Gymnastic machine

• US 20080015088A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Del Monaco, Alessandro
• Application Number:
  US11/827,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015088A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 Reservation devices

Abstract

Gymnastic machine (1) includes a frame (10), an exercise station (20) associated with the frame (10), at least a gymnastic implement (30) usable within the exercise station (20) for the execution of a training session, load group (40) supported by the frame (10) and coupled to each gymnastic implement (30), and a signaling device (50) which is provided, so predisposed as to give information on the use status of the implement (30) outside exercise station (20), in such a way as to reduce waiting times between two successive uses.

Claims

1. A gymnastic machine (1) comprising a frame (10) provided with a base (11), an exercise station (20) associated with the frame (10), at least a gymnastic implement (30) usable within said exercise station (20) for the execution of a training session, load means (40) supported by the frame (10) and coupled to each gymnastic implement (30);

characterized in that a signaling device (50) is provided, so predisposed as to give information on the use status of said implement (30) outside said exercise station (20), in such a way as to reduce the waiting times between two successive uses of the exercise station (20).

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said signaling device (50) is associated with a control unit (60) provided with a calculating device (62) for calculating the residual time of the use of each said implement (30) starting from a given instant in time.

3. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said signaling device (50) comprises a display unit (52) connected to said calculating device (62) for calculating the residual time.

4. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises at least a light source (53) (55) (56, 57, 58) (59) (54).

5. A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said light source is able to produce light whose chromatism is a function of a given use status of each said implement (30).

6. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises two light sources (53) whose color is distinct and mixable to produce an additional distinct color.

7. A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said light sources (53) of distinct color present, respectively, green and red color.

8. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises at least one eight-segment LED (90) employable, in use, to indicate the residual time before the end of a physical training exercise.

9. A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises two pairs of said eight-segment LEDs (90).

10. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises a traffic light (54) provided with a plurality of bulbs (56)(57) (58), each of which being activated in relation to said use status of each said implement (30).

11. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said control unit (60) is interfaced with each said implement (30) for detecting their respective current use status and assigning a given value to an indicator (80) of said use status of each said implement (30);

said calculating device (62) being connected to said signaling device (50) to update in real time said display unit (52) based on said current value of said indicator (80).

12. A machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said calculating device (62) is provided for calculating said residual time of use of each said implement (30) starting from a time data item corresponding to said given instant in time.

13. A machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said control unit (60) comprises an information storage device (64) conformed to contain at least a first information block (66) able to store a data item pertaining to the duration times of the training session, a second information block (68) able to store a data item pertaining to a starting time of the use of each implement (30) and a third information block (70) able to store a data item corresponding to a residual time duration of the use of each implement (30);

the calculating device (62) and the storage device being mutually connected in such a way as to be able to exchange information;

electronic connection means being positioned between said storage device (64) to update said display unit (52).

14. A machine according to claim 13, characterized by comprising a reading device (76) for reading an information support coupled to said calculating device (62) and able to interact with said storage device (64) to exchange therewith said first information block (66), said second information block (68), said third information block (70).

15. A machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises a single light (56) able to light up according to a given time scheme to provide information on corresponding mutually distinguished use states of said implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

16. A machine according to claim 3, characterized by comprising at least an end portion (131) (111 and characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises at least a light source (55) carried in each said end portion (131) (111).

17. A machine according to claim 16, characterized in that each said end portion (111) comprises an edge (111) of said base (11);

each said edge (111) being provided with said light source (55).

18. A machine according to claim 17, characterized by comprising at least one handle (130) provided with a respective end portion (131);

each said light source (55) being associated with one said end portion (131).

19. A machine according to claim 3, characterized by comprising a base (11) provided with a flank (110) presenting a plurality of light sources (59)(55) substantially aligned to each other;

each of said light sources (59) (55) being connected to said calculating device (62) for the respective lighting, shutting off, color change in relation to an amplitude of the portion of exercise that has already been performed and/or is still to be performed.

