WO2014095830A1

WO2014095830A1 - Outdoor fitness device and prefabricated assembly for outdoor fitness device

Info

Publication number: WO2014095830A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/076861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Kaiser
Original assignee: Conradi + Kaiser Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-12-17
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: IL239470A0; EP2931386A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an outdoor fitness device having a lever (11) mounted movably on a fixed part (1) of the outdoor fitness device (2), wherein transverse forces acting on the lever (11) are deflected into the fixed part (1) via a spring (9), wherein the spring (9) is fastened to the lever (11) on the fixed part (1) of the outdoor fitness device (2).

Description

Outdoor fitness equipment and prefabricated assembly for an outdoor

fitness device

The invention relates to outdoor fitness equipment, comprising a lever movably mounted on a fixed part of the outdoor fitness equipment, wherein transverse forces acting on the lever are discharged via a spring into the fixed part. In addition, the invention relates to an elastomer spring as a prefabricated assembly for an inventive outdoor fitness equipment.

Despite the now widespread presence of gyms, the training in the fresh air continues to enjoy a large fan base. In addition to the popular jogging exercises are increasingly in demand on fitness equipment. However, it is not easily possible to set up the gym designed and proven for the gym area simply on the outside.

In the open air, there is no constant control by qualified personnel who can detect and remedy defects or malfunctions of the device. Outdoor devices should therefore be at least maintenance-free, if not maintenance-free. In addition, as a result of the usually lack of supervision must be expected that the devices are recklessly or roughly handled. In addition, to secure their whereabouts in place, it is necessary to anchor them firmly in place. Only a particularly stable device can meet these conditions.

In contrast to the indoor devices outdoor equipment are exposed to the changing weather unprotected. To be able to withstand it permanently, therefore, the materials used for the outdoor fitness equipment must also be weatherproof.

Due to the lack of specialized personnel at the location, care must be taken to ensure that the equipment does not require complicated instruction for its proper use. The known devices are therefore often for designed simple exercises whose sequence of movements is self-explanatory or can be displayed on illustrated panels.

The fitness equipment used outdoors thus differs in many ways from the equipment used in the studio. Above all, they have to be much simpler and more robust compared to the devices made available in the studios.

Therefore, the individual stations of the '70s and' 80s popular fitness trails had simple, very robust fitness equipment, such as sturdy bars for pull-ups or floor-mounted wooden blocks for easy stretching exercises.

Such outdoor fitness equipment is not particularly attractive, clearly limited in its use and not suitable for modern fitness training. New training methods require fitness equipment, which allow the exercising person a movement along a defined apparatus resistance.

Indoor units can provide cables with pulleys, joints or sliders for such movements. In addition, associated resistances, motion dampening and movement limitations are needed. However, such equipment is difficult to realize in the outdoor area due to the restrictions described.

From DE 20 2009 006 224 U1 an outdoor fitness device with a lever is known, which can be moved by the person using the device against a device resistance. The lever is pivotally held on a fitness device via a joint. Its pivoting range is limited by below the joint and arranged on both sides next to the lever stops. Between the lever and the two stops in each case an elastomeric buffer is used, which is compressed when pivoting the lever in the respective direction, thus dampening the movement of the lever in this direction. The disadvantage of this solution is that different parts are needed for the different tasks of the mechanism, each of which can be broken for themselves. In addition, forms at a pivoting of the lever in a direction between the lever and the opposite direction of movement and therefore not compressed elastomer buffer a space in which foreign body can penetrate. In addition to a possible damage or overriding of the buffer when snapping back the lever to its original position crushing.

The object of this application is to propose a generic outdoor fitness equipment with a simply constructed and fail-safe resistance transmitter. Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide an assembly with which the outdoor fitness device according to the invention can be assembled easily and safely.

These objects are achieved by the outdoor fitness device having the features of claim 1 and the prefabricatable assembly for an outdoor fitness device having the features of claim 13. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the subclaims.

