FR3096269A1 - Hamstring strengthening device - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for strengthening the hamstrings This apparatus (1) comprises a frame (10), as well as a carriage (20), provided with a seat (21) and mounted movable in translation along an axis (X20) on the frame . It also comprises a footrest (30), provided with at least one footrest (31) and mounted on the frame while being, during use, both fixed relative to the frame and arranged relative to the carriage so that, by bending at least one of his legs, the user seated on the seat moves the carriage in translation and thus modifies the axial distance between the carriage and the footrest. The apparatus also comprises a force application member (40), applying to the carriage a force (F) which tends to separate the carriage from the footrest and which, during use, must be overcome by an effort produced by the user's hamstrings to control the movement of the carriage in translation. This device is simple and safe to use, while allowing you to work the hamstrings effectively and completely. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Description Title of Invention: Hamstring Strengthening Device

The present invention relates to a device for strengthening the hamstrings.

The invention relates to the field of muscle building and associated devices.

Muscle building can be defined as any activity or training program aimed at specifically working a muscle chain to improve its efficiency.

The invention is more specifically concerned with the strengthening of the hamstrings, that is to say the muscles of the back of the thigh and which essentially includes an external beam, called biceps crural or biceps femoris, and two internal beams , namely the semitendinosus or semitendinosus and. the semi-membranous or semi-membranous.

[0003] It will be noted that, throughout the present. document, the term "leg" is understood in its ordinary sense and not in its strict anatomical sense.

In other words, the leg designates here the entire lower limb of a human being, including, at the same time, the thigh up to its upper articulation with the hip, the knee, the foot and the part, called crural , between the knee and the foot, as well as the ankle.

[0004] The hamstrings are known for, among other things, allowing, by bending the leg at the knee, the flexion of the crural part on the thigh and the extension of the crural part backwards. , when walking and running.

They also allow the pool to be partially fixed by their upper attachments.

The hamstrings are relatively fragile muscles that risk straining during too sudden or too intense efforts.

In particular, care must be taken not to neglect the strengthening of the hamstrings, especially when the muscles at the front of the thigh are powerful, otherwise the muscular balance of the leg risks being compromised during certain movements, with, for example, risks of misalignment of the patella, stretching of certain knee ligaments, etc.

Strengthening the hamstrings can also be beneficial in certain back pathologies.

[0005] Devices for strengthening the hamstrings exist and are available on the market.

[0006] The most common devices, called "kg cuti", comprise a fixed seat and a mobile resistant bar which the user, seated on the seat, forces downwards by pressing the crural part of his legs thereon, while bending the legs at the knees.

These “leg cuti” devices only allow limited work on the hamstrings since the hip joint is fixed and the foot is not stressed.

[0007] Other devices are specially designed for practicing the exercise called "Nordic hamstring curl": the user kneels on a fixed cushion dc the device and, after having stuck his feet in the footrests of the device, the user lowers 2 his bust towards the ground then raises it.

This exercise strengthens the hamstrings with hip opening, but is impossible to perform by working only one of the two legs.

In addition, this exercise is relatively dangerous due to the risk of the user falling forward, so it is generally practiced in the presence of an assistant who secures the movements of the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new device for strengthening the hamstrings, which is both simple and safe to use by any user, while allowing the hamstrings to be worked effectively and completely. .

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for strengthening the hamstrings, comprising:

[0010] - a support frame fixed to the ground,

[0011] - a carriage, which is mounted on the frame while being movable in translation along an axis relative to the frame, and which is provided with a seat on which a user sits when using the device ,

[0012] - a footrest provided with at least one footrest in which a foot of the user is fixedly received relative to the rest of the footrest when using the device, which footrest is mounted on the chassis while being, during use of the apparatus, both fixed relative to the chassis and arranged relative to the carriage so that, by bending at least one of its legs, the user sitting on the seat moves the carriage in translation along the axis and thus modifies the axial distance between the carriage and the footrest, and

[0013] - a force application member, adapted to apply to the carriage a force which tends to separate the carriage from the footrest along the axis and which, when using the device, must be overcome by a force produced by the hamstrings of the user to control the movement of the carriage in translation along the axis.

