ITRA20060005A1 - GINNICA MACHINE. - Google Patents

Description

Text attached to the patent application for industrial invention entitled:

"GYM MACHINE"

The present invention relates to an exercise machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise machine which can be used for performing functional exercises. More in detail, the present invention refers to an exercise machine which can be used for performing functional exercises of the legs and / or arms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

It is known that in the field of functional gymnastic machines the rowing machine is certainly one of the first to have been made, and this due to the particularity of the rowing movement, which is easily reproducible in a low-cost machine that takes up a small space. Starting from the end of the 60s the rowers were equipped with hinged levers to reproduce the part of the oars that can be grasped by the user, as in the case of the US patent 3528653 of the inventors Stuckenschneider and Ross, but starting from the early 80s some simplified machines of the type described with reference to US patent 4714244 of the US company Bally Manufacturing Corporation, which has now expired. From the early nineties the rowing machine called "Concept 2" is known, in which the braking system includes a rotor with blades rotating in the air inside a casing equipped with inlets for adjusting the resistance inversely to the admissible air flow. .

The latter rowers are very simple, since the loading group includes a drum connected to a brake on which a cable is coiled to which a handlebar that simulates the oar is connected. The loading unit is supported by a frame, which carries a mobile seat of reciprocating motion on a guide of the reciprocating motion. The familiarity of the rowing movement has facilitated the spread of rowers also in homes. On the other hand, the fact that the movement is familiar has frequently made it underestimate its particular complexity, sometimes causing damage that can only be resolved surgically. The correct dosage of the forces exerted by the muscles of the upper and lower regions, coordinated by the part of the trunk that connects them, determines the execution of an elegant movement, safe from muscle trauma and discopathies. Therefore, the use of known rowing machines must be carried out under the strict control of an experienced trainer, to avoid serious injuries.

As described above, the use of known rowing machines does not exclude a priori the risk of permanent damage to the spine. Therefore, the use of functional machines on which to train more than one body region in total safety is a currently unsolved problem, and represents an interesting challenge for the applicant, who faced it through her own researchers and managed to solve it.

In consideration of the situation described above, it would be desirable to have an exercise machine which, in addition to allowing to limit and possibly overcome the drawbacks typical of the known art illustrated above, and which could define a new standard for such types of exercise machines.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercise machine which can be used for performing functional exercises. More in detail, the present invention refers to an exercise machine which can be used for performing functional exercises of the legs and / or arms.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a functional exercise machine that allows to solve the drawbacks illustrated above, and that is capable of satisfying a set of needs at the state of the art still unanswered, and therefore, capable of representing a new and original source of interest. economical, capable of changing the current fitness market.

According to the present invention, an exercise machine is realized, and the main characteristics of this exercise machine will be described in at least one of the following claims.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a rowing machine, the rowing machine being validly employable for the safe execution of workouts which globally affect the muscular regions of the body.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a training method which can be implemented on exercise machines of a functional type, and particularly on exercise machines similar to rowing machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the exercise machine according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, shown with reference to the attached figures which illustrate some non-limiting examples of embodiment, in which identical or corresponding parts of the device itself are identified by the same reference numbers . In particular :

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a first preferred embodiment of a machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1; And

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In Figure 1, 1 indicates, as a whole, an exercise machine comprising a frame 10 which comprises a rectilinear motion guide 20 extending along a determined direction 30 to freely slide a support member 40 for a user. A loading device 50 contained inside a protective casing 51 and supported by the frame 10, comprises at least one loading unit 52 of a specific nature, and at least one tool 60 (visible in Figures 1 and 3) coupled to the unit 52 of loading through a traction member 70. The guide 20 has a first end 22, and the loading device comprises a further loading unit 54 which may or may not be distinct from the unit 52 and associated with the support member 40 to condition its mobility along the guide 20 itself. , in order to exercise two actions that can be controlled jointly or separately on the musculature of a user. It should be noted that, without thereby removing generality from the present invention, here and hereinafter the support member 40 comprises a seat which will be indicated with the same reference number. In this regard, the seat 40 is coupled to the load unit 54 through a fastening member 72, comprising a further traction member. Similarly, without thereby detracting from the generality of the present invention, the traction member 70 comprises a cable 70, which can indifferently be produced in textile fiber or in braided metal; likewise, the tool 60 comprises a handlebar 60 connected to the cable 70 in the central position; and the fastening member 72 comprises a further cable 72.

