EP3328509B1 - Power trainer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a strength training device. Strength training equipment is used in fitness centers and in connection with therapeutic applications for exercises to strengthen muscle groups and improve coordination of muscles. When performing such exercises, the person exercising comes into contact with actuators of the strength training device. The actuators are moved along a path or held in one position, with the strength training device opposing a resistance force. This resistance force can arise, for example, when a weight is lifted, a spring is deformed or a frictional resistance has to be overcome. Further, for example, from the publication EP0057609 A1 A strength training device is known which has a pair of actuators which are coupled for mutual force transmission, so that the resistance force which is opposed to the movement of a first actuator depends on the force which is exerted on the other actuator of the pair of actuators. document US2011 / 152045A1 discloses all the technical features of the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the present invention was to provide an improved strength training device with a wide range of possible uses. The specific task was to provide a strength training device that enables a training exercise in which Actuators are guided opposite each other on a track, whereby the training person can monitor the applied force himself.

• einem Geräterahmen,
• einem ersten Betätigungsorgan und einem zweiten Betätigungsorgan,
• einem Kraftübertrager, das erste und das zweite Betätigungsorgan verbindend und einen flexiblen Abschnitt aufweisend, der verschiebbar über eine Umlenkrolle geführt ist und dessen Schenkel je mit einem der Betätigungsorgane bezüglich Kraftfluss wirkverbunden sind,
• einem Federelement, kraftübertragend zwischen die Achse der Umlenkrolle und den Geräterahmen geschaltet,
• einem Hebelmechanismus und einem Zeigerelement, wobei der Hebelmechanismus eine Verschiebung der Achse der Umlenkrolle in eine Auslenkung des Zeigerelements überführt.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a strength training device with features according to claim 1.
The device according to the invention is a strength training device with

• a device frame,
• a first actuator and a second actuator,
• a force transmitter, connecting the first and second actuating members and having a flexible section which is slidably guided over a pulley and whose legs are each operatively connected to one of the actuating members with regard to the flow of force,
• a spring element, connected in a force-transmitting manner between the axis of the deflection roller and the device frame,
• a lever mechanism and a pointer element, the lever mechanism converting a displacement of the axis of the deflection roller into a deflection of the pointer element.

Further embodiments according to the invention emerge from claims 2 to 16.

The invention also comprises a method for training the arm or leg muscles according to claim 17.

The device frame forms a basic structure to which the parts of the strength training device that are not supposed to move against each other are attached. The exercising person can apply forces to and move the first and second actuating members. The actuating members can, as described in connection with the embodiments of the invention, be designed as handles, pedals, etc. adapted to the use. The power transmitter brings about a reciprocal power transmission between the first and second actuating member. The force transmitter can consist of several parts interconnected to form a force-transmitting chain. At least part of the force transmitter is designed as a flexible section which is slidably guided over the deflection roller, a tensile force acting in the force transmitter leading to a deformation of the spring element and to a shift in the position of the axis of the deflecting roller. This shift, which increases in proportion to the force acting, can be recognized by the exercising person through a deflection of the pointer element.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the force transmitter comprises at least one lever with an axis of rotation that is stationary with respect to the device frame.
With the help of a lever, the strength and direction of the transmitted to the other elements of the power transmission Force to be influenced. In particular, strength training devices can be designed for different types of loading of the actuating elements in such a way that the flexible section of the force transmitter is subjected to tensile stress.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the force transmitter comprises at least one articulated square, two of the joints of the articulated square are fixedly connected to the device frame.
A four-bar linkage can be used to guide the first and second actuators each on a predetermined path. In the case of an articulated square in the form of a parallelogram, this path is a straight line.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, a weight element is operatively connected to the flexible section of the force transmitter and exerts a tensile force on it.
With such a weight element, the dead weight of actuators and parts of the force transmitter can be compensated.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the strength training device comprises a plurality of weight elements, and their forces on the actuating elements are balanced.
This means that the actuators that are not actuated are force-free in all positions. With this, the user alone determines Due to the force used, the size of the resistance force of the strength training device and the dangers for the user emanating from the strength training device are minimized.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, a first force transmission factor between the first actuating element and the first leg of the flexible section of the force transmitter and a second force transmission factor between the second actuating element and the second leg of the flexible section of the force transmitter are the same.
In this embodiment, the load on the muscles of the person exercising is symmetrical.

