AU2022450437A1

AU2022450437A1 - A training machine for a simultaneous training of human shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and trunk muscles (variants)

Info

Publication number: AU2022450437A1
Application number: AU2022450437A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sergii Anatoliyovych SOLODOVNIK; Dienis Mikhaylovich VOYTULIEVICH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-12-17
Filing date: 2022-12-09
Publication date: 2024-08-01
Also published as: WO2023191761A3; WO2023191761A2

Abstract

The invention (variants) relates to a field of sports and medicine, and it concerns training devices, namely, rotary training machines which are used for a simultaneous training of human should, pelvic girdles, and trunk muscles. The claimed invention is based on a task to create a rotary multi-function training machine for the simultaneous training of human shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and trunk muscles, while involving all groups of muscles in a balanced manner in order to provide a high quality and efficiency of the trainings at different usage modes of the training machine due to maintaining a synchronization of a rotation of shafts of load modules of the training machine by adjusting a relationship between their rotational speed and efforts applied thereto.

Description

A TRAINING MACHINE FOR A SIMULTANEOUS TRAINING OF HUMAN SHOULDER GIRDLE, PELVIC GIRDLE, AND TRUNK

MUSCLES (VARIANTS)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a field of sports and medicine, and it concerns training devices, namely, rotary training machines which are used for a simultaneous training of human should, pelvic girdles, and trunk muscles.

PRIOR ART

Currently, multi-functional rotary training machines which combine properties of a treadmill, a bicycle path, and a stepper enabling a rotary movement performed by upper limbs and a reciprocal and/or rotary movement performed by lower limbs, and which enable training of different groups of muscles, have taken lead positions among all exercise machines due to their versatility and functionality. A specific feature of these training machines is that during training of the lower limbs, a foot does not separate from a pedal surface at all movement stages, thereby enabling to avoid an impact load, wherein the pedals may move both around a circle and along an ellipse path which is peculiar to elliptical training machines and makes the training comfortable and safe for knee and ankle joints. Definitive advantages of the trainings with these rotary training machines reside in strengthening a heart muscle, improving a function of a cardiovascular system, training a respiratory system, increasing endurance, a weight reduction, a lack of a negative impact onto the joints and a spine, as well as a lack of limitations as to a fitness level of a user, thereby enabling the training by both new users and experiences athletes. Therewith, an important function of any modem training machine is a possibility of adjusting a load level, thereby enabling to select the load individually for the users who have various fitness level and, thus, to achieve better results without any harm to health. Furthermore, training machines having a function of synchronization of movements performed by upper and lower limbs in order to facilitate coordinated movements to train the whole body have a significant advantage. Training machines which are capable of providing the synchronized movement of the upper and the lower limbs are rather simple in use and enable to increase the training quality significantly, since there is a tendency that an evaluation of the a quality of the performed training made by the user is subjective, and, in the most cases, it is overestimated, since in fact, the upper limbs usually perform a very small amount of work as compared to the lower limbs, thereby, in turn, leading to a nonuniform load distribution and, thus, to an imbalance during training of different groups of muscles and insufficient training of the shoulder girdle muscles.

The prior art teaches a large number of rotary training machines which are capable of adjusting the load level and/or of synchronizing movements performed by the upper and the lower limbs, and the Applicant has chosen several technical solutions which are the closest ones to the proposed invention in terms of a set of essential features.

In this way, a patent US 10549144B2 dated February 4, 2020 teaches a training machine with a combined motion of upper and lower limbs, the machine comprises a supportive frame; a transmission unit comprising a wheel that is rotatably mounted on the supportive frame and an electrical generator that is driven by this wheel; a crank device comprising a right portion, a left portion, and an offset bar that is arranged symmetrically between them and coupled between internal surfaces of the right and the left portions; a pair of joining assemblies, each comprising a first adjustment link, a second adjustment link, a front link, a rear link, a lower curved link, and a pivot block. According to the proposed technical solution, the movement path of the pedals and an amount of effort needed for pressing onto these pedals are adjusted due to adjustment of a length of the first and/or of the second adjustment link of each of the joining assemblies, i.e., the user is able to change a configuration of the joining assemblies by himself by means of a lifting/lowering device that is provided in the second adjustment link and by an offset device that is provided in the first adjustment link so as to obtain a desired movement or a training mode, wherein each pedal moves along a closed elliptical path. In this way, for example, when a relative point B of the lifting/lowering device moves to the uppermost position, the path followed by each pedal will require the user to make a large step and, thus, the largest pressing effort, while when the relative point B of the lifting/lowering device moves to the lowermost position, the path followed by each pedal will cause the user to make a small step that is similar to walking up the stairs. A drawback of the proposed technical solution lies in that the training with this training machine implies a load only onto the lower and upper limbs due to performing elliptical movements of the foots and reciprocal movements of wrists, thus, a full rotation, bending and extension of a vertebral column and an adjustable tension load of the corresponding muscles are not performed, as well as there is no possibility to perform a body bent relative to a horizontal position. Furthermore, the proposed technical solution implies the adjustment of the movement path, and, thus, of the effort value applied by the user, of only the pedals, and it does not imply a possibility of adjustment of the load onto the lower limbs, wherein this adjustment is made by the user manually prior to the beginning of the training, thereby, if an incorrect load value is set, which does not correspond to the user’s fitness level, will require a full stoppage of the training machine followed by changing the load value by the user that is inconvenient and requires additional effort and time costs, as well as negatively affects the training efficiency and quality in general.