Still according to Figure 1, the machine 1 comprises an adjustment unit 80 associated with the loading device 50 to adjust or balance, according to criteria preferred by the user, the resistant actions that can be exercised by the loading units 52 and 54 respectively on the tool 60. and on seat 40 along direction 30.

At least one of the units 52 and 54 or even both can be gravitational, and therefore comprise, for example, a plurality of bricks carried sliding by vertical guides, of a known type and therefore deliberately not illustrated. Alternatively, at least one of the load units 52 and 54 can be of the mechanical type, and comprise for example but not limitedly known friction braking devices and therefore not illustrated, for example but not limited to band or shoe brakes. ; or at least one of the loading units 52 and 54 can be of the known type of fluid-dynamic type, for example but not limitedly provided with a rotor blades movable in a fluid, normally air, water or oil as in the case of the "Concept 2" rowing machine already mentioned. On the other hand, it is certainly more practical and less bulky to make at least one of the two load units 52 or 54 be of the electromagnetic type. In particular, with reference to Figure 1, each load unit 52 and 54 comprises an electromagnetic device 56 adapted to dissipate mechanical rotation energy at least one of which comprises, without taking away the generic nature of the present invention, an electromagnetic brake 57. For convenience, both load units 52 and 54 comprise an electromagnetic type brake 57.

Therefore, the unit 80 is electronically connected to each electromagnetic brake 57 and, without detracting from the present invention, can be arranged inside the casing 51, as in Figure 1, or outside the protective casing 51 of the load units 52 and 54. as in Figure 2, and be supported by the frame 10 and completely contained within a console 59, so that it is not visible from the outside. The unit 80 comprises a logic device, normally an electronic card 82, of a programmable type through a keyboard or at least a plurality of keys 84 carried by the console 59 and electronically connected to the card 82 in a known way. Furthermore, the console 59 also has at least one display 86 through which it is possible to check the current operating status of the load device 50, and therefore also the total power absorbed by the device 50 through the two units 52 and 54, and the percentage of power absorbed by each of the two, but also the number of strokes per minute of the tool 60 and / or of the seat 40. For simplicity, the board 82 could coincide with or be part of a known programmable logic programmer and not illustrated, as functionally suitable to carry out, in use, what is described above.

From the constructive point of view, each brake 57 is associated with a transmission 58 with parallel axes, in which two shafts 58 'and 58' are mechanically coupled to each other through a belt or any other flexible member wound in a ring on mounted wheels. from the same trees 58 'and 58' ', or in any other way. In the case of the unit 52, the shaft 58 'is supported by the frame 10 in a known way and not illustrated, and carries a disk 62 of the brake 57 itself keyed; moreover, in this transmission the further shaft 58 '' is arranged alongside and parallel to the shaft 58 ', and is also supported by the frame 10 in a known way and not shown. This second shaft 58 '' carries a drum 64 keyed onto which a flexible member is spirally wound, normally the cable 70 made of woven textile material, which is stably connected to the tool 60. In the case of the transmission 58 of the unit 54 what has already been specified with reference to shafts 58 'and 58' 'is valid, while the drum 64 carried by the corresponding shaft 58' 'carries the cable 72 made of woven textile material which is stably connected to the seat 40, coiled. with reference to any one of figures 1 and 2, the guide 20 has a first end 22 provided with a stop member 24 (visible in figures 1 and 3) rigidly connected to the guide 20 between the seat 40 and the loading device 50 to act by contrast organ for an effort exerted on the seat 40.

As described above, the machine 1 can be interpreted as a rowing machine 1, in which the tool 60, if made through a handlebar 60, simulates an oar and the seat 40 simulates the mobile seat of reciprocating motion on rails in the cockpit of the boat. As is known, the athlete positions himself on the seat 40 after having secured his feet to the fixed abutment member 24 before starting to row.

