ITBO20100338A1 - APPARATUS FOR GINNICA ACTIVITY. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

Apparatus for gymnastic activity

The present invention relates to an apparatus for gymnastic activity.

Environments are known, for example gyms, in which a plurality of gymnastic machines are arranged to allow users to practice gymnastic exercises. These environments are usually closed environments equipped with windows and / or air conditioning systems to allow aeration.

A need particularly felt for a long time by the users of exercise machines during the summer season is to be able to practice a gymnastic exercise outdoors.

In fact, in this light the gym environment is perceived in the summer months as a closed and unnatural environment.

Another need felt for a long time by users of exercise machines is to be able to train on exercise machines even without necessarily having to go to a gym.

As is well known, in fact, a user does not always have a gym available near his home; therefore the need to go to the gym is perceived by some users as an inconvenience.

However, this need does not reconcile with the limited spaces normally available inside homes, which in this light do not allow one or more exercise machines to be housed, and with the purchase costs of one or more exercise machines for strictly personal use.

The object of the present invention is to make available an apparatus for gymnastic activity which allows to satisfy the previously expressed needs.

Said object is fully achieved by the apparatus for gymnastic activity which is characterized by what is reported in the claims reported below.

In particular, the apparatus according to the invention comprises: a box-shaped element configured to be transported on trucks and provided with a lower wall, an upper wall and a side wall defining an internal volume, with said side wall having a plurality of faces and comprising, in correspondence with at least one of the faces, at least a movable portion between a closing position, in which it defines a configuration of minimum encumbrance of the box-like element, and an opening position, in which the movable portion protrudes towards the external part of the box-shaped element and defines an opening in the side wall suitable to put the internal volume in communication with an external environment; at least one gymnastic machine to allow a user to practice a gymnastic exercise, said gymnastic machine being designed to occupy the internal volume of the box-like element at least during the configuration of minimum bulk; means for generating electrical energy which can be used to supply electrical loads to said box-like element.

This and other characteristics will be more evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate respective schematic perspective views of the apparatus object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment in two operating configurations;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the apparatus for the assisted execution of a gymnastic exercise of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic plan view of the apparatus for the assisted execution of a gymnastic exercise according to another embodiment;

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view in perspective of the apparatus for the assisted execution of a gymnastic exercise according to yet another embodiment;

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate respective side schematic views of a system comprising two apparatuses according to the invention.

With reference to figures 1-7, the numerical reference 1 indicates the apparatus for the gymnastic activity object of the present invention, hereinafter also referred to as apparatus 1.

In the following, the term "user" or "user" will be used indifferently, with reference to the person who uses the apparatus 1 to perform the gymnastic activity.

In the following some embodiments of the apparatus 1 will be described by way of non-limiting example; in particular, a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3 will be described first, then a second embodiment illustrated in figure 4 and finally a third embodiment illustrated in figure 5. Each embodiment comprises technical-functional characteristics which they will be illustrated in the description of the same and / or in the attached drawing tables relating to the same embodiment.

These technical-functional characteristics are not to be considered associated solely with the embodiment of the apparatus in which they are described and / or illustrated unless otherwise expressly stated; on the contrary, these technical characteristics can also be associated with the other embodiments of the apparatus or with variants of the same apparatus, however falling within the scope of protection of the present invention.

The apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a box-like element 2 provided with a lower wall 3, an upper wall 4 and a side wall 5.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a frame 25 which supports the lower wall 3, the upper wall 4 and the side wall 5.

The frame 25 is provided with a plurality of vertical uprights 17 for connecting the upper wall 4 to the lower wall 3 which define housings for the passage of electric cables.

According to an aspect of the invention, not illustrated, the upper panels 24S can be removably fixed to the frame.

In other words, the upper panels 24S can be attached to / detachable from the vertical uprights. Furthermore, the same vertical uprights can be folded to identify a folded configuration of minimum bulk; the adoption of this folded configuration advantageously allows to further reduce the dimensions of the box-like element to facilitate its transport.

In this light, it should also be noted that the exercise machines can also be transported separately to the box-like element and do not necessarily have to be arranged inside it during transport.

According to the invention, the lower wall 3, the upper wall 4 and the side wall 5 define an internal volume 6 of the box-like element 2.

The box-shaped element 2 is configured to be transported on trucks.

In other words, this box-like element 2 has such dimensions that it can be transported on trucks so that it can be advantageously moved, if necessary, and taken to any place accessible by road.

Preferably the box-shaped element is intended to be positioned outdoors, for example in a city park, or in a square or alternatively in a communal garden.

The side wall 5 comprises a plurality of faces (F1, F2, F3, F4).

With reference to the preferred embodiment of figures 1, 2 and 3, or to the first embodiment to which explicit reference will be made hereinafter, the side wall 5 comprises four faces: a first face F1, a second face F2, a third face F3, and a fourth face F4.

The box-shaped element 2 has the shape of a parallelepiped, preferably of a cube.

The side wall 5, in correspondence with each face Fi, F2, F3, and F4 comprises an upper door 24S and a lower door 241 movable with respect to the box-like element 2.

Each upper door 24S and lower 241 is movable between a closing position C, illustrated in Figure 1, and an opening position A, illustrated in Figure 2.

The doors (24S, 241) as a whole define in the closing position C a configuration B with minimum bulk of the box-like element 2.

This configuration B of minimum bulk, illustrated in Figure 1, allows to reduce the space occupied by the box-shaped element 2, that is to say the overall dimensions of the box-shaped element 2 itself; therefore this configuration B of minimum encumbrance is advantageously adopted for the transport of the apparatus 1 or in the case in which the user 35, or the manager of the apparatus 1, wants to prevent others from accessing the internal volume 6 of the element 2 box.

According to this last aspect of the invention, or with reference to the adoption of the minimum bulk configuration B with the aim of preventing access to the internal volume 6, the box-like element 2 in the minimum bulk configuration B identifies a substantially closed environment , ie it identifies an environment not accessible to a person from the outside 8. Preferably the doors (24S, 241) in the closing position C are arranged vertically.

Preferably, each upper door 24S and each lower door 241 is configured to rotate about a respective horizontal axis (15, 16).

With reference by way of example to a face F1 of the side wall 5, the upper door 24S of this face Fi is configured to rotate around its own horizontal axis 15 with a first direction of rotation W1 between the closing position C and that A of opening; similarly, the lower door 241 of this face Fi is configured to rotate around its own horizontal axis 16 between the closing position C and the opening position A with a second direction of rotation W2 opposite to the first direction of rotation W1.

The doors (24S, 241) in the opening position A, illustrated in Figure 2, protrude towards the outside 8 of the box-like element 2 and define an opening 9 in the side wall 5 suitable for putting the internal volume 6 in communication with the external environment 8.

This opening 9 identified in the side wall 5 advantageously allows a user 35 to access the internal volume 6 of the box-like element 2.

Preferably the doors (24S, 241) in the open position A are arranged horizontally.

The lower doors 241 define a floor 14 in the opening position A.

This flooring 14 defines a walkable surface, that is, one that can be engaged by the user 35.

The flooring 14 identified by the lower doors 241 makes it possible to enlarge the plan surface that can be walked on by the user 35.

In fact, when the lower doors 241 are arranged in the closed position C, the surface that can be walked on by the user 35 is that defined only by the lower wall 3, while when the lower doors 241 are arranged in the open position A, the surface that can be walked on from user 35 is defined by the sum of the plan surface of the lower wall 3 and the plan surface of the flooring 14 of the lower doors 241.

The upper doors 24S define in the opening position A a cover 12 for an underlying region.

With reference to the embodiment of Figure 1, the upper doors 24S define in the open position A a cover 12 for the flooring 14; in fact the upper doors 24S are arranged above the lower ones 241 in their open position A.

This cover 12 identified by the upper doors 24S allows to obtain the following advantageous technical effects:

- allows the underlying region to be sheltered from rain, including the lower wall 3; allows you to shield the user from solar radiation 35.

The lower doors 241 and the upper doors 24S collectively identify a movable portion 7 of the side wall 5.

In particular, the upper doors 24S identify a first part 7S of the movable portion 7 of the side wall 5 and the lower doors 241 identify a second part 71 of the movable portion 7 of the lateral wall 3.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1, the first part 7S of the movable portion 7 defines a cover 12 to cover the second part 71 of the movable portion 7 when both the first 7S and the second 71 part of the movable portion 7 are arranged in the opening position A.

The second part 71 of the movable portion 7 defines the flooring 14.

The apparatus 1 further comprises gymnastic machines 10 to allow a user 35 to practice a gymnastic exercise.

By way of non-limiting example, three types of exercise machines are shown in Figures 1 to 7: a first type of exercise machine 10A, a second type of exercise machine 10B and a third type of exercise machine 10C.

The first type of exercise machine 10A is an exercise bicycle, the second type of exercise machine 10B is a treadmill, the third type of exercise machine 10C is a step.

The gymnastic machines 10 are designed to occupy the internal volume 6 of the box-like element 2 during the configuration B of minimum bulk; this advantageously allows the apparatus 1 to be transported easily since the exercise machines 10 during transport are arranged in the internal volume 6 and consequently do not occupy any additional space.

Furthermore, the gymnastic machines 10 can be arranged inside the internal volume 6 also to shelter the same machines from eventual bad weather; in this light, therefore, the box-like element 2 is preferably switched to the configuration B of minimum bulk when the exercise machines 10 are arranged in the internal volume 6.

Preferably, the user 35 arranges the gymnastic machines on the floor 14 to practice the gymnastic exercise, as illustrated in Figure 2 in which two users 35 are visible who practice gymnastic exercise occupying the floor 14 defined by two distinct lower doors 241.

In fact, in this way the user 35 has a greater freedom of movement during the practice of the gymnastic exercise, not being constrained or hindered by the frame 25 of the box-like element 2.

Furthermore, according to this aspect, the user 35 advantageously has the sensation of practicing an exercise in the open air.

Figure three illustrates the exercise machines 10, schematised by means of a rectangle, in the two extreme positions, respectively inside the volume 6 (rectangle with continuous line) and above the flooring 14 (rectangle with broken line).

According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises a photovoltaic module 23, suitable for converting the electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy.

Preferably, the photovoltaic module 23 is arranged on the upper wall 4 outside the box-like element 2.

The photovoltaic module 23 defines means 11 for generating electrical energy which can be used to power electrical loads of the box-like element 2. Preferably the generation means 11 allow to supply all the electrical loads of the apparatus 1; therefore according to this aspect the apparatus 1 is energetically self-sufficient, i.e. there is no need to withdraw energy from an external energy source, which would complicate the installation of the apparatus, and moreover it can be installed in any place regardless of the presence or absence of a source of external energy.

Alternatively or in combination with the photovoltaic module 23, the exercise machine 10 comprises an electric generator for generating electrical energy when the user 35 performs the gymnastic exercise on the same exercise machine 10.

Preferably, the means 11 for generating electricity are configured to produce energy of a renewable or similar type.

The term renewable energy refers to energy produced from sources that are regenerated, while energy comparable to renewable means those energy sources, such as that generated by the user 35 during exercise, which have a substantially zero environmental impact.

Therefore, according to this aspect, in addition to the advantages already described and to those that will be further illustrated in the continuation of the description, the apparatus 1 allows to supply its own electrical loads with energy sources with substantially zero environmental impact.

Therefore, compared to traditional gyms, the apparatus 1 allows to strongly reduce the emission of polluting substances.

In this light, the apparatus 1 is preferably also provided with means for storing the energy produced, such as for example a battery.

