GB2483621A

GB2483621A - Vibratory training device

Info

Publication number: GB2483621A
Application number: GB0908318.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yves Noirfalisse
Original assignee: LANAFORM LANA ALLPEAK
Current assignee: LANAFORM LANA ALLPEAK
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2012-03-21
Also published as: ITMI20090159U1; DE202009006985U1; CN201324472Y; BE1018154A6; NL1036943C2; NL1036943A1; GB0908318D0; LU91566B1; FR2931365A3; FR2931365B3; AU2009100461A4

Abstract

Training device 1 comprising a platform 3, a base 2, and a support 11 mounted so as to tilt on a horizontal axis 10 with respect to the said base 2, and a mechanism actuating a periodic tilting movement on the said support 11 about the said horizontal axis 10. The platform 3 is mounted on the support 11 and the device 1 also comprises a mechanism actuating a vibratory movement of the platform 3 with respect to the support 11 in a plane substantially parallel to the platform 3. Preferably the vibratory mechanism includes a transmission element 20 comprising a counterweight 22. Optionally the platform can be mounted on the support by means of elastic elastomer material elements and the base may include transport wheels (5).

Description

TRAINING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a training device.

The market for training devices, both for collective use in sports halts or clinics, and for individual use in a domestic context, is a fast growing market. Sedentary lifestyles, population aging and a diet with a higher and higher fat and carbohydrate content, among other factors, are giving rise to a definite interest in getting into shape, and even more for training devices allowing more complete getting into shape with less time and effort on the part of the user.

Among the most effective training devices, and which therefore encounter the greatest success with the public and specialist, vibratory-platform training devices are found, such as the one disclosed in the international patent application WO 2006/045213 Al. This training device comprises a vibratory platform on which a user can train standing or seated, or fix accessories for training. The vibrating movement of the platform exercises the muscles, in particular those of the legs, hips and shoulders, with comparatively little cardiovascular effort. In this device, the vibratory movement of the platform is actuated by the rotation of eccentric weights about horizontal axes. However, this type of training device has the drawback of generating a vibratory movement only substantially in the vertical axis alone. Moreover, the amplitude of the vibrations will depend on the weight and position of the user, and on their frequency, and the natural frequency of the platform/user system.

Another type of training device, as disclosed in international patent application WO 98/08478, comprises: a platform, a base, a support mounted so as to tilt on a horizontal axis with respect to the said base, the said platform being mounted on the support, and a mechanism actuating a periodic tilting movement of the said support about the said horizontal axis.

As with the tilting movement the platform moves in opposite directions on each side, and it is possible to obtain a more intensive training of the muscles of the legs and hips of a user standing on the plafform. In addition, the tilting mechanism makes it possible to obtain a movement of constant amplitude, independently of the weight of the user, or the frequency of the movement. However, the device continues to exercise the muscles of the user only in a substantially vertical direction.

One objective of the present invention is therefore that of increasing the efficiency and flexibility of the device, in particular for exercising the hip and waist muscles.

Compared with the device disclosed in international patent application WO 98/08478, the device of the invention addresses this objective in that it also comprises a method for actuating a vibratory movement of the plafform with respect to the support in a plane substantially parallel to the platform.

The combination of the periodic tilting movement with a simultaneous vibratory movement in the plane of the platform offers synergetic effects, in particular in training the leg, hip and waist muscles, providing a considerably more effective training than that which could be provided separately by each of these movements. By interposing such a mechanism between the platform and the tilting support, it becomes possible to combine these movements without increasing the size of the training device. In addition, the two movements being actuated by distinct mechanisms, it remains possible to decouple the two movements in order to limit the effect to the training of certain muscles.

Preferably, the said mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement can comprise a transmission element between the support and the platform, rotary with respect to the platform about a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the platform, and rotary with respect to the support about a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the said first axis. This transmission element may for example be formed by an eccentric axle, or by a link. Such a mechanism for actuating the vibratory movement has the advantageous of providing a vibratory movement of substantially constant amplitude independently of its frequency as well as the weight of the user. However, other actuation mechanisms, such as for example by eccentric rotary mass, can be considered alternatively according to requirements.

Preferably, the said transmission element can comprise a counterweight in order to balance the vibratory movement of the platform. This makes it possible to reduce the level of vibration that the device will transmit through its base without having to employ additional damping means and without having to excessively increase the weight of the base.

Preferably, the said platform can be mounted on the said support by means of elastic elements. In this way, particularly simple but effective means are used for providing the platform on the support while permitting the vibratory movement of the platform with respect to the support. In particular, the said elastic elements can comprise an elastomer material, thus also damping the movement of the platform with simple elastic elements.

Preferably, the said mechanism actuating a tilting movement can comprise at least one element mounted eccentric on a substantially horizontal axle on one of the said base or support, and in contact with part of the other one of the said support or base, this part being separated with respect to the tilting axis of the support. In this way, a rotary actuator can easily be used to drive the periodic tilting of the support through this actuation mechanism. However, alternative actuation mechanisms, making use for example of reciprocal actuators, such as linear motors or pistons and cylinders, could alternatively be used according to requirements.

Preferably the said at least one eccentric element can be a rotary roller. However, other alternatives, such as for example a link such as those disclosed in WO 98/08478, can be considered by a person skilled in the art according to requirements.

Preferably, the said roller can comprise an elastomer material. This makes it possible to provide constant contact on its rolling surface so as to limit clearance and increase the service life of the device.

Preferably, the said mechanism actuating a tilting movement can comprise at least two such eccentric elements, each on one side of the horizontal tilting axis. This makes it possible to further limit the clearance in the actuation mechanism and therefore to increase its service life.

Preferably, the said mechanism actuating the tilting movement can comprise at least one rotary counterweight in order to balance the tilting movement of the support. This makes it possible to reduce the level of vibration that the device will transmit through its base without having to use additional damping means and without having to excessively increase the weight of the base.

Preferably, each of the actuation mechanisms can comprise an individual motor, preferably electric. In this way the two movements can easily be controlled separately.

Alternatively, one of the actuation mechanisms can comprise a motor, preferably electric, the driving device also comprising a disengageable transmission between the said actuation mechanisms. In this way it is possible to use a single motor, preferably placed in the base of the device, so that it is subject to a limited vibration level, in order thus to increase its service life while limiting the weight in movement of the device, and therefore the vibration transmitted to the base.

Preferably, the driving device can also comprise at least one support grip for a person standing on the platform. This facilitates the use of the driving device, even for disabled persons.

Preferably, the said base can comprise transport wheels, facilitating the transport of the device over flat surfaces.

Preferably, the said platform can comprise fixing points for training accessories.

These training accessories, such as for example belts, harnesses or bands, make it possible to train other muscles, such as for example those of the arms, shoulders, sides or others.

Details concerning the invention are described below by way of example and non-limitatively, referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 presents a perspective view of an example embodiment of a training device according to the invention, Figure 2 presents a partial front view of the training device of figure 1, Figure 3 presents a lateral view of the part illustrated in figure 2, Figure 4 present a partial schematic front view of another example embodiment of the training device according to the invention, Figure 5 presents a partial schematic front view of another example embodiment of the training device according to the invention, and Figure 6 presents a partial schematic view of yet another example embodiment of the training device according to the invention.

A training device 1 according to an example embodiment of the invention is illustrated in figure 1. This device 1 comprises a base 2 surrounded by a closure envelope 2a and possibly comprising a ballast in order to limit the vibration transmitted by this base 2 to the floor, as well as support feet (not illustrated). A movable platform 3 is situated on the base 2. This platform 3 can receive a user standing or seated, or training accessories to be fixed to fixing points 4 on the platform 3. The base 2 also has wheels 5 in order to facilitate the movement of the device 1, and a column 6 serving to support grips 7 for supporting a user standing on the platform 3, as well as a control panel 8 for the device 1. The grips 7 can be equipped with sensors for measuring the heart rate of the user and possibly varying the speed of operation of the device.

Figures 2 and 3 show the base 2 without the envelope 2a, the ballast or the support feet. On this base 2 bearings 9 are mounted, aligned in a horizontal tilting axis 10. These bearings 9 support a support 11 mounted so as thus to tilt about the axis 10. On the base 2 there are also mounted bearings 12, substantially aligned in a horizontal axis in order to support an axle 13, as well as an electric motor 14. The electric motor 14 is coupled by a transmission belt 15 to the axle 13. The axle 13 is substantially perpendicular top the axis 10 and has, on each side of the axis 10, a roller 16 mounted so asto rotate on an axis that is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the axle 13. The rollers 16 are eccentric in opposite directions to each other. The axle 13 also has balancing counterweights 17 in order to limit the vibration and the bending force of the axle 13. The rollers 16 are preferably mounted on low-friction bearings, and can comprise an external surface made from elastomer material.