The outdoor fitness device according to the invention has a lever which is fixed by means of the spring on the fixed part of the outdoor fitness device. An essential basic idea of the invention is therefore to design a spring as a means of forming an apparatus resistance on an outdoor fitness burr. In addition, the spring is the fastener with which the lever is attached to the fixed part of the outdoor fitness equipment. As a result, the movable lever is always held securely on the stationary part of the fitness device with each movement. In addition, it is a kind of joint, as it allows movement of the lever with respect to the fixed part of the outdoor fitness equipment. Advantage of the solution is therefore also to require no additional joint. Thus, the number of parts and the susceptibility of the fitness device can be minimized.

Thus, the outdoor fitness device according to the invention is also fundamentally different from the spring-loaded rockers used in playgrounds, in which the rocker and the child sitting thereon are put into joint motion by shifting their weight. A particular advantage is that the mounting allows movement of the lever in all lateral directions. The mobility of attachment is determined and ensured by the given elasticity of the spring. The degrees of freedom of the connection between the movable lever and the fixed part of the outdoor fitness device are determined by the shape of the spring and / or the geometry of the fitness device. The fitness equipment can therefore be optimally adapted to the desired movement. It is particularly advantageous in this case that the levers can be equipped without restrictions with support or pressure surfaces optimized for the movement sequence.

It is also possible to virtually exclude transverse movements of the lever by means of springs arranged in parallel. Not only the training of the device, but also the predetermined direction of the lever movement can thus be determined completely free. A degree of freedom limiting bearing for guiding the moving parts or a support is not needed, the number of required parts is thus significantly reduced.

This is accompanied by the fact that the construction allows a large displacement for the lever. The force required to move the lever increases with the increasing compression of the spring.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring according to the invention comprises, in addition to the damping element which generates the spring action, connecting elements for the connection to the lever and the fixed part. In a simple embodiment, the spring may consist only of the damping element. However, the additional fasteners simplify the assembly of the outdoor fitness equipment and allow easy replacement of the spring as needed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring has a damping element in the form of an elastomeric spring. A particular advantage is that the elastomer spring can be used virtually maintenance-free. The Material is weather resistant and retains its properties over a long period of time. Cuts, such as damage from a sharp object, remain confined to the cut surface and will not continue. The function of the elastomer spring is thus always guaranteed.

About material selection and the strength of the elastomer spring, the apparatus resistance of the lever can be set so that the adjustment of the lever for the exercise provided on the exercise machine sufficient, extreme pivoting due to the effort required for it but is so difficult that it does not succeed. Overstretching the lever is thus practically impossible. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an end stop for the lever.

It is advantageous if the connecting elements are integrally connected to the elastomer made of damping element of the spring. The cohesive connection has the advantage that when the lever is pivoted in one direction the elastomer is not only compressed on one side, but also stretched on the opposite side. As a result, the damping effect of the damping element is reinforced, without having to change anything about the geometry of the elastomer spring, the material or the strength of the buffer.

The material connection also prevents the creation of free space between the connecting element and the buffer element. Foreign objects can not settle in this way. As a result, trapping or crushing is excluded. At the same time, the material connection ensures the secure hold of the damping element, a frame or socket for the elastomer is not required.

Preferably, the damping element of the elastomer spring is positively connected to the connecting elements. When the damping element engages around the connecting elements on the outside, the freely accessible outer surfaces of the elastomer spring are formed from a material. By a change of material otherwise conditional edges are avoided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a connecting element has a, in particular disk-shaped plate which is connected to a threaded bolt formed transversely thereto. The plate makes it possible to freely dimension the intended for the damping element attack surface in size and shape and to be able to vote on the respective requirements. With the threaded bolt, the spring can be connected in a particularly simple manner with the lever or the fixed part of the outdoor fitness equipment. At the respective connection points so only a threaded hole must be provided, in which the threaded bolt is screwed.