[0014] The basic idea of the invention is to make the user work while he is seated on a trolley, mounted to move in translation on a frame, and that one and/or the other of his feet are wedged in relation to the chassis in an ad hoc footrest: by bending his leg or legs, the foot of which is thus wedged, the user can control the movement in translation of the chassis, provided that the effect produced by his hamstrings to flex his or both legs overcomes a force which is applied to the carriage and which tends to move the carriage away from the footrest.

The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to work the hamstrings in a particularly effective manner, in the sense that the hip and the ankle of each leg to be bent are not fixed but can be worked freely by the user during corresponding knee flexion.

Of course, the work of the hamstrings can be carried out as well in shortening during the closure of the knee and/or the 3 hip when the user controls, that is to say "tracts" the carriage towards the rest - foot against the force, only in stretching during the opening of the knee and/or the hip when the user controls, that is to say "brakes" the recoil of the trolley vis-à-vis -screw of the footrest, driven by force.

In addition, for each translated position of the carriage, the user can work his hamstrings by trying to keep this position stable against the action of the force.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to work differently on the internal beams and the external beam of the hamstrings, by varying the orientation of the user's foot with respect to his sagittal plane, as detailed by the following.

Also as described in more detail below, the device according to the invention can integrate numerous adjustment possibilities with regard to its footrest, which makes it possible to adapt the device to the morphology of the user. and which makes it possible to work all or part of the hamstrings differently according to the specific reinforcement needs of the user.

In addition, the origin of the force applied to the carriage can be gravity or inertial, the device according to the invention being advantageously compatible with various force generation devices.

In all cases, the device according to the invention proves to be particularly easy and practical to use, without putting the user at risk.

[0015] According to additional advantageous characteristics of the device according to the invention, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:

[0016] - The trolley is also provided with a backrest, against which the user leans when using the device and whose inclination relative to the seat can be changed when adjusting the device.

- The or each footrest is designed to receive the foot of the user in at least two different positions of the foot relative to the rest of the corresponding leg of the user, namely an inside position, in which the foot is rotated towards the sagittal plane of the user, and an out position, in which the foot is rotated away from the sagittal plane of the user.

- The or each footrest comprises both a support cushion for the Achilles tendon associated with the foot, and a wedging cushion for the back of the foot.

- The or each footrest further comprises a support plate for the sole of the foot.

[0020] - The support cushion and / or the wedging cushion and / or the support plate of the or each footrest are connected to the frame in an adjustable manner, each being movable relative to the frame during adjustment of the device, in particular to modify vertically the respective positions of the support cushion and/or the wedging cushion and/or the support plate, and/or to modify the respective positions of the support cushion and/or of the wedging cushion and/or of the support plate, and/or to modify the inclination of the support plate with respect to the vertical.

[0021] - The force application member comprises a traction member which is adapted both to connect the carriage to a force generating device, able to generate said force, and to transmit said force to the carriage by pulling the carriage following the axis in the opposite direction to the footrest.

- The device comprises return pulleys of the traction member, which are carried by the frame being arranged so as to place the force generating device on the side of the footrest, axially opposite the carriage.

[0023] - The device includes said force generating member, the latter comprising either a heavy load, to which the traction member is secured and which generates said force by gravity, or a flywheel, around which the the traction member is wound and which generates said force by inertial rotation.

[0024] - The seat incorporates a wedging bulge for the user's gluteal muscles.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0027] [fig.2] Figure 2 is an elevational view along the arrow 11 of Figure 1;

[0028] [fig.3] Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, illustrating the device in use, but without showing the user;

[0029] [fig.4] Figure 4 is an elevational diagram of part of the apparatus of Figure 1, illustrating its use by a user in a first state;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating another state of use of the device by the user; And

[0031] [fig.6] Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating yet other states of use of the device by the user.

[0032] Figures 1 to 6 show a device 1 for strengthening the hamstrings.

The device 1 comprises a frame 10.

In the embodiment considered in the figures, this frame has a mechanically welded structure but, in practice, the embodiment of this frame 10 is not limiting, as long as the frame is designed to rest fixedly on the ground.

The device 1 also comprises a carriage 20 which is mounted on the frame 10 while being movable in translation along a translation axis X20 relative to the frame.

