Sensor arrangement for exercise machines

Abstract

An apparatus for use with an exercise machine of the type having: a frame element; a stack of weight plates disposed beneath the frame element and arranged from a topmost weight plate to a bottommost weight plate, each of said weight plates having a pair of guide rod openings for accommodating a respective guide rod therethrough; and a pair of generally vertically-extending guide rods passing through respective guide rod openings of each weight plate in the weight plate stack, and wherein a user-selectable number of the weight plates is moveable along the guide rods by a cable drawn by a user of the equipment, the apparatus comprising: a distance sensor mounted in use to one of the frame element and the topmost plate and adapted to measure the distance between the frame element and the topmost plate.

Description

SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR EXERCISE MACHINESFIELD

[0001] This invention relates to the field of resistance training equipment of the selectorized type.BACKGROUND

[0002] Selectorized resistance training machines are widely used around the world. These machines use a series of cables and pulleys to lift a built-in vertical weight stack. These machines provide constant resistance and a preset movement pattern that many believe to be helpful in terms of injury avoidance. Additionally, selectorized machines provide the user a relatively easy and quick way to change the weight selection as opposed to plate-loaded machines and free weights.SUMMARY

[0003] Forming one aspect of the invention is apparatus for use with an exercise machine of the type having: a frame element; a stack of weight plates disposed beneath the frame element and arranged from a topmost weight plate to a bottommost weight plate, each of said weight plates having a pair of guide rod openings for accommodating a respective guide rod therethrough; and a pair of generally vertically-extending guide rods passing through respective guide rod openings of each weight plate in the weight plate stack, and wherein a user-selectable number of the weight plates is moveable along the guide rods by a cable drawn by a user of the equipment.

[0004] This apparatus comprises: a ranging sensor mounted in use to one of the frame element and the topmost plate and adapted to measure the distance between the frame element and the topmost plate.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can further comprise a transmitter functionality operatively coupled to the distance sensor receive the measured distance therefrom and to wirelessly transmit a signal which varies in response to the measured distance.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can further comprise a weight calculator adapted to produce indicia that varies in use with the number of weight plates in motion along the guide rods and the transmitter functionality can be operatively coupled to the weight calculator and be adapted such that the signal also varies in response to the number of weight plates in motion along the guide rods.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the indicia can vary in use with the mass in motion along the guide rods.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the weight calculator can be mounted to the cable and the transmitter functionality can comprise a weight transmitter that forms part of the weight calculator.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the distance sensor can be mounted to the frame element and the transmitter functionality can comprises a distance transmitter that forms part of the distance sensor.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the distance sensor can be mounted to the topmost plate.

[0011] According to other aspects of the invention:• the apparatus can further comprise: a generator having a roller disposed in engagement with one of the guide rods and adapted to produce electricity in response to movement of the topmost plate along the guide rods; and a battery operatively coupled to the generator to receive electricity therefrom; and• the distance sensor and the weight calculator can be electrically operated and operatively coupled to the battery for operation.

[0012] Further advantages, features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the appended drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the drawings:• FIG. 1 is a prior art exercise machine in use• FIG 2 is a view of an example embodiment of the invention in use with the structure of FIG. 1• FIG 3 is an enlarged view of encircled area 3 of FIG. 2• FIG 4 is a view of a distance sensor according to an alternate embodiment of the invention• FIG 5 is a view of augmented reality glasses in useDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention is described in detail hereinbelow but as an initial matter, it should be understood that the apparatus is for use with a resistance training machine 100 of the selectorized type.

[0015] This type of machine has:• a frame element 102;• a stack of weight plates 104 disposed beneath the frame element and arranged from a topmost weight plate 106 to a bottommost weight plate 108, each of said weight plates having a pair of guide rod openings 110 for accommodating a respective guide rod therethrough, each of said weight plates further having a lifting rod opening 112 therethrough and a void 114 leading to the lifting rod opening;• a pair of generally vertically-extending guide rods 116 passing through respective guide rod openings of each weight plate in the weight plate stack;• a cable 118;• a lifting rod 120 operatively coupled to the cable, adapted to be received in the stack and having a plurality of bores defined therethrough; and• a pin 122.

[0016] In use, a user of the equipment moves a user-selectable number of the weight plates along the guide rods, such selection being effected by inserting the pin through the void of the selected plate and into the rod.

[0017] The example apparatus 20 is shown in use in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and comprises a distance sensor 22, a mass calculator 24, a transmitter functionality 26, a generator 28 and a battery 30.

[0018] The distance sensor is electrically powered, is mounted to the topmost plate and is adapted to measure the distance between the frame element and the topmost plate. The distance sensor is of the type which outputs a known ultrasonic wave and measures a change when the wave returns, the change being the time it takes for the wave to return. Distance sensors of this type are commercially available at low cost and further detail thereof is neither required nor provided.

[0019] The weight calculator is an electrically powered load cell and is adapted to produce indicia that varies in use with the mass in motion along the guide rods. Weight calculators of this type are commercially available at low cost and further detail thereof is neither required nor provided.

