ITRA20110013A1 - GINNICA MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

C. TITLE

GYM MACHINE

O. ABSTRACT

SELECTION DEVICE (40) FOR A GYM MACHINE (1) EQUIPPED WITH A FRAME (10) AND AT LEAST ONE USER INTERFACE (30) MOBILE RANGE FROM THE FRAME (10) ALONG A DETERMINED TRAJECTORY (T); A LOADING GROUP (20) BEING CARRIED BY THE FRAME (10) AND INCLUDING A FIRST LOADING UNIT (21) FITTED WITH PLURALITY OF ELASTIC ORGANS (22); A SELECTOR ORGAN (42) BEING CARRIED FROM THE INTERFACE (30) TRANSVERSALLY TO THE TRAJECTORY (T) IN ORDER TO GRAPE EVERY ROTATION OF EACH ELASTIC ORGAN INDIVIDUALLY BY ROTATION (22).

Text attached to the patent application for industrial invention entitled:

"GYM MACHINE"

The present invention relates to an exercise machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise machine provided with a loading unit capable of providing a determined and selectively variable resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

It is known to equip exercise machines with gravitational load groups, to provide users with the possibility of interacting with resisting forces whose trend is similar to that commonly perceived during the course of any work activity that requires interacting with masses for move them from one point to another or linked to sports practice. It is also known that such gravitational load groups can be coupled to interfaces through levers or through the interposition of at least one transmission with flexible cables. In this case, it is known to provide for the use of cams along the path of the cables in association with the interfaces to allow users to deliver power during the entire range of motion of the interface. On the other hand, it is known that the maximum effort that can be exerted by the user is frequently associated with intermediate positions assumed by the interface in its range of motion, so it could be useful to vary the load starting from a minimum value set at will by the user or by their coach, and increasing in a determined way up to a determined total final load. It is clear that, since each user has its own anthropometric dimensions, each flexible cable machine should be equipped with a plurality of cams, each shaped according to the anthropometric characteristics and the changing needs of the user. It is clear that such a perspective is not practicable for many reasons, first of all the absolute lack of practicality of use of a machine conceived in this way and the costs that the adoption of this solution would entail. The use of an electromechanical load, the profile of which could be defined at will, is not considered satisfactory, due to the inability of the known and currently used devices to produce a natural sensation similar to one of those already experienced by users in the course of their experiences. . Furthermore, even assuming that it is possible to produce an electromechanical load group free from this negative perception, the machine that integrates it should be electrically powered, and would impose limits on the use and placement of users in their space dedicated to training. exercise machines.

As described above, the problem of having an exercise machine that allows a user to exert maximum effort on the interface when the latter is in an advanced phase of its range of motion starting from a load of value compatible with the effort exercisable by the user and being particularly versatile in defining the maximum load represents an interesting challenge for the applicant in order to increase the use of exercise machines.

In consideration of the situation described above, it would be desirable to have a machine which, in addition to allowing to limit and possibly overcome the typical drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art, defines a new standard for such types of product.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise machine provided with a loading unit capable of providing a determined and selectively variable resistance.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device for a technical machine which allows to solve the drawbacks illustrated above, and which is capable of satisfying a set of needs at the current state of the art still unanswered, and therefore, capable of representing a new and original source of economic interest, capable of modifying the current market for equipment for performing gymnastic exercises.

According to the present invention, an adjustment device is provided for an exercise machine having characteristics which will be described in at least one of the following claims.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine equipped with the said adjustment device.

According to the present invention, an exercise machine is provided equipped with said adjustment device and having the characteristics which will be described in at least one of the following claims.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for regulating the resistant load of an exercise machine.

