ITRA20090004A1 - GINNICA MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

GYM MACHINE

SUMMARY

SUPPORT (6 LATERAL FOR SUPPORTING THE UPPER LIMBS OF THE USER STRICTLY ASSOCIATED TO THE UPRIGHT (4 TO SUPPORT A USER IN A SUSPENDED POSITION FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF REPEATED LIFTING EXERCISES OF THE LEGS A SECOND UNIT OF SUPPORT (7 LOWER THAN THE USER BY BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRAME (2 UNDER THE FIRST SUPPORT UNIT (6 IN MOBILE MODE FROM AT LEAST ONE LOWER POSITION CORRESPONDING TO A WORKING START POSITION FOR THE USER AT LEAST ONE POSITION HIGHER END OF EXERCISE A DRIVE DEVICE (8 BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND SUPPORT UNIT (7 TO APPLY A STRAIGHT THRUST TOWARDS THE FIRST SUPPORT UNIT (6 IN ORDER TO ASSIST THE USER DURING THE LIFTING OF THE "GYM MACHINE"

The present invention relates to an exercise machine for training muscle strength. More in detail, the present invention relates to an exercise machine which can be validly used to perform gymnastic exercises of repeated lifting of the legs from a position suspended from the ground, for training, in particular, the abdominal muscles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the field of gymnastic machines, gymnastic machines are known comprising a frame provided with a base and at least two lateral vertical uprights fixed below the base itself. A significant example of such machines, and particularly essential, can be found in the USD 339835 patent by the US company LifeGear Ine. In some cases, it is normal to provide a vertical support plate for the user's back while performing the exercise and lateral horizontal bars equipped with usually vertical handles. The plate and the bars are usually equipped with cushions to make the exercise more comfortable, since the effectiveness of the exercise is determined by keeping the back stable on the plate and the legs raised with the hands that grasp the handles. This leg lifting exercise allows you to train mainly the abdominal muscles and, secondarily, also the muscles of the lower and upper limbs and is commonly known by the English term of "leg raise".

The gymnastic machines described above are very widespread and widely used in the fitness sector as they allow you to train the muscles in an intense and complete way. Nevertheless, the machines built according to the known schemes have some drawbacks.

As it is easy to guess, in fact, performing these exercises requires considerable physical effort, since the user must support the entire mass of his body during the entire exercise. Because of this, some people are unable to perform such exercises without the assistance of a trainer to help them partially support their legs while performing each repetition of the lower limb lift.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise machine for training muscle strength. More in detail, the present invention relates to an exercise machine which can be validly used to perform gymnastic exercises of repeated lifting of the legs from a position suspended from the ground, for training, in particular, the abdominal muscles.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to obviate these drawbacks, and to provide teachings that allow the construction of an exercise machine for performing leg lifting exercises that allows training without necessarily having to resort to the assistance of a coach. , even if poorly experienced or trained. A further object of the present invention is to construct an exercise machine with a simple structure, easy to implement in practice, safe and effective in operation and low cost, to satisfy a set of requirements currently unsatisfactorily resolved, and therefore, able to represent a new and original source of economic interest, able to modify the current market of exercise machines for the execution of the exercises described above.

According to the present invention, an exercise machine is produced, the main characteristics of which will be described in at least one of the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the machine according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, shown with reference to the attached figures which illustrate at least one non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which identical or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the exercise machine for developing muscle strength according to the invention, with the user in the exercise start position for carrying out the lifting of the lower limbs with the legs bent;

Figure 2 represents a side elevation view of the exercise machine according to the invention, with the user in the end-of-exercise position for carrying out the lifting of the lower limbs with the legs bent;

Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the exercise machine according to the invention, with the user in the exercise start position for carrying out the lifting of the lower limbs with the legs straight; - figure 4 illustrates a side elevation view of the exercise machine, with the user in the end-of-exercise position for carrying out the lifting of the lower limbs with the legs straight;

- figure 5 represents a perspective detail view of the exercise machine, for the execution of assisted exercises with thrust on the lower limbs;

- figure 6 shows a perspective detail view of the exercise machine, for the execution of assisted exercises with pushing on the feet;

Figure 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a second example of embodiment of the exercise machine for developing muscular strength according to the invention, with the user in the exercise start position for carrying out the pull-ups for the arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to Figures 1 to 6, the number 1 generally indicates an exercise machine for training muscle strength according to the invention. This machine 1 is dedicated in particular to training the abdominal muscles by performing gymnastic exercises of repeated lifting of the legs from a raised position.

