WO2012160523A2

WO2012160523A2 - Dynamic apparatus for gymnastic equipement and method for controlling the apparatus, as training system using the apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012160523A2
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Mariano SCUDELLA
Original assignee: Scudella Antonio Mariano
Priority date: 2011-05-23
Filing date: 2012-05-23
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: WO2012160523A3; ITVI20110130A1

Abstract

A dynamic apparatus for use with a gymnastic equipment (G) for indoor simulation of a sports activity, comprises a support element (2) adapted to be connected to a fixed portion of the equipment, actuating means (9) adapted to be electronically controlled and associated with the support element (2) to apply a dynamic torque to the movable element (R) concordant or opposite to the user action, sensor means (3) associated with said support element (2) and adapted to interact with the movable element (R) to detect the instantaneous operation speed and generate a first control signal proportional to the value of the detected instantaneous speed, interface means (7) adapted to connect an external computer (5) to the actuating means (9) to vary the dynamic torque and to the sensor means (3) to send the control signal to the computer (5), an electronic program adapted to be installed on an external computer (5) for visualizing a video sequence on a screen (6) with a reproduction speed proportional to the speed associated with the control signal and to vary the dynamic torque in response to the change of the effort required for the sports activity.

Description

DYNAMIC APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIC EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE APPARATUS, AS TRAINING SYSTEM USING THE APPARATUS

Field of the invention

The present invention generally finds application in the field of gymnastic exercise equipment and particularly relates to a dynamic apparatus for use with a gymnastic equipment.

The invention further relates to a training system comprising a plurality of apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus using a computer program.

Background art

A variety of gymnastic equipments for training are known in the art, such as exercise bicycles, spinning bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines and the like, which are designed to be used both in home environments and in gyms for indoor simulation of a sports activity that is generally carried out outdoors.

For enhanced simulation, and a more pleasant use of the equipment by the user, the equipment may be equipped with a screen or monitor, which displays a video showing a nature trail or anyway an outdoor training environment, such that the user can feel he/she is doing sports outdoors.

Furthermore, certain prior art solutions are designed to allow interaction between the equipment and the video, e.g. by adjusting the reproduction speed of the video according to the speed imparted to the equipment by the user.

US6142913 discloses a training equipment comprising a common racing bicycle mounted to a stationary support and connected to a processor having a program that displays an outdoor trail installed therein. The video reproduction speed increases with the pedaling speed.

A system may be further provided for adjusting the resistance opposed by the operating equipment, according to the images displayed on the screen at a given time, to adapt the user effort according to what is being displayed on the screen. FR 2755866 discloses a training equipment comprising a common racing bicycle having a wheel associated with a braking device which is regulated according to the uphill slope of a given trail.

The equipment is connected to a screen which reproduces upward and downward slopes in a given trail, and also provides data about the speed maintained by the user, as compared with a "sample" reference value.

Nevertheless, the above solutions were found to be inadequate, as none of them allows realistic simulation of an outdoor activity.

Furthermore the parts of the equipment that are to be moved by the user during the exercise require a special design, which involves an apparent increase of complexity and costs.

Particularly, the equipment is connected to the electronic devices by cables, which expose it to failure and restrict the function and versatility of the equipment.

A further drawback is the need to feed the equipment with power energy, which involves run time restrictions.

Another important drawback is that prior art equipments cannot be implemented in the multi-user systems that are typically used in gyms, which include a reference equipment managed by an instructor and a plurality of equipments used by clients who are required to adjust their exercise as a function to that of the instructor.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above prior art drawbacks, by providing a dynamic apparatus for gymnastic equipment or training equipment that allows realistic simulation of outdoor exercise.

A particular object is to provide a dynamic apparatus that can adjust the dynamic conditions of the equipment according to a predetermined real or virtual trail, displayed on a screen.