According to the present invention, a method is also provided for regulating the resistant load of an exercise machine and the main characteristics of this method will be described in at least one of the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the adjustment device, of the exercise machine integrating this device and of the method for adjusting the resistant load of an exercise machine according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, shown with reference to the attached figures which illustrate some examples. of non-limiting actuation, in which identical or corresponding parts of the device itself are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view on an enlarged scale of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view on an enlarged scale of Figure 2 with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a detail extracted from Figure 3;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates some components extracted from Figure 3 and presents a table which facilitates the understanding of a method of use of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view on an enlarged scale of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view on an enlarged scale of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In Figure 1, 1 denotes, as a whole, an exercise machine provided with a frame 10 and with at least one user interface 30 carried movable by the frame 10 along a determined trajectory T. The machine 1 comprises a loading unit 20 which is carried by the frame 10 and comprises a first loading unit 21 provided with a plurality of elastic members 22. Each elastic member 22 has, with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, at least one body flexible elastic 220 provided with a first end 222 connectable to the frame 10 in a permanent and selectively dissolvable way and a second end 224 provided with a first coupling member 226. In particular, n elastic members 22 are provided, in a number equal to the maximum number of elastic bodies 220 present in a single elastic member 22 and each elastic member 22 has a distinct number of elastic bodies 220 greater than or equal to one. The elastic bodies 220 are substantially identical to each other in such a way as to exhibit a substantially identical elastic constant k. On the other hand, should it be deemed necessary, it will be possible to evaluate whether to use elastic bodies 220 distinguished by values of k different from each other, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The machine 1 comprises a coupling unit 40 associated with the interface 30, of which only a respective structural portion is visible in Figure 3, and can be used to selectively hook each elastic member 22 to the interface 30 itself, so as to define a resistant load of an entity that can be defined at will. This coupling unit 40 comprises a selector member 42 carried by the interface 30 transversely to the trajectory T and able to grasp each elastic member 22 individually by rotation. The selector member 42 comprises a shaft 44 carried by the interface 30 in a rotatable manner transversely to the trajectory T around a fulcrum axis 45 integral with the interface 30 and has a plurality of second coupling members 228, each of which is arranged to be coupled stably with a respective first coupling member 226. A knob 46 is keyed to the shaft 44 in the end position for controlling the respective rotation around the fulcrum axis 45. In particular, with reference to Figure 3, each second coupling member 228 comprises a cam 228 keyed to the shaft 44 and provided with a circumferential groove 230 having an inverted T guide obtained with a constant radius by milling, which will be better described below. Each first coupling member 226 comprises a tappet 226 having a head 227 shaped in a manner conjugated to the groove 230 and kept at rest oriented transversely to the shaft 44 in a position integral with the frame 10. Each groove 230 also has a plurality of openings 232 alternating radial portions with C-shaped portions 233 suitable for retaining the tappets 226, and the openings 232 and the C-shaped portions 233 cone distributed at multiple intervals of a determined angular pitch a and sized to be accessible from the corresponding tappet 226 to allow, in use , alternatively the coupling and uncoupling of the corresponding elastic body 220 to the cam 228. As described above, each single tappet 226 is arranged to engage and selectively disengage one of the openings 232 of the respective cam 228 and, subsequently to a rotation of at least some 44 degrees shaft in one direction of rotation or in the opposite direction, couple inter with the corresponding groove 230. As described above, each tappet 226 is arranged radially at rest for the groove 230, in such a way as to be easily grasped by the cam 228 once the interface 30 has been operated along the trajectory T a this purpose and the relative cams 228 placed in the condition of interacting with the corresponding tappets 226. The cams 228 are phased together in such a way as to present at least a series of respective openings 232 aligned with each other parallel to the shaft 44 so that it is It is possible, in use, to freely operate the interface 30 along the respective trajectory T leaving the tappets 226 free, thus allowing a user to train and under conditions of zero load applied, thus using exclusively the inertial load offered by the interface 30.

The coupling and uncoupling of each tappet 226 occurs following a rotation of the shaft 44 by a determined angle, which can be easily calculated on the basis of the following considerations. In particular, with reference to the angular distribution of the openings 232, it may be useful to consider the number "n" of the rubber bands that equip the machine 1. In the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in the attached figures, the number of elastic members 22 is 4, as well as the maximum number of elastic bodies 220 in an elastic member 22. Considering that the elastic bodies 220 are grouped as described above as can be easily understood from Figure 5, considering "n" as the total maximum numerical value of the elastic members 22 and of the elastic bodies 220 for each elastic member 22, the number of operating positions of said shaft 44 can be calculated as follows:

Npos = 1

Therefore, the total elastic constant Ktotsi can be expressed as follows:

Ktot = k * ∑Ji; and the angular step a expressed in sexagesimal angles is obtained through the following equation:; a = 360 / (1-1-∑ * i).

