Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/078—Devices for bench press exercises, e.g. supports, guiding means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
  • A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
  • A63B21/154—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains using special pulley-assemblies
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/005—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
  • A63B21/0058—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters using motors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/078—Devices for bench press exercises, e.g. supports, guiding means
  • A63B21/0783—Safety features for bar-bells, e.g. drop limiting means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
  • A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
  • A63B21/4035—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
  • A63B21/4045—Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
  • A63B23/1209—Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2214/00—Training methods
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/805—Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
  • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement

Definitions

• the invention relates to a gymnastic machine for weightlifting.
• a barbell i.e. , a grip bar, normally made of steel, provided with load bodies at the opposite ends.
• the free barbell is the main equipment for athletic training and preparation in the weight room; the athlete applies the desired load to the ends of the barbell, secures it, using locking devices, and begins the performance of a predetermined exercise.
• the athlete When using particularly high loads, the athlete needs external help from one or more wingmen, who must be immediately available in order to complete the exercise safely, since there are no safety devices that can intervene in the event of an injury to the athlete when he is lifting the barbell.
• One of the main limitations of the training with barbells described above is therefore related to the fact that such a training cannot be carried out in total safety if not in the presence of particularly attentive wingmen prepared to intervene to support the athlete in any moment of need.
• a further limitation of barbell training is the fact that the physical performance of the athlete is not detectable with continuity and precision since the available parameters are only the weight of the barbell and the time of execution of the exercise.
• the task of the present invention is to develop a gymnastic machine for weightlifting capable of obviating the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the known art.
• one object of the invention is to develop a gymnastic machine that is safe and can be used by an athlete without any auxiliary wingmen being present when needed.
• Another object of the invention is to develop a gymnastic machine that will allow eliminating the downtimes of replacing, removing or adding loads, which are typical actions of using the barbells known today.
• one object of the invention is to develop a gymnastic machine capable of continuously and accurately detecting the athlete’s performance.
• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a gymnastic machine according to the invention
• FIG. 2 represents another perspective view of the gymnastic machine of Figure 1 ;
• FIG. 3 represents a sectional side view of the gymnastic machine according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 represents a side view of the gymnastic machine according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 represents a sectional view of a detail of the gymnastic machine according to the invention.
• Figure 6 represents a top view of the detail shown in Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 represents a sectional view of another detail of the gymnastic machine according to the invention.
• Figure 8 represents a front view of the detail of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 represents an operating diagram of the gymnastic machine according to the invention.
• FIG. 10 represents a schematic view of a variant embodiment of the invention.
• Said gymnastic machine 10 comprises:
• - motorised transmission means 21 configured to apply to the first slides 14 and 15 either an opposing force to an upward thrust force, or a downward traction force.
• the load-bearing frame 11 comprises a ground support base 40, such as a quadrangular frame, within which a user is positioned.
• each of the shoulders 41 and 42 comprises two uprights 43 and 44 and an upper crosspiece 45.
• the first direction X1 is substantially vertical, i.e. , unless unavoidable construction and installation tolerances.
• the two opposite first lateral guides 12 and 13 each comprise two bars 46 and 47 respectively, which develop between the base 40 and an overlying crosspiece 45.
• the first lateral guides 12 and 13 are each located within the arc defined by the uprights 43 and 44 and the crosspiece 45.
• transverse element 50 and 51 rigidly connecting the two slider sleeves 48 and 49.
• the first slider sleeves 48 and 49 slide on the respective bars 46 and 47 of the first lateral guides 12 and 13 by interposition of one or more friction reducing devices 52 and 53, for example one or more linear recirculating ball bearings, highlighted in Figure 5.
• the second lateral guides 16 and 17 each comprise a guide bar 54, clearly visible in Figures 3, 4 and 5, fixed by brackets 55 between the sleeves 48 and 49 of the respective first slide 14 and 15 to which they belong.
• the guide bar 54 is also positioned between the two transverse elements 50 and 51 of the first slide 14 and 15.
• the two second slides 18 and 19 each comprise, as clearly shown for the second slide 18 in Figures 7 and 8, a second slider sleeve 58 to which a collar 59 is fixed, configured for the constraint with an end 20a or 20b of the lifting bar 20.
• the collar 59 develops according to a direction orthogonal to the direction of development, and translation, of the second slider sleeve 58.
• the second slider sleeve 58 slides on the respective guide bar 54 of the corresponding second lateral guide 16 and 17 by interposition of one or more friction reducing devices 60 and 61, for example one or more linear recirculating ball bearings, highlighted in Figure 7.
• the lifting bar 20 is constrained at the ends 20a and 20b to a corresponding collar 59 of a second slide 18 and 19 by friction reducing devices, for example rolling bearings 62.
• Such friction reducing devices are configured to allow the ends 20a and 20b of the lifting bar 20 to rotate by an angle of less than 10° about the axis X2 of the guide bar 54; this possibility to rotate, although modest, allows the athlete to perform his exercises even in a slightly asymmetrical manner.
• the motorised transmission means 21 comprise, in the present example embodiment, two electric motors 22 and 23.
• Each of the two electric motors 22 and 23 is configured to actuate a corresponding longitudinally developed flexible element 24 and 25.
• the gymnastic machine comprises a single electric motor configured to actuate both longitudinally developed flexible elements.
• Such longitudinally developed flexible elements 24 and 25 may comprise a belt, a chain, a rope or other similar and equivalent elements.
• the longitudinally developed flexible elements 24 and 25 each comprise a toothed belt.
• the motorised transmission means 21 comprise, for each longitudinally developed flexible element 24 and 25, as schematised in the section of Figure 3:
• At least one lower pulley for example a lower pulley 26, configured and positioned to deflect a longitudinally developed flexible element 24 and 25 coming from an electric motor 22 and 23 towards a lower portion 14a and 15a of a said first slide 14 and 15,
• At least one upper pulley for example two respective upper pulleys 28 and 29; said upper pulleys are configured and positioned to deflect a corresponding longitudinally developed flexible element 24 and 25 towards an upper portion 14b and 15b of a first slide 14 and 15,
• the fixing of a belt 24 and 25 to the respective first slide 14 and 15 is made by fixing means to be understood as being of a type known in itself.
• Such motorised transmission means 21 therefore comprise two symmetrical assemblies each comprising pulleys 26, 27, 28 and 29 and a toothed belt 24 or 25.
• Each assembly is enslaved to a first, vertical slide 14 and 15, and transmits a vertical linear translatory motion to said first slide 14 and 15.
• the pulleys act as deflectors that allow the respective belt 24 and 25 to bypass the load-bearing frame 11 and be driven by the electric motor 22 and 23 through the drive pulley 27.
• Each longitudinally developed flexible element 24, 25, in this case each belt 24 and 25, has a respective safety counterweight 35.
• Such a counterweight 35 is positioned, for example, on an upward -downward section of each belt 24 and 25. This counterweight 35 is intended to be able to be positioned also in another position.
• Said counterweight 35 is configured and positioned so as to nullify, with electric motors 22 and 23 switched off, the weight contribution given by the first slides 14 and 15 and by the second slides 18 and 19.
• the counterweight 35 is obviously placed on a section 24a and 25a of the longitudinally developed flexible element 24 and 25, i.e., of the belt 24 and 25, where the first slide 14 and 15 is not present.
• the counterweight 35 is fixed to the belt 24 and 25 in the section 24a and 25a between the drive pulley 27 and the first upper pulley 28.
• the gymnastic machine 10 comprises an electronic control unit 90, configured to control and manage the operation of said motorised transmission means 21.
• an electronic control unit 90 is schematically illustrated by a box in Figure 1.
• the electric motors 22 and 23 are preferably, but not exclusively, of the brushless type.
• Said electric motors 22 and 23 may be associated with a corresponding torque reducer, to be understood, of course, as a known type in itself.
• the reducer can be two-stage or three-stage.
• each of the electric motors 22 and 23 comprises an encoder and an integrated brake.
• the gymnastic machine 10 may also comprise an additional speed transducer, for each of the first slides 14 and 15.
• This additional transducer is capable of directly measuring the speed of the corresponding first slide 14 and 15.
• the encoder on board of the electric motor 22 and 23 detects the speed of the first slide 14 and 15 indirectly, based on the rotational speed of the encoder disc itself.
• This additional speed transducer is installed on board of the machine and connected to the electronic control unit 90.
• the gymnastic machine 10 advantageously also comprises a signalling device 85, schematised in Figures 1 and 8, configured to signal the grasping and release of said lifting bar 20 by a user, which signalling device is connected to said electronic control unit 90.
• a signalling device 85 schematised in Figures 1 and 8, configured to signal the grasping and release of said lifting bar 20 by a user, which signalling device is connected to said electronic control unit 90.
• such a signalling device 85 comprises a pair, or alternatively two pairs, of elements, an emitter and a receiver, e.g., photocells, located at opposite ends 20a and 20b of the lifting bar 20; for example, an emitting photocell is positioned at a first end 20a and an opposite receiving photocell is positioned at the opposite end 20b, or vice versa.
• an emitter and a receiver e.g., photocells
• the emitter and the receiver are positioned on the lifting bar 20, in a position to detect the presence of a hand on the same lifting bar 20.
• the signalling device 185 comprises at least one pair of elements, an emitter 185a and a receiver 185b, positioned facing a grasping area of the lifting bar 20 so as to detect the presence or absence of a single hand of the athlete on the lifting bar 20.
• the signalling device 185 comprises two pairs of elements, a first pair of emitter 185a and receiver 185b elements and a second pair of emitter 185c and receiver 185d elements, each pair of elements being positioned to detect the presence or absence of a corresponding athlete’s hand on the lifting bar.
• This alternative solution is particularly effective and is insensitive to any bending of the lifting bar 20.
• the emitter and receiver elements are mounted on the lifting bar 20 with position adjustment means along the same lifting bar 20.
• Such means may be a band of plastic material, or a metal sleeve with means for clinging to the bar, or other similar and equivalent reversible fixing means.
• the possibility of moving the emitter and receiver along the lifting bar 20 makes the signalling device 85 and 185 particularly versatile and easily adaptable to the specific ergonomics of the athlete.
• Said signalling device 85 is configured to operate so that the signal, which passes just above the lifting bar, preferably flush with the surface of the lifting bar 20 itself, is interrupted by the athlete’s hand being closed. The signal remains interrupted until the user athlete opens one hand, or both hands.
• all electronic components are of the safety-integrated type.
• the signalling device 85 is also connected to the electronic control unit 90.
• the electronic control unit 90 comprises, for example, a PLC.
• Said electronic control unit 90 is interconnected to the encoders of the electric motors 22 and 23 and by means of said encoders receives signals such as to be able to calculate position, speed and acceleration of the lifting bar 20.
• the electronic control unit 90 comprises a man-machine interface system, for example a panel with a touch screen; via the screen, the user athlete intervenes in the management of the motorised transmission means 21, determining the load for the physical weightlifting exercise.
• a man-machine interface system for example a panel with a touch screen
• the user athlete has the possibility of viewing and extracting the statistics of his training.
• the beginning and the end of the execution of one or more exercises are signalled through the hands-on type signalling device 85, whereby the closing of one hand around the lifting bar signals the start of the execution of an exercise, while the opening, whether voluntary or involuntary, of both hands forces the stop of the exercise machine 10.
• the electronic control unit 90 allows the gymnastic machine 10, through the action of the electric motors 22 and 23, to replicate the action of the force of gravity on the lifting bar 20, whose load is decided and set by the user athlete through the same electronic control unit 90.
• the electronic control unit 90 is configured, and therefore programmed, in such a way that, when the gymnastic machine 10 is switched on, the initial state of the lifting bar 20, i.e. , its position in particular, is first checked.
• the lifting bar 20 is positioned, by slow speed movements, at a fixed height above the ground.
• the user athlete positions himself inside the frame 11 of the gymnastic machine 10, ready to perform his exercise; the user athlete signals his presence by means of the hands-on signalling device 85 and performs, under a minimum load, two repetitions; in this way, the machine records the maximum and minimum heights that the barbell reaches during the real exercise.
• the athlete requests the application of the workload, and starts training.
• the electronic control unit 90 detects position, speed and acceleration of the lifting bar 20 in real time, so as to perform the following operations:
• the end of the exercise is signalled by the opening of the athlete’s hands, otherwise always gripping the lifting bar 20.
• the electric motors 22 and 23, by delivering torque, tension the belts 24 and 25 which, in turn, exert a load on the first vertical slides 14 and 15. This is the athlete’s training load.
• this step is optional, chosen by the athlete, and can be selected via the man-machine interface, i.e., through the touch screen of the electronic control unit 90;
• the electronic control unit 90 detects the presence of the athlete through the hands-on signalling device 85, and also detects the position, the speed and the acceleration of each of the electric motors 22 and 23 through their respective on-board encoders.
• the electronic control unit 90 is configured in such a way as to compare, between one repetition and the previous ones, position and speed in order to assess whether the athlete is getting tired, and therefore whether he will be able to complete the exercise independently; if fatigue is detected, the electronic control unit 90 commands the electric motors 22 and 23 to reduce the load.
• the electronic control unit 90 is configured to check at all times:
• This method of operation includes the following operating steps:
• this step is schematised by block 102;
• the electronic control unit 90 detects the activation of the hands-on signalling device 85, indicated by the symbol ‘h’, the position x, the speed x’ and the acceleration x”; this step is schematised by the block 104;
• this step is schematised by the block 105;
• control operation is schematised by the control block 106;
• this step is schematised by the block 108.
• the preparation step 200 ends.
• the preparation step 200 is followed by the training step 300.
• Said training step 300 comprises the following operating steps:
• this step is schematised by the block 109;
• this step is schematised by the block 110;
• the electronic control unit 90 detects the interruption of the signal between the emitter and the receiver of the signalling device 85, indicated by the symbol h, and also detects the position x, speed x’ and acceleration x” of the lifting bar 20, and the time t of execution of the exercise; this step is schematised by the block 111;
• the training step 300 comprises a cycle of safety operations 400 always iterated until the stop step 116 of conclusion of the exercise.
• This cycle of safety operations 400 comprises the following operating steps:
• Said auxiliary step 500 comprises the following operating steps:
• the training step 300 resumes from the load application step, block 110.
• the electronic control unit 90 is therefore configured to reduce the load under predetermined circumstances and to interrupt the exercise, while storing the exercise data in each case.
• the reduction of the load can have a limited duration, in fact very often the athlete, after a minimum help, succeeds in resuming independently the execution of the exercise, or it can be permanent, for example, in particular, if the reduction of the load has already occurred several times during the same exercise.
• a gymnastic machine has been developed which allows to eliminate the downtimes of replacement, removal or addition of loads, actions typical of the use of the barbells known today, being such gymnastic machine devoid of masses to be replaced, added or removed
• a gymnastic machine capable of continuously and accurately detecting the athlete’s performance has been devised.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
• Transplanting Machines (AREA)
• Lifting Devices For Agricultural Implements (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

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ID=71452658

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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• 2020
  • 2020-04-23 IT IT102020000008707A patent/IT202000008707A1/it unknown
• 2021
  • 2021-04-23 US US17/761,492 patent/US20220362621A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2021-04-23 WO PCT/IB2021/053364 patent/WO2021214723A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2021-04-23 BR BR112022020671A patent/BR112022020671A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2021-04-23 EP EP21726191.6A patent/EP4003541B1/de active Active
  • 2021-04-23 CN CN202180005156.7A patent/CN114340744A/zh active Pending

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