EP1528949A1

EP1528949A1 - Device for physical exercises

Info

Publication number: EP1528949A1
Application number: EP03758225A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marie-Laure Delanef; Jean Frelat
Original assignee: HOLISTE LABORATOIRES ET DEVELOPPEMENT
Current assignee: HOLISTE LABORATOIRES ET DEVELOPPEMENT
Priority date: 2002-08-16
Filing date: 2003-08-11
Publication date: 2005-05-11
Also published as: FR2843543B1; WO2004016322A1; AU2003274242A1; FR2843543A1

Abstract

The invention relates to devices for physical exercises of bodybuilding and stretching between the Ed extremity of legs J and the trunk of a human body. The inventive device is mainly characterised in that it comprises a base (1), a ramp (2) whose plane (3) is inclined at an angle α with respect to the horizontal, a truck (4) mounted in travelling on the ramp (3), a back support (8) which is connected to the truck (4) and whose plane (9) forms an angle α2 with the horizontal, a rack (11), a crank (12) pivotally arranged on the extremity (14) of the rack (11) in such a way that it is rotatable around an axis (18), means (15) for fixing the extremity of each leg J to two points (16, 17) of the crank (12), respectively and means (19) for lifting the rack (11) with respect to the base (1) by rotating it around an axis (20) and passing by a point (22). The rack (11) is arranged in such a way that it is rotatable around the axis (20) between positions P1 and P2 which are defined on two sides thereof with respect to a central position Pm in which a straight line D1 being substantially perpendicular to the axes (18) and (20) is perpendicular to a straight line D2 which is perpendicular to the axis (18) and passes by the lowest part (10) of the back support (8).

Description

DEVICE FOR PERFORMING PHYSICAL EXERCISES

The present invention relates to an improvement to a device making it possible to perform physical exercises, in particular weight training and stretching between the distal end of a leg and the trunk of a human body, such as that which is described and illustrated in FR-A-2 755022.

The device described in this document essentially comprises means for moving the distal end of the leg of a human body in a first movement, means for moving the trunk in a second movement, and means for applying a couple of forces respectively at the distal end of the leg and at the trunk to tend to distance them from each other.

It is further provided that the means for moving the distal end of the leg in the first movement and the means for moving the trunk in the second movement are arranged so that these first and second movements are both out of phase alternating movements. one with respect to the other by a determined value and advantageously of the same amplitude.

The means for moving the distal end of the leg in the first reciprocating movement, they comprise a plate, a crank, means for mounting the crank in rotation about an axis relative to the plate, a hooking pad for the distal end of the leg, means for mounting the hooking pad in rotation on the crank at a hooking point, the hooking point not being located on the axis of rotation of the crank.

The means for moving the trunk in the second reciprocating movement comprise a plate, a trolley capable of receiving the trunk, means mounted in cooperation with the trolley to allow relative movement of the trunk relative to the trolley, means for mounting the trolley in translation on the plate, means for mounting an edge of the plate in cooperation with the plate at at least one point of cooperation, this point of cooperation not being confused with the point of attachment and not being located on the axis of rotation of the crank, a flexible link and means for mounting the two ends of the flexible link respectively in cooperation with the attachment point and a reference point on the carriage, the link defining a line not confused with the passing straight line constantly by the snap point and the reference point. It is also intended that, when the device is placed on substantially horizontal ground in a place where a gravitational force prevails, the means for applying a couple of forces respectively to the distal end of the leg and to the trunk to tend to moving away from each other include means for tilting the tray relative to the horizontal so that the distal end of the leg is in the high position relative to the trunk.

The use of the device described in this prior document has shown that it gives very good results, but the present invention aims to achieve an improvement to this device to give it a structure which allows it to adapt more easily to the morphology of its potential users and to give even better results compared to those obtained with the device recalled above, and which also allows it to present a more beautiful aesthetic than that of the prior device.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a device making it possible to perform physical exercises, in particular weight training and stretching between the distal end of the legs linked to the pelvis of the body of a human being and the trunk of this body, in an environment where a gravitational force reigns, as on Earth, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a base, a ramp secured to the base, the inclined plane of the ramp forming with the horizontal direction an angle α-i , a carriage, means for mounting the carriage in translation along the ramp in a given direction between a first high point and a second low point of this ramp, a file secured to the carriage, said file being able to receive the trunk of the human body, the backrest plane making an angle with the horizontal direction