Therefore, if n = 4, then the maximum number of possible load combinations is 11, obviously including the zero load combination and the angular pitch value approximates 33 ° upwards and therefore can be brought to 30 ° for convenience. To facilitate the understanding of the way of use of the present embodiment of the present invention, a table represented in figure 5 has been constructed, which summarizes the possible positions for the shaft 44 and the value of the total load corresponding to each position of the shaft. 44 same for a determined number of elastic bodies 220. In particular, this table comprises a matrix of n = 4 rows and Ntot = 10 columns, where each column indicates a possible combination of selectable elastic members 22; each row shows the value of the maximum total load that this determined selection of elastic bodies 220 can be produced, expressed as a function of the single elastic constant k of an elastic body 220. In parallel, again in the same figure, the cams 228 have been shown schematically and arranged in a pack in figure 5. From this figure 5 it is evident that, as described above, it is possible to increase the total elastic load applied to the interface 30 by constant values proportional to the elastic constant of each single elastic member 220.

At this point, it may be useful to specify that, with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, without limiting the generality of the present invention, the machine 1 comprises a substantially horizontal linear motion guide unit 80, to which it is slidingly coupled the interface 30 the interface 30 comprises a seat 31 for a user and the frame 10 has a platform 11 transversal to the trajectory T, then the machine 1 assumes the typical conformation of the "leg press" and can be used to perform exercises to strengthen the lower limbs. For convenience, the attached figures refer to an exercise machine structured in this way, even if this choice cannot be interpreted as limiting the inventive concept illustrated through the present description. It will be noted that each elastic body 220 has a longitudinal extension which approximates by excess the extension of the stroke of the interface / seat 30 in such a way as to make the increase in the elastic load very gradual and thus facilitate the execution of the exercise. even in not particularly trained users. Therefore, each elastic body 220 is returned by a pulley 221 carried by the frame 10 from the opposite band to the platform 11.

With reference to Figure 1, the load group 20 comprises a second load unit 60, also supported by the frame 10 and which can be selectively connected to the interface 30 through the interposition of a selector device 70, better visible in Figure 7. L The use of this second load unit 60, which could be gravitational as well as of any other nature, makes it possible to increase the value of the mechanical power that can be exchanged by the user with the interface 30. In particular, again with reference to Figure 1, in the if the second load unit 60 is of the gravitational type, then it will comprise a plurality of bricks 62 stacked vertically one on top of the other and movable linearly vertically through a selection unit 63 provided with a through rod 64, otherwise called " cross ", of a pin 66 which can be coupled transversely to the rod 64, of a pulley 67 pivoted to the rod 64 and a cable 67 for driving the pack of bricks 62 ac coupled to the rod 64 by the pin 66 through the interface 30. The selector device 70 comprises a third coupling member 72 brought to rest by the frame 10 in a position below the interface / seat 30 in a known way and not illustrated. Said third coupling member 72 comprises a block 72 provided with a hole 73 obtained transversely to the trajectory T and is associated with a third end 68 of the cable 67. The selector device 70 also comprises a first coupling member 74, comprising a sleeve 74 associated with the seat / seat 30 and arranged transversely to the trajectory T. Said tube 74 longitudinally accommodates a second coupling member 76 comprising a stem 76 in a freely sliding manner. In particular, the stem 76 is mobile enough to selectively engage the block 72 inside the hole 73 once the seat 30 is, in use, arranged in such a way as to allow alignment between the hole 73 and the stem 76, to establish the connection between the interface / seat 30 and the load unit 60 and allow the user to interact with the gravitational load. In this regard, the stem 76 is provided with an end-of-stroke device 75 which engages a slot in the sleeve 74, to constrain the maximum extension of the stroke of the rod 76 relative to the sleeve 74.

