WO2007015159A2

WO2007015159A2 - Support for items of exercise equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2007015159A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/002123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Pazzaglia
Original assignee: Luca Pazzaglia
Priority date: 2005-08-02
Filing date: 2006-08-02
Publication date: 2007-02-08
Also published as: WO2007015159A3

Abstract

A support for items of exercise equipment (2) comprises releasable locking means (4) , operating between a frame (3) and an item of exercise equipment (2) to lock the item of equipment (2) to the frame (3) and prevent the item from being used. Opening means (5) operate on the releasable locking means (4-) , for releasing the item of equipment (2) from the frame (3) and allowing use of the item. Means (11) for recognition of a user guarantee that other items of exercise equipment (2) cannot be picked up until the item in use has been returned to the correct place.

Description

Support for items of exercise equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a support for items of exercise or gym equipment .

Background Art

In gyms and fitness centres widespread use is made of items of equipment such as barbells, dumb-bells, weight disks for exercise machines, which, when not in use are normally stored on dedicated supports, such as racks and the like. Such items of equipment can be used by many users, who pick them up for their exercises then, when they have finished, return them to the support .

However, often, due to laziness, tiredness or as an oversight, users do not return the items of equipment to the correct place, meaning that it is difficult for those who subsequently want to use them to find them quickly.

In particular, weights, dumb-bells or barbells may be returned to the support in the incorrect place or may be left untidily in any area of the gym. Items of equipment set down haphazardly are difficult to find and may get in the way of and constitute a hazard for users, who may bump into or trip over them.

Disclosure of the Invention In this context, the main technical purpose of the present invention is to propose a support for items of exercise equipment which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages .

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a support for items of exercise equipment which obliges users to return the items of equipment used for exercises to their correct places. Another aim of the present invention is to propose a support for items of exercise equipment which can contribute to keeping the rooms where they are used tidy.

The stated technical purpose and the preset aims are substantially fulfilled by a support for items of exercise equipment with the technical characteristics described in one or more of the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages of the present invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment in a first operating configuration according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the support of Figure 1 in a second operating configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment in a first operating configuration according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows the support of Figure 3 in a second operating configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment in a first operating configuration according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows the support of Figure 5 in a second operating configuration; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view, partly in blocks and with some parts cut away for clarity, or a fourth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular barbells, according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view, partly in blocks, of a fifth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular dumb-bells, according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view, partly in blocks, of a sixth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular dumb-bells, according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic front view, partly in blocks, of a seventh embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular dumb-bells, according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a schematic front view, partly in blocks, of an eighth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular weight disks, according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic front view, partly in blocks and partly in cross-section, of a ninth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment according to the present invention;

Figure 13 is a schematic front view of a tenth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular weight disks, according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is a schematic front view, partly in blocks, of an eleventh embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular a dumb-bell, in a first operating configuration; Figure 15 shows the support of Figure 14 in a second operating configuration;

Figure 16 is a schematic front view of a twelfth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment, in particular barbells; Figure 17 is a schematic front view of a thirteenth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment according to the present invention, in particular for weight disks;

Figure 18 is a schematic top plan view of a fourteenth embodiment of a support for items of exercise equipment according to the present invention, in a first operating configuration and in particular for dumb-bells;

Figure 19 is a schematic top plan view of the support of Figure 18 in a second operating configuration;

Figure 20 is a schematic side view of the support of Figure 18.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a support for items of exercise equipment 2.

The support 1 operates between one or more items of equipment 2 and a supporting frame 3 for the items of equipment 2. The support 1 comprises releasable locking means 4, operating between the frame 3 and the item of equipment 2 to lock the item of equipment 2 to the frame 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the releasable locking means 4 are mechanical, however, they could be electric, electronic or magnetic.

There are also opening means 5 for releasing the releasable locking means 4, in such a way as to release the item of equipment 2 from the frame 3.

