HK1167114B - Exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Exercise apparatus

Technical Field

The invention relates to an exercise apparatus comprising a movable implement consisting of several movable parts interconnected with at least one further movable part, wherein the apparatus is a mobile unit and the apparatus further comprises a base.

Background

There are various types of exercise equipment for striking or kicking. Slings and sandbags are well known. They are usually suspended by straps or the like and mounted on springs or between two straps having inherent elasticity. Such partially freely suspended exercise apparatus are intended to return to a position in front of the user after the user applies a bump or kick to the apparatus. Thus, force may be applied to the appliance again. Such exercises can be very advantageous and to some extent may provide limited sparring.

However, it is desirable to enable exercise with a greater degree of challenge, meaning that prior art implements may tend to be monotonous in their motion. By hitting or kicking a prior art type of sling ball and sandbag from different angles, some variation in the movement pattern is of course obtained, but no unpredictable things occur, and if the user performs approximately the same movement each time, the same movement of sling ball or sandbag is similarly obtained.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to indicate an exercise apparatus in which the action on the exercise apparatus causes the exercise apparatus to move in an unpredictable pattern, requiring increased attention compared to prior art exercise apparatuses such as slings and sandbags. Thus, a stimulating rather than minimally demanding form of exercise may be achieved. Such exercises are suitable for normal exercises and for rehabilitation of persons suffering from e.g. thrombosis or cerebral haemorrhage.

As mentioned in the introduction, the invention relates to an exercise device comprising a movable implement, wherein the movable part is interconnected with at least one further movable part, wherein the device is a mobile unit, and wherein the device further comprises a base part.

A new feature of the device according to the invention is that the appliance, in the form of at least one set of discs consisting of at least a first and a second movable disc, is connected to the base, wherein the first movable disc of the set of discs is rotatably connected to the base via a first rotational connection, and wherein the second movable disc of the set of discs is rotatably connected to the first disc. The device may also comprise more than two active discs, for example three, four, five or more discs.

Each disc may advantageously be rotatably connected to an adjacent disc, wherein each disc is rotatable 360 ° about a substantially vertical axis, wherein the substantially vertical axes of two adjacent discs do not coincide, wherein the articulated connection is arranged on the respective disc at a point disposed at a given distance from the center of gravity of the individual disc.

By combining the individual movable discs in this way, a free movement of the individual discs is obtained, which is obviously dependent on the movements and actions of the other discs. In principle, this is a crank mechanism with a plurality of movable joints. When these discs are provided with a given and not insignificant weight, inertia occurs in the system to cause the exercise device to perform unpredictable movements and thus to be able to challenge the user in different ways. An exercise device with a base and with, for example, three additional plates, with an implement mounted on the third plate, provides a completely unpredictable and challenging motion pattern.

In a particularly preferred variant of the exercise device according to the invention, the exercise device may be provided with one or more handles for operating and utilizing the exercise device. We therefore talk of handheld versions. With such a version, the exercise does not act as much on the active plate, but rather the challenge of centering the individual plates, such that balance is created in the exercise device. This requires some attention depending on whether the exercise device is arranged or adjusted for easy or difficult variations. In order to measure or monitor how long it is used with the device, it may be advantageous to provide an integrated timer, which may be for example a stopwatch, countdown, hourglass or other type of timer. The timer of the application may thus be mechanical or electronic.

Hand-held versions of exercise devices according to the present invention may weigh from a few grams of power particularly suited to exercise attention, up to several kilograms of weight, for example, five kilograms or even more. Fixed variants mounted on ceilings, walls, floors or tables can easily be significantly heavier; however, this is not required for the ability to stimulate attention, but a greater weight may be advantageous in order to obtain an enhanced fitness effect. For some variations, the weight may be very close to one hundred kilograms or even more.

In a variant of the exercise device according to the invention, instead of the movable disc, one or more of the movable parts may be rod-shaped and adapted to rotate with respect to the base or with respect to the other movable arm about a point close to at least one end of the arm. By having a rod-shaped arm, an exercise device is obtained which is particularly suitable for simulating an attacker's arm or leg. This can be used, for example, for martial arts training. Such arms on a device may have a length of up to one meter or even more, meaning a device with an appreciable radius of motion of up to four meters or more. With such a device, multiple individuals may exercise simultaneously, as the effect of an individual user on the device may be impeded and responded to by another user.

