EP2976136B1 - Apparatus for exercising the muscles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for training the muscles, comprising a power arm which can be equipped with actuating elements at one end region and which can be pivoted with the other end region about a first joint, which is arranged on a holding element, on which power arm the an end region of a spring element is articulated in a first articulation point, the other end region of which is articulated in a second articulation point on the holding element.

Such devices for training the muscles are known in many ways. The document US 6 328 679 B1 shows, for example, such a device in which a force arm, which has the shape of a bracket, can be pivoted in one direction against the action of a spring force. With this device, muscle groups of a human body can be trained, especially in the area of the arms and shoulders.

Similar devices are also from the documents WO 2006/051247 A1 and WO 97/14475 A1 known. These devices can be adapted to the position of a user by the entire device being movable relative to an attachment surface. For this, z. B. the device of WO 2006/051247 A1 held on a wall by a bracket which has a pivot axis about which the entire device can be pivoted. The swivel axis runs parallel to the wall. This means that the device can protrude from the wall in different directions. The direction of movement of a power arm of the device remains the same and runs vertically in every position of the device. With the training device the WO 97/14475 A1 the device is attached to a base plate and can be rotated around the attachment point. Here, too, the device can offer a user different standing positions for his training, but the direction of movement of a power arm runs vertically in every position and thus trains the same muscle groups in every position. A facility for training the muscles is out JPH0576620 known.

If other muscle groups are to be trained, other equipment must be used. If as many muscle groups of a human body as possible are to be trained, it is necessary to have several corresponding facilities available, each of these facilities being optimally suitable for training a muscle group. For a comprehensive training of the muscles of a human body, it is therefore necessary to either purchase various suitable facilities, which will also entail high acquisition costs in addition to the large space requirement, or one visits a fitness or therapy center, in which the various devices for training be provided by different muscle groups. Visiting such a fitness or therapy center is associated with the corresponding expenditure of time.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for training the muscles, which is adjustable and adjustable in such a way that different muscle groups can be trained in a variety of ways, that this device has a simple structure, the space requirement and the weight are low and the acquisition costs can be kept low.

According to claim 1, this object is achieved in that this device has a holding element which is connected via a swivel joint to a carrier and can be rotated about this axis of rotation in one plane and can be locked in the respectively set rotational position and between Power arm and holding element a joint is provided with a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

This solution according to the invention enables the power arm to be adjusted in any angular position, as a result of which pressing, pushing and pulling can be carried out in the vertical direction; pushing, pushing, pulling, etc. can also be carried out in the horizontal direction, and pushing, pushing, pulling, etc. can be done in any inclined position. By suitably arranging this device, practically every muscle group of a human body can thus be trained and treated; it is not necessary that a large number of devices with different functions have to be used.

The holding element is advantageously designed as an arm, at one end area of which the first joint is arranged and at the other end area of which the other end area of the spring element is articulated, which results in an optimal introduction of the force.

The power arm is advantageously equipped with an extension part to which the actuating elements can be attached and which can be telescopically pushed into and pulled out of the power arm and locked in the corresponding position. This means that the resistance can be changed and adapted to the needs.

The invention comprises that the first articulation point is designed to be adjustable, so that the distance between the first articulation point and the first joint can be set. This allows the force effect on the power arm to be changed, thereby also changing the characteristic of the force over the movement path of the power arm In combination with the increase in force in the spring element, both degressive constant or progressive force profiles can be achieved.

Advantageously, the support is attached to a stand in a height-adjustable manner, which stand can be fixed with respect to a wall of a room or in the room, and can be locked at the set height. Exercises for training muscle groups can be done standing, sitting or lying down or in other positions, which increases the possible uses of this facility.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that the carrier is held in the stand at the respective height by means of a counterforce, which counterforce can be formed by a counterweight or a spring tension. This counterforce corresponds approximately to the weight of the device, whereby the device can be brought to the desired height in the stand practically without effort and can be locked accordingly.

