechanism of the resistance mechanism.

[0043] Figure 5a shows a close-up view of the holding mechanism of the resistance mechanism illustrated in figure 5.

[0044] Figures 6 shows an exploded view of the resistance mechanism of figure 1 .

[0045] Figure 7 shows a left perspective view of a cross trainer exercise machine having a resistance mechanism similar to the one of figure 1 .

[0046] Figure 8 shows a right perspective view of the cross trainer of figure 7. Figure 9 shows a left close-up perspective view of the cross trainer of figure 7 with a cover and a drive roller removed.

[0047] Figure 10 shows a right close-up perspective view of the resistance mechanism of the cross trainer of figure 8 with a cover removed.

[0048] Figure 11 shows a left perspective view of a recumbent bike exercise machine and having a resistance mechanism with pedals arranged to be rotated by a user.

[0049] Figure 12 shows a right perspective view of the recumbent bike of figure 11 .

[0050] Figure 13 shows a left perspective view of the resistance mechanism of the recumbent bike of figure 11 with a cover removed and depicting a magnetic assembly and a flywheel of the resistance mechanism.

[0051] Figure 14 shows a right perspective view of the resistance mechanism of the recumbent bike of figure 12 with a cover removed and depicting a position of an idler of the resistance mechanism.

[0052] Figure 15 shows a right perspective view of an arm bike exercise machine and having a resistance mechanism with pedals arranged to be driven by a user.

[0053] Figure 16 shows a left perspective view of the arm bike of figure 15.

[0054] Figure 17 shows a right perspective view of the arm bike of figure 15 with a cover of the resistance mechanism removed and depicting a magnetic assembly and a flywheel of the resistance mechanism. Figure 18 shows the left perspective view of the arm bike of figure 16 with a cover and a pedal and pedal arm of the resistance mechanism removed and depicting a position of an idler of the resistance mechanism.

[0055] Figure 19 shows an alternative view of a holding mechanism for a resistance mechanism.

[0056] Figure 20 shows a detailed side view of the resistance mechanism of figure 13 with the first disc hidden and the magnetic assembly in the first position.

[0057] Figure 21 shows a detailed side view of the resistance mechanism of figure 13 with the first disc hidden and the magnetic assembly in the second position.

[0058] Detailed description of the embodiments

[0059] Figures 1 and 2 show different views of a resistance mechanism 100 for an exercise machine. As shown, the mechanism 100 includes a frame 102 supporting the mechanism 100 on a surface and provides a structure for mounting various components of the mechanism 100. As shown in figures 3 to 6, the frame 102 includes a base structure 104 adapted to be coupled to the surface and arranged supported on the surface, for example, a ground, and a central plate 106 coupled to the base structure 104 and provides a support structure to which various components of the mechanism 100 are mounted.

[0060] Referring to figures 5 and 6, the mechanism 100 also includes a drive assembly 110 adapted to be operated by a user, and a resistance assembly 112 (best shown in figures 3 and 4) operatively coupled to the drive assembly 110 via a drive interface 111 and provides an adjustable resistance to the operation or movement of the drive assembly 110 by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive assembly 110 includes a central shaft 114 rotatably mounted to the plate 106 and having ends arranged on opposite sides of the plate 106, and a pair of pedals 116, 118 attached to the shaft 114 and configured to facilitate the user to rotate the shaft 114 about its central axis. The drive assembly 110 is connected to the resistance assembly via a drive interface 111 which includes a drive roller 120 fixedly mounted on the shaft 114 and adapted to rotate about the central axis of the shaft 114 in response to the rotation of the shaft 114 by the pedalling the pedals 116, 118.

[0061] Moreover, the drive interface 111 includes a driven roller 122 adapted to be driven by the drive roller 120 and operatively coupled to the drive roller 120 by a belt 124. To maintain a desired tension in the belt 124, the drive interface 110 includes an idler 126 arranged contacting the belt 124 and rotatably mounted to the plate 106. As shown, the drive roller 120 and the driven roller 122 are also rotatably supported on the pate 106 and are arranged on a first side of the plate 106. Accordingly, the drive interface 110 is arranged on a first side of the plate, while various components of the resistance assembly 112 are mounted on a second side of the plate 106. It should also be noted that the gearing of the drive interface can be changed by changing the size ratio between the driven roller 122 and the drive roller 120.

