WO2007071687A1

WO2007071687A1 - Gymnastic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007071687A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/069933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Senigaglia
Original assignee: Massimo Senigaglia
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-12-19
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Also published as: ITPD20050373A1; EP1968716A1

Abstract

A gymnastic apparatus comprising a supporting frame (11, 211, 311) for kinematic means (12) for guiding, along a closed-loop path, a single platform (13, 113, 213, 313) for supporting both feet of a user. The platform (13, 113, 213, 313) can be moved by shifting the weight of the body of the user.

Description

GYMNASTIC APPARATUS Technical Field

The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus to be used particularly in gymnasiums and fitness centers. Background Art

As is known, in recent years there has been an increase in popular attention to the need to perform physical activity in order to compensate for the sedentary nature and stress of working life.

A great growth of gymnasiums and fitness centers where sports and physical activity in general can be practiced has in fact occurred.

In these gymnasiums, in addition to the traditional weight-lifting activity, the use of equipment for aerobic activities, also known as cardio- fitness equipment, is becoming increasingly popular.

Among the best-known cardio-fitness equipment, mention must be made of the stationary bike, rowing machine, treadmill, stepper, grinder or so-called elliptical machine.

All these apparatuses in practice tend to recreate a particular exercise usually performed outdoors, when practicing particular sports and in practice are also excellent training for such sports. For example, as regards the cited apparatuses, the stationary bike reproduces in a gymnasium the use of a bicycle according to programmable routes (climbs with various grades), the rowing machine simulates rowing efforts, the treadmill simulates running, the stepper simulates a quick climb of the steps of a staircase, the grinder simulates a particular movement performed on board a sailboat (in practice the winding-unwinding of a winch for tensioning the sail rigging).

The so-called "elliptical" machine instead simulates a particular type of run or walk, such as a stride performed with a particular resistance, in practice a run in water (which is substantially a combination of the movements performed with the stationary bike, treadmill and stepper). A machine of this kind is formed by two platforms, one for each foot of the user, which are coupled to a kinematic system which restrains them along a substantially elliptical path; the platforms are mutually offset substantially by a straight angle with respect to the ellipse traced by the path.

However, all these cited apparatuses concentrate their work on a particular region of the body and have a substantially cardio-fitness related activity, i.e., linked to an improvement of the cardiovascular system.

Moreover, all these apparatuses are often used to lose weight or used in parallel with the use of weights in order to avoid increasing the muscle mass excessively.

It can be said that machines which adequately combine cardio-fitness activity and muscle augmentation activity are not available on the market of fitness equipment. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus which combines adequately cardio-fitness and muscle augmentation activities, according to requirements.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus which is capable of simulating sports which are alternatives to the ones already simulated by known apparatuses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus which is flexible in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus which can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a gymnastic apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a supporting frame for kinematic means for guiding, along a closed-loop path, a platform for supporting both feet of a user, said platform being movable by shifting the weight of the body of the user. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 , which shows, by drawing the containment housing in phantom lines, a kinematic system of said kinematic guiding means with which at least one inertial element and motion braking means are associated;

Figure 3 is a view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 set up according to a different operating configuration; Figure 4 is a view of a portion of an apparatus which is a variation of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a gymnastic apparatus according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The gymnastic apparatus 10 comprises a supporting frame 11 for a kinematic means 12 for guiding, along a closed-loop path, a platform 13 for supporting both feet of a user.

The supporting frame 11 has a footing 14, from which a stem 15 for supporting a grip handlebar 16 for the user of the apparatus 10 protrudes. The kinematic guiding means 12 comprise a kinematic system 17, with which an inertial element 18, such as a flywheel, and means 19 for braking the movement of the platform 13 are kinematically associated.

The kinematic system 17 is constituted, in this embodiment, by two disks 20, which are keyed on a horizontal shaft 21 which is pivoted, by means of a bracket 22, to the supporting frame 11.

The combination of the kinematic system 17, the inertial element 18 and the braking means 19 is of a per se known type and is described hereinafter for the sake of completeness in description, but without any limiting value with respect to the many currently known solutions having similar functionality.

The platform 13 is connected to the kinematic system 17 by means of two rigid connecting elements 23, such as two rods, each of which is pivoted at the end on the peripheral region of a respective disk 20.

The platform 13 is fixed to both rigid connecting elements 23 on an intermediate position of their length; the platform 13, with the rigid connecting elements 23, in practice forms a monolithic body.

The ends that are not pivoted to the disks 22 of the rigid connecting elements 23 are retained so as to slide on respective tracks 24, which are shaped appropriately and are provided on the footing 14. In practice, one end of the rigid connecting elements 23 is retained so as to move along a circumference, while the opposite end is retained so as to slide along a predefined open path.