By way of non-limiting example, the carriage 20 incorporates rollers or similar running gear, which roll and are guided in corresponding rails of the frame 10, so that the carriage 20 is movable in translation along the axis X20 by rolling of these rollers in the rails.

Of course, the embodiment which has just been described can be the subject of multiple alternative embodiments, such as a slide system, a system with pads, etc.

In all cases, the axis of translation X20 is defined with respect to the frame 10, possibly being parallel to the ground, but which can, in a variant not shown, be inclined with respect to the ground.

The carriage 20 is provided, on its side facing upwards, with a seat 21 which, when using the device 1, is intended for a user to sit there, it that is to say rests his buttocks there, as shown schematically in Figures 4 to 6.

The embodiment of the seat 21 is not limiting as long as the user seated on the seat 21 is stable and can transmit to the carriage 20 a movement force of the carriage in translation along the axis X20 with respect to the chassis 10.

At a minimum, the user applies this displacement force by pressing his buttocks against the seat 21, the latter being designed, in particular by its constituent material and/or its shape, to remain substantially kinematically linked to the user's buttocks.

According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, the seat 21 incorporates, on its side facing upwards, a bulge 22 designed to cooperate, by complementarity of shapes, with the user's gluteal muscles for relative bracing purposes.

In the embodiment considered in the figures, the carriage 20 is also provided with a backrest 23.

As shown schematically in Figures 4 to 6, the user seated on the seat 21 can lean against the backrest 23, resting his back there.

The advantage of using folder 23 will be discussed later.

Whatever the embodiment of the backrest 23, the latter is advantageously tiltable with respect to the seat 21 in an adjustable manner: the inclination of the backrest 23 with respect to the seat 21 can thus be modified during a corresponding adjustment of device 1.

In practice, the arrangements of the carriage 20 making it possible to adjust the inclination of the backrest 23 are not limiting and will therefore not be described here further.

As clearly visible in Figures 1 to 3, the device 1 also includes a footrest 30.

The footrest 30 is mounted on the frame 10, being located on the front side of the seat 21, that is to say the side of the latter opposite the backrest 23.

When using the device 1, the footrest 30 is fixed relative to the frame 10.

The corresponding connection between the footrest 30 and the frame 10 is not limiting, it being noted that the embodiment of this connection, envisaged in the figures, will be detailed later.

The footrest 30 is provided with two footrests 31 which are designed to, when using the device 1, respectively receive the two feet of the user fixedly relative to the rest of the footrest 30.

In the embodiment considered in the figures, each footrest 31 comprises two cushions, namely a support cushion 32 and a wedging cushion 33, which are 6 arranged so that, during use of the device 1, the user positions his foot vis-à-vis these cushions so that, simultaneously, the Achilles tendon of the user, associated with the foot concerned, is resting against the support cushion 32 and the back of the foot concerned, in particular the region of the back close to the corresponding instep, is wedged against the wedging cushion 33, as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 4 to 6.

In practice, the wedging cushion 33 is necessarily located higher than the support cushion 32.

The embodiment of the support cushions 32 and wedging 33 is not limiting: by way of example, as in the figures, each of the cushions dc wedging 33 has a cylindrical shape with a circular base, while cc that each of the support cushions 32 have a semi-cylindrical shape, with convexity facing upwards.

[0041] In addition, also in the embodiment considered in the figures, each footrest 31 further comprises a support plate 34, which is located, along the axis X20, on the side of the support cushions 32 and wedging 33 opposite the carriage 20.

When using the device 1, the user can place his foot so that the sole of the foot rests against the support plate 34, as shown schematically in Figures 4 to 6.

The respective support plates 34 of the toe clips 31 are advantageously made in the form of a common plate, as in the example shown in the figures.

The embodiment of the toe clips 31 described so far, that is to say the embodiment including, for each toe clip 31, a support cushion 32, a wedging cushion 33 and a support plate 34 proves to be particularly practical and comfortable for the user.

When using the device 1, the joint action of at least the support cushion 32 and the wedging cushion 33 and, where appropriate, the support plate 34 makes it possible to fix the position of the foot of the user relative to the rest of the footrest 30, while leaving the user free to articulate his corresponding ankle.