The use of the machine 1, intended per se or as a rowing machine 1, is easily understood from what has been described above and does not require further explanations. However, it may be appropriate to provide some clarification, including the fact that the start of the training is preceded by the step of taking a seat on the seat 40 carried movable by the guide 20 to and from a respective rest position, connecting the lower limbs to the member 24 fixedly carried by the frame 10 to have a resting point for exerting the thrust on the seat 40 against the resistance exerted by the load unit 54; grasping the handlebar 60 to exert the tractive effort on the load unit 52 through the cable 70 to train the upper limbs; exert a push with the lower limbs against the organ 24 to move the seat 40 to and from the corresponding rest position against the action of the unit 54 through the cable 72. It should be borne in mind that, in any case, the phase of exerting the thrust with the lower limbs against the organ 24 to move the seat 40 is feasible against the resistance of the load unit 54 regardless of how this unit 54 is made, and that the latter can be distinguished from the unit 52 of load itself, or such units 52 and 54 can be mechanically or electronically coupled to each other to determine energy absorption according to the schemes mentioned above, as will be better specified below. Furthermore, the phase of exerting a traction effort on the handlebar by acting on the load unit 52 and the phase of exerting a thrust with the lower limbs against the organ 24 can be subsequent or simultaneous to a phase of balancing the effort at will. pulling and pushing through the adjustment unit 80. This balancing is particularly useful in the case of less experienced users, since, if performed under medical supervision, in addition to making the rowing exercise more training, it allows to control and prevent the formation of herniated discs, which can be caused by a improper use of the rower 1 itself.

It should be noted that, if the one unit 80 is equipped with devices for detecting the instantaneous position of the tool 60 and / or of the seat 40 in association with the transmission 70, such as for example encoders 66 equipped with a rotating unit associated with the drums 64 and / or linear associated with the tool 60 and / or with the seat 40, it is possible to interact with the units 52 and 54 through the electronic card 82 of the unit 80 in such a way as to generate electronic signals that can be used in feedback to drive the units 52 and 54 as desired. In this way it is possible to produce a variation of the load produced by the corresponding electromagnetic brakes 57 for the preparation of training profiles on the basis of current or average operating data combined in real time with determined parameters set by the user and / or pre-determined based on criteria derived from physiological and / or other type analyzes. Naturally, the complexity of the management functions of the adjustment unit 80 may require that the same be equipped with a programmable logic programmer which may or may not be arranged to communicate with resident memory cards and / or loaded on customizable portable memories.

In particular, among the parameters determined and detectable by the encoders 66, static or dynamic values can be considered including the instantaneous position of the handlebar 60 and / or the seat 40, the instantaneous speed of the handlebar 60 and / or the seat 40, the instant traction exerted on the handlebar 60 or the thrust of the lower limbs on the seat 40.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the machine described and illustrated here without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

For example, with reference to Figure 3, the equipment of the machine 1 could be modified by using, instead of the fastening member 72, and therefore of the cable 72, a linear electric motor 90 in which a stator 92 is connected to the guide 20 and a respective slider 94 is connected to the seat 40. In this way it would be possible to considerably reduce the overall dimensions of the device 50, and make it possible to significantly streamline the machine 1 itself, in such a way as to make it even more easily stowable in small spaces at the end of the training session.

On the other hand, this solution would make it possible to make the seat 40 controllable through the adjustment unit 80 in relation to the dissipated power both in the forward motion and in the return motion from a determined rest position, similarly to what is possible if the seat was connected to a double-acting 90 motor.

Again in order to make the machine 1 easy to store in a small space when not in use, one could think of making the connection between the guide 20 and the frame 10 in a rigid and selectively dissolvable way, or even hinging the guide 20 to the frame 10 from the side of the device 50. In this way, the simple rotation of the guide 20 with respect to the portion of the frame 10 that carries the device 50 would allow a considerable reduction in the overall dimensions of the machine 1.

It therefore appears clear that the presence of two distinct load units 52 and 54 and of the adjustment unit 80 which allows dynamic balancing and allows you to set training paths in which the distinct regions of a user's body, normally the limbs upper and lower parts of a user's body are stressed in different percentages and in any case such as to avoid trauma even to less experienced users. Therefore, each machine 1 or rowing machine 1 that has the structure and the equipment described above allows to combine the characteristics of easy use and operating safety even in the case of training profiles in which the current ratio between the loads exerted by the units 52 and 54 individually and in combination is managed in a personalized and advanced way with respect to similar machines made according to known teachings.