The locking means 4, irrespective of the particular embodiment of the invention, comprise first engagement means 6 which can be connected to the item of equipment 2 and second engagement means 7 which can be connected to the frame 3.

The first and second engagement means 6, 7 can engage with one another to connect the item of equipment 2 to the frame 3. The first and second engagement means 6, 7 are engaged with and disengaged from one another by control means 8 which are part of the opening means 5.

In particular, the control means 8 comprise an activation element 9 which can be removably inserted in a housing 10. The activation element 9 is designed to activate and deactivate engagement of the first and second engagement means 6, 7 with one another, as described in more detail below.

As illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17, in which the releasable locking means 4 are mechanical, the activation element 9 consists of a coin or the like.

The support 1 disclosed preferably comprises means 100 for recognition of the item of equipment 2 to allow activation of the releasable locking means 4.

In particular, the means 100 for recognition of the item of equipment 2 allow the first and second engagement means 6, 7 to engage with one another when the item of equipment 2 is positioned correctly and in the correct position on the frame 3, as described in more detail below.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the support 1 also comprises means 11 for recognition of a user operating on the opening means 5 and in particular on the control means 8 , in such a way that the first and second engagement means 6 , 7 can be engaged with and disengaged from one another only by a predetermined user, that is to say, the person enabled to use the particular item of exercise equipment 2.

The means 11 for recognition of the user enable the activation element 9 for engagement of the first and second engagement means 6, 7 with one another when the activation element is inserted in the housing 10 and they enable the activation element 9 for disengagement of the first and second engagement means 6, 7 from one another when the activation element is already in the housing 10.

In the preferred embodiments, illustrated in particular in Figures 1 to 6 and in Figure 8, the means 11 for recognition of the user consist of a magnetic badge 12 and a reader 13 for the information contained in the badge . The information in the magnetic badge 12 relates to a single user only, for example the user's first name and surname, date of birth and the like .

In a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , the first engagement means 6 comprise a first body 14 which can be stably and irremovably connected to the item of exercise equipment 2.

In particular, the first body 14 is stably connected to the item of exercise equipment 2 in a position which does not interfere with the portions of the item of equipment gripped for pick up, so as to avoid hindering the user during use of the item of equipment.

In the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2, the item of exercise equipment 2 is a barbell and the first body 14 is connected to the barbell pick up bar. The second engagement means 7 comprise a second body 15 which can be stably and irremovably connected to the frame 3.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 3 is the frame on which the barbell is rested between one lift and another. The first and second bodies 14, 15 are connected to one another by a connecting cable 16.

In this way, the barbell cannot be taken off the frame without releasing the first and second bodies 14, 15.

For this purpose, a first end 16a of the connecting cable 16 is connected to the first body 14, whilst a second end 16b of the connecting cable 16 is connected to the activation element 9, as illustrated in Figure 1. The second body 14 comprises the housing 10 for the activation element 9, so that the first and second bodies 14, 15 can be connected to and released from one another.

Since, as already indicated, correct operation of the activation element 9 is enabled by the means 11 for recognition of the user, the second body 15 comprises the reader 13 for the magnetic badge 12 (the reader schematically illustrated by a slot in Figures 1 and 2 ) .

In practice, the activation element 9 is inserted in the housing 10 in the second body 15 and the connecting cable 16 prevents the item of exercise equipment 2 from being picked up.

Inserting the magnetic badge 12 in the reader 13 of the second body 15, the activation element 9 is enabled for disengagement and the connecting cable 16 is disengaged from the second body 15. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the activation element 9, once removed from the housing 10, is inserted in a seat 17 on the first body 14, so that the activation element 9 does not get in the user's way during use of the item of exercise equipment 2, as illustrated in Figure 2. When the exercise is finished, the activation element 9 must be inserted in the housing in the second body 15 again.

At this point the means 11 for recognition of the user enable retention of the activation element 9 in the housing 10, again connecting the first and second bodies 14, 15. The magnetic badge 12 is released by the reader 13 and can be used to pick up a new item of equipment 2.