In another variant of the exercise device according to the invention, one or more of the movable parts may be disc-shaped and adapted to rotate with respect to the base or with respect to the other movable part about a point close to the periphery of the disc. The mould operates in the same way as described above, but only in that the movable disc-shaped part is, for example, cylindrical, edged or has another shape. By using cylindrical discs with the same diameter, for example, a variant is obtained in which it is particularly impossible to squeeze a finger, for example, between two adjacent movable discs, because the circular shape pushes the finger away.

In yet another variation of an exercise device according to the present invention, the individual movable members/discs may have varying weights, thicknesses, and diameters, thereby achieving different challenges while utilizing the exercise device.

Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to the invention is usually provided with a tray with a fixed centre of gravity and a given weight, wherein the weight and centre of gravity of each individual tray is adapted to the desired movement pattern, but may also have a tray with a displaceable centre of gravity and a given weight. Thus obtaining the possibility of varying the speed of the exercise device. This is possible because the inertia of the device can be adjusted by moving the center of gravity in one or more disks on the device. Thus settings that increase or decrease the difficulty factor of the exercise may be applied.

In a preferred variant of the exercise device according to the invention, the exercise device is driven to move by means of an electric motor acting on a first movable plate of a set of plates. The first disc is forced to rotate in a given direction and at a given speed for a given time, wherein the speed, direction and time period may be adjusted, for example, manually or via electronic equipment like a computer or the like. Exercise may be performed by striking, kicking, manually acting on the exercise device by tilting the exercise device with one or more hands or otherwise, and this variation has the advantage that the user is challenged by a change in the predetermined degree of difficulty via the device. Electric motors of different specifications suitable for the individual exercise devices can be advantageously applied. For example, with a very common desktop version or in a handheld version, an electric motor powered via a USB plug in a PC or by a built-in battery may be used. It is obvious that other kinds of actuators can be applied as desired, including for example hydraulic, pneumatic or manual mechanical actuators.

Another variant of the exercise device according to the invention may have an electric motor and a generator, wherein the activation of the disc of the exercise device causes the generator to be driven. The exercise device may thus in principle be self-sufficient in energy. The user may, for example, actuate the device, thereby generating energy, and this energy may be used to give more stimulation or demanding exercises/challenges when a certain capacity is obtained.

The exercise device may be provided with a motorized drive and/or with a generator function between any two discs or movable parts and may therefore cause: the device may be driven in all connections between the discs, while the device may generate energy for operating the exercise device later, for example, when not applying sufficient strength to move the device.

In a preferred variant of the invention, a clutch is arranged between the electric motor and the exercise apparatus, preferably a magnetic clutch or a friction clutch. By such a clutch, it is possible to actuate the exercise apparatus with a given force, since the clutch may possess a suitably surmountable resistance, such that this force is not completely absorbed by the electric motor or generator. However, the resistance in the coupling is preferably so great that the device can be driven at least in the idle mode.

Another way of adjusting an exercise apparatus comprising a movable implement according to the invention is by providing a rotatable connection between the base and the discs or by providing a bearing between the two discs, wherein the bearing is provided with an adjustable friction.

The mobilization apparatus according to the invention can be interchangeable and is preferably provided with an inflatable or filled elastic covering, for example made of rubber with closed or open cells. Hereby, the possibility is obtained to adapt the appliance to a desired, specified type of exercise. For example, the interchangeable implement may be a movable part corresponding to the rest of the body or a sling, sandbag, seat or belt for a person.

The exercise device may be adapted such that the base of the exercise device is disposed above at least one set of plates, corresponding to an overhead mount or a mount suspended from a wall or from a movable and mobile stand. Alternatively, the base of the exercise device may be arranged below at least one set of trays, corresponding to a floor or table mount or to an upright mount on a wall or stand as described above.

The method of installation may be permanent installation but may also include suction cups, clamping devices and the like to move the device.

The movable parts corresponding to the discs or bars on the exercise apparatus according to the invention may be made of metal, plastic or other suitable material and may for example be solid or contain water, sand or other ballast material so that the desired inertia can be obtained in the apparatus. The movable part may be completely or partially filled with something that may affect the movement pattern, for example by splashing water.

