463 results about "Motion resistance" patented technology

A surgical instrument includes a drive member movable by a drive motor between a home position and an end of stroke. A mechanical stop is disposed at or near the end of stroke and is structured to increase resistance to movement of the drive member from a first position to a second position. A control system detects a current spike associated with the increased resistance and interrupts power to the drive motor.

Method and apparatus for encouraging significant exercise by a user of an exercise machine, by utilizing an interactive game that can be networked. The game controller is integrated into the exercise machine along with one or more sensors that supply interactive game inputs to the controller and also with one or more actuators that provide interactive game feedback output by the controller. For example, the sensors sense one or more of: an exercise rate, force, frequency, and repetition count; a button click, trigger squeeze, and joystick movement; a force on a steering wheel, handlebar, and flight stick; a tilting force; a key press, touch screen touch, and switch activation; sound, heat, smell, and moisture. For example, the actuators output from the controller game-related feedback including one or more of: vibration, impact force, movement, heat, cold, moving air, sound, visual effects, changes of exercise resistance and rate, scent and moisture.

The present invention provides as tarter capable of keeping a state where a pinion and a ring gear maintain meshing with each other when an engine stops without providing a plunger stopper using a solenoid or the like. The state where the pinion and the ring gear maintain meshing with each other in the engine stop mode continues by movement resistance which occurs when a torque transmission member moves. Concretely, an inclination angle of a helical spline in a helical spline engagement part is set so that the above state continues. The helical spline engagement part is a part where a helical spline on the outer periphery of an output shaft of a starter motor and a helical spline on the inner periphery of the torque transmission member mesh with each. Consequently, the above state continues without a plunger stopper using a solenoid or the like.

A pair of horizontal pivotable rowing arms and second pivotable vertical arms pivot on oil hydraulic motion resistance wedges attached to an underside of a desk. A vertical support with bicycle type pedals and handle bars pivots out at a desired angle for use. Other resistance devices may be a spring, rubberized cord, magnet, or air cylinder. Hand grips twist and have tension arms for gripping exercises as well as moving the lever arm for full arm exercises. Foot straps on a foot board and bicycle pedals enable leg exercises.

An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (16) of a vehicle (14) comprises a first steering column part (70) and a second steering column part (80). The first steering column part (70) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for telescopic movement along an axis (28) between a plurality of different positions relative to the second steering column part (80). A locking mechanism (10) is interposed between the first steering column part (70) and the second steering column part (80) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of positions. The locking mechanism (10) comprises a fluid (100) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The locking mechanism (10) also includes means (108) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (100) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (70) relative to the second steering column part (80).

A freestanding exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a right door, a left door, and an exercise resistance source. The frame defines a sagittal plane dividing the frame into a left half and a right half with anterior and posterior ends. The right door is pivotally attached to the right half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a right pivot axis. The left door is pivotally attached to the left half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a left pivot axis. The exercise resistance source is connected to the frame. The frame, right pivot axis, and left pivot axis are configured and arranged such that the angle formed at the intersection of a first plane defined by the right pivot axis and the posterior end of the right half of the frame and a second plane defined by the left pivot axis and the posterior end of the left half of the frame is less than 90°.

An apparatus for converting a manned aircraft for unmanned flight, the aircraft including at least one pilot control capable of manipulation to affect operation of the aircraft, the apparatus comprising a first actuator and a second actuator each configured to selectively provide movement or resistance to movement in a first manner including linear or rotational motion, a first clutch and a second clutch each configured to selectively couple movement of the associated actuator to the pilot control, and a vehicle controller capable of being selectively enabled to operate the pilot control actuators and clutches providing unmanned operation of the aircraft or disabled providing manned operation of the aircraft. The first actuator has a first scope describing a first amount of allowable movement, while the second actuator has a second scope larger than the first scope.

