FR2594036A1 - MUSCLE APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FOR USE IN REHABILITATION. - Google Patents

Abstract

Muscle building apparatus, in particular for use in rehabilitation, comprising a fixed support for at least one extensible elastic member 14, assembled at the end of a traction element 18 of determined length, possibly adjustable. The invention is characterized in that said element 18 is guided by a first pulley 19 whose position is invariable with respect to the fixed support 2-8, then by a second pulley 22 whose position can be changed on said support, so that the variation in the position of the second pulley relative to the first allows adjustment of the direction of the force exerted by the user. (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

Bodybuilding apparatus, in particular for use in rehabilitation. The present invention relates to a bodybuilding apparatus, more particularly adapted to the functional rehabilitation of a person who has suffered an accidental handicap or the approval of a user simply wishing to develop his muscles.

Numerous embodiments of such devices are already known, which make it possible to implement training rehabilitation programs for patients or athletes, by allowing the repetition of movements of determined amplitude, orientation and intensity. , in order to cause the development or even the reconstitution of one or more particular muscles. Thus, systems are known which generally use adjustable weights that the user repeatedly raises, pulls or moves against springs, counterweights or other balancing and balancing elements, of which efficiency can also be adjusted at will. However, these known devices are usually expensive and require significant maintenance. As a result, they can not generally be acquired by individuals for their own personal use and are normally reserved for the equipment of specialized rooms or medical offices. This results in a first disadvantage for those who would like to make use of such a device more habitually, especially at home and at times, for example at sunrise or sunset, where the rooms in question are not necessarily available. Furthermore, these specialized and bulky devices do not allow to achieve very diverse movements aimed at the exertion of different muscles of the body, which is another drawback since it is then essential to have a complete set of devices to successively achieve the bodybuilding of different parts of the body such as the back or torso, arms, legs, neck, etc ...

The subject of the present invention is a weight training apparatus which overcomes these disadvantages by making it possible, by means of a particularly simple and inexpensive set to manufacture, to carry out multiple movements for reconstituting, exercising or developing the most effective muscles. diversified body. It is also intended to provide a device that is likely to be used by individuals at home, as well as in specialized rooms and in particular in medical practices of physiotherapy or functional rehabilitation.

For this purpose, the apparatus considered, comprising a fixed support for at least one extensible elastic member, joined at the end of a traction element of determined length, possibly adjustable, is characterized in that said element is guided by a first pulley whose position is invariable vis-à-vis the fixed support, then by a second pulley whose position is modifiable on said support, so that the variation of the position of the second pulley relative to the first allows a adjustment of the direction of the force exerted by the user.

According to a particular feature of the apparatus according to the invention, the end of the traction element opposite to that joined to the elastic member is secured to an actuating handle, provided with a positive release. stopping positionally adjustable according to the length of said element, so that by abutment of said handle on the second pulley, is adjusted the initial tension of the elastic member.

Advantageously, the first and second pulleys each comprise a sheave in the groove of which the traction element passes, the sheave being rotatably mounted about a transverse axis carried by a U-shaped clevis whose bottom is extended, at the opposite the sheave, by a rod terminated by means of connection with an anchor point, the clevis being freely rotatable about its shank so that the tensile force exerted on the handle can be oriented at will in a any plan.

By virtue of these arrangements, the musculature apparatus produced is arranged in such a way that the user can, prior to any force exerted on the traction element by means of the handle fixed thereto, adjust the initial tension of the the elastic member, by mofifying at will the relative position of the second pulley relative to the first, in particular on the fixed support. In addition, thanks to the design of these pulleys, which can freely move around the rod carrying their yoke, the direction of the force exerted can be determined at the choice of it, depending on the orientation of the movement to achieve and the nature of the muscle to develop or re-educate.

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the fixed support comprises an elongate board, the second pulley being carried by the board in an adjustable position and immobilized thereon by a locking means. cooperating with holes in the board and distributed along its longitudinal dimension. In this embodiment, hooks are provided in the vicinity of one end of the board, for attachment of the elastic member while the other end of said board supports the first pulley.