A patent US6672994B1 dated January 6, 2004 teaches an elliptical training machine comprising a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; leg supporting members; hand supporting members, wherein at least one of the hand supporting member and the leg supporting member are pivotally mounted on the frame; a resilient member that connects the hand supporting member to the leg supporting member to bias the hand supporting member toward a certain position relative to the leg supporting member, thereby providing their synchronization; a sensor that is connected to the hand supporting member to measure a user force applied to the hand supporting member, the sensor being a strain gauge in one of exemplary embodiments; a resistance device that is connected to the leg supporting member and in communication with the sensor, the resistance device provides an adjustable resistance as a function of the user force applied to the hand supporting member. At the same time, according to the proposed technical solution, the resilient member is a torsional spring made of a rubber or a tension spring, and the training machine may further comprise a display that is mounted on the frame and coupled to the sensor to visually indicate the user force that is applied to the hand supporting member or to visually indicate a relative work that is performed by upper and lower portions of the user body. The proposed invention implies setting the load value by the user manually by means of corresponding buttons on the display, as well as an automatic adjustment mode of the resistance device as a function of the force applied by the user to the hand supporting member, i.e., a special controller periodically determines the force that is applied by the user’s hands and displays a volume of the work that is performed by the upper body portion or separately as compared to the work of the lower body portion and/or target work levels, as well as adjusts the resistance device for legs, e.g., based on the work that is performed by the user’s hands and/or the total work performed. A drawback of the proposed technical solution lies in that the synchronization between the hand supporting member and the leg supporting member is provided by the resilient member in the form of the torsional rubber spring or tension spring that is not able to provide a sufficient reliability and precision of the synchronization between individual members, besides, the tension springs require an adjustment of the tension during the use, since they expand in the course of time and lose their elasticity. Furthermore, the training performed on this training machine, as in the previous case, provides the load only onto the lower and upper limbs due to performing the elliptical movements of the feet and the reciprocal movements of the wrists, while a full bending and extension of a vertebral column is not carried out.

A similar solution is also taught by a patent US8025611B2 dated September 27, 2011 that describes an elliptical training machine comprising a frame for residing on a horizontal surface; a pair of hand and leg supporting members; a lever mechanism assembly that couples the hand and leg supporting members along closed paths relative to the frame in response to the user’s efforts applied to the hand and leg supporting members, and comprising actuators to adjust dimensions of the closed paths in response to the incoming control signals; sensors which are mounted on the lever assembly and generate signals depending on the efforts applied by the user; a user interface that receives, processes these signals and transmits them to the actuators of the lever mechanism assembly, wherein the dimension of at least one of the closed paths is a function of at least one effort that is applied to the hand and/or leg supporting member. As in the previous case, an individual resilient member interconnects each of the hand supporting members and the corresponding leg-supporting member in order to offset the hand supporting member and to move it along the determined path in response to the movement of the corresponding leg-supporting member, thereby providing their synchronization. A drawback of the proposed technical solution lies in the use of the resilient members to couple the hand and leg supporting members, which could not provide a sufficient synchronization precision, and the tension springs are relatively nondurable and tend to expand and to lose the elasticity in the course of time. Furthermore, the solution implies that the user performs elliptical moves by feet and reciprocal moves by wrists, thereby making it impossible to fully bend and extend a vertebral column. As the closest analogue of the invention, a training machine for a simultaneous training of human shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle and trunk muscles according to a patent US10857419B2 dated February 18, 2020, the machine comprising a supporting frame that is adjustable in height and mounted on an adjustable support, where a hand load module and a leg load module are arranged, each consisting of a body, where a load unit is arranged that is kinematically coupled to a shaft of foot and hand pedals which are arranged on both sides of the body and configured to perform a synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement along an elliptical path in parallel to a longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing at defined speed and load, and it is equipped with a load value change means both on the leg load unit and on the hand load unit depending on physical abilities on each particular person. A drawback of the proposed technical solution lies in that the adjustment of the load level is performed by the user manually directly before the beginning of the training, thereby requiring to spend additional efforts and time, it is not sufficiently precise due to a human factor influence and, in case of setting an incorrect load value that does not correspond to the user’s fitness level, requires a full stoppage of the training machine followed by changing the load value by the user which is not convenient and negatively affects the efficiency and quality of the training in general. Furthermore, use of the important advantage of this training machine as compared to other ones, namely, performing the synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement of the foot and hand pedals along the elliptical path, is adjusted only by movements made by the user during exercising, since the structure of the training machine does not imply a presence of any means for measuring the rotational speed of the foot and hand pedals, and, thus, of the automatic adjustment of the load level depending on the rotational speed difference of said pedals, thereby making it impossible to provide an effective synchronization of the movements of the upper and lower limbs of the user, besides, in the most cases, the user’s evaluation of the training quality is subjective and rather overestimated, since in fact, the upper limbs usually perform a very small amount of work as compared to the lower limbs, thereby leading, in turn, to a nonuniform load distribution, and, thus, to an imbalance in the training of different groups of muscles and to an insufficient training of the shoulder girdle muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention is based on a task to create a rotary multi-function training machine for the simultaneous training of human shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and trunk muscles, while involving all groups of muscles in a balanced manner in order to provide a high quality and efficiency of the trainings at different usage modes of the training machine. A technical effect of the claimed invention lies in maintaining the synchronization of the rotation of shafts of load modules of the training machine by adjusting a relationship between their rotational speed and efforts applied thereto.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the training machine comprises a supporting frame with a hand load module and a leg load module arranged thereon. Each load module consists of a housing in which a load unit is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to a rotation shaft of hand and leg pedals respectively according to the module, which are arranged on both sides of the housing and configured to perform the rotary movement in parallel to the longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing. Therewith, the shafts of the pedals of the load modules are configured to perform a synchronous or asynchronous rotation relative to each other. Such a configuration enables to select training modes, when the rotational movements made by wrists and feet may be performed synchronously, when, for example, a movement made by a right hand is made simultaneously with a movement made by a right leg and vice versa, or when a movement of the upper and lower limbs is performed with an identical speed, or asynchronously, i.e., when the movement made by the right hand is made simultaneously with a movement made by a left leg and vice versa. According to the claimed embodiment of the invention, the posed task and the technical effect are achieved owing to the fact that the training machine comprises a rotational speed measurement means for the shafts of the hand and leg pedals, the means being arranged in each load module, and a control unit coupled thereto, the control unit being configured to determine a difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts of the hand and leg pedals, to generate an additional load thereon from the load units, the load being proportional to a value of the difference between the rotational speeds of the pedals in one of the load modules, where the rotational speed of the shaft of the pedals is offset to a greater side, and to reduce the additional load in case of reduction of the difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts. Owing to this configuration, the load redistribution is provided in order to provide the synchronization of the rotation of the shafts with a given angular offset depending on the rotation mode and according to the load parameters preliminary set by the user. Therefore, owing to the presence of the rotational speed measurement means for the shafts of the hand and leg pedals and to the possibility of adjustment of the load level, a relationship between the efforts which are applied to rotate the shafts of the pedals and the rotational speed thereof, thereby allowing to achieve a balanced movement of the upper and lower limbs of the user which is critically important during any training mode and facilitates gaining correct skills of using the training machine to provide the effective training. Depending on the selected training mode associated with the fitness level of the individual and according to recommendations of a rehabilitation therapist or coach, it enables to increase the training efficiency significantly and to minimize a probability of an immature fatigue or injuring of the individual in case of a deviation from the correct training mode.