Therefore, the provision of the coupling unit 40 makes the exercise machine 1 suitable, in use, to define an overall load combination of load values associated with the first and second load units 21 and 60. Therefore to produce a base load defined by the combination of the masses corresponding to the bricks 62 coupled to the rod 64 through the pin 66 of the second unit 60 to which is added the variable load given by the elastic members 22 selectively coupled to the cams 228 following the rotation of the shaft 44. Therefore, the maximum load on the interface will depend on the value of the base load of the second unit 60 as described above and on the maximum displacement applied by the user to the interface 30 and, in the case of the "leg press", on the distance between the seat 30 and the platform 11.

The use of the machine 1 and the coupling unit 40 is easily understood from what has been described above and requires no further explanation. However, it may be useful to specify that the exercise machine 1 is provided with a loading unit 20 of a mixed nature and a coupling unit 40 associated with the interlock 30 to implement a load regulation method comprising a step of hooking at least one of the elastic members 22 at interface 30; the step of hooking at least one of the elastic bodies 220 to the interface 30 comprising a step of rotating the second front coupling members / cams 228 to selectively couple them to each respective first coupling member 226, so as to define a resistant load of determined entity against the actuation of the interface 30, the cams 228 being arranged according to a multiple of a determined angular pitch a, calculated as indicated above. The method further comprises a step of enabling the second load unit 60 through the actuation of the coupling member 76 of the selector device 70 transversely to the trajectory T to selectively engage the third coupling member 72 associated with the third end 68 of the cable 67 and the first coupling member 74 associated with the interface 30. It should be noted that the step of hooking at least one of the elastic bodies 220 to the interface 30 by rotation of the cams 228 can be preceded or followed by a step of rotating the coupling unit 40 up to an angular phase determined in order to separate each first coupling member 226 from the interface 30, to operate exclusively the second load unit 60 through the interleave 30.