In addition, this embodiment of the footrests 31 allows each footrest 31 to receive the foot of the user in several different positions of the foot with respect to the rest of the corresponding leg of the user, in particular in at least least one position in and one position out, i.e., respectively, a position in which the foot is turned towards the sagittal plane of the user and a position in which the foot is turned away of the user's sagittal plane.

The advantage of this provision will appear later.

Of course, other embodiments are possible for the toe clips 31, including embodiments designed to receive the foot of the user in the different positions of his foot mentioned above.

In all cases, the arrangement of the footrest 30 relative to the frame 10 is provided so that, when using the device 1, the user seated on the seat 21 can at least partially extend his legs to the footrest 30, while placing his feet in the footrests 31, as illustrated schematically in Figure 4, and the user can then bend his legs to move the carriage 20 in translation along the axis X20 and thus modify the spacing along this axis between the carriage 20 and the footrest 30, as illustrated schematically in Figure 5.

As mentioned above, the footrest 30 includes arrangements for connecting the footrests 31 to the frame 10.

In the embodiment considered in the figures, the footrest 30 thus comprises a support bar 35, on which are mounted the two support cushions 32 and the two wedging cushions 33, and which is mounted on the plate forming the two support plates 34.

The footrest 30 also comprises a support frame 36, on which is mounted the plate forming the two support plates 34, and which is mounted on a support bracket 37 of the footrest 30, fixedly secured to the frame 10.

The assemblies between at least some of the different components of the footrest 30 are advantageously adjustable so as to, when adjusting the device 1, allow the footrests 31 to be moved relative to the frame 10.

Thus, in the embodiment considered in the figures, the support cushions 32 can be provided to be movable along the support bar 35 during adjustment.

Likewise, the wedging cushions 33 can be provided to be movable along the support bar 35 during adjustment.

Rather than being fixedly linked to the plate forming the two support plates 34, the support bar 35 can, for its part, be provided to be movable relative to this plate during adjustment, typically by articulation of one and / or the other end of this support bar 35 relative to the plate, with the presence of one or two corresponding adjustment arms.

Furthermore, the plate forming the two support plates 34 can be provided to be movable relative to the support frame 36 during adjustment, typically transversely to this support frame thanks, for example, to an adjustment arm 38 con-esponding.

As for the support frame 36, it can be provided to be movable relative to the support bracket 37 during adjustment, typically by articulation around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the translation axis X20, with the presence of an adjustment arm 39 matching.

Of course, the shape of the fittings of the footrest 30, which connect the footrests 31 to the frame 10 in an adjustable manner, is not limited to what has just been described: more generally, these fittings are advantageously designed to , during an adjustment of the device 1, move relative to the frame 10 the support cushion 32 of each footrest 31 and / or the wedging cushion 33 of each footrest 31 and / or the plate d support 34 of each footrest 31, in particular to modify vertically the position of each support cushion 32 and/or the position of each wedging cushion 33 and/or the position of each support plate 34, and /or to modify along the axis X20 the position of each support cushion 32 and/or the position of each wedging cushion 33 8 and/or the position of the support plate 34, and/or to modify the inclination of each support plate 34 relative to the vertical.

The advantage of such adjustment capabilities of the toe clips 31 with respect to the frame 10 will appear later.

As clearly visible in Figures 1 to 3, the device 1 also comprises a force application member 40 designed to apply to the carriage 20 a force F which tends to move the carriage 20 away from the footrest 30 according to the axis X20.

In the embodiment considered in the figures, this force application member 40 comprises a traction member 41, such as a cable, a belt, a chain, etc. : this traction member 41 is secured and connects the carriage 20 and a heavy load 50 to each other which, by gravity, generates the force F.

Traction member 41 transmits force F to carriage 20 by pulling carriage 20 along axis X20 in the opposite direction to footrest 30.

Advantageously, this traction member 41 is returned by pulleys 60 carried by frame 10.

Thanks to the pulleys 60, in particular thanks to their arrangement on the frame 10, the heavy load 50 is advantageously placed on the side of the footrest 30, which is opposite to the carriage 20 along the axis X20, as illustrated in the figures.

In practice, the embodiment of the heavy load 50 is not limiting and is moreover only shown very schematically in Figures 1 to 3.

Of course, the weight of this heavy load 50 can advantageously be modified during an adjustment of the device 1, by resorting to arrangements known per se, in particular in the field of muscle strengthening devices.