In a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the first engagement means 6 comprise at least a pair of hooks 18 which can engage with at least one rod-shaped portion of the item of exercise equipment 2.

In particular, the hooks 18 operate on rod-shaped portions of two separate items of exercise equipment placed side by side and are mobile between a position in which they lock the item of exercise equipment 2 on the frame 3, as illustrated in Figure 3, and a position in which the item of exercise equipment 2 can be picked up, as illustrated in Figure 4. The second engagement means 7 comprise a hook 18 actuator device 19 which can be stably connected to the frame 3 , for switching the hooks 18 between the two operating positions described above .

In particular, the hooks 18 are directly connected to the actuator device 19 and the latter may comprise a handle 20 operating directly on the hooks to switch them between the two operating positions .

The actuator device 19 also comprises the housing 10 for the activation element 9 (the latter not illustrated) , so that the hooks 18 can be switched to the two operating positions only when the activation element 9 is inserted in the housing 10.

Moreover, to enable the activation element 9 and so effectively switch the hooks 18 between the two operating positions, the actuator device 19 comprises the reader 13 (not illustrated) for the magnetic badge 12.

In this way, as already indicated, only an authorised user can operate . the actuator device 19 and pick up the item of exercise equipment 2.

Until the item of equipment picked up is returned to its place, the magnetic badge does not authorise any other pick up.

It should be noticed that the embodiment just described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is particularly suitable for use on items of exercise equipment such as dumb-bells.

In a third embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the first engagement means 6 comprise a bushing 21 which can be inserted in a hole in the item of exercise equipment 2. In particular, this embodiment is suitable for use on items of exercise equipment such as disks for use with barbells or on lifting machines.

Therefore, the term hole in the item of exercise equipment refers to the central hole in any disk present in a gym.

The bushing 21 can be engaged by a pin 22 belonging to the second engagement means 7 integral with the frame 3.

The pin 22 comprises a plurality of projections 22a which engage in the same number of recesses 21a in the bushing 21 (see Figure 6 where three disks are stacked using a single pin 22) , so that the pin 22 can only be inserted in predetermined types of bushings 21.

In this way, for example, by connecting the same type of bushing to disks of the same weight, it is possible to guarantee that all disks of that weight can be connected to predetermined pins, preventing disks of different weight from being mixed.

The bushing 21 and the pin 22 therefore constitute the means 100 for recognition of the item of exercise equipment 2, that is to say, they guarantee that each item o.f exercise equipment 2 , in particular each disk, can be returned only to its correct place.

The pin 22 comprises the housing 10, in this case a peg, for engagement with the activation element 9, in this case a slot.

The activation element 9 is also integrated with the reader 13 for the magnetic badge 12 , so that it can only be removed from the pin 22 after the user has been recognised.

In this embodiment too, the item of exercise equipment 2 can only be picked up by an authorised and recognised user, who cannot pick up any other items of exercise equipment without first returning the item in use to its place. It is important to emphasise that, irrespective of the embodiment, the release and retention of the item of exercise equipment 2 by the activation element 9 and the housing 10 may occur in any way.

In other words, the way in which the activation element 9 and the housing 10 operate in conjunction with one another may be mechanical, for example a lock, or electromechanical, for example using electromagnets which are activated and deactivated to allow the activation element to be released, and other solutions are possible .

In the case of electromagnets, the magnetic badge 12 operates on a switch which activates or deactivates one or more electromagnets which retain the activation element 9 in the housing 10.

In particular with reference to Figure 7 , in the fourth embodiment illustrated, the items of exercise equipment 2 are barbells and the supporting frame 3 has a plurality of seats 23 for supporting the barbells in a substantially vertical position.

At the seats 23 there are the above-mentioned releasable locking means , schematically illustrated with a block 4 , which prevent the relative barbell from being picked up.

