Gymnastic machine

• US 20070225136A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Roman, Maurizio, Zaccherini, Loe
• Granted Patent: US 7,867,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0244 Hip A61H1/0255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0482 primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A gymnastic machine (1) includes a first frame (10), a first support member (22) carried by the first frame (10) by means of a guiding device (20) to be movable along at least one given direction (D), the first support member (22) being shaped to be interfaced with a first body region of a user and a bearing member (30) being rotatably supported by the first frame (10) around an axis (32) transverse to the given direction (D), the bearing member (30) being shaped to be interfaced to a second body region.

Claims

1. A gymnastic machine (1) comprising a first frame (10), a first support member (22) carried by said first frame (10) through a guiding device (20) to be movable along at least one given direction (D);

said first support member (22) being shaped to be interfaced with a first body region of a user;

characterised by comprising a first bearing member (30) supported rotatable by said first frame (10) around a first transverse axis (32) (100) transverse to said given direction (D) to assume, in use, an inclination as a function of said first support member (22) relative to said first frame (10).

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said guiding device (20) is shaped in a given manner in order to constrain said first support member (22) to be movable along at least said given direction (D) by gravity.

3. A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said guiding device (2) comprises at least one first guide (20) extending longitudinally in a given direction (D) and that said first support member (22) comprises a slide (22) coupled to each said first guide (20) to be movable along at least said given direction (D).

4. A machine according to claim 3, characterised in that said given direction (D) is rectilinear.

5. A machine according to claim 3, characterised in that said given direction (D) is curved.

6. A machine according to claim 3, characterised in that said given direction (D) is inclined.

7. A machine according to claim 3, characterised in that said first bearing member (30) is supported rotatable by said first frame (10) through the interposition of said slide (22).

8. A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said first bearing member (30) is shaped to be interfaced to a second body region.

9. A machine according to claim 7, characterised in that said slide (22) comprises a backrest (24) and a seat (23), and characterised in that said first bearing member (30) comprises a cradle (34) able to support a user'"'"'s legs in such a way that to each position of said slide (22) on said first guide (20) corresponds a given inclination angle (β

) between said backrest (24) and said cradle (34), to determine a stretching action on at least one rear muscle region of said user.

10. A machine according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one among said backrest (24), seat (23) and cradle (34) comprises a plurality of rollers (36) positioned transverse to said first guide (20) to reduce, in use, the exchange of superficial interactions with the respectively interfaced body regions.

11. A machine according to claim 9, characterised by comprising regulating means (40) for setting the relative inclination between said cradle (34) and said backrest (24).

12. A machine according to claim 11, characterised in that said cradle (34) is carried by a shelf (31) supported rotatable by said slide (22) at said first transverse axis (32).

13. A machine according to claim 12, characterised in that said regulating means (40) comprise an actuating member (42) carried rotatable around a second axis (44) transverse to said direction (D) and a transmission unit (45) mutually coupled in such a way that, in use, said actuating member (42) is able to determine a rotation of said shelf (31) around said first transverse axis (32) through said transmission unit (45).

14. A machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said transmission unit (45) comprises a device (45) for inverting the rotation able to rotate said actuating member (42) in opposite direction to said shelf (31) and vice versa.

15. A machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said actuating member (42) is carried rotatable by said slide (22) by means of a shaft (43) to be movable with said backrest (24) relative to said first frame (10) along said given direction (D) under the action of gravity;

a retaining member (47) being associated to said actuating member (42) to determine its rotation as the position of said slide (22) along said first guide (20) relative to said first frame (10) varies.

16. A machine according to claim 15, characterised in that said retaining member (47) comprises a first cable (47) partially wound on the periphery of said actuating member (42) and provided with a first end (48) rigidly connected to said first frame (10) and a second end (49) rigidly connected with said actuating member (42) to apply thereto a torque able to determine the rotation of said shelf (31) through said transmission unit (45).

17. A machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said actuating member (42) comprises a cam (42) so shaped as to modulate said torque in such a way as to facilitate the rotation of said shelf (31) starting from a respective reference position (P) in which a user presents his/her respective legs lying substantially horizontal.

18. A machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said transmission unit (45) comprises at least one compass mechanism comprising a first lever (50) hinged to said shelf (31) and a second lever (51) hinged to said first lever (50) and coupled integrally to said shaft (43)

19. A machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said transmission unit (45) comprises a first pulley (55) carried integrally by said shaft (43) in a rotatable manner around said second axis (44);

a second pulley (56) carried integrally by said shelf (31) in a coaxial manner to said first transverse axis (32);

an non-extensible flexible member (57) presenting its own third end (58) integrally connected to said first pulley (55) and its own fourth end (59) integrally connected to said second pulley (56);

said flexible member (57) being wound peripherally around said first and second pulleys (55) (56) to exchange a torque between said first and second pulleys (55) (56).

20. A machine according to claim 19, characterised in that said flexible member (57) comprises a second cable (57) non-extensible;

said second cable (57) being wound peripherally to said first and second pulley (55) (56) in opposite direction, in such a way as to transmit torque of opposite sign between said first and second pulleys (55) (56).

21. A machine according to claim 9, characterised by comprising a control device (60) for regulating the rotation of said cradle (34).

22. A machine according to claim 21, characterised in that said control device (60) acts directly on the shelf (31) controlling its rotation.

23. A machine according to claim 22, characterised in that said control device (60) comprises a first handle (61) carried rigidly by said shelf (31).

24. A machine according to claim 23, characterised in that said first handle (61) presents substantially circular shape.

25. A machine according to claim 21, characterised in that said control device (60) comprises limiting means (64) for regulating the speed of displacement of said slide (22) along said first guide (20).

26. A machine according to claim 25, characterised in that said limiting means (64) comprise at least one shock absorber (64).

27. A machine according to claim 26, characterised in that each said shock absorber (64) connects said slide (22) to said first frame (10).

28. A machine according to claim 26, characterised in that each said shock absorber is positioned between said slide (22) and said shelf (31).

29. A machine according to claim 12, characterised in that said regulating means (40) comprise a first blocking device (80) to maintain said slide (22) rigidly fixed relative to said first frame (10) in a given position in such a way as to facilitate access to said seat (23) and make possible, in use, the execution of muscle stretching exercises with pauses.

30. A machine according to claim 29, characterised in that said first blocking device (80) comprises a pair of jaws (83) facing each other to be switchable from and to a position of engagement by friction of at least one of said guides (20) through a longitudinal key (89) against the thrust of a spring (87).

31. A machine according to claim 30, characterised in that said longitudinal key (89) is carried rotatable between said jaws (83) and it can be actuated by a third lever (81).

32. A machine according to claim 30, characterised in that said jaws (83) are mutually hinged to each other.

33. A machine according to claim 29, characterised in that said first blocking device (80) comprises at least a first hydraulic brake (850) positioned between said slide (22) and said first frame (10).

34. A machine according to claim 33, characterised in that each said first hydraulic brake (850) comprises a first gas spring (850) normally locked and selectively releasable;

said first gas spring (850) being controllable by a fourth lever (880).

35. A machine according to claim 25, characterised in that said limiting means (64) comprise said first hydraulic brake (850).

36. A machine according to claim 1, characterised by comprising a first contrast device (26) in combination with said first bearing member (30) that, in use, is able to induce a stretching action on a user'"'"'s leg muscles.

37. A machine according to claim 36, characterised in that said first contrast device (26) comprises a substantially L shaped tubular body (27), carried by said shelf (31) transversely to said given direction (D) and able to serve as contrast for the soles of a user'"'"'s feet to induce a stretching of the rear muscles of the user'"'"'s legs.

38. A machine according to claim 37, characterised in that said tubular body (27) is carried by said shelf (31) in a freely rotatable manner transversely to said given direction (D) and it comprises a circular sector (25) provided with a plurality of radial holes (38);

a plate (35) being carried rigidly by said shelf (31) in a position facing the circular sector (25) and provided with a transverse abutment member (39) able to be selectively aligned to each of the holes (38) to fasten, in use, the circular sector (25)/the tubular body (27) in a determinate angular position relative to the shelf (31).

