EP1409084A2 - Machines d'exercice - Google Patents

Machines d'exercice

Info

Publication number
EP1409084A2
EP1409084A2 EP02767150A EP02767150A EP1409084A2 EP 1409084 A2 EP1409084 A2 EP 1409084A2 EP 02767150 A EP02767150 A EP 02767150A EP 02767150 A EP02767150 A EP 02767150A EP 1409084 A2 EP1409084 A2 EP 1409084A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
saddle
machine according
rest
user
support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02767150A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Gareth Davies
Karl John Drage
Andrew c/o PDD Ltd. WILLS
Oliver c/o PDD Ltd. PRICE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Exertris Ltd
Original Assignee
Exertris Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Exertris Ltd filed Critical Exertris Ltd
Publication of EP1409084A2 publication Critical patent/EP1409084A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
    • A63B2071/0638—Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
    • A63B2071/0641—Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
    • A63B22/0605—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A63B2230/04—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
    • A63B2230/06—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations heartbeat rate only

Definitions

  • the invention relates to exercise machines.
  • Typical exercise apparatus in a gymnasium or home may include cardiovascular exercise machines such as treadmills, stationary exercise bicycles, rowing machines, steppers, climbers, cross-trainers and the like.
  • Exercise machines provide resistance to the movement of one or more body parts of a user to exercise the user's body.
  • exercise machines that provide resistance to the movement of body parts other than the arms of a user are referred to as hands-free exercise machines.
  • handles are provided to be gripped by the user's hands, particularly in exercise machines where the user is in upright or upright sitting position. This can produce excess strain on the user's hands or arms.
  • Some exercise machines provide a handle or handlebar arrangement which is also configured so that the user can, if desired, rest the arms on the handle bars, such as in the arrangements of 0 97/33656 and US 5,129,873.
  • these handle bar arrangements are not comfortable to rest on, particularly because the user's back is not straight when the forearms are rested on the handlebar and, further, because the handlebars are actually designed to be gripped by the hands and are, therefore, generally of a tubular design small enough to be held in the hands. It is not particularly comfortable when the arms are rested, for a long period of time, on such a tubular grip.
  • the machine is made more interesting to the user if the user can, during the exercise, control the display.
  • a hands-free exercise machine comprising an arm support including a rest for the forearms of a user and a free space in front of the forearm rest for receiving the hands of a user.
  • Such systems generally incorporate a display which shows a representation of the user carrying out the exercise activity and an indication of performance relative to computer-generated competitors or other users.
  • US Patent 6,126,571 describes a device which enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a control for electronic games.
  • the device has a rear wheel sensor to detect the rotational speed of the rear wheel and a front wheel sensor which detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.
  • US Patent 4,637,605 discloses a video game control arrangement in which the player movement is controlled on a video screen from the handlebars of a stationary exercise bicycle.
  • the video controls can only be operated if the level of the user's exercise activity is above a present acceptable level .
  • the user has to grip the handles and operate the computer game from the handle grip position.
  • the controls are provided in the handles
  • the exercise machine is combined with a computer game which is preferably controlled predominantly by movements of the user's hands, fingers, thumbs, wrists and forearms. Such fine control movements have been found to concentrate the user's mind on the playing of the computer game, rather than on the exercise that they are also doing. This encourages people to exercise more or, rather, to become discouraged less quickly.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine, particularly an exercise machine which provides resistance to the legs of a user, which is comfortable to the user and which enables the user to easily and comfortably operate the controls of a computer or the like or to have the hands free for a similar operation whilst carrying out the exercise.
  • the invention provides an exercise machine providing resistance to the legs of a user comprising an arm support having a rest for the forearms of a user, in use; a monitor arranged in the field of view of the user, in use; and controlling means to be operated by the hands of the user for controlling or influencing visual sequences or images displayed on the monitor, wherein the forearm rest is arranged relative to the monitor such that a space is provided between the arm rest and the monitor for the hands of the user, and wherein the controller is arranged to be held by the hands of the user in said space.
  • One form of exercise machine provides resistance to the legs of a user through a pair of rotatable pedals with a saddle providing a seat for the user while pedalling and an arm support spaced from the saddle and allowing the upper body to be supported by the arms.
