DE20301585U1 - Exercise machine with weights, has adjustment mechanism with second part movably received by and fixable into position relative to first part - Google Patents

Abstract

The adjustment mechanism for the machine comprises two adjustment parts (18, 19), at least a section of the second adjustment part (19) being movably receivable by the first adjustment part (18) so that it can adopt different positions relative to the first part. The second part can be fixed in these positions. The machine contains at least one weight which is movable in a vertical direction by the user applying force to a transmission mechanism comprising at least one metal cable (10). The effective length of this force transmission mechanism can be altered using the adjustment mechanism, in order to adapt the machine to the user requirements and/or different exercises.

Description

Dipl.-Chem. EL FRITZ GM 03/004

Dr. Dipl.-Phys. R. BASFELD January 31, 2003/BA/RH

Dipl.-Ing. J. GRAEFE Patent Attorneys M. HOFFMANN

B. HEIN Attorneys at Law

Ostentor 9 59757 Arnsberg

Kettler GmbH & Co.

KG

Main road

59469 Ense

"Training device for the human body"

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The present invention relates to a training device for the human body comprising at least one weight which is mounted on or in the training device in such a way that it can be moved vertically or with a vertical movement component, engagement means which can be used by a user for training purposes against the force of the

at least one weight, force transmission means which can transmit the force exerted by the user on the engagement means to the at least one weight, wherein the force transmission means comprise at least one &iacgr;&ogr; metal cable, and adjustment means which enable adjustment of the

effective length of the power transmission means to adapt the training device to the respective user and/or to different exercises.

Training devices of the aforementioned type are well known and enable the user to perform exercises such as latissimus pull, bench press, butterfly, leg extension, bicep curl or leg abduction. The weights are usually arranged on vertical frame parts so that they can be adjusted in height, so that by pulling or pushing on the corresponding means of engagement, ropes can pull on the weights via pulleys, so that the exercises can be carried out against the force of the selected weights. In contrast to plastic ropes, which can be lengthened or shortened relatively easily using loop-like constructions, the state of the art uses complex and imprecise length adjustment using chains for metal ropes. For example, the end of a chain can be attached to a pulley over which one of the metal ropes serving as a force transmission means runs, with a hook or the like arranged on a fixed frame part, into which any chain links of the chain can be hooked. A disadvantage of this type of length adjustment of the metal ropes is that

One is that the chains make noise when the training device is operated. On the other hand, the adjustment by hooking different chain links into the hook or the like is comparatively imprecise, so that the training device known from the state of the art cannot be optimally adapted to different exercises or different users.

The problem underlying the present invention is to create a training device of the type mentioned above which is more effectively developed.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the adjustment means comprise a first adjustment part and a second adjustment part, wherein the second adjustment part can be accommodated at least in sections by the first adjustment part in such a way that it can assume different displacement positions relative to the first adjustment part, and wherein the first and second adjustment parts can be fixed to one another in the different displacement positions. By means of adjustment parts that can be displaced relative to one another and fixed to one another in this way, a comparatively precise length adjustment of the force transmission means can be achieved using simple means.

In particular, it can be provided that the at least one metal cable is designed as a steel cable. Steel cables have a comparatively attractive appearance and are comparatively resistant to environmental influences.

According to the invention, the adjustment parts can be tubular, in particular as interlocking telescopic tubes. In this case, it is possible to freely select the cross-section of the telescopic tubes. They can therefore be square tubes or tubes with

&rgr; · · n

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round or oval cross-section. The design as interlocking telescopic tubes means that the adjustable parts can be guided together easily and without problems.

According to the invention, it can be provided that each of the adjustment parts

has at least one opening on at least one side, whereby a fixing element for securing the adjusting parts to one another can be pushed through aligned openings of the adjusting parts. The fixing element can be designed as a pin &iacgr;&ogr;, for example. By such a design with openings

and a fixing element that can be pushed through these openings, the fixing of the adjustment parts to one another can be achieved with simple means.

Advantageously, one or each of the adjustment parts has a plurality of openings which are arranged at least in sections at a distance from one another and equidistant from one another in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment parts. The equidistant openings allow a simple length adjustment of the transmission means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, openings arranged equidistantly from one another are provided on the first adjustment part and openings arranged equidistantly from one another on the second adjustment part, wherein the distances between individual openings of the second adjustment part are different from the distances between individual openings of the first adjustment part. Depending on which of the openings the fixing element is passed through, a slightly different length adjustment for the force transmission means results. In particular, the openings arranged at different distances from one another on the different adjustment parts create an adjustment option that

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the vernier resembles a caliper. With such a vernier-like adjustment option, the insertion length of the second adjustment part in the first adjustment part can be regulated very precisely.