According to one of exemplary embodiments, optical sensors are used as the rotational speed measurement means, e.g., absolute optical encoders, which have an operation principle that lies in conversion of a mechanical displacement into electrical signals and which consist of a scanning optical disc, a light-emitting diode, and a photodetector. A number of opaque and transparent sectors on the disc being a so-called number of marks per revolution defines a resolution of the optical encoder, and the disc with an applied optical scale is rigidly secured on the shaft. When the shaft rotates, the photodetector reads the information and converts light signals into the electrical ones which, in turn, are converted by the encoder’s electronics into a binary code that is transmitted to the control unit. The rotational speed measurement means is mounted on the shafts of the hand and leg pedals. When the deviation difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts is reduced, the given angular offset will be refreshed that is performed at a speed of 10 degrees per second at a rotational frequency of not more than 30 rpm. Advantages of the use of the absolute optical encoders lie in their precision, high resolution, wide availability, lack of a need in mounting any additional electronics, a possibility of use of their original signal in a main control system right away, as well as long operational lifetime that constitutes at least 50,000 hours under the proviso of a correct mounting, assembling and use.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rotational speed of the hand and leg pedals is changed by changing rotation torques of the shafts due to an external influence made by the user. During alignment of the rotational speeds of the hand and leg pedals by the user’s efforts, the given angular offset is updated that corresponds to the synchronous or asynchronous movement mode of the pedals, afterwards the creation of the additional load is terminated. This rotation synchronization algorithm for the shafts of the pedals facilitates maintaining the set use mode of the training machine by the user himself/herself in view of obtaining a tactile feel caused by the change of efforts that he/she applies during rotation of the pedals and is enabled to react to them corresponding in order to follow the correct training mode.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the load units are electromagnetic, while the load adjustment is performed by changing a current magnitude in the corresponding load unit. A main advantage of the electromagnetic load unit is a high precision that allows to select the load for the user as precisely as possible depending on his/her fitness level and training motifs. The electromagnetic system is very silent and enables to control the given load in small intervals (usually, 5 Wt).

According to another one of exemplary embodiments, the training machine may be equipped with a visual display device that is coupled to the control unit and configured to indicate or visualize the movement parameters of the pedals. The visual display device may be configured to perform various functions, including displaying the information for the user such as available parameters and/or training programs, time that has passed from a moment of the beginning of the training, a current and/or an average training speed, a volume of the work performed during the training, a simulated distance walked by the user during the current training or during several training sessions, a discrete work that is performed by the user’s hands and/or legs, a number of calories wasted by the user, pulse indications etc. Furthermore, the visual display device may be programmed to store a data regarding several training sessions. The presence of the visual display device significantly increases the training efficiency, since the user's aspiration to obtain the best possible results will be enhanced, if a progress is visualized during the training as a distance walked, a number of calories wasted, a duration of the training performed etc. Furthermore, the visual display device enables the user to interact with the control unit and to select the training mode depending on the fitness level, health state, and tasks posed.

Therewith, the hand and leg pedals are configured to perform the rotational movement along the elliptical or circular path which may be provided by making the pedals as a multiple-link adjustable system of levers. The selection of the rotational movement path of the pedals depends on the tasks posed to the user of the training machine, his/her health state and fitness level. In this way, the movement of the leg pedals along the elliptical path enables to provide a smooth elliptical movement of the legs that simulates a natural movement during running, while a main physical load is applied to the human pelvic girdle, and a negative influence made onto joints and bands is excluded, and the rotational movement of the feet along the circular path provides training and bringing a tonicity to ankle, crus, and gluteal muscles primarily. Furthermore, the invention enables to perform the rotational movement along the elliptical or circular path not only by the lower limbs, but at the same time by the upper limbs, thereby allowing to provide a balanced work of the entire body involving different groups of muscles such as thigh muscles or quadricepses, gluteal muscles, oblique abdominal muscles, lumborum, back muscles, hand muscles. It is also important that in the process of the simultaneous performing of the rotational movements by the lower and upper limbs, the human trunk muscles which work to expand are involved, as well as a heart is trained additionally.

According to one of exemplary embodiments, the supporting frame of the training machine is adjustable, thereby allowing to set optimal geometric parameters of the training machine depending on the physical parameters of the individual such as height, weight etc., his/her health state and fitness level, that, in turn, provides an individual approach as to the selection of the optimal training mode depending on the listed parameters. The adjustment function is provided by the fact that the structure of the training machine comprises a lever for adjusting a mounting level of a supporting platform that is preferably arranged at the level of a thorax of the human trunk, a lever for adjusting the movement path of the leg and hand pedals along a circle or ellipse, a lever for adjusting a height of the training machine according to the height of the individual, a lever for adjusting a mounting height of the hand load module according to the height of the individual, a lever for adjusting an inclination angle of the training machine, adjustable supports to mount the training machine on the floor etc. It should be understood that the means which are described in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments of the training machine are used as illustrations of possible exemplary embodiments of the invention and may be replaced with other potentially possible modifications thereof without going beyond the principles of the present invention.

According to a second embodiment of the claimed invention, the training machine for the simultaneous training of human shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle and trunk muscles comprises the supporting frame with the hand load module and the leg load module arranged thereon. Each load module consists of a housing in which a load unit is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to a rotation shaft of hand and leg pedals respectively according to the module, which are arranged on both sides of the housing and configured to perform the rotary movement in parallel to the longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing. Therewith, the shafts of the pedals of the load modules are configured to perform a synchronous or asynchronous rotation relative to each other.

According to the claimed embodiment of the invention, the posed task is resolved due to the fact that the training machine further comprises the rotational speed measurement means for shafts of the hand and leg pedals, the means being arranged in each load module, the control unit, and electric motors which are arranged in each load module and kinematically coupled to the shafts of the hand and leg pedals. Therewith, the control unit is connected to the shaft rotational speed measurement means, load units, and electric motors, and it is configured to determine the rotational speeds of the shafts of the hand and leg pedals and to drive the electric motors at the same time generating rotation torques on the shafts of the hand and leg pedals which are directed against a rotational resistance. Therewith, the shafts of the hand and leg pedals are rotatable relative to each other synchronously or asynchronously. This configuration of the invention provides the adjustment of the relationship between the rotational speed of the shafts of the pedals of the load modules and the efforts applied thereto by controlling the rotation of the shafts by the electric motors depending on indications of the speed measurement means. This enables to perform the synchronization of the rotation of the shafts both in the case of self-performing the training program by the user and it may be used in test or learning training modes, where the user’s movement is set by movements of the pedals which are actuated at the given speed by means of the electric motors with predefined synchronization angles of the shafts. Also, this configuration of the invention enables to return the shafts of the pedals to the speeds set by the training mode by means of the electric motors in case the user applies efforts to the pedals which do not correspond to the set mode which may lead to a loss of the synchronization of the rotation of the shafts.

Use of the electric motors enables to set the training modes with minor, less than minimum, preset loads such as user’s upper and lower limbs warm-up mode before the main training or a light training mode of the individual during a rehabilitation period, or a zero-load training to carry out the learning mode, where the pedals rotate with no efforts applied by the user.

The possibility of selection of these light training modes with zero or minimum loads, when the pedals of the training machine are driven into movement by the electric motors in coordination with a data received from the speed measurement means of the shafts, rather than by the user’s external influence, enables to perform the synchronization of the movement of the pedals to provide the effective and safe training, thereby making a negative impact onto the body caused by overloads impossible.

Therefore, the rotational movements made by the wrists and feet may be performed either synchronously, e.g., the movement made by the right hand is performed simultaneously with the movement made by the right leg and vice versa, or asynchronously, i.e., the movement made by the right hand is performed simultaneously with the movement made by the left leg and vice versa, depending on the selected training mode, and the presence of the rotational speed measurement means for the shafts of the upper and lower pedals and the generation of the corresponding rotation torques thereon by means of the operation of the electric motors enables to provide a uniform distribution of the load onto the upper and lower limbs and their synchronized movement at identical speed which is very important for the effective and balanced involvement of all groups of muscles into the training.

Therewith, as the rotational speed measurement means, optical sensors, preferably absolute optical encoders, are used, which are characterized by a high precision, a proper resolution, availability, a lack of a need in mounting any additional electronics, a possibility of use of their original signal in a main control system right away, as well as a long operational lifetime.

Therewith, the training machine is configured to switch off the electric motors if there is no external contact with at least one pedal which is very important in terms of the user’s safety and makes his/her injuring impossible, e.g., if there are accidental situations or the individual feels unwell during the training.

Therewith, gear motors are used as the electric motors, the gear motors are coupled to the load units via clutches and characterized by compact sizes due to effective coupling of all its components within a single housing, light weight, and easy mounting, at the same time, the coupling clutches are characterized by operational reliability, easy mounting, and easy replacement.

Therewith, the kinematic couplings of the elements of the load modules are configured as belt drives which are characterized by smoothness and operation noiselessness due to its elasticity, simplicity of structure, maintaining, and care during use and a relatively high performance coefficient.

Therewith, the training machine comprises the visual display device that is coupled to the control unit and configured to display the movement parameters of the pedals. The presence of the visual display device significantly increases the training efficiency, since the user's aspiration to obtain the best possible results will be enhanced, if a progress is visualized during the training as a distance walked, a number of wasted calories, a duration of the training performed etc. Furthermore, the visual display device enables the user to interact with the control unit and to select the training mode depending on the fitness level, health state, and tasks posed Therewith, the hand and leg pedals are configured to perform the rotational movement along the elliptical or circular path. The selection of the rotational movement path of the pedals depends on the tasks posed to the user of the training machine, his/her health state and fitness level. It is important that in the process of the simultaneous performing of the rotational movements by the lower and upper limbs, various groups of human muscles are involved, including the human trunk muscles which work to expand, as well as a heart is trained additionally.

Therewith, according to the preferable embodiment of the invention, the supporting frame of the training machine is adjustable, thereby allowing to set optimal geometric parameters of the training machine depending on the physical parameters of the individual such as height, weight etc., his/her health state and fitness level, that, in turn, provides an individual approach as to the selection of the optimal training mode depending on the listed parameters.

Therefore, the claimed invention according to both the first and the second embodiments enables to create the multi-functional effective training machine for training human trunk muscles, shoulder and pelvic girdles, where the possibility of maintaining the synchronization of the rotation of the shafts of the load modules of the training machine is implemented by adjusting the relationship between their rotational speed and the efforts applied thereto. Owing to the load adjustment, according to the first embodiment of the invention, this allows to achieve the balance of the movements made by the user’s upper and lower limbs depending on the efforts applied by the user to the pedals, while owing to the electric motors, according to the second embodiment of the invention, it is allowed to perform the training with minor or zero load without any efforts applied by the user. The claimed invention enables to increase the quality and efficiency of the trainings significantly providing the balanced involvement of all groups of muscles and to select the optimal training mode depending on the user's fitness level and health state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A possibility of implementation of the invention is illustrated by the drawings, which show the following.

Fig. 1 depicts a general left-side three-quarter view of the training machine, according to the first embodiment of the invention, with protective decorative elements removed.

Fig. 2 depicts a general right-side three-quarter view of the training machine, according to the first embodiment of the invention, with the protective decorative elements removed.

Fig. 3 depicts a general left-side three-quarter view of the training machine, according to the second embodiment of the invention, with the protective decorative elements removed.

Fig. 4 depicts a general right-side three-quarter view of the training machine, according to the second embodiment of the invention, with the protective decorative elements removed.

Fig. 5 depicts a general side view of the training machine, according to the second embodiment of the invention, with the protective decorative elements removed; Fig. 6 depicts a general right-side three-quarter view of the training machine with the protective decorative elements mounted;

Fig. 7 depicts a rear view of the hand load module with the protective decorative elements mounted and the module is coupled to the control unit;

Fig. 8 depicts a general side view of the training machine with the protective decorative elements and the training machine geometrical parameters adjustment means mounted.

The illustrative drawings that explain the claimed invention as well as the mentioned particular exemplary embodiments of the rotary training machine are in no way intended to limit the scope of rights appended hereto but to explain the essence of the invention (variants).