The machine 1 comprises a frame, indicated as a whole with 2, comprising a base 3, at least one upright 4, substantially vertical, rigidly coupled to the base 3 at the bottom, a substantially vertical backrest 5 for supporting the user's back, and a first lateral support unit, indicated as a whole with 6, provided with substantially horizontal members for supporting the user's upper limbs, rigidly associated with the upright 4, as will be better described hereinafter. The frame 2 of the machine 1 allows a user to be supported in a suspended position from the ground resting on the backrest 5 and with the forearms on the first support unit 6 for performing repeated lifting exercises of the legs.

According to the invention, the machine 1 advantageously comprises a second support unit for the user's lower limbs, indicated as a whole with 7, associated with the frame 2, below the first support unit 6, in a movable way from at least a lower position, corresponding to an exercise start position for the user, to at least one upper position, corresponding to an exercise end position for the user, and an actuation device, globally indicated with 8, associated with said second support unit 7, to apply on the latter a thrust directed towards the first support unit 6, in such a way as to actively assist a user during the lifting of the legs from the position of beginning of the exercise to the position of the end of the exercise.

In particular, the second support unit 7 comprises at least a first lever 9 coupled to a first end 10 in a freely rotatable way to the frame 2 and associated. at a second end 11 to at least one support element 12 for the lower limbs, so that the support element 12 is movable from at least a lower position, corresponding to an exercise start position for the user, to at least one position higher, corresponding to an end-of-year position for the user. The actuation device 8 is associated with the first lever 9 so as to apply to the support element 12 a thrust towards the first support unit 6, to assist the user during the lifting of the legs from the starting position to the position of year end. For greater clarity, the "starting position" to which reference is made can be indiscriminately that of figure 1, with the support element 12 pushed against the feet, or that of figure 3, with the support element 12 in thrust on the calves. Similarly, the "end of exercise position" means both that of figure 2, with the legs bent and the support element 12 pushed against the feet, and that of figure 4, with the legs stretched and the support element 12 pushing on the calves.

Figures 1 and 2 show the exercise machine according to the invention with the support element 12 pushed against the user's feet, so as to perform a first type of exercise. In this first situation, the user can perform lower limb lifting exercises with legs flexed from the starting position, shown in figure 1, to the end position, shown in figure 2.

Figures 3 and 4, on the other hand, illustrate the exercise machine according to the invention with the support element 12 thrusting on the user's lower limbs, in particular, on the calves, so as to perform a second type of exercise. In this second situation, the user can perform lower limb lifting exercises with straight legs from the exercise start position, in which the user is in a substantially upright position shown in Figure 3, to the end position, shown in Figure 3. figure 4, in which the user is arranged with the legs in a square and is supported on the arms, each of which is arranged bent in a square resting on the support unit 6.

The support element 12 preferably comprises an upper cover 13 made of yielding material, consisting for example of a soft padding, able to be selectively associated at the top with the support element 12, to make the support of the lower limbs more comfortable during the performing lifting exercises. To further clarify what has been described, during the execution of the lifting exercises with bent legs, with the support element 12 pushed on the feet (figs. 1-2), the upper cover 13 will be suitably removed from the support element ; while, during the execution of the lifting exercises with straight legs, with the support element 12 pushed on the calves (figs. 3-4), the upper cover 13 will be conveniently associated with the support element 12, so as to make the support of the lower limbs more comfortable during the exercise.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the supporting element 12 comprises a horizontal platform 14 which hinges at least one covering member 15, delimited at the top by yielding material. As described above, this covering member 15 is selectively movable between an active position, in which the covering member 15 is arranged in a position which mates with the platform 14, for carrying out lifting exercises with the lower limbs. contact with the covering member 15 (as for example illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5) and at least one inactive position, in which the covering member 15 is rotated and arranged alongside the platform 14, for the execution lifting exercises with the feet directly in contact with the platform 14 (as for example represented in Figures 1, 2 and 6).