According to another aspect of the invention not illustrated by drawings, the apparatus 1 comprises further photovoltaic modules arranged on the external surface of the upper panels 24S.

Such photovoltaic modules, when the upper panels 24S are arranged in the open position, are oriented to receive sunlight.

The apparatus 1 further comprises comprises a plurality of adjustable support elements 26, fixed at the bottom to the lower wall 3.

These adjustable supporting elements 26 identify means 27 for adjusting the position of the lower wall 3 with respect to the underlying ground 19.

The adjustment means 27 allow to adjust the position of the lower wall 3 so that, independently of the conformation of the underlying ground 19, the lower wall 3 can be arranged substantially according to a horizontal position.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises a track (28, 29, 34) which identifies a predetermined path P for the movement of the exercise machine 10.

Figure 2 shows three tracks, respectively a first track 28 for a step 10C, a second track 29 for the treadmill 10B, and a third track 34 for another step 10C.

The track (28, 29, 34) defines guide means 20 which identify a predetermined path P for the movement of the exercise machine 10.

Preferably, a first portion (28A, 29A, 34A) of the track 28 is arranged in correspondence with the lower wall 3 of the box-like element 2 and a second portion (28B, 29B, 34B) is arranged in correspondence with the internal surface of the lower door 241 . The first portion (28A, 29A, 34A) of the track (28, 29, 34) identifies a predetermined path P 'for moving the exercise machine 10 in the internal volume 6; the second portion (28B, 29B, 34B) of the track 28 identifies a predetermined path P '' for moving the exercise machine 10 in the pavement 14.

The guide means 20 therefore advantageously allow the exercise machine 10 to be easily moved along the path P without requiring excessive effort from the user 35.

Figure 4 illustrates a second variant of the apparatus 1.

In accordance with this variant, the apparatus 1 comprises only one type of doors 241, ie doors having the same characteristics as the lower doors 241 described with reference to the first embodiment.

Each door 241 preferably develops so as to substantially occupy the entire surface of one face (F1, F2, F3, F4) of the side wall 5.

The apparatus 1 in accordance with the second variant, with the same volumetric dimensions of the box-like element 2 switched to the configuration B of minimum encumbrance, identifies a floor 14 which is wider than that of the apparatus of figure 1 when the doors 241 are arranged in the open position A.

Figure 5 illustrates a third variant of the apparatus 1, in which the apparatus 1 comprises only one type of doors 24S, ie doors having the same characteristics as the upper doors 24S described with reference to the first embodiment.

Each door 24S preferably develops so as to substantially occupy the entire surface of one face (F1, F2, F3, F4) of the side wall 5.

The apparatus 1 according to this variant, with the same overall dimensions of the box-like element 2 switched to the configuration B with minimum bulk, defines a cover 12 having a greater development surface than that of the apparatus 1 of Figures 1-3 when the doors 24S are arranged in the opening position A, the apparatus 1 is also provided with one or more retractable elements 31, movable between a retracted position (not illustrated) and an extracted position (illustrated in Figure 5) in which they identify a floor 32.

The flooring 32 can advantageously be occupied by the gymnastic machine 10 to allow the user to practice a gymnastic exercise.

Preferably, the flooring 32 is covered by the cover 12 identified by one of the doors 24S.

According to still another aspect, a plurality of apparatuses 1 are arranged side by side to identify a system 33 for performing the gymnastic activity.

In particular, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 6 in which two apparatuses 1 are represented, respectively a first apparatus 1A and a second apparatus 1B, the apparatuses 1 are arranged with respect to each other so that the movable portion 7 of the side wall 5 of one of the two apparatuses 1 (with reference to figure 6 of the second apparatus 1B) identifies a flooring 14 which connects the lower walls 3 of the two apparatuses 1 together when it is arranged in the open position A.

Furthermore, the movable portion 7 of the first apparatus 1 ° defines a cover 12 for the flooring 14.