List of designations used in the drawings: 1. Supporting frame

2. Hand load module

3. Leg load module

4. Housing of the hand load unit

5. Housing of the leg load unit

6. Hand load unit

7. Leg load unit

8. Shaft of the hand pedals

9. Shaft of the leg pedals

10. Hand pedals

11. Leg pedals

12. Rotational speed measurement means for the shaft of the hand pedals

13. Rotational speed measurement means for the shaft of the leg pedals

14. Control unit

15. Electric motor of the leg load module

16. Electric motor of the hand load module

17. Clutch of the gear motor of the hand load module

18. Clutch of the gear motor of the leg load module

19. Visual display device

20. Horizontal support

21. Console bar

22. Telescopic supporting lever

23. Training machine transportation wheels

24. Screw pair

25. Trunk support

26. Pivots for securing the vertical levers of the hand pedals

27. Vertical lever of the hand pedal

28. Pivots for securing the vertical levers of the leg pedals

29. Vertical lever of the leg pedal 30. Flywheel of the shaft of the leg pedal

31. Belt drive in the housing of the leg load unit

32. Bearing assembly of the flywheel of the shaft of the leg pedals

33. Apertured disc of the rotational speed measurement means for the shaft of the leg pedals

34. Optical pair of the leg load module

35. Circular rotation driving lever of the leg pedal

36. Horizontal telescopic lever of the leg pedal

37. Foot rest

38. Guide rail for securing the hand load module

39. Flywheel of the hand pedals

40. Belt drive in the housing of the hand load unit

41. Bearing assembly of the flywheel of the shaft of the hand pedals

42. Apertured disc of the rotational speed measurement means for the shaft of the hand pedals

43. Optical pair of the hand load module

44. Circular rotation driving lever of the hand pedal

45. Horizontal telescopic lever of the hand pedal

46. Handle of the hand pedal

47. Power supply unit

48. Knobs for adjusting the mounting height of the trunk support

49. Knobs for adjusting the ellipsoidal nature of the movement path of the hand pedals

50. Knobs for fixing the hand load module on the console bar

51. Knobs for adjusting the mounting height of the hand load module on the console bar

52. Knobs for adjusting the inclination angle of the telescopic supporting lever 53. Knobs for adjusting the ellipsoidal nature of the movement path of the leg pedals.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The training machine for the simultaneous training of the human shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle, according to the first embodiment of the invention, comprises the supporting frame (1) with the hand load module (2) and the leg load module (3) arranged thereon, each of them consists of the housing (4, 5) in which the load unit (6, 7) is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to the rotation shaft (8, 9) of hand (10) and leg (11) pedals which are arranged on both sides of the housing (4, 5) and configured to perform the synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement in parallel to the longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing (4, 5). The training machine further comprises the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11), the means being arranged in each load module (2, 3), and the control unit (14) coupled thereto, the control unit being configured to determine the difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9) of the hand (10) and leg (11) pedals, to generate the additional load thereon from the load units (6, 7), the load being proportional to the value of the difference between the rotational speeds of the pedals (10, 11) in the one of the load modules (2, 3), where the rotational speed of the shaft of the pedals is greater, and to reduce the additional load in case of reduction of the difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9).

The training machine for the simultaneous training of the human shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle, according to the second embodiment of the invention, comprises the supporting frame (1) with the hand load module (2) and the leg load module (3) arranged thereon, each of them consists of the housing (4, 5) in which the load unit (6, 7) is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to the rotation shaft (8, 9) of hand (10) and leg (11) pedals which are arranged on both sides of the housing (4, 5) and configured to perform the synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement in parallel to the longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing (4, 5), wherein the training machine further comprises the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11) and the electric motors (15, 16) which are arranged in each load module (2, 3) and kinematically coupled to the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11). The training machine further comprises the control unit (14) that is connected to the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts and to the electric motors (15, 16), the control unit being configured to determine the rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9) of the hand (10) and leg (11) pedals and to drive the electric motors (15, 16) at the same time generating rotation torques on the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals which are directed against a rotational resistance, wherein the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11) are configured to rotate synchronously or asynchronously. Therewith, gear motors may be used as the electric motors, the gear motors are coupled to the load units (6, 7) via the clutches (17, 18).

The training machine, according to the first and to the second embodiments of the invention, may further comprise the visual display device (19) that is coupled to the control unit (14) and configured to indicate the movement parameters of the pedals (10, 11).

Therewith, the supporting frame 1 of the training machine, according to the first and to the second embodiments of the invention, comprises the horizontal support 20, the console bar 21 that is arranged at an acute angle relative to the horizontal, and the telescopic supporting lever 22. One end of the console bar 21 is connected to the horizontal support 20, and its middle portion is coupled to the horizontal support 20 by the telescopic supporting lever 22 that is arranged at an acute angle relative both to a horizon and to the bar 21.

The horizontal support 20, in its lower plane, is equipped with the training machine transportation means in the form of the wheels 23 and the supports which are made as the screw pairs 24 and configured to adjust the height of the horizontal support 20 relative to the floor. The leg load module 3 that is connected to the leg pedals 11 is mounted on the horizontal support 20.

The hand load module 2 that is connected to the hand pedals 10, the control unit 14, the user trunk support 25, the visual display device 19 are mounted on the console bar 21.

The left and right pivots 26 for securing the vertical movable levers 27 of the hand pedals 10 are symmetrically secured in the top portion of the console bar 21.

The left and right pivots 28 for securing the vertical movable levers 29 of the leg pedals 1 1 are symmetrically secured in the middle portion of the console bar 21.

The leg load module 3 comprises the frame-shaped housing 5 in which the leg load unit 7, the shaft 9 of the leg pedals with the flywheel 30 which are kinematically interconnected by means of the belt drive 31 are mounted.

The rotational speed measurement means 13 for the shaft 9 of the pedal in the form of the apertured disc 33 that is secured on the shaft 9 and the optical pair being reflector - sensitive element 34 that is secured to the housing 5 is arranged on the bearing assembly 32 of the flywheel 30 of the shaft 9 of the leg pedals in the place of securing the circular rotation driving lever 35 to the shaft 9.

The housing 5 with the assemblies mounted thereon may be equipped with the protective decorative envelope, thereby forming a visually unified module.