Conveniently, the actuation device 8 comprises at least one load unit 16 associated with the first lever 9 in such a way as to exert a thrust on it towards the first support unit 6, and to assist the user during the lifting of the legs during The exercise.

Preferably, the load unit 16 is gravitational, of the weight pack type, and is coupled to the frame 2 in a freely sliding way vertically, along traditional guides. Furthermore, the load unit 16 is suitably associated with the first lever 9 by means of at least one flexible cable 17, wrapped around a plurality of first pulleys 18, each of which is freely rotatably coupled to the frame 2, so as to apply on the first lever 9 a thrust towards the first support unit 6. More in detail, in the embodiment just described, the flexible cable 17 has one end fixed to the load unit 16 and the other end fixed to the first lever 9. In a further embodiment, visible in Figures 1-4, the machine 1 comprises at least a second pulley 19 freely rotatable coupled to the first lever 9. In this case, the flexible cable 17 is wound around the first pulley 18 and to the second pulley 19 and has one end 20 rigidly coupled to the load unit 16 and the other end 21 rigidly fixed to the frame 2.

The weight pack type loading unit is commonly used in exercise machines for muscle strength training. However, in the machine 1 object of the invention, unlike what occurs in weight-pack machines for training muscle strength, the load selected by the user does not introduce a resistance to the user's movement but, on the contrary, produces a reduction in the resistance that the user encounters during leg lifts represented by the weight of their lower limbs. The reduction of the load due to the mass of the legs is proportional to the entity of the load of the weight stack that is set by the user before performing the exercise. It is easy to understand how the exercise machine object of the invention is advantageously characterized as it allows even less experienced users to perform exercises of high difficulty, such as leg lifts, without the help of a trainer.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the first lever 9 comprises a first arm 22 freely rotatably coupled to the frame 2 and a second arm 23, consecutive to the first arm 22, rigidly associated with the support element 12. A locking device selective 24 being provided to couple the first arm 22 and the second arm 23 to each other at their respective ends by means of, so that the support element 12 is selectively movable from at least one position of use, in which the second arm 23 is substantially an extension of the first arm 22, for the execution of assisted leg lifting exercises, to at least one non-use position, in which the second arm 23 is placed below the first arm 22, for the execution of exercises of unassisted, natural-loaded leg lifts.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the first arm 22 and the second arm 23 are hinged together. Furthermore, preferably, said selective locking device 24 comprises at least one plate 25, integral with the first arm 22, affected by a series of cavities 26 and at least one locking pin 27, associated with the second arm 23, adapted to selectively engage a cavities 26 so as to selectively rigidly associate the second arm 23 with respect to the first arm 22 in relation to the type of exercise to be performed.

More in detail, the machine 1 comprises a second lever 28 movably associated with the support element 12 and mechanically connected to the locking pin 27. This second lever 28 is adapted to be operated manually by a user to selectively disengage the pin 27 from any of the cavities 26. In a possible embodiment, the second lever 28 is hinged, in its own central portion, in correspondence with the lower surface of the platform 14 of the support element 12, so that a the free end of the second lever 28 can be easily operated manually by the user. The second lever 28 also has a further free end to which one end of a cable is rigidly fixed, the other end of which is rigidly bound to the locking pin 27. The second lever 28 and the locking pin 27 can be kept in place. position, for example but not limitedly, by means of respective contrast springs. It will now be easy to understand that the operation of the second lever 28 by the user causes the disengagement of the locking pin 27 from any of the cavities 26 and makes the second arm 23 freely rotatable with respect to the first arm 22 so as to carry the support element 12 in the desired position according to the exercise to be performed. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the machine according to the present invention, in which the first support unit 6 comprises at least two intermediate lateral bars 29 and 30, also visible in Figures 1-4, substantially horizontal and rigidly associated at a respective end to the upright 4. Each of these bars 29, 30 is rigidly associated with the free end at least one handle 31 which can be used to perform assisted bending exercises on the arms, with the user kneeling on the the support element 12 is subjected to the thrust of the actuation device 8. More in detail, the user assumes, in use, an initial position with the arms stretched along the body supporting himself on the handles 31 and, subsequently, repeatedly lowers the body by means of the bending of the arms; this exercise is more commonly known by the English term of "dip exercise