It is also advantageous if the damping element made of elastomer has an outwardly directed curvature on its outer surface formed between the two connecting elements. The outward curvature reliably prevents an inwardly directed buckling of the outer surface even with heavy compression of the damping element.

In a preferred embodiment, the two connecting elements of a spring are matched to one another in terms of shape. If one of the two connecting elements is designed as a hollow body, the second connecting element can engage in the hollow body of the first connecting element. The spring made of elastomer is arranged between them and materially connected to them. Twisting of the one connecting element relative to the other connecting element in this way leads to a deformation of the elastomer. This arrangement has the advantage that the hollow body encloses the elastomer and protects it from the outside.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the first connecting element is designed as a hollow cylinder and the second connecting element is a particular coaxial with the hollow cylinder arranged bolt. It is advantageous if the bolt engages not only in the hollow cylinder, but at both openings of the hollow cylinder is laterally tangible, in particular protruding. Then, the two end pieces of the bolt can be connected to one another via a web arranged outside the hollow cylinder. Depending on the arrangement of the spring on the fitness device, the lever or the fixed part of the fitness device can be attached to the bridge. This arrangement allows it to arrange lever or fixed part at any point of the web and thus align with each other arbitrarily. It is particularly advantageous to be able to arrange both parts in alignment, or coaxially, to one another.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that the spring force can be easily adapted to the requirements. Instead of having to provide, for example, two springs parallel to each other, an extension of the hollow cylinder is sufficient to increase the spring force.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the openings of the hollow cylinder are veneered. If the opening between the bolt and the hollow cylinder covered, the elastomer is almost completely housed and fully protected against damage from the outside. The diaphragm is fastened in a particularly stable manner when it is connected, in particular welded, along the circular opening with the hollow cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring comprises a damping element in the form of a helical spring. A coil spring is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Is it made of a weather-resistant material, e.g. stainless steel, it can be permanently exposed to wind and weather without being damaged. Coil springs are also available in many variants, so that their spring effect can be matched exactly to the leverage forces desired on the outdoor fitness equipment.

Advantageously, the coil spring is integrally connected to the connecting elements, in particular welded. The material connection allows a particularly solid and easy to produce connection, which is virtually wear and maintenance free.

It is also advantageous if individual turns of the coil spring in the rest position are spaced from each other. A coil spring, the turns of which abut each other can extend only on one side when acting transversely to the axis of the spring load. While on one of the loading direction opposite side of the spring, the distances between the individual Windings increase in size, the windings already adjacent to one another on a side facing the loading direction can not be further compressed. However, the preferred design of the coil spring allows this. This additional change in shape makes it possible to better adjust the apparatus resistance of the spring.

Preferably, the coil spring has an elastomer core. An elastomer core inside the coil spring prevents the spring coils from reaching through, thus reducing the risk of crushing for the user of the outdoor fitness equipment.

It is particularly advantageous if the elastomer at least partially engages in the space between the spaced-apart turns. As a result, the risk of crushing is further reduced. Since the elastomer performs by its elasticity occurring under load change in shape of the spring, the function of the spring is not hindered by the lying between the coils elastomer. Rather, the material properties of the elastomer can be designed so that it supports the spring action of the spring. The elastomer thus acts as a second damping element, ie as a further means for forming a device resistance.

Preferably, the first damping element, for example a helical spring, is completely or partially enveloped by the second damping element in the form of the elastomer spring according to the invention. Such a spring is particularly easy to produce. The first damping element only has to be inserted into a mold into which the not yet cured elastomer is filled and baked. In this way, the first damping element is integrated into the second damping element. The elastomer spring then acts as protection of the first damping element against the effects of weather.

In a further preferred embodiment, a known from the prior art element for damping vibrations is used as a spring according to the invention. This torsion spring has an outer housing and an inner housing at least partially received therein. While one of the cases Connected to the fixed part of the outdoor fitness equipment, the lever engages the other housing.

Preferably, both housings form cylinders in the form of a regular and equal polygon, in particular an isogonal quadrilateral. The housings are either arranged concentrically or extend along two axes which are at least approximately parallel to one another.

