WO2010015047A2

WO2010015047A2 - A body vibrating device

Info

Publication number: WO2010015047A2
Application number: PCT/BR2009/000166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takashi Nishimura
Original assignee: Takashi Nishimura
Priority date: 2008-08-08
Filing date: 2009-06-09
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: BRPI0802643A2; WO2010015047A9; WO2010015047A3

Abstract

"A body vibrating device", having a structure comprised of support beams on the floor and a vibrating platform, and a single driving engine with eccentric counterweights. In accordance with the invention, a vertical partition (3) separates the vibrating device into two parts, in such a way that the beams for supporting same on the floor or external beams (1) incorporate two columns (4) with a traverse axle (5) in the lower part, in the back portion thereof behind the partition (3), where other horizontal (6) beams are disposed parallel and internally to the external support beams (1); said internal beams (6) projecting through the partition (3) so that the front of the partition (3) may overlap same and the horizontal flat platform (7) may be supported on the front part thereof; whilst the back part of the internal beams (6) incorporates a table (8) for fixing the electric engine (9) with eccentric counterweights (10) on the axle; an air chamber (11) being fixed above the engine (9), a beam (12) incorporated to the structure of the vertical columns (4) being assembled on said chamber; the back ends of the internal beams (6) pivoting the lower ends of vertical rods (13), the upper ends of which are pivoted to the ends of two horizontal levers (14) that are pivoted half-way the upper ends of the columns (4), so that the front part of said levers (14) extend beyond the partition (3) thus going through same to form two railings (16) at a height the user's hands may reach.

Description

^ΛΛA BODY VIBRATING DEVICE". Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a body vibrating device, and more specifically to a constructive configuration inserted into the driving mechanism of the structure of said device.

As is known by one skilled in the art and users of this kind of device, devices designed to vibrate the body that basically consist of a vibrating platform with a column, panel and handlebar have been used in fitness centers and physiotherapy clinics. Thus, usually the user stands on the platform by holding the handlebar on top of the column, where a command panel is also provided. The vibration applied vertically is benefic to the human body, since it enhances the user's weight through the fast repetitive ascending movements of the platform, thus strengthening the bones and joints of the body, besides tensioning the muscles. Further, it is benefic to the blood and lymph circulation. The optimum vibration frequencies for this sort of induced exercise are in the range of 24 to 60 hertz, and may be attained by a variable rotation electric engine having counterweights on its axle that is usually fixed under the platform that is supported by elastic cushions assembled on a base supported on the floor.

When the device comprises a single engine with eccentric counterweights, the platform is biased towards all directions, thus causing an undesirable elliptical displacement of the platform. To solve this problem, devices having two parallel engines close to each other with synchronous rotations in opposite have been used, in such way that the counterweights compensate for the horizontal reactions but add the vertical reactions thereof.

Another way to attain this compensation by using a single engine is the use of counterweights on two parallel axles, in order to turn same in opposite directions through pulleys and a synchronized belt that is actuated by an electric engine.

The cushions that support the platform are elastic and allow the vibration when they are bent, but they are inconveniently deformed by the weight of the user, thus starting to act with a variable initial load proportional to the weight, unlike the optimum condition of the same performance in the two vertical directions.

Since it is difficult to insulate the vibration between the platform and the base thoroughly, the column that helps to support the command panel also is subject to vibrations, what may harm the components of said panel.

Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a body vibrating device that, even having been provided with a single engine with eccentric counterweights, does not allow the platform to be biased in all directions, preventing the occurrence of an undesirable elliptical displacement of the platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a body vibrating device that, by having been provided with a single engine, is cost-effective compared to the other devices that do not present the inconvenience of an elliptical displacement of the platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a body vibrating device that, even having been provided with cushions that support the vibrating platform, allows for an equalization of the user's weight when placed on the platform, in order not to generate a variable initial load proportional to the user's weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a body vibrating device that allows for a suitable mechanical insulation between the platform and the base, in order to assure the static stability of the column that supports the command panel .

Aiming at solving all problems above presented by the conventional body vibrating devices, the present application proposes a new solution that also aims at bringing a new proposal for fitness centers, where body vibrating devices, through this new concept, change radically the inner arrangement of the places where collective physical exercises are practiced.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are attained by a body vibrating device of the type comprising a structure comprised of support beams on the floor and a vibrating platform, and a single driving engine with eccentric counterweights. In accordance with the invention, the device is provided with a vertical partition that separates the vibrating device into two parts, in such a way that the beams for supporting same on the floor or external beams incorporate two columns with a traverse axle in the lower part in the back portion thereof behind the partition, where other horizontal beams are disposed parallel and internally to the external support beams; said internal beams projecting through the partition so that the front of the partition may overlap same and the horizontal flat platform may be supported on the front part thereof; while the back part of the internal beams incorporates a table for fixing the electric engine with eccentric counterweights on the axle; an air chamber being fixed above the engine, a beam being incorporated to the structure of the vertical columns being assembled on said chamber; said back ends of the internal beams pivoting the lower ends of vertical rods, the upper ends of which are pivoted to the ends of two horizontal levers that are pivoted half-way the upper ends of the columns, so that the front part of said levers extend beyond the partition, thus going through same to form two railings at a height the user's hands may reach. The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts an elevation side view of the body vibrating device;

Figure 2 depicts a plan view of the body vibrating device; and

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of the body vibrating device object of the present invention..

In accordance with these illustrations, the body vibrating device comprises a structure having two horizontal beams 1, or external beams, supported on the floor by insulators 2, such external beams 1 extending parallel to each other and spaced apart by a partition 3 that is a portion of a wall fixed to the floor.

