EP1124616A1

EP1124616A1 - Apparatus for therapy or bodybuilding

Info

Publication number: EP1124616A1
Application number: EP99950800A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wulfran Hubert
Original assignee: Cimax
Current assignee: Cimax
Priority date: 1998-10-26
Filing date: 1999-10-19
Publication date: 2001-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-19
Also published as: EP1124616B1; WO2000024474A1; JP2002528196A; DE69910416T2; DE69910416D1; ATE246946T1; FR2784901B1; FR2784901A1; AU6344399A

Abstract

The invention concerns a gymnastic apparatus for bodybuilding and/or therapy for different muscles, comprising elastic return means arranged between gripping means (2, 3), characterised in that it comprises means for adjusting the spring force of the elastic return means and means for adjusting the length of the elastic return means.

Description

GYMNASTIC APPARATUS FOR REHABILITATION OR WEIGHT-BUILDING

The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus for rehabilitation and / or bodybuilding and more specifically an expander type apparatus. Said apparatus is intended to allow the work of the various muscles of the user according to the exercises practiced by the latter.

In the prior art, there are gymnastic apparatuses intended for bodybuilding which are commonly called extenders, such as those described in French patent applications No. 2,688,141 and 2,760,974, for example. These devices are intended to be used to allow the work of different muscles of the body according to specific exercises. However, the existing devices have many drawbacks related to their configuration which does not allow them sufficient diversification of bodybuilding exercises.

Indeed, these devices of the prior art do not allow multiple exercises to be carried out with the muscular intensity adapted to the physical condition of the user's moment. Thus, these devices are generally only suitable for certain types of exercises and do not have a configuration giving them great versatility. In addition, these devices also do not allow their specific adaptation to the problems to be solved in particular during rehabilitation exercises where the strength of the device must be able to be gradually increased, for example.

Thus, the present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems of conventional gymnastic equipment using simple, reliable, effective and easy to implement means. Its objective is to offer a gymnastic apparatus intended for bodybuilding and / or rehabilitation capable of allowing, on the one hand, a multitude of various exercises adapted to most of the muscles of the body. human and, on the other hand, the management of the muscular intensity required for each specific exercise.

According to its main characteristic, the gymnastic apparatus intended for bodybuilding and / or for the rehabilitation of the various muscles according to the invention is of the type comprising elastic return means disposed between gripping members and is characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the return force of the elastic return means and means for adjusting the length of the elastic return means.

According to another characteristic of the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention, it is characterized in that the elastic return means consist of an elastic band and in that the length adjustment means comprise a limiting member intended to allow the useful length to be reduced, the length used to constitute the elastic return means.

According to an additional characteristic, the gymnastic apparatus is characterized in that the elastic return means consist of an elastic band and in that the force adjustment means comprise an adjustment member which makes it possible to arrange the elastic band in double over a length which forms all or part of the length of the elastic return means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus, the length adjustment means and the force adjustment means allow adjustment of the return force of the elastic return means independent of the adjustment of their length and vice versa.

According to an additional characteristic of the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention, the elastic return means consist of an elastic band which fixedly carries a first gripping member, while the second gripping member is disposed movable along all or part of the elastic band. According to another characteristic, the second gripping member is disposed mobile on the portion of elastic band which is arranged in duplicate.

According to the preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus, the adjustment member is constituted by an adjustment and locking loop.

In addition, according to this preferred embodiment, the limiting member is also constituted by the adjustment and locking loop.

According to the preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus, the adjustment and locking loop is formed by a pivoting lever mounted on a housing inside which one or more strands of the elastic band pass to be locked. (s) against a bearing surface of the housing by the end of the lever.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figures 1 to 11 illustrate several embodiments of the gymnastic and rehabilitation equipment and their variant embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention in passive position.

Figures 2a to 4b illustrate different weight training exercises in which the user requests the weight machine.

Figures 2a, 2b illustrate a strength training exercise for the lower limbs.

Figures 3a, 3b show a bodybuilding exercise for the upper limbs.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a strength training exercise for the abdominals. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus

Figure 5 shows schematically the gymnastic apparatus in lateral view and its adjustment.

Figure 6 illustrates in longitudinal section the adjustment loop of the gymnastic apparatus.

Figures 7 to 9a illustrate the preferred embodiment of the gymnastics apparatus.

Figure 7 shows the device in perspective.

Figures 8a and 8b schematically illustrate in side view two positions for adjusting the force of the device for the same length of the elastic return means.

Figures 8c and 8d schematically show in side view two different adjustment positions of the length, for the same return force.

Figure 9a shows in cross section the adjusting member of the gymnastic apparatus.

Figure 9b shows in a view similar to Figure 9a, an alternative embodiment of the adjusting member of the gymnastic apparatus of the invention.

Figures 10 to 11 illustrate alternative embodiments of the preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 10 schematically illustrates in side view an alternative embodiment of the device.

Figure 11 shows in a view similar to Figure 10 a second alternative embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus.

