WO2004009184A1

WO2004009184A1 - Machine for the training of the chest musculature

Info

Publication number: WO2004009184A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/001148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christer Eriksson
Original assignee: Overseas Trade Limited
Priority date: 2002-07-18
Filing date: 2003-07-08
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: SE0202275L; SE523026C2; EP1523373A1; SE0202275D0; AU2003281507A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine intended for the training of the chest musculature that comprises a stand (1), a seat (3), a backrest (2) and two supporting plates (8) located on a level above the seat, against which a user’s forearms are pressable and each one of which is mounted on a carrier (9) of a turnable arm (10), and movable against the effect of a counter load device between an outer end position sidewards from the seat and an inner working position located closer to the centre of the machine. According to the invention, the individual supporting plate (8) is articulatedly connected to the carrier (9) in order to be turned between a starting position at an acute angle (α) to the vertical and a substantially vertical, folded-up position.

Description

MACHINE FOR THE TRAINING OF THE CHEST MUSCULATURE

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a machine intended for the training of the chest musculature, of the type that comprises a stand, a seat, a backrest and two supporting plates located on a level above the seat, against which a user's forearms are pressable and each one of which is mounted on a carrier on a turnable arm, and movable against the effect of a counter load device between an outer end position sidewards from the backrest, and an inner working position located closer to the centre of the machine.

Prior Art A machine of the above-mentioned type is previously known and commercially available (see "www.nordicgym.se" - article 109) . In this known machine, the counter load device, which is in the form of a vertically adjustable set of weights, is placed behind the backrest, a force transmission . between the counter load device and the two supporting plates being located at the top of the stand, more precisely in the area of the upper part of the backrest. The carrier for the individual supporting plate consists of a vertical bar that hangs down from, and is stiffly united to, a horizontal arm, which is turnably mounted at an outer end of a bracket, included in the stand, which bracket is levelled with the upper part of the backrest, i.e. approximately at the level of the head of the user. By the stiff connection thereof to the horizontal swinging arm, the supporting plate for the forearm of the user is always kept in a vertical position. When the supporting plate assumes the outer end position thereof - which constitutes a starting position for every commenced training cycle - the same is retracted to the immediate vicinity of the stand positioned behind the backrest.- Therefore, when the user is to apply the forearms against the supporting plates, he is forced to introduce the arms in an angled state, the forearms being vertical at an approximately right angle to the upper arms, to the area behind the vertical supporting plates. Therefore, getting the forearms behind the supporting plates demands complicated and awkward body movements, during which breaks easily may arise in the shoulder portion of the user. Undesirable strains in the shoulder portion may also arise in connection with the user being about to initiate the motion of the supporting plate from the retracted position towards a more central, turned-in working position. What is more, the part of the stand protruding from the counter load device being behind is troublesome in connection with the user being about to sit down in the machine.

Objects and Features of the Invention

The present invention aims at obviating the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known training machine and at providing an improved machine for the training of chest muscles. Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to provide a machine in which initiation of the movement of the supporting plates from the outer end positions to the more central working positions is facilitated and may be effected without harmful breaks or muscle strains arising in the shoul- ' der portion of the user. An additional object is to provide a machine that may be entered and left by a user in a simple and smooth way. Furthermore, it should be possible to manufacture the machine in a structurally simple way, while reducing the total building height of the machine to a minimum. According to the invention, at least the primary object is achieved by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the machine according to the invention are furthermore defined in the dependent claims .