The connections between the disks 20 and the inertial element 18 and the means 19 for braking the movement of the platform 13 are contained within a housing 25, which is closed laterally by the disks 20.

A first pulley 26 is also keyed on the shaft 21 to which the disks 20 are keyed.

The first pulley 26 is connected kinematically, by means of a belt 27, to a second pulley 28, which is keyed to an additional shaft 29, which is pivoted on a fork 30 which is rigidly coupled to the supporting frame 11. The inertial element 18 (the flywheel) is keyed on the additional shaft 29.

The means 19 for braking the movement of the platform 13 comprise for example a curved brake shoe 31, which is pivoted at one end to the frame 11 proximate to the peripheral region of the inertial element 18 and so that its concavity is directed toward the inertial element 18.

The curved brake shoe 31 is kept in contact with the edge surface of the inertial element 18 by way of the action of a spring 32, which acts between the end of the curved brake shoe 31 which is not pivoted and the supporting frame 11.

A centrally-pivoted lever 33 is pivoted to the additional shaft 29 and has, at one end, a belt tensioning roller 34 and, at the opposite end, a tensioning spring 35 which acts between said roller and the supporting frame 11. The operation of the braking means 19 is simple.

The rotation of the disks 20 turns the first pulley 26, which in turn activates the second pulley 28 and thus the inertial element 18, which can rotate but is partially braked by the curved brake shoe 31.

The centrally-pivoted lever 33 pushes, by means of the belt tensioning roller 34, the belt 27 so as to wind it around the pulleys 26 and 28, thus increasing the rotational torque.

By increasing the rotation rate, the belt 27 is tensioned, overcoming the resistance of the tensioning spring 35 and thus causing a reduced winding of the belt 27 on the second pulley 28 and thus reducing the torque required for rotation.

By slowing rotation, the opposite effect is obtained, thus leading to a gradual and not sudden braking action on the flywheel.

The overall operation of the apparatus 10 is equally simple.

The user climbs onto the platform 13 and starts, by shifting the weight of his/her body, to make said platform perform a movement in a closed loop, substantially of the elliptical type.

The user can optionally assist his/her action by gripping the handlebar 16.

The movement that must be performed with the body in order to move the platform 13 involves many muscle bundles, including the lumbar- abdominal muscles, and also requires a certain balance control linked to a substantially upright position.

The type of movement achieved is very similar to the movement and balancing which is typical of sports such as snowboarding, surfing or windsurfing.

Advantageously, the platform 13 is formed by two parts arranged side by side, respectively a first part 13a and a second part 13b, which are joined by way of reversible locking means 36, such as for example respective hooks, not shown in the figures. Both the first part 13a and the second part 13b are connected to the kinematic system 17 by means of a corresponding rigid connecting element 23.

At least one of the rigid connecting elements 23 comprises means 37 for reversible fixing to the kinematic system 17. In this embodiment, the reversible fixing means 37 are constituted for example by the pivot 38 for pivoting to the peripheral region of the respective disk 20 of the end of the rigid connecting element 23 and, for example, by a locking nut (not shown in the figures) for the head of the pivot 38. The pivot 38 is arranged through a complementary through hole (not designated by a reference numeral in the figures), which is provided in the peripheral region of the respective disk 20 and is locked by the locking nut.

Substantially two fixing positions 39 for at least one of the rigid connecting elements 23 are provided on the kinematic system 17. The fixing positions 39 are mutually offset substantially by a straight angle.

In particular, the fixing positions 39 are identified by through holes, through which it is possible to insert the pivot 38 of the corresponding rigid connecting element 23. In practice, by separating the platform 13 into two parts 13a and 13b, each of which is fixed to a rigid connecting element 23, and by subsequently moving through a straight angle the pivoting point of one of the two rigid connecting elements 23 on the corresponding disk 20, it is possible to obtain a so-called "elliptical" apparatus, substantially of a known type (Figure 3). Thus, starting from a configuration of a gymnastic apparatus which provides a new activity, it is possible to reconfigure the apparatus very simply and quickly in order to obtain one which is suitable to provide a so- called "elliptical" exercise of a known type.

An alternative variation of an apparatus according to the invention is shown in Figure 4 and is designated by the reference numeral 100.

In this case, the platform 113 is formed monolithically, and means 136 for removable anchoring to the rigid connecting elements 123 are associated therewith.

It is thus possible to detach the platform 113 and couple to the rigid connecting elements 123 two small platforms 113a and 113b for the individual feet and subsequently move through a straight angle the pivoting point of one of the two rigid connecting elements 123 on the corresponding disk, thus obtaining a so-called "elliptical" machine.

The shape and the kinematic means for guiding the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention may vary from one apparatus to another.