The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus bearing the general reference (1) which is intended for bodybuilding and / or rehabilitation of various muscles in the human body. It includes, as shown in Figure 1, elastic return means (MRE) arranged between two gripping members (2, 3) and intended to be requested by the user (7) during weight training or rehabilitation exercises illustrated in Figures 2a to 4b, for example.

According to the invention, the gymnastic apparatus (1) comprises on the one hand means for adjusting (MRL) the length (Ll) of elastic return means (MRE) which make it possible to adjust the length (Ll) which separates each of the gripping members (2, 3), and on the other hand adjustment means (MRF) of the return force (F) of the elastic return means (MRE). It goes without saying that certain types of elastic return means have a stiffness coefficient which varies according to their elongation, however the adjustment means make it possible to modify the stiffness for a given elongation.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the means for adjusting the return force (MRF) and the means for adjusting the length (MRL) are linked and the variation in the length (L1) of the return means elastic (MRE) causes a variation of the restoring force (F) and vice versa. Thus, the length (L1) which separates the gripping members (2, 3) is a function of the restoring force (F) or stiffness of the elastic restoring means and cannot be adjusted independently of the force.

According to the various embodiments illustrated and their variant embodiments, the elastic return means (MRE) consist of an elastic band (4) of a type known per se, which has a band width (La) which can be understood preferably between 2 and 10 cm, advantageously chosen to be approximately 4 cm. It goes without saying that the elastic return means (MRE) could be constituted by equivalent means such as flexible rubber ties, elastics or springs or any other elastic element for example, without however departing from the protective field of the invention.

According to the first embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus (1) according to the invention, it consists of a strip elastic (4) which fixedly carries at one of its ends (6a) a first gripping member (2) formed by a handle obtained in a manner known per se by sewing, stapling, welding the end of the strip on itself or by any other fixing method. It goes without saying that the gripping members can be produced by equivalent devices such as for example plastic handles or the like. The force and length adjustment means (MRF, MRL) consist of the same adjustment member (5), such as a locking loop, to which the other end (6b) of the strip (4) is fixed. while said member is mounted on the strip so as to be able to slide and be blocked along the latter, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Thus, the tightening loop (5) makes it possible to separate the elastic return means (MRE) into a portion of strip (4a) arranged in duplicate and a portion of strip (4b) arranged in single; the respective length of the strip portions (4a, 4b) advantageously determines the length (L1) of the elastic return means and the return force (F) of these.

Note that the second gripping member (3) is arranged movable along the strip portion (4a) arranged in duplicate in order to allow the user to stress the gymnastic apparatus (1); the adjustment loop (5) is therefore intended to slide along the strip (4) to be locked there in a position suitable for the desired exercise. It goes without saying that the adjustment member (5) can be obtained in many ways and have various configurations. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, it has, for example, a pivoting locking lever (8) which makes it possible to wedge one or more strands of the strip (4) against a bearing surface (9) of the housing (15 ) of the loop (5).

According to a second embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus (1) which constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment means (MRF) of the restoring force (F) and the adjustment means (MRL) of the length (L1) of the elastic return means (MRE) make it possible to obtain an adjustment of the force independent of the adjustment of the length and vice versa. According to this preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus (1), the means of elastic return consist of a strip (4) of the type described above and as in the first embodiment, a first gripping member (2) is disposed fixed at one end (6a) of the strip (4), while the second gripping member (3) is movable along the strip portion (4a) arranged in duplicate.

According to the preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus (1), the force adjustment means (MRF) comprise an adjustment member (ORF) which makes it possible to arrange the elastic band (4) in duplicate over a length ( Ld) which represents all or part of the length (L1) which separates the gripping members (2, 3). In addition, the apparatus includes means for adjusting (MRL) the length (L1), said means comprising in particular a limitation member (OL) intended to reduce or increase the useful length (Lu) of the strip within the limit of the total length of the strip (L2). The term useful length (Lu) will be understood to mean the length actually used to constitute the elastic return means (MRE), which in this embodiment corresponds to the length of the elastic return means (L1) added to the doubled length (Ld) of the band: Lu = Ll + Ld, that is to say the length used in singles (Ls) added to twice the doubled length (Ld). The useful length (Lu) is also equal to the total length of the strip (L2) not shown minus the strip length (Lt) which is not used Lu = L2 - LL

Note that the force adjustment member (ORF) previously described has an influence on the length (L1), while the limitation member (OL) also has an influence on the stiffness (F) of the elastic return means. . However, as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, for the same length (L1), by playing on the two members (ORF, OL), the stiffness (F) or restoring force can be varied continuously. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 8c and 8d, for a given stiffness, the length (L1) of the elastic return means can also be varied continuously. Therefore, the means of adjusting the force and the length (MRF, MRL) are not independent because the two organs (ORF, OL) the constituents each act on the restoring force and on the length, but they allow by their combined action of obtaining a stiffness adjustment independent of the length adjustment and vice versa. Note that in Figure 8a, the length or the distance between the two gripping members (L1) corresponds to the useful length (Lu).