[0062] Referring to figures 3 and 4, the resistance assembly 112 includes a flywheel 130 mounted on a driven shaft 132 on which the driven roller 122 is mounted. Accordingly, the driven shaft 132 is rotatably supported on the plate 106 with one end arranged on the first side of the plate 106 and the other end disposed on the second side of the plate 106. Accordingly, the flywheel 130 rotates in response to the rotation of the driven roller 122. The flywheel 130 includes a disc structure 133 having a first disc 134, preferably made of aluminium, and a second disc 136 (or inertial element) made of heavy material, for example, cast iron or steel, and removably coupled to the first disc 134 by suitable fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, the first disc 134 may include a larger diameter than the second disc 136 and is arranged between the plate 106 and the second disc 136. Although, the first disc 134 made of aluminium is contemplated, it may be appreciated that the first disc 134 may be made of suitable material in which eddy currents are generated as the first disc 134 rotates inside a magnetic field. In some embodiments, the first disc 134 and the second disc 136 may be integral to each other and in such a case both the first and second discs 134, 136 may be made of material in which eddy currents are generated when moved / rotated inside a magnetic field.

[0063] To generate the magnetic field, the resistance assembly 112 includes a magnetic assembly 140 disposed proximate to a periphery of the first disc 134 and including at least two magnets with at least one first magnet 142 arranged on one side of the first disc 134 and at least one second magnet 144 arranged on other side of the first disc 134, and a holder 146 holding the at least two magnets 142, 144. The holder 146 is movably connected to the plate 106 and configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the holder 146 is arranged proximate to the first disc 134 such that that the magnets 142, 144 are arranged overlapping the first disc 134, while in the first position of the holder 146, the magnets are arranged relatively away from the first disc 134 such that the magnets overlap the disc less. It may be appreciated that the holder 146 and hence the magnetic assembly 140 may be arranged at one or more intermediate positions located between the first position and the second position. It may be appreciated that a resistive force applied by the resistance assembly 112 is maximum when the magnetic assembly 140 is arranged at the second position due to the presence of the first disc 134 inside a strong magnetic field of the magnets 142, 144, while the resistive force applied / provided by the resistance assembly 112 is minimum when the magnetic assembly 140 is arranged at the first position due to the presence of the first disc 134 inside a relatively weak magnetic field of the magnets 142, 144. Accordingly, by changing and arranging the magnetic assembly 140 and hence the holder 146 at any desired position, a desired resistive force or resistance level of the mechanism 100 is selected by the user.

[0064] Further, to facilitate the movement of the magnetic assembly 140, the resistance assembly 112 includes a pivoting element 150 having a toothed arcuate portion with a plurality of teeth 152 extending in radial outward direction and arranged along a portion of the pivoting element 150. Accordingly, the pivoting element 150 acts as an external gear mounted on a shaft 154 that is rotatably coupled to the plate 106. The holder 156 is also connected / attached to the pivoting element 150 such that the teeth 152 are arranged along an arcuate edge of the pivoting element 150, while the holder 156 is connected to a straight edge of the pivoting element. Accordingly, the holder 146 and hence the magnetic assembly 140 moves away from the first disc 134 when the pivoting element 150 is rotated in a first direction and moves towards the first disc 134 when the pivoting element 150 is rotated in the second direction.

[0065] As shown in figure 4, to rotate the pivoting element 150 and position the magnetic assembly 140 at any desired position, the resistance assembly 112 includes a selector mechanism 160 having a selector shaft 162 rotatably mounted to the plate 106 and adapted to rotate about its central axis, and a toothed gear 164 mounted on the selector shaft 162 and arranged in engagement with the teeth 152 of the pivoting element 152. Accordingly, the pivoting element 150 rotates in response to the rotation of the toothed gear 164. Further, to enable a rotation of the selector shaft 162 and hence the gear 164 by the user, the resistance assembly 112 includes a handle 170 (shown in figures 1 and 6) fixedly mounted on the selector shaft 162. Due to the rotation of the handle 170, the selector shaft 162 rotates, rotating the gear 164, which in turn rotates the pivoting element 150, thereby moving the magnetic assembly 140 between the first position and second position i.e., closer to or further away from the first disc 134 as per the direction of rotational direction of the handle 170.