The two apparatuses 1A and 1B thus arranged advantageously make it possible to make available a wide flooring 14, consisting of the entire surface of one face, for both users 35 of the different apparatuses and at the same time make it possible to make a cover 12 available for this surface. .

Figure 7 illustrates a variant of the system 33 for performing the gymnastic activity described above. An advantage of the present invention consists in making available an apparatus for gymnastic activity that allows to practice gymnastic activities outdoors and that can be arranged in a plurality of places: squares, gardens, parks etc.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in making available an apparatus for gymnastic activity on which a plurality of even different machines can be arranged, making the apparatus extremely versatile.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of evident industrial application; it can also be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details can also be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (1) for gymnastic activity, characterized by the fact of including: a box-like element (2) configured to be transported on trucks and provided with a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a side wall (5) defining an internal volume (6), called wall (5) lateral having a plurality of faces (FI, F2, F3, F4), at least one of said faces (FI, F2, F3, F4) having at least one portion (7) movable between a closing position (C), in which it defines a configuration (B) of minimum encumbrance of the box-shaped element (2), and an opening position (A), in which it protrudes towards the outside (8) of the box-shaped element (2) and defines an opening (9 ) in the side wall (5) adapted to put the internal volume (6) in communication with an external environment (8); - at least one exercise machine (10) intended to occupy the internal volume (6) of the box-like element (2) at least during the configuration (B) of minimum bulk; - means (11) for generating electrical energy which can be used to supply electrical loads to said box-like element (2). 2 . Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (11) for generating electrical energy comprise an electric generator (22) mechanically connected to said exercise machine (10) and operable by the user (35) during the practice of gymnastic exercise. 3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means (11) for generating electricity comprise a photovoltaic module (23), arranged on an external surface of the upper wall (4). 4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the photovoltaic module (23) is also arranged on an external surface of the movable portion (7) of the side wall (5) adapted to define an extension of the upper wall (4) when it is in the opening position (A). 5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one face (Fi, F2, F3, F4) has at least one movable portion (7) configured to define in the open position (A) a cover (12) for an underlying region (13). Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one face (FI, F2, F3, F4) has at least one movable portion (7) configured to define in the open position (A) a flooring (14 ). 7. Apparatus (1) according to any of the previous ones, in which said at least one face (Fi, F2, F3, F4) comprises: a first part (7S) of the movable portion (7) configured to define in the opening position (A) a cover (12) for an underlying region (13); a second part (71) of the movable portion (7) defines a floor (14) in the open position (A). 8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first (7S) and second part (71) of the movable portion (7) define two half-portions of the face (Fi, F2, F3, F4), so as to be substantially overlapped when they are in their respective open positions (A). 9. Apparatus (1) according to any of the previous ones, in which said movable portion (7) is configured to rotate around an axis (15, 16) parallel to one side of said lower wall (3), between said position (C ) of closing and said opening position (A). 10. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a frame (25) provided with a plurality of vertical uprights (17) for connecting the upper wall (4) to the lower wall (3), defining housings for the passage of electric cables. 11. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (27) for adjusting an arrangement of the lower wall (3) with respect to an underlying ground (19) supporting the box-like element, interposed between the wall (3 ) lower and the ground (19) below. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising guide means (20) associated with the lower wall (3) and with at least one face (Fi, F2, F3, F4) having a movable portion (7) configured for define a flooring (14) in the open position (A). Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one retractable extractable element (31), associated with the lower wall (3), to allow to increase the walkable surface of the lower wall (3). Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-like element (2) can be coupled to at least one other box-like element (2) to define a modular system (33) for gymnastic activity. Apparatus (1) according to claim 14, wherein said movable portion (7) of the face (FI, F2, F3, F4) of the side wall (5) is equipped with connection elements which can be coupled to corresponding connection elements of the box-like element (2) of another apparatus (1) coupled therewith, when the respective movable portions (7) are in the opening position (A).