0C2 defined so that the lowest part of the backrest capable of receiving the pelvis of the human body is located towards the first point, a bracket, a crank, means for mounting the crank in rotation at a first end of the bracket, around a first substantially horizontal axis and perpendicular to the given direction, this first axis being situated at a level higher than the level at which the first point is located, means for hooking the distal end of each leg respectively at two third and fourth points of the crank, and means for mounting the bracket in rotation at its second end relative to the base, around a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, said second axis passing through a fifth point substantially located in the vertical plane passing through the first and second points, said fifth point being located with respect to the ramp, so that the vertical passing through the first point is located between the vertical passing through this fifth point and the vertical passing through the second point, said bracket being arranged so that it is able to pivot around the second axis between two limit positions defined on either side of a median position, said e median position being that in which the first straight line perpendicular to the first and second axes and passing through the fifth point is substantially perpendicular to the second straight line perpendicular to the first axis and passing substantially through the lowest part of the backrest.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description given with reference to the drawings annexed by way of illustration but in no way limitative, in which:

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the improved device according to the invention for performing physical exercises including weight training and stretching between the distal end of a leg and the trunk of a human body, and Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in accordance with the diagram in FIG. 1, which also makes it possible to highlight the aesthetics of the device according to the invention.

It is clearly specified that, in the figures, the same references designate the same elements, whatever the figure on which they appear and whatever the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can be easily found by referring to the other figure. The Applicant also wishes to specify that the figures represent a single embodiment of the object according to the invention, but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of this invention.

It further specifies that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises "at least one" element having a given function, the embodiment described may include several of these elements.

It also specifies that, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements with identical function and that if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily include a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising "at least one" of these elements.

The device according to the invention, an embodiment of which is shown in the two figures 1 and 2, makes it possible to carry out physical exercises in particular of musculation and stretching between the distal end E _d of the legs J linked to the pelvis B of the body C of a human being and the trunk T of this body, in an environment where a gravitational force reigns as on Earth Gt, as for example described and explained in FR-A-2 755 022 mentioned in the preamble of this description.

This device comprises a base 1, a ramp 2 integral with the base, the inclined plane 3 of the ramp making with the horizontal direction an angle ai, a carriage 4, means 5 for mounting the carriage 4 in translation along the ramp 2 in a given direction Dd between a first high point 6 and a second low point 7 of this ramp 2, a backrest 8 secured to the carriage 4, the backrest being able to receive the trunk T of the human body C, the plane 9 of the backrest making with the horizontal direction D _h an angle α ₂ defined so that the lowest part 10 of the backrest, capable of receiving the pelvis B of the human body C, is located towards the first point 6.

The device further comprises a bracket 11, a crank 12, means 13 for mounting the crank 12 in rotation at a first end 14 of the bracket 11, around a first axis 18 substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the given direction Dd, this first axis being located at a level higher than the level at which the first point 6 is located, and means for hooking 15 of the distal end E _d of each leg J respectively in two third 16 and fourth 17 points of the crank 12 which can be diametrically opposite with respect to the first axis 18 or at the same level, for example on either side of the crank 12.

The attachment means 15 of the distal end of each leg are for example constituted by two stirrups in which the feet of the user of the device can be accommodated, these two stirrups being mounted free to rotate respectively at the third and fourth points 16 , 17 defined above.

The crank can for example be constituted by a double plate located on either side of a motor whose output shaft is coupled by a gear with bevel gear to an axis integral with the two plates to drive them in rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the motor shaft. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the bulk and to give the device a particularly attractive aesthetic, in particular by hiding the engine from the view of the users of the device, the third and fourth points 16, 17 of the crank defined above then being respectively located on the two opposite faces of the two plates.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the device comprises means 19 for mounting the stem 11 in rotation, at its second end 21, relative to the base 1, around a second axis 20 substantially parallel to the first axis 18 , this second axis 20 passing through a fifth point 22 substantially situated in the vertical plane passing through the first and second points 6, 7.