According to another characteristic also, the elastic member is constituted by a set of stents whose ends are joined on the one hand to the hooks provided at one end of the board and on the other hand together with the element of pulling by a carabiner with an opening device normally locked.

Moreover and according to an advantageous arrangement, the board has on each of its lateral faces at least one elastic member and a traction element in order to allow a simultaneous work, in synchronism or not, of two members of the user.

In another embodiment of the apparatus; the board carrying the second pulley is separated from the fixed support on which remain mounted the elastic member and the first pulley receiving the traction element, said board being disposed in any position vis-à-vis said support.

Advantageously and regardless of the embodiment adopted, the board supporting the second pulley is made of two foldable parts, one against the other to limit its bulk when not used.

Other features of a weighting apparatus established in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention, according to a preferred embodiment of the latter.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate larger wax-1 - di # @ - férent- details- entering the embodiment of the apparatus according to Figure 1.

- Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment.

- Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus in question. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1, designated as a whole under the reference 1, comprises in this first variant an elongate board 2, made in two equal parts, 2a and 2b respectively, and joined together by a lateral hinge 3 and a locking latch 4 allowing these two parts to be in the extension of one another to double the total length of the assembly once unfolded while facilitating the storage of the folded board, then limiting its size. The board 2 also comprises a series of holes or housings 5 distributed in line along the length of the board, these housings being successively spaced from one to the other by a determined distance. A measurement scale 6 is usefully drawn on the board next to the row of housing 5.

In the example shown, the board 2 is intended to be placed in vertical position against a bearing wall 7. For this purpose, it is associated with two end supports 8 having a T-shaped section and a fixing plate 9 for immobilizing these supports against the wall 7 by means of screws 10. The central part 11 of each of the supports 8 has a groove 11 in which the ends of the board 2 are respectively embedded. the latter unfolded, thus immobilizing the latter vertically to the wall 7.

On each of the lateral sides of the upper support 8 are arranged hooks 12, four in number in the example shown, for hooking on each of them an eyelet 13 provided at the end of an organ. elastic 14 of the extensor genus, such organs being in themselves well known and widely available commercially. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the apparatus also comprises four stents of the above type, it being understood that the number of these members used could be different according to the tensile force to be exerted with the apparatus. In particular, it goes without saying that one or more of these stents could be easily disabled by removing the corresponding eyelet 13 from the hook 12 where it normally engages.

At their opposite ends to the hooks 12, the stents 14 comprise other eyelets 15, joined together in a carabiner 16, in particular of the kind quack mountaineering, safety closing and quick opening. Thus, and as shown in the detail view of FIG. 2, this carabiner 16 comprises in particular a latch 17, allowing in the open position to engage one or more of the eyelets 15 and then to lock the assembly. so that these eyelets remain naked in a safe manner, without risk of uncontrolled expansion.

The carabiner 16 is also connected to the end of a traction element 18, here constituted by a rope or the like, having a mechanical resistance appropriate to the force exerted by this element. on the extensors 14, this rope being guided on the.support formed by the board 2 the <I> average </ I> of a first pulley 19, Figure 3 illustrates, on a larger scale, the detail of the realization.

This pulley comprises in particular a sheave 19a, provided with a groove 19b, in which the rope 18 passes, this sheave 19a being carried by a clevis 20 on a transverse axis 20a around which the sheave freely rotates. The yoke 20 has a U-shaped profile with a bottom 20b traversed by a support rod 21, comprising a head 21a and a threaded end portion 21b on which is mounted a locking nut 21c, in particular for fixing the pulley 19 on the lower bracket 8 of the device. Of course, other fastening means could be provided here and in particular the end of the hook rod 21 adapted to cooperate with an anchoring bow, the pulley 19 being able in one case as in the other to pivot around of the rod 21 to orient itself in any direction ly imposed by the tensile force exerted on the rope 18.

The rope 18, after returning to the first pulley 19, is brought to a second pulley 22, similar to the first and including in particular a support yoke 23 extended by a rod 24. Preferably, it is fixed at a point suitable anchorage on a transverse extension 25 formed on a plate 26, intended to be positioned against one of the faces corresponding to the board 2, being immobilized thereon by means of nuts 27 cooperating with screws (not shown) engaged in holes 5 arranged opposite in the board 2.