[0020] The transmitter functionality:• is operatively coupled to the distance sensor to receive the measured distance therefrom• is operatively coupled to the weight calculator to receive the indicia therefrom• is adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal which varies in response to the measured distance and in response to the mass in motion along the guide rods.

[0021] The generator has a roller 32 disposed in engagement with one of the guide rods and is adapted to produce electricity in response to movement of the topmost plate along the guide rods.

[0021] The battery is operatively coupled to the generator to receive electricity therefrom and is operatively coupled to the distance sensor and the weight calculator.

[0022] Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the wireless signal generated by the distance sensor and the mass calculator can be received and processed into useful information, for example, a smartphone, smart glasses, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a smart bracelet or a laptop computer. By way of non-limiting example in this regard, reference is made to WO 2016 / 111827, incorporated herein by reference.

[0023] A second embodiment of the invention differs from that of FIG. 1 in that:• the generator is not provided• the distance sensor 22 is mounted to the frame, as shown in FIG. 3• the transmitter functionality comprises a weight transmitter that forms part of the weight calculator and a distance transmitter that forms part of the distance sensor• a separate battery is associated with each of the weight calculator and the distance sensor

[0024] An example of a weight calculator useful for this embodiment is the device sold by Shapelog.

[0025] The apparatus of the above embodiments can be advantageously employed in a system that includes smart glasses, such as those sold by Meta or Google.

[0026] One manner in which such a system could be deployed is in the context of training regimes wherein the user guides the mass through a single, relatively slow movement. In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 5, which shows a series of lines wherein the abscissa is a time period, specifically 30 seconds, and the ordinate is the distance by which the topmost plate has moved from rest, the solid line shows a previous movement of the user, the large dash line shows a target movement (set by a trainer) and the small dash line shows the current movement of the user. In this example, it will be seen that in the first 8 seconds of the "set", the user has moved the mass a greater distance from rest than desired by the trainer, and at a faster rate of speed. However, the lines shown herein are merely illustrative and exaggerated, for ease of illustration: having the lines appear in the course of the "set" gives the user the ability to target a specific movement. Of course, the lines will generally disappear, to minimize distractions, as the user walks to a new station.

[0027] Whereas three specific embodiments are herein shown and described, variations are possible.

[0028] Without limitation in this regard:• whereas ultrasonic waves and time of return are mentioned, other waves, such as infrared (IR) or Laser Distance Sensors (LiDAR), could form the basis of the distance sensor and the change measured could be detection of reflection time.• whereas a load cell is mentioned a force transducer could be substituted• whereas mass is indicated to be measured, the sensor could instead measure the number of plates in motion, for example, by measuring changes in resistance or capacitance (when the plates in motion separate from the remainder of the plates)• whereas the product of Shapelog is mentioned, this product of course can be omitted

[0029] Further, whereas reference is made to a signal that carries details of mass and distance, persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the signal could also carry a unique identifier, to facilitate processing.

[0030] Similarly, persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that signals will usefully be staggered:• signals can be sent at different times from different machines or carry unique IDs, to avoid interference and ensure accurate identification and differentiation of signals from multiple sources• mass measurements, and signals associated therewith, can be sent at relatively long periods, since those changes do not occur dynamically• when the mass is in motion, distance measurements will be collected and transmitted frequently, to capture acceleration and range of motion

[0029] Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. Apparatus for use with an exercise machine of the type having: a frame element; a stack of weight plates disposed beneath the frame element and arranged from a topmost weight plate to a bottommost weight plate, each of said weight plates having a pair of guide rod openings for accommodating a respective guide rod therethrough; and a pair of generally vertically-extending guide rods passing through respective guide rod openings of each weight plate in the weight plate stack, and wherein a user-selectable number of the weight plates is moveable along the guide rods by a cable drawn by a user of the equipment, the apparatus comprising: a distance sensor mounted in use to one of the frame element and the topmost plate and adapted to measure the distance between the frame element and the topmost plate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter functionality operatively coupled to the distance sensor receive the measured distance therefrom and to wirelessly transmit a signal which varies in response to the measured distance.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a weight calculator adapted to produce indicia that varies in use with the number of weight plates in motion along the guide rods; and wherein the transmitter functionality is operatively coupled to the weight calculator and is adapted such that the signal also varies in response to the number of weight plates in motion along the guide rods.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the indicia varies in use with the mass in motion along the guide rods.

5. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the weight calculator is mounted to the cable and the transmitter functionality comprises a weight transmitter that forms part of the weight calculator.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the frame element and the transmitter functionality comprises a distance transmitter that forms part of the distance sensor.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is mounted to the topmost plate.Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a generator having a roller disposed in engagement with one of the guide rods and adapted to produce electricity in response to movement of the topmost plate along the guide rods; and a battery operatively coupled to the generator to receive electricity therefrom, wherein the distance sensor and the weight calculator are electrically operated and operatively coupled to the battery for operation.

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