In addition, this fifth point is located, relative to the ramp 2 and therefore also the base 1, so that the vertical Vi passing through the first point 6 is located between the vertical V ₂ passing through this fifth point and the vertical V ₃ passing through the second point 7, the bracket 11 being arranged so that it is able to pivot around the second axis 20 between two limit positions Pi, P ₂ defined on either side of a median position P _m , this median position being that in which the first straight line D ^ perpendicular to the first and second axes 18, 20 and passing through the fifth point 22 is substantially perpendicular to the second straight line D ₂ perpendicular to the first axis 18 and passing substantially through the part la lower 10 of file 8.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first axis 18 describes an arc of circle A _c delimited between the two limit positions Pi and P ₂ illustrated by the sector angular with angle eu, this arc A _c being represented in FIG. 1 in bold dashed lines. As the middle position P _m is perpendicular to the line D ₂ , this arc can be considered, depending on the length of the stem

11, as substantially linear and therefore therefore the angular position α ₃ of the legs J relative to the horizontal direction D _h , whatever their length, remains substantially the same, the limit position P ₂ of the bracket corresponding to the length shortest leg length, position Pi corresponding to the longest leg length.

Optionally, to obtain a greater amplitude of the circular arc Ac defined above, for a greater difference between the largest and the shortest leg length, while maintaining the angular position of the legs at the value α ₃ , it suffices for example to move the fifth point 22 away from the first axis 18 on the first straight line Di.

The Applicant has found that the device gives the best results when the second straight line D ₂ makes, with the horizontal direction D _h , an angle α ₃ substantially equal to twenty-five degrees.

Therefore, it is also advantageous that the first high point 6 is at a relatively large level relative to the base 1 so that, possibly, the fifth point 22 can be moved away from the first axis 18 while retaining the difference in level between this first axis 18 and the first point 6 and / or the lower part 10 of the file defined above.

In addition, in order to simplify the structure of the device according to the prior art as defined in FR-A-2 755 022 mentioned above, the cable which connects the crank to the carriage is very advantageously replaced by means 30 to exert damping forces opposing the translation of the carriage 4 in the given direction D _d on the ramp 2. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, these means 30 are constituted by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 31, one end 32 is integral with the ramp 2 and the other end 33 is integral with the carriage 4. A double-acting pneumatic cylinder very schematically comprises a cylinder, a piston mounted sliding inside this cylinder to delimit, inside the cylinder , two sealed chambers filled with a compressible fluid, such as a gas, the piston comprising means for bringing the two chambers, with a high pressure drop so that, whatever the direction in which the piston moves, the two chambers tend to exert a compressive force which gradually decreases due to the passage of the fluid from one chamber to the other. 'other. Such an actuator is well known in itself and will therefore not be described more fully here.

In addition, in order to help people comfortably and more effectively use the device as defined above, it is preferable that this device comprises at least one lever arm 40 (advantageously two located on either side of the carriage 4), means for mounting the arm of; lever in rotation at a first 41 of its two ends relative to the ramp 2, around a third axis 44 parallel to the first and second axes 18, 20, substantially below the first high point 6 defined above, the second end 42 of the lever arm 40 being able to be located at the level of the lower part 10 of the backrest 8, and elastic means 43 for tending to move the lever arm 40 away from the bracket 11. These elastic means 43 are for example constituted by a single acting pneumatic cylinder or the like.

These lever arms 40 allow the user of the device, when resting with his hands on these lever arms, to increase the stretching effect between the top of the trunk at the shoulders and the distal end legs, but in a more cushioned and less brutal way thanks to the elastic means 43.

To avoid the trunk T of the body C of the user of the device from being subjected, for whatever reason, to displacements of too great an amplitude, it is preferable that the device comprises means for limiting the rotation of the lever arm. These latter means can be constituted for example by limiting the stroke of the single-acting cylinder in the direction of its compression.

The Applicant has moreover found that the device with the characteristics described above gives optimum results when the angles or and α ₂ are respectively substantially equal to ten and twelve degrees. Similarly, in a configuration of the device which can respond to a large number of cases, the length of the bracket 11, taken between the first and second axes 18, 20, is substantially equal to eighty centimeters and the angle α which the two limit positions Pi, P ₂ of the bracket make between them is substantially equal to twenty degrees.

It is more advantageous that the position of the bracket can be adapted automatically, and not manually, so that, after having taken position on the backrest 8, the user of the device can easily, without having to raise, adapt the position of the stem to the length of its legs as explained above.