As is known from the prior art, the force transmission means can comprise deflection rollers. In this case, it is possible, for example, for one of the adjustment parts to be connected to one of the deflection rollers. In addition, there is the

&iacgr;&ogr; Possibility that one of the adjustment parts, namely in particular the

other of the two adjustment parts is attached to a rigid part of the training device. By moving the adjustment parts relative to each other, the position of the pulley relative to the rigid part of the training device is changed, which ultimately changes the effective or usable length of the metal cable or the force transmission means for the user.

The training device can comprise a frame with a base part and a vertical frame part extending vertically upwards from this. The weights can, for example, be attached to this vertical frame part in a height-adjustable manner.

It is possible that the rigid part to which one of the adjustment parts is attached is the bottom part of the frame.

According to the invention, it is further possible for the training device to comprise a plurality of training stations, in particular a butterfly station and/or a latissimus pull and/or a leg extension and/or a rowing option and/or a leg abduction option and/or a bicep curl.

Especially when switching between the exercises latissimus pull, leg extension, rowing, leg abduction and bicep curl

As a rule, the length of one of the metal cables effective for the user must be changed. This can be achieved easily and very precisely using the adjustment means proposed according to the invention.

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Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a training device according to the invention, in which parts not essential for the function according to the invention are partially omitted;

&iacgr;&ogr; Fig. 2 a detailed side view of the adjustment means of the

training device according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a view according to the arrow IM in Fig. 2.

The embodiment of a training device according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises a frame with a base part 1 and a vertical frame part 2 that extends upwards from the base part 1. At a distance from the vertical frame part 2, a further frame part 3 can extend at a small angle to the vertical from the base part 1 upwards in the direction of the vertical frame part 2. On the side facing away from the vertical frame part 2, a seat can be attached to this further frame part 3, for example.

Weights (not shown) can be arranged vertically on the vertical frame part 2. An upper frame part 4 extends from the top of the vertical frame part 2 to the further frame part 3, which extends beyond the further frame part 3 and has attachment options in the form of a height-adjustable latissimus bar 5 for a latissimus pull at its end facing away from the vertical frame part 2. The latissimus bar 5 can be attached via

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The traction means described in more detail can be functionally connected to the weights so that the latissimus bar 5 can be pulled downwards against the force of the weights. In the embodiment shown, the latissimus bar 5 is placed on a hook element.

Between the hook element and the further frame part 3, which is aligned at an angle to the vertical, a butterfly station 6 is arranged on the upper frame part 4. The butterfly station 6 has two arms 7 with cushions 8 that can be pivoted against the force of the weights. The functional connection between the weights and the butterfly station 6 is via metal cables 9, 10, which can be designed in particular as steel cables. The metal cable 9 can be connected directly to the weights. The metal cable 9 is deflected downwards at the upper end of the vertical frame part 2 via a first deflection pulley 11. Approximately in the middle of the training device, the metal cable 9 is deflected upwards via a second deflection pulley 12 and then deflected downwards via a third deflection pulley 13. A fourth deflection pulley 14, over which the second metal cable 10 runs, is connected to the third deflection pulley 13. This second metal cable 10 is connected to the butterfly station 6 via a fifth deflection pulley 15. In the area of the third deflection pulley 13 and the fourth deflection pulley 14, a fastening part 23 is provided which is rigidly connected to the inclined frame part 3 and serves to limit the movement of the metal cables 9, 10.

The first metal cable 9 runs downwards from the third pulley 13 and is led out of the training device to the right in Fig. 1 via a sixth pulley 16 attached to the base part 1. The end of the first metal cable 9 is designated in Fig. 1 with the reference symbol 9a and is shown so briefly only for the sake of simplicity. The end 9a of the metal cable 9 can, for example,

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be connected to a leg extension unit that can be attached to the seat, which can be attached to the slanting further frame part 3. Furthermore, the end 9a of the metal cable 9 can also be pulled out in connection with rowing movements. Furthermore, the end 9a of the metal cable can also be connected to the lower leg or ankle of a user in order to perform leg abduction. Furthermore, a bar can also be attached to the end 9a of the metal cable 9 in order to perform a bicep curl.