The implements mountable on the exercise device as described above may be interchangeable and may be suspended by chains, straps or springs or may be more rigidly mounted on the base.

In another variant of the invention, one or more implements may be arranged on the movable part. For example, on the outermost tray, appliances may be arranged above and below the tray, but also on the outermost tray and on one or more of the other trays, whereby a plurality of different exercise options can be obtained.

When the exercise apparatus according to the invention is not in use, the disc can be brought to a central position and can be held in this position by mechanical locking means of the connecting disc. The locking means may also be a magnetic lock which is arranged between the respective discs and exerts a sufficient force such that the discs can be maintained in the desired position, but which is released by a moderate application of force.

These magnetic locks may further add unpredictable elements to the motion pattern of the device, since they will exert a delaying or accelerating action each time the magnetic locks pass each other.

In a variation of the invention, it may be useful to have a magnet retrofit exercise device with uniform poles, making it impossible to center the device, which may be particularly suitable for fitness exercises with hand-held exercise devices. Such a variant can of course also be applied in combination with a more fixed variant of the exercise apparatus according to the invention.

The exercise apparatus according to the present invention may be used for various types of exercises such as fitness exercises, rehabilitation, attention exercises, reaction exercises, reflex exercises, as toys for children and adults, etc. Numerous application options will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For analyzing the exercise process, the exercise device according to the present invention may be provided with built-in sensors for measuring impact energy, the number of movements, etc. Such data may be suitably transmitted to a PC that can process and store the data.

The exercise apparatus according to the invention may be used in particular in offices, homes, fitness centers, boxing houses and the like. The exercise device may also be in the form of a sports game, for example for a game center or home. Such devices may program various selections of, for example, the number of people in the game, and the devices may be coupled to a video game console where the graphical images form part of the workout.

With all variants of the exercise device according to the invention, the device may be adapted to mount and dismount a movable part being something that may be provided by an easily operable click system or similar.

Alternatively, the device may be adapted such that the locking means may connect one or more discs such that the one or more discs appear as one movable part or as one or more parts fixed to the base of the device such that the device appears to have fewer parts. The possibility of adjusting the difficulty factor is thus obtained in an additional manner. Such locking means may be, for example, by actuating one or more displaceable pins engaging with corresponding cut-outs, thereby locking one or more movable parts to each other.

By means of the exercise apparatus according to the invention attention, coordination and fitness training can be achieved. As mentioned, there may be a desktop, floor, hand-held or floor-type that may be moved as desired. It is also possible to provide a foot-operated version in which the exercise apparatus is disposed on the floor, and in which the user places his/her feet on the uppermost movable member, thereby attempting to balance the respective movable members. Thereby training attention, coordination, etc., but also for example the knees, ankles or other joints in the legs.

In summary, the invention provides an exercise apparatus comprising a movable implement, the implement consisting of several movable parts interconnected with at least one further movable part, wherein the apparatus is a mobile unit, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a base, characterized in that an implement in the form of at least one set of discs consisting of at least a first and a second movable disc is connected to the base, wherein the first movable disc of a set of discs is rotatably connected to the base via a first rotational connection, and wherein the second movable disc of the set of discs is rotatably connected to the first disc via a second rotational connection, wherein each disc is rotatable 360 ° about a substantially vertical axis, wherein the substantially vertical axes of two adjacent discs do not coincide, wherein the first and second rotational connections are arranged on the respective disc at a point that is set at a given distance from the center of gravity of the individual disc .

Preferably, the exercise device is provided with one or more handles for operating and using the exercise device.

Preferably, one or more of the active discs is adapted to rotate relative to the base or relative to another active disc about a point proximate the periphery of the disc.

Preferably, the discs have a fixed centre of gravity and a given weight, wherein the weight and centre of gravity of each individual disc are adapted to the desired movement pattern.

Preferably, the discs are provided with a displaceable centre of gravity and with a given weight, wherein the weight and centre of gravity of each individual disc are adapted to the desired movement pattern.

Preferably, the movement of the exercise apparatus is driven by means of an electric motor acting on the first movable plate of a set of plates.

Preferably, the electric motor is also a generator, wherein activation of the plate of the exercise device causes the generator to be driven.