As described, the value of the perceivable load at interface 30, which can therefore be implemented through a session to be moved along the trajectory T to train the muscles of the lower limbs, may include a fixed value that can be increased at will based on the number of organs. elastics selected and based on the amplitude of movement allowed by the anthropometric conformation of the user who will perceive a maximum load the greater the extension of their lower limbs. In any case, both the gravitational load and the elastic constant associated with the first load unit 21 can be varied in a discrete manner, by adding load elements. Furthermore, the adequate selection of the coupling unit 40 and of the selector device 70 allows to perform gymnastic exercises on the machine 1 both by selecting the gravitational load only, the elastic load only, and a mixed gravitational and elastic load, thus facilitating the '' execution of exercises with maximum load and exercises for plyometric training.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the exercise machine 1, to the coupling unit 40 and to the method described and illustrated here without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Selection device (40) for an exercise machine (1) provided with a frame (10) and with at least one user interface (30) carried movable by said frame (10) along a determined trajectory (T); a loading unit (20) being carried by said frame (10) and comprising a first loading unit (21) provided with a plurality of elastic members (22); characterized in that it comprises a selector member (42) carried by said interface (30) transversely to said trajectory (T) adapted to grasp each said elastic member (22) individually by rotation. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each said elastic member (22) comprises at least one flexible elastic body (220) provided with a first end (222) rigidly connected to said frame (10) and a second end (224 ) provided with a first coupling member (226); each said selector member (42) having a second coupling member (228) arranged to be coupled stably with a respective said first coupling member (226). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said selector member (42) comprises a shaft (44) carried by said interface (30) in a rotatable manner transversely to said trajectory (T); each said second coupling member (228) comprising a cam (228) keyed to said shaft (44) provided with a circumferential groove (230); each said first coupling member (226) comprising a tappet (226) arranged to engage and selectively disengage a corresponding said groove (230) and to couple with said groove (230) through respective C-shaped portions (233) following a rotation of said shaft (44) by a few degrees. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that each said groove (230) has a T-shaped radial section and said tappet (226) has a head shaped in a manner conjugate to said groove (230); said groove (230) having a plurality of radial openings (232) distributed at multiple intervals of a determined angular pitch (oc) and sized to be accessible from the corresponding said tappet (226) to allow, in use, alternatively coupling and the uncoupling of the corresponding said elastic body (220) to the said cam (228), following a rotation of the said shaft (44) by a determined angle. 5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that said elastic bodies (220) have the same elastic constant (k) and the same longitudinal extension; each said elastic member (22) has a distinct number of said elastic bodies (220). 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, being "n" the total maximum numerical value of said elastic members (22) and of said elastic bodies (220) for each said elastic member (22), said angular step (a) expressed in sexagesimal angles is obtained through the equation: a = 360 / (1+ 3⁄4 0- 7. Device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that said load group (20) comprises a second load unit (60) supported by said frame (10) and selectively connectable to said interface (30) through the interposition of a selector device (70) to increase the value of the mechanical power that can be exchanged through said interface (30). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said second loading unit (60) comprises a plurality of bricks (62) stacked together and linearly movable through a selection unit provided with a through rod (64) , of a pin (66) which can be coupled transversely to said rod (64) and of a cable (67) arranged between said interface (30) and said rod (64). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said selector device (70) comprises a sleeve (74) associated with said interface (30) and arranged transversely to said trajectory (T); a stem (76) housed in a freely sliding manner inside said sleeve (74); a third coupling member (72) provided with a hole (73) parallel to said stem (76) and rigidly connected to said cable (67); said third coupling member (72) being carried by said frame (10) in a normally fixed and selectively movable way together with said sleeve (74) through said stem (76) to selectively connect said interface (30) to said second loading units (60). 10. Device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that it comprises linear motion guide means (80) associated with said frame (10), that said trajectory (T) is linear and substantially horizontal and that said interface (30) comprises a seat (31) for a user and that said frame has a platform transversal to said trajectory (T) in such a way as to allow training of the lower limbs. 11. Device according to any one of claims 6-10, characterized in that said cams (228) are phased together in such a way as to present a series of said respective openings (232) aligned with each other parallel to said shaft (44) in such a way that, in use, said interface (30) can be operated along the respective said trajectory (T) in a condition of applied zero load. Device according to any one of claims 2-11, characterized in that said elastic bodies (220) are substantially identical to each other in such a way as to have a substantially identical elastic constant. 13. Exercise machine (1) provided with a frame (10) and with at least one user interface (30) carried movable by said frame (10) along a determined trajectory (T); a loading unit (20) being carried by said frame (10) and comprising a first loading unit (21) provided with a plurality of elastic members (22); coupling means (40) being associated with said interface (30) for selectively coupling each said elastic member (22) to said interface (30) in such a way as to define a resistant load of freely definable entity; characterized in that said coupling means (40) comprise a selector member (42) as described in claims 1-12. 14. Method for regulating the resistant load of an exercise machine equipped with at least a first load group (21) of the elastic type, a second load group (60) of a determined type, an interface (30) carried by the said frame (10) along a determined trajectory (T); said first loading unit (21) comprising a plurality of flexible elastic members (22) provided with a first end (222) rigidly connected to said frame (10) and a second free end (224) provided with a first coupling member (226); a coupling unit (40) being associated with said interface (30) and provided with respective front hooking means (228); said method comprising a step of hooking at least one of said elastic bodies (220) to said interface (30); characterized in that said step of hooking at least one of said elastic bodies (220) to said interface (30) comprises a step of rotating said front hooking means (228) to selectively couple them to each respective first fastening member (226 ) to define a resistant load of a determined entity against an actuation of said interface {30), the said front hooking means (228) being arranged according to a multiple of a determined angular pitch (a). Method according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises a step of operating said second load group (60} through a selector device (70} that can be operated by displacement of a coupling member (76) that can be operated transversely to said trajectory ( T). Method according to claim 27, characterized in that said step of hooking at least one of said elastic bodies (220) to said interface (30) by rotation is preceded or followed by a step of rotating said coupling unit (40 ) up to a determined angular phase to separate each said first hooking member {226} from said interface (30}, to operate only said second load group (60) through said interface (30).