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

A set of resistances for an exercise device such as a barbell or an exercise machine includes at least three different values of resistance. In one embodiment the resistances are weights distributed horizontally. The weights can have a binary distribution of resistances, such as one or more five pound weights, one or more ten pound weights, one or more twenty pound weights, one or more forty pound weights, and one or more eighty pound weights. A selector is used to select various combinations of the weights to obtain the desired total resistance. In one embodiment, a controller operates the selector to change the weights in response to a predetermined condition, such as momentary muscular failure or the occurrence of a manual change weight signal. The set of resistances is particularly useful for simplifying the automatic control of a weight stack, and for retrofitting existing machines and devices.

A compact and easy-to-use isometric and isokinetic exercise apparatus that is particularly applicable to exercising the neck to improve strength and flexibility and to help alleviate neck pain. Different embodiments provide different arrangements that allow the user to control the level of exercise resistance to meet the tolerance or desires of the user. In all embodiments, the apparatus allows for controlled and graded resistance to the neck that allows the user to regulate the amount of resistance in an incremental manner. One embodiment of a neck exercising apparatus according to the present invention comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching to a user's head. Actuating mechanisms can also be included that allow the user to provide a movement force to the apparatus, wherein the movement force is transferred to said attachment mechanism. The apparatus is arranged such that movement from the actuating mechanisms in one direction causes movement of the attachment mechanism in a different direction.

To provide controlled amounts of resistance to movement in exercise equipment or in orthotic devices, a control module has cooperating resistance elements. The force between the elements is varied in accordance with the position of the elements with respect to each other. For example the control module can connect two splints of a knee brace so that the resistance to flexion and extension are programmed in accordance with the position of the leg and thigh with respect to each other.

A system and method for evaluating the tridimensional kinematics of the knee is presented wherein the system comprises a gesture-guiding apparatus designed to guide a patient through a repeatable, consistent and standardized motion in view of evaluating the condition of the patient's knees. A hack squatting motion, which generally involves a substantially linear vertical squatting motion of the body, is used to isolate the leg and knee movements and increase repeatability. The patient's upper body is generally stabilized and optionally constrained such that a standardized orientation and alignment thereof is maintained throughout the motion. The patient's feet may also be stabilized and constrained. Motion resistance settings may be provided using a set of adjustable weights and counterweights to accommodate various patients and patient conditions.

A standing single leg press exercise machine is comprised of a single movable step arranged to move up and down along an inclined path for exercising only one leg at a time. A resistance mechanism is connected to the movable step for providing resistance to movement. Two stationary steps are positioned on either side of the bottom position of the movable step. Hand rails are also positioned on either side of movable step. A shoulder pad is positioned above the movable step. A method for using the leg press is comprised of standing on one of the stationary steps with a stationary leg, and repeatedly operating the movable step up and down with an active leg. The active leg is exercised until it is tired, and the legs are switched to exercise the previously stationary leg while the previously active leg is rested.

An electrosurgical instrument that reduces the amount of fatigue experienced by a physician performing electrosurgery includes a hand piece with a utility conduit connected to the hand piece at a central portion of the hand piece. The utility conduit can include an electrical cable and a smoke/fluid evacuation hose. The hand piece can include a channel system that receives a portion of the utility conduit therein and allows a physician to adjust the location on the hand piece at which the utility conduit exits the hand piece. Adjusting the location on the hand piece at which the utility conduit exits the hand piece can reduce the resistance to the movement of the electrosurgical instrument created by the weight of the utility conduit, which leads to less fatigue in a physician's hand during electrosurgery.

An apparatus and method designed to strengthen, develop, and rehabilitate the anatomy of the human ankle is herein disclosed, comprising a large stable floor base and a plurality of resistant shock absorber-like members extending therefrom a foot securing platform. A user's foot is placed thereon and connected thereto the foot platform by toe and heel cuffs. Each motion resistant cylinder has adjustment means for reducing or adding resistance. In use, the attached lower leg and foot is restrained in all planar and vertical axes; however, the user is able to move their foot in a vertical and orbital manner against the resistance of the cylinders resulting in rehabilitation and/or strengthening of the muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the ankle. Improving ankle strength and mobility using this apparatus would have athletic, fitness, and therapeutic benefits.

