EP3597275A1

EP3597275A1 - Exercise machine and method for performing exercises

Info

Publication number: EP3597275A1
Application number: EP17900646.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nikolaj Yakovlevich GOROHOV; Petr Igorevich SEMENOV; Joseph L. Shmidt
Original assignee: Electrophor Inc
Current assignee: Electrophor Inc
Priority date: 2017-03-15
Filing date: 2017-12-05
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Also published as: EP3597275A4; WO2018169439A1; RU2660300C1

Abstract

A method to perform exercises on an exercise machine consisting of at least four steps, wherein in one of said steps a working load is set using a securing device to adjust the load, which separates a weight into a working part and a non-working part, after which the weight is raised upward by means of pulling on a cable of a cable pulley system connected to the weight. In the next step, exercise is carried out, and in the last step the exercise ends and the cable is released to simultaneously displace the working part of the weight downward. To start exercise using means for automatic displacement of the weight, the cable is loosened and the initial position of the weight is set by automatically displacing the weight upward, and then the cable is tightened while the user holds the working load, wherein the non-working part of the weight simultaneously moves downward by means of the means for automatic displacement of the weight, and in the final stage the non-working part of the weight is displaced upward by means of the means for automatic displacement of the weight, wherein the working part of the weight is subsequently held and the cable tension is simultaneously released.

Description

The group of inventions relates to training, rehabilitation and therapeutic devices and exercise machines for strengthening and restoration of joints, muscles and joint trophicity and for muscle corset formation, and to a method for performing exercises, preferably for the lower body.
Conventional cable pulley exercise machines for training the upper body comprise a cable of an upper pulley and a weight stack attached to it without additional lifting devices or with mechanisms to adjust the load during training. There are mechanical and electromagnetic adjustment mechanisms.
U.S. Patent No. 8,016,725 (Exertron, LLC, publ. 13.09.2011, A63B 21/005, A63B 21/06) discloses an arm exercise machine. The exercise machine is configured as a vertical rectangular frame with an upper cable pulley system connected to a weight stack. The exercise machine comprises an electromagnetic mechanism to automatically adjust the load weight during workout from minimum to maximum possible weight of the weight stack. The weight stack comprises a lift plate connected by a cable to the upper pulley, and a series of vertically oriented plates that can be used or not used during workout. The lift plate comprises a controller and an actuator consisting of a motor, shaft, gear box, magnetic sleeves with rotary two-pole magnets, selector magnets and selector hook assemblies, the number of which matches the number of plates, an orientation disk and an optical sensor. The series of plates consist of individual stacked rectangular plates of various weights, which are placed on a base. The upper part of each plate comprises two weight hooks for lifting the plate by the selector hook assemblies. The exercise machine comprises an external control and adjustment device in the form of an interface console with an LCD display, LEDs and buttons, connected to the actuator.
The user performs exercises using this exercise machine in the following way.
Using the interface buttons, the user inputs the required weight for the workout. Signal from the interface is sent to the controller, which initiates movement of the lift plate and at the same time sends command to the actuator to activate movement of the magnetic sleeves with rotary two-pole magnets and selector hook assemblies. When the lift plate contacts the series of plates, the selector hook assemblies engage the plate with selected weight by hooks, while the rotary magnets, being guided by the pole opposite to the selector magnet, connect to the selector magnets, thereby securing the plate on the lift plate. Unused plates remain on the base. When a weight reduction command is input on the interface after the start of movement of the lift plate with the plates, when the plates secured on the lift plate contact the base, the plate selector hooks disengage hooks of the plate or several plates, and the rotary magnets, being guided by the same pole with the selector magnet, are repelled from the selector magnets, and the plate disengages from the lift plate and remains on the base. The exercise machine is controlled manually or automatically. Automatic mode includes a base load program and an intensive load program that can be automatically controlled: the lifted weight can be increased or decreased depending on the user's power abilities. Additionally, the base load program operates automatically if no user's input of the weight necessary for the exercise on the interface has been received.