20. A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said traffic light (54) comprises a first light source (56), a second light source (57) and a third light source (58);

said first, second and third light sources (56, 57, 58) presenting mutually distinct colors and being able to be operated in succession to provide information on corresponding mutually distinct use states of each said implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

21. A signaling method for signaling the use status of a gymnastic machine including a frame (10), an exercise station (20) associated with the frame (10), at least a gymnastic implement (30) usable within the exercise station (20) and load means (40) supported by said frame (10) and coupled to each said gymnastic implement (30) in said exercise station (20), an electronic control unit (60) able to interface with each implement (30) to detect its current use status;

the method being characterized by comprising a step of providing information on the use status of the implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

22. A method according to claim 21, characterized by comprising a step of informing said control unit (60) of a duration of the exercise followed by a step of calculating a residual time of the use of each implement (30) starting from a given instant in time by means of a calculating device (62) for calculating the residual time and by a step of assigning a given value to an indicator (80) of said use status of each said implement (30) preliminarily to the step of providing information on the use status of each said implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

23. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that said step of providing information on the status of each said implement (30) outside said exercise station (20) comprises a step of displaying said given value of said indicator (80) by means of at least a light (56)(57)(58).

24. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that the step of displaying said given value of said indicator (80) comprises a step of selectively activating a light (56) (57) (58) of three light bulbs (56, 57, 58) of a traffic light (54) based on the current use status of the implement (30).

25. A method according to claim 24, characterized in that said step of displaying said given value of said indicator (80) comprises a step of electrically activating a light source (59) based on the current value of the indicator (80).

26. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the step of displaying the given value of the indicator (80) comprises a step of electrically activating a monochromatic light source (59) at a given frequency based on the current value of said indicator (80).

27. A control unit (60) for controlling a gymnastic machine (1) including a frame (10), an exercise station (20) associated with the frame (10), at least a gymnastic implement (30) usable within the exercise station (20) and load means (40) supported by said frame (10) and coupled to each said gymnastic implement (30) in said exercise station (20), an electronic control unit (60) able to interface with each implement (30) to detect its current use status;

the control unit being characterized by being so shaped as to provide information on the use status of each corresponding implement (30) outside a station (20) of said gymnastic machine (1).

28. A unit according to claim 27, characterized by comprising a calculating device (62) usable for calculating a residual time of use of each implement (30) starting from a given instant in time.

29. A unit according to claim 27, characterized by comprising a signaling device (50) provided with a display unit (52) connected to said calculating device (62).

30. A unit according to claim 29, characterized in that said calculating device (62) is interfaced with each implement (30) for detecting their respective current use status and assigning a given value to an indicator (80) for indicating the use status of the implement (30);

said calculating device (62) being further connected to said signaling device (50) to update in real time said display unit (52) based on the current value of said indicator (80).

31. A unit according to claim 30, characterized in that said display unit (52) comprises a traffic light (54) provided with a plurality of bulbs (56) (57)(58), each of which can be operated in relation to the use status of the implement (30).

32. A unit according to claim 29, characterized in that the display unit (52) comprises a single light (5) able to light up according to a given time scheme to provide information on corresponding mutually distinct use states of the implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

33. A unit according to claim 30, characterized in that said traffic light (54) comprises a first light (56), a second light (57) and a third light (58) of mutually distinct colors, able to be operated in succession to provide information on corresponding mutually distinct use states of the implement (30) outside said exercise station (20).

34. A unit according to claim 27, characterized by comprising an information storage device (64) so shaped as to contain at least a first information block (66) able to store a data item pertaining to the duration times of the training session, a second information block (68) able to store a data item pertaining to a starting time of the use of each implement (30) and a third information block (70) able to store a data item pertaining to a residual time duration of the use of each implement (30);

said calculating device (62) and said storage device being mutually connected in such a way as to be able to exchange information;

electronic connection means being positioned between the storage device (64) to update said display unit (52).

35. A unit according to claim 34, characterized in that said control unit (60) comprises a reading device (76) for reading an information support so shaped as to allocate at least a first information block (66) pertaining to the mode of execution of the training session, a second information block (68) pertaining to the duration times of the training session, a third information block (70) of a starting time of the use of each implement (30) and a fourth information block of a residual time duration of the use of each implement (30);

said reading device (76) being electronically connected to said storage device (64) to exchange information.