With reference to Figure 8, the support 1, at each item of exercise equipment 2, in particular dumb-bells, comprises, in the fifth embodiment illustrated, an electromagnet 24 embedded in the frame 3 at the relative item of exercise equipment 2. The electromagnet 24 holds the dumb-bell on the frame 3, preventing it from being used. In this embodiment the opening means 5 comprise a switch, of the known type and not illustrated, for switching off the electromagnet and allowing use of the relative dumb-bell .

Similarly to what is described above, the opening means 5 are activated 'by the badge 12. Again, until the item of equipment 2 picked up has been returned to its place, the magnetic badge does not authorise any other item to be picked up .

In other words, the magnetic badge 12 used by a user not illustrated, preferably does not allow that user to use an item of exercise equipment 2 if another item has already been picked up by the user.

In practice, each user can use each item of exercise equipment if the item of exercise equipment 2 previously used has already been returned to the correct place.

Advantageously, in this embodiment the means 100 for recognition of the item of equipment 2 consist of scales in the frame 3 at the electromagnet 24 so that it is possible to tell if the dumb-bell has been returned to the corresponding place on the support 1 .

Figure 9 illustrates a sixth example embodiment where the releasable locking means 4 comprise a bolt 25 connected to the frame 3. The bolt 25 is mobile between a position in which it locks the item of equipment 2 and a position in which it releases it, illustrated with a dashed line.

The bolt 25 has a first end 26 hinged to the frame 3 and a second end 27 which can be locked to the frame 3. Substantially at the second end 27, the support 1 comprises the opening means 5 to allow bolt 25 opening and use of the relative item of equipment 2.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the opening means 5 comprise a token box 28 which can be operated by the respective activation element 9 consisting in particular of a coin or the like.

In practice, the releasable locking means 4 open when the coin is inserted in the token box 28, releasing the relative item of equipment 2. It should be noticed that with the bolt 25 open, the coin is inserted stably in the token box 28.

When the user has finished using the item of equipment 2, when it is returned to its place on the support 1 and the bolt 25 is closed again, the token box 30 releases the coin. With reference to Figure 10, in the seventh embodiment illustrated, the releasable locking means 4 comprise, for each item of equipment 2, in particular dumb-bells, a pin 29 slidably engaged with the frame 3 and mobile between a position in which it engages with the item of equipment 2, and a position in which it is disengaged from it, illustrated with a dashed line..

The dumb-bell has a cavity 30 in which the pin 29 is inserted to lock the item of equipment 2 to the frame 3.

It should be noticed that the portion of the frame 3 opposite the pin 29 relative to the item of equipment 2 has a C- shaped cross-section, to prevent the dumb-bell from being picked up while the pin 29 is inserted in the cavity 30.

As described above, the opening means 5 release the pin 29 allowing the item of equipment 2 to be picked up.

The second engagement means 7 which can be connected to the frame 3 consist of the pin 29, whilst the first engagement means 6 which can be connected to the item of equipment 2 consist of the cavity 30.

The pin 29 and the respective cavity 30 constitute the means 100 for recognition of the relative item of equipment 2, since they are preferably different for each item of equipment 2 positioned on the frame, that is to say, each pin 29 can only be coupled with the cavity 30 of the corresponding item of equipment 2, for example according to its diameter or dedicated grooves, not illustrated.

According to the present invention, the activation element 9 remains connected to the opening means 5 during use of the item of equipment 2 so that the user must return the item of equipment 2 to its place in order to be able to use the activation element 9 to pick up other items of equipment 2.

As illustrated in Figure 11, in the eighth embodiment illustrated, the support 1 comprises a supporting arm 31 for the items of exercise equipment 2, in particular consisting of weight disks or disks .

The disks are fitted on the arm 31 and are connected to the support 1 by the releasable locking means 4.

In particular, in this embodiment, the releasable locking means 4 operate between the frame 3 and the items of equipment 2 by means of the arm 31.

In a substantially similar way to the embodiments previously described, the locking means 4 can be opened using the opening means 5 operated by the relative control means 8. As illustrated in Figure 12, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the support 1 is in particular intended for a set 32 of disks constituting the item of exercise equipment 2.

