WO2024023866A1

WO2024023866A1 - Exercise machine

Info

Publication number: WO2024023866A1
Application number: PCT/IT2023/050183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Englaro; Mattiarmando Chiavegato
Original assignee: Akuis S.R.L.
Priority date: 2022-07-28
Filing date: 2023-07-28
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

Exercise machine (10) comprising a traction cable (12) having at least a first segment (12a) defined between a motorized winding member (19) and a transmission member (15); the machine (10) comprising at least one containing body (11) inside which at least the winding member (19), the drive member (20) and the transmission member (15) are able to be housed in a compact manner.

Description

“EXERCISE MACHINE”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an exercise machine of the type suitable to develop motor and functional skills, muscle strength, but also for medical rehabilitation purposes. In particular, the present invention concerns an exercise machine of the compact type, and possibly transportable, in which the user acts on a grip element connected through cable traction means to a resistant load source comprising an electronically controllable actuator member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise machines that generate a resistance to allow a user to perform complex movements relatively freely in space, imitating traditional exercises with free weights, such as dumbbells, barbells, or others, with the possibility of performing a wide range of exercises, are known.

This type of known machines generally consist of one or more grip elements that transmit a resistant load to the user, carried through a cable, typically sliding around a certain number of pulleys. The resistant load can be “generated” through resistance devices that are alternative to traditional stacks of weights, such as pneumatic or electric actuators.

In these solutions, the cables are returned, to be selectively wound and unwound onto corresponding winding drums which, in turn, are kinematically connected, through possible motion transmission and reduction systems, to the pneumatic or electric actuators, so that the torque applied by the latter on the drum translates into an axial load on the cable.

In this way, the resistant load (that is, the force that the user perceives on the grip element and to which he has to react, opposing it, in order to make a specific movement) always acts in the direction of the cable that carries the load onto the grip element.

One of the main disadvantages of the state of the art is that these solutions with the axial load defined by actuators require relatively complex structures and kinematics, which involve an increase in the sizes of the machine and possibly in the cable transmissions, with a consequent increase in installation costs and overall sizes. Therefore, such a machine is difficult to transport or difficult to move independently for the user, within a training or rehabilitation environment, as is instead the case with traditional weights, for example dumbbells, barbells, or suchlike.

Moreover, the increased sizes of the machine and the possible increase in transmissions limit the use of the machine itself, causing it to lose its characteristic of greater manageability compared to traditional machines with mechanical weights, and forcing the user to work muscularly only in pre-established conditions. In other words, this type of machines, however functional, do not currently allow to easily and effectively replace traditional machines and equipment with weights.

Exercise machines are also known, always of the type with cables with a resistant load, which, depending on their conformation or their functionality and adjustments, are suitable to perform various types of exercises, which also affect different muscle groups.

Due to the sizes and distances required to limit cable winding malfunctions, these machines have considerable overall sizes and costs, and, in any case, their functionality is limited to their specific conformation.

For example, exercise machines are known which comprise a mobile trolley provided with at least one snub pulley for a cable segment that extends between a first load source and the grip element. A second cable branch extends between a second load source and can also be connected to the grip element, by means of a second snub pulley associated with the mobile trolley, or to the mobile trolley itself. These solutions require the use of special support means such as platforms or sliding guides, which therefore require a certain amount of space both in order to be positioned/installed and also for their use and, in addition, the cable segment disposed between the snub pulleys and the drum itself is in the order of 1-1.5m.

In any case, known machines require a specific design and conformation, whether they are intended for a single muscle group or for different muscle groups. This aspect leads to a substantial rigidity in the use of the machines, also limiting what is offered by training or rehabilitation centers for which these machines are intended.

Usually, known machines of the type installed on a wall or in any case on dedicated structures require intermediate control arms to move the exit point of the cable away from the wall, the support structure or the containing body of the machine, so as to accommodate the user to allow him to carry out specific exercises without being hindered by the wall, the support structure or the containing body of the machine itself These intermediate control arms are, in particular, necessary to be able to perform exercises with a vertical load in machines of the type called “lat machine” or on a flat bench. The minimum distance for the intermediate control should be no less than 30cm of protrusion from the wall, something that indeed is usually satisfied by intermediate control arms or systems that are outside the containing body that houses the actuator.

Other components are also generally required for a correct operation of the exercise machine, such as power supply and/or control means or suchlike, for which it is necessary to provide a suitable housing space, and known machines generally have bulky conformations in which the spaces for such components are not optimized.