The user can thus adjust at will the position of the wafer 26 on the support board 2 and, for the same length of rope 18, exert a greater or lesser initial effort on the stents 14. Advantageously, these are determined so that their elongation corresponds to an exactly measured effort which, in particular, is generally close to 35 gr per cm. Also preferably, the wafer 26 has a mark (not shown in the drawings) which, by reference to the graduations of the rule 6 drawn on the che plane 2, makes it possible to determine the initial extension effort thus obtained. Note that the above assembly using a plate and locking nuts for the positioning of the second pulley 22, could be made differently and in particular simpler, engaging directly the rod carried by the yoke of the pulley in one of the holes of the board.

The rope 18, after passing over the sheave of the second pulley 22, then extends to connect to an actuating handle 28 of which Figure 4 also illustrates on a larger scale the embodiment. This handle thus preferably comprises a transverse bar 29 whose ends are secured to a stirrup 30, the branches of which are connected in an axial sleeve 31. The latter has two holes, 32 and 33 respectively, in which end of the rope 18 can be engaged by forming a loop, so as to lock. on the sleeve when a tensile force is exerted on the handle 28. The initial position thereof on the rope 18 can thus be adjusted, by sliding its end in the holes 32 and 33 in one direction or in the other. It should be emphasized that here too, it could be envisaged to fix the rope 18 on the handle 28 in any other way without departing from the scope of the invention. In all cases in fact, the handle 28 must allow the user, whose arm has been schematized at 34 in Figure 1, to exert a force transmitted by the rope 18 to the stents 14, this effort being It is more important that the number of these extensors in use is itself higher and that the plate 26 carrying the second pulley 22 has determined on these exten sors an initial force of traction greater.

As also shown in Figure 1, we see that the apparatus is normally provided to include two sets identical to that just described, respectively arranged on one and the other of the vertical faces of the board 2 forming support , the traction elements or ropes 18 and 35 used in one and the other of these sets being respectively joined to two handles 28 and 36, which thus allow the user to work simultaneously two members, including his two arms. It should be noted that because of the possibility of orienting the pulley clevises in any direction, the apparatus allows the traction movements carried out by means of the handles to be effected both upwards and downwards. , laterally, or in any other combination desired.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment directly inspired by that illustrated in Figure 1 where accordingly, were taken the same reference numerals to designate the same organs. In this case, the board 2 is no longer immobilized against a support wall but more simply against a fixed support structure, playing the same role, for example against a door 37 which it is, similarly, made integral. For this purpose, the supports 8 receiving the ends of the che plane 2 are respectively provided with brackets 38 and 39, suitably shaped to fit on the upper and lower parts of the leaf of the door 37, the immobilization of these brackets being made by locking screws 40. The brackets 38 and 39 have a sufficiently small thickness so that they do not interfere with the movement of the door in its frame or door 41, the door 37 thus equipped to maintain the board of singing to form the fixed support of the device, without requiring any drilling, the device can also end of use, be easily dismounted.

Figure 6 illustrates another alternative embodiment. In this, the stents 14 and the rope 18 forming the traction element, joined together by the carabiner 16, do not cooperate directly with a vertical plank which, as in the previous example, would be applied against the wall of In this variant, where the apparatus is more particularly adapted to the exercise or the re-education of the lower limbs of a patient, the fixed support is distinct from the board itself which is here disposed on the ground, in a perpendicular direction or otherwise. The board 42 is supported by a frame 43, arranged under a work or massage table 44. The board 42, placed edgewise on this frame, comprises, as before, holes 45, a registration graduation 46 and a plate 47 supporting the second pulley 48, the traction member 18 guided by it after returning by the first pulley 19 ending in a collar or bracelet 49 adapted to be mounted around the ankle 50 of the patient, sitting or lying on In this variant, the apparatus makes it possible more particularly to make the muscles of the lower limbs work by using exactly the same principles as those envisaged in the preceding variants, particularly with regard to the intensity and orientation of the components. efforts required to provoke the traction of the extensors. Note also that the transformation of the apparatus to move from the embodiment according to Figure 1 to that of Figure 6 requires only a 90 'pivot of the board which, initially held in the brackets 8, comes in the second case fit on the frame 43 without further modifications of the apparatus.