Each disk in the set 32 has means 33 for coupling to another disk in the same set 32. In this- way the disks of the same set 32 are positioned relative to one another in the correct order. Each disk in the set preferably has a male portion which engages with a female portion in an adjacent disk.

The end disk has a slot 35 through which the first engagement means 6, consisting of a pin, engage in a race 36 in the arm 31 forming the second engagement means 7. The set 32 of disks is shaped in such a way that a user who uses even only one disk from the set must, to get back the relative activation element 9 not illustrated in Figure 12, return all of the disks in the set to their correct places in order.

In this embodiment, the coupling means 33 together with the first and second engagement means 6, 7 form the means 100 for recognition of the item of equipment 2.

As illustrated in Figure 13 , the frame 3 consists of the frame of an exercise machine of the substantially known type with relative arms 31 for disks. Looking in more detail at the embodiments illustrated in Figures 14 to 17, the first engagement means 6 have a portion 37 suitably shaped to engage with a respective portion 38 of the second engagement means 7.

The portion 37a is preferably male, whilst the portion 38 is female, opening in the known way.

The activation element 9 remains locked in the housing 10 when the item of exercise equipment 2 is used, until said item is returned to its place and the second engagement means 7 are connected to the first engagement means 6. Figures 18, 19 and 20 illustrate a fourteenth preferred embodiment of the support 1 in accordance with the present invention.

This embodiment is intended in particular for dumb-bells and comprises the hooks 18 for securing the dumb-bells to the frame 3 and some structural features substantially similar to those described for the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 but not here with the aim of keeping the description clear and simple .

The hook position switching handle 20 controls a gearwheel 39 which meshes with a first rack 40 and a second rack 41 which operate the respective hooks 18.

In particular, between the rack 40, 41 and the respective hook 18 there is an actuator unit 42 for the relative hook 18.

Each unit 42, substantially by means of a helical coupling with the relative hook 3,8, allows the hook 18 to be switched between the position in which it locks the item of exercise equipment 2 on the frame 3, illustrated in Figure 19, and the position in which the item of exercise equipment 2 can be picked up, illustrated in Figure 18.

In practice, the units 42, operated by the handle 20, cause the hooks 18 to perform a rototranslation. As illustrated, the support 1 comprises the means 100 for recognition of the item of equipment 2.

The means 100 comprise a first contact element 43. for the item of equipment 2. The contact element 43 is integral with the frame 3. The means 100 also comprise a second contact element 44 mobile relative to the frame 3, that is to say, relative to the item of equipment 2 when the latter is positioned on the frame 3.

In particular, the second contact element 44 is mobile between a position close to the item of equipment 2, shown in Figure 19, in which the latter is connected to the frame 3 or the hooks 18 are in the position in which they lock the item of exercise equipment 2 on the frame 3, and a position distanced from the item of equipment 2, shown in Figures 18 and 20, in which the item of equipment 2 can be picked up off the frame 3. The second element 44 is moved between the distanced and close positions and vice versa by the hook position switching handle 20 using suitable transmission means 45 not described in detail .

In the close, or locked, position, the second contact element 44 is positioned at a predetermined distance D from the first, fixed contact element 43.

The distance D is defined in particular by the thickness of the disks of the dumb-bell .

In practice, if during positioning of the item of equipment 2 on the frame 3 and closure of the releasable locking means 4 the fixed and mobile contact element 43 and 44 are at distance D, that is to say, the item of equipment 2 is correctly returned to its place on the frame 3, the means 100 for recognition of the item allow the locking means 4 to close.

Vice versa, if the contact elements 43, 44 were at a distance other than D, the releasable locking means 4 would remain open, preventing the item of equipment 2 from being left in an incorrect place.

The invention fulfils the preset aims and brings important advantages .

The support guarantees that the items of exercise equipment used are returned to their places and are not left in inappropriate areas .

This means that the rooms in a gym are kept tidier.

It should be noticed that, if a user needs to use two items of equipment simultaneously for a specific workout, two magnetic recognition badges may be prepared for the same user.