Preferably, a clutch is provided between the electric motor and the exercise apparatus.

Preferably, the rotatable connection between the base and the disc or between two discs is provided with a bearing, which is provided with adjustable friction.

Preferably, the exercise apparatus comprises an interchangeable implement secured to the pan and comprising an elastic covering that is inflatable or provided with padding.

Preferably, the interchangeable implement is a sling, a sandbag, a chair or a belt.

Preferably, the base of the exercise device is disposed above the at least one set of discs.

Preferably, the base of the exercise device is disposed below the at least one set of discs.

Preferably, the clutch is a magnetic clutch or a friction clutch.

Preferably, the elastic covering is made of rubber having a closed-cell or open-cell structure.

Drawings

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an exercise device for overhead suspension with a disc-shaped movable part and equipped with a sandbag.

Fig. 2 shows the upright exercise apparatus in cross-section.

Fig. 3 shows an exercise apparatus with a rod-shaped movable member.

Fig. 4 shows an exercise apparatus with an adjustable center of gravity in the movable member.

Fig. 5 shows an exercise device with an electric motor.

Fig. 6 is an exercise device with two plates and with two implements.

Fig. 7 shows a hand-held exercise device with five disc-shaped movable parts.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1 is seen an exercise apparatus 1 suitable for aerial installation. The exercise apparatus 1 is provided with a base 2 and three disc-shaped movable parts 3, 4, 5, and on the outermost part 5 there is a stationary unit 6, on which stationary unit 6 an implement 7 in the form of a sandbag is mounted. The base 2 is intended for fixing on fittings or directly to a ceiling, not shown. Between the base 2 and the mobile part 3, between the other parts 3 and 4 and between 4 and 5 there is a centre of rotation in which the discs 3, 4, 5 are free to rotate about a vertical axis. In principle, this is a mechanism corresponding to a crank, but with a plurality of movable joints 3, 4, 5. The movable parts 3, 4, 5 may advantageously have a weight of more than ten kilograms, in some variants up to twenty kilograms or more. The weight of the movable parts 3, 4, 5 has a large influence on the inertia of the exercise device and is therefore an important factor in the movement pattern of the device 1.

Fig. 2 shows the upright exercise device 1, wherein the base 2 and the movable parts 3, 4, 5 are shown in cross-section. Seen between the individual components 2, 3, 4, 5 is a rotary joint 8, which rotary joint 8 in the variant shown is provided with a ball bearing 9 in the lower component and a journal 10 in the upper component. Seen on the outermost disc 5 is a fixation unit 6 and means 7, which means 7 are here shown as elongated rod-like elements. Other appliances 7 may be mounted on this appliance 7, but these other appliances 7 may also replace the shown appliance 7.

Fig. 3 shows an exercise apparatus 1 adapted for aerial mounting by means of a plate member 11. The base 2 extends downward from the plate member 11. A rod-like arm 3 is mounted at the end of the base 2. The rod-shaped arms 3 are further connected to corresponding arms 4, which corresponding arms 4 are also connected to arms 5. In this variant, the arm 5 itself constitutes the appliance, since the arm 5 symbolizes the arm or leg of the attacker at the same time as the strike or kick. In a known variant, the movable parts 3, 4, 5 are covered with an elastic surface, for example of cellular rubber, which may be of a suitable kind. In this variant of the exercise device, the arms 3, 4, 5 are rotatably interconnected as in the other variants and can therefore move in an unpredictable pattern when the first, second or third movable part 3, 4, 5, respectively, is actuated.

In fig. 4 is seen a further variant of an exercise device, wherein the device is shown with an adjustable centre of gravity in the movable parts 3, 4. The variant of the device 1 shown is provided with a fitting 11 intended for mounting in a ceiling, and also comprises a base 2, two movable parts 3, 4 and an appliance 7. Displaceable and possibly replaceable weights 12 are provided on the respective parts 3, 4. The weight 12 may be fixed in a given position by means not shown and may thus change the centre of gravity and thus the movement characteristics of the exercise apparatus 1.