In addition, it will be noted that the heavy load 50 is only one possible embodiment for a force generating device, able to generate the force F.

In particular, according to an equally advantageous alternative to the use of a heavy load such as the heavy load 50, the force generating device comprises a flywheel, around which the traction member 41 is wound and which generates the force F by inertial rotation: the corresponding force generation device is thus similar to devices commonly referred to as “iso-inertial” in the field of muscle strengthening devices.

[0047] Whatever the embodiment of the force-generating device belonging to the apparatus 1, and, more generally, whatever the embodiment of the applicator member 40, the force F applied by this member to the carriage 20 induces a constraint on the positioning of the carriage along the axis X20 with respect to the frame 10.

Indeed, when the carriage 20 is at rest, that is to say in the absence of forces applied to this carriage, in particular by a user of the device 1, the force F deviates the carriage 20 from the footrest 30, by placing this carriage in an extreme position along the axis X20, from which the carriage 20 is prevented from moving further axially from the footrest 30, typically by cooperation of the carriage 20 with an end stop stroke, integrated into the chassis 10.

This extreme position is 9 illustrated in Figure 2.

During the use of the apparatus 1, bringing and/or maintaining the carriage 10, along the axis X20, in a position of use different from the extreme position requires applying to the carriage 20 a force capable of overcoming the force F: such a position of use is illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the arrow D indicates the displacement in translation of the carriage 20 with respect to its extreme position in FIG. 2, and in which the arrows T indicate the drive of the traction device 41 and the heavy load 50, compared to their state of Figure 2.

Other characteristics of the device 1 will appear below during the description of examples of use of this device, in connection with Figures 4 to 6.

In Figure 4, the carriage 20 occupies the extreme position, described above in connection with Figure 2, and a user settles on the device 1, sitting on the seat 21 and s' leaning against backrest 23.

The user extends his legs until his feet are installed respectively in the toe clips 31: more precisely, for each of his feet, the user presses the corresponding Achilles tendon against the support cushion 32, wedges his back of his foot against the wedging cushion 33 and presses the sole of his foot against the support plate 34, as shown in Figure 4.

Of course, with ad hoc adjustment of the device 1, the user's legs can be extended further than what is shown schematically in Figure 4.

To pass from the state of use of Figure 4, which has just been described, to the state of use of Figure 5, the user bends his legs at the knees, shortening the hamstrings of his legs, so that the hamstrings produce a force which, as soon as he overcomes the force F., makes it possible to move the carriage 20 in translation along the axis X20 in the direction of the footrest 30, the latter remaining fixed relative to the frame 10.

The carriage 20 is brought, along the axis X20, from its position in FIG. 4 to its position in FIG. 5 where the carriage is closer, along the axis X20, to the footrest 30.

As clearly visible by comparison of Figures 4 and 5, the hip of the user and the knees of the user close, accompanying the shortening of the hamstrings.

If necessary, the user freely articulates his ankles to accompany the bending of his legs, his feet remaining in place in the toe clips 31.

Of course, the user can bend his legs more than what is indicated schematically in FIG. 5, and thus move the carriage 20 further in the direction of the footrest 30, if necessary until seat 21 vertically below at least part of the footrest 30.

Conversely, by reducing the bending of his legs, the user translates the carriage 20 away from the footrest 30, the translational movement being controlled by the user by resisting the force F to prevent this last deviates suddenly, that is to say in an uncontrolled manner, the carriage 20 of the footrest 30 along the axis X20.

Here again, the user controls the movement of the carriage 20 by the effort produced by his hamstrings during the lengthening of the latter.

Furthermore, for any translated position of the carriage 20 apart from its extreme position, the user can apply his hamstrings to immobilize the carriage 20 in a desired position, the hamstrings then producing an effort of intensity substantially equal to that of the f-force.

More generally, it is understood that, when using the device 1, the user controls the movement of the carriage 20 in translation along the axis X20 by producing, through his hamstrings, a force which overcomes the force F .

Of course, the examples of use which have just been described can be modulated according to the needs or the objectives for strengthening the user's hamstrings.