Blocks 18 in pressure contact with the rollers 16 are mounted on the tilting support 11. The blocks 18 can also be made from plastics material or elastomer in order to reduce stresses. Another electric motor 19 is also mounted on this tilting support 11. This electric motor 19 is connected to a substantially vertical eccentric axle 20 and mounted in a bearing 21 in the platform 3. The eccentric axle 20 also comprises a balancing counterweight 22. The tilting support 11 and the platform 3 are also connected by blocks 23, for example made from elastomer material in order to be elastic and damping.

In operation, the electric motor 14 causes the rotation of the axle 13. Through the eccentric rollers 16 and the blocks 18, this rotation causes a periodic tilting movement of the support 11, and thus also of the platform 3, about the axis 10.

This movement is indicated in figure 2 by the arrows 24.

The electric motor 19, in operation, turns the eccentric axle 21, causing a vibratory movement of the platform 3 in the plane of the platform 3.

The two electric motors 14 and 19 being able to be activated simultaneously or separately, a user will be able to train either with the combined movement of the platform 3 or with each movement separately. The device I can comprise electronic means, for example connected to the control panel 8 and/or to the cardiac sensors, in order to control the speed of rotation of the electric motor or motors in order to adjust the intensity of the training.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example embodiment, it is obvious that different modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the tilting movement of the support 3 could be actuated not by rollers but by links 24, as illustrated in figure 4.

Thus, the axle 13 actuating the tilting movement could be placed not on the base 2 but on the support 3, as illustrated schematically in figure 5. The mechanism actuating the tilting movement and that of the vibratory movement could also be connected by a disengageable transmission 25 and actuated by a single electric motor 26, as illustrated schematically in figure 6. Consequently the description and drawings must be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Training device (1) comprising: -a platform (3), -a base (2), -a support (11) mounted so as to tilt on a horizontal axis (10) with respect to the said base (2), the said platform (3) being mounted on the support (11), and -a mechanism actuating a periodic tilting movement of the said support (11) about the said horizontal axis (10), and characterised in that it also comprises a mechanism actuating a vibratory movement of the platform (3) with respect to the support (11) in a plane substantially parallel to the platform (3).
2. Training device (1) according to claim 1, in which: the said mechanism actuating a vibratory movement comprises a transmission element (20) between the support (11) and the platform (3), rotary with respect to the platform (3) about a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the platform (3), and rotary with respect to the support (11) about a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the said rotation axis.
3. Training device (1) according to claim 2, in which the said transmission element (20) comprises a counterweight (22) in order to balance the vibratory movement of the platform (3).
4. Training device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said platform (3) is mounted on the said support (11) by means of elastic elements (23).
5. Training device (1) according to claim 4, in which the said elastic elements (23) comprise an elastomer material.
6. Training device (1) according to any one of the dependent claims, in which the said mechanism actuating a tilting movement comprises: at least one element mounted eccentric on a substantially horizontal axle (13) on one of the said base (2) or support (11), and in contact with part of the other one of the said support (11) or base (2), this part being separated with respect to the tilting axis (10) of the support (11).
7. Training device (1) according to claim 6, in which the said at least one eccentric element is a rotary roller (16).
8. Training device (1) according to claim 7, in which the roller (16) comprises an elastomer material.
9. Training device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the said mechanism actuating a tilting movement comprises at least two such eccentric elements, each on one side of the horizontal tilting axis (10).
10. Training device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the said mechanism actuating the tilting movement comprises at least one rotary counterweight (15) in order to balance the tilting movement of the support (11).
Ii. Training device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the actuation mechanisms comprises an individual motor (14, 19), preferably electric.
12. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which one of the actuation mechanisms comprises a motor (26), preferably electric, the training device also comprising a disengageable transmission (25) between the said actuation mechanisms.
13. Training device (1) according to any one of claims ito 12, also comprising at least one support grip (7) for a person standing on the platform (3).
14. Training device (1) according to any one of claims ito 13, in which the said base (2) comprises transport wheels (5).
15. Training device (1) according to any one of claims to 14, in which the said platform (3) comprises fixing points (4) for training accessories.