Another embodiment of the strength training device has at least one element for determining the position of a person exercising, in particular a seat, a backrest or a reclining surface.

In one embodiment of the strength training device for training the arm muscles, the actuating members are designed as handles.

In one embodiment of the strength training device for training the leg extensors, the actuating members are designed as padded cylinders transversely to a lever.

• einem Sitz aus Sitzfläche und Rückenlehne,
• als plattenförmiges Fusspedal ausgebildetem erstem und zweitem Betätigungsorgan, die beide entlang einer Bahn zwischen einem dem Sitz näheren Endpunkt und einem dem Sitz ferneren Endpunkt verschiebbar sind.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the strength training device is designed as a leg press, with

• a seat made up of a seat and a backrest,
• formed as a plate-shaped foot pedal first and second actuating member, both of which are displaceable along a path between an end point closer to the seat and an end point further away from the seat.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the actuating members are each connected to a quadrangular joint and the joints of the quadrangular joints are arranged in the form of a parallelogram.
With the help of such a four-bar linkage, actuators can only be moved in parallel. In the case of the plate-shaped foot pedals, the plate can be held perpendicular to the force acting on it without the plate tipping forwards or backwards in the course of the movement.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the actuators can be pivoted in the plane of the sole of the foot and a pivot mechanism engaging the respective quadrangle adjusts the pivot angle as a function of the position of the actuator on its path.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the pivoting angle between the end point closer to the seat and the end point further away from the seat varies by 10 °.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the flexible section of the force transmitter is a rope, a band, a toothed belt or a chain.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the pointer element is a mechanical pointer or a light pointer.

In one embodiment of the strength training device, the strength training device has a marking for reading off the position of the pointer element.
Such a marking can be, for example, a scale or a colored highlighting of an area in which the pointer should be held during the strength training exercise. The marking can be arranged to be displaceable so that it can be adapted to the training program.

Combinations of the features of the embodiments of the strength training device are, if not contradicting, possible.

A method for training the arm or leg muscles of a person is also within the scope of the invention

• eine Hand resp. ein Fuss der Person mit dem ersten Betätigungsorgan in Kontakt ist und die andere Hand, resp. der andere Fuss mit dem zweiten Betätigungsorgan in Kontakt ist,
• das erste Betätigungsorgan entlang einer Bahn vor- und rückwärts bewegt wird,
• das zweite Betätigungsorgan (2) gegengleich zum ersten Betätigungsorgan bewegt wird,
• eine Widerstandskraft des ersten Betätigungsorgans durch eine entsprechende ausgeübte Kraft auf das zweite Betätigungsorgan und umgekehrt bewirkt wird, und
• die trainierende Person durch Beobachtung des Zeigerauschlags des Zeigerelements und Anpassung der ausgeübten Kräfte den Zeigerausschlag über den gesamten Bewegungsablauf in einem vorgegebenen Bereich hält.

Use of a strength training device according to the invention, wherein

• a hand resp. one foot of the person is in contact with the first actuator and the other hand, respectively. the other foot is in contact with the second actuator,
• the first actuator is moved back and forth along a path,
• the second actuating member (2) is moved in the opposite direction to the first actuating member,
• a resistance force of the first actuating member is brought about by a corresponding force exerted on the second actuating member and vice versa, and
• the person exercising by observing the pointer deflection of the pointer element and adapting the forces exerted keeps the pointer deflection in a predetermined range over the entire sequence of movements.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemässen Krafttrainingsgeräts;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des Krafttrainingsgeräts mit Handgriffen;
• Fig. 3 mögliche Varianten von Betätigungsorganen von Ausführungsformen des Krafttrainingsgeräts;
• Fig. 4 ein Gelenkviereck als Bestandteil eines Kraftübertragers in einer Ausführungsform des Krafttrainingsgeräts;
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Krafttrainingsgeräts in Form einer Beinpresse;
• Fig. 6 die Ausführungsform des Krafttrainingsgeräts aus Fig. 5 in drei verschiedenen Stadien eines Bewegungsablaufs, jedes der drei Stadien sowohl in Frontansicht (Fig. 6a, 6b, 6c) als auch in Seitenansicht (Fig. 6d, 6e, 6f).