The power arm and the spring element can advantageously be separated from one another at the first articulation point, so that the power arm can be pivoted toward the holding element, so that when the device is not in use, it can be stored in a space-saving manner.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that the stand is arranged in a cupboard element which is provided with doors which can be closed when the power arm is pivoted towards the holding element. This allows the device to be optimally supplied when not in use in this cabinet element, this cabinet element can be kept very slim, the device equipped with such a cabinet element can thus be easily accommodated in any room of an apartment without taking up a lot of space and with an appropriate aesthetic design of the cabinet element is in no way perceived as disturbing.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the spring element is designed as a pneumatic cylinder, which results in a simple structure of the device and many adjustment options.

The pneumatic cylinder is advantageously connected to a compressed air reservoir via a compressed air line, as a result of which the force of the spring element acting on the power arm experiences a defined increase over the movement path.

A manometer and a pressure relief valve are advantageously used in the compressed air line. The pressure can be monitored via the pressure gauge, the pressure relief valve prevents excessive pressure within the system, which can prevent damage.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that a compressed air source can be connected to the compressed air line and a pressure relief system is used, via which the pressure of the compressed air can be changed. With this simple possibility of changing the pressure, the magnitude of the force to be applied can be set practically arbitrarily.

Advantageously, a wide variety of actuating elements can optionally be used on one end region of the power arm or on its extension part, the possibilities of the exercises and training units that can be carried out with this device are thereby optimally supplemented.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention for training the muscles is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

• Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer Seitenansicht und einer räumlichen Ansicht mit dem Kraftarm in der oberen Position und die Anlenkung des Federelementes in der äussersten Position;
• Fig. 2a und Fig. 2b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer Seitenansicht und einer räumlichen Ansicht gemäss den Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b, wobei der Anlenkpunkt des Federelementes sich in der innersten Position befindet;
• Fig. 3a und Fig. 3b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer Seitenansicht und einer räumlichen Ansicht, bei welcher der Kraftarm geringfügig nach unten bewegt ist;
• Fig. 4a und Fig. 4b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer Seitenansicht und einer räumlichen Ansicht, bei welcher sich der Kraftarm in der untersten Position befindet;
• Fig. 5 in räumlicher Darstellung die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung, die an einem Ständer höhenverstellbar angeordnet ist;
• Fig. 6 und Fig. 7 zwei unterschiedliche räumliche Darstellungen der erfindungsgemässen Einrichtung, die sich bezüglich des Trägers in einer gedrehten Position befindet;
• Fig. 8a und Fig. 8b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer Seitenansicht und einer räumlichen Ansicht, bei welcher der Kraftarm vom Federelement getrennt ist und sich der Kraftarm in einer weggeschwenkten Position befindet;
• Fig. 9a und Fig. 9b die erfindungsgemässe Einrichtung in einer räumlichen Ansicht, die in einem Schrankelement, das mit schliessbaren Türen versehen ist, untergebracht werden kann;
• Fig. 10 ein Pneumatikschaltbild der Elemente, wie sie in der erfindungsgemässen Einrichtung eingesetzt sind;
• Fig. 11 die Darstellung von mehreren möglichen Kraftverlaufskurven;
• Fig. 12a und Fig. 12b jeweils eine Explosionsdarstellung der Elemente der erfindungsgemässen Einrichtung; und
• Fig. 13 eine Ansicht von hinten auf den Ständer der erfindungsgemässen Einrichtung.

It shows

• Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b the inventive device in a side view and a spatial view with the power arm in the upper position and the articulation of the spring element in the outermost position;
• Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b the inventive device in a side view and a spatial view according to the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b , wherein the pivot point of the spring element is in the innermost position;
• 3a and 3b the device according to the invention in a side view and a spatial view, in which the power arm is moved slightly downwards;
• 4a and 4b the inventive device in a side view and a spatial view, in which the power arm is in the lowest position;
• Fig. 5 in spatial representation, the device according to the invention, which is arranged on a stand adjustable in height;
• Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 two different spatial representations of the device according to the invention, which is in a rotated position with respect to the carrier;
• 8a and 8b the inventive device in a side view and a spatial view, in which the power arm is separated from the spring element and the power arm is in a pivoted away position;
• 9a and 9b the inventive device in a spatial view that can be accommodated in a cabinet element that is provided with closable doors;
• Fig. 10 a pneumatic circuit diagram of the elements as they are used in the inventive device;
• Fig. 11 the representation of several possible force curves;
• Figures 12a and 12b each an exploded view of the elements of the device according to the invention; and
• Fig. 13 a rear view of the stand of the inventive device.

The Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show the device 1 according to the invention for training the muscles in a side view or in a spatial representation. This device 1 comprises a power arm 2. This power arm 2 can be equipped at one end region 3 with actuating elements 4, via which the power arm 2 can be operated by the training person. At the other end area 5, the power arm 2 is equipped with a first joint 9. The force arm 2 is connected in an articulated manner to a holding element 6 via this first joint 9 and can thus be pivoted about a pivot axis B with respect to this holding element 6.

The holding element 6 is designed as an arm 7, the first joint 9 is arranged at one end region 8 of this arm 7. One end region 10 of a spring element 11 is articulated on the power arm 2 in a first articulation point 12. The other end region 13 of the spring element 11 is articulated on the other end region 14 of the arm 7. In the present exemplary embodiment, the spring element 11 is designed as a pneumatic cylinder 15, which will be described in detail later. Of course, other suitable spring elements are also conceivable.

The holding element 6 or the arm 7 are connected to a carrier 17 via a swivel joint. Here, the arm 7 is rotatable about the axis 18 with respect to the carrier 17. On the arm 7, a plug pin 19 is attached, which can be inserted into known bores, not shown, which are arranged on the carrier 17 accordingly on a circular path. After pulling out the plug pin 19 from the corresponding bore of the carrier 17, the arm 7 can be rotated with respect to the carrier 17 about the axis 18, in this rotated position the plug pin can be in appropriate hole are inserted, the arm 7 is thus locked with respect to the carrier 17 in this position. Of course, other suitable locking systems could also be used.

The carrier 17 can be attached to a corresponding stand, as will be seen later, or, for example, to a wall bars or another suitable element, so that the power arm 2 can be moved to train the muscles, as shown by the arrow 20.

From the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b the same device 1 is shown as in the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b . The power arm 2 is pivotally connected to the arm 7 via the first joint 9, the arm 7 is rotatably held on the carrier 17. The first pivot point 12 is adjustably arranged on the power arm 2. The first articulation point 12 is located on a sliding shoe 21, which can be moved along a rail 22 which is fastened to the power arm 2 in a known manner towards and away from the first joint 9 and in a known manner, not shown, in the respective case Position can be fixed. As a result, the lever ratios can be changed, which has an effect on the force to be applied with which the force arm 2 can be moved. Of course, other known and suitable adjustment and fixing mechanisms are also conceivable here.

The power arm 2 is equipped with an extension part 23, on which the actuating elements 4 are attached. The extension part 23 can be telescopically pushed into and pulled out of the power arm 2; in a known manner, the extension part 23 can be locked in the corresponding position with respect to the power arm 2 via a further plug pin 24. Other known and suitable locking systems are also conceivable here.

In the 1a and 1b 2a and 2b, the device 1 according to the invention is shown with the force arm 2 as it is in the uppermost starting position with the spring element 11 extended. The 3a and 3b show the device 1, in which the power arm 2 in a light is pivoted down position, against the force exerted by the pneumatic cylinder 15. The first articulation point 12 is in a middle position.

The 4a and 4b show the device 1, in which the power arm 2 is in the lowest position, the pneumatic cylinder 15 is in the fully retracted position. From this position, the power arm 2 is pivoted back into the top position, which in the 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b is shown.

Fig. 5 shows in a spatial representation the device 1 according to the invention for training the muscles, which is arranged on a stand 25. In a known manner, this stand 25 has longitudinal guides 26, along which the carrier 17 can be moved. For this purpose, the carrier 17 is equipped in a known manner, not shown, with corresponding guide shoes. The carrier 17 can thus be moved along the longitudinal guides 26 in the stand 25, the device according to the invention can thus be brought into any position with respect to the stand 25 and can be locked in this position. In a known manner, a clamping bolt 27 is provided for this purpose, which can clamp clamping elements (not shown) with respect to the stand, which can be carried out by a clamping wheel 28 which is screwed onto a corresponding thread which is attached to the clamping bolt 27. Of course, other known and suitable travel and locking systems are also conceivable.

The stand 25 can be fastened in a known manner, for example on a wall of a room, it is also conceivable that the stand 25 can be clamped between the floor and ceiling of a room. The device 1 for training the muscles can thus be brought to any desired height via this stand and locked at this height. Depending on which muscle group is to be trained, the device 1 can thus be brought to the optimal and desired height.