39. A machine according to claim 38, characterised in that said first contrast device (26) comprises a first switching device (21) for adjusting the position of the transverse abutment (39) actuated through a third Bouden cable (75).

40. A machine according to claim 37, characterised in that said tubular body (27) is carried by said shelf (31) in a freely rotatable manner around a third axis (275) of rotation substantially transverse to said given direction (D);

said tubular body (27) being provided with a regulating device (270) able to lock said tubular body (27) relative to said first bearing member (30) in an angularly determinate position.

41. A machine according to claim 40, characterised in that said regulating device (270) comprises a connecting member (271) carried rigidly by said tubular body (27) to rotate together with it around said third axis (275) of rotation, and a second hydraulic brake (272) positioned between said connecting member (271) and said shelf (31) to fasten, in use, said tubular body (27) in a respective determinate angular position.

42. A machine according to claim 41, characterised in that said second hydraulic brake (272) comprises a second gas spring (272) of a selectively releasable type, controlled by a fifth lever (76) by means of a fourth Bouden cable (75).

43. A machine according to claim 12, characterised in that said shelf (31) supports at least a second bearing member (37) for a user'"'"'s feet to enable the execution of muscle stretching exercises with bent knees.

44. A machine according to claim 43, characterised in that said second bearing member (37) comprises a footrest (37) carried laterally in a cantilevered fashion by said shelf.

45. A machine according to claim 12, characterised in that said cradle (34) is supported laterally in a cantilevered fashion by said shelf (31) in such a way as to give rise to a free space (S) between said backrest (24) and said cradle (34) for providing ease of access to said backrest (24).

46. A machine according to claim 9, characterised in that said cradle (34) comprises a plurality of rollers (36) positioned transverse to said first guide (20) to reduce the exchange of superficial interactions with a user'"'"'s legs.

47. A machine according to claims 11, characterised in that said regulating means (40) comprise a connecting rod (41) positioned between said cradle (34) and said backrest (24) to constrain said cradle (34) to assume determinate inclinations, in use, relative to said first transverse axis (100) transverse to said given direction (D) as a function of the position of said backrest (24) relative to the respective said first guide (20).

48. A machine according to claim 46, characterised in that said rod (41) is connected to said cradle through a freely slidable connection.

49. A machine according to claim 46, characterised in that said first frame (10) comprises a second guide (12) inclined in determinate fashion relative to said first guide (20);

said rod (41) being rigidly connected to said cradle (34) and said cradle (34) being connected to said second guide (12) in correspondence with said first transverse axis (100) and in a freely slidable manner.

50. A machine according to claim 46, characterised in that said determinate angle (β

) of inclination between said backrest (24) and said cradle (34) in clockwise direction is a function of the position of said slide (22) on said first guide (20) through the interposition of a user'"'"'s lower limbs.

51. A machine according to claim 46, characterised in that said angle (P) of inclination, a function of the position of said slide (22) on the first guide (20), is modulated on each user'"'"'s anthropometric dimensions.

52. A machine according to claim 1, characterised by comprising measuring means (90) and signalling means (70) able mutually to co-operate in order to provide information on the manners of execution of a gymnastic exercise and/or of an ongoing training session.

53. A machine according to claim 52, characterised in that said measuring means (90) comprise alternatively or in combination a first sensor (91) of the position of said first support member (22) along said given direction (D);

a second sensor (92) of the inclination of said first bearing member (30) relative to said given direction (D) and/or to said first support member (22);

a time measurer (93) able to measure the duration of a muscle stretching exercise and/or of a training routine.

54. A machine according to claim 52, characterised in that said signalling means (70) comprise at least a viewer (71) carried stably by said first frame (10) or carried movable by said first support member (22) in such a way as to be easily readable by a user engaged in respective muscle stretching exercises;

each said viewer (71) having at least one indicator (72) able, in use, to display information about at least one training parameter.

55. A machine according to claims 53, characterised in that said viewer (71) comprises two said indicators (72) able, in use, to show respectively an instantaneous value of the amplitude of the said angle (β

) and at least one characteristic duration of the exercise being performed.

56. A machine according to claim 1, characterised by comprising control means (700) able to control, alