EP1098684B1 - Fitness apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fitness apparatus, comprising a sliding element (2) which is movably mounted on a support element (1) and intended for at least one person. According to the invention the sliding element (2) can be made to vibrate on the support element (1) by means of at least one actuating element (7.1, 7.2).

Description

The present invention relates to a fitness device a carriage movably mounted on a carrier element for at least one person with at least one Actuator and energy storage elements.

Such fitness equipment is in its most varied form and Execution known and available on the market.

For example. a rowing machine or the like is known, with which a Sled opposite a rail during a rowing movement is movable. The sled is opposite one Pick-up device for feet or their seat element movable and arranged on a support member.

Instead of individual actuators in the stand the fitness equipment known in the art power spring element or a chain-driven Flywheel driven to provide a rudder force produce.

A fitness device is shown in US Pat. No. 5,279,532 which two carriages are movably arranged on a carrier are. These are each connected to a common one elastic band connected. The two sledges can be deflected by means of a foot. This deflection causes tensioning of the elastic band and requires a certain amount of effort.

From US 5,066,005 a fitness device is shown a carriage being arranged movably on a carrier is. At one end is the sled with a spring element connected and at the other it is not about one elastic tether connected by one end carrier back over a pulley to Sledge is guided. By pulling the tether you can the carriage move towards the end position, whereby at the same time by moving the elastic bands be excited elsewhere. By releasing the tether the slide moves back to its end position.

US 5,752,879 describes a fitness device in which a slide compared to one adjustable by a support Carrier element is movable back and forth. In particular through the pivoting of the support member around the support leaves adjust the angular position so that a user the sled back and forth, for example, by one Rest position must move. The steeper the porter hired is, the greater is the weight of the user the force that must be applied to the sled to move up.

From US 1,982,872 is a generic fitness device with a frame described, which is inclined against a surface can be set up. There is a sledge along this frame movably mounted. Using a rope, the Sled from one rest position to one by an operator move the raised end position and by releasing the rope the slide slides into its starting position with the Operator automatically returns.

FR 2 245 332 describes a fitness facility in particular a rowing machine in which a sled for Moving the feet back and forth is provided.

The present invention is based on the object Fitness machine of the above Kind of creating which is universal can be used and with which a plurality of different movements and possibly accelerations possible are.

The solution to this problem is that by the action of arranged on the slide actuator at least one energy storage element of the carriage in one natural vibration caused by the force storage element can be accelerated to its rest position.

The sled with the mounting device for feet and a seat element, which if necessary on the sled is arranged displaceably, can be preferred from one central rest position by actuating the actuating element to move back and fourth. The actuator is over Tension elements coupled to a power transmission element. Two tension elements are preferably provided, which on Redirected carriage and on a power transmission element intervention. The power transmission element is at least an energy storage element.

The energy storage element is preferred Embodiment of the invention as a rubber element, in particular from a plurality of rubber elements formed, which ends via deflection elements in a engage the appropriate guide rail, run through it and are set elsewhere.

The energy storage elements are in this rest position biased accordingly.

By moving the actuator is due to the Inertia of the weight of the sled and the Body weight the one energy storage element on the one hand of the power transmission element excited and the other, the Power transmission element located opposite the energy storage element, relieved. This creates a counterforce a direction of travel. The sledge is going against one Direction of travel is moving.

A subsequent moving back of the actuating element causes a corresponding in the opposite direction Applying pressure to the energy storage element, see above that the sled is accelerated in the direction of travel.

By moving the back and forth accordingly Actuator becomes one of the two energy storage elements stretched or relieved. This allows the complete sled with the cradle to and move the seat element back and forth around a rest position, accelerate and in particular vibrate.

The greater the deflection around a rest position, the greater is the speed and the acceleration with which the sled is swingable through the rest position.

If, for example, an end position is reached, it is one of the two Energy storage elements relieved and the other completely curious; excited. In this way, one can be long trained carrier element very high speeds and large excursions to a rest position.

Instead of the trained as rubber elements Force storage elements can also use spring elements, Weights or the like may be provided.

The present inventive concept is also intended to include that, for example, the receiving device compared to the then fixed seat element is movable and a Swinging movement, especially tensioning and stretching the Force storage elements via the force transmission element can be done. The actuating element can then be omitted or be additionally provided.

It should also be within the scope of the present invention that For example, the person or several people on the sledge by operating appropriate actuators a rest position can be accelerated back and forth.

It is also thought of the corresponding Exchange energy storage elements by stronger or to replace weaker dimensioned energy storage elements or even to influence the bias, for example the different forces that are used need to get the sled and a man vibrating to move to exert influence.

The present invention also includes that not just a linear movement of the sled on the Carrier element is possible, but that the carrier element if necessary circular, semicircular or serpentine is formed around a sled along this contour to swing back and forth. It is also conceivable that Carrier element inclined or even steeply inclined, possibly even up to a vertical position to a surface train in order to accelerate for example upwards permit. The are accordingly Force storage elements of different dimensions. Swinging up and down is possible here.

Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemässes Fitenssgerät;

Figur 2 einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch das Fitnessgerät gemäss Figur 1 entlang Linie II-II;

Figur 3 einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch das Fitenssgerät gemäss Figur 1 entlang Linie III-III;

Figuren 4a bis 4k schematisch dargestellte Funktionsabläufe des Fitnessgerätes in den unterschiedlichen Ruhe-, Gebrauchs- und Schwinglagen.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in

Figure 1 is a plan view of a fitness device according to the invention;

2 shows a schematically illustrated cross section through the fitness device according to FIG. 1 along line II-II;

3 shows a schematically illustrated cross section through the fitness device according to FIG. 1 along line III-III;

Figures 4a to 4k schematically illustrated functional sequences of the fitness device in the different rest, use and vibration positions.

According to Figure 1 shows a schematically Fitness device R has a carrier element 1 on which a Carriage 2 is movably mounted. Ends are on that Carriage 2 provided a plurality of rollers 3, which the carriage 2 on the carrier element 1 linearly movable to store.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment Carriage 2 assigned a seat element 4, which opposite the carriage 2 on trusses 5 as in the double arrow direction shown, is mounted to slide back and forth.

The carriage 2 is a receiving device 6 at the end Adjusted feet associated with a human. This Recording device 6 is pivotable and in a known manner if necessary, height adjustable. Are also here Not shown brackets or tabs provided, for example. to keep a foot on it. This can be done, for example conventional Velcro straps or the like.

The slide 2 are actuating elements 7.1, 7.2 on the side assigned, see also Figure 3, which with the carriage 2nd are pivotally connected. That leaves Actuating element 7.1, 7.2 by means of grip elements 8, which are preferably oriented inwards, one Swiveling movement around its bearing 9.

The actuating element 7.1, 7.2 also has a Pick-up eyelet 10, which for setting and picking up a flexible tension element 11 is used. Furthermore, the Carriage 2 assigned to deflection elements 12.1, 12.2 at the ends, on which the tension elements 11, starting from the Actuating element 7.1, 7.2 are deflected. On the Redirection is discussed in more detail below.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, this exists Carrier element 1 consists essentially of two in parallel mutually arranged guide rails 13.1, 13.2, which diamond-shaped on a strut 14 to a substrate 15 or Ground are spaced. The strut 14 can directly with the Be connected to the base 15 or on a support plate 16 end and support the fitness machine R.

As is shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, are rollers 3 of the carriage 2 on top surfaces 17 of the Guide rail 13, which is angled through the diagonal Arrangement of the carrier element, in particular the Guide rails 13.1, 13.2 are formed.

On the lower surfaces 18 there are further rollers 3, which via support arms of the carriage 2, not numbered here are stored. In this way, the carriage 2 fixed on the carrier element 1 in a certain Secure your career. Just a linear movement along the carrier element 1 is possible.

Lifting the carriage 2 and possibly a side one Slipping is impossible here.

However, within the scope of the present invention other profiles are, for example, a carriage 2 linear to run along on a carrier element 1. There is various possibilities in the state of the art.

It is essential in the present invention, however, that the carriage 2 on the carrier element 1 from a rest position, which is preferably centered on the carrier element 1 is set in a back and forth vibration Actuation of the actuating element 7.1, 7.2 offset can be. This causes the carriage to vibrate 2 relative to the carrier element 1 is done by deflecting of the actuating element 7.1, 7.2.

As a result, at least one energy storage element 19.1, 19.2, which via the flexible tension element 11 with the Actuator 7.1, 7.2 is coupled accordingly deflected. The tension elements 11 of the Actuating element 7.1, 7.2 via deflection devices 12.1, 12.2 on the carriage 2 and lead to one Power transmission element 20. The power transmission element 20 is on the two energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2 established. It is fixed with the energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2 connected, the two tension elements 11 there are set.

The energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2, which are prestressed in are in a rest position, deflection elements 21.1, 21.2 deflected and into the interior of the carrier element 1, especially in the interior of the guide rails 13.1, 13.2 guided. After redirecting these pass through the here only schematically shown deflection elements 21.1, 21.2 the guide rails 13.1 completely. In the end they are Energy storage elements inside, as not shown here the guide rails 13.1, 13.2.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the Force storage elements 19.1, 19.2 within the guide rails 13.1, 13.2 stored. The energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2 can be used simply or as a plurality of them as elastic rubber elements can be formed.

However, within the scope of the present invention other energy storage elements used and provided here can be a corresponding swinging movement of the Allow carriage 2 on support element 1. It can also spring elements and / or weights or the like corresponding movement as energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2 allow.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

According to FIG. 4a, the device R is at rest shown in which the carriage 2 on the Carrier element 1 is arranged approximately in the middle. This one Force storage elements 19.1, 19.2, not shown both roughly evenly biased.

By deflecting the actuating element 7 to the left, as shown in Figure 4b, there is little Movement or deflection of the carriage 2 against one Driving direction X.

By subsequently moving the actuating element back 7 is about the tension elements 11 Force storage element 19.1, as in particular in FIG. 1 shown, relieved and the energy storage element 19.2 curious; excited. A slight deflection movement, as in FIG. 4b can be seen against the direction of travel X.

Subsequent movement of the actuating element 7 in Direction of travel X, if necessary, also by moving the seat element 4 in the direction of travel X on the carriage 2 causes Moving the carriage 2 through the rest position and moves the Carriage 2, up to a certain turning point, which on the mass of the carriage 2 and its speed depends. There is a greater deflection.

This can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 4c and 4d. On then moving back against the direction of travel X of the actuator 7, as it is particularly in the Figures 4d and 4e is shown, causes a Back movement of the carriage 2 against the direction of travel X.

The carriage 2 passes through with a high Speed the rest position and is counter to the Direction X accelerated on the carrier element 1 until the restoring moments or restoring forces of the Force storage elements 19.2 suffice for this movement brake and by pressing the Actuator 7 in the direction of travel X as it is shown in particular in Figures 4f and 4g Slide 2 again through the rest position with high Moving speed. Due to the support the acceleration of the carriage 2 and by that Actuator 7 is deflected on the Carrier element 1, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4h.

Then, as described above, a Moving back the actuator 7 counter Direction X, the carriage 2 through the rest position in a further deflected position, in particular end position is accelerated, as is particularly the case in FIGS. 4i and 4j. Then moving the Actuator 7 in the direction of travel X accelerates the Carriage 2 again according to FIG. 4k in the direction of travel X.

Are these end positions reached, such as in the Figures 4f, 4h and 4j are shown, so are the Force storage elements 19.1 or 19.2 each either excited or relaxed. In the preferred central resting position Both energy storage elements 19.1, 19.2 are uniform biased so that maximum deflection of the Carriage 2 can be done without one of the Force storage elements 19.1, 19.2, for example Carrier element 1 sags.

However, it should also be within the scope of the present invention that, for example, the carrier element 1 can run in a curve over the substrate 15, so that an oscillating movement is tracked in accordance with the contour of the carrier element 1. It should also be considered to arrange the carrier element 1 at different heights above the subsurface 15, if necessary at an angle or even in a wave-like manner, in order to allow an oscillating movement at different heights, for example troughs or the like. A vertical position of the carrier element 1 with respect to the base 15 is also considered here. The corresponding energy storage elements are then optionally guided movably via deflection and holding rollers in accordance with the course of the carrier element 1 and are dimensioned stronger or weaker. Position Number List 1 support element 34 67 2 carriage 35 68 3 role 36 69 4 seat element 37 70 5 traverse 38 71 6 recording device 39 72 7 Betatigungseiement 40 73 8th handle element 41 74 9 camp 42 75 10 mounting eye 43 76 11 tension element 44 77 12 deflecting 45 78 13 guide rail 46 79 14 strut 47 15 underground 48 16 support plate 49 R fitness device 17 area 50 18 area 51 X direction of travel 19 Power storage element 52 20 Power transmission element 53 21 deflecting 54 22 55 23 56 24 57 25 58 26 59 27 60 28 61 29 62 30 63 31 64 32 65 33 66

Claims (14)

1. Fitness apparatus, having a slide (2), displaceably mounted on a support member (1), for at least one person, said slide having at least one actuating member (7.1, 7.2) and force storage members (19.1, 19.2), characterised in that, by the action of the actuating member (7.1, 7.2), disposed on the slide (2), on at least one force storage member (19.1, 19.2), the slide (2) can accelerate into a proper oscillation, caused by the force storage member (19.1, 19.2), about its position of rest.
2. Fitness apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the force storage member (19.1, 19.2) has a single- or multiple-part configuration, with which a force transmitting member (20) is associated, possibly in a re-releasable manner, for transmitting forces.
3. Fitness apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the force transmitting member (20) is connected to the slide (2) and/or to the actuating member (7).
4. Fitness apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the actuating member (7.1, 7.2) is designed to be displaceable in and/or in opposition to a direction of travel (X), said actuating member communicating, indirectly or directly, with the slide (2) and/or the force storage member (19.1, 19.2), more especially the force transmitting member (20).
5. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the support member (1) is formed from at least one, more especially from two guide bars (13.1, 13.2) which extend parallel to each other, said bars extending in a linear or curved manner and being spaced from a base (15) via struts (14), possibly at different heights.
6. Fitness apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that deflection members (21.1, 21.2) for the force storage member (19) are provided at the end of each support member (1), more especially of each guide bar (13).
7. Fitness apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the at least one force storage member (19.1, 19.2) is deflected at the deflection member (21.1, 21.2), it is guided through the guide bar (13) and secured at the end.
8. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that respective deflection means (12.1, 12.2) are associated with each end of the slide (2), which means respectively establishes a connection between the actuating member (7) and force transmitting member (20) indirectly or directly, possibly via a flexible tensile member (11), more especially wire or cord.
9. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least one seat member (4), or at least one receiving means (6) for a person's feet, is associated with the slide (2) in a fixed and/or displaceable manner.
10. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that slide (2) and/or force transmitting member (20) are/is disposed in a position of rest substantially centrally on the support member (1), and the slide (2) can accelerate into or in opposition to a direction of travel (X) by deflecting the actuating member (7.1, 7.2).
11. Fitness apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that, in a deflected end position, the one force storage member (19.1 or 19.2) is relaxed and the other force storage member (19.2 or 19.1) is tensioned.
12. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the force storage member (19.1, 19.2) is formed from a plurality of resilient rubber elements.
13. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the slide (2) can be set to oscillate about a position of rest on the support member (1) between two end positions.
14. Fitness apparatus according to at least one of claims 5 to 13, characterised in that the support member (1) is disposed in a horizontal to vertical position relative to the base (15).

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