  • an exercise machine comprising a set of pedals, a saddle and a support so that a person sitting on the saddle turns the pedals against a resistance with the support allowing the upper body to be supported by the arms, the saddle being adjustable for height and the support being linked to the saddle so that adjustment of the height of the saddle causes a change in the position of the support .
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exercise bicycle with part of a housing of the exercise bicycle and a set of pedals removed for clarity,
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation of the exercise bicycle of Figure 1 showing a person using the bicycle and with a saddle of the bicycle in a lowermost position,
  • Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but showing the saddle in an uppermost position
  • Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a second form of exercise machine .
  • the exercise bicycle comprises a base 10, a housing 11, half of which is shown at 11a, a saddle assembly 12, a linkage 13 and an arm support assembly 14.
  • the exercise bicycle also includes a pair of pedals and a means for applying a resistance to the rotation of the pedals which is adjustable by a user. These parts form no part of the invention and are omitted for clarity. They are located in a circular aperture 15 in the housing 11.
  • the base 10 is in the form of a closed box formed by a rectangular lower wall 16, trapezoidal side walls 17 extending upwardly from the lower wall, rectangular end walls 18 extending between side walls 17 and an upper wall 19.
  • the upper wall subtends an angle of about 30° to the horizontal (see Figures 2 and 3) .
  • the housing 11 is formed in two halves which are symmetrical about a vertical plane and, as discussed above, only one housing part 11a is shown.
  • the housing 11 may be moulded from plastics or from metal or from any suitable combination of those materials. Since the housing parts are identical, only the housing part 11a will be described.
  • the housing part 11a has the shape of an inverted Y with a generally upwardly directed limb 20 and first and second angled limbs 21,22.
  • the second angled limb 22 is fixed to the upper wall 19 of the base 10.
  • the first angled limb 21 carries at its end a pair of outwardly directed feet 23 to support the end of the housing 11.
  • an aperture 15 is formed in the centre of the housing 11a to accommodate pedals and an associated resistance mechanism (not shown) .
  • the upwardly directed limb 20 of the housing 11 carries the saddle assembly 12.
  • This assembly includes a saddle 24 attached to an elongate bar 25 slidable in a rectilinear path in a passageway 26 formed in the upwardly directed limb 20 and provided with rollers 27 that engage with the bar 25 to allow for smooth movement of the bar into and out of the passage.
  • the bar 25 is provided with a stop 28 that limits movement of the bar 25 relative to the housing part 11.
  • the linkage 13 includes first and second parallel links 29,30 and a connecting link 31.
  • the first parallel link 29 is pivotally connected at one end to the second angled arm 22 of the housing 11 and is pivotally connected at the opposite end to the arm support assembly 14.
  • the second parallel link 30 is also pivotally connected at one end to the second angled limb 22 of the housing 11 and pivotally connected at the other end to the arm support assembly 14.
  • a line normal to the pivots of the first parallel link 29 and passing through both pivots is parallel to a line normal to the pivots of the second parallel link 30 and passing through both pivots.
  • the second parallel link 30 is connected to the arm support assembly 14 close to a lower end of the arm support assembly 14 whereas the first parallel link 29 is connected to the arm support assembly 14 at a point spaced upwardly from that lower end.
  • the connecting link is generally L-shaped and, towards one end, is pivotally connected to a lower end of the bar 25 at a pivot point 32 (see Figures 2 and 3) .
  • the opposite end is pivotally connected at a pivot point 33 to the apices of a pair of spaced parallel triangular plates whose opposite side edges are connected to the arm support assembly 14, at the pivot points on the arm assembly 14 of the first and second parallel links 29,30.
  • a gas strut 35 is connected to an end of the connecting link 31 adjacent the pivot point 32 on the bar 25 and a point on the housing 11 adjacent the feet 23.
  • the gas strut 35 includes a piston 36 and a cylinder 37 which can be locked against relative movement or unlocked to allow relevant movement by means of a switch 38 at the top of the bar 25 under the rear of the saddle 24.
  • the arm support assembly 14 comprises an elongate arcuate column 39 whose lower end is connected to the first and second parallel links 29,30 and the plates 34, as described above.
  • the upper end of the column 39 carries a rest 40 for the forearms of a user.
  • the position of the rest in relation to the saddle 24 is such that the back of a user is straight when the user sits on trie saddle 24 and rests his/her forearms on the rest 40.
  • the rest 40 is of generally elongate oval cross-section and extends to either side of the column 39.
  • the upper surface of the rest 40 which is generally rectangular in plan view, has a resilient cushioned upper surface 41. There are no hand grips.
  • a pair of arms 42 extend forwardly of the rest 40 and are connected at their ends remote from the rest 40 where they carry a monitor 43 which may be of any known kind such as a CRT monitor but preferably an LCD monitor or a plasma display.
  • the monitor 43 is connected to suitable control electronics (not shown) contained in the base 10.