Like from the Fig. 6 and 7 can be removed, the arm 7 with respect to the carrier 17, which is arranged on the stand 25, about the axis 18 be twisted. This rotation can take place from 0 ° to 360 °, the direction of movement of the power arm can thus be set in any position.

Due to the height adjustment of the device 1 according to the invention and the rotation of the arm 7 with respect to the support 17 by 360 ° and the possibility of fixing in any set position, the power arm can be brought into practically any position. In addition to a vertical movement of the power arm from above as well as from below at any height and the lateral movement of the power arm, whereby oblique movement to the left and right up or to the left and right down are possible, various muscle groups of a human body can be moved and trained . Depending on which muscle groups are to be moved and trained, appropriate actuation elements can be used. In the present example, a bar is used, but this bar can easily be replaced by handles or handles attached to ropes, in which the hands or feet can engage, pressure pads or any type of bracket can also be used, this device according to the invention offers an almost unlimited opportunity to move and exercise any muscle groups.

The 8a and 8b show possibilities of how the device 1 according to the invention can be supplied in a space-saving manner. The force arm 2 can be detached from the spring element 11 or from the pneumatic cylinder 15 by detaching the first joint 9, for example by pulling out the joint pin. Ideally, the device is rotated with respect to the carrier 17 such that the power arm is arranged hanging downwards, while the pneumatic cylinder 15 is arranged above. The power arm 2 can then be pivoted downward about the first joint 9, the spring element 11 or the pneumatic cylinder 15 then hang down at the other end region 14 of the arm 7. The extension part 23 can be removed from the power arm 2 and inserted into a corresponding receptacle in the stand 25. The actuating element 4 can also be accommodated in the stand 25. In this way, the device can be stored to save space.

Like from the 9a and 9b can be seen, the stand 23 can be accommodated in a cabinet element 29 which is equipped with two doors 30 and 31. The device 1 can then be merged as this to the 8a and 8b it has been described, the two doors 30 and 31 of the cabinet element 29 can be closed, the device for training the musculature for storage is thus accommodated in this cabinet element, the cabinet element can be designed aesthetically so that it can easily be used, for example, in an office or bedroom or even living room can be set up without being perceived as disturbing.

How out Fig. 10 can be seen, the pneumatic cylinder 15 is connected via a compressed air line 32 to a compressed air reservoir 33. A pressure gauge 34 is connected to the compressed air line 32 and indicates the pressure that prevails within the system. In order to prevent the pressure in this system from becoming too high, a pressure relief valve 35 is also inserted into the compressed air line 32. A compressed air source 36 can be connected to the compressed air line 32, which can be, for example, a compressor or else a manually operated pump or a similar suitable element. In addition, a pressure relief valve 37 is also provided, by means of which pressure can be released from the system. The pressure present in the system can thus be changed via the compressed air source 36 and the pressure relief valve 37, as a result of which the force acting through the pneumatic cylinder 15 can be adjusted. A pipe rupture protection device 38 can also be inserted into the compressed air line 32, which brakes the power lever of the device in the event of a defect in the system or in the event of incorrect operation, such as unintentional release of the power lever.

The device according to the invention for training the muscles offers a wide variety of options for changing the force or the course of the force during the stroke of the force arm. On the one hand the air pressure can be changed within the pneumatic system, on the other hand the distance of the first articulation point 12 with respect to the first joint 9 ( Fig. 1a ) change. In addition, the extension part 23 ( Fig. 2a ) are pushed into and pulled out of the power lever 2, whereby the distance between the actuating elements 4 and the first joint 9 can also be changed here. All of these adjustment options can be used to change the force profile that must be exerted on the force arm 2 over the stroke. According to the diagram Fig. 11 Such force profiles are shown. The vertical axis 38 shows the change in force in%, the horizontal axis 39 shows the stroke of the power arm 2. The curve 40 shows a progressive force curve, in which the force increases during the stroke of the force arm, the curve 41 essentially shows one Constant force over the entire stroke, curve 42 shows a degressive force, the force to be applied decreases over the stroke of the force arm. These options can be used to set how the strength curve should look, depending on the desired effect on the muscle group to be trained or moved.

