WO2008095244A1

WO2008095244A1 - Exercise machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008095244A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Jason Tesoriero; Sean Geoffrey Champion
Original assignee: Paul Jason Tesoriero; Sean Geoffrey Champion
Priority date: 2007-02-06
Filing date: 2008-02-06
Publication date: 2008-08-14

Abstract

The present invention relates broadly to a locking pivot mechanism (18) for an exercise machine (10). The locking pivot mechanism (18) connects a foot bar (16) to one of two supporting rails (12) and (14) of the exercise machine (10). The locking pivot mechanism 18 includes two hollow attachment portions (22) and (24) connected to the rail (12) or (14) and the foot bar (16), respectively. The locking pivot mechanism 18 also comprises a locking member (42) having a spur gear or cog (42) slidably housed within the attachment portions (22) and (24). The cog (42) is designed to engage both attachment portions (22) and (24) simultaneously thus preventing relative rotational movement of the attachment portions (22) and (24).

Description

EXERCISE MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to exercise machines, and more specifically to a locking pivot mechanism and a combination slider and track, both for an exercise machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise in gyms, studios and in the home is often done on an exercise machine such as a weight machine or a rowing machine.

One exercise machine is the pilates reformer. Pilates or the pilates method is a physical fitness system that has become very popular. Pilates encourages the use of the mind to control muscles and especially focuses on core muscles and improving the abilities to support the spine. The pilates reformer is used to increase torso stability and posture alignment while working peripheral limbs. It includes rails supporting a gliding platform upon which a user sits, kneels, stands or lies. A foot bar is provided for a user to push or pull against and resistance is provided by springs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a locking pivot mechanism for an exercise machine, the locking pivot mechanism comprising: a pair of rotatably connected attachment portions each having engagement means; and a locking member being arranged to simultaneously engage both of the engagement means preventing relative rotational movement of the attachment portions, the locking member also being movably disengageable from one of the engagement means allowing rotation of one attachment portion relative to the other.

Preferably the engagement means comprise one or more attached teeth. More preferably the teeth of the engagement means are connected along the circumference of an inside wall of both of the attachment portions which are hollow.

Preferably the locking member comprises one or more attached teeth compatible with the teeth of the engagement means of each of the attachment portions.

More preferably the locking member comprises a toothed wheel. Yet more preferably the locking member comprises a spur gear or cog. Still yet more preferably the teeth of the attachment portions and/or the locking member have a rounded profile.

Preferably the locking member is slidably housed within the attachment portions. More preferably both of the attachment portions comprise stops to limit the range of motion of the locking member. Even more preferably the locking member slides to engage one or both of the engagement means. Still more preferably the locking member is urged by biasing means to engage both of the engagement means. Even still more preferably the biasing means include a spring.

Preferably the locking pivot mechanism also comprises actuation means operatively coupled to the locking member to effect its sliding movement. More preferably the actuation means comprise a lever pivotally mounted to one of the attachment portions.

Preferably one of the attachment portions comprise an inner bearing race. More preferably the other attachment portion comprises an outer bearing race corresponding to the inner bearing race. Still more preferably bearings are placed between the inner and outer bearing races to rotatably connect the two attachment portions. Even more preferably the outer race is connected to a hole for insertion of the bearings. Yet more preferably the hole is threaded and has a screw inserted into it. Alternatively, the hole is plugged.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a locking pivot mechanism for an exercise machine, the locking pivot mechanism comprising: a first attachment portion having first engagement means; a second attachment portion having second engagement means that interlock with the first engagement means of the first attachment portion to prevent relative rotational movement of the attachment portions, disengagement of the engagement means to allow relative rotational movement of the attachment portions being effected by translational movement of one of the attachment portions relative to the other.

Preferably the first attachment portion comprises a splined shaft. More preferably the second attachment portion comprises an inner wall defining an aperture for receiving the splined shaft. Even more preferably the second attachment portion has teeth formed on the inner wall for interlocking with the splined shaft.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a combination slider and track for an exercise machine, said combination comprising: a slider including an elongate mounting plate having a pair of flanges formed integral with or connected at or adjacent opposing edges of the mounting plate; and a track including a pair of laterally spaced and parallel grooves each having opposing walls at least in part defining a pair of load bearing surfaces, the grooves each being arranged to receive respective of the pair of flanges for sliding movement of the slider along the track, the grooves being configured whereby torquing of the slider in the general plane of the mounting plate provides contact between the pair of flanges and both of the respective bearing surfaces.

According to still yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a combination slider and track for an exercise machine, said combination comprising: a slider including an elongate mounting plate having a pair of flanges formed integral with or connected at or adjacent opposing edges of the mounting plate; and a track including a pair of laterally spaced and parallel grooves being arranged to receive respective of the pair of flanges for sliding movement of the slider along the track, the grooves in cross-section being forward or backward 'L' shaped.