In fig. 5 an exercise device 1 is presented having an electric motor 13, which electric motor 13 has a gear constituting the base 2. The electric motor 13 drives the innermost movable disc 3 so as to rotate at a given speed and direction. Thereby, the entire device 1 is started and the discs 4, 5 and 14 are actuated for movement. When the user actuates the appliance 7, this will "disturb" the driven movement and produce an unpredictable movement of the respective disc 4, 5, 14 and appliance 7. By installing a clutch, not shown, for example a magnetic clutch, between the electric motor 13 and the innermost disc 3, the effect on the appliance 7 may be of a magnitude that allows the disc 3 to move counter to the direction of rotation of the electric motor.

Fig. 6 shows the exercise apparatus 1 in a version with a base 2, two movable parts 3 and 4 and with two implements 7 and 15. While the other appliance 7 is rotatable about the first appliance 15 and the base 2, the innermost appliance 15 is rotatable about the base 2 together with the component 3. This variant of exercise device 1 allows actuating device 1 on implements 7 and 15, possibly adding additional challenges to the exercise.

In fig. 7 a modified handheld version of the exercise device 1 is presented, wherein the exercise device 1 is provided with a disc-shaped base 2 and five disc-shaped movable parts 3, 4, 5, 16, 17. The base 2 is fixed to a handle 18, which handle 18 in the shown variant is long enough to provide space for the user's hands. Between the base 2 and the arm 3, and between the other arms 3, 4, 5, 16, 17 there is a centre of rotation of the arm that can rotate freely about a vertical axis, for example in the same way as the variant shown in figure 1. In the handheld version, the total weight is generally not very high, for example corresponding to 0.5 to 2 kg. Also in this variation, the individual discs may differ in weight and may likewise differ in diameter to affect the inertia and motion patterns of the exercise device.

The invention is not limited to the variants discussed above and mentioned or shown in the drawings, but can be supplemented and modified in any conceivable manner within the scope of the invention as defined in the following patent claims.

Claims (15)

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a movable implement, said implement consisting of a number of movable parts interconnected with at least one further movable part, wherein the apparatus is a mobile unit and wherein the apparatus further comprises a base, characterized in that an appliance in the form of at least one set of discs consisting of at least a first and a second movable disc is connected to the base, wherein the first movable disk of a set of disks is rotatably connected to the base via a first rotational connection, and wherein the second movable disk of the set of disks is rotatably connected to the first disk via a second rotational connection, wherein each disc is rotatable 360 DEG about a substantially vertical axis, wherein the substantially vertical axes of two adjacent discs do not coincide, wherein the first and second rotary connections are arranged on the respective disc at a point disposed at a given distance from the centre of gravity of the individual disc.

2. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to claim 1, characterised in that the exercise equipment is provided with one or more handles for operating and using the exercise equipment.

3. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that one or more of the movable discs are adapted to rotate relative to the base or relative to another movable disc about a point close to the periphery of the disc.

4. Exercise equipment including a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the discs have a fixed centre of gravity and a given weight, wherein the weight and centre of gravity of each individual disc are adapted to the desired movement pattern.

5. Exercise equipment including a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the discs are provided with a displaceable centre of gravity and with a given weight, wherein the weight and centre of gravity of each individual disc are adapted to the desired movement pattern.

6. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the exercise equipment is moved by means of an electric motor drive, which acts on the first movable disc of a set of discs.

7. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to claim 6, characterised in that the electric motor is also a generator, wherein the activation of the disc of the exercise equipment causes the generator to be driven.

8. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to claim 6, characterised in that a clutch is provided between the electric motor and the exercise equipment.

9. Exercise equipment including a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the rotatable connection between the base and the plate or between two plates is provided with a bearing provided with adjustable friction.

10. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the exercise equipment comprises an interchangeable implement, which is fixed to the plate and comprises an elastic cladding that is inflatable or provided with padding.

11. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to claim 10, characterised in that the interchangeable implement is a sling, a sandbag, a chair or a belt.

12. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the base of the exercise equipment is arranged above the at least one set of discs.

13. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the base of the exercise equipment is arranged below the at least one set of discs.

14. Exercise equipment comprising a movable implement according to claim 8, characterised in that the clutch is a magnetic clutch or a friction clutch.

15. Exercise equipment including a movable implement according to claim 10, characterised in that the elastic covering is constituted by rubber with closed cells or open cells.