According to the preferred embodiment of the gymnastic apparatus (1) illustrated in FIG. 7, the force adjustment member (ORF) and the limitation member (OL) consist of the same locking loop (5) . As shown in Figures 7 to 9b, the locking loop (5) is intended to slide and to be locked over the useful length (Lu) of the strip (4), so as to allow adjustment of the length of the portion strip arranged in duplicate (4a) and arranged in single (4b), it is also intended to make it possible to limit the useful length (Lu) of the strip (4) by immobilizing an adjustable portion of strip (4c) which corresponds to the 'free end (6b) of the strip (4). Thus, the strip portion (4c) whose length is adjusted by the user is in no way used to form the elastic return means and is not used by the user during his exercises.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9a, the locking loop (5) allows the locking of the free strip portion (4c) and the doubled strip portion (4a) simultaneously thanks to a pivoting lever ( 8) articulated around an axis (10) and intended to wedge the strands of strap between its end (8a) and a support wall (9a) of a bowl (16) disposed in the housing (15) when it is in the locked position. It is important to note that the two strands of strap, the double strand (4a) and the free strand (4c) which are blocked by the end of the lever (8) in the bowl (16) run through the bowl to exit the interior of the housing (15) before leaving said actual housing by two slots (17a, 17b) disposed in the underside (18) of the housing (15) as shown in Figure 9a. This construction allows a distribution of the forces during the exercises carried out by the user and thus prevents the untimely opening of the locking loop (5) during exercise, the end of the lever being immobilized in particular by the thickness of the two strands (4a, 4c) and by the second bearing wall (9b) of the bowl (16). The single strand (4b) thus leaves the housing (15) through the slot (17a) so as not to directly bias the lever (8). However, as shown in the illustrated alternative embodiment 9b, it is nevertheless possible to make a loop locking whose configuration is different, the two strands do not fully run through the bowl to not come out of the lower slots.

According to this embodiment, the second gripping member (3) is movable on the doubled strip portion (4a) and is formed by an independent handle produced in an elastic band advantageously similar to the band (4). This independent handle (3) is slidably disposed on the strip (4a) using a loop (20) of the conventional type with two slots as illustrated in FIG. 1 or 7, however it could be otherwise.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the adjustment and locking loop (5) has a different configuration, the free strand (4c) of the strip (4) being disposed above the strands (4a, 4b) which are intended to be settled.

In addition, the limiting member (OL) which is intended to limit the useful length (Lu) may not be constituted by the same part as that which forms the adjusting member (ORF). Thus, according to an alternative embodiment of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the limiting member is formed by a secondary loop (11), said loop may be intended to secure the handle (2) which forms the first member gripping at one end of the strip (4) and this in an adjustable manner, while the adjusting member (ORF) intended to divide the useful length of the strip between a portion of single strip (4b) and a portion of double strip (4a) is constituted by a conventional type adjustment loop (12) on which the other end of the strip (4) is fixed. The secondary loop (11) is thus intended to be able to adjust and lock the position of the gripping member (2) along the strip strand arranged as a single (4b) to allow elimination of a portion of strip (4c) which becomes unused.

Furthermore, the gymnastic apparatus (1) and its adjustment means advantageously make it possible to form a closed loop with the strand arranged in duplicate (4a), this allowing the user to carry out exercises by passing two members to the inside the loop thus formed and by urging it apart. Note, moreover, that the elastic band (4) can bear on its faces marks or marks not shown intended to allow the user to position or adjust the gymnastic apparatus in a reproducible manner and suitable for exercise.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims

1. Gymnastic apparatus (1) intended for bodybuilding and / or for the re-education of the various muscles, of the type comprising elastic return means (MRE) arranged between gripping members (2, 3), characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting (MRF) the return force (F) of the elastic return means (MRE) and means for adjusting (MRL) the length (Ll) of the elastic return means (MRE).

2. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic return means (MRE) consist of an elastic band (4) of total length (L2) and in that the means for adjusting the length (MRL) comprise a limitation member (OL) intended to make it possible to reduce the useful length (Lu), length used to constitute the elastic return means (MRE).

3. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic return means (MRE) consist of an elastic band (4) and in that the force adjustment means ( MRF) comprise an adjustment member (ORF) which makes it possible to arrange the elastic band (4) in duplicate over a length (Ld) which forms all or part of the length (Ll) of the elastic return means (MRE).

4. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the length adjustment means (MRL) and the force adjustment means (MRF) allow adjustment of the restoring force (F ) elastic return means (MRE) independent of the adjustment of their length (L1) and vice versa.

5. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic return means (MRE) consist of an elastic band (4) which fixedly carries a first gripping member (2 ), while the second gripping member (3) is disposed movable along all or part of the elastic band.

6. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the second gripping member (3) is disposed movable on the elastic band portion (4a) which is arranged in duplicate.

7. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claim 3 and any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the adjustment member (ORF) is constituted by an adjustment and locking loop (5).

8. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the limiting member (OL) is constituted by the adjustment and locking loop (5).

9. gymnastic apparatus (1) according to claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the adjustment and locking loop (5) is formed by a pivoting lever (8) mounted on a housing (15) inside which passes one or more strands (4a, 4b, 4c) of the elastic band (4) to be (s) blocked (s) against a bearing surface (9) of the housing (15) by the end of the lever (8 ).