Brief Description of the Appended Drawings

In the drawings: Fig 1 is a simplified side view of a training machine according to the invention, Fig 2 is a perspective view of the same machine, shown in an initial state before a training cycle is to be commenced, Fig 3 is an analogous perspective view, showing the machine after commenced actuation of the supporting plates, and Fig 4 is a perspective view of the same machine during the final phase of a movement of the supporting plates to central working positions.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the drawings, numeral 1 generally designates a machine stand that includes a backrest 2 and a preferably adjustable seat 3, which is located in the area of the lower end of the backrest and extends approximately perpendicularly to the backrest. The backrest 2 may advantageously lean somewhat in relation to the vertical, as may be seen in fig 1. A counter load device, in its entirety designated 4, is also arranged adjacent to the stand. Said device may be realized in many different ways, but in the example, a conventional counterweight device of the type that includes a set of vertically adjustable weights 5, is preferred. A selected number of weights in a set may be lifted by means of a wire 6 that runs up to a force transmission, in its entirety designated 7, which is located on a level below the seat 3 in the device according to the invention.

On a level above the seat 3 , two supporting plates 8 are arranged, against which a user's forearmscan be pressed or urged. Each individual supporting plate is mounted on a carrier 9, which in the example is in the form of a long narrow box profile, which is welded to one of the ends of a turn- able arm 10. This is in turn united to an upper end of an upright 11, which at the lower end thereof is applied to a second arm 12, which is turnable around a shaft 13 included in the force transmission 7. Around the shaft 13, a cam disk 14 is arranged, to which a wire part is connected. For each one of the two uprights that carry the supporting plates 8 on top, a loaded cam disk 14 is arranged. In other words, the supporting plates are individually movable between outer end positions and inner working positions.

Characteristic of the present invention is that the individual supporting plate 8 is at least indirectly articu- latedly connected to the appurtenant carrier 9 in order to be able to be turned between a starting position (see figs. 1 and 2) at an acute angle to the vertical, and a substantially vertical working position (see figs. 3 and 4) . In the illustrated, preferred embodiment, the supporting plate 8 is applied to a particular fastening element 15, which like the carrier 9 may consist of a box profile. This is connected to the carrier via a suitable hinge 16. In practice, the hinge may consist of a simple bolt. Furthermore, it is preferred to make the supporting plate spring-loaded. Spring loading may be brought about by means of a spring (not shown) , built-in in either one of the box profiles 9, 15, e.g. one or more leaf springs, which always aim at turning the supporting plate to the starting position illustrated in fig. 1, in which the supporting plate extends at an acute angle a to an imaginary vertical plane. A specific gripping member 17 protrudes from the fastening element 15. Said gripping member is angular by including on one hand a shaft 18, which is inclined in relation to the fastening element 15, and on the other hand a cross piece 19, oriented at an approximately right angle to the shaft, forming a proper handle. It should be observed that said handle is located approximately in extension of the supporting plate in order to easily be gripped by the hand when the forearm is applied to the back or top side of the supporting plate.

In this connection, it should be mentioned that the sup- porting plate 8, the seat 3 and the backrest 2 may consist of supporting sheets in combination with soft cushions or upholsteries, vouching for a kind body contact.

Function and Advantages of the Machine According to the Inven- tion

In the starting positions thereof, according to figs 1 and 2, the supporting plates 8 are adjusted or folded-up at an acute angle a in relation to the upright, approximately vertical carriers 9 by means of spring-action. In the embodiment in question, the angle a amounts to about 48°. The angle may vary, but should be within the range of 45-55°. In the inactive state of the machine, i.e. before a training cycle is started, the arms 10 are maximally turned out to the position which is shown in fig 2 and which is characterized in that the carriers 9 are located in a plane common with the trunk of the user, the carriers being distanced from the trunk. The arms 10 are kept turned out in this way by the fact that the set of weights 5 is lowered to a lower position. Via the wire 6, the cam disk 14 is then kept in a position in which the second arm 12, interacting with the arm 10, is turned outwards/backwards . The cam disk 14 has an out of round periphery and is formed in such a way that the muscle resistance that should be provided by the supporting plates is initially large, in order to sub- sequently decrease gradually as' the supporting plate is turned inwards .