As it follows already from the foregoing, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to the only examples more specifically described and represented above; on the contrary, it embraces all the variations. In particular, the movable pulley of the device regulating the intensity of the exerted force could cooperate with the board according to other arrangements, according to the relative position and orientation of the various components of the apparatus, as well as the place where the user intervenes. In particular, and as also shown in FIG. 6, the vertical uprights of the table 44 (where appropriate on the frame which delimits its upper part) may be provided with holes similar to those provided in the plate 42, and allowing these amounts to cooperate with a cross member 51 (shown in phantom in the Figure), this crossbar can be fixed at variable height on the table and serve as a support for the second pulley of the device.

In a variant also, the table used in the preceding example could be substituted by a cage structure constituted by vertical uprights and horizontal crosspieces connecting these uprights, while being further adapted to cooperate as above with one or more cleats. horizontal, whose positioning can be adjusted in height on these amounts. By arranging regularly spaced holes in the uprights, ties and cleats, we can hang the second pulley in the cage at any location depending on the needs of rehabilitation to achieve. Similarly, it is easy to mount in such a cage structure several pulleys for the implementation of different movements performed simultaneously or not.

Claims (10)

1. Bodybuilding apparatus, in particular for use in rehabilitation, comprising a fixed support for at least one extensible elastic member, joined at the end of a traction element of determined length, possibly adjustable, characterized in that said element (18 ) is guided by a first pulley (19) whose position is invariable vis-à-vis the fixed support (2-8), then by a second pulley 22 whose position is modifiable on said support, so that the variation the position of the second pulley relative to the first allows adjustment of the direction of the effort exerted by the user. 2. A weight training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the traction element 18 opposite to that joined to the elastic member 14 is secured to an actuating handle (28-36) provided with a stopping device (31-32-33) with adjustable positioning according to the length of said element, such that by abutment of said handle on the second pulley (22) is adjusted the initial tension of the elastic member than. 3. The weight training device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second pulleys (19-22) each comprise a sheave (19a) in the groove (19b) from which the traction element passes ( 18), the sheave being rotatably mounted about a transverse axis (20a) carried by a yoke (20) having a U-profile whose bottom (20b) is extended, opposite the sheave, by a rod (21). terminated by a connecting means (21b-21c) with an anchor point, the yoke being freely rotatable about its shank so that the tensile force exerted on the handle can be oriented at will in any plane . 4. A weight training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixed support comprises an elongate board (2), the second pulley (22) being carried by the board in an adjustable position and immobilized on that by a locking means (26-27) cooperating with holes (5) formed in the board and distributed along its longitudinal dimension. 5. Bodybuilding apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that hooks (13) are provided in the vicinity of one end of the board (2) for attachment of the elastic member (14) while the another end of said board (2) supports the first pulley (19). 6. A weight training device according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic member (14) is constituted by a set of stents whose ends are joined on the one hand to the hooks (13) provided at one end of the board (2) and on the other hand together with the pulling element (18) by a snap hook (16) with an opening device (17) normally locked. 7. A weight training device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the board- (2) has on each of its lateral faces at least one elastic member (14) and a traction element (18) in order to allow a simultaneous work, in synchronism or not, of two members of the user. 8. A weight training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the board (2) carrying the second pulley (48) is separated from the fixed support on which remain mounted the elastic member (14) and the first pulley (19) receiving the traction member (18), said board being disposed in any position vis-à-vis said support. 9. A weight training device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the board (2) supporting the second pulley (22-48) is made in two parts, foldable against each other in order to limit clutter when not in use. 10. A weight training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second pulley is carried by a cage consisting of vertical uprights joined by horizontal crosspieces and comprising at least one horizontal cleat disposed between two uprights, the positioning of the second pulley (22) being performed at any predetermined point in the cage.