Document CN114470620A concerns a rehabilitation device having a boxshaped containing body, provided on one side with a passage hole for a cable and internally with a motor and a winding drum for the cable which are disposed coaxially to each other and transverse with respect to the exit direction of the cable, meaning that the containing body is bulky.

Document CN 108654011A also concerns an exercise machine comprising a box-shaped containing body provided on one side with a passage hole for a cable and internally with a winding drum for the cable and a torque output mechanism.

WO20 10/121337A1 discloses an exercise machine of a known type.

There is therefore the need to perfect an exercise machine that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of guaranteeing a correct and flexible functional use for training, or rehabilitation, including all the indispensable functional components, limiting the sizes of the machine itself to a minimum, therefore allowing it to be transported autonomously by the user within the training or rehabilitation environment.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine which is easy to handle, and which offers highly flexible use both in terms of the possibility of muscle stimulation and also of the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine which has small overall sizes, and which is simple and economical to manufacture.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an exercise machine which can be maneuvered autonomously by a user and can be easily moved and used in different positions and locations.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an exercise machine according to the present invention comprises a grip handle and cable traction means which are connected between the grip handle and a winding member, which is connected to an electronically controllable actuator, and are provided with at least a first segment of the cable defined between the winding member and a transmission member.

In particular, the first segment of the cable is defined between a motorized winding member, such as for example a drum kinematically connected to an electric or pneumatic actuator, and a transmission member, such as for example a pulley or a cable sliding seating. This first segment of the cable, or at least a part of it, normally has an oscillatory evolution on a plane substantially parallel to, or lying with respect to, the axis of rotation of the drum.

A second segment of the cable is defined between the transmission member and the grip element, the latter suitable to be used directly by the user to perform the desired muscular or rehabilitation exercise. This second segment of the cable normally has a substantially linear evolution in the direction of the traction applied by the user.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the exercise machine comprises a containing body inside which at least the motor member with its control card, the winding member and the transmission member are housed in a compact maimer.

Doing so achieves at least the advantage of positioning the kinematic and functional parts of the machine in a single containing body, leaving substantially only the parts used by the user, such as the grip element for example, outside it.

With the solution according to the present invention, the known solution is therefore completely avoided, providing a single containing body in which all the functional parts of the machine are concentrated, which would normally require additional structures and relatively complex and bulky kinematics.

The containing body can have a length comprised between about 30cm and 80cm, so as to have a conformation that, on the one hand, is manageable and easy for a user to grip and allows to optimize the overall sizes and structural requirements, and on the other hand is suitable to also act as a spacer from the wall or from the support structure, allowing the user to perform exercises without obstacles.

This avoids the known solution of using intermediate control arms to move the point of exit of the cable away from the wall, the support structure or the containing body of the machine.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises feed means provided to feed at least the motor member.

The feed means can comprise a feeder able to be connected to the electric network, which can be selectively connected to the containing body in order to feed the components inside it. In particular, the feeder is configured to convert the alternating electric energy supplied by the electric network into direct electric energy.

The feed means can also comprise an energy storage device, of the type with batteries or supercapacitors, preferably comprising a plurality of storage cells/batteries and devices for managing and balancing the charge between the cells, generally known as Battery Management Systems (BMS).

The storage device can be integrated inside the containing body or be disposed outside it, for example inside the same housing in which the feeder is provided.

If the storage device is present, the feeder can supply energy to the machine either directly or by recharging the storage device. In accordance with other embodiments, the machine also comprises an energy dissipation device, configured to dispose of the excess energy produced by the user. The energy dissipation device can be made in the form of a resistor, possibly associated with a cooling fan.

The dissipation device can also be inserted in the containing body or in the housing of the feeder.

According to one aspect of the present invention , a guide device is also provided inside the containing body, interposed in cooperation between the winding member and the transmission member, so as to guide the winding of the first segment of the cable onto the winding member.

With the solution according to the present invention, in a single containing body, the guide device can be disposed substantially downstream of the winding member and, consequently, the transmission member can be disposed immediately downstream of the guide device.

Therefore, with the solution according to the present invention, the sizes of the exercise machine can be considerably compacted, to the advantage both of the handling of the machine itself and also of a high flexibility of use, in terms of the possibility of muscle stimulation and the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use.

