FR2590801A1 - Muscle-development apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to muscle-development and gymnastics apparatuses used for athletic or therapeutic purposes and, more particularly, its subject is a wide-extension isokinetic hand and foot exerciser, operating in contraction and in extension, composed of two arms 1 and 2 articulating about an axis X-X at one end and each equipped with a handle 3 and 4 at the other end, or with the piece 24. Between each arm 1 and 2 is fastened a hydraulic or pneumatic apparatus 9 of the jack or shock-absorber type operating in extension and in compression. This brakes the spacing apart and then the closing together of the two arms 1 and 2, thus requiring expenditure of muscular energy.

Description

 The present invention relates to bodybuilding and gymnastics apparatus used for athletic or therapeutic purposes and more particularly relates to an isokinetic hand and foot exerciser, with great movement operating on contraction and in extension.

 In general, the devices existing today are either systems: spring, elastic or weight. They have a common characteristic: they have a natural tendency, when they are called upon, to return to their starting position.

 The muscle group that came into action for the first part of the movement will be the same for the second part, there is no pause time and quickly apraraSt fatigue then pain.Moreover the movements have a small amplitude and they offer a small variety of e = ercice positions forcing the user to acquire a multitude of devices.

 According to the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to provide an isokinetic exerciser operating in extension and in contraction alternately using groups of antagonistic muscles according to a complete cycle of work then of relaxation.

 Its action is compatible with nature because the muscles work in groups opposing each other.

 So when an individual works the muscles of the arm: his biceps contracts while the triceps undergoes a relaxation effect and vice versa.

 The advantage of the present invention is that it causes less fatigue and less pain after use.

This comes from the fact that the exerciser allows a brief pause time at each phase of the work cycle (contractionrelaxation) to eliminate toxins.

 The comfort provided by this device motivates the user for regular use.

 A striking feature of this invention is that it is capable of performing complete movements of very large amplitudes allowing harmonious muscle development.

 Another outstanding feature of this invention is that it offers practically uniform resistance to movement both in compression or in extension and the expenditure of muscular energy depends on the vigor with which the practitioner actuates the arms of the apparatus in function. of each person's own ability so that it can just as easily suit a beginner of low strength as an experienced athlete without having to adjust or modify any part of the exerciser.

 The present invention offers the advantage of allowing a very wide variety of exercise positions by actuating it either with two hands, or with one hand and one foot, or arm extended by hanging the apparatus at a certain height by a bungee cord to the round peak which forms the axis of articulation of the arms of the device, either with the two feet by fixing one arm to a work bench and adapting to the other arm, instead of a handle a part allowing to operate with the feet this in order to develop the various parts of the body.

 In addition, it is very compact and light.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention will appear on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings in which the figures (I! To (8) show schematically and in a non-exhaustive manner the characteristics of the invention.

 FIG I: is a perspective view of the hydraulic exerciser in extension and in contraction according to the invention.

FIG IA: is a variant of the end of the arm (I) fixed to the axis (Xx). I1 can be direct t fig I), curved forming an angle or a rounding (fig IA)
FIG 2: is a sectional view of the hydraulic system.

 FIG 3: illustrates an exercise using a hand and a foot of the user facing the device.

 FIG 4: illustrates an exercise using a hand and a foot, the apparatus being perpendicular to the user.

FIG 5: Perspective view of an exercise using both hands, the apparatus being suspended by a bungee cord attached to the round peak (I4)
FIG 6: top view of an exercise using both hands, the apparatus being suspended.

 FIG 7: perspective view of the device fixed vertically to a work table (25) and equipped with the part (24) (Fig 8) which allows a user seated on the work bench (25) to operate the arm (2), remaining mobile, with the two feet placed between the support points (26).

 FIG E: perspective view of the part (24) used to actuate the arm (2) with the feet placed between the points of support (26 !. Dotted with foam sheaths (27).

 In all the figures, the same reference numerals are used to designate the elements or iientic or similar organs.

 In Figure I an isokinetic exerciser according to the invention comprises two arms (I) and (2) articulated along the axis (X-X).

 Each arm (I) and (2) is formed by a rigid tubular piece.

 The arm (I) is pinched by the flat parts (I3 A) and (I3 B) themselves welded on each side at one end of the arm (2).

 The round peg and a spacer (I4) ensure the li mink through right through the three parts, separated by washers, tightened by a nut, thus forming the axis of articulation (X-X).

 the actuating handles (3) and (4) are each. pivotally mounted at the end of the arms (I) and (2). The remoteness of the handles (3) and (4) has the effect of spreading the arms (I) and (2) implementing the hydraulic system which is attached thereto.