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Show it

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the strength training device according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the strength training device with handles;
• Fig. 3 possible variants of actuators of embodiments of the strength training device;
• Fig. 4 a quadrangular joint as part of a force transmitter in one embodiment of the strength training device;
• Fig. 5 a perspective view of an embodiment of the strength training device in the form of a leg press;
• Fig. 6 the embodiment of the strength training device Fig. 5 in three different stages of a movement sequence, each of the three stages both in front view ( Figures 6a, 6b, 6c ) as well as in side view ( Figures 6d, 6e, 6f ).

In Figure 1 a strength training device according to the invention is shown schematically. A first actuator 1 and a second actuator 2 are shown as a function block. The specific design of these actuators are shown in the further figures. The force F1, which acts on the first actuating element, and the force F2, which acts on the second actuating element, are shown with arrows. These forces are applied by the person exercising. The force transmitter 3 is shown as a function block with a first force transmission factor a, as a function block with a second force transmission factor β and as a broad line which symbolizes a flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter. The flexible section 3 'of the The force transmitter runs over a deflection roller 4. One of the legs of the flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter running away from the deflection roller 4 is operatively connected to the first actuating element 1 with regard to force flow via the part of the force transmitter with force transmission factor a. The other of the legs of the flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter running away from the deflecting roller 4 is operatively connected to the second actuating element 2 with regard to the flow of force via the part of the force transmitter with the force transmission factor β. The axis of the deflection roller 4 is connected to the device frame 9 via a spring element 5. The axis of the deflection roller is operatively connected to a lever mechanism 6. The lever mechanism 6 causes the pointer element 7 to deflect when the position of the axis of the deflection roller is displaced with respect to the device frame 9. The two in the Figure 1 Parts of the device frame 9 shown are not shown connected by lines for the sake of clarity; however, the two parts are to be interpreted as being stationary with respect to one another. The specific design of the force transmitter 3 can, in particular through the use of levers, gears, etc., lead to force transmission factors α and β which can be different from one. With a symmetrical structure of the force transmitter 3, α and β are the same size.

In Figure 2 an embodiment of a strength training device 10 is shown schematically. The first actuator 1 and second actuator 2 are as Handles carried out. The force transmitter here consists only of the flexible section 3 '. The deflection roller is suspended in a housing 21 which is connected to the device frame 9 via the spring element 5. A guide 22 ensures that the deflection roller 4 can only move in one direction. Deflection elements 11 and 12 guide the flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter onto the deflection roller in such a way that the forces acting in the force transmitter act parallel to the direction on the deflection roller which is predetermined by the guide. The lever mechanism is in contact with the housing in which the pulley is suspended. A marking 8 in the form of a scale is used to be able to read the deflection of the pointer element 7.

Figure 3 shows different embodiments of the first and second actuating members and different embodiments of a part of the force transmitter which is directly connected to the actuating members. In all three examples, the forces F1 and F2 acting on the actuating elements are transmitted in such a way that the downstream elements (not shown) are subjected to tensile stress.
Fig. 3 a) shows actuators 1 and 2 in the form of handles. The subsequent part of the power transmitter is designed as a rope, belt, toothed belt or chain, so that a tensile force is passed on to the handles as tensile force.
Fig. 3 b) shows actuators 1 and 2 in the form of plate-shaped pedals, which for actuation with the Feet are suitable. A lever 13 with an axis of rotation fixed to the device frame translates a compressive force exerted on the pedal via a further joint into a tensile force which, in the arrangement shown, is further transmitted via a pull rod 31.
Fig. 3 c) shows actuators 1 and 2 in the form of padded cylinders which are attached to a lever 13. The axis of the cylinder is perpendicular to the lever and parallel to the axis of rotation about which the lever is rotatably mounted. This form of actuating members is suitable, for example, for training the leg extension muscles. For this type of training, the exercising person presses against the padded cylinder with the shin or possibly with the instep. The knee joint is located approximately on the axis of rotation of the lever 13. Over the entire sequence of movements of the exercise, the direction of the actuator 1, respectively. 2 acting force, as indicated in the present figure by the two different directions of the arrows for the forces F1 and F2. In the embodiment shown, the magnitude of this force is translated into a torque which causes a rope to be wound onto a roller or a chain made from an articulated chain element or a toothed belt onto a pinion. As a result, a tensile force is transmitted in the rope or in the chain.

