BE1018154A6 - TRAINING DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive device 1 comprising a platform 3, a base 2, and a support 11 mounted swingably on a horizontal axis 10 relative to said base 2, and a mechanism for actuating a periodic tilting movement of said support 11 around said horizontal axis 10. The platform 3 is mounted on the support 11 and the device 1 further comprises a mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement of the platform 3 relative to the support 11 in a plane substantially parallel to the platform 3.

Description

"Training device"

The present invention relates to a drive device.

The market for training devices, both for collective use in sports halls or clinics, as well as for individual use in a domestic setting, is a market in full development. The sedentarisation of lifestyle, the aging of the population, and a diet increasingly rich in fats and carbohydrates, among other factors, lead to a certain interest for the shaping, and even more for the devices of Training allowing a more complete shaping with less time and effort on the part of the user.

Among the most effective training devices, and thus meeting the most success with the public and specialists, there are the vibration platform drive devices, such as that disclosed in the international patent application WO 2006/045213 A1 . This training device comprises a vibratory platform on which a user can train standing or sitting, or attach accessories to train. The vibratory movement of the platform allows exercise of the muscles, especially those of the legs, hips and shoulders, with comparatively little cardiovascular effort. In this device, the vibratory movement of the platform is actuated by the rotation of eccentric weights around horizontal axes. However, this type of drive device has the disadvantage of generating a vibratory movement only substantially in the vertical axis alone. Moreover, the amplitude of the vibrations will depend on the mass and position of the user, as well as their frequency, and the natural frequency of the platform-user system.

Another type of driving device, as disclosed in the international patent application WO 98/08478, comprises: a platform, a base, a support mounted tilting on a horizontal axis with respect to said base, said platform being mounted on the support, and - a mechanism for actuating a periodic tilting movement of said support about said horizontal axis.

As with the tilting movement the platform moves in opposite directions on each side, it is possible to obtain a more intensive training of the muscles of the legs and hips of a user standing on the platform. In addition, the tilting mechanism makes it possible to obtain a movement of constant amplitude, independently of the mass of the user, or the frequency of the movement. However, the device continues to exercise the muscles of the user only in a substantially vertical direction.

An object of the present invention is therefore to increase the efficiency and flexibility of the device, in particular to exercise the muscles of the hips and waist.

With respect to the device disclosed in the international patent application WO 98/08478, the device of the invention addresses this objective in that it further comprises a mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement of the platform relative to to the support in a plane substantially parallel to the platform.

The combination of periodic tilt movement with simultaneous vibratory motion in the plane of the platform provides synergistic effects, particularly in training the muscles of the legs, hips and waist, providing a considerably more effective workout than could be provided separately by each of these movements. By interposing such a mechanism between the platform and the tilting support, it becomes possible to combine these movements without increasing the size of the training device. In addition, the two movements being actuated by separate mechanisms, it remains possible to decouple the two movements to limit the effect of training to certain muscles.

Preferably, said mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement may comprise a transmission element between the support and the platform, rotatable relative to the platform about a first axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the platform, and rotatable relative to support around a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to said first axis. This transmission element may, for example, be formed by an eccentric axle, or by a connecting rod. Such a mechanism for actuating the vibratory movement has the advantage of ensuring a vibratory movement of substantially constant amplitude independently of its frequency as well as the mass of the user. However, other actuating mechanisms, such as, for example, eccentric rotating mass, can alternatively be considered as required.

Preferably, said transmission element may comprise a counterweight in order to balance the vibratory movement of the platform. This makes it possible to reduce the level of vibrations that the device will transmit through its base, without having to use additional damping means and without having to increase the mass of the base excessively.

Preferably, said platform can be mounted on said support by means of elastic elements. In this way, particularly simple but effective means are implemented to ensure the platform on the support while allowing the vibratory movement of the platform relative to the support. In particular, said elastic elements may comprise an elastomeric material, thus also making it possible to dampen the movement of the platform with simple elastic elements.