The inner housing is offset in the rest position of the elastomeric spring in comparison to the outer housing in the circumferential direction. As a result, in each case one corner of the inner housing is arranged between two corners of the outer housing. Thus, between two circumferentially successive corners of the inner housing and arranged between them and them opposite corner of the outer housing forms a cavity or a receiving space, the shape of which at least comes close to a triangular cylinder.

In the receiving space thus formed, a strand-shaped Eisastomer is used. The elastomer is held under a bias so that it is pressed between the housing walls of the inner and outer housing. The elastomer strands hold by this pressing the inner and the outer housing in a rest position in which are rotatably connected to each other. Now, if the housing connected to the lever is moved in relation to the fixed housing along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing, this rotation changes the shape of the receiving space. This results in a deformation of the elastomer. As the twist increases, the shape of the receiving space changes more and more and the forces required to deform the elastomer increase. The torsion spring thus formed has an operating range which is less than the circle angle, the value of which results from the division of a circle by the number of corners of the polygon.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the lever is attached at its two end parts via a respective spring on the fixed part of the outdoor fitness device. The attachment of both ends of the lever via one Spring allows to specify the direction of movement of the lever exactly. In addition, the two springs also ensure a continuous guidance of the lever in the direction of the given movement. For example, if the lever is U-shaped, the lever is guided, as it were, in the manner of an articulation by the two springs and allows virtually no lateral change of direction during pivoting.

The proposed spring is particularly suitable as a prefabricated assembly for an inventive outdoor fitness equipment. The spring comprises in the preferred embodiment, the damping element, the two disc-shaped plates and the respectively connected to the disc-shaped plates threaded bolt. With the help of this spring, the outdoor fitness equipment can be installed quickly and easily. As a result, it is also particularly suitable as a spare part that can be easily replaced if necessary on a fitness device. Because of the ease of installation, the replacement can be done on site, it is not necessary to dismantle and transport the unit.

Furthermore, the spring can be easily standardized, so adapt to a variety of different fitness equipment. It is therefore not necessary to manufacture and stock a large number of different types of elastomeric spring.

The outdoor fitness device according to the invention is particularly suitable as part of a course for muscular training. Based on the described basic construction, the form and function of the fitness equipment can be adapted without problems to the training of special muscle groups. The design and equipment resistance of the devices can not only provide endurance exercises, but also be aimed at maintaining the coordinative balance.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to two drawings. Hereby show:

- Figure 1: the schematic side view of an outdoor fitness device according to the invention in the form of a shoulder blade trainer and Figure 2: a section through a preferred embodiment of the elastomeric spring according to the invention.

The fixed part 1 of the shoulder blade trainer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is designed as a tubular construction. The pipe construction has two curved and parallel tubes 3, which are repeatedly connected by cross struts 4 for stability of the construction. The pipes are made of weather-resistant and stable stainless steel. Over a covered with an elastic floor covering, not shown Bodeplatte 5 of the shoulder blade trainer 1 is placed on the ground and fixed.

Furthermore, a seat 7 is fastened to the base plate 5 via an additional tubular carrier 6. The seat 7 is plate-shaped and can optionally be adjusted in height, for example via a thread.

At one end 8 of the fixed part 1, a spring in the form of an elastomeric spring 9 is attached. On the opposite side of the end piece 8 of the elastomeric spring 9 which is also firmly connected to the elastomeric spring 9 1 1 is arranged. On the lever 1 1, in turn, a preferably padded bearing surface 12 is fixed.

The end piece 8 is positioned so that a vertical axis 10 intersects the center of the seat 7 and the elastomeric spring 9. A person sitting on the seat 7 person is thus with her upper body in the vicinity of the contact surface 12. A pressure exerted on the contact surface 12 pressure is passed through the lever 1 1 in the elastomeric spring 9. Here, the force leads to a change in shape of the damping part of the elastomeric spring 9 and thus to a relative movement of the lever 1 1 with respect to the fixed part 1 of the outdoor fitness device. 1 The elastomeric spring 9 acts as a diametrical resistance. The course of the resistance, the elastomeric spring opposes the pressure exerted, goes with the distance traveled upwards.