  • a tray 44 is provided between the arms 42 adjacent the rest 40.
  • the exercise bicycle is used in the following way.
  • a person 45 sits on the saddle 24 and places his/her feet on the pedals (not shown) .
  • the person 45 rests his/her forearms 46 on the rest 20 so that his/her hands 47 extend into the free space in front of the rest 40. In this position, the person's forearms are supported over a significant length of the forearms.
  • the person also has a straight back and can use his/her hands to grip a controller 48 which is connected by a cable 49 to the control electronics.
  • the pedals are connected to hardware able to provide a controllable variable resistance to the rotation of the pedals.
  • the control electronics generate, from one or more stored programmes, visual images that are displayed on the monitor 43 and the programme is controlled by signals from the controller 38, provided by the person 45.
  • the visual images may, for example, be a game whose outcome is affected by operation of the controller 38.
  • the controller 48 is held in the tray 44 prior to use and, as will be seen from the drawings, the tray 44 is located so that the controller 48 falls readily to hand once the user's forearms are placed on the rest 40.
  • the person dismounts the machine and operates the switch 38 to unlock the gas strut 35.
  • the saddle can then be lifted from the position shown in Figure 2 to pull the bar 25 out of the passageway 26 under the guidance of the rollers 27.
  • the gas strut 35 provides a spring force that counters the weight of the saddle assembly 12 so making it easy for a user to raise and lower the saddle assembly 12.
  • This extends the piston 36 out of the cylinder 37 of the gas strut 35 and also lifts the connecting link 31.
  • the effect of this is to lift the column 39 via the plates 34 with the path of movement of the column 39 being guided by the first and second parallel links 29,30.
  • the links are initially inclined downwardly away from the housing 11 and as the column 39 is raised they
  • the switch is released and the gas strut 35 locks to hold the saddle 24 and the column 39 in the required position.
  • the saddle can be lowered by releasing the switch 38 and lowering the saddle with such ⁇ movement being cushioned by movement of the piston 36 into the cylinder 37 of the gas strut 35.
  • connection between the saddle assembly 12 and the arm support assembly 14 need not be provided by a linkage; it could be provided by electronic or hydraulic means or any other form of suitable connection.
  • the exercise bicycle of Figures 1 to 3 shows the use of a rest 40, this is optional; the exercise bicycle may be provided with a conventional arrangement at the upper end of the column 39.
  • an arm support including a rest for the forearms of a user and a free space in front of the forearm rest for receiving the hands of a user need not be confined to an exercise bicycle.
  • the same principle is shown applied to a step machine.
  • parts common to Figure 4 and to Figures 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals and not described in detail .
  • the step machine of Figure 4 comprises a fixed housing 50 from which project a pair of levers 51,52. Each lever supports, at its end remote from the housing 50, a respective step 53 pivotally mounted on the associated lever 52.
  • the levers 51,52 are mounted within - li the housing 50 for pivotal movement and they are linked such that pivotal movement of one lever in one sense is accompanied by pivotal movement of the other lever in an opposite sense. Accordingly, a person standing with each foot on a respective step 53 can perform a stepping action, similar to that used in climbing stairs, against a chosen variable resistance.
  • Such machines are well known and will not be described in further detail.
  • a column 54 extends from the upper end of the housing 50 and mounts at its upper end a rest 40 of the kind described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
  • the rest is associated with arms 42 and a monitor 43, again of the kind described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
  • a person 45 standing on the steps 53 is able to rest his/her forearms 46 on the rest 40 with his/her hands extending into the free space in front of the rest 40.
  • the person's hands 47 can grip a controller 48 which can be used to control a game or other matter appearing on the monitor 43.
  • Each such rest may comprise a pad that is part-elliptical or arcuate in cross-section and rectangular in plan view.
  • the gas strut 35 of Figures 1 to 3 may be located other than as shown in these figures.
  • the controller 48 in either embodiment may be connected by a wireless link rather than the cable 49.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une machine d'exercice, telle qu'un vélo d'exercice, ayant une selle réglable et un support réglable pour les avant-bras de l'utilisateur. La selle est reliée au support de telle manière que le réglage de la selle entraîne le réglage du support. Le support d'avant-bras est doté d'un espace adjacent pour les mains de l'utilisateur de telle manière que la personne utilisant la machine puisse manipuler manuellement une commande électronique placée sur un cordon pour jouer à un jeu affiché sur un moniteur en face du support.
EP02767150A 2001-06-14 2002-06-12 Machines d'exercice Withdrawn EP1409084A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0114510 2001-06-14
GB0114510A GB0114510D0 (en) 2001-06-14 2001-06-14 Exercise machines
PCT/EP2002/006498 WO2002102471A2 (fr) 2001-06-14 2002-06-12 Machines d'exercice