Preferably, said mechanism for actuating a tilting movement may comprise at least one eccentric mounted element on a substantially horizontal axle on one of said base or support, and in contact with a part of the other of said support or base , this part being spaced relative to the axis of tilting of the support. In this way, a rotary actuator can be easily used to cause the periodic tilting of the support through this actuating mechanism. However, reciprocating actuating mechanisms, for example making use of reciprocating actuators, such as linear motors or pistons and cylinders, could alternatively be used as required.

Preferably, said at least one eccentric element may be a rotary roller. However, other alternatives, such as, for example, a connecting rod such as those disclosed in WO 98/08478, may be considered by the person skilled in the art as required.

Preferably, said roller may comprise an elastomeric material. This ensures a constant contact on its running surface so as to limit play, and increase the life of the device.

Preferably, said mechanism for actuating a tilting movement may comprise at least two such eccentric elements, each on one side of the horizontal axis of tilting. This allows to further limit the play in the actuating mechanism, and thus to increase its life.

Preferably, said mechanism for actuating the tilting movement may comprise at least one rotary counterweight in order to balance the tilting movement of the support. This makes it possible to reduce the level of vibrations that the device will transmit through its base, without having to use additional damping means and without having to increase the mass of the base excessively.

Preferably, each of the actuating mechanisms may comprise an individual motor, preferably an electric motor. In this way both movements can easily be controlled separately.

Alternatively, one of the actuation mechanisms may comprise a motor, preferably electric, the drive further comprising a disengageable transmission between said actuating mechanisms. In this way it is possible to use a single motor, preferably placed in the base of the device, so that it is subjected to a limited level of vibration, to thereby increase its life, while limiting the mass. movement of the device, and therefore the vibrations transmitted to the base.

Preferably, the driving device may further comprise at least one support handle for a person standing on the platform. This facilitates the use of the training device, even for infirm persons.

Preferably, said base may comprise transport wheels, facilitating the transport of the device on flat surfaces.

Preferably, said platform may comprise attachment points for training accessories. These training accessories, such as belts, harnesses, or bands, can lead to other muscles, such as those of arms, shoulders, sides or other.

Details of the invention are described below in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a driving device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a partial front view of the driving device of FIG. 1, FIG. Lateral part of the part illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a partial and schematic front view of another exemplary embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, FIG. 5 shows a partial and schematic front view of a Another embodiment of the drive device according to the invention, and Figure 6 shows a partial and schematic view of yet another embodiment of the drive device according to the invention.

A drive device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This device 1 comprises a base 2 surrounded by a closure envelope 2a and optionally comprising a ballast in order to limit the vibrations transmitted by this device. base 2 to the ground, as well as support legs (not shown). On the base 2 is located a mobile platform 3. This platform 3 can accommodate a user standing or sitting, or training accessories to fix on fixing points 4 on the platform 3. The base 2 has further casters 5 to facilitate the movement of the device 1, and a column 6 for supporting handles 7 to support a user standing on the platform 3, and a control panel 8 of the device 1. The handles 7 can be equipped with sensors for measure the user's heart rate and possibly vary the operating speed of the device.

Figures 2 and 3 show the base 2 without the casing 2a, ballast or support feet. On this base 2 are mounted bearings 9 aligned in a horizontal tilting axis 10. These bearings 9 support a support 11 mounted and tilting about the axis 10. On the base 2 are also mounted bearings 12, substantially aligned in a horizontal axis to support an axle 13, and an electric motor 14. The electric motor 14 is coupled by a transmission belt 15 to the axle 13. The axle 13 is substantially perpendicular to the axis 10 and has, on each side of the axis 10, a roller 16 rotatably mounted on an eccentric axis relative to the axis of rotation of the axle 13. The rollers 16 are eccentric in opposite directions to each other. The axle 13 also comprises balancing counterweights 17, in order to limit the vibrations and the bending force of the axle 13. The rollers 16 are preferably mounted on low friction bearings, and may comprise an outer surface made of elastomeric material.