Consequently, since it is easy to handle, functionally flexible and of small sizes, the machine according to the present invention can be easily combined with equivalent exercise machines so as to define a modular system of exercise machines according to the present invention. In this way, the need to design and manufacture complex exercise machines is also avoided, while still guaranteeing that the objectives of both muscle stimulation and also of the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use are achieved.

Moreover, since it has compacted and contained sizes the exercise machine according to the present invention can be maneuvered autonomously by a user, and it can be moved easily and used in different positions and locations, thus defining an effective and functional alternative to traditional machines and equipment with weights.

Another advantage achieved with the solution according to the present invention is that it is possible to provide an exercise machine which is simple and economical to manufacture.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the containing body comprises at least one coupling end by means of which it can be connected and fixed to a support.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, rapid attachment means are provided on the coupling end, such as a spring or bayonet joint, or suchlike, of the type that can be removed without tools, so as to allow to selectively associate the containing body with suitable mating attachment means provided on the support.

In this way, by exploiting its small sizes and characteristics of flexibility, the exercise machine according to the present invention presents characteristics of modularity, since it can be selectively associated with different parts of the support, therefore it is possible to train different muscle groups with the same machine.

In the same way, this characteristic of modularity allows to associate two or more machines according to the present invention with each other, so as to be able to carry out even very complex workouts in a simple and effective maimer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the containing body comprises a head end in correspondence with which the transmission member is provided, wherein the head end comprises at least one rotatable cap, rotatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the containing body.

With this advantageous solution, it is possible to orient the second cable segment freely, as a function of the position and/or exercise to be performed, thus giving the machine according to the present invention greater flexibility and ease of use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the motor member is disposed with an axis of rotation thereof substantially orthogonal or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the containing body, and the winding member is disposed with its axis of rotation substantially parallel or inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor member.

Advantageously, kinematic transmission means are provided, which are able to transmit, possibly with a desired transmission ratio, a determinate torque and a determinate rotation speed to the winding member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the containing body comprises at least one control unit able to command the operation of the motor member, in such a way as to provide a determinate force which is resistant to the traction exerted by the user on the grip member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the guide device comprises movement means disposed in cooperation with the first cable segment, which are able to relatively move the first segment with respect to the winding member in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the winding member, in such a way as to achieve the desired oscillatory evolution.

The guide device also comprises sliding means disposed in cooperation with the movement means, in such a way as to guide the sliding of the first segment with respect to the latter, in particular in the linear direction defined by the movement of the grip handle.

In this way, the movement means determine a relative and guided movement between the first cable segment and the winding member, so that this first cable segment is wound in an orderly maimer into coils onto the winding member. At the same time, the sliding means guide the first cable segment to and from the movement means, so as to increase the efficiency of the latter in their action of guiding the winding.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the movement means comprise at least one support element horizontally pivoting with respect to a first axis which is substantially orthogonal or inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the winding member.

In this solution, it is the movement means that pivot horizontally with respect to the winding member, in order to determine the orderly disposition of the first cable segment into coils.

In this embodiment, the sliding means can advantageously comprise at least one guide pulley mounted on the support element to guide the sliding of the first cable segment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exercise machine according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment; - figs. 2-4 are schematic views of variants of an exercise machine according to the invention;

- figs. 5-7 are schematic three-dimensional, lateral and plan views, respectively, of a machine according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment of the guide device;

- fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of a machine according to the invention, in which the components are disposed in a different way compared to the embodiment of figs. 5-7;

- fig. 9 is a detailed and partly sectioned three-dimensional view of an exercise machine according to the invention;

- fig. 10 shows a modular form of application of the machine according to the invention in possible configurations of use;

- figs. 10a and 10b show possible configurations of use of the machine according to the invention;

- fig. 11 schematically shows a machine according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment of the guide device;

- fig. 12 schematically shows a machine according to the invention in accordance with a third embodiment of the guide device.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to fig. 1, a machine 10 according to the present invention essentially comprises a containing body 11, a traction cable 12 and a grip handle 13, which is disposed outside the containing body 11, through which a user can pull the cable 12 in order to perform a certain muscular or rehabilitative exercise.

According to possible embodiments, for example shown in fig. 1, the containing body 11 can have a substantially cylindrical tubular shape, extending along a longitudinal axis Z.

Preferably, the cylindrical-shaped containing body 11 has a prevailing size along the longitudinal axis Z, that is, it has an oblong shape with a smaller section than the extension along the longitudinal axis Z.