It can be appreciated from the foregoing that the main drawbacks of the exercise machine taught in U.S. Patent No. 8,016,725 are the great number of sensors, control and adjustment devices, which make the exercise machine very sophisticated in terms of its structure and manufacture and very expensive; furthermore, the adjustment devices have limited service life, high wear and high repair and maintenance costs. Highly computerized control of the exercise machine makes it difficult to use. The presence of electromagnets in the exercise machine structure limits its functionality and determines the weight adjustment ability of the electromagnetic mechanism and the operation of the exercise machine as a whole only when electricity is available. The use of magnets to hold the weights is an injury factor as the magnets can be demagnetized. The exercise machine with such automatic weight adjustment mechanism cannot be used for training the lower body muscles, which limits the versatility of the exercise machine.
Automatic weight adjustment depending on the user's muscular abilities is based on the criterion of the height of weight lifting by the user as a percentage of the maximum lifting height of the lift plate. This criterion is subjective and cannot be the basis for setting and adjustment of the weight.
U.S. Patent No. 5,643,151 (01.07.1997, A63B 21/06) discloses an upper body exercise machine with a cable pulley system. The exercise machine enables mechanical adjustment of the weight lifted by the user during the exercise through pressing a foot pedal. The exercise machine is made in the form of two rectangular vertical frames connected by stiffening ribs in the upper and lower parts, and comprises a weight stack, two supporting vertical posts for the weight stack, a vertical bar with opening extending through the weight stack, and a spring coil fixed at the upper end of the bar to set the required load, enclosed in a casing. The exercise machine comprises two cable pulley systems: an upper cable pulley system for lifting the weight stack by the user, and a second lower cable pulley system to adjust and change the lifted weight during exercise without interrupting the user from the exercise. The upper cable pulley system consists of a cable supported by two pulleys mounted on the stiffening ribs, and a handlebar on the free end of the cable, the second end of the cable being attached to the spring coil casing. The lower cable pulley system consists of a cable connected at one end to the spring coil and passing through the weight stack along the vertical bar with holes, and secured by the other end to a pulley enclosed in the foot pedal. The vertical bar consists of a supporting part located above the weight stack, and an internal adjustment part located inside the weight stack and comprising fasteners and elements for adjusting the weight of the load lifted by the user. The adjusting part of the bar comprises a vertical channel accommodating a movable key with an extension, through which the key is connected to the cable of the upper cable pulley system. The adjusting part of the bar comprises horizontal cavities along the entire height of the bar, and movable pins with a shaft, springs and stops, disposed in each cavity. The weight stack comprises a plurality of separate horizontal weights each consisting of two individual weights separated by horizontal openings which are a continuation of the horizontal cavities with pins accommodated therein. The pins are intended to secure an individual weight to the vertical bar. The weight stack is divided into a used and unused part during the exercise.
The user performs exercises using this exercise machine in the following way.
To set the necessary weight at the beginning of exercise, as well to increase or decrease weight during the exercise, the user presses the foot pedal. The number of pedal depressions corresponds to the number of weights that the user needs to increase or decrease the load lifted. To increase the load by one individual weight, one pedal depression is required, since the cable length of the lower cable pulley system, wound once on the pedal unit, corresponds to the distance from the pin of one individual weight to the pin of the next individual weight. When the pedal is depressed once, the cable of the lower cable pulley system is wound onto the pedal unit, while unwinding from the spring coil. Movement of the cable of the lower cable pulley system from the spring coil to the foot pedal initiates movement of the key in the vertical bar in the same direction. When moving, the key contacts the pin shaft, hooks the pin up and pushes it out of the horizontal cavity. Stops in the horizontal cavity clamp the springs, and the pin enters the horizontal opening between individual weights, thereby securing the separate weight and all the individual weights disposed above in the user-used part of the weight stack.
To reduce the lifted weight, the user depresses the foot pedal. The number of depressions corresponds to the number of individual weights, by which the user wants to reduce the load. When the pedal is pressed, the cable of the lower cable pulley system is unwound from the pedal unit and wound around the spring coil. Movement of the lower cable pulley system from the foot pedal to the spring coil initiates movement of the key in the vertical bar in the same direction. When moving, the key releases pins from the horizontal openings between individual weights. The springs release and push the pin out from the horizontal opening into the cavity of the vertical bar.