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1409084A2 true EP1409084A2 (fr) 2004-04-21

Family

ID=9916580

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02767150A Withdrawn EP1409084A2 (fr) 2001-06-14 2002-06-12 Machines d'exercice

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1409084A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2004528954A (fr)
GB (2) GB0114510D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002102471A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2883192A1 (fr) 2005-03-15 2006-09-22 Mbg Sarl Appareil de musculation pourvu d'un equipement video
TWI396570B (zh) * 2010-06-11 2013-05-21 Footwear & Recreation Technology Res Inst 健身車
WO2013090800A2 (fr) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Ferrusi Steven Plateforme pour appareil d'exercice et autres dispositifs
FR3059560B1 (fr) * 2016-12-05 2021-11-19 Pan Regis Le Velo fixe en trois parties et plans inclines.

Family Cites Families (15)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3727913A (en) * 1971-12-20 1973-04-17 Innovex Inc Bicycle type exercising machine
GB1402121A (en) * 1972-01-31 1975-08-06 Raleigh Industries Ltd Bicycle fitting and exercising apparatus
GB2108000B (en) * 1981-10-22 1985-10-23 Lew Ways Ltd Cycle-type exerciser
US4637605A (en) 1984-02-17 1987-01-20 Frank Ritchie Controls for a game bike
US4923195A (en) * 1988-12-05 1990-05-08 Calderone Michael P Exercise device
US5129873A (en) 1990-07-30 1992-07-14 Precor Incorporated Exercise apparatus
US5423728A (en) * 1992-10-30 1995-06-13 Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. Stationary exercise bicycle
US5496238A (en) * 1992-11-19 1996-03-05 Taylor; Douglas B. Physical conditioning apparatus
DE19603237C2 (de) * 1995-02-02 1998-07-09 Hammer Sport Vertriebs Gmbh Trainingsgerät mit Körpergewichtsanzeige
AU2540497A (en) 1996-03-15 1997-10-01 Charles Kallassey Exercise apparatus and method of use
IT1285949B1 (it) * 1996-06-12 1998-06-26 Technogym Srl Macchina ginnica ad assetto variabile
DE29712021U1 (de) * 1997-06-13 1998-01-15 AK Sport GmbH & Co. Vertriebs KG, 28307 Bremen Trainingsgerät, insbesondere Fahrradheimtrainer
US5947868A (en) * 1997-06-27 1999-09-07 Dugan; Brian M. System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise
ES1039902Y (es) * 1998-04-02 1999-07-01 Guerra Navas Antonio Bicicleta estatica.
US6126571A (en) 1999-05-04 2000-10-03 Parks; Edward H. Apparatus for removably interfacing a bicycle to a computer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO02102471A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002102471A2 (fr) 2002-12-27
GB0114510D0 (en) 2001-08-08
JP2004528954A (ja) 2004-09-24
GB0116587D0 (en) 2001-08-29
WO2002102471A3 (fr) 2003-10-30

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