According to possible variants, box-like shapes can also be provided, for example parallelepiped, cubic, or suchlike.

In the solution shown in the drawings, the containing body 11 comprises a head end 11b provided with a transmission member, or head, 15, through which the cable 12 exits, and a coupling end I la provided with a coupling device 16, in correspondence with the opposite end with respect to the transmission member 15.

In the case of a tubular-shaped containing body 11, the cable 12 preferably exits in an axial direction, corresponding to the longitudinal axis Z, although it can be inclined in any direction whatsoever thanks to the transmission member 15.

Inside the containing body 11 there is disposed a winding member 19, for example a drum or a spool, kinematically connected to an electronically controllable actuator member 20. In the following examples, particular reference will be made to an actuator member consisting of, or comprising, an electric motor 20a, which can be associated with its own control card.

According to some embodiments, not shown, adjacent grooves suitable to each accommodate a coil of the cable 12 can be provided on the winding member 19.

Advantageously, in terms of optimizing the spaces and sizes of the containing body 11, the electric motor 20a is disposed with an axis of rotation M thereof substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z, and the winding member 19 is disposed with an axis of rotation X thereof substantially parallel to the axis M of the electric motor 20a. In this advantageous configuration, the electric motor 20a and the winding member 19 are kinematically connected to each other by means of a belt 22 (figs. 2, 3 and 4).

By “substantially orthogonal” we mean an axis that is orthogonal or slightly inclined with respect to an orthogonal direction by an angle comprised between 0- 20°. Similarly, by “substantially parallel” we mean an axis that is parallel, or slightly inclined by an angle comprised between 0-20°.

According to possible variants, motion transmission members of the gear or chain type can be provided instead of the belt 22.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the electric motor 20a, the winding member 19 and the transmission member 15 are disposed in succession between the coupling end I la and the head end 1 lb of the containing body 11.

According to possible embodiments, the containing body 11 can have a length L along the longitudinal axis Z which is equal to approximately 4-5 times a width W thereof on a plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z.

By way of example, the containing body 11 can have a length L comprised between 30 and 80 cm, preferably between 40 and 60 cm. Moreover, the containing body 11 can have a width W comprised between 8 and 15 cm so that it can be easily gripped and moved by a user. For this purpose, the weight of the containing body 11 and of the components inside it is also limited, and it is less than 8 kg, preferably less than 5 kg and more preferably less than 3.5 kg.

A first tensioning segment 12a of the cable 12 is connected to the drum 19; the action of the electric motor 20a determines a rotation of the drum 19 around an axis of rotation X thereof, so as to determine, normally, the winding of the first segment, or tensioning segment 12a, of the cable 12 on it.

The intensity of the torque generated by the electric motor 20a is directly proportional to the tensioning of the first segment 12a and determines the desired resistant tensioning of the entire cable 12 and, therefore, the intensity of the pulling action that the user has to exert on the handle 13 in order to unwind the cable 12.

Furthermore, the action of the winding determines an oscillatory evolution of the tensioning segment 12a on a plane which is substantially parallel to the axis X, so as to be progressively disposed in adjacent coils around the drum 19.

A second segment 12b of cable 12 which extends between the transmission member 15 and the grip handle 13 is a traction segment and it has a substantially linear evolution in the direction of the traction applied by the user.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a guide device 21 is provided inside the containing body 11, which will be described in detail below, in different embodiments, which is configured to guide the winding of the first cable segment 12a onto the winding member 19.

The guide device 21 is in particular configured to cause the cable 12 to be wound from, or wound onto, the winding member 19 in a direction which is substantially tangential to the winding member 19, and to be wound onto the latter in orderly coils without overlaps between adjacent coils.

The guide device 21 is interposed between the winding member 19 and the transmission member 15, in cooperation with a third segment 12c, or intermediate segment, disposed between the tensioning segment 12a and the second segment 12b.

In accordance with some embodiments, the exercise machine 10 also comprises a control unit 35, also disposed inside the containing body 11, which is configured to command the operation of the electric motor 20a in such a way as to provide a certain force resistant to the traction exerted by the user on the grip handle 13.

In fact, the motor 20a can be connected, at output, to a position transducer 41, such as for example an encoder, or other element capable of measuring one or more operating parameters thereof in real time, in order to provide the control unit 35 with feedback for a possible correction of the power transmitted. By way of example, the control unit 35 can be disposed upstream of the actuator member 20 between the coupling end 1 la and the head end 1 lb (figs. 1, 3 and 4), between the winding member 19 and the transmission member 15, for example alongside the guide device 21 (fig. 2), or even in different positions in order to optimize the spaces and the compactness of the containing body 11.

