EP2389987A1

EP2389987A1 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2389987A1
Application number: EP11167236A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nerio Alessandri; Mario Fedriga; Angelo Goggioli; Luca Basso
Original assignee: Technogym SpA
Current assignee: Technogym SpA
Priority date: 2010-05-31
Filing date: 2011-05-24
Publication date: 2011-11-30
Also published as: US20110294623A1; ITBO20100338A1

Abstract

An exercise apparatus (1), comprising: a box-shaped element (2) configured to be transported on lorries and provided with a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a lateral wall (5) which together form an inner space (6), with said lateral wall (5) having a plurality of faces (F1, F2, F3, F4) and comprising, on at least one of the faces (F1, F2, F3, F4), at least one portion (7) which is movable between a closed position (C), in which it forms a configuration (B) which minimises the dimensions of the box-shaped element (2), and an open position (A), in which the movable portion (7) projects towards the outside (8) of the box-shaped element (2) and forms an opening (9) in the lateral wall (5) designed to put the inner space (6) in communication with an outside environment (8); at least one exercise machine (10) to allow a user (35) to exercise, said exercise machine (10) being designed to occupy the inner space (6) of the box-shaped element (2) at least while in the configuration (B) of minimum dimensions; means (11) for generating electrical power which can be used for supplying electrical loads of said box-shaped element (2).

Description

The present invention has as its subject an exercise apparatus.
Environments are known, for example gymnasiums, where a plurality of exercise machines are arranged to allow users to exercise.
These environments are usually closed environments provided with windows and/or air conditioning systems to allow ventilation.
A need particularly long-felt by users of exercise machines during the summer season is to be able to exercise in the open air.
In the light of this the environment of the gymnasium is perceived in the summer months as a closed and unnatural environment.
Another need long-felt by users of exercise machines is to be able to train on exercise machines without necessarily having to go to a gymnasium.
As is well-known, in fact, a user does not always have a gymnasium available in the vicinity of their dwelling; the necessity of having to go to the gymnasium is perceived by such users as an inconvenience.
However, this need is hard to reconcile with the limited spaces normally available inside dwellings, which in the light of this do not make it possible to house one or more exercise machines, and with the purchase costs of one or more exercise machines for strictly personal use.
From patent document US5667267A it is known a trailer adapted to provide a mobile fitness centre. However, said trailer is disadvantageous, being scarcely ecological and autonomous, since it requires the presence of a motor vehicle coupled thereto, in order to have an energy source.
An object of the present invention is to make available an exercise apparatus which makes it possible to satisfy the need previously expressed. Said object is fully achieved by the exercise apparatus which is characterised by what is stated in the claims set forth below.
In particular, the apparatus according to the invention comprises:

a box-shaped element configured to be transported on lorries and provided with a lower wall, an upper wall and a lateral wall which together form an inner space, with said lateral wall having a plurality of faces and comprising, on at least one of the faces, at least one portion which is movable between a closed position, in which it forms a configuration which minimises the dimensions of the box-shaped element, and an open position, in which the movable portion projects towards the outside of the box-shaped element and forms an opening in the lateral wall designed to put the inner space in communication with an outside environment; at least one exercise machine to allow a user to exercise, said exercise machine being designed to occupy the inner space of the box-shaped element at least while in the configuration of minimum dimensions; means for generating electrical power which can be used for supplying electrical loads of said box-shaped element.

This and other characteristics will be more evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the attached drawings in which:

figures 1 and 2 show respective schematic perspective views of the apparatus which is the subject of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, in two operative configurations;
figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the apparatus for assisted exercising as depicted in figures 1 and 2;
figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of the apparatus for assisted exercising according to another embodiment;
figure 5 shows a perspective schematic view of the apparatus for assisted exercising according to yet another embodiment;
figures 6 and 7 show respective schematic lateral views of a system comprising two apparatuses according to the invention.