Preferably one or both of the pair of flanges includes a return lip. More preferably the track comprises a track flange for securing one of the return lips of the slider. Alternatively, one or both of the slider flanges includes an outwardly directed lip.

Preferably the track comprises a series of spaced apart apertures. More preferably the slider comprises a movable plunger for engaging one of the apertures locking the slider relative to the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the invention embodiments of a locking pivot mechanism and combination slider and track will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine having one embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the locking pivot mechanism of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a front elevational view of one embodiment of a foot bar and its associated locking pivot mechanisms.

Figure 4 shows a sideview of the foot bar and locking pivot mechanism shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a series of side views of the equipment in figures 3 and 4, with the foot bar adjusted to various positions.

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the locking pivot mechanism of figures 3 to 5.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of one of the attachment portions shown in figures 3 to 6.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the other attachment portion shown in figures 3 to 6.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the assembled locking pivot mechanism shown in figures 3 to 6.

Figure 10 shows a simplified exploded perspective view of the attachment portion shown in figures 3 to 6.

Figure 11 shows a X-ray side elevational view of one embodiment of the pivot mechanism in the locked configuration. Figure 12 shows a X-ray side elevational view of the pivot mechanism of figure 11 in the unlocked configuration.

Figure 13 shows another perspective view of one of the attachment portions shown in figure 6.

Figure 14 shows an end-on elevational view of one of the attachment portions shown in figure 6.

Figures 15 includes plan, side and end elevational views of one of the attachment portions shown in figure 6.

Figure 16 shows another perspective view of one of the attachment portions shown in figure 6.

Figures 17 includes back, side, top and front views of one of the attachment portions shown in figure 6.

Figures 18 and 19 show perspective views of one embodiment of the locking member shown in figure 6.

Figures 20 show plan and sectional views of the locking member shown in figure 6.

Figures 21 and 21a show end elevational views of embodiments of another aspect of the invention in which a slider engages a track of a rail of an exercise machine.

Figure 22 shows a perspective view of the track and rail of figure 21.

Figure 23 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention.

Figure 24 shows an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism according to a further aspect of the invention.

Figure 25 shows two alternative embodiments of the track and rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine generally indicated as 10, shown without a sliding platform that slides along the supporting rails 12 and 14. The platform is sometimes connected by springs (not shown). The user may, in one exercise, lie with their back on the platform with their feet pressing against the foot bar 16 to move the platform against the resistance provided by the springs. The exercise machine 10 may be used as a pilates reformer.

One embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism 18 according to one aspect of the invention, connects the foot bar 16 to the rail 12 (another obscured pivot mechanism connects the foot bar to rail 14). A closer view of the locking pivot mechanism 18 is shown in figure 2. Figure 3 shows a front elevational view of the example foot bar 16, locking pivot mechanisms 18 and actuation means in the form of a lever 20 which when pressed unlocks the pivot mechanism 18 to allow rotational adjustment of the foot bar 16 as shown in figure 5.

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the locking pivot mechanism 18. The pivot mechanism 18 has two hollow attachment portions 22 and 24. Attachment portion 22 is typically connected to the rail 12 or 14, and attachment portion 24 is typically connected to the foot bar 16 (not shown). One of the attachment portions 22 has a groove defining an inner ball bearing race 26 and the other attachment portion 24 has an outer ball bearing race 28. The attachment portions 22 and 24 are rotatably connected by aligning the ball bearing races 26 and 28 and loading the annular cavity thus formed with ball bearings 30. The ball bearings 30 are inserted through a tapped hole 32 which is sealable with a screw (not shown) for retention of the balls 30. Alternatively, the hole may not be tapped but simply plugged.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of one of the attachment portions 22. It has engagement means comprising rounded teeth such as 34 attached to an inside wall 36 of the attachment portion 22. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the other attachment portion 24. It also has engagement means comprising rounded teeth such as 38 attached to an inside wall 40. Returning to the view of a pivot mechanism 18 shown in figure 6, there is a locking member 42 comprising, in this embodiment, a spur gear or cog 42 having a wheel 46 with teeth 48. The cog 42 is slidably housed within the hollow attachment portions 22 and 24, which have stops 49 and 51 (figures 7 and 8 respectively) in the form of shoulders that limit the range of motion of the cog 42. The teeth 48 of the cog 42 are compatible with the teeth 34 and 38 of the attachment portions 22 and 24 shown in figures 7 and 8 respectively. The teeth 48 of the cog 42 engage both sets of teeth 34 and 38 simultaneously thus preventing relative rotational movement of the attachment portions 22 and 24. Because any torque within the preferred embodiment of a locked pivot mechanism 18 is resisted by every tooth the mechanism is very strong and can hold against high torque loads.