For example, the user can seek to strengthen his hamstrings rather by shortening, so that he then favors exercises during which he controls the movement of the carriage 20 in the direction of the footrest 30, without then opposing any resistance. or a low resistance to the return of the carriage in the opposite direction of the footrest 30 under the effect of the force F.

Conversely, when the user wishes to further strengthen his hamstrings in lengthening, he favors exercises where he controls the movement of the carriage 20 in the direction opposite to the footrest 30 while overcoming the force F to control this movement: in this case, the preliminary movement of the carriage in the direction of the footrest 30 is not operated by the user, but by an assistant who can advantageously stand behind the carriage 20, that is to say on the side of the latter opposed to the footrest 30, which makes it possible to understand one of the advantages that the heavy load 50 or, more generally, the force-generating device at the origin of the force F, is placed not behind the carriage 20, but on the side of the footrest 30, opposite to the carriage 20, as in the embodiment considered in the figures.

Furthermore, the various examples of use of the device 1, deciits so far can be implemented without using the backrest 23 or by previously modifying the inclination of this backrest 23, as illustrated by Figure 6 .

Thus, according to a first possibility, the user implements the various examples of use while taking off his back from the backrest 23, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 6.

The user thus modulates the opening angle of his hip when bending his legs, which produces on his hamstrings different reinforcement effects compared to the examples of use of Figures 4 and 5, in which the user remains leaned against the folder 23.

According to another possibility, which is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 6, the user leans against the backrest 23 when using the device 1 but, prior to the latter, the inclination of the backrest 23 by relative to the vertical is adjusted, up to, if necessary, extending the backrest 23 horizontally.

It is understood that by varying the angle of opening of the hip when using the device 1, the user makes his hamstrings work differently, in particular at the level of their high and low insertions which can then be reinforced in a differentiated way.

[0053] Independently of the above considerations in connection with the backrest 23, the toe clips 31 can also be subject to adjustments as to their positioning relative to the frame 10, prior to the use of the device 1.

In particular, the position, along the vertical and along the axis X20, of the support cushions 32 and/or the wedging cushions 33 and/or the support plates 34 can be changed when adjusting the device 1 , in particular to adjust the relative positioning of the crural part of the legs and the hip of the user.

Similarly, the inclination of the support plates 34 with respect to the vertical can be modified during adjustment in order, during the subsequent use of the device 1, to play in particular on the amplitude of the opening of the knees of the 'user.

These multiple settings illustrate the adaptability of the device 1 to be used by users with different reinforcement needs or objectives, in particular according to their sports practice.

In the extension of the above considerations, it will be noted that the support plates 34 may not be used when the device 1 is operated to strengthen the hamstrings with an opening angle of the knees which is small and which remains of low amplitude.

In other words, in this case, the toe clips 31 may only include the support cushions 32 and the wedging cushions 33.

Thus, it is understood that the support plates 34 can be useful when the triggering of the bending of the user's legs is done by the soles of his feet, in coordination with his calves and his hamstrings.

On the other hand, the soles of the feet can be provided free, that is to say without contact with the support plates 34, in order to use exclusively the muscles of the ankle in posture maintenance and thus strengthen them by more hamstrings.

All the various examples of use described so far can be implemented simultaneously with the two legs of the user, but also with only one of his two legs.

Indeed, the device 1 advantageously allows only one of the two legs of the user to cooperate with one of the footrests 31 of the footrest 30, in order to strengthen the hamstrings of this first leg, while the the user's second leg is left free vis-à-vis the footrest, remaining at rest.

In addition, all the examples of use which have just been described up to now can advantageously be implemented by adjusting the orientation of the user's foot or feet with respect to the latter's sagittal plane.

Indeed, the footrests 31 of the footrest 30 allow the user to position each of his feet, relative to the rest of the corresponding leg, so that each foot can be oriented parallel to the sagittal plane as well as be turned selectively towards this sagittal plane 12 or opposite this sagittal plane.

Thus, when, for example, the hamstrings are shortened during the use of the device 1 while the user keeps his foot of the leg thus stressed turned towards his sagittal plane, the internal bundles of the hamstrings are more stressed and therefore more reinforced than the external beam.

Conversely, the external beam is more reinforced than the internal beams when the user keeps the foot of the stressed leg turned away from the sagittal plane of the user.