In Figure 4 a four-bar linkage 14 is shown which can be used as part of the force transmitter. That The quadrangular joint 14 has four joints 41, 42, 43 and 44. Two of the joints, namely the joints designated 41 and 42, are fixedly connected to the device frame 9. The actuating member 1 is attached to a rigid element which is connected to the other two joints 43 and 44. This arrangement allows a displacement of the actuator along a path and prevents movements which deviate from this path. If the four joints are arranged at the corners of a parallelogram, as shown here, the rectangle formed by the position of the joints remains a parallelogram even when moved along the path - albeit with a different angle - and the actuating element 1 is moved parallel. The quadrangle is shown again in a second position without hatching to illustrate the parallel shift. This parallel displacement is particularly useful when it is a plate-shaped actuator, as shown here. The plate-shaped actuating member 1 is shown here in a side view. One side of the four-bar linkage is designed as a lever 13 for power transmission to the flexible section 3 'of the power transmitter. A similar four-bar linkage can of course also be connected to the second actuating member.

In Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the strength training device 10 in a perspective view. This is a strength training device in the form of a leg press. In addition to the elements discussed so far a seat 51 with a seat surface 52 and a backrest 53 is attached to the device frame 9 here. Various adjustment elements allow a position of the seat 51 and the steepness of the backrest 53 adapted to the physique of the person exercising to be set. The first and second actuators 1, 2 are designed as plate-shaped pedals for actuation with the feet. Both actuators 1, 2 are attached to a quadrangle 14 and are as in the explanations to Figure 4 described on a track. Weight elements 15 (only one of two is visible in this illustration) are in contact with the flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter and hold it under tensile load. The forces are balanced in such a way that the actuators 1, 2 are in a position of rest in different positions without the action of external force. The flexible section 3 'of the force transmitter runs over the deflection roller 4. When force is applied to the actuating elements 1 and 2, the spring element 5 is compressed, the axis of the deflection roller and its suspension lower, which via the lever mechanism 6 shows the pointer element 7, which is designed here as a mechanical pointer moved up. The extent of the pointer deflection and thus the force exerted can be read from the marking 8 directly in the field of vision of the person exercising.

Figure 6 shows the strength training device Figure 5 in three different positions of the actuators 1 and 2. For better visibility of the moving elements is in the part of the strength training device where the seat is attached is omitted from this illustration. Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show a front view from the line of sight of a exercising person. Figures 6d, 6e and 6f show the strength training device in side view.
In Figure 6a a longitudinal axis of the plate-shaped actuating elements 1 and 2 and their pivoting angles 61 and 62 are drawn in with a dash-dotted line. The pivot angles change from figure to figure, but are not drawn in every time for reasons of clarity.
In Figures 6a and 6d the first actuating member 1 is in an end point of the possible path of the first actuating member that is closer to the seat 51. In this position, the pivoting angle 61 is small.
In Figures 6b and 6e the two actuators 1, 2 lie at the same distance from the seat as part of their counter-rotating movement. In the side view, the actuator 2 disappears behind the actuator 1. The two pivot angles 61 and 62 are equal.
In Figures 6c and 6e the first actuating member 1 has reached an end point of the possible path further away from the seat 51. One element of the four-bar linkage touches a stop that defines the end position. With an opposite movement, the actuator 2 has reached the end position closer to the seat.
In Fig. 6f is the view of the pivoting mechanism 63, the pivot angle of the second Actuating member 2 varies depending on the position along its path.
The angle between the drawn axis of the actuators and the vertical varies between 5 ° in the end point closer to the seat and 15 ° in the end point further away from the seat, ie the pivoting angle changes by 10 ° over a movement cycle. In this arrangement, the angle between the drawn axis of the actuating elements and the vertical corresponds to the angle between the axis of the foot and the plane of symmetry of the body of the person exercising. The foot supported on the actuating member takes part in the pivoting about the pivoting angle. The entire sequence of movements is ideally adapted to a natural movement determined by the function of the joints.

Coming back to the force transmission factors α and β, it is added here that, of course, force and counterforce are in equilibrium at every point in the force transmitter ("actio = reactio"). This means for the forces acting on the flexible section (3 ') of the force transmitter that the following applies: α · F1 = β · F2. This also means that the ratio of the forces (F1: F2) is determined by the ratio of the force transmission factors (β: α). This also means that in addition to a symmetrical arrangement with the same force transmission factors (α = β) and thus the same forces (F ₁ = F ₂ ), there is also the possibility of providing a strength training device in which, for example, for the therapy of a weakened Side of the body, unequal forces are exerted on the first and second actuating members. The pointer deflection then depends on α · F1 and can be used to display F1 (or F2) by calibrating a scale accordingly.