However, the cog 42 can be slid into the hollow attachment portion 24 disengaging its teeth 48 from the teeth 34 of attachment portion 22, thus allowing relative rotation between the attachment portions 22 and 24.

The cog 42 is urged by biasing means in the form of a coil spring 50 so by default the cog engages the teeth 34 and 38 of both attachment portions 22 and 24. In this embodiment the pivot mechanism 18 defaults to being locked.

As indicated in figures 6 and 9, a lever 20 is pivotally mounted to the attachment portion 24 by a fastener 54. A notch 52 in the lever 20 is operatively coupled to or engages a slot 56 formed in a shaft 58 connected to the cog 42. The shaft 58 protrudes through an aperture 60 (figure 10) in the attachment portion 24. When the lever 20 is pressed the shaft 58 and the attached cog 42 slide into attachment portion 24 unlocking the pivot mechanism 18 and allowing rotation. Figure 11 shows a X-ray side elevational view of one embodiment of the pivot mechanism 18 in the locked configuration. Figure 12 is a X-ray side elevational view of the pivot mechanism 18 in the unlocked position.

Figure 21 shows an end elevational view of an embodiment of another aspect of the invention in which a slider 72 engages a track 80 formed in a rail 12 of an exercise machine. The slider 72 has a pair of flanges 74 and 76 formed integral with opposing edges of an elongate mounting plate 78 which are received by two laterally spaced and parallel grooves 82 and 84 each having opposing walls such as 86 and 88 at least in part defining a pair of load bearing surfaces. The flanges 74 and 76, in this embodiment, are moulded or cast with the mounting plate 78. In cross-section, the grooves 82 and 84 are forward or backward ¹L' shaped. The slider 72 is moveable along the track 80. The slider 72 has inwardly directed return lips, such as 90, which secures the outwardly directed flanges 92 of the track 80. Figure 25 shows two alternative embodiments of the slider 72 and track 80 where features similar to those in figure 21 are similarly numbered.

In use, the force exerted by the user on the foot bar 16 results in significant torque on the attachment portion 22 and slider 72, the torque having a rotational axis 98 illustrated as a dashed line in figure 21 , which tries to rotate the slider in the general plane of the mounting plate. This torque is balanced by forces exerted by the side walls, such as 86 and 88, and the track flanges, such as 92, on the flanges 90 and 76 of the slider. These forces are halved by having two sets of track grooves 82 and 84 and two sets of slider flanges 74 and 76 compared to slider and track combinations having a single track groove and associated slider flange. It will be appreciated that the reduction in force achieved is highly desirable. Slider and track combinations having still more sets of grooves and flanges will result in even greater reductions of force.

Figure 21a shows a similar embodiment of a track and slider combination to that shown in figure 21. However, in the embodiment the slider 22 is a tolerance fit to the track 12 so that the opposing surfaces, such as 88 and 89, are very close. This ensures surfaces such as 86 are not marked by the slider which is unsightly.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the track 80 formed in one of the rails 12 and 14. The track 80 comprises a series of spaced apart apertures such as 94 that engage a plunger 96 attached to the slider 72, as shown in figures 11 to 13, locking the slider relative to the track. The series of apertures 94 and the plunger 96 allow the foot bar 16 to be translated.

Figure 23 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism 100 having a pair of rotatably connected attachment portions 102 and 104 each having engagement means or apertures such as 106. A locking member or pin 108 simultaneously engages, that is passed through, aligned apertures of the attachment portions 102 and 104 preventing relative rotational movement of the attachment portions 102 and 104. The pin 106 can be pulled back to disengage it from the aperture 106 in the inner attachment portion 104, allowing rotation of one attachment portion relative to the other. Figure 24 shows one embodiment of a locking pivot mechanism 120 according to yet another aspect of the invention. It has a first 122 and a second 124 attachment portion. The first attachment portion 122 has a splined shaft 126. The second attachment portion has an inner wall 128 defining teeth for interlocking with the splined shaft 126. The teeth 128 engage the splined shaft 126 to prevent relative rotational movement of the attachment portions 122 and 124. The splined shaft 126 is translated from the inner wall 128 to allow relative rotation of the attachment portions 122 and 124.