[0057]Finally, various variants and options to the device 1 described so far are possible.

For example: the carriage 20 can be equipped with side handles that the user, seated on the seat 21, grabs by his hands for stabilization purposes; and/or rather that the seat 21 be carried dc in a fixed manner by the carriage 20, this seat can be carried by the carriage in a tilting manner around a tilting axis, parallel to the axis X20; in practice, the maximum amplitude of such a tilt is then limited to a few degrees or tens of degrees; during the use of the device 1, in other words during reentraincment in translation of the carriage 20, this tilting is left free, which obliges the user seated on the seat 21 to control muscularly, in particular at the level dc the region of his pelvis, the tilting of the seat 21, typically so that the latter remains stable horizontally; the device 1 thus induces a proprioceptive effect, by causing the user to coordinate several muscle chains to perform the exercises requested on the device 1; of course, this possibility of tilting of the seat 21 is advantageously adjustable, in particular being able to be rendered inoperative to fixedly link the seat to the rest of the carriage, for example thanks to a system of articulated flat-head screws.

13 [Claim 1] [Claim 2] [Claim 3] [Claim 4] [Claim 5]

Claims (1)

CLAIMS Apparatus for strengthening the hamstrings (1), comprising: - a support frame (10) fixed to the ground, - a carriage (20), which is mounted on the frame (10) while being movable in translation along an axis ( X20) relative to the chassis, and which is provided with a seat (21) on which a user sits when using the device (1), - a footrest (30) provided with at at least one footrest (31) in which a foot of the user is fixedly received relative to the rest of the footrest when using the device (1), which footrest is mounted on the frame ( 10) being, when using the device, both fixed relative to the frame and arranged relative to the carriage (20) so that, by bending at least one of his legs, the user seated on the seat (21) moves the carriage in translation along the axis (X20) and thus modifies the axial spacing between the carriage and the footrest, and - a force application member (40), adapted to apply to the carriage (20) a force (F) which tends to separate the carriage from the footrest (30) along the axis (X20) and which, when using the apparatus (1), must be overcome by a force produced by the hamstrings of the user to control the movement of the carriage in translation along the axis. Device according to Claim 1, in which the trolley (20) is also provided with a backrest (23), against which the user leans when using the device (1) and whose inclination by relative to the seat (21) can be modified during an adjustment of the device. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each footrest (31) is designed to accommodate the user's foot in at least two different foot positions relative to the rest of the corresponding leg of the user. 'user, namely an inside position, in which the foot is turned towards the sagittal plane of the user, and an outside position, in which the foot is turned away from the sagittal plane of the user. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each footrest (31) includes both a support pad (32) for the Achilles tendon associated with the foot, and a wedging pad (33 ) for the back of the foot. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the or each footrest 14 [Claim 6] [Claim 7] [Claim 8] [Claim 9] [Claim 10] (31) further comprises a backing plate (34) for the base of the feet. Device according to one of Claims 4 or 5, in which the support cushion (32) and/or the wedging cushion (33) and/or the support plate (34) of the or each footrest ( 31) are connected to the frame (10) in an adjustable manner, each being movable relative to the frame during adjustment of the device (1), in particular to modify the respective positions of the support cushion and/or vertically. or of the wedging cushion and/or of the support plate, and/or to modify along the axis (X20) the respective positions of the support cushion and/or of the wedging cushion and/or of the support plate, and/or to modify the inclination of the support plate with respect to the vertical. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the force applying member (40) comprises a pulling member (41) which is adapted both to connect the carriage (20) to a force generating device force (50), capable of generating said force (F), and for transmitting said force to the carriage by pulling the following carriage Faxe (X20) in the opposite direction to the footrest (30). Apparatus according to Claim 7, in which the apparatus (1) comprises pulleys (60) for deflecting the traction member (41), which are carried by the frame (10) being arranged so as to place the device generating force (50) on the side of the footrest (30), axially opposite the carriage (20). Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the apparatus (1) includes said force generating member (50), the latter comprising either a heavy load (50), to which the tension member (41 ) is secured and which generates said force (F) by gravity, or a flywheel, around which the traction member is wound and which generates said force by inertial rotation. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat (21) incorporates a wedging bulge (22) for the user's gluteal muscles.