The type of gymnastic apparatus according to the invention in fact derives directly from known "elliptical" machines and therefore the shape and the kinematic systems also may derive from said machines. For example, a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention is shown in Figure 5 and is generally designated by the reference numeral 200.

Such apparatus has a frame 211 which is formed by a footing 214, a supporting stem 215 for a handlebar 216 and a housing 225 for containing the kinematic system 217 for connection to an inertial element and to means for braking the movement of the platform 213 (which are not shown in the figures).

Two vertical rods 209 which can be operated by the user are hinged to the supporting stem 215 about the same axis. The ends of the vertical rods 209 are articulated to the ends of the respective rigid connecting elements 223 to which the platform 213 is fixed.

The opposite ends of the respective rigid connecting elements 223 are pivoted to the peripheral region of the corresponding disks 220.

The type of kinematic system for guiding along a closed-loop path for the supporting platform also may be the most disparate.

For example, Figure 6 illustrates a third embodiment, generally designated by the reference numeral 300, in which there is a supporting frame 311 which forms at the front a large housing 325, from which a supporting stem 315 for a handlebar 316 protrudes. The kinematic means 312 (of a per se known type, applied generally to so-called "elliptical" machines) for guiding along a closed-loop path a supporting platform 313 are arranged inside the housing 325.

The kinematic guiding means 312 comprise a kinematic system 317 with which an inertial element 318 and means for breaking the movement of the platform 313 (not shown in the figures) are associated.

The platform 313 is connected to the kinematic system 317 by way of at least one rigid connecting element 323.

The kinematic system 317 is constituted by a first crank 320, which is articulated to the supporting frame 311 and, at the end, to the rigid connecting element 323. Proximate to the point of articulation of the first crank 320 to the frame 311, a second crank 321 is articulated thereto and in turn is articulated, at the end, to a rod-like element 322.

Such rod-like element is rigidly coupled, at the opposite end, to an intermediate point of the rigid connecting element 323 and is pivoted centrally to the peripheral region of the inertial element 318, such as a flywheel.

This kinematic system allows the platform 313 to perform a substantially elliptical path. In practice it has been found that the invention thus described achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the present invention provides a gymnastic apparatus which adequately combines cardio-fitness activities and muscle augmentation activities, according to requirements. The use of the apparatus in fact causes specific muscle bundles, such as the lumbar and abdominal bundles, to work, and at the same time allows to perform cardio-fitness or aerobic exercise.

The muscle work effect or the aerobic exercise are enhanced depending on the manner in which the movement is performed. Moreover, the present invention provides a gymnastic apparatus which is capable of simulating sports which are alternative with respect to the ones already simulated by known equipment.

The apparatus in fact simulates the movement and balancing typical of sports such as snowboarding, surfing or windsurfing. Further, the present invention provides a gymnastic apparatus which is flexible in use, since it can be reconfigured easily in order to provide a so- called "elliptical" machine.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art. The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2005A000373 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A gymnastic apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a supporting frame (11, 211, 311) for kinematic means (12) for guiding, along a closed-loop path, a platform (13, 113, 213, 313) for supporting both feet of a user, said platform (13, 113, 213, 313) being movable by shifting the weight of the body of the user.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said kinematic guiding means (12) comprise a kinematic system (17, 217, 317) with which at least one inertial element (18, 318) and means (19) for braking the motion are associated.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said platform (13, 113, 213, 313) is connected to said kinematic system (17, 217, 317) by means of at least one rigid connecting element (23, 123, 223, 323).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said platform (13) is formed by two parts arranged side by side (13a, 13b), which are joined by way of reversible locking means (36), each of said parts (13a, 13b) being connected to said kinematic system (17) by way of a corresponding said rigid connecting element (23), at least one first rigid connecting element (23) comprising means (37) for reversible fixing to said kinematic system (17), said kinematic system (17) comprising substantially two fixing positions (39) for said at least one first rigid connecting element (23), which are mutually offset substantially by a straight angle.

5. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform (113) is formed monolithically and means (136) for removable anchoring to said rigid connecting elements (123) are associated therewith, said platform (113) being thus removable, two platforms (113a, 113b) for individual feet being detachably fixable to respective said rigid connecting elements (123), at least one first rigid connecting element (123) comprising means (37) for reversible fixing to said kinematic system (17), said kinematic system (17) comprising substantially two fixing positions (39) for said at least one first rigid connecting element (123), which are mutually offset substantially by a straight angle.

6. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closed-loop path is substantially elliptical.

7. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one rigid connecting element (23, 123, 223) has an end which is pivoted to said kinematic system (17, 217) and is rigidly coupled so as to move along a circular path, and an opposite end which is rigidly coupled so as to slide along a predefined open path.