The section shown in Figure 2 by a preferred elastomeric spring 9 shows that between the two connecting elements 13, 14 fitted Damping element 15. The above or below the damping element 15 arranged connecting elements 13, 14 each comprise a plate 16, 17, into which a threaded bolt 18 and 19 is inserted centrally. The plates 16 and 17 are aligned parallel to each other. The countersunk into them threaded bolts 18 and 19 are each perpendicular to the plates 16 and 17. The attachment of the lever 1 1 on the fixed part 1 of the outdoor fitness equipment by means of screwing. The threaded bolts 18, 19 are screwed into each corresponding threaded openings in the end piece 8 or in the lever 1 1 and tightened there.

The damping element 15 arranged between the plates 16, 17 is made of rubber. The rubber is in each case materially connected to the plates 16, 17, so that a compression of a side of the damping element 15 caused by a lateral pressure on a connecting element is accompanied by a stretching of the side opposite to the upsetting.

The outer surface 20 of the damping element 15 is curved outward and extends along a radius. The radius is dimensioned so that the damping element terminates at the circumferential outer edge 21, 22 of the plates 16, 17.

In principle, however, it is readily possible to specify the orientation of the plates, the threaded bolt and / or the damping element so that in the basic position of the elastomer spring already other geometries are given. For example, the damping element may be wedge-shaped, so that when unloaded elastomer spring tail and lever are already set at a certain angle to each other.

Claims

claims

An outdoor fitness apparatus, comprising a lever (11) movably mounted on a stationary part (1) of the outdoor fitness apparatus (2), transverse forces acting on the lever (11) being transmitted to the fixed part (1) via a spring (9) ) be derived,

characterized,

the spring (9) fixes the lever (11) to the stationary part (1) of the outdoor fitness device (2).

2. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the spring (9) comprises connecting elements (13, 14) for the connection to the lever (11) and the stationary part (1), wherein the connecting elements (13, 14) are connected in a material-locking manner to the spring (9).

3. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

in that a damping element (15) of the spring (9) is connected in a material-locking and / or form-fitting manner to the connecting elements (13, 14).

4. Outdoor fitness device according to one of claims 2 or 3,

characterized,

in that the connecting elements (13, 14) each have one, in particular disc-shaped, plate (16, 17) which is connected to a threaded bolt (18, 19) formed transversely thereto.

5. Outdoor fitness device according to one of claims 2 to 4,

characterized,

the damping element (15) has an outwardly directed curvature (20) on its outer surface formed between the two connecting elements (13, 14).

6. Outdoor fitness device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

that the lever (11) is fastened at its two end parts via a respective spring (9) to the stationary part (1) of the outdoor fitness device (2)

7. Outdoor fitness device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

the damping element of the spring (9) is a helical spring.

8. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 7,

characterized,

that individual turns of the coil spring in the rest position are spaced from each other

9. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 7 or 8,

characterized,

the helical spring comprises an elastomer core.

10. Outdoor fitness device according to one of claims 7 to 9,

characterized,

an elastomer at least partially engages in the space between the spaced turns.

11. Outdoor fitness device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized,

that the spring (9) is an elastomeric spring.

12. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 11,

characterized,

the elastomer spring is a second damping element and that a first damping element, in particular a helical spring, is integrated in the elastomer spring.

13. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 11,

characterized, in that the elastomer spring has a hollow space in which a bolt is inserted.

14. Outdoor fitness device according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the spring comprises a plurality of receiving spaces, which are formed between an outer housing and an inner housing rotatably held therein, wherein in the receiving spaces in each case an elastomer is used.

15. spring (9) as a prefabricatable assembly for an outdoor fitness device according to one of claims 4 to 14