According to some embodiments, the control unit 35 and the control card of the motor 20a can be integrated in a single component which performs both functions, alternatively, separate components can be provided which communicate with each other. A remote control unit, not shown, can also be provided, disposed outside the containing body 11, configured to communicate with the control card of the motor 20a and with the control unit 35.

The exercise machine 10 can also comprise a user interface 36 through which the user, or other operator, can set a certain type of exercises to be performed and/or the load, that is, the resistant force desired for that type of exercises.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 36 can be installed on the containing body 11 or it can be provided on an electronic device, such as for example a smartphone or a tablet, on which a special software application is installed and executed. In this case, the control unit 35 can be provided with, or connected to, a data transmission module 37, also advantageously disposed inside the containing body 11 (figs. 1-3) or outside it (fig. 4), and suitable to transmit and/or receive data in wireless mode, for example via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi transmission systems, or other.

The machine 10 also comprises feed means 50, configured to supply electric energy at least to the motor 20a, or to its electronic card, the control unit 35, and in general to all the components housed inside the containing body 11 which are provided with electronic circuits.

The feed means 50 can comprise an electric feeder 46 able to be connected to the electric network 45, the electric feeder 46 being able to be selectively connected to the containing body 11 in order to feed the components inside it. The feeder 46 can comprise suitable adapter/converter devices suitable to convert the electric energy supplied by the electric network 45 into energy with suitable values of voltage and current.

The feed means 50 can also comprise a device 40 for storing the energy produced by the user. The storage device 40 can be of the type with batteries or supercapacitors, preferably comprising a plurality of storage cells/batteries and devices 44 for managing and balancing the charge between the cells, generally known as Battery Management Systems (BMS), which manage the storage and release of energy from/toward the actuator member 20 and the other electrical components.

The storage device 40 can be integrated inside the containing body 11 or be disposed outside it, for example inside a housing 53 in which the feeder 46 is also disposed. Preferably, when disposed inside the containing body 11, the storage device 40 can comprise lithium batteries, while in the case of a storage device 40 with supercapacitors it is disposed in the housing 53.

Thanks to the storage device 40, it is possible to reduce the size of the feeder 46 by sizing the average power thereof at around 300-400 W, since any consumption peaks, even up to l-2kW, can be compensated by the energy stored in the storage cells.

The feeder 46 can in particular be configured to supply electric energy to the storage device 40, if present, which in turn can feed the control card associated with the motor member 20a, or directly feed the control card and, through the latter, the motor member 20a.

In accordance with other embodiments, the machine 10 can also comprise an energy dissipation device 47, configured to dispose of the excess energy produced by the user. The dissipation device 47 can be made in the form of a resistor, optionally associated with a cooling fan.

The dissipation device 47 allows to dispose of any excess energy which cannot be stored or used, so as to prevent possible overheating while maintaining reduced overall bulk and sizes.

The dissipation device 47 can also comprise resistance and braking means, configured to cooperate with the actuator member 20 to provide the desired resistant force on the cable 12. These resistance and braking devices can be commanded by the control unit 35.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the dissipation device 47 can be disposed inside the containing body 11 (figs. 1-3, 5-8 and 10-11), or even outside the containing body 11 (figs. 4 and 9).

The guide device 21 generally provides, common to all three embodiments described below, a movement part, which is functionally associated with the drum 19 either to direct the tensioning segment 12a along the axis of rotation X or to move the winding member 19 as a function of the position of the tensioning segment 12a.

In particular, the guide device 21 comprises movement means 14 disposed in cooperation with the first cable segment 12a and able to relatively move the latter and/or the winding member 19 in a direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X, so as to transform the linear evolution of the second segment 12b into an oscillatory evolution that follows the position of the coils of the cable

12 on the winding member 19.

Moreover, also common to the embodiments described below, the guide device 21 also generally comprises a sliding part, which is functionally associated with the movement part and allows the cable 12 to slide correctly toward the grip handle

13 or toward the winding member 19, respectively, in such a way that the movement part can operate correctly with the winding member 19 in order to wind or unwind, respectively, the coils of the cable 12 in an orderly maimer.

In particular, the guide device 21 comprises sliding means 18 disposed in cooperation with the movement means 14 and able to guide the sliding of the cable 12 with respect to the movement means 14 and the transmission member 15.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in figs, from 5 to 9, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20a are provided inside the containing body 11, kinematically connected by means of a belt 22, disposed substantially parallel to each other and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 defining the movement part described above comprise a support element 23, with a flat or box-shaped shape, and horizontally pivoting freely with respect to an axis of horizontal pivoting Y, the latter substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the winding member 19.

The support element 23 is able to oscillate with respect to an axis of horizontal pivoting Y passing through a lateral edge thereof, or located in proximity to such edge.

Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one pulley 25, in the example case two pulleys 25, mounted idle on the support element 23.

The pulleys 25 are integral with the support element 23 and oscillate together with it on one side and on the other with respect to the axis of horizontal pivoting Y.

If there are two pulleys 25, it is possible to divert the third segment 12c in such a way that the second segment 12b exits from the guide device 21 from the opposite side with respect to the first segment 12a in the direction of the axis of horizontal pivoting Y. In the case of a single pulley, the first segment 12a and the second segment 12b will be on the same side.

With particular reference to fig. 5, the disposition of the two pulleys 25 is such that the third segment 12c is guided at the lower part by one pulley 25 and at the upper part by the other pulley 25, so as to assume a substantially S-shaped evolution between the two.

In this way, the third segment 12c is substantially coaxial to the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, in the zone comprised between the guide device 21 and the transmission member 15, while the tensioning segment 12a is substantially tangent to the winding member 19, in the zone comprised between the guide device 21 and the winding member 19. In this way, whatever the direction of movement of the tensioning segment 12a, that is, whether it is being wound or unwound, with respect to the winding member 19, the support 23 pivots horizontally around the axis Y, passively following the position of the tensioning segment 12a with respect to the winding member 19, as schematically shown in figs. 6 and 7, and guaranteeing the correct winding or unwinding of the cable 12.

In other words, the oscillation of the tensioning segment 12a of the cable 12 on one side and on the other of the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, that is, a movement thereof in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the winding member 19, involves the simultaneous horizontal pivoting of the support element 23, thus keeping the cable 12 aligned with respect to the position of the coils on the winding member 19.

In accordance with other embodiments, on one or preferably both sides of the horizontally pivoting support 23, alignment means 42 can be provided, for example springs or other elastic elements, having the function of facilitating the return of the horizontally pivoting support 23 in alignment with the axis of horizontal pivoting Y. This arrangement is particularly advantageous if the machine 10 is used in a horizontal direction, since it allows to at least partly compensate the weight force and inertia of the support 23 itself, and prevent it from impacting against the internal walls of the containing body 11.

Alternatively, or in addition, according to other variants not shown, there can be provided a counterweight for the support 23 such that the mass of the support 23 is symmetrical with respect to the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, regardless of the orientation of the machine 10, so that its movement is conditioned only by the traction on the cable 12.

According to some embodiments, the transmission member 15 is associated with a cap 33 which is mounted pivoting on the containing body 11, rotatable with respect to an axis Z, in this specific case a longitudinal axis of the containing body 11, so as to allow the maximum flexibility of exit of the traction segment 12b (fig. 5) and, therefore, allow its traction through the handle 13, substantially at any angle, even orthogonal or variable, with respect to the longitudinal axis Z of the containing body 11.

Advantageously, the transmission member 15 is associated with a head end 1 lb of the containing body 11.

According to some embodiments, the transmission member 15 comprises one or more pulleys, or transmission seatings, not shown in detail, which allow the cable 12 to exit from the containing body 11, even at an angle, defining a desired safety radius, in order to limit possible improper stresses on the cable 12 itself, which may compromise its durability.

According to some embodiments, the coupling device 16 is a rapid type coupling.

According to one possible embodiment, it can be a coupling device 16 of the bayonet type, that is, with combined axial and rotary insertion; however, it is not excluded that it can be of the pressure, spring, ball, screw, or other known type that does not require tools to guarantee the solidity of the coupling to a special and mating coupling element 34.

According to possible variants, the coupling device 16 can comprise a plate or other element suitable to cooperate with known fastening elements of the screw or bolt type, or suchlike, to allow a fixed and stable connection with mating support flanges.

As shown schematically in figs. 10- 10b, the coupling device 16, in particular if of the rapid type, allows the selective coupling of the machine 10 to an external support, in this specific case a panel 17 or a wall, provided with corresponding coupling and/or plug elements 34, which are compatible with the coupling device 16.