Claims (53)

CLAIMS 1. Exercise machine (1) comprising an a is associated with a guide (20) extending along a direction (30) determined to carry a support member (40) in a freely sliding manner; load means (50) supported by said frame (10) comprising at least one load unit (52) and at least one tool (60) associated with said load unit (52) through a traction device (70); characterized in that said loading means (50) comprise a further loading unit (54) associated with said supporting member (40) to condition its mobility along said guide (20), in order to exercise controllable actions separately on a user's musculature. 2. Exercise machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said further loading unit (54) is mechanically or electronically coupled to said loading unit (52). 3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises adjustment means (80) associated with said loading means (50) to regulate, in use, resistant actions on said tool (60) and on said member (40) support. 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said adjustment means (80) comprise at least one programmable logic device (82). 5. Machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said adjustment means (80) comprise at least one device (66) for the instantaneous detection of dynamic parameters corresponding to each said tool (60) and / or said organ support (40) for the preparation of training profiles on the basis of current or average operating data combined in real time with pre-set and / or pre-determined determined parameters. 6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said dynamic parameters comprise, alternatively or in combination, information about the instantaneous position of each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40), the instantaneous speed of each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40), an instantaneous traction force exerted on each said tool (60) and / or on a thrust that can be exerted on the seat 40 and / or said support member (40 ). 7. Machine according to any one of claims 4-6, changing dependencies which also follow those of the rowing machine, characterized in that said programmable logic device (82) is able to allow, in use, a balancing loading unit (52) and further loading unit (54) for setting training paths in which distinct regions of a user's body associated respectively with each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40) are that can be solicited in different percentages and can be defined as desired. 8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide (20) has a first end (22); the said further load unit (54) comprising a fastening device (72) (90) associated with the said support member (40) to hinder its displacements from the said first end (22) along the said guide (20). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said first end (22) is provided with an abutment member (24) arranged between the said support member (40) and the said loading means (50); the said abutment member being usable to statically contrast the said thrust exerted on the said support member (40). 10. Machine according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that said first end (22) is provided with an abutment member (24) arranged by the same band of said loading means (50) with respect to said member ( 40) support; the said abutment member (24) being usable to statically contrast the said thrust exerted on the said support member (40). 11. Machine according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the gravitational type. 12. Machine according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the mechanical type with variation of friction between respective moving parts. 13. Machine according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the fluid-dynamic type. 14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one of said loading units (52) and further loading unit (54) comprises a vane rotor rotatable in air, water or oil. 15. Machine according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the electromagnetic type. 16. Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that said load unit (52) comprises a first electromagnetic dissipating device (56). Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that said first dissipator device (56) comprises an electromagnetic brake (57). Machine according to any one of claims 1-10 and 12-17, characterized in that said further load unit (54) comprises a second electromagnetic dissipating device (56). 19. Machine according to claim 18, characterized in that said second dissipating device (56) comprises an electromagnetic brake (57). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tool (60) comprises a handlebar (60) and said support member (40) comprising a seat (40) for a user. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said traction device (70) comprises a flexible member (70). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said restraining device (72) comprises a flexible member (72). 23. Machine according to any one of claims 8-22, characterized in that said constraint device (90) comprises a linear actuator (90). Machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said linear actuator (90) comprises a linear electric motor (90) in which a respective slider (94) is rigidly connected to said seat (40), and a respective stator ( 92) is associated with said guide (20). 25. Rowing machine (1) comprising a frame (10) to which a guide (20) of rectilinear motion extending along a determined direction to carry a seat (40) in a freely sliding way is associated; loading means (50) supported by said frame (10) comprising at least one loading unit (52) and at least one handlebar (60) associated with said loading unit (52) through a traction member (70); characterized in that said loading means (50) comprise a further loading unit (54) associated with said seat (40) to condition its mobility along said guide (20), in order to exert separately controllable actions on the musculature of a user; said further loading unit (54) being mechanically distinct from said loading unit (52). 26. Rowing machine according to claim 25 characterized by the fact that it comprises adjustment means (80) associated with said traction member (70) and said load unit (52) to regulate, in use, the resistant actions that can be exercised on said handlebar (60) and on the said session (40). 27. Rowing machine according to claim 26, characterized in that said adjustment means (80) comprise at least one programmable logic device (82) 28. Rowing machine according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that said adjustment means (80) comprise at least one device (66) for the instantaneous detection of dynamic parameters corresponding to each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40) for the preparation of training profiles on the basis of current or average operating data combined in real time with pre-set and / or pre-determined determined parameters. 29. Rowing machine according to claim 28, characterized in that said dynamic parameters comprise, alternatively or in combination, information about the instantaneous position of each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40), the instantaneous speed of the each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40), an instantaneous traction force exerted on each said tool (60) and / or on a thrust that can be exerted on the seat 40 and / or said support member ( 40). 30. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 27-29, characterized in that said programmable logic device (82) is able to allow, in use, a dynamic balancing of said load units (52) and further unit (54) of load to set training paths in which distinct regions of a user's body associated respectively with each said tool (60) and / or said support member (40) can be stressed in different percentages and can be defined as desired. 31. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-30, characterized in that said guide (20) having a first end (22); the said further loading unit (54) comprises a constraint member (72) associated with the said seat (40) to prevent its displacements from the said first end (22) along the said guide (20). 32. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-30, characterized in that the said first end is provided with an abutment member (24) arranged between the seat (40) and the said loading means (50); the said abutment member (24) being usable to statically contrast the said thrust exerted on the said seat (40). 33. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 31-32, characterized by the fact that said first end (22) is provided with an abutment member (24) arranged by the same band of said loading means (50) with respect to said seat ( 40); the said abutment member (24) being usable to statically contrast the said thrust exerted on the said seat (40). 34. Rowing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the gravitational type. 35. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 29-34, characterized in that at least one of said load units (52) and further load units (54) is of the electromagnetic type. 36. Rowing machine according to claim 35, characterized in that said load unit (50) comprises a first dissipating electromagnetic device (56). 37. Rowing machine according to claim 36 characterized in that said first dissipator device (56) comprises an electromagnetic brake (57). 38. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-33 and 35-37, characterized in that said further load unit (54) comprises a second electromagnetic dissipating device (56). 39. Rowing machine according to claim 38, characterized in that said second dissipator device (56) comprises an electromagnetic brake (57). 40. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-39, characterized in that the said guide (20) is rigidly connected to the said frame (10) in a detachable way to allow the reduction of the overall dimensions following use. 41. Rowing machine according to any one of the claims 25-40, characterized in that the said guide (20) is hinged to the said frame (10) to allow the reduction of the overall dimensions following use. 42. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-41, characterized in that said traction device (70) comprises a flexible member (70). 43. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-42, characterized in that said restraining device (72) comprises a flexible member (72). 44. Rowing machine according to any one of claims 25-43, characterized in that said restraining device (90) comprises a linear actuator (90). 45. Rowing machine according to claim 44, characterized in that said linear actuator (90) comprises a linear electric motor (90) in which a respective slider (94) is rigidly connected to said seat (40), and a respective stator ( 92) is associated with said guide (20). 46. Method for performing a gymnastic exercise through a rowing machine (1) as described with reference to at least one of claims 25-46, and comprising the steps of acting on a handlebar (60) to exert a tractive effort on a a load unit (52) through a cable (70) to train the upper limbs and exert a push with the lower limbs against a stop (24) to move a seat (40) to and from a respective rest position; characterized in that the said step of exerting a thrust with the lower limbs against the said abutment (24) can be performed against the resistance of a further load unit (54). 47. Method according to claim 46, characterized in that the said step exerts a tractive effort on the said load unit (52) through a cable (70) and the said step of exerting a thrust with the lower limbs against the said abutment (24) are simultaneous or subsequent to a step of balancing said traction effort and said thrust as desired by means of adjustment means (80) associated with said load units (52) and further load units (54). 48. Method according to claim 47, characterized in that said step of balancing said traction effort and said thrust at will by means of adjustment means (80) can be carried out by means of a programmable logic programmer (82). 49. Method according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that said further load unit comprises an electric actuator (90) in which a respective slider (94) is rigidly connected to said seat (40), and a respective stator ( 92) is connected to said guide (20). 50. Method according to any one of claims 46-49, characterized in that the said rest position is adjustable at will along the said guide (20). 51. Exercise machine as described and illustrated with reference to the attached figures. 52. Rowing machine as described and illustrated with reference to the attached figures. 53. Method for performing a gymnastic exercise through a rowing machine as described and illustrated with reference to the attached figures.