A particular object is to provide a dynamic apparatus for gymnastic equipment that can be used in existing equipment without requiring any change thereto.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dynamic apparatus for gymnastic equipment that are stand-alone in terms of power supply.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a training system that allows interaction of a plurality of users.

These and other objects as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a dynamic apparatus for training equipment as defined in claim 1 .

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a training system as defined in claim 8, comprising a plurality of such apparatus.

In a yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method as defined in claim 10, for controlling a dynamic apparatus and/or a system of the invention.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a dynamic apparatus according to the invention, and a system comprising a plurality of apparatus, which are described as non- limiting examples with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dynamic apparatus of the invention mounted to a spinning bicycle;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the detail of Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away side view of an enlarged detail of Fig.

1 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram view of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a dynamic system of the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment Referring to the above figures, a dynamic apparatus for gymnastic or training equipment G, generally designated by numeral 1 , may be fixedly or removably mounted to any sports equipment G designed for use at home, in a gym or in competitive contexts, for simulation of a typical outdoor exercise activity.

The apparatus 1 may be installed on any training equipment G having a movable resistance element R adapted to be moved by the user during exercise.

Particularly, the equipment G may be a spinning bicycle, like in the accompanying figures, a home or gym exercise bicycle, a common racing or road bicycle appropriately locked to a stationary support, or a treadmill, a rowing machine or a similar equipment.

In any case, the equipment G comprise a movable element R which is adapted to oppose a predetermined resisting torque, and is designed to be driven at a variable speed by the user through a motion transfer mechanism driven by a part of the body, such as legs or arms.

In the case of a spinning bicycle, the movable element is a flywheel V having a predetermined mass and connected in a known manner to a pair of pedals, not shown, upon which the user will apply a driving torque.

Such flywheel V opposes a fixed and predetermined inertia torque to the strength generated by the user during exercise and its rotation speed will depend on the effort exerted by the user on the pedals.

The flywheel V may be also associated to a braking device B adapted to apply a resisting torque that can be manually, electronically or electromechanically adjusted by the user.

The dynamic apparatus 1 of the invention may comprise a support element 2 connectable to the stationary part or fixed portion T of the equipment G, preferably close to the movable resistance element or load R.

In the illustrated configuration, the support element 2 is connected to the bicycle fixed portion T at the front flywheel V. Nevertheless, the load- bearing structure 2 may be also integrated in the fixed portion T of the equipment G.

Sensor means 3 are associated with the support element 2, and are designed to be coupled to the movable resistance element R. For instance, the sensor means 3 may be housed within a body of the support element 2.

The sensor means 3 are adapted to detect the instantaneous speed of the movable element R when the latter is moved by the driving torque applied by the user and transmitted by the moving mechanism of the equipment G.

The sensor means 3 may be designed to generate a first control signal containing first data Di associated with the detected value of instantaneous speed of the movable element R.

The apparatus 1 may also comprises an electronic program containing a plurality of routines and subroutines and on which a video sequence consisting of a plurality of screens or frames adapted to reproduce a video showing a training trail may be loaded.

For example, the video sequence may display a real or virtual trail that reproduces an outdoor training trail that is intended to be simulated during the indoor exercise performed on the equipment G.

The program may be installed on a memory portion 4 that can be associated with an external computer 5 having visualization means 6, such as a monitor, a screen or the like, which will display the video obtained by the video sequence.

The computer 5 may be any computer equipped with a monitor or connected to any screen. The memory portion 4 may be of either fixed or removable type.

The program will act upon the computer 5 to cause the reproduction of the video sequence at a controlled reproduction speed.

Interface means 7 are also provided, for connecting the processor 5 to sensor means 3 to provide feedback to the processor 5 and vary the video sequence reproduction speed in proportion to the speed of the movable element R as detected by the sensor means 3.

The interface means 7 comprise a first transceiver device 8, which is adapted to receive the control signal for the detected speed of the movable element R and accordingly adjust the video sequence reproduction speed.