When the user has entered the machine by sitting down on the seat 3 , the forearms may conveniently be pressed against the supporting plates thanks to the inclined starting posi- tions thereof. Thus, the forearm may be applied, the elbow being placed approximately at the lower or rear end of the individual supporting plates at the same time as the hand grips the handle 19. The requisite motion for each arm consists in swinging out the upper arm at an approximately right angle to the trunk, and the forearm being kept slightly leaning so that it may be put down on the supporting plate from above . This should be compared to the arm movement that is required in the previously known machine. There, the forearm must already at the outset be held in a vertical state (see fig 3) and in an uncomfortable way be inserted laterally behind the supporting plate that is stiffly united with the carrier.

When the forearm has been applied against the supporting plate 8, the same may be turned up to a substantially vertical position (or any desired position between the starting position and the vertical) by the fact that the user pulls the handle 19 in the direction backwards/upwards, as is outlined by the arrows A (at the same time the elbow may also press the lower portion of the supporting plates forwards) . When the actual training of the musculature, above all the musculature of the chest, but also of the arms and the shoulder portion, is to be commenced, the arms 10 are brought to turn inwards towards the area of the centre plane of the machine, as is outlined by the arrows B. This is carried out by the fact that the individual forearm is pressed against the appurtenant supporting plate 8 against the effect of the chosen set of weights 5, which always aims at bringing the supporting plates back to the outer end positions according to fig 2. The supporting plates may be turned a greater or lesser distance inwards towards the centre. In fig 4, the supporting plates are shown maximally turned-in. The set of weights 5 here assumes a highest position. From the turned-in working position, the user drops the supporting plates back against the outer end positions in a controlled way.

In this connection, it should be pointed out that the supporting plates 8 not necessarily have to be folded-up to the vertical position before the transportation in the inwardly direction towards the working positions is commenced. Thus, it is feasible to commence the turning-in of the arms 10 and simultaneously fold up the supporting plates to the vertical state. In other words, the motions for on one hand fold- ing-up of the supporting plates, and the motions for on the other hand turning the same inwards, may be combined. A substantial advantage of the machine according to the invention is that the forearms of the user may be applied against the supporting plates in a convenient and smooth way that is lenient above all for the shoulder portion of the user. Another advantage is that the transmission between the supporting plates and the counter load device is located below the seat. In this way, the area above the backrest- is kept free from projecting brackets and other details that may disturb the user' s entering of the machine.

Feasible Modifications of the Invention

The invention is not solely restricted to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings. Thus, the counter load device as well as the force transmission between the same and the carrier of the supporting plate may be modi- fied in several ways within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. Machine for the training of the chest musculature, comprising a stand (1) , a seat (3) , a backrest (2) and two supporting plates (8) , located on a level above the seat, against which a user's forearms are pressable and each one of which is mounted on a carrier (9) on a turnable arm (10) , and movable against the effect of a counter load device (5) between an outer end position sidewards from the backrest and an inner working position located closer to the centre of the machine, c h a r- a c t e r i z e d in that the individual supporting plate (8) is - at least indirectly - articulatedly connected to the carrier (9) in order to be turned between a starting position at an acute angle (a) to the vertical and a substantially verti- cal, folded-up position.

2. Machine according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier (9) extends upwards from the appurtenant arm (10) and is, via an upper hinge (16) , connected to a fastening element (15) , to which the proper supporting plate (8) is attached.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e ri z e d in that the supporting plate (8) is spring-loaded in order to always aim at assuming the starting position thereof.

4. Machine according to claim 2 or 3 , c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that an angular gripping member (17) protrudes from a free end of the fastening element (15) , which member com- prises, on one hand, a shaft (18) , inclined in relation to the fastening element, and, on the other hand, a cross piece (19) serving as' a handle, oriented at an angle to the same.

5. Machine according to any one of claims 2-4, c h a r a c- t e r i z e d in that the arm (10) , at the end thereof that is distanced from the carrier (9) , is united to an upper end of an upright (11) , which at a lower end is applied on a second arm (12) , which is turnable around a shaft (13) , included in a force transmission (7), connected to the counter load device, placed in the area of an underframe of the stand ⁽1⁾ .