FR2880544A1 - Sprocket rotation control device, for e.g. cardio-muscular training equipment, has rotating unit with peripheral surface opposite to peripheral surfaces of respective rollers which are mounted free in rotation around respective axles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a rotating unit e.g. flywheel, rotatably driven by two hand cranks. The unit has a peripheral surface opposite to peripheral surfaces (440, 450, 460, 470) of respective rollers (44, 45, 46, 47). The rollers are mounted free in rotation around respective axles (37, 38, 39, 40) which are parallel to each other and are parallel to an axle (18) of the cranks, where the axles support the rollers. An independent claim is also included for a physical exercise equipment having a sprocket rotation control device.

Description

The invention relates to a device for controlling the rotation of a wheel

  toothed, rotated by at least one crank equipping an exercise machine.

  The term exercise apparatus refers to all exercise, cardio-muscular, rehabilitation, or sport training equipment equipped with a rotating, adjustable mechanism and in which the motive force is provided by a movement of rotation of the arms and / or legs of the user. Such devices, also known as home exercise bikes and cardiovascular equipment allow muscle work through a rotational movement of the arms and / or legs adjacent to a pedaling movement. This rotational movement is transmitted by, in general, two cranks, or a crankset, a wheel or a steering wheel via a chain or a toothed belt. Resistance, adjustable to the rotation is obtained by braking systems of the belt or chain, in particular by pads, jaws or by magnetic braking on a flywheel.

  These different systems are not efficient because the braking is not progressive and because the adjustment of the resistance to effort provided by the user is not continuous. In addition, with systems with shoes or jaws, there is rapid wear of the brake system and / or the chain or belt, which generates less effective braking over time. Magnetic braking, ineffective if the practitioner has a significant muscular power, is not easy to adjust and does not allow him, either, to obtain a progressive and continuous braking.

  It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a braking device for a physical exercise device, effective, perennial, progressive, continuous, adapted to a large population of users and permitting permanent control and precise resistance to effort.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for controlling the rotation of at least one crank fitted to a physical exercise apparatus, characterized in that the device comprises a rotatable member with a circular section, rotated by the crank and provided with a clean surface to receive in adjustable support a complementary surface of at least one braking member mounted freely in rotation.

  Thanks to the freely rotatably mounted brake element, a gradual, controlled and smooth braking is provided which allows the apparatus to be used optimally while reducing the mutual wear of the parts. being all in rotation, even during a powerful braking.

  According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such a device may incorporate one or more of the following features: the rotary member is a pulley or a wheel whose at least a portion of the peripheral surface forms the bearing surface .

  - The member is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the crank.

  - The device comprises a plurality of rotational members mounted free to rotate each about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the crank.

  - The braking members are wheels or rollers mounted on a support so as to be regularly arranged around the rotary member, at least a portion of the peripheral surface of each roller being supported on the peripheral surface which forms the surface support of the rotary member.

  - The support is generally configured in double U with a fixed branch, the other branch and the bottom of the support being hinged to each other and relative to the fixed branch.

  The branches of the double U forming the support are connected at their free ends by means of adjusting the gap between the free ends of these branches.

  - The connecting means comprise a rod pivotally mounted at one end on the fixed branches of the support and whose free end is adjustably retained in position on the movable legs of the support.

  Exercise apparatus equipped with a control device according to one of the preceding features.

  The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a device according to the invention, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exercise machine equipped with a braking device according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a side view, on a larger scale, a control device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the hood being open and the driving cranks being omitted for clarity of the drawing, - Figure 3 is a side view. of the rotary member and the braking member of the device of FIG. 2 shown only, in the minimum braking position; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the device being in the maximum braking position, - Figure 5 is a perspective view on another scale, of the rotary member alone, - Figure 6 is a section along line VI-VI in Figure 4, on a different scale, - Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the kinematic chain. the device of Figures 1 to 6 and - Figure 8 is a schematic representation similar to Figure 7 for a second embodiment of the device.

  The exercise machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is a device called cardio training. It comprises a foot 2 supporting a tubular frame 4, part of which is adapted to receive a seat 6. The other part of the frame carries, close to its end, a housing 8 housing the device 10 for controlling the rotation of a wheel driven by two cranks 12 arranged on each side of the housing 8. The cranks are provided to be taken in hand by a user to rotate them and develop the musculature of the upper body.

  On the top, the housing 8 is equipped with a handle 14 for adjusting a braking force which opposes the rotation of the cranks and an electronic console 16 displaying various operating parameters. These parameters include, for example, the speed of rotation of the cranks, the time, the dissipated power, the heart rate of the user, in which case, sensors are arranged on the console 16, or other parameters necessary for the management. exercise.