[0066] It may be appreciated that the resistance assembly 112 includes a holding mechanism 172 (best shown in figure 5 and 5a) to hold the handle 170 at a plurality of discreet positions that corresponds to a plurality of positions of the magnetic assembly 1400, and hence hold the holder 156 at any desired position and prevent any undesired rotation of the pivoting element 150, the toothed gear 164, and the magnetic assembly 140.

[0067] As shown, see figure 5a, the holding mechanism 172 includes a plurality of depressions 174 disposed / defined on an outer surface of the selector shaft 162 and arrayed circularly around a central axis of the selector shaft 162. The plurality of depressions corresponds to the plurality of positions of the magnetic assembly 140 and hence the plurality of stable positions of the handle 170. Further, the holding mechanism 172 includes a spring biased pin 180 adapted to removably extend inside one depression 174 at a time to lock the rotation of the gear 164 and the selector shaft 162, and hence hold the magnetic assembly 140 at a position corresponding to the depression 174 by preventing any undesired rotation of the pivoting element 150. Accordingly, a user needs to apply a force against the biasing force of the spring biased pin to rotate the gear 164 and hence the pivoting element 150 and position the magnetic assembly 140 at any other desired position to get a desired resistance force to the rotation of the drive roller 120, and hence the pedalling of the pedals 116, 118 by the user. Once the user positions the handle 170 at a desired position, the pin 180 extends inside the associated depression 174 and prevents any undesired rotation of the gear 164. Accordingly, the holding mechanism 172 acts as an indexing mechanism of the mechanism 100 and the user selects the desired position by rotating and positioning handle 170 accordingly. Further, the mechanism 100 includes a pair of covers 182, 184 arranged on both sides of the plate 106 and removably coupled to the plate 106, covering the components of the drive interface 111 and the resistance assembly 112. As shown, one of the covers 182, 184 includes as opening 186 to provide an access to the handle 170 to the user to rotate the handle 170 to select a desired resistance force provided by the resistance assembly 112. As the components of the resistance assembly 112 and the drive interface 111 are mounted to the frame 102 i.e., the plate 106 and not to the covers 182, 184, the covers 182, 184 can be easily removed to enable an easy servicing and maintenance of the mechanism 100 relative to the prior art machines in which at least some of the components of the resistance assembly are mounted to the covers. In particular, it can be noted that the covers can be removed, just by removing the pedals and the pedal arms. The remaining components of the mechanism can remain connected to the plate and can still function without the covers. In this way, it is easy to service the components and also to see if everything is functioning properly before reassembling the cover elements.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 an exercise machine 700 having a resistance mechanism 100’ is shown. The exercise machine 700 is shown as a crosstrainer 702 with pedals of the resistance mechanism 100’ connected with foot arms 704 of the cross-trainer 702 to rotate the pedals 116 in the first direction to perform the exercise. As shown in FIG. 9, the pedals 116 and the drive roller 120 are arranged to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction when seen from the side with the handle, and for so doing the idler 126 is arranged on one side of the drive roller 120 to provide desired tension to the belt 124. The idler 126 is pressed against the belt via a biasing mechanism 200. The biasing mechanism comprises a lever arm 202 which is arranged to pivot about a pivot point 204. The idler 126 is rotatably mounted on the lever arm 202. One end 206 of the lever arm is attached to a tension spring 208 which pulls the end of the lever arm to apply force to the idler which in turn applies tension to the belt 124. However, it may be appreciated that the position of the idler 126 depends on the direction of rotation of the drive roller 120 and hence the pedals 116 to perform the exercise. Accordingly, the idler 126 may be positioned on opposite side of that is shown in FIG. 9 to enable the rotation of the pedals 116 in a second direction (i.e., clockwise direction) opposite to the first direction for performing the exercise (see for example figure 14 which shows a clockwise rotation of the pedals when seen from the side of the handle).