With reference to figures 1-7, number reference 1 denotes the exercise apparatus which is the subject of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1.
In the following, the term "user" or "utiliser" will be used interchangeably, with reference to the person who utilises apparatus 1 to exercise.
In the following, a description will be given by way of non-limiting example of some embodiments of apparatus 1; in particular a description will be given, first, of a first embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 and 3; next, of a second embodiment shown in figure 4; and finally of a third embodiment shown in figure 5.
Each embodiment comprises technical and functional characteristics which will be illustrated in the description of the same embodiment and/or in the attached drawings relating to the same embodiment. These technical and functional characteristics must not be understood to be associated uniquely with the embodiment of the apparatus in which said characteristics are described and/or illustrated where this is not separately and expressly declared; on the contrary, these technical characteristics may also be associated with other embodiments of the apparatus or variants of the same apparatus which nevertheless come within the protective scope of the present invention. Apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a box-shaped element 2 provided with a lower wall 3, an upper wall 4 and a lateral wall 5.
Apparatus 1 further comprises a frame 25 which supports the lower wall 3, the upper wall 4 and the lateral wall 5.
The frame 25 is equipped with a plurality of vertical elements 17 connecting the upper wall 4 to the lower wall 3, which form housings for the passage of electrical cables.
According to an aspect of the invention, not illustrated, the upper panels 24S are removably fixable to the frame.
In other words, upper panels 24S are attachable to/detachable from the vertical elements.
Said vertical elements are furthermore foldable to form a folded configuration of minimum dimensions; the adoption of this folded configuration advantageously makes it possible to further reduce the dimensions of the box-shaped element to facilitate its transportation.
In the light of this, it should furthermore be observed that the exercise machines can also be transported separately to the box-shaped element and do not necessarily have to be arranged inside it during transportation.
According to the invention, the lower wall 3, the upper wall 4 and the lateral wall 5 together form an inner space 6 of the box-shaped element 2.
The box-shaped element 2 is configured for being transported on lorries.
In other words, this box-shaped element 2 has dimensions such as to be transported on lorries so as to be advantageously moved, as necessary, and taken to any place accessible by road.
Preferably the box-shaped element is designed so as to be positioned in the open air, for example in a town park, or in a square, or alternatively in a shared garden.
The lateral wall 5 comprises a plurality of faces (F1, F2, F3, F4) .
With reference to the preferred embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, i.e. to the first embodiment to which explicit reference will be made in what follows, the lateral wall 5 comprises four faces: a first face F1, a second face F2, a third face F3, and a fourth face F4.
The box-shaped element 2 has the form of a parallelepiped, preferably of a cube.
The lateral wall 5, at each face F1, F2, F3, and F4, comprises an upper door 24S and a lower door 241, movable with respect to the box-shaped element 2.
Each upper door 24S and lower door 24I is movable between a closed position C, shown in figure 1, and an open position A, shown in figure 2.
The doors (24S, 24I) in their entirety form in the closed position C a configuration B which minimises the dimensions of the box-shaped element 2.
This configuration B of minimum dimensions, shown in figure 1, makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the box-shaped element 2, that is to say, the overall dimensions of the box-shaped element 2 itself; this configuration B of minimum dimensions is advantageously adopted for transportation of apparatus 1 or in the event that the user 35, or the operator of apparatus 1, wants to prevent others from accessing the inner space 6 of the box-shaped element 2.
According to this last aspect of the invention, i.e. with reference to the adoption of the configuration B of minimum dimensions with the aim of preventing access to the inner space 6, the box-shaped element 2 in the configuration B of minimum dimensions forms a substantially closed environment, in other words it forms an environment not accessible to a person from the outside 8. Preferably the doors (24S, 24I) in the closed position C are arranged vertically.
Preferably, each upper door 24S and each lower door 24I is configured to rotate around a respective horizontal axis (15, 16).
With reference by way of example to a face F1 of the lateral wall 5, the upper door 24S of this face F1 is configured to rotate around its own horizontal axis 15 in a first direction of rotation W1 between the closed position C and the open position A; similarly the lower door 241 of this face F1 is configured to rotate around its own horizontal axis 16 between the closed position C and the open position A in a second direction of rotation W2 opposed to the first direction of rotation W1.
The doors (24S, 24I) in the open position A, shown in figure 2, project towards the outside 8 of the box-shaped element 2 and form an opening 9 in the lateral wall 5 suitable for putting the inner space 6 in communication with the outside environment 8. This opening 9 formed in the lateral wall 5 advantageously allows a user 35 to access the inner space 6 of the box-shaped element 2.
Preferably the doors (24S, 24I) in the open position A are arranged horizontally.
The lower doors 24I in the open position A form flooring 14.
This flooring 14 forms a treadable surface area, i.e. employable by the user 35.
The flooring 14 formed by the lower doors 24I expands the plan surface area which can be treaded by the user 35.
In fact, when the lower doors 24I are in the closed position C, the surface area that can be treaded by the user 35 is that which is formed only by the lower wall 3, while when the lower doors 24I are arranged in the open position A, the surface area that can be treaded by the user 35 is that which is formed by the sum of the plan surface area of the lower wall 3 and the plan surface area of the flooring 14 formed by the lower doors 24I.
The upper doors 24S in the open position A form a cover 12 for a region below.
With reference to the embodiment shown in figure 1, the upper doors 24S in the open position A form a cover 12 for the flooring 14; in fact the upper doors 24S are arranged over the lower doors 24I in their open position A.
This cover 12 formed by the upper doors 24S makes it possible to obtain the following advantageous technical effects:

it enables the region below, including the lower wall 3, to be sheltered from the rain;
it enables the user 35 to be shielded from solar radiation.

The lower doors 24I and the upper doors 24S form in their entirety a movable portion 7 of the lateral wall 5.
In particular, the upper doors 24S form a first part 7S of the movable portion 7 of the lateral wall 5, and the lower doors 24I form a second part 7I of the movable portion 7 of the lateral wall 3. In accordance with the embodiment shown in figure 1, the first part 7S of the movable portion 7 forms a cover 12 to cover the second part 7I of the movable portion 7 when both the first part 7S and the second part 7I of the movable portion 7 are arranged in the open position A.
The second part 7I of the movable portion 7 forms flooring 14.
Apparatus 1 also comprises exercise machines 10 to allow a user 35 to exercise.
By way of non-limiting example, there are three types of exercise machine represented in figures 1 to 7: a first type of exercise machine 10A, a second type of exercise machine 10B and a third type of exercise machine 10C.
The first type of exercise machine 10A is an exercise bicycle, the second type of exercise machine 10B is a treadmill and the third type of exercise machine 10C is a stepper.
The exercise machines 10 are designed to occupy the inner space 6 of the box-shaped element 2 while it is in the configuration B of minimum dimensions; this advantageously allows apparatus 1 to be transported easily because the exercise machines 10 are arranged during transportation in the inner space 6 and consequently do not occupy additional space.
Furthermore, the exercise machines 10 can be arranged inside the inner space 6 also to shelter the machines themselves from adverse weather; in the light of this therefore the box-shaped element 2 is preferably commuted into the configuration B of minimum dimensions when the exercise machines 10 are arranged in the inner space 6.
Preferably, the user 35 arranges the exercise machines on flooring 14 in order to exercise, as shown in figure 2 where two users 35 are visible exercising while occupying flooring 14 formed by two distinct lower doors 24I.
In fact in this way the user 35 has greater freedom of movement while exercising, not being constrained or obstructed by the frame 25 of the box-shaped element 2.
In addition according to this aspect the user 35 advantageously has the sensation of exercising in the open air.
Figure 3 shows the exercise machines 10, schematically represented by a rectangle, in the two extreme positions, respectively inside the space 6 (rectangle with continuous line) and on flooring 14 (rectangle with dotted line).
According to the invention, apparatus 1 comprises a photovoltaic module 23, suitable for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical power. Preferably, the photovoltaic module 23 is arranged on the upper wall 4 on the outside of the box-shaped element 2.
The photovoltaic module 23 forms electrical power generating means 11 utilisable for supplying electrical loads of said box-shaped element 2. Preferably the generating means 11 make it possible to supply the totality of the electrical loads of apparatus 1; according to this aspect therefore apparatus 1 is electrically self-sufficient, in other words it does not need to take power from an external source of power, which would complicate the installation of the apparatus, and in addition can be installed anywhere irrespective of the presence or not of an external source of power. Alternatively or in combination with the photovoltaic module 23, the exercise machine 10 comprises a dynamo for generating electrical power when the user 35 exercises on the exercise machine 10 itself.
Preferably, the electrical power generating means 11 are configured for producing power of renewable or assimilable type.
The term 'renewable power' is intended to mean power produced from sources which regenerate themselves, while 'power assimilable to renewable' is intended to mean those power sources, such as that generated by the user 35 while exercising, which have substantially nil environmental impact. According to this aspect, therefore, in addition to the advantages already described and to those which will be further explained as the description continues, apparatus 1 makes it possible to supply one's own electrical loads with power sources with substantially nil environmental impact.
Compared with traditional gymnasiums, therefore, apparatus 1 makes it possible to greatly reduce the emission of polluting substances.
In the light of this, apparatus 1 is preferably also provided with means for storing the power produced, such as for example a battery.
According to another aspect of the invention not illustrated by means of the drawings, apparatus 1 comprises further photovoltaic modules arranged on the outer surfaces of the upper panels 24S.
When the upper panels 24S are arranged in the open position, these photovoltaic modules are oriented so as to receive the sun's light.