Claims

1. A support for items of exercise equipment (2), characterised in that it comprises releasable locking means (4) , operating between a frame (3) and an item of exercise equipment (2) to lock the item of equipment (2) to the frame (3) and prevent the use of said item of equipment, opening means (5) operating on the releasable locking means (4) , to release the item of equipment (2) from the frame (3) and allow the item of equipment to be used.

2. The support according to claim 1, comprising means (100) for recognition of the item of equipment (2) operating at the item of- equipment (2) to selectively activate the releasable locking means (4) , in particular when the item of equipment (2) is positioned on the frame (3) so that each item of equipment (2) can be placed in a predetermined position on the frame (3) .

3. The support according to claim 1 or 2, comprising means (11) for recognition of a user operatively connected to the opening means (5), for selectively activating the opening means (5) .

4. The support according to any of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein the releasable locking means (4) are mechanical.

5. The support according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the releasable locking means (4) comprise first engagement means (6) which can be connected to the item of equipment (2) and second engagement means (7) which can be connected to the frame (3), the first and second engagement means (6, 7) being able to be engaged with one- another to connect the item of equipment (2) to the frame (3) .

6. The support according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the opening means (5) comprise control means (8) for enabling the item of equipment (2) to be released from the frame (3) .

7. The support according to claim 6, wherein the control means (8) comprise an activation element (9) which can be removably- inserted in a housing (10) to activate them.

8. The support according to claims 3 and 6, wherein the means (11) for recognition of the user comprise a magnetic badge (12) and a reader (13) for enabling the control means (8) .

9. The support according to claim 5, wherein the first engagement means (6) comprise a first body (14) which can be stably and irremovably connected to the item of exercise equipment (2) and the second engagement means (7) comprise a second body (15) which can be stably and irremovably connected to the frame (3); the first and second bodies (14, 15) being connected to one another by a connecting cable (16) .

10. The support according to claims 7 and 9, wherein the connecting cable (16) comprises a first end (16a) stably connected to the first body (14) and a second end (16b) connected to the activation element (9) ; the second body (15) comprising the housing (10) which can engage with the activation element (9) .

11. The support according to claim 10, wherein the first body (14) comprises a seat (17) for the activation element (9) which can engage with the latter when it is not engaged in the housing (10) in the second body (15) .

12. The support according to claims 8 and 10, wherein the second body (15) comprises the reader (13) for the magnetic badge (12) for enabling and activating the activation element (9) in the housing (10) .

13. The support according to claim 5, wherein the first engagement means (6) comprise at least a pair of hooks (18) which can engage on a rod-shaped portion of the item of exercise equipment (2) and the second engagement means (7) comprise an actuator device (19) for the hooks (18) which can be stably connected to the frame (3); the hooks (18) being connected to the actuator device (19) •

14. The support according to claims 7 and 12 , wherein the actuator device (19) comprises the housing (10) for the activation element (9) .

15. The support according to claims 8 and 14, wherein the actuator device (19) comprises the reader (13) for the magnetic badge (12), for enabling the hooks (18) to be released from the item of exercise equipment (2) .

16. The support according to claim 5, wherein the first engagement means (6) comprise a bushing (21) which can be inserted in a hole in the item of exercise equipment (2) and the second engagement means (7) comprise a pin (22) stably connected to the frame (3); there being the possibility of inserting the pin (22) in the bushing (21) .

17. The support according to claims 7 and 16, wherein the pin (22) comprises the housing (10) with which the activation element ( 9 ) can engage .

18. The support according to claims 8 and 17, wherein the activation element (9) is integrated with the reader (13) for the magnetic badge (12), for enabling the activation element (9) to be released from the housing (10) .

19. The support according to claim 2, wherein the means (100) for recognition of the item of equipment (2) comprise a first and a second contact element (43, 44) relatively mobile between a distanced position and a close position in which the first and second contact elements (43, 44) are separated by a predetermined distance (D) depending on the item of equipment (2), there being the possibility of locking the item of equipment (2) on the frame (3) .