In accordance with figure 2, two external beams 1, on the left of partition 3, that is, on the back part thereof, have two vertical columns 4 that support a horizontal axle 5 on the base thereof where two horizontal beams 6, or internal beams, pivot and extend between and parallel to external beams 1 that have a horizontal flat platform 7 on the right side area of partition 3, that is, on its front part.

On the back part of beams 6, that is, the left side of partition 3, there is a table 8 to which an electric engine 9 having eccentric counterweights 10 on the axle is fixed. On the right side of partition 3, that is, the front part of beams 1, an elastic cushion 24 is assembled under the platform 7 and beams 6.

An air chamber 11 is located above engine 9, see figure 1, over which a beam 12 is incorporated to the structure of columns 4, thus creating a support for said chamber 11. The lower ends of rods 13 that have their upper ends pivoted on two horizontal levers 14 are pivoted on the back part of horizontal internal beams 6, said levers being pivoted half-way- axles 15 that are pivoted on columns 4 and go through the openings of partition 3, projecting frontward where two railings 16 as slightly biased downward are defined, in order to remain at the height the user' s hands may reach, see figure 1. A horizontal crossbar 17 is fixed to the partition 3 between the railings 16.

Partition 3 receives an inlaid control panel 18 above crossbar 17; said partition 3 having another control panel 19 with double commands in the lower part thereof close to platform 7.

The air is supplied to chamber 11 by a pipe 20 connected to a compressor, and the air that feeds said chamber 11 comes from a hose 21 that is connected to chamber 11 by means of electro-valves 22.

An optical or magnetic detector 23 that is displaced linearly is assembled between beam 12 of columns 4 and the base of chamber 11 in order to detect the relative movements between both of them.

With the above defined construction, the functioning of the body vibrating device object of the present invention is as follows: initially, there is an automatic procedure for adjusting the device to the user's weight conditions, so that he/she stands on the platform 7 and holds the railings 16 or crossbar 17. In this position the user's weight displaces the cushion 24, thus lowering the level of platform 7 a short distance. The internal beams 6 pivoted on axle 5 raise table 8 of the engine 9, and displace the base of chamber 11 upward, compressing same against beam 12 and moving the cursor of detector 23 which sends data to panel 18, which data are interpreted as a command to electro- valves 22 so that they inflate chamber 11 until the original level of platform 7 is reestablished. Thus, the user's weight is compensated for and cushion 24 returns to its neutral position.

After this adjustment, panel 18 allows the user to choose the vibration frequency and the time of exposition thereto. The electric engine 9 is actuated and its counterweights make the internal table 8 and beams 6 vibrate. The vibration is transmitted by such internal beams 6 to platform 7 to pivot on axle 5, and thus the reactions that are not vertical are eliminated.

In this event, a single engine 9 with counterweights 10 is enough, thus preventing an increase in the price of the equipment .

Through rods 13, the vibration of internal beams 6 propagates toward levers 14 that are pivoted to columns 4, and reaches railings 16, vertically and in phase with platform 7.

If the user does not to wish to have his/her arms vibrated, he/she may hold bar 17 of partition 3. The lower panel 19 is useful for a user who is sitting or lying on platform 7 to control the device.

Said panel 19 and the main panel 18 are inlaid in partition 3, which is independent and isolated from the device and therefore free of vibrations, therefore panels 18 and 19 inlaid in partition 3 may also have a video terminal.

Although a preferred constructive conception has been described and illustrated for this device, it should be stressed that changes to the design are possible and attainable without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

o 8CLAIMS

1. "A BODY VIBRATING DEVICE", having a structure comprised of support beams on the floor and a vibrating platform, and a single driving engine with eccentric counterweights, characterized in that a vertical partition

(3) separates the vibrating device into two parts, in such a way that the beams for supporting same on the floor or external beams (1) incorporate two columns (4) with a traverse axle (5) in the lower part in the back portion thereof behind the partition (3), where other horizontal (6) beams are disposed parallel and internally to the external support beams (1); said internal beams (6) projecting through the partition (3) so that the front of the partition

(3) may overlap same and the horizontal flat platform (7) may be supported on the front part thereof; whilst the back part of the internal beams (6) incorporates a table (8) for fixing the electric engine (9) with eccentric counterweights

(10) on the axle; an air chamber (11) being fixed above the engine (9) , a beam (12) incorporated to the structure of the vertical columns (4) being assembled on said chamber; the back ends of the internal beams (6) pivoting the lower ends of vertical rods (13), the upper ends of which are pivoted to the ends of two horizontal levers (14) that are pivoted half-way the upper ends of the columns (4), so that the front part of said levers (14) extend beyond the partition (3) thus going through same to form two railings (16) at a height the user's hands may reach.

2. "A BODY VIBRATING DEVICE", according to claim 1, characterized by being provided with an air pressure control of the chamber (11) comprising a position detector (23) fixed between the moving parts of the beams (1 and 6), and connected to at least an electronic command panel (18, 19) so that the latter may send commands to electro-valves (22) that allow the compressed air from a pipe (20) to pass to the air chamber (11) to reestablish the balance changed by the user's weight on the platform (7).

3. ^ΛΛA BODY VIBRATING DEVICE", according to claim 1, characterized by been provided with an upper command panel (18) and a lower command panel (19), both of them inlaid in the partition (3) at positions where users may have access to.

4. "A BODY VIBRATING DEVICE", according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition (3) is a wall that is rigidly and statically fixed directly to the floor.

5. ^λ\A BODY VIBRATING DEVICE", according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the partition (3) is a wall that is rigidly and statically fixed directly to the floor, through which partition two or more body vibrating devices may pass .