From the 12a and 12b the individual parts of the device 1 according to the invention are shown again. In particular is off Fig. 12b the arrangement of the bores 43 in the carrier 17 can be seen, via which, as has already been mentioned, the respective angular position of the arm 7 can be fixed via the plug pin 19. From these two 12a and 12b the compressed air line 32 can also be seen, which is connected to the pneumatic cylinder 15 and which is guided in a known manner via the axis 18 through the arm 7 and the support 17 and opens into the stand 25. With this arrangement, the compressed air supply can be optimally introduced into the pneumatic cylinder without the rotatability of the arm 7 with respect to the carrier 17 being impaired.

Fig. 13 shows the stand 25, on which the device 1 is arranged height-adjustable via the support 17. The compressed air line 32 can in this case be arranged spirally in the carrier 25, so that the height adjustability of the device 1 with respect to the carrier 25 is not impaired. This compressed air line 32 leads to the system as in Fig. 10 has been shown and described, this system can, for example, be arranged within the stand 25, but this system can also be easily installed in the cabinet element 29 ( 9a and 9b ) can also be accommodated in a separate box that can be placed next to the stand 25 or the cabinet element 29.

A counterweight can be arranged in the carrier 25 in a known manner, not shown, with which the weight of the device 1 can be compensated, so that the height of the device 1 can be adjusted with respect to the stand 25 without any effort. Instead of the counterweight, a spring balancer could also be provided in a known manner, not shown, a rubber cable hoist is also conceivable, which could be guided over correspondingly arranged rollers 44.

With this solution according to the invention, a device for training the muscles is obtained which is very simple in construction, but which can be used in a very wide variety of ways and which can be stored in a space-saving manner. This device is suitable for any sporting application for training and moving a wide variety of muscle groups, but this device can also be used for therapeutic purposes.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for exercising the muscles, comprising a power arm (2), which is provided at one end area (3) with actuating elements (4) and which, with the other end area (5), is pivotable about a first hinge (9), which is disposed on a holding element (6), to which power arm (2) the one end area (10) of a spring element (11) is linked in an articulated way at a first articulation point (12), the other end area (13) of which spring element is linked in an articulated way at a second articulation point on the holding element (6), the first articulation point (12) being designed adjustable, so that the spacing of the first articulation point (12) to the first hinge (9) is able to be set, characterized in that

   - the holding element (6) is connected to a support (17) via a rotary joint, and is rotatable about this support (17) about a rotational axis (18) in one plane and is lockable in each case in the correspondingly set rotation position, and

   - the first hinge (9) between the power arm (2) and the holding element (6) has a pivot axis (B) which runs at a right angle to the rotational axis (18).
2. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (6) is designed as arm (7) at whose one end area (8) the first hinge (9) is disposed and at whose other end area (14) the other end area (13) of the spring element (11) is linked in an articulated way.
3. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the power arm (2) is provided with an extension piece (23), on which the actuating elements (4) are able to be provided, and which is able to be pushed into and pulled out of the power arm (2) in a telescopic way and is lockable in the appropriate position.
4. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (17) is installed in a height-adjustable way on a stand (25), which is fixable with respect to a wall of a room or in the room, and is lockable at the adjusted height.
5. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 4, characterized in that the support (17) is held at the respective height in the stand via a counterforce.
6. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 5, characterized in that the counterforce is formed by a counterweight or a spring balancer.
7. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the power arm (2) and the spring element (11) are able to be separated from one another at the first articulation point (12) and the power arm (2) is able to be swung closed toward the holding element (6).
8. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 7, characterized in that the stand (25) is disposed in a cupboard element (29), which is provided with doors (30, 31), which are closable in the state of the power arm (2) swung closed toward the holding element (6).
9. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring element (11) is designed as pneumatic cylinder (15).
10. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 9, characterized in that the pneumatic cylinder (15) is connected to a compressed air reservoir (33) via a compressed air line (32).
11. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 10, characterized in that inserted in the compressed air line (32) is a manometer (34) and a pressure limit valve (35).
12. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a compressed air source (36) is connectible to the compressed air line (32), and a depressurization system (37) is used via which the pressure of the compressed air is changeable.
13. Apparatus for exercising the muscles according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at one end area (3) of the power arm or respectively on its extension piece (23) the most diverse actuating elements (4) are able to be used selectively.

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