Thus, the simulated trail displayed by the visualization means 6 will be run on the monitor at a speed synchronized with the one imparted by the user to the movable element R of the equipment G, such that the user will feel like he/she is realistically moving over the displayed trail, at slower or faster speed.

Advantageously, the program is designed to associate each frame of the video sequence, through the computer 5, with corresponding second data D₂ reflecting a dynamic condition to be transmitted to the movable element R of the equipment G and corresponding to a particular training condition.

The apparatus 1 further comprises electronically controllable actuating means 9, which are adapted to receive the second data D₂ transmitted by the first transceiver device 8 and apply a corresponding controllable dynamic torque to the movable element R.

For instance, the second data may contain an additional resistance value to be transmitted to the movable element R to apply an additional braking couple thereto.

For example, in order to simulate a climb, the actuating means 9 will be braking to apply an opposite braking or resisting torque to the user action.

The additional resisting torque may be directly proportional to the instantaneous slope of the trail displayed on screen, to simulate the presence of a force directed opposite to the simulated forward direction.

Thus, the user shall have to apply a higher driving torque to the movable element R to counteract the braking torque and maintain the same speed of the movable element R, thereby feeling he/she is really climbing or subject to a force opposed to its forward movement.

Particularly, in the illustrated configuration, which is namely related to the case in which the equipment G is a spinning bicycle or a home or exercise bicycle or a common road bicycle suitably adapted for stationary operation, the actuating means 9 will include a peripheral electronic control unit 10 connected to the interface means 7 and adapted to receive the second data D₂.

The control unit 10 is also adapted to receive the first data D and send it to the interface means 7 and controls an actuator 14 having one or more brake elements 1 1 movable between a first position in which the movable element R is released and a second position in which it is braked.

For instance, the brake elements 1 1 may be defined by a pair of shoes 12, 13 placed at opposed faces F, F' of the movable element R and moved by the actuator 14 to move from an open release position to a braking position into contact, the latter involving controllable pressure contact with a peripheral portion of the corresponding face F, F' of the flywheel V or wheel of the equipment G.

Thus, the shoes 12, 13 may apply a braking torque to the movable element R, opposite to the torque transmitted through the pedal moving means.

The braking torque is proportional to the additional resistance instantaneously associated with the second data D₂.

In a particular variant, not shown, the actuating means 9 of the apparatus may be defined by the braking means of the equipment B as shown in Fig. 3, which will suitably have the actuator 14 connected thereto.

In a further configuration, also not shown, the actuating means 9 may be designed to apply an additional driving torque having the same direction as the user-applied torque.

The actuator 14 may be of linear type, with a motor 15 controlled by the control unit 10, and with a worm 16 connected to the arms 17, 18 of the shoes 12, 14 through corresponding cables 19, 20.

The translation of the worm 16 will cause the translation of the cables 19, 20 and, as a result, the rotation of the arms 17, 18 of the shoes 12, 13, which will accordingly move toward or away from each other, substantially like in the operation of common bicycle brakes.

The sensor means 3 may include a roll 21 placed in the load-bearing structure 2 such that its outer peripheral surface contacts the external peripheral surface S of the movable element R.

Conveniently, the roll 21 will be idly mounted to an axis of rotation L substantially parallel to the one of the movable element R, referenced L', to be frictionally set into rotation by the movable element R.

The roll 21 is directly keyed to the shaft 22 of an electric motor 23, preferably of stepper type, which is designed to generate an electric control signal with electric parameters proportional to the rotation speed of the roll 21 and containing the first data D-i .

The control signal is sent through appropriate cables, not shown, to the control unit 10, which will send the first data D to the first transceiver device 8, through a second transceiver device 24, thereby providing feedback to the computer 5 and adjusting the video sequence reproduction speed.

The two transceiver devices 8, 24 may be connected by appropriate connection means, not shown, which will be preferably, but without limitation, be of wireless type.