Apparatus 1 further comprises a plurality of adjustable support elements 26, fixed below the lower wall 3.
These adjustable support elements 26 form means 27 for adjusting the set-up of the lower wall 3 with respect to the ground 19 below.
The adjustment means 27 make it possible to adjust the set-up of the lower wall 3 so that, irrespective of the conformation of the ground 19 below, the lower wall 3 can be arranged substantially at a horizontal set-up.
According to another aspect of the invention, apparatus 1 comprises a track (28, 29, 34) which forms a pre-established path P on which to move the exercise machine 10.
Figure 2 shows three tracks, respectively a first track 28 for a stepper 10C, a second track 29 for the treadmill 10B, and a third track 34 for another stepper 10C.
The track (28, 29, 34) forms guide means 20 which form a pre-established path P for moving the exercise machine 10.
Preferably, a first portion (28A, 29A, 34A) of the track 28 is arranged at the lower wall 3 of the box-shaped element 2, and a second portion (28B, 29B, 34B) is arranged on the inner surface of the lower door 241.
The first portion (28A, 29A, 34A) of the track (28, 29, 34) forms a pre-established path P' for moving the exercise machine 10 within the inner space 6; the second portion (28B, 29B, 34B) of the track 28 forms a pre-established path P " for moving the exercise machine 10 on flooring 14.
The guide means 20 therefore advantageously make it possible to move easily the exercise machine 10 along the path P without requiring excessive effort of the user 35.
Figure 4 shows a second variant of apparatus 1.
In accordance with this variant, apparatus 1 comprises a single type of door 24I, i.e. doors having the same characteristics as the lower doors 241 described with reference to the first embodiment.
Each door 241 extends preferably so as to occupy substantially the entire area of a face (F1, F2, F3, F4) of the lateral wall 5.
Apparatus 1 in accordance with the second variant, for given volumetric dimensions of the box-shaped element 2 commuted into the configuration B of minimum dimensions, forms a larger flooring 14 by comparison with that of the apparatus shown in figure 1 when the doors 24I are arranged in the open position A.
Figure 5 shows a third variant of apparatus 1, in which apparatus 1 comprises a single type of door 24S, i.e. doors having the same characteristics as the upper doors 24S described with reference to the first embodiment.
Each door 24S extends preferably so as to occupy substantially the entire area of a face (F1, F2, F3, F4) of the lateral wall 5.
Apparatus 1 in accordance with this variant, for given dimensions of the box-shaped element 2 commuted into the configuration B of minimum dimensions, forms a cover 12 having an area of extension greater than that of the apparatus 1 of figures 1-3 when the doors 24S are arranged in the open position A.
Apparatus 1 is also provided with one or more extractable fold-away elements 31, movable between a retracted position (not shown) and an extracted position (shown in figure 5) in which they form a flooring 32.
The flooring 32 can advantageously be occupied by the exercise machine 10 to allow the user to exercise.
Preferably, the flooring 32 is covered by the cover 12 formed by one of the doors 24S.
According to yet another aspect, a plurality of apparatuses 1 are set up one next to the other to form a system 33 for exercising.
In particular, as shown by way of example in figure 6, in which two apparatuses 1 are represented, respectively a first apparatus 1A and a second apparatus 1B, the apparatuses 1 are arranged with respect to each other so that the movable portion 7 of the lateral wall 5 of one of the two apparatuses 1 (with reference to figure 6, the second apparatus 1B) forms a flooring 14 which connects together the lower walls 3 of the two apparatuses 1 when it is arranged in the open position A.
In addition, the movable portion 7 of the first apparatus 1A forms a cover 12 for the flooring 14. The two apparatuses 1A and 1B, thus arranged, advantageously make it possible to make available a large flooring 14, consisting of the entire surface area of one face, for both users 35 of the various apparatuses, and at the same time make available a cover 12 for this surface.
Figure 7 shows a variant of the exercising system 33 described above.
One advantage of the present invention consists in making available an exercise apparatus which makes it possible to exercise in the open air and which can be arranged in a plurality of places: squares, gardens, parks, etc.
Another advantage of the present invention consists in making available an exercise apparatus on which a plurality of machines, even different machines, can be arranged, making the apparatus extremely versatile.
The invention thus conceived is evidently susceptible of industrial application; it can also be the subject of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details are furthermore replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