Analysis of structure of the exercise machine according to U.S. Patent No. 5,643,151 identified the following drawbacks. The main function in the mechanical weight adjustment system is performed by spring mechanisms, which are in constant use and movement. Frequent compression and expansion of the spring leads to its rapid wear, loss of elasticity and stretching. Wear of spring in the spring coil will lead to sagging the cable of the lower cable pulley system, spontaneous movement of the key in the vertical bar and, accordingly, spontaneous modification in the weight lifted by the user. When the springs are stretched in the horizontal cavities of the adjusting part of the bar, the mechanical adjustment system of the exercise machine will lose its operating ability to adjust the weight, since a spring that has lost its elasticity will not be able to push the pin out from the horizontal opening into the cavity of the vertical bar and release the individual weight. This drawback may result in injury of the user. The user's adjustment of the weight with the foot pedal is inconvenient in terms of use as it is problematic to control the number of depressions to increase or decrease a certain number of weights, and full and partial depression of the pedal by the user during the exercise. The design of shortened vertical support posts for the weight stack is ill-considered, since when the user lifts the weight stack above the support posts, there is a high probability of mismatch between the openings for the support posts in the weight stack and the support posts as such. A significant drawback in terms of functionality is that the exercise machine is designed for a very limited part of upper body muscles and is not versatile. The framework of the exercise machine, made of two rectangular vertical frames connected by stiffening ribs, is uneconomical and not mobile in space, and also restricts the user's movements.
U.S. Patent No. 4,632,388 (30.12.1986, A63B 21/06) discloses a cable pulley arm exercise machine, which is selected by the inventor as the most pertinent prior art in respect of the inventive exercise machine and method for performing exercises. The exercise machine is made in the form of a vertical frame with a horizontal support, comprising an upper cable pulley system and a separate pulley mounted on the horizontal support, a removable operating cable with a pulley and a handle, an additional cable, a vertical bar with openings, passing through a weight stack and a rod to set the required load. The weight stack comprises a stack of several horizontal individual weights with openings for the rod to set the required load, which divides the weight stack into the part used during the exercise and the unused part. The vertical bar with openings corresponding to the openings in individual weights passes through the center of the weight stack. Cable of the upper cable pulley system is attached to the upper individual weight and the vertical bar using special fasteners. Then, the cable is passed through a two-roller pulley mounted in the upper part of the frame. Free end of the cable coming out of the two-roller pulley comprises a fastener. A removable operating cable with a pulley and a handle is attached to a separate pulley on a horizontal support. In the present embodiment of the exercise machine, there are two possible options for attaching the operating cable, which form two methods for pulling the cable with the weight, particularly, from top to bottom and from bottom to top. According to the first attachment option, the free end of the removable operating cable is attached by a hook to a separate pulley on the horizontal support, and the pulley of the removable operating cable, containing the hook, is attached to the fastener of the free end of the cable of the upper cable pulley system. In this case, the handle of the free end of the removable operating cable, coming out of the pulley of the removable operating cable, is in a free suspended state and is directed downward. According to the second attachment option, an additional cable is used, both ends of which contain grasping hooks. In this case, one end of the additional cable is connected to the fastener of the free end of the cable of the upper cable pulley system, and then the cable is passed through a separate pulley of the horizontal support. Free end of the additional cable is attached to the pulley of the removable operating cable, and the free end of the removable operating cable is secured to the hook disposed on the extension of the upper part of the frame. The handle of the free end of the removable operating cable coming out of the cable pulley is directed upward.
The user performs exercises using this exercise machine in the following way.
To begin workout, the user inserts the rod to set the required load into an opening in an individual weight. The rod passes into the opening in the vertical bar disposed in the central part of the weight stack, fixes the individual weight and all the individual weights above it, and forms the weight stack part used in the exercise. Depending on the muscle groups to be used during the exercise, the user selects the method of attaching the removable operating cable, and after setting and securing the cable independently or with the help of a specialist, the user starts the exercise. According to the first attachment option, the user draws away the handle of the removable operating cable with the extension directed top down, thereby pulling the cable of the upper cable pulley system and lifting the selected weight stack part disposed above the extension to set the required load. With this attachment option, the user lifts the selected weight stack part through the pulley of the removable operating cable attached to the grip of the free end of the cable of the upper pulley.
With the second attachment option, the exercise machine is used to pull the handle of the removable operating cable with the extension directed upward. To do this, the user attaches an additional cable to the main cable and passes it under the additional pulley on the horizontal support. When the handle of the removable operating cable is drawn away, the used part of the weight stack is raised through the additional cable connected at one end to the operating cable pulley with the handle and the other end to the cable.