By way of example only, the wireless connection means may be designed with any known protocol, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and the like, or may include USB interface devices or the like. Nevertheless, a wired connection may be also envisaged, without departure from the scope of the present invention.

The sensor means 3 may be also designed to detect the braking torque and send third data D₃ reflecting the braking action to the control unit 10.

The third data D₃ will be transmitted from the second transceiver device 24 to the first transceiver device 8 and thence to the computer 5 to possibly provide feedback to the actuator means 9 if the speed associated with the first data Di is different from reference data D_R|_F stored in the computer 5, thereby increasing or decreasing the braking torque.

In a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the electric motor 23 associated with the speed detecting roll 21 may be connected to a rechargeable power energy accumulator 25 to recharge it as a result of its rotary motion.

The accumulator 25 may be placed in the load-bearing element 2 as a voltage source for the whole apparatus 1 or the portion thereof mounted to the equipment G, for the apparatus to be independent of any external power source.

Conveniently, in a method for controlling the apparatus 1 by a computer program, the computer program may be designed to draw a video sequence from an external storage support, either locally or remotely, e.g. via the Internet, and to associate each frame thereof with second data D₂ containing a predetermined value of the dynamic braking or driving torque to be transmitted to the movable element R.

Advantageously, the program may be designed to allow customized association of the second data D₂ with each frame or set of frames by the user, through graphics interfaces or the like, not shown, for display on the visualization means 6.

Furthermore, the program may be designed to synchronously associate an audio sequence with the video sequence, while adjusting the reproduction speed and/or volume to the video sequence reproduction speed.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a training system 26 comprising a plurality of such dynamic apparatus 1 , 1 ', 1 ", each associated with a corresponding gymnastic equipment G to be used in a correlated manner by a plurality of users.

Particularly, each apparatus 1 comprises respective sensor means 3 and actuating means 9 to be associated with the movable element R of the corresponding equipment G and adapted to be connected to a single computer 5 in which the program is installed through common interface means 7.

The computer 5 is preferably connected to visualization means 6 shared by all apparatus 1 , 1 ', 1 ", ... to project a single video sequence for all users.

Conveniently, the program may be designed to receive the first speed data Di from each apparatus 1 and provide feedback to the computer 5, to control the video sequence reproduction speed as a function of one of such first data D obtained from a single reference apparatus, referenced 1 '.

Also, the program is designed to drive the individual actuating means 9 by transmitting the same dynamic torque thereto.

Each apparatus 1 , 1 ', 1 ", ... transmits third data D₃, reflecting its dynamic torque, through its second transceiver device 24. The program processes the first and third data D-i , D₃ of each apparatus 1 , 1 ', 1 ", ... and will vary the dynamic torque transmitted to each of them, in an independently manner to each other, to allow each user to maintain the movable element R at a speed substantially corresponding to the reference speed.

This configuration is particularly useful in gyms, during group training, with an instructor dictating the pace of all the clients, who will adapt their pace to the instructor's pace.

Here, the reference signal will be associated with the apparatus 1 mounted to the instructor's equipment G, whereas the other equipment s will be controlled according to the reference equipment.

The above disclosure clearly shows that the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing a dynamic apparatus for gymnastic equipment that allows indoor or stationary simulation of an outdoor sports activity.

The apparatus, system and method of the invention are susceptible to a number of changes or variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the annexed claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

While the apparatus, system and method have been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1 . A dynamic apparatus for a gymnastic equipment (G) for indoor simulation of a sport activity, wherein the equipment comprises at least one movable element (R) operable by an user and adapted to oppose a resisting torque and wherein the equipment (G) is suitable for use in combination with an external computer (5) provided with a monitor (6), which apparatus comprises:

a support element (2) connectable to a fixed portion (T) of the equipment (G);

actuating means (9) electronically controllable and associated to said support element (2) to apply a dynamic torque on the movable element (R) concordant or opposite to the user action;