With reference to Figure 7, the first support unit 6 further comprises at least two upper lateral bars 32 and 33, substantially parallel to the bars 29 and 30 and associated with a respective end of the upright 4.

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Each bar 32, 33 rigidly carries at least one handle 34 to the end position to perform traction exercises on the assisted arms, with the user kneeling on the support element 12 and subjected to the thrust of the actuation device 8. More in detail , the user assumes an initial position with the arms stretched upwards by supporting himself on the handles 34 and, subsequently, repeatedly lifts the body by pulling the arms; this exercise is known in English with the term "chin-up exercise". Similarly to the example of figure 2, also in the machine of the version illustrated in figure 7, the first lever 9 comprises a first arm 22 freely rotatably coupled to the frame 2 and a second arm 23, consecutive to the first arm 22, rigidly associated with the support element 12. The first arm 22 and the second arm 23 are associated with each other at their respective ends by means of the selective locking device 24, so that the support element 12 is selectively movable from at least one position of use , in which the second arm 23 substantially defines an extension of the first arm 22, for the execution of assisted exercises chosen from leg lifts, bends on the arms and tractions on the arms, to at least one non-use position, in which the second arm 23 is placed below the first arm 22, to perform exercises with a natural load, not assisted and chosen from among leg raises, push-ups and pull-ups on the arms.

Preferably, as clearly visible in Figures 5 and 6, the support element 12 can assume three different positions: an upper one, in which the user is kneeling on the support element 12, with the covering member 15 in active position, and is assisted in the execution of traction exercises on the arms; an intermediate one in which the user is kneeling on the support element 12, with the covering member 15 in the active position, and is assisted in carrying out the bending exercises on the arms or in which the support element 12, with the door in the active position, is pushed on the calves and the user raises the lower limbs with straight legs or in which the support element 12, with the covering member 15 in the inactive position, is pushing on the feet and the user performs the lifts of the lower limbs with bent legs; finally, a lower non-use position, in which the user can perform any of the aforementioned exercises with a natural load, meaning the resistance offered by the weight of the user's body. In this embodiment, the plate 25 will be affected by three cavities 26, in which the locking pin 27 can be selectively engaged by actuating the second lever 28.

