Patent EP0217085B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4848152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Biofeedback lifting monitor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-05-04
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2007-05-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user includes a brake or clutch for resisting user input force which is controlled by feedback from sensors through a computer. Several operating modes can be chosen, including isometric, isokinetic, isotonic and a special accommodating isotonic which simulates lifting a real object as long as the user exerts enough force, but decreases a resisting force when it is more than the user can handle. A motor is used to substantially eliminate inherent system resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Andrew Pratt, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:49
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1124; A61B5/22; A61B5/48; A61B5/486; A63B21/00; A63B21/15; A63B21/151; A63B21/153; A63B21/154; A63B21/157; A63B21/40; A63B21/4001; A63B21/4005; A61B5/1121; A63B23/00; A63B23/035; A63B23/04; A63B23/0405; A63B2023/0411; A63B21/002; A63B21/005; A63B21/0056; A63B21/06; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/16; A63B2220/50; A63B2220/51; A63B2220/54; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user, comprising in combination: means for accepting user input force exerted over a predetermined distance, means for resisting user input force, means for controlling the resisting means, means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially no movement resulting from input force exerted by a user, means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially constant speed throughout a predetermined portion of movement resulting from input force above a predetermined minimum exerted by a user, means for operating the controlling means to limit the resisting force of the resisting means to a predetermined maximum, means for selecting which of the means for operating operates the controlling means, and, means for operating the controlling means wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by a user is at least a predetermined level and wherein the resisting force varies as a function of the force exerted by a user when the user force is less than the predetermined level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user, comprising in combination: means for accepting user input force exerted over a predetermined distance, means for resisting user input force, means for controlling the resisting means, means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially no movement resulting from input force exerted by a user, means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially constant speed throughout a predetermined portion of movement resulting from input force above a predetermined minimum exerted by a user, means for operating the controlling means to limit the resisting force of the resisting means to a predetermined maximum, means for selecting which of the means for operating operates the controlling means, and, means for operating the controlling means wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by a user is at least a predetermined level and wherein the resisting force varies as a function of the force exerted by a user when the user force is less than the predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for substantially eliminating inherent system resistance to user input force, operably connected to the means for accepting user input force whereby the force exerted by the resisting means substantially equals the force exerted by a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means for measuring the distance over which a user has exerted force, connected in a feedback relationship to the controlling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force accepting means comprises a shaft which rotates in response to the exertion of user input force over a distance and wherein the resisting means comprises a magnetic particle unit operably coupled to the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for substantially eliminating inherent system resistance to user input force, operably connected to the means for accepting user input force whereby the force exerted by the resisting means substantially equals the force exerted by a user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the force accepting means comprises a shaft which rotates in response to the exertion of user input force over a distance and wherein the resisting means comprises a magnetic particle unit operably coupled to the shaft, and wherein the resistance eliminating means comprises a motor operably coupled to the shaft.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user, comprising in combination: means for accepting user input force exerted over a pre-defined distance, means for resisting user input force, controlling means for controlling the resisting means, program means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially no movement resulting form input force exerted by a user, program means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially constant speed throughout a predetermined portion of movement resulting from input force above a predetermined minimum exerted by a user, program means for operating the controlling means to limit the resisting force from the resisting means to a predetermined maximum, means for selecting which of the program means operates the controlling means, and a further program means for operating the controlling means wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by a user is at least a predetermined level and wherein the resisting force varies as a function of the input force exerted by a user when the user force is less than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for testing and teaching the lifting capacity and technique of a user, comprising in combination: means for accepting user input force exerted over a pre-defined distance, means for resisting user input force, controlling means for controlling the resisting means, program means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially no movement resulting form input force exerted by a user, program means for operating the controlling means to produce substantially constant speed throughout a predetermined portion of movement resulting from input force above a predetermined minimum exerted by a user, program means for operating the controlling means to limit the resisting force from the resisting means to a predetermined maximum, means for selecting which of the program means operates the controlling means, and a further program means for operating the controlling means wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by a user is at least a predetermined level and wherein the resisting force varies as a function of the input force exerted by a user when the user force is less than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for substantially eliminating inherent system resistance to user input force, operably connected to the means for accepting user input force whereby the force exerted by the resisting means substantially equals the force exerted by a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for measuring the distance over which a user has exerted force, connected in a feedback relationship to the controlling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the force accepting means comprises a shaft which rotates in response to the exertion of user input force over a distance and wherein the resisting means comprises a magnetic particle unit operably coupled to the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for substantially eliminating inherent system resistance to user input force, operably connected to the means for accepting user input force whereby the force exerted by the resisting means substantially equals the force exerted by a user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the force accepting means comprises a shaft which rotates in response to the exertion of user input force over a distance and wherein the resisting means comprises a magnetic particle unit operably coupled to the shaft, and wherein the resistance eliminating means comprises a motor operably coupled to the shaft.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for testing and teaching the lifting capacity of a person, comprising in combination the steps of: accepting user input force over a predefined distance; resisting the user input force; controlling the amount of resisting force wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by the person is at least a predetermined level; and controlling the amount of resisting force wherein the speed of movement resulting from the input force exerted by the person is proportional to that force when that force is less than the predetermined level.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for testing and teaching the lifting capacity of a person, comprising in combination the steps of: accepting user input force over a predefined distance; resisting the user input force; controlling the amount of resisting force wherein the resisting force is substantially constant as long as the input force exerted by the person is at least a predetermined level; and controlling the amount of resisting force wherein the speed of movement resulting from the input force exerted by the person is proportional to that force when that force is less than the predetermined level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |