FORCE MODULATING DEVICE FOR A GYM MACHINE

• US 20090270234A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: ZACCHERINI, LEO, ALESSANDRI, NERIO
• Granted Patent: US 7,905,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/129
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00058 Mechanical means for varying the resistance A63B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00196 using pulsed counterforce, e.g. vibrating resistance means A61H1/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical

Abstract

Described is a device for a gym machine comprising a frame (2), at least one resistant load (3) mounted on the frame having at least one coupling surface (4), at least one flexible cable (5) associated with the resistant load (3) for performing a physical exercise, the device being characterized in that it comprises at least one support (6) designed to be rigidly associated with the resistant load (3) at the coupling surface (4), at least one shaft (7) rotatably coupled to the support (6) on a first axis (8) at a first portion (9) and having a second portion (10) with a second, eccentric axis (11), power drive means (12) for rotationally driving the shaft (7) about the first axis (8), the shaft (7) being associated with the flexible cable (5) at the second portion (10) in such a way as to generate vibrations along the flexible cable (5).

Claims

1. A device for a gym machine comprising a frame (2), at least one resistant load (3) mounted on the frame having at least one coupling surface (4), at least one flexible cable (5) associated with the resistant load (3) for performing a physical exercise, the device comprising at least one support (6) designed to be rigidly associated with the resistant load (3) at the coupling surface (4), at least one shaft (7) rotatably coupled to the support (6) on a first axis (8) at a first portion (9) and having a second portion (10) with a second, eccentric axis (11), power drive means (12) for rotationally driving the shaft (7) about the first axis (8), the shaft (7) being associated with the flexible cable (5) at the second portion (10) in such a way as to generate vibrations along the flexible cable (5).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a first bracket (13) to which the first portion (9) of the shaft (7) is rotatably coupled to rotate about the first axis (8).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first bracket (13) is U-shaped and has at least two coaxial annular grooves (14) for receiving respective bearings for coupling to the shaft (7).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support (6) comprises a second bracket (15) for mounting the power drive means (12);

said power drive means (12) comprising at least one motor (16) for driving at least one drive pulley (17) at least one predetermined rotation speed.

5. The device according to claim 4, comprising at least one driven pulley (18) keyed to the shaft (7);

the drive pulley (17) being connected to the driven pulley (18) by a belt (19) so as to transmit rotational drive to the shaft (7).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the driven pulley (18) is keyed rigidly to the shaft (7) at a middle portion (20) by means of a key (21).

7. The device according to claim 1, comprising coupling means (22) freely rotatably associated with the shaft (7), at the second portion (10), on the second eccentric axis (11);

the coupling means (22) being designed to connect the shaft (7) to the flexible cable (5) in such a way that the rotation of the shaft (7) about the first axis (8) causes the coupling means (22) to oscillate, thereby creating vibrations along the flexible cable (5).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the coupling means (22) comprise at least one idler pulley (23) freely rotatably associated with the shaft (7), at the second portion (10), on the second eccentric axis (11);

the idler pulley (23) being designed to have the flexible cable (5) wound around it to apply an action opposing the resistant load (3) in such a way that the rotation of the shaft (7) about the first axis (8) causes the idler pulley (23) to oscillate, thereby creating vibrations along the flexible cable (5).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the idler pulley (23) is coupled to the second portion (10) by an interposed first bearing (24).

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the second portion (10) has a threaded end part (25) for fastening the internal ring of the first bearing (24) to the shaft (7) with a bolt.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the coupling means (22) comprise at least one ring (26) freely rotatably associated with the shaft (7), at the second portion (10), on the second eccentric axis (11);

the ring (26) being rigidly associated with one end (27) of the flexible cable (5) to apply an action opposing the resistant load (3) in such a way that the rotation of the shaft (7) about the first axis (8) causes the ring (26) to oscillate, thereby creating vibrations along the flexible cable (5).

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the ring (26) has a radial seat (28) for rigidly housing the end (27) of the flexible cable (5).

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the ring (26) comprises a radial cylindrical threaded extension (29);

the flexible cable (5) being integrally connected at its end (27) to an internally threaded pipe (30) designed to be screwed to the ring (26) at the cylindrical extension (29), in such a way as to fix the flexible cable (5) to the ring (26).

14. The device according to claim 1, especially for weight-stack gym machines, where the resistant load (3) is mounted on the frame (2) slidably on vertical guides (2a) and whose top surface (4a) comprises the coupling surface (4), wherein the support (6) is rigidly fixed to the resistant load (3) at the coupling surface (4) by screw means (6a).

15. The device according to claim 14, comprising at least two cylindrical spacers (6b) having respective axial holes (6c) for the passage of respective screws (6d) designed to be screwed into corresponding threaded holes (6e) made in the resistant load (3) in order to fasten the support (6).

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is removable.