List of reference symbols

1

first actuator

2

second actuator

3

Power transmission

3 '

flexible section of the power transmitter

4th

Pulley

5

Spring element

6th

Lever mechanism

7th

Pointer element

8th

Marking (reading aid for pointer element)

9

Device frame

10

Strength training device

11, 12

Deflection elements

13th

lever

14th

Articulated square

15th

Weight element

21

Housing (of the pulley)

22nd

guide

31

pull bar

41, 42, 43, 44

Joints of a quadrilateral joint

51

Seat

52

Seat

53

backrest

61, 62

Swivel angle

63

Swivel mechanism

F1

Force acting on the first actuator

F2

Force acting on the second actuator

α

first power transmission factor

β

second power transmission factor

Claims (17)

1. Power trainer device (10), having

   - a device frame (9),

   - a first actuating element (1) and a second actuating element (2),

   - a force transmitter (3) connecting the first and the second actuating element (1, 2) and having a flexible section (3') which is displaceably guided over a deflection roller (4) and whose limbs are each operatively connected to one of the actuating elements (1, 2) with respect to force flow,

   - a spring element (5), connected in a force-transmitting manner between the shaft of the deflection roller (4) and the device frame (9),
   characterized in that

   - a lever mechanism (6) and a pointer element (7) are provided, wherein the lever mechanism (6) converts a displacement of the shaft of the deflection roller (4) into a deflection of the pointer element (7).
2. Power trainer device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitter (3) comprises at least one lever (13) having an axis of rotation which is fixed with respect to the device frame (9).
3. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transmitter (3) comprises at least one four-bar linkage (14), wherein two of the joints of the four-bar linkage (14) are fixedly connected to the device frame (9).
4. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a weight element (15) is operatively connected to and exerts a tensile force on the flexible section (3') of the force transmitter (3).
5. Power trainer device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the power trainer device comprises a plurality of weight elements (15), and the forces thereof on the actuating elements (1, 2) are balanced.
6. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first force transmission factor (α) between the first actuating element (1) and the first leg of the flexible section (3') of the force transmitter (3) and a second force transmission factor (β) between the second actuating element (2) and the second leg of the flexible section (3') of the force transmitter (3) are equal.
7. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one element for determining the position of a person exercising, in particular a seat surface, a backrest or a lying surface.
8. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims for training the arm muscles, wherein the actuating elements (1, 2) are designed as handles.
9. Power trainer device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for training the leg extensors, wherein the actuating elements (1, 2) are formed as padded cylinders transversely to a lever.
10. Power trainer device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, designed as a leg press, having

    - a seat made of seating surface and backrest,

    - a first and second actuating element (1, 2) in the form of a plate-shaped foot pedal, both of which are displaceable along a path between an end point closer to the seat and an end point further away from the seat.
11. Power trainer device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the actuating elements (1, 2) are each connected to a four-bar linkage (14) and the joints of the four-bar linkages are arranged in the shape of a parallelogram.
12. Power trainer device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the actuating elements (1, 2) are pivotable in the plane of the sole of the foot and a pivoting mechanism (63) engaging the respective four-bar linkage adjusts the pivoting angle (61, 62) depending on the position of the actuating element (1, 2) on its path.
13. Power trainer device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the pivoting angle between the end point closer to the seat and the end point further away from the seat varies by 10°.
14. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible section (3') of the force transmitter (3) is a rope, a belt, a toothed belt or a chain.
15. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointer element (7) is a mechanical pointer or a light pointer.
16. Power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power trainer device (10) comprises a marker (8) for reading the position of the pointer element (7).
17. Method for training the arm or leg muscles of a person using a power trainer device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

    - one hand or foot of the person is in contact with the first actuating element (1) and the other hand or foot is in contact with the second actuating element (2),

    - the first actuating element (1) is moved back and forth along a path,

    - the second actuating element (2) is moved in the opposite direction to the first actuating element (1),

    - a resistance force (F₁) of the first actuating element (1) is caused by a correspondingly exerted force (F₂) on the second actuating element (2) and vice versa, and

    - the person exercising keeps the pointer deflection within a predefined range over the entire movement sequence by observing the pointer deflection of the pointer element (7) and adjusting the exerted forces (F₁, F₂).

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