The leg pedals 1 1 which are configured as a system of levers which are interconnected by the pivots and which consist of the circular rotation driving lever 35, the horizontal telescopic lever 36 that is configured to adjust the movement of one portion of the lever relative to another one and of the vertical lever 29, are secured rightwards and leftwards on the shaft 9 of the leg pedals with the flywheel 30. The horizontal telescopic lever 36 is equipped with the foot rest 37.

The hand leg load module 2 is arranged on the top portion of the console bar 21 and secured thereto by using the guide rails 38 which are configured to move and to fix the hand load module 2 relative to the console bar 21 and to adjust the distance between the hand load module 2 and the leg load module 3.

The hand load module 2 comprises the frame-shaped housing 4 in which the hand load unit 4, the shaft 8 of the hand pedals with the flywheel 39 which are kinematically interconnected by means of the belt drive 40 are mounted.

The rotational speed measurement means 12 for the shaft 8 of the pedal in the form of the apertured disc 42 that is secured on the shaft 8 and the optical pair being reflector - sensitive element 43 that is secured to the housing 4 is arranged on the bearing assembly 41 of the shaft 8 of the hand pedals with the flywheel 39 in the place of securing the circular rotation driving lever 44 of the hand pedal 10 to the shaft 8.

The hand pedals 10 which are configured as a system of levers which are interconnected by the pivots and which consist of the circular rotation driving lever 44 that is secured on the shaft 8, the horizontal telescopic lever 45 that is configured to adjust the movement of one portion of the lever relative to another one and of the vertical lever 27, are secured rightwards and leftwards on the shaft 8 of the leg pedals with the flywheel 39. The handle 46 of the hand pedal 10 is arranged on the horizontal lever 45.

The housing 4 with the assemblies mounted thereon may be equipped with the protective decorative envelope, thereby forming a visually unified module.

The power supply unit 47 may be arranged on the rear side of the top portion of the console bar 21.

The supporting frame 1 of the training machine, according to the fist and to the second embodiments of the invention, may be equipped with the adjustment means, namely, with the knobs 48 for adjusting the mounting height of the trunk support 25, the knobs 49 for adjusting the ellipsoidal nature of the movement path of the hand pedals 10 due to the mutual movement of the telescopic elements of the horizontal lever 45, the knobs 50 for fixing the hand load module 2 on the console bar 21, the knobs 51 for adjusting the mounting height of the hand load module 2 on the console bar 21 depending on the user’s height, the knobs 52 for adjusting the inclination angle of the telescopic supporting lever 22, the knobs 53 for adjusting the ellipsoidal nature of the movement path of the leg pedals 11 due to the mutual movement of the telescopic elements of the horizontal lever 36.

The training machine, according to the first embodiment of the invention, operates as follows.

The user stands on the foot rests 37 of the leg pedals 11, holds the handles 46 of the hand pedals 10 with his/her hands, and, if necessary, rests with his/her thorax onto the support 25 depending on the inclination angle of the trunk.

A certain load level is set on the load units 6 and 7.

The user begins to rotate the hand pedals 10 and the leg pedals 11 simultaneously. Upon the beginning of the rotation of the shafts 8 and 9 of the load modules 2 and 3, signals from the optical pairs 34 and 43 are transmitted to the control unit 14 constantly.

In view of the fact that the hand load module 2 and the leg load module 3 are not coupled mechanically, the users find it difficult to achieve and to maintain the synchronous rotation of the hand pedals 10 with the leg pedals 11 or to maintain the training mode with a preliminary defined asynchronous rotation of the pedals.

If there is a difference in the rotational speeds, then the control unit 14, using a comparator device known from the prior art, will determine the difference in the rotational speeds and will generate a signal, according to which, a signal to increase the load will be transmitted to the load unit of the load module that has a greater speed. The increase, as compared to the preliminary defined load, will be carried out via the increase of the current that is supplied to the corresponding load unit.

Said load increase is sensed by the user as a tactile feeling and begins to equalize the speeds, thereby achieving the synchronism or the defined level of the difference in the rotational speeds (asynchronism) of the hand pedals 10 and the leg pedals 1 1. At the same time, the control unit 14 forms signals regarding the training parameters being a magnitude of the speeds, the load level, the training time for the visual display device 19 that is configured as a monitor (a touch screen).

The control unit 14 also may be configured using a microprocessor, thereby providing wide opportunities for selection, fixation, changing, and memorizing the training modes and changing the magnitude of the additional load caused by the difference in the rotational speeds of the pedals.

The training machine for the simultaneous training of the human shoulder girdle and the pelvic girdle and the trunk muscles, according to the second embodiment of the invention, as compared to the training machine, according to the first embodiment, further comprises, in each of the load modules 2, 3, the electric motor 15, 16 that is kinematically coupled to the load unit 6, 7 and to the shaft 8 and 9 of the corresponding pedals and is connected to the control unit 14. Therewith, the kinematic coupling may be configured using the mechanical or electromagnetic clutches 17 and 18.

Therewith, according to the second embodiment of the invention, the control unit 14 is configured to receive and to process the information regarding the rotational speed of the shafts 8 and 9 of the pedals 10 and 11, to switch on, to switch off, to adjust the rotation torque and to adjust the rotational speed of the electric motors 15, 16.