For this purpose, the device may advantageously include means 50 for controlling the angular position of the bracket 11 relative to the base 1 and therefore to the ramp 2, as a function of the length of the legs J of the body C of the device user. These control means 50 are constituted for example by a gas cylinder or the like with a step-by-step movement of the rack type.

The device described above operates in substantially the same way as that described in the prior document mentioned in particular in the preamble to this description, and its operation will therefore not be explained more fully here.

In addition, the structure described above of the device according to the invention makes it possible to produce this device by giving it a very particular and attractive aesthetic, like that which is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. Device making it possible to carry out physical exercises in particular of musculation and stretching between the distal end (Ed) of the legs (J) linked to the pelvis (B) of the body (C) of a human being and the trunk ( T) of this body, in an environment where there is a gravitational force as on Earth (G _t ), characterized in that it comprises: a base (1), a ramp (2) integral with the base, the inclined plane (3) of the ramp making with the horizontal direction (Dh) an angle or, a carriage (4), means (5) for mounting the carriage (4) in translation along the ramp (2) according to a given direction (D _d ) between a first high point (6) and a second low point (7) of this ramp (2), a backrest (8) integral with the carriage (4), said backrest being able to receive the trunk (T) of the human body (C), the plane (9) of the backrest making with the horizontal direction (D _h ) an angle α ₂ defined so that the lowest part (10) of the backrest capable of receiving the pelvis ( B) from human body (C) is located towards the first point (6), a bracket (11), a crank (12), means (13) for mounting the crank (12) in rotation at a first end (14) of the bracket (11), around a first axis (18) substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the given direction (D _d ), this first axis being located at a level higher than the level at which the first point (6) is located, means for hooking (15) the distal end (E _d ) of each leg (J) respectively at two third (16) and fourth (17) points of the crank (12), and means (19) for mount the stem (11) in rotation at its second end (21) relative to the base (1), around a second axis (20) substantially parallel to the first axis (18), said second axis (20) passing by a fifth point (22) substantially located in the vertical plane passing through the first and second points (6, 7), said fifth point being located, with respect to the ramp (2), so that the vertical (\) passing through the first point (6) is located between the vertical (V ₂ ) passing through this fifth point and the vertical (V ₃ ) passing through the second point (7 ), said bracket (11) being arranged so that it is able to pivot around the second axis (20) between two limit positions (Pi, P ₂ ) defined on either side of a median position (P _m ), said median position being that in which the first straight line (Di) perpendicular to the first and second axes (18, 20) and passing through the fifth point (22) is substantially perpendicular to the second straight line (D ₂ ) perpendicular to the first axis (18) and passing substantially through the lowest part (10) of the backrest (8).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second straight line (D ₂ ) makes, with the horizontal direction (D _h ), an angle ₃ substantially equal to twenty-five degrees.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the fifth point (22) is located at a level below the level at which the first point (6) is located.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means (30) for exerting damping forces opposing the translation of the carriage (4) in the given direction (D _d ) on said ramp (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (30) for exerting damping forces opposing the translation of the carriage in the direction given on said ramp, are constituted by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder (31) one end (32) of which is integral with said ramp (2) and the other end (33) of which is integral with said carriage (4).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one lever arm (40), means for mounting the lever arm in rotation in a first (41) of its two ends relative to the ramp (2), around a third axis (44) parallel to the first and second axes (18, 20), the second end (42) of the lever arm (40) being able to be located at level of the lower part (10) of said backrest (8), and elastic means (43) for tending to move the lever arm (40) away from the bracket (11).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic means (43) for tending to move the lever arm away from the bracket consist of a single-acting pneumatic cylinder.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for limiting the rotation of the lever arm against said elastic means.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angles or that makes the inclined plane (3) of the ramp with the horizontal direction (D _h ) and α ₂ that makes the plane (9) of the backrest with the horizontal direction (D _h ) are respectively substantially equal to ten and twelve degrees.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises control means (50) of the angular position of the bracket (11) as a function of the length of the legs (J) of the human body ( VS).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the bracket (11), taken between the first and second axes

(18, 20), is substantially equal to eighty centimeters and that the angle or that between them the two limit positions (Pi, P ₂ ) of the bracket is substantially equal to twenty degrees.