In this way, the machine 10 can be connected in one or the other of the coupling elements 34 to allow the execution of different types of exercises.

In fact, thanks to the presence of the guide device 21, the sizes of the exercise machine 10 are on the one hand very compact and on the other suitable to allow to perform exercises along a substantially vertical, or inclined, or variable directrix, without requiring transmission devices which are external to the containing body 11 itself (figs. 10a, 10b).

According to other embodiments, two or more machines 10 can be associated with each other, in various functional combinations on a same panel 17, so as to create, on each occasion, a desired operating configuration which is functional to the muscular or rehabilitation purposes to be pursued. According to the embodiments of figs. 5-8, the storage device 40 and the dissipation device 47 are also disposed inside the containing body 11.

The dissipation device 47 in the example case is disposed in proximity to the coupling end I la.

In the embodiment of figs. 5-7, the storage device 40 is positioned between the dissipation device 47 and the motor 20a, while in the embodiment of fig. 8 it is positioned between the winding member 19 and the guide device 21, but it can also be positioned differently, in order to optimize how the spaces available inside the containing body 11 are occupied and keep the overall sizes contained.

However, it is not excluded that the electric motor 20a can be traditionally fed directly by a feed cable 43, which can be fixed or at least partly wired inside the containing body 11, or able to be connected to a connector 51 provided on the latter by means of its own connection pin 52, as shown for example in fig. 9.

The feed cable 43 can be connected to an electric power supply network 45, for example by means of the electric feeder 46.

According to the embodiment of fig. 9, a housing 53 is provided, separate from the containing body, inside which the feeder 46 and at least one of either the storage device 40 or the dissipation device 47, in this specific case both, can be disposed.

According to another embodiment, the coupling device 16 and the coupling elements 34 share corresponding electric contacts, for example of the touch type, suitable to define a transmission of supply electric current to the electric motor 20, in a condition in which the containing body 11 is associated with the panel 17.

Figs. 11 and 12 show possible variants of an exercise machine 10.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20a are provided inside the containing body 11, disposed substantially coaxial with each other and connected in rotation, possibly through one or more intermediate gears or reducers.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 comprise a slide 26 disposed facing the winding member 19 and mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X of the latter.

This movement is embodied by a worm screw 27, advantageously kinematically connected to one of either the winding member 19 or the electric motor 20a, for example by means of a toothed coupling 29, with crown 38a and pinion 38b, with desired transmission ratio. In this way, the activation of the electric motor 20a determines, simultaneously, both the rotation of the winding member 19 and also the linear movement of the slide 26.

The feed speed of the slide 26 is equal to the feed speed of the coils along the winding member 19.

The use of a worm screw 27 allows to know the positioning of the cable 12 precisely, since the movement is given by the ratio between the diameter of the screw 27 and that of the winding member 19.

Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one intermediate control element 30a, in this specific case a pulley, configured to precisely direct the tensioning segment 12a toward the winding member 19 in order to guide its winding or unwinding with respect to the latter.

The intermediate control element 30a is advantageously installed on the slide 26 and is mobile together with it.

The sliding means 18 in this embodiment can also comprise at least one snub pulley 30, in the example case two pulleys 30, always disposed inside the containing body 11, in the segment between the intermediate control element 30a and the transmission member 15.

With reference to the solution of fig. 10, the disposition of the two pulleys 30 is such that the third segment 12c is guided and diverted toward the slide 26 in such a way that the entry and exit of the cable 12 into/from the guide device 21 occurs from opposite sides with respect to it along the longitudinal axis Z.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20a are provided inside the containing body 11, disposed substantially coaxial to each other and connected in rotation.

In this case, the guide device 21 is disposed partly adjacent to the drum 19 and partly between the latter and the transmission member 15, along the longitudinal axis Z.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 comprise a fixed worm screw 31, positioned coaxial to the axis of rotation X of the electric motor 20a and cooperating axially with the winding member 19 in order to move it along the axis of rotation X.

Advantageously, the rotation of the winding member 19 by means of the motor member 20a also determines the screwing/unscrewing of the latter along the worm screw 31.

The movement means 14 in this solution comprise at least one rod 39, in the example case two rods 39, configured to transmit the torque from the electric motor 20a to the winding member 19, allowing its translation along the axis of rotation X.