  In a variant not shown, the apparatus is attached to a vertical wall. In this case, it lacks a seat 6 and a foot 2, the exercise being performed in a standing position.

  In another variant not shown, the cranks 12 are equipped with pedals and actuated by the feet of the user, the apparatus then has a bicycle-type configuration, the housing 8 being disposed below or at the seat 6.

  The control device 10 comprises an axis 18 passing through the housing 8, perpendicular to the blanks thereof. Each end of this axis 18 is equipped with a handle 12A so as to form a set of two cranks 12 drive. A first gear 20 is fixed on the axis 18, permanently or removably. The rotation of the cranks 12 and the axis 18 therefore causes the wheel 20 to rotate. This first wheel 20 meshes with a second coaxial gear 21 which is integral in rotation with a third gear 22 which meshes with a gear wheel. fourth gear wheel 23 centered on the axis 18 but not secured thereto. The wheels 20 to 23 together form a gear which makes it possible to increase the speed of rotation of the cranks between the wheels 20 and 23.

  A rotary member 24 in the form of a pulley or flywheel comprises a main body 25 made of a rigid material, for example a metal or a polymer-based material. The outer peripheral surface of the pulley 24 is noted. This surface is slightly concave and formed of the same material as the main body 25, with a smooth surface state. Alternatively, the surface 26 can be obtained by locally covering the body 25, which may be steel, with another smooth material, for example a low-adhesion polymer.

  The pulley 24 is integral with a tubular axis 27. This axis 27 is parallel and concentric with the axis 18 of the cranks, the latter being inserted into the internal lumen of the tubular axis 27. The connection between the axes 27 and 18 is achieved by means of ball bearings 28. The 18 axis of the cranks is free to rotate relative to the steering wheel 24 as shown in Figure 7.

  Alternatively, the pulley 24 may be attached to the axis 27 and secured thereto by any appropriate means.

  The tubular axis 27 is also integral with the toothed wheel 23. Thus, thanks to the gear 20-23, the pulley 24 is rotated by the cranks 12, with a speed which depends on the ratio of the teeth of the wheels 20 to 20. 23. The number and / or diameters retained of the wheels of the gearing allow a range of gear ratios that are sufficient to adapt to the different forces of the user and / or to the exercise envisaged.

  Alternatively, the wheel 23 may be attached to the axis 27 and secured thereto by any appropriate means.

  A support 30 is formed by two parallel sets of bars 32, 34, 36 of metal or a polymer-based material. Each busbar 32, 34, 36 is configured generally in U. This support 30, in double U, is arranged so that the steering wheel 24 is housed between the busbars, in the space between the busbars . The support 30 is oriented so that the bars 32, 34 forming the branches of the U are generally horizontal.

  The lower bars 32 of each set are attached to a wall of the housing 8 or, alternatively, to the frame of the apparatus. The upper bars 34 and the bottom bars 36 of the U of each set are hinged together, the bars 36 being also articulated with the lower bars 32.

  In this way, two sets of U-shaped bars whose spacing E between the lower and upper branches 32 is adjustable, in an identical manner.

  The bars of the two busbars are interconnected by seven axes 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 parallel to the axis 18. Two axes, 37, 38 form the axes of articulation between the bottom 36 and the branches 32 and 34 of the U. Five other axes 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 connect together the bars 32, 34 of the two sets of bars arranged on either side of the pulley 24.

  The axes 37, 38, 39, 40 each support a roller 44 respectively, 45, 46, 47 mounted free to rotate about the axis supporting it. These rollers 44, 45, 46, 47 are inserted between the two sets of bars 32, 34, 36.

  The axes 37 to 40 are parallel to each other and parallel to the axis 18 of the cranks 12. The distribution of the rollers 44 to 47 on the support 30 and the position of the support are such that the four rollers 44 to 47 are regularly distributed around the pulley 24. Thus, in this arrangement, the peripheral surface 26 of the pulley 24 is opposite the peripheral surface 440, 450, 460, 470 of each of the rollers 44, 45, 46, 47.

  A rod 48, inserted between the sets of bars 32, 34, connects the free ends of the lower bars 32. This rod 48 is pivotally mounted about an axis 42 connecting the bars 32. The free end of the rod 48 carries the handle 14.