The second deflection roller 12 is connected to a bearing block 17 attached to the base part 1 via adjustment means according to the invention. The adjustment means comprise a first adjustment part 18 and a second adjustment part 19. The first adjustment part 18 is firmly connected to the second deflection roller 12, whereas the second adjustment part 19 is firmly connected to the bearing block 17. The adjustment means can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

The adjustment parts 18, 19 are designed in particular like telescopic tubes, with the second adjustment part 19 being able to be pushed into the first adjustment part 18 at least in sections. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, through openings 20 are arranged equidistantly in the longitudinal direction of the second adjustment part 19 on the second adjustment part 19. Through openings 21 are also arranged equidistantly from one another on the first adjustment part 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown, only three of these are shown. However, it is certainly possible to provide more than three openings 21, in particular to provide the entire length of the first adjustment part 18 with openings 21.

• ff ·

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From Fig. 3 it can be seen that a pin 22 can be inserted through each of the openings 20, 21 in such a way that the pin 22 fixes the adjustment parts 18, 19 to one another. Fig. 2 also shows that the distance between the openings 20 of the second adjustment part in its longitudinal direction is greater than the

Distance between the openings 21 of the first adjustment part in its longitudinal direction. Due to the different distances between the openings 20, 21 arranged equidistantly on the respective adjustment parts 18, 19, the user can, depending on which of the openings 21 of the first adjustment part 18 he inserts the pin 22 through,

through, the insertion length of the second adjustment part 19 in the adjustment part 18 can be very finely regulated. In particular, this results in an adjustment possibility that resembles the vernier of a caliper.

In the embodiment shown, the adjustment parts 18, 19 are designed as square tubes. It is also possible to design the adjustment parts as round tubes or the like.

By changing the distance between the bearing block 17 and the second pulley 12 via the adjustment parts 18, 19, which are pushed together to a greater or lesser extent, the length of the end 9a of the second metal cable 9 can be adjusted. This is necessary in order to choose between the individual exercises that can be performed with it, such as leg extensions, bicep curls, leg abduction or rowing. In addition, for example with the leg extension device, the training device can be adapted to users with different leg lengths by choosing the length of the end 9a of the metal cable 9.

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Claims (13)

1. Training device for the human body comprehensive - at least one weight which is mounted on or in the training device in such a way that it can be moved vertically or with a vertical movement component; - attack means that can be moved by a user for training purposes against the force of at least one weight; - force transmission means capable of transmitting the force exerted by the user on the engagement means to the at least one weight, the force transmission means comprising at least one metal cable ( 9 , 10 ); - adjustment means which enable the effective length of the force transmission means to be adjusted in order to adapt the training device to the respective user and/or to different exercises; characterized in that - the adjusting means comprise a first adjusting part ( 18 ) and a second adjusting part ( 19 ), wherein the second adjusting part ( 19 ) can be displaceably received by the first adjusting part ( 18 ) at least in sections such that it can assume different displacement positions relative to the first adjusting part ( 18 ), and wherein the first and second adjusting parts ( 18 , 19 ) can be fixed to one another in the different displacement positions. 2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one metal cable ( 9 , 10 ) is designed as a steel cable. 3. Training device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting parts ( 18 , 19 ) are tubular, in particular designed as interlocking telescopic tubes. 4. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ) has at least one opening ( 20 , 21 ) on at least one side, wherein a fixing element for securing the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ) to one another can be pushed through aligned openings ( 20 , 21 ) of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ). 5. Training device according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing element is designed as a pin ( 22 ). 6. Training device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that one or each of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ) has a plurality of openings ( 20 , 21 ) which are arranged at least in sections spaced apart from one another and equidistant from one another in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ). 7. Training device according to claim 6, characterized in that openings ( 21 ) arranged equidistantly to one another are provided both on the first adjustment part ( 18 ) and on the second adjustment part ( 19 ) openings ( 20 ) arranged equidistantly to one another, wherein the distances between individual openings ( 20 ) of the second adjustment part ( 19 ) are different from the distances between individual openings ( 21 ) of the first adjustment part ( 18 ). 8. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the force transmission means further comprise deflection rollers ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ). 9. Training device according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the adjusting parts ( 18 , 19 ) is connected to one of the deflection rollers ( 12 ). 10. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ) is attached to a rigid part of the training device. 11. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the training device comprises a frame with a base part ( 1 ) and a vertical frame part ( 2 ) extending vertically upwards from the base part. 12. Training device according to claim 11, characterized in that the rigid part to which one of the adjustment parts ( 18 , 19 ) is attached is the base part ( 1 ) of the frame. 13. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the training device comprises a plurality of training stations, in particular a butterfly station and/or a latissimus pull and/or a leg extension and/or a rowing option and/or a leg abduction option and/or a bicep curl.