The use of machine 1 is easily understood from the above description and requires no further explanation.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the exercise machine 1 described and illustrated here without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS 1. Exercise machine for training muscle strength comprising a frame (2) provided with a base (3), with at least one substantially vertical upright (4), rigidly coupled inferiorly to said base (3), with a backrest (5) substantially vertical for supporting the user's back, and first supporting means (6), substantially horizontal, rigidly associated with at least one said upright (4), arranged laterally and shaped to support the user's upper limbs in such a way as to support, in use, a user in a suspended position resting on the backrest and with the forearms on said first support means (6) during the execution of leg lifting exercises; characterized in that it comprises second support means (7) for the lower limbs arranged inferiorly to said first support means (6), associated with said frame (2) in a movable way between at least one lower starting position for exercise to at least one position higher at the end of the year; actuation means (8) being associated with said second support means (7) to apply on them a thrust directed towards said first support means (6), in such a way as to assist, in use, the user during the lifting of the legs. 2. Exercise machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said second support means (7) comprise at least a first lever (9) coupled to said frame (2) in a freely rotatable way and supporting at least one support element (12 ) for the lower limbs, so that said support element (12) is, in use, movable between at least one lower starting position for the user and at least one upper ending position for the user; said actuation means (8) being associated with said first lever (9) so as to apply to said support element (12) a thrust directed towards said first support means (6), to assist the user during the lifting of the legs from said exercise start position to said exercise end position. 3. Exercise machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said support element (12) comprises a platform (14) which can be selectively delimited at the top from a cover (13) produced in yielding material, suitable for making, in use, the most comfortable support of the lower limbs during the execution of the lifting exercises. 4. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said platform (14) is associated in a freely rotatable way at least one covering member (15), coated on the top with yielding material, selectively movable between at least one position active, in which the said covering member (15) rests on the said platform (14) and at least one inactive position, in which the said covering member (15) is raised by the said platform (14). 5. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (8) comprise at least one load unit (16) associated with said first lever (9) in such a way as to exert on it a thrust towards said first support means (6), so as to assist the user during the lifting of the legs. 6. Exercise machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said load unit (16) is gravitational and is coupled to said frame (2) in a freely sliding way vertically and is associated with said first lever ( 9) by at least one flexible cable (17), wound around at least one first pulley (18) coupled in a freely rotatable way to said frame (2), so as to apply on said first lever (9) a thrust towards said first means support (6). 7. Exercise machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least a second pulley (19) coupled in a freely rotatable way to said first lever (9); said flexible cable (17) being wrapped around said first (18) and second pulley (19) and having one end (20) rigidly coupled to said load unit and the other end rigidly fixed (21) to said frame. 8. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first lever (9) comprises a first arm (22) coupled in a freely rotatable way to said frame (2) and a second arm (23), consecutive to said first arm (22), rigidly associated with said support element (12); said first arm (22) and second arm (23) being coupled to each other through respective end portions by means of selective locking means (24), so that said support element (12) is selectively movable from at least one position of use, in which said second arm (23) substantially defines an extension of said first arm (22), to perform assisted leg lifting exercises, to at least one non-use position, in which said second arm (23) is It is placed underneath with respect to said first arm (22), to perform unassisted natural load exercises for lifting the legs. 9. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first support means (6) comprise at least one handle (31) (31) for carrying out the assisted bending exercises on the arms, with the user kneeling on said support element (12) and subjected to the thrust of said actuation means (8); each said handle being carried rigidly by said upright (4) through the interposition of a respective intermediate lateral bar (29) (30), substantially horizontal; each said handle (31) longitudinally delimiting the respective said bar (29) (30). 10. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first support means (6) comprise at least two upper bars (32) (33), substantially horizontal and rigidly associated with a respective end to said upright (4 ); each said upper bar (32) (33) being substantially parallel to a said intermediate lateral bar (29) (30) rigidly bringing at least one handle (34) to the end position for the execution of the assisted-type traction exercises on the arms , with the user kneeling on said support element (12) and subjected to the thrust of said actuation means (8). 11. Exercise machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first lever (9) comprises a first arm (22) coupled in a freely rotatable way to said frame (2) and a second arm (23), consecutive to said first arm (22), rigidly associated with said support element (12); said first arm (22) and second arm (23) being associated with each other at respective ends by means of selective locking means (24), so that said support element (12) is selectively movable from at least one position of use, wherein said second arm (23) substantially defines an extension of said first arm (22), for the execution of assisted exercises and at least one non-use position for the execution of natural weight, non-assisted exercises. 12. Exercise machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first arm (22) and said second arm (23) are hinged together and said selective locking means (24) comprise at least one plate (25) integral with said first arm (22), presenting a series of cavities (26); at least one locking pin (27) being associated with said second arm (23) to selectively engage at least one of said cavities (26) in such a way as to selectively couple, in use, in a rigid manner the said second arm (23) to said first arm (22). 13. Exercise machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least a second lever (28) mechanically connected to said locking pin (27) and movably associated to said support element (12); the said second lever (28) being arranged to be, in use, operable manually in order to selectively disengage said locking pin (27) from any of the said cavities (26).