  A coil spring 50 is mounted under the handle 14 between a washer 51 of fixed abutment and a washer 52 movable in translation along the rod 48. The movable washer 52 is further away from the handle 14 than the washer 51 and presses on a bar 53 oriented in a direction parallel to the axis 18 of the cranks 12. The bar 53 is sliding along the rod 48. This bar 53 is adapted to be housed selectively in notches 54 formed on the upper edge of the In this way, by moving the rod 48 from one notch 54 to the other, the distance E between the free ends 32A and 34A of the lower and upper bars 34 of the support 30 is reduced or lengthened. Thus, each U is closed or opened, which has the effect of bringing the rollers 44 to 47 closer to or away from the surface 26 of the steering wheel 24.

  In Figure 3, the rollers 44 to 47 are not in contact with the surface 26 of the wheel 24. This is the minimum braking position. The flywheel is not braked in its rotation, there is no resistance opposed to the rotation of the cranks12.

  In Figure 4, the position of the rod 48 causes a minimum separation of the branches 32, 34 of each U. The rollers 44 to 47 strongly support by their surfaces 440 to 470 on the surface 26, thus braking its rotation and opposing a resistance In this configuration, the rollers 44 to 47 and the flywheel 24 rotate at the same speed, which limits the mutual wear of the parts 44 to 47 and 24.

  In the intermediate position of the rod 48, the support is more or less strong between the rollers 44 to 47 and the steering wheel 24, which allows a uniform and adjustable braking. In this configuration the rollers 44 to 47 and the steering wheel 24 rotate at the same speed, regardless of the bearing force of the rollers 44 to 47 on the steering wheel 24.

  The braking is, in all cases, carried out simultaneously on several points of the peripheral surface 26 of the flywheel 24. This is thus slowed down uniformly, which makes it possible to obtain a uniform and progressive resistance to the rotation of the cranks 12. Therefore, the user must provide a continuous effort, smoothly to compensate for braking. In addition to increased comfort of use, this improves the effectiveness of exercise and avoids muscle and / or joint trauma consecutive jolts.

  In the variant shown in Figure 8, the pulley 24 is not disposed on an axis 27 concentric to the axis 18 of the cranks, but on an axis 27 'carrying another wheel 23 of the gear. Such a device offers a larger footprint than previously described. Nevertheless, it makes it possible to produce a gear with a greater number of wheels.

  Alternatively not shown, the apparatus 1 may be equipped with cranks 12. In this case, the steering wheel 24 is fixed and integral in rotation with the axis of the cranks. In this case, the lack of gearing does not allow to increase the speed of rotation of the cranks 12. This configuration allows the realization of a small device.

  In another embodiment not illustrated, the energy accumulated by the resistance to the operation of the cranks 12 is restored, for example by means of a dynamo-type device that can supply and / or recharge a battery ensuring the operation of the electronic console 16.

  The number of rollers used in the invention is not limited to four. Thus, for example, a single roller can be used, in which case it has a greater diameter than in the example shown so that the friction surface during braking is substantially similar to that described. Two, three or more than four rollers may be used.

Claims (1)

11 CLAIMS   1. Device for controlling the rotation of at least one crank equipping an apparatus (1) physical exercise, characterized in that said device (10) comprises a rotary member (24) with circular section, rotated by said crank (12) and provided with a surface (26) adapted to receive adjustable support a complementary surface (440 to 470) of at least one braking member (44 to 47) mounted freely in rotation.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotary member is a pulley or a wheel (24), at least a portion of the peripheral surface forms said bearing surface (26).   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said member (24) is rotatable about an axis (27, 27 ') substantially parallel to the axis (18) of rotation of said crank (12).   4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of braking members (44, 45, 46, 47) mounted free to rotate each about an axis (37, 38, 39, 40). substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (18) of the crank (12).   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said braking members are wheels or rollers (44, 45, 46, 47) mounted on a support (30) so as to be regularly arranged around said rotary member (24). ), at least a portion of the peripheral surface (440, 450, 460, 470) of each roller (44, 45, 46, 47) resting on the peripheral surface (26) which forms said bearing surface of said member rotary (24).   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said support (30) is generally configured in double U with one branch (32) fixed, the other leg (34) and the bottom (36) of said support being hinged (37). 38) between them and with respect to the fixed branch (32).   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said legs (32, 34) of the double U forming the support (30) are connected at their free ends by means (48, 51-54) of adjustment of the deviation (E) between the free ends (32A, 34A) of said legs (32, 34).   8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said connecting means comprise a rod (48) pivotally mounted (42) at one end on the fixed branches (32) of the support and whose free end (14) is retained so adjustable in position on the movable legs (34) of the support (30).   9. Apparatus (1) physical exercise equipped with a control device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.