The main drawback of the exercise machine is that its structure does not permit training of joints and muscles, in particular, of the lower body, performing of stretching exercises on various body parts, especially legs. From the technical point of view, the exercise machine has a complex structure for pulling up function, replacing the lower cable pulley system, and involving the use of several additional cables with pulleys. Furthermore, the upper cable pulley system with pull down function is made using an operating cable with a pulley. The use of additional pulleys affects the type of load exerted, specifically, this type of fastening is designed to perform frequent short movements when lifting the weight and aimed to increase muscle mass, and does not allow lifting the weight to the full length of the cable, and stretching the muscles. Therefore, the additional cables and pulleys through which the pull is carried out, in the used attachment options form a nonlinear, oblique pull type, and also act as compensators for part of the load and the weight lifted. In addition, this type of attachment substantially complicates the use of the exercise machine. The use of several replaceable additional cables with pulleys, which require constant reinstallation and displacement necessary for different types of exercises, is extremely inconvenient and unsafe for the user. Also, measures for reinstallation and modifications of cables in the exercise machine require constant attention of a professional trainer. In addition, it difficult to perform exercises on the exercise machine, which are aimed at training the lower body, for example, legs, since the user is not able to secure, e.g. on the leg ,the free end of the cable with the weight raised. Another problem is the lack of guides or vertical support posts for moving the weight stack. The cable of the upper cable pulley system, attached to the central vertical axle of the weight stack, is the only fastening of the weight stack when it is lifted. This type of fastening is unreliable and may lead to a skew and turn of the weight stack when lifted.
The object of the invention and the technical result achieved by using the invention is to provide a convenient and easy-to-use exercise machine for complex, general and/or targeted training, stretching and/or keeping various groups of muscles and joints in tonus, which has higher reliability and is available for use for any age category, and a method for performing effective exercises for healing, treatment and sports training of the lower body joints and muscles, previously not available on existing exercise machines.
The object and the required technical result are achieved in an exercise machine comprising a framework, at least one, preferably two or more weights, a cable pulley system including at least one cable and one pulley, connected to the weight, a rod, and a load adjustment latch, wherein the exercise machine is adapted to automatically displace the weight upward while simultaneously releasing tension of the cable and slacking the cable free end, and downward to release the weight and then hold the weight by workload; wherein the weight can be formed by a working and non-working parts separated by the load adjustment latch;, the exercise machine further comprising an automatic weight displacement means including a platform suspended by a rope and disposed under the weight and connected with rollers through which the rope is passed, one end of the rope being fixed in the upper part of the framework and the other end being wound on a drum with an electric motor; wherein the automatic weight displacement means comprises motion limiters disposed on the framework, the cable free end can have a grip secured thereon; wherein the framework of the exercise machine can be enclosed in a housing; a method for performing exercises on an exercise machine, comprising at least four steps: setting a workload by a load adjustment latch that separates a weight into a working part and non-working parts; raising the weight up by pulling a cable of a cable pulley system connected to the weight; performing an exercise, and ending the exercise and releasing the cable while simultaneously displacing the working part of the weight downward, wherein to begin the exercise, the cable is slacked by an automatic weight displacement means, and the initial position of the weight is set by automatically displacing the weight upward; then the cable is tightened while the user is holding the workload, and the non-working part of the weight is simultaneously moved downward by the automatic weight displacement means, and at the final step the non-working part of the weight is displaced upward by the automatic weight displacement means, and the working part of the weight is subsequently held, while the cable tension is released.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a general schematic diagram of an exercise machine.
Figure 2 shows an exercise machine in the initial position with a workload set by a load adjustment latch 8.
Figure 3 shows an exercise machine with a weight 2 raised by automatic weight displacement means and a cable 3 lowered.
Figure 4 shows an exercise machine in the working position after attaching the weight 2 to a user's body part e.g. the ankle joint.

An exercise machine comprises a framework 1 made in the form of a vertical rectangular frame with two transverse horizontal supports, to which a cable pulley system is connected, consisting of one single-roller moving pulley 5 and two two- roller moving pulleys 4 and 6 connected to each other by a single cable 3; a weight 2 connected to the cable pulley system, and an automatic weight displacement means. The upper two-roller pulley 6 is arranged in the upper part of the framework 1, the lower two-roller pulley 4 is arranged in the lower part of the framework 1. A cable 3 is stretched tangentially under the lower surface of the lower pulley 4 and further along the rear side of the framework 1 upward to the upper pulley 6, via the first roller of the two-roller pulley 6 and further downward to the pulley 5 disposed on the weight 2, around the pulley 5 and then upward to the second roller of the two-roller pulley 6, leaves the pulley 6 and forms a cable free end 17. The pulleys 4 and 6 are movably mounted on the framework 1 and are rotatable around the vertical axis for added convenience of the exercise. The free cable ends 17a and 17b of the upper 4 and lower 6 pulleys include grips and stoppers 18, which fix and hold the cable 3 in the pulleys and within the cable pulley system, and also prevent the reverse movement of the cable 3. The grips can be made in the form of a lobster clasp, hook, fabric or plastic handles, and are designed to attach the cable 3 to a user's body part e.g. the ankle joint or wrist. The weight 2 can be in the form of, for example, one weight or several separate e.g. horizontal or vertical weights having side openings for a load adjustment latch 8 in the form of a pin with a tip. In this case, the weight 2 can be formed by a working 2b and non-working 2a parts separated by a load adjustment latch 8. Via the pulley 5 attached to a rod 7, the cable pulley system is connected to the upper separate weight. At the same time, the weight 2 has a vertical axial through hole for the rod 7. Holes can be provided along the entire length of the rod 7, corresponding to side openings of each separate weight and intended for the load adjustment latch 8. Two vertical guides 19 are attached to the framework 1 for fixing and free movement of the weight 2. The automatic weight displacement means is formed by a rope 9, a platform 10, at least one roller 11, a drum 12 and an electric motor 13 and, accommodated therein, an actuator, a control panel 16, and motion limiters 15. The platform 10 is disposed under the weight 2 and suspended using the rope 9 movably placed inside the platform 10, one end of which is fixed in the upper part of the framework 1, and the other end is wound on the drum 12 arranged on the opposite side of the upper part of the framework. The rope 9 is secured to the platform 10 by movable rollers 11 disposed on the side of the platform 10. Two motion limiters 15A and 15b, designed to automatically stop the movement of the platform 10 of the automatic weight displacement means, is disposed on the side of the framework 1 at the extreme points of the segment of movement of the platform 10. In particular, the lower motion limiter 15a is disposed in the lower part of the framework 1, at the level of the initial position of the platform 10, while the second upper motion limiter 15b is disposed at the end point of movement of the platform 10 and is necessary to prevent collisions and damages of the weight 2 being raised and the pulley 5 with the upper pulley 6 and the framework 1 of the exercise machine. The motion limiters 15a and 15b may be formed as a stroke sensor or limit switch. During movement of the platform 10, when it contacts the motion limiter 15a or 15b, sensitive elements of the motion limiter 15a and 15b are connected and closed, and disable signal is transmitted to the electric motor 13 and the drum 12, responsive to which the operation of the electric motor 13, winding of the rope 9 on the drum 12 and movement of the platform 10 are stopped. Movement of the platform 10 can be interrupted at any point of the segment between the two motion limiters 15A or 15b using the remote control 16. The automatic weight displacement means also includes the control panel 16 connected to the electric motor and the actuator 13 e.g. through a cable, electric wire or cord 14, freely disposed in the lower part of the exercise machine near the horizontal support and intended to control and adjust the automatic weigh displacement means. The cable, electric wire or cord 14, connecting the actuator to the control panel 16, may be disposed inside the framework 1 or the exercise machine housing. Furthermore, the control panel 16 can be an autonomous device with a remote control function. In addition, the automatic weight displacement means and the exercise machine can be controlled remotely from a personal computer. Also, a wireless monitor with a recording device (not shown in the figures) can be arranged on the exercise machine to receive, display and reproduce video and voice lessons of exercises, for remote communication with a computer, remote technical video and voice support.
The exercise machine framework 1 can be made in the form of a metal or plastic lightweight structure including a rectangular frame with horizontal supports, and the framework 1 can be enclosed in a plastic or metal decorative housing (not shown).
The cable 3 and the rope 9 can be made of vegetative or synthetic material e.g. polymer or fabric, or metal. They can be optionally rubberized.
Individual weights may have the same or different weight, for example, the uppermost weight may be the lightest and the lowermost weight may be the heaviest. The individual weights can be made of the same material or materials with different density, e.g. different metals or plastics to enable varying the weight of an individual weight while maintaining its size.
The automatic weigh displacement means is intended to move the weight 2 to the position necessary for the user to start the exercise, and to create and provide the required tension of the cable 3 for the exercise. Also, the automatic weigh displacement means allows the user to freely take any starting position necessary for the exercise, e.g. kneeling arabesque, kneeling hips extended, back lying, side lying, sitting or standing, and then, without changing the starting position, without strain, additional effort and outside help attach the loosened, located on the floor level cable with the set weight to any body part e.g. the ankle joint or wrist.
In the scope of distinctive features of the invention, the exercise machine works in the following manner.
For workout on the exercise machine using the upper pulley 6 for pulling down the user performs several steps:

1. The user can set the number of weights necessary for the exercise, particularly the workload, using the load adjustment latch 8 (Fig. 2).
2. The user presses the button on the control panel 16. In response, the automatic weight displacement means raises the weight 2 to the level of the upper motion limiter 15b, where the platform 10 stops, and the free cable end 17b falls to the floor level (Fig. 3). At this stage, the user can also set the number of weights necessary for the exercise by the load adjustment latch 8.
3. The user takes the position necessary for the exercise, for example, kneestand, and without strain and additional effort, secures the free cable end 17b e.g. on the ankle joint.
4. The user presses the button on the control panel 16. In response, the automatic weight displacement means begins slowly lowering the non-working part of the weight 2a to the level of the lower motion limiter 15a (Fig. 4). The working part of the weight 26 is held by the user.
5. The user performs the exercise.
6. At the end of the exercise, the user presses the button on the control panel 16. In response, the automatic weight displacement means operates and the platform 10 with the non-working weight part 2a slowly rises up, contacts the working weight part 2b and stops at the level of the upper motion limiter 15b. Tension of the cable 3 is released, and the user can remove without strain the free cable end 17b e.g. from the ankle joint. The work on the exercise machine is finished.

To start the exercise, the user sets on the exercise machine the number of weights necessary for the exercise using the load adjustment latch 8 (Fig. 2). To do this, the user inserts the load adjustment latch 8 into the side opening of one of the individual weights or the opening of the weight 2. Thereby a working part 2b, disposed above the load adjustment latch 8, and the non-working part 2a of the weight are formed. The load adjustment latch 8 passes through the side opening of the weight 2 and the matching opening in the rod 7 inside the weight 2, thereby securing the weight 2 located above the load adjustment latch 8 to the rod 7.
Next, the user presses the button on the control panel 16 (Fig. 3). Through the cable, electric wire or cord 14, signal is sent to the actuator disposed in the electric motor 13, and the automatic weight displacement means is activated. When the motor 13 is operated, the drum 12 starts rotation, winding the rope 9 onto itself, and the platform 10, supported by the rope 9 moving on the rollers 11 and secured on the platform 10, begins rising, thereby also lifting the weight 2. Movement of the weight 2 occurs on two vertical guides 19. Simultaneously with lifting the weight 2, the cable 3 moves through the pulley 5 and the second roller of the pulley 6, the free cable end 17b gradually lowers down and reaches the floor level, and tension of the cable 3 part extending from the upper pulley 6 is released. When the roller 11 of the platform 10 contacts the upper motion limiter 15b, it is instantly triggered and signal is sent to the actuator and the electric motor 13, which is disabled and thereby stops winding of the rope 9 on the drum 12 and, accordingly, lifting the platform 10 of the automatic weight displacement means with the weight 2. Figure 3 shows the inventive exercise machine with the weight 2 lifted by the automatic weight displacement means. After stopping and disabling the automatic weight displacement means, the user can modify the necessary workload by changing the position of the load adjustment latch 8 and rearranging it in the respective side opening of the weight 2.
Further, the user takes the starting position necessary for the exercise, e.g. kneeling arabesque position. After that, without strain and additional effort, as well as without the help of a trainer or second party, the user attaches, e.g. at the ankle joint of the second leg, the free cable end 17b disposed at the floor level, using e.g. a grip, lobster clasp or handle. The weight 2 is held by the automatic weight displacement means, and the cable part 3 extending from the upper pulley 6 is in a free loosened state.
After that, the user presses the button on the control panel 16, and the actuator and the electric motor 13 receive a signal to enable the automatic weight displacement means (Fig. 4). The electric motor 13 operates and the drum 12 begins to rotate, unwinding the rope 9, and the platform 10 together with the non-working weight part 2a start slow lowering down. The working weight part 2b, fixed by the load adjustment latch 8 to the rod 7 and held by the user's leg with the aid of the cable 3, and the non-working weight part 2a, supported by the downward-moving platform 10 of the automatic weight displacement means, is disconnected. The platform 10 lowers down to the level of the lower motion limiter 15a and upon contacting it the operation of the electric motor 13 is automatically turned off, as described above, and the platform 10 stops. The user can start the exercise from the instant when the button on the control panel 16 is pressed, i.e. before the process of lowering the platform 10 is completed and the automatic weight displacement means is disabled. Then, the user performs the exercise.
To finish the workout on the exercise machine or if there is an urgent need to complete the exercise, the user should press the button on the control panel 16. In this case, according to the above scheme, the automatic weight displacement means starts rising together with the non-working weight part 2a, grasps the working weight part 2b and, holding it, rises up to the contact of the platform 10 with the upper motion limiter 15b and stops. At the same time, tension of the cable is released, and the cable is slacked. The user, without strain, effort or outside help, unfastens the grip of the free cable end 17b e.g. from the ankle joint. The exercise on the machine is completed.
Furthermore, for working at the exercise machine the lower pulley 4 can be used. In this case, to start the exercise the user sets by the load adjustment latch 8 the exercise workload by inserting the latch 8 into the side opening of the weight 2. Then, the user takes the starting position for the exercise, for example, sitting or lying with face to the exercise machine, or lying on the side, and then secures with e.g. a lobster clasp the free cable end 17a e.g. at the wrist or ankle joint region. Then the user proceeds to the exercise. The weight 2 or the working weight part 2b disposed above the load adjustment latch 8, is lifted by pulling or movement of the user's arm or leg upward.
In the most pertinent prior art the cable is directly connected only with the upper pulley, and the pulling down exercise is possible only through an additional operating cable and an additional pulley. At the same time, for pulling up exercises, an additional pulley and two additional cables are used to form a system of cables and pulleys with a handle directed downward to provide exercises with corresponding pull. Therefore, there is no an integral cable pulley system connecting the upper and lower pulleys. In addition, the exercise machine is designed for a very narrow range of exercises, particularly, aimed only at increasing the upper body muscle mass e.g. arms and back. Exercises aimed at e.g. training or stretching muscles and joints e.g. knee and hip joints, and even the shoulder joint, are not feasible on this exercise machine in light of the following structural drawbacks: the presence of compensating cables and pulleys; the absence of a method of fastening the cable with the installed weight to the user's lower limb; the absence of a cable pulley system with upper and lower pulleys; the absence of an alternative way to set the required load. From the view point of operation, the exercise machine having the disclosed structure is not intended for independent exercises, rather for the use exclusively in the presence of a trainer and specialist. Also, a significant inconvenience is that a constant change and reinstallation of cables and fastening of the cable is required in the process of use. And the main drawback of the exercise machine is its lack of versatility as it is impossible to train and stretch the lower body joints and muscles e.g. the knee and hip joints, calf muscles, thigh muscles, lumbar muscles and back.
To use the exercise machine for not intended exercises on the lower body e.g. legs, the user needs help of a trainer. Thus, to start the exercise, the trainer should pull the cable with the selected weight with great effort and lower the free end of the cable with the fastener to the floor level, and then help the user to secure the cable end to the leg. At the beginning of the exercise, the cable with the weight attached to the user's leg jerks down, which may cause injury to the user. To complete the exercise, the user also needs help of a trainer to hold the cable stretched under the load weight at the floor level and remove the fastener from the user's leg. The problem with emergent completion of the exercise is also apparent, since the user himself is unable to disconnect the tensioned cable with the weight from the leg. Therefore, the prior art exercise machine, most closely related to the invention, is extremely traumatic for lower body exercises.
Unlike the most pertinent prior art, the inventive exercise machine overcomes all the drawbacks, it is modified and improved, and has a unique, easy-to-use and technically simple design, which enables training, stretching and keeping in tonus all joints and muscles of both the upper and lower body. The exercise machine has improved operational and technical characteristics.
The exercise machine comprises an integral cable pulley system consisting of one cable and connecting one upper and one lower pulley. Moreover, the pulleys are rotatable around a vertical axis. The cable pulley system is directly connected to the upper and lower pulleys and to the weight. Lifting of the weight by pulling the cable through the upper or lower pulley is implemented by direct linear relationship. The absence of vertical guides for movement of the weight in the most pertinent prior art machine has been also taken into account.
The provision of the automatic weight displacement means in the present exercise machine enables automatic movement of the weight, setting and fixing the initial weight position and cable tension necessary for exercises aimed at strengthening and restoring joints, muscles and tissue trophicity. Particularly, for these exercises it is necessary that at the instant of starting the exercise, the weight is in raised position, rather than in rest position, and the cable must be tensioned. Therefore, at the beginning of the exercise, after fixing the cable free end on the user's body part e.g. the leg at the ankle joint, the cable should pull and stretch upward the attached body part, while pulling the weight down. Also, at each bending and rotation of the body part attached to the cable, the cable should pull it upward. And at the beginning of the exercise, after fixing the cable free end e.g. to the user's leg, the automatic weight displacement means prevents a sharp jerk of the cable with the weight, held by the user's leg, upward; particularly, after pressing the button on the control panel, the automatic weight displacement means slowly lowers down, removing the support for the weight held by the user. Accordingly, the user experiences a smooth and gradual movement of the load on the body part after attaching the cable free end with the weight at the beginning of the exercise. The load is also gradually removed from the user's leg at the end of the exercise as the automatic weight displacement means is slowly rising. As can be seen from the above, the automatic weight displacement means takes into account all special aspects of these exercises.
Furthermore, from viewpoint of operation and ease of use, the automatic weight displacement means raises the load, slacks and lowers the cable to the floor level, allowing the user to take calmly the starting position for the exercise and independently attach the cable to any body part e.g. the leg at the ankle joint. Automatic movement of the weight does not require additional physical effort on the part of the user. In addition, work at this exercise machine does not require help and assistance of a trainer or other persons in order to attach the cable with a weight e.g. to the user's leg, thereby allowing completely independent workout on the exercise machine. The provision of the automatic weight displacement means makes the present exercise machine safe to use and prevents traumatic situations during the exercise.
Based on the foregoing, the inventive exercise machine is universal for all groups of muscle, joints and tendons of both the upper and lower body part. The exercise machine is designed for exercises aimed at therapeutic, rehabilitation and preventive purposes, as well as for exercises aimed at increasing the muscle mass and forming the muscle corset.
The present description of the invention discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention. It can be modified within the scope of the claims thereby allowing its wide use.

Claims

An exercise machine, comprising a framework, at least one, preferably two or more weights, a cable pulley system including at least one cable and one pulley, connected to the weight, a rod, and a load adjustment latch, characterized in that the exercise machine is adapted to automatically displace the weight upward while simultaneously releasing tension of the cable and slacking the cable free end, and downward to release the weight and then hold the weight by workload.
The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the weight can be formed by a working part and a non-working part separated by the load adjustment latch.
The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic weight displacement means including a platform suspended by a rope and disposed under the weight, and connected with rollers through which the rope is passed, one end of the rope being fixed in the upper part of the framework and the other end being wound on a drum with an electric motor.
The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein the automatic weight displacement means comprises motion limiters disposed on the framework.
The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the cable free end can have a grip secured thereon.
The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the framework of the exercise machine can be enclosed in a housing.
A method to perform exercises on an exercise machine, comprising at least four steps: setting a workload by a load adjustment latch that separates a weight into a working and non-working parts; raising the weight up by pulling a cable of a cable pulley system connected to the weight; performing an exercise and ending the exercise and releasing the cable while simultaneously displacing the working part of the weight downward, characterized in that to begin the exercise, the cable is slacked by an automatic weight displacement means, and the initial position of the weight is set by automatically displacing the weight upward; then the cable is tightened while the user is holding the workload, and the non-working part of the weight is simultaneously moved downward by the automatic weight displacement means, and at the final step the non-working part of the weight is displaced upward by the automatic weight displacement means, and the working part of the weight is subsequently held, while the cable tension is simultaneously released.