 The handles (3) and (4) as well as the parts (5A) (5B) (5A) (6) are replaceable by the part (24) seen as a whole in (figure 8) and allows actuation in the axis (XX) the arm (2) with the feet placed between the support points (26), the arm (I) being fixed vertically to the work bench (25) (Figure 7), the user being seated one leg on each side of the exerciser.

 A hydraulic device (9) is pivotally attached by its two drilled ends (22) and (23) to the arms (I) and (2) by the fastening systems (7) and (8) screwed or welded.

 The hydraulic device (Figure 2) comprises a tube (9) closed at both ends by the parts (I8) and (ION) and are fixed to the tube (9) by clips. The seal is obtained by thoracic joints.

 The part (I8) is bored in its center, in part, to receive a seal (I9) fixed by a clips.

 The rod (IOA), part of which is outside the jack (fig2) and the other inside, slides by reciprocating movements and allows the piston (I6) fitted with a valve (I7) to move. When the piston (I6) moves to the left, the oil at (20) is pushed to the right through the valve (I7). When the piston (I6) moves to the right the oil in (20) is pushed to the left through the valve (I7).

 The part (I5) forms a watertight partition between the part (20) filled with oil and the part (21) containing compressed air, or a spring or gas.

 The air is introduced by a valve (II) and presses the partition (I5) against the oil (20) and follows the movements of the latter depending on the presence or absence of the rod (IO A) the volume of which is added to or subtracted from the volume of oil (20), the latter being incompressible.

 The part (IOB) is provided with a hole allowing its fixing on the part (8) attached to the arm (2). The rod (IO A) is pierced with a hole allowing it to be fixed on the part (7) attached to the arm (I).

 The body (9) of the jack (fig 2) as well as the parts (IOB) (I8) (I6-) and (I5) are made of high resistance synthetic material. They can also be made of metal.

 It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but au'elle extends to all variants or equivalent forms as defined by the claims which follow:

Claims (5)

CLAIMS I.- Isokinetic muscular and gymnastic ticker exerciser with large clearance used for athletic or therapeutic purposes characterized in that it comprises to act in combination: two arms (I) and (2) articulated along the axis (Xx), each arm comprising hooking members (7) and (8) receiving a hydraulic system (9). Two handles (3) and (4) are each pivotally mounted at the end of the arms (I) and (2). For the work of the jam bes the handles (3) and (4) are replaced by the part (24)  2.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in that  that the end of the arm (I) fixed to the axis (x-x) is direct  (figure I). He can; also be bent, forming an angle  or a rounding, example (figure TA). He is pinched by  flat parts (I3A) and (I3B) themselves welded from each  side of one end of the arm (2) o 3.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in  that the round stud and a spacer (I4) ensure the connection  its crossing right through the three pieces tight  by a nut and forming the articulation axis (X-x) 4.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in that  that each arm (I) and (2) is made up of parts  rigid tubular and each receives a hanging member  ge (7) and (8) screwed or welded. 5.- Exerciser according to claim T characterized in that  that on each attachment member (7) and (8) comes  fix one end (IOA) and (IOB) of the hydraulic system  (9) + (Figure 2) 6.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in that  the hydraulic system (9) operates in compression  and in extension by circulation of oil through the  piston (I6) by the valve (I7). Oil can be replaced  created by air or gas. 7. Exerciser according to claim I, characterized in that  that a valve (II) makes it possible to introduce compressed air  in part (21), which may also contain a spring or  a gas pocket, which places the bulkhead (I5) con  be the oil whose volume changes according to the  presence of the rod (IOA) in the oil-filled part  (20), the latter being incompressible. 8.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in  the cylinder body (9) and the parts (ION) gI8)  (I5) and (I6) are made of high-resistance synthetic material  this. Parts (IOB) and (I8) are fixed to the cylinder body  (9) by clips or by screwing. 9. Exerciser according to claim I, characterized in that  that an actuating handle is pivotally mounted to a  end of the arm (I) and another handle on the arm (2),  thus allowing gripping either with both hands  either with one hand and one foot. IO.- Exerciser according to claim I characterized in that  that the exerciser can be attached vertically to a bench  working (25) by the arm (I) while the arm (2) which remains mobile receives the part (24)

 allowing the user to operate it in the axis (x-x) with the feet placed between the support points (26). Foam sheaths (27) are fitted on the support points (26) to protect the ankles during the execution of the movements.