Disclosed is a technical training garment configured for use with modular, interchangeable biomechanics units and or resistance modules. The garment may provide resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion and or tracks a variety of biomechanical parameters such as stride length, stride rate, angular velocity and power expended by the wearer. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath or over conventional clothing or athletic uniform. The device may be worn as a supplemental training and or diagnostic tool during conventional training protocols, or as a biomechanics or biometric data capture device during competition.

A snap hook that includes gate that includes and aperture that accepts a male portion that protrudes from the nose portion of the hook is disclosed. The coupling of the nose portion and the gate prevents the unwanted opening of the gate while the hook is under extreme loads. Still further, the use of a slide bar that is moved through translation and rotation when opening the gate of the hook is also disclosed. The translation and rotation motion provides improved cooperation of the components and improves the resistance of undesired movement of the slide bar by forces against a protrusion on the slide bar, and thus provides greater resistance to unwanted opening of the gate.

An electrostatic transducer for micromechanical resonators, in which the electrode gaps are filled with a dielectric material having a much higher permittivity than air. This internal electrostatic transducer has several advantages over both air-gap electrostatic and piezoelectric transduction; including lower motional impedance, compatibility with advanced scaled CMOS device technology, and extended dynamic range. In one aspect, in order to minimize energy losses, the dielectric material has an acoustic velocity which is matched to that of the resonator material. Internal electrostatic transduction can be adapted to excite and detect either vertical modes (perpendicular to the substrate) or lateral modes (in the plane of the substrate). Its increased transduction efficiency is of particular importance for reducing the motional resistance of the latter.

A control system of exercise apparatuses for aid in group training includes a primary electronic control console and several secondary electronic control consoles. A control software program, a message transmitter and a message receiver are installed in each of the electronic control consoles of the same exercise apparatuses for controlling the exercise apparatuses and recording the operation status thereof. They are regarded as a basic electronic control equipment. The primary electronic control console can receive all exercise messages transmitted from all of the secondary electronic control consoles. Thereafter, the exercise messages can be clearly displayed on a data display zone of a display. At the same time, the control instructions will be transmitted to each of the secondary electronic control console by use of an external control keyboard, the message transmitter, and the message receiver. In this way, the exercise resistance level of the exercise apparatuses can be remote-controlled, thereby achieving the expected training effect and ensuring the training safety.

The caterpillar track for magnetic adsorption type wall-climbing robot comprises changeable magentic adsorption units, chain, driving and driven chain wheels, shifting wheel, chain wheel axles, strainer and connecting plate, in which several changeable magnetic adsorption units are arranged according to the polarization direction of magnetic poles and the shifting bar positions are uniformly alternatively arranged on the chain, four shifting wheels and driving and driven chain wheels are coaxially mounted on the chain wheel axles, and the axial position of shifting wheel is defined by regulating sleeve. The maximum adsorption force of the invented adsorption unit can be up to 25 kgf, and the minimum adsorption force of adsorption unit of caterpillar track when it is separated from wall surface is 0.9 kfg.

This invention relates to an exercise machine having an exercise station that includes an exercise bench and one or more exercise implements for allowing a user to perform one or more exercises. An adjustable exercise mass assembly is oriented perpendicularly to the exercise station and includes a pivotal lever. An exercise mass is carried on the pivotal lever and is movable back and forth thereon towards and away from the pivot axis of the pivotal lever to adjust the exercise resistance provided by the exercise mass. The exercise mass preferably comprises at least one selectorized dumbbell. Portions of the dumbbell can be removed from the pivotal lever for use as a dumbbell while some of the weights of the selectorized dumbbell remain in place on the pivotal lever. This allows the mass provided by the selectorized dumbbell(s) to be simultaneously used by multiple users.