In particular, the winding member 19 advances in one or the other direction along the worm screw 31 with a pitch equal to the winding or unwinding pitch of the coils of the cable 12, in such a way that the point of exit of the cable from the winding member 19 is always facing the sliding means 18.

Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one intermediate control element 32a, in this specific case a pulley, disposed in a fixed position on one side of the winding member 19 and configured to precisely direct the tensioning segment 12a toward the winding member 19.

The sliding means 18 in this embodiment can also comprise one or more snub pulleys 32, in the example case two pulleys 32, always disposed inside the containing body 11, in the segment comprised between the intermediate control element 32a and the transmission member 15. In the case described by way of example, the disposition of the pulleys 32 is such that the entry and exit of the cable into/from the guide device 21 occur on opposite sides thereof.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

For example, according to one variant, the electric motor 20a can be freely replaced with a pneumatic actuator, or an actuator of another known type.

According to other embodiments, a command and control unit can be provided, connected to the electric motors 20a of different machines 10, in order to coordinate their intensities and operations as a function of a predefined operating or functional sequence, in a condition of modular combination of the type schematized in fig. 5.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of exercise machine, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the very claims.

Claims

1. Exercise machine (10) comprising a grip handle (13) connected to a winding member (19), connected to an electronically controllable actuator member (20), by means of cable traction means (12) which are provided with at least a first segment of the cable (12a) defined between said winding member (19) and a transmission member (15), and a feeder (46), characterized in that it comprises a containing body (11) which extends along a longitudinal axis (Z), inside which at least said actuator member (20) associated with a control card, said winding member (19) and said transmission member (15) are able to be housed, disposed between at least one coupling end (I la) and one head end (11b) of said containing body (11).

2. Machine (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one coupling end (1 la) is provided with rapid type coupling devices (16), able to allow the selective association of said containing body (11) with a support (17).

3. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said head end (11b) comprises at least one rotatable cap (33), rotatable with respect to said longitudinal axis (Z).

4. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said containing body (11) has a substantially cylindrical tubular conformation.

5. Machine (10) as in claim 4, characterized in that said containing body (11) has a prevalent extension along said longitudinal axis (Z).

6. Machine (10) as in one or the other of claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said actuator member (20) comprises an electric motor (20a) disposed with an axis of rotation (M) thereof substantially orthogonal with respect to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said containing body (11), and in that said winding member (19) is disposed with an axis of rotation (X) thereof substantially parallel with respect to said axis of rotation (M) of said electric motor (20a).

7. Machine (10) as in one or the other of claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said actuator member (20) comprises an electric motor (20a) disposed with an axis of rotation (M) thereof substantially parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said containing body (11), and in that said winding member (19) is disposed with an axis of rotation (X) thereof substantially coaxial to said axis of rotation (M) of said electric motor (20a).

8. Machine (10) as in one or the other of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises kinematic transmission means (22, 39) disposed in cooperation with said electric motor (20a) and with said winding member (19), and able to transmit a determinate torque and a determinate rotation speed to said winding member (19).

9. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises, installed in said containing body (11), at least one control unit (35) able to command the operation of said actuator member (20), in such a way as to supply a determinate resistance force to the traction exerted by the user on said gripping member (13).

10. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a guide device (21) disposed in said containing body (11) between said winding member (19) and said transmission member (15), configured to guide the winding of said first segment of the cable (12a) on said winding member (19).

11. Exercise machine (10) as in claim 10, characterized in that said movement means (14) comprise at least one support element (23) horizontally pivoting with respect to a first axis (Y) substantially orthogonal with respect to said axis of rotation (X) of said winding member (19).

12. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (40) for storing the energy produced, during use, by a user, comprising a plurality of storage cells and devices (44) for managing and balancing the charge between the cells, said storage device (40) being configured to store and release energy to and from said actuator member (20) or other electrical circuits, disposed inside said containing body (11).

13. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a device (47) for dissipating the energy produced, during use, by a user, disposed inside said containing body (11).

14. Machine (10) as in claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said storage device (40) and said dissipation device (47) are housed in said containing body (11), and said feeder (46) is connected via cable (43) by means of a connection pin (52) to a connector (51) provided on said containing body (11).

15. Machine (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims from 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a housing (53) separated from said containing body (11) and connected thereto, wherein in said housing (53) there are disposed said feeder (46) able to be connected to an electric network (45) and at least one of either a storage device (40) or a device (47) for dissipating the energy produced by a user.