Now that embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be appreciated that at least some embodiments of the invention have some of the following advantages:

1. The locking pivot mechanism allows fine rotational adjustments;

2. the pivot mechanism allows adjustments over a full 360 degrees;

3. the ergonomics of the lever allows easy unlocking of each pivot mechanisms by simply grasping the footrest and lever in one hand and squeezing;

4. the portion of rail into which the holes for receiving the plunger are formed is not recessed, and thus can be easily machined (eg. linished, polished, or otherwise deburred to remove burring and other machine marks);

5. There are few protrusions from the locking pivot mechanism, providing less opportunity for injury to people or property;

6. The locking device is enclosed for safety, is light and compact, has few parts, has fewer moving part, requires little machining or welding, is both left and right handed, less industrial looking and can be fabricated of rust free materials such as stainless steel;

7. The locking mechanism can hold against a high torque.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A locking pivot mechanism for an exercise machine, the locking pivot mechanism comprising: a pair of rotatably connected attachment portions each having engagement means; and a locking member being arranged to simultaneously engage both of the engagement means preventing relative rotational movement of the attachment portions, the locking member also being movably disengageable from one of the engagement means allowing rotation of one attachment portion relative to the other.

2. A locking pivot mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the engagement means comprise one or more attached teeth.

3. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein the teeth of the engagement means are connected along the circumference of an inside wall of both of the attachment portions which are hollow.

4. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in either of claims 2 or 3 wherein the locking member comprises one or more attached teeth compatible with the teeth of the engagement means of each of the attachment portions.

5. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein the locking member comprises a toothed wheel.

6. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein the locking member comprises a spur gear or cog.

7. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in either of claims 5 or 6 wherein the teeth of the attachment portions and/or the locking member have a rounded profile.

8. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking member is slidably housed within the attachment portions.

9. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein both of the attachment portions comprise stops to limit the range of motion of the locking member.

10. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in either of claims 8 or 9 wherein the locking member slides to engage one or both of the engagement means.

11. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein the locking member is urged by biasing means to engage both of the engagement means.

12. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 11 wherein the biasing means include a spring.

13. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in any one of claims 8 to 12 also comprising actuation means operatively coupled to the locking member to effect its sliding movement.

14. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 13 wherein the actuation means comprise a lever pivotally mounted to one of the attachment portions.

15. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the attachment portions comprise an inner bearing race.

16. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 15 wherein the other attachment portion comprises an outer bearing race corresponding to the inner bearing race.

17. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in either of claim 15 or 16 wherein bearings are placed between the inner and outer bearing races to rotatably connect the two attachment portions.

18. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 17 wherein the outer race is connected to a hole for insertion of the bearings.

19. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 18 wherein the hole is threaded and has a screw inserted into it.

20. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 18 wherein the hole is plugged.

21. A locking pivot mechanism for an exercise machine, the locking pivot mechanism comprising: a first attachment portion having first engagement means; a second attachment portion having second engagement means that interlock with the first engagement means of the first attachment portion to prevent relative rotational movement of the attachment portions, disengagement of the engagement means to allow relative rotational movement of the attachment portions being effected by translational movement of one of the attachment portions relative to the other.

22. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 21 wherein the first attachment portion comprises a splined shaft.

23. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 22 wherein the second attachment portion comprises an inner wall defining an aperture for receiving the splined shaft.

24. A locking pivot mechanism as defined in claim 23 wherein the second attachment portion has teeth formed on the inner wall for interlocking with the splined shaft.

25. A combination slider and track for an exercise machine, said combination comprising: a slider including an elongate mounting plate having a pair of flanges formed integral with or connected at or adjacent opposing edges of the mounting plate; and a track including a pair of laterally spaced and parallel grooves each having opposing walls at least in part defining a pair of load bearing surfaces, the grooves each being arranged to receive respective of the pair of flanges for sliding movement of the slider along the track, the grooves being configured whereby torquing of the slider in the general plane of the mounting plate provides contact between the pair of flanges and both of the respective bearing surfaces.

26. A combination slider and track for an exercise machine, said combination comprising: a slider including an elongate mounting plate having a pair of flanges formed integral with or connected at or adjacent opposing edges of the mounting plate; and a track including a pair of laterally spaced and parallel grooves being arranged to receive respective of the pair of flanges for sliding movement of the slider along the track, the grooves in cross-section being forward or backward 'L' shaped.

27. A combination slider and track as defined in either of claims 25 or 26 wherein one or both of the pair of flanges includes a return lip.

28. A combination slider and track as defined in claim 27 wherein the track comprises a track flange for securing one of the return lips of the slider.

29. A combination slider and track as defined in either of claims 25 or 26 wherein one or both of the slider flanges includes an outwardly directed lip.

30. A combination slider and track as defined in any one of claims 25 to 29 wherein the track comprises a series of spaced apart apertures.

31. A combination slider and track as defined in claim 30 wherein the slider comprises a movable plunger for engaging one of the apertures locking the slider relative to the track.