sensor means (3) associated to said support element (2) and adapted to interact with the movable element (R) to detect the instantaneous operation speed and generate a control signal proportional to the value of the detected instantaneous speed;

interface means (7) adapted to connect an external computer (5) to said actuating means (9) to vary the dynamic torque and to said sensor means (3) to send said control signal to the computer (5);

an electronic program adapted to be installed on the external computer (5) for visualizing a video sequence on the screen (6) with a reproduction speed proportional to the speed associated to said control signal to vary the dynamic torque in response to the variation of the effort request for the sport activity.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said generated control signal contains first data (D-,) associated to the value of the instantaneous speed of the movable element (R) detected by said sensor means (3), said electronic program being adapted to associate to each frame of said video sequence corresponding second data (D₂) comprising an additional value of the dynamic torque corresponding to a specific training condition.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said interface means (7) comprise a first transceiver device (8) designed to transmit said second data (D₂) to said actuating means (9), this latter being adapted to vary the dynamic torque applied on the movable element (R) in response to said second data (D₂).

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said actuating means (9) are of the braking type with one or more brake elements (1 1 ) designed to act on the movable element (R) in response to the value of the dynamic torque contained in said second data (D₂).

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said actuating means (9) comprise a second transceiver device (24) connected to said computer (5) and to said first transceiver device (8) for the reciprocal exchange of said first (D-,) and said second data (D₂).

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said sensor means (3) comprise a roll (21 ) rotatably idle mounted on a longitudinal rotation axis (L) associated to said support frame (2) and designed to come into contact with the external peripheral surface (S) of the movable element (R) to be brought into rotation by friction thereby and to detect the speed of the movable element, said roll (21 ) being integral whit the shaft (22) of an electric motor (23) adapted to generate an electric signal proportional to the rotation speed of said roll (21 ).

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized by comprising a power energy accumulator (25) connected to said motor (23) to receive electric charge thereof upon the rotation of said roll (21 ), said accumulator (25) being connected to at least one between said actuating means (9), said sensor means (3) and said interfacing means (7) to supply thereof a feeding voltage.

8. A training system, comprising:

- a plurality of gymnastic equipments (G) for simulating a sport activity, each having at least one movable element (R) operable by a respective user and adapted to oppose a resisting torque;

- a plurality of dynamic apparatuses (1 , 1 ', 1 ", ...) according one or more of the preceding claims designed to be applied to a respective gymnastic equipment (G) of said plurality for generating a respective control signal associated to the speed detected for the corresponding movable element (R);

- a common computer (5) for all of said dynamic apparatuses (1 , 1 ', 1 ", ...) and having common visualization means (6), an electronic program being installed on said computer (5) which program being adapted to visualize on said visualization means (6) a video sequence with a controlled reproduction speed, said program being designed to receive said control signals and to vary the reproduction speed of the video sequence in response to the speed value associated to one only reference control signal.

9. System as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said electronic program is adapted to compare the detected speed for each of said apparatuses (1 , 1 ', 1 ", ...) with the speed value associated to said reference signal and to control each of said actuating means (9) independently with each other to vary the dynamic torque transmitted to the corresponding movable element (R) proportionally to the difference between the respective detected speed value and the reference value.

10. A method for controlling a dynamic apparatus (1 ) applied to a gymnastic equipment (G) having at least one movable element (R) operable by an user with a variable operation speed and adapted to oppose a resisting torque to the action of the user, which method being designed to be implemented by a computer (5) provided with visualization means (6) and comprises the following steps:

a) reproducing a video sequence with a variable speed reproduction on visualization means (6), said video sequence comprising a plurality of frames;

b) detecting of the operation speed of the movable element (R); c) sending said detected operation speed value to said computer

(5);

d) varying said reproduction speed of said video sequence in response to said detected operation speed;

characterized by comprising a step e) of associating a corresponding value of a additional dynamic torque to each of said frames and a step f) of applying the additional dynamic torque associated to the frame instantly visualized to the movable element (R).