On the tilting support 11 are mounted blocks 18 in pressure contact with the rollers 16. The blocks 18 may also be of plastic or elastomeric material to reduce stress. On this tilting support 11 is also mounted another electric motor 19. This electric motor 19 is connected to a substantially vertical eccentric axle 20 and mounted in a bearing 21 in the platform 3. The eccentric axle 20 also comprises a counterweight 22 of balancing. The tilting support 11 and the platform 3 are also connected by blocks 23, for example of elastomeric material to be elastic and damping.

In operation, the electric motor 14 causes the rotation of the axle 13. Through the eccentric rollers 16 and the blocks 18, this rotation causes a periodic rocking movement of the support 11, and thus of the platform 3, around the axis 10. This movement is indicated in Figure 2 by the arrows 24.

The electric motor 19, in operation, rotates the eccentric axle 21, causing vibratory movement of the platform 3 in the plane of the platform 3.

The two electric motors 14 and 19 can be activated simultaneously or separately, a user will be able to train well with the combined movement of the platform 3, well with each movement separately. The device 1 may comprise electronic means, for example connected to the control panel 8 and / or the heart sensors, for controlling the speed of rotation of the electric motors in order to adjust the intensity of the drive.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment, it is obvious that various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the tilting movement of the support 3 could be actuated, not by rollers, but by connecting rods 24, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Also, the axle 13 for actuating the tilting movement could be placed, not on the base 2, but on the support 3, as illustrated schematically in Figure 5. The actuating mechanism of the tilting movement and that of the vibratory movement could also be connected by a disengageable transmission 25 and actuated by a single motor Electrical 26, as schematically illustrated in Figure 6. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims (15)

A driving device (1) comprising: - a platform (3), - a base (2), - a support (11) pivotably mounted on a horizontal axis (10) relative to said base (2), said platform (3) being mounted on the support (11), and - a mechanism for actuating a periodic tilting movement of said support (11) around said horizontal axis (10), and characterized in that it further comprises a mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement of the platform (3) relative to the support (11) in a plane substantially parallel to the platform (3). 2. Drive device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - said mechanism for actuating a vibratory movement comprises a transmission element (20) between the support (11) and the platform (3), rotary relative to the platform (3) around a first axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the platform (3), and rotatable relative to the support (11) about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation. 3. Drive device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said transmission element (20) comprises a counterweight (22) to balance the vibratory movement of the platform (3). 4. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said platform (3) is mounted on said support (11) by means of elastic elements (23). The drive device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said resilient members (23) comprise an elastomeric material. The drive device (1) according to any one of the dependent claims, wherein said mechanism for actuating a tilting movement comprises: - at least one eccentrically mounted element on a substantially horizontal axle (13) on one of said base (2) or support (11), and in contact with a part of the other of said support (11) or base (2), this part being spaced with respect to the axis (10) of tilting of the support ( 11). The drive device (1) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one eccentric member is a rotatable roller (16). 8. Drive device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the roller (16) comprises an elastomeric material. The drive device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said mechanism for actuating a tilting movement comprises at least two such eccentric elements, each on one side of the horizontal axis of tilting (10). The drive device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said mechanism for actuating the tilting movement comprises at least one counterweight (15) rotating in order to balance the tilting movement of the support (11). ). 11. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the actuating mechanisms comprises a motor (14,19) individual, preferably electric. Drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one of the actuating mechanisms comprises a motor (26), preferably electric, the driving device further comprising a disengageable transmission (25). between said actuating mechanisms. 13. Drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising at least one handle (7) support for a person standing on the platform (3). 14. Drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said base (2) comprises transport rollers (5). 15. Drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said platform (3) comprises attachment points (4) for drive accessories.