The presence of these features has provided the possibility of compensating the load momentums which objectively exist in the load modules without the load units due to friction. That is, it is possible to provide the movement of the pedals with a zero load or even with a negative load, when the pedals themselves move the user’s hands and legs at the given speeds in the synchronous or asynchronous modes.

These modes may be used for the warm-up mode or for the rehabilitation training modes of the users having very fragile muscles. Therewith, the training machine is configured to switch off the electric motors 15, 16 if there is no external contact with at least one pedal 10 and/or 11 which is very important in terms of the user’s safety and makes his/her injuring impossible, e.g., if there are accidental situations or the individual feels unwell during the training. An information regarding an absence of this contact is transmitted to the control unit 14 due to the arrangement of the prior art sensors on the foot rests 37 of the leg pedals 11 and on the handles 45 of the hand pedals 10, the sensors are capable of generating a signal, when there is or there is no human hand or leg touch, or when there is a certain pressure. They may represent capacity sensors, strain gauges or a combination thereof.

Therefore, the claimed invention (variants) enables to increase the quality and the efficiency of the trainings significantly by providing the balanced involvement of all groups of the user’s muscles and to select the optimal training mode depending on the user’s fitness level and health state due to providing the multi-function effective training machine for training the human trunk muscles, shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle, which implements the possibility of synchronizing the movements made by the upper and lower limbs due to adjustment of the load level applied to the pedals depending on the efforts applied by the user, as well as to inclusion of the warm-up mode or the learning mode of the trainings with minor, zero or negative loads, when the pedals rotate without any efforts applied by the user both in the synchronous and the asynchronous rotation.

Therewith, the above-described exemplary embodiments of the invention should be used as an illustration only and should not limit the scope of the invention. Obvious modifications of the embodiment of the invention may be easily made by persons skilled in this field of art without falling beyond the essence thereof.

Claims

1. A training machine for a simultaneous training of a human shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle and trunk muscles, the training machine comprises a supporting frame (1) with a hand load module (2) and a leg load module (3) arranged thereon, each of them consists of a housing (4, 5) in which a load unit (6, 7) is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to a shaft (8, 9) of hand (10) and leg (11) pedals which are arranged on both sides of the housing (4, 5) and configured to perform a synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement in parallel to a longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing (4, 5), characterized in that it further comprises a rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11), the means being arranged in each load module (2, 3), and a control unit (14) coupled thereto, the control unit being configured to determine a difference between rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9) of the hand (10) and leg (11) pedals, to generate an additional load thereon from the load units (6, 7), the load being proportional to a value of the difference between the rotational speeds of the pedals (10, 1 1) in one of the load modules (2, 3), where the rotational speed of the shaft of the pedals is greater, and to reduce the additional load in case of reduction of the difference between the rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9).

2. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that optical sensors, preferably absolute optical encoders, are used as the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13).

3. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that the rotational speed of the pedals (10, 11) is changed by changing rotation torques of the shafts (8, 9) due to an external influence.

4. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that the additional load is generated by changing a magnitude of a current in a corresponding load unit (6, 7) configured as electromagnetic.

5. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a visual display device (19) that is coupled to the control unit (14) and configured to display the movement parameters of the pedals (10, 11).

6. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that the pedals (10, 11) are configured to perform a rotational movement along an elliptical or a circular path.

7. The training machine of claim 1, characterized in that the supporting frame (1) is adjustable in height.

8. A training machine for a simultaneous training of a human shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle and trunk muscles, the training machine comprises a supporting frame (1) with a hand load module (2) and a leg load module (3) arranged thereon, each of them consists of a housing (4, 5) in which a load unit (6, 7) is arranged, the load unit is kinematically coupled to a shaft (8, 9) of hand (10) and leg (11) pedals which are arranged on both sides of the housing (4, 5) and configured to perform a synchronous or asynchronous rotary movement in parallel to a longitudinal vertical symmetry plane of the housing (4, 5), characterized in that it further comprises a rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11) and electric motors (15, 16) which are arranged in each load module (2, 3), wherein the electric motors (15, 16) are kinematically coupled to the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11), and a control unit (14) that is connected to the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13) for the shafts and to the electric motors (15, 16), the control unit being configured to determine the rotational speeds of the shafts (8, 9) of the hand (10) and the leg (1 1) pedals and to drive the electric motors (15, 16) at the same time generating rotation torques on the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals which are directed against a rotational resistance, wherein the shafts (8, 9) of the pedals (10, 11) are rotatable synchronously or asynchronously.

9. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that optical sensors, preferably absolute optical encoders, are used as the rotational speed measurement means (12, 13).

10. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that it is configured to switch off the electric motors (15, 16) if there is no external contact with at least one pedal (10, 11).

11. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that gear motors are used as the electric motors, the gear motors are coupled to the load units (6, 7) via clutches (17, 18).

12. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that the kinematic couplings of the elements of the load modules (2, 3) are configured as belt drives.

13. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a visual display device (19) that is coupled to the control unit (14) and configured to display the movement parameters of the pedals (10, 11).

14. The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that the pedals (10, 11) are configured to perform a rotational movement along an elliptical or a circular path.

The training machine of claim 8, characterized in that the supporting frame (1) is adjustable in height.