An exercise apparatus (1), characterised in that it comprises, in combination:
- a box-shaped element (2) configured to be transported on lorries and comprising a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a lateral wall (5) which together form an inner space (6), the lateral wall (5) comprising a plurality of faces (F1, F2, F3, F4), at least one of the faces (F1, F2, F3, F4) having at least one portion (7) which is mobile between a closed position (C), in which it forms a configuration (B) which minimises the dimensions of the box-shaped element (2), and an open position (A), in which it projects towards the outside (8) of the box-shaped element (2) and creates an opening (9) in the lateral wall (5) designed to put the inner space (6) in communication with an outside environment (8);

- at least one exercise machine (10) occupying the inner space (6) of the box-shaped element (2) at least in the configuration (B) of minimum dimensions;

- means (11) for generating electrical power which can be used for supplying electrical loads of the box-shaped element (2).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical power generating means (11) comprise a dynamo (22) mechanically connected to the exercise machine (10) and which can be operated by the user (35) while exercising.
The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical power generating means (11) comprise a photovoltaic module (23), positioned on an outer surface of the upper wall (4).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the photovoltaic module (23) is also positioned on an outer surface of the mobile portion (7) of the lateral wall (5) designed to form an extension of the upper wall (4) when it is in the open position (A).
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one face (F1, F2, F3, F4) comprises at least one mobile portion (7) configured in such a way that in the open position (A) it forms a cover (12) for a region (13) below.
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one face (F1, F2, F3, F4) comprises at least one mobile portion (7) configured in such a way that in the open position (A) it forms flooring (14).
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one of said faces (F1, F2, F3, F4) comprises:
- a first part (7S) of the mobile portion (7) configured in such a way that in the open position (A) it forms a cover (12) for a region (13) below;

- a second part (7I) of the mobile portion (7) which in the open position (A) forms flooring (14).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first part (7S) and the second part (7I) of the mobile portion (7) form two half-portions of the face (F1, F2, F3, F4), in such a way that they are substantially one above the other when they are in the respective open positions (A).
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the mobile portion (7) is configured for rotating about an axis (15, 16) parallel with one side of the lower wall (3), between the closed position (C) and the open position (A).
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising a frame (25) equipped with a plurality of vertical elements (17) connecting the upper wall (4) to the lower wall (3), the vertical members forming housings for the passage of electrical cables.
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising means (27) for adjusting a set-up of the lower wall (3) relative to the ground (19) below supporting the box-shaped element, the adjusting means being interposed between the lower wall (3) and the ground (19) below.
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising guide means (20) associated with the lower wall (3) and with at least one face (F1, F2, F3, F4) comprising a mobile portion (7) configured in such a way that in the open position (A) it forms flooring (14).
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising at least one extractable fold-away element (31), associated with the lower wall (3), for allowing the treadable surface area of the lower wall (3) to be increased.
The apparatus (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the box-shaped element (2) is configured in such a way as to be coupled with at least one other box-shaped element (2) to form a modular exercising system (33).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 14, wherein the mobile portion (7) of the face (F1, F2, F3, F4) of the lateral wall (5) is equipped with connecting elements which can be coupled to corresponding connecting elements of the box-shaped element (2) of another apparatus (1) coupled there, when the respective mobile portions (7) are in the open position (A).