[0069] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, although a flywheel with a large inertial element 130 is used in this embodiment to provide a relatively large inertial resistance to the pedalling by the user, it may be appreciated that a size of the flywheel or the inertial element may be varied depending on the type of exercise machine the resistance mechanism is to be integrated in and hence the desired inertial resistance. Also, the number and size of the magnets of the magnetic assembly 140 may also be varied to increase or decrease the resistance to the motion provided by the resistance assembly 112. For example, the number and / or size of the magnets can be increased to increase the resistance offered by the resistance assembly 112, while the number and / or size of magnets may be decreased to decrease the resistance provided by the resistance assembly 112. In this embodiment, the magnetic assembly 140 of the resistance assembly 112 includes four magnets. In this manner, the resistance mechanism 100 may be adapted by changing one or more of the position of the idler, the size of the flywheel, and the number and / or size of magnets of the magnetic assembly.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 11-14, another embodiment of an exercise machine 1100 is shown in the form of a recumbent bike 1102 having a resistance mechanism 100” and a seat 1104 for enabling a seating of a person to perform exercise. The resistance mechanism 100” is similar to the resistance mechanism 100’ except that an idler 126’ of the resistance mechanism 100’ is positioned on a side opposite to that of the position of the idler 126 of the resistance mechanism 100’. This is to enable the rotation of the pedals 116 of the resistance mechanism 100” in the opposite direction of rotation when compared to the cross trainer. Moreover, a magnetic assembly 140’ of a resistance assembly 112’ of the resistance mechanism 100” of the recumbent bike 1102 is similar to the magnetic assembly 140 except that the magnetic assembly 140’ includes two magnets while the magnetic assembly 140 of the cross trainer 702 includes four magnets.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 15-18, an example exercise machine 1500 is shown as an arm bike 1502 having a resistance mechanism 100’” and a seat 1504 to enable a seating of a person to perform the exercise. The resistance mechanism 100’” is similar to the resistance mechanism 100’. An idler 126” of the resistance mechanism 100’” is positioned on the same side as that of the position of the idler 126 of the resistance mechanism 100’. This is to enable the rotation of the pedals 116 of the resistance mechanism 100’” in the counter-clockwise direction when seen from the side of the handle to enable the user to exercise. Moreover, a magnetic assembly 140” of a resistance assembly 112” of the resistance mechanism 100’” of the arm bike 1502 is similar to the magnetic assembly 140 except that the magnetic assembly 140” includes two magnets while magnetic assembly 140 of the cross trainer 702 includes four magnets. Moreover, an inertial element 130” of the resistance assembly 112” of the resistance mechanism 100’” is smaller than the inertial element 130 of the resistance mechanism 100’ of the cross trainer 702.

[0072] Figure 19 shows an alternative holding mechanism 2000 to that shown in figures 5 and 5a. In this embodiment, instead of adding depressions and a cooperating spring loaded pin to a shaft, the handle 2002 itself has a rearward facing wavy portion 2004 which engages with a spring loaded pin 2006 arranged in a housing 2008. The wavy portion defines a series of alternating spaced depressions 2010 and peaks 2012. The spring is hidden inside the housing, but it could be imagined that there is a compression spring inside the housing biasing the pin 2006 out of the housing and against the wavy portion of the handle. As the handle turns, the spring loaded pin will be pushed into the housing as the wavy portion increases in height. This will require force from the user to cause the handle to turn. Once the spring loaded pin has passed a peak 2012 of the wavy portion, the pin will start to extend out of the housing until it reaches a trough or depression 2010 of the wavy portion. This will be a stable position for the handle. The user will feel this effect as a tactile indexing effect.

[0073] Figures 20 and 21 illustrate more clearly, than in the other figures above, the different positions of the magnetic assembly 140 of the resistance mechanism 100” as shown in figures 13 and 14. The first disc 134 of the flywheel 130 has been hidden and its outline is shown by the dashed circle in figures 20 and 21. In Figure 20, the magnetic assembly 140 is shown in its “first” position, i.e. the position where it exerts the least resistance against the motion of the first disc. In figure 21 , the magnetic assembly 140 is shown in its “second” position, i.e. the position where it exerts the most resistance against the motion of the first disc. The magnetic assembly can be moved in discreet steps between the first and second positions via the handle.

[0074] It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description. For example, the specific materials used and the specific manufacturing procedures have not been described in detail since it is maintained that the person skilled in the art would be able to find suitable materials and suitable processes to manufacture the exercise machines according to the current invention.

[0075] Furthermore, the figures show additional features which the person skilled in the art will be able to understand. As such, such additional features have not been described in detail herein.

Claims

Claims1. A resistance mechanism for an exercise machine, the resistance mechanism comprising: a. a drive interface, suitable for transferring motion from a drive assembly driven by a user of the exercise machine to the resistance mechanism, b. a flywheel comprising a first disc operatively coupled to the drive interface and arranged to be rotated by the drive interface, c. a magnetic assembly having at least one magnet arranged on at least one side of the first disc, d. a displacement assembly comprising a pivoting element, arranged to pivot about a rotation axis, said magnetic assembly being fastened to the pivoting element, such that the magnetic assembly is displaced between a first position and a second position when the pivoting element pivots about the rotation axis, wherein i. in the first position, the magnetic assembly is arranged distally from the first disc or is arranged overlapping at least a first area of the first disc, and ii. in the second position, the magnetic assembly is arranged overlapping at least a second area of the first disc, said second area being greater than said first area, e. said pivoting element further comprising an arcuate toothed portion including a plurality of teeth extending in a radially outward direction with respect to the arcuate toothed portion; f. a toothed gear arranged in engagement with the arcuate toothed portion and configured to pivot the pivoting element about the rotation axis to move the magnetic assembly between the first position and the second position; andg. a handle operatively coupled to the toothed gear and configured to rotate the toothed gear and thereby move and position the magnetic assembly between the first position and the second position to thereby adjust the resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the motion of the drive interface.

2. The resistance mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that the magnetic assembly is configured to be positioned at a plurality of intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.

3. The resistance mechanism of claim 2, characterized in that the resistance mechanism comprises a holding mechanism to hold the magnetic assembly at a discreet number of intermediate positions between the first and second positions and / or at the first or second position.

4. The resistance mechanism of claim 3, characterized in that there are more than 5 discreet positions between the first and second positions.

5. The resistance mechanism of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the holding mechanism is arranged to increase the resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the magnetic assembly is at one of said discreet number of intermediate positions and / or at the first or second position.

6. The resistance mechanism of claim 5 characterized in that the holding mechanism comprises: a. a plurality of spaced apart depressions defined on an outer surface of a rotating part of the resistance assembly connected to the handle and arrayed circularly on said outer surface, andb. a spring-loaded element biased to extend inside a depression of the plurality of depressions to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the spring-loaded element is extended into a depression.

7. The resistance mechanism of claim 5, characterized in that the resistance mechanism includes a shaft, and the toothed gear is mounted on the shaft, wherein the holding mechanism comprises: a plurality of depressions defined on an outer surface of the shaft and arrayed circularly on the outer surface of the shaft, and a spring- loaded element biased to extend inside a depression of the plurality of depressions to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the spring-loaded element is extended into a depression.

8. The resistance mechanism of claim 5, characterized in that the resistance mechanism comprises a wavy portion on the handle with a series of high points and a series of low points and a spring-loaded element biased to engage with the wavy portion to provide increased resistance against rotation of the toothed gear when the spring-loaded element is arranged in a low point of the wavy portion.

9. The resistance mechanism of any one preceding claims, characterized in that the flywheel comprises an inertial element detachably attached to the first disc to rotate with the first disc.

10. The resistance mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first disc is made of aluminium.

11. The resistance mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive interface includes a drive rolleradapted to be rotated by a user to perform the exercise, a driven roller operatively coupled to the drive roller and configured to rotate the flywheel, and a drive belt coupling the drive roller to the driven roller to rotate the driven roller in response to the rotation of the drive roller.

12. The resistance mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that said resistance mechanism further comprises a central plate, wherein the flywheel and the displacement mechanism are mounted on the central pate.

13. The resistance mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that the handle is arranged on one side of the central plate and the flywheel is arranged on the other side of the central plate.

14. The resistance mechanism according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the drive interface is arranged on one side of the central plate and the flywheel and the displacement mechanism are arranged on the other side of the central plate.

15. The resistance mechanism according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the resistance mechanism comprises a first cover element and a second cover element, and in that the first cover element is detachably attached to one side of the central plate and the second cover element is detachably attached to the other side of the central plate.

16. The resistance mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic assembly is arranged on one side of a plane comprising the rotation axis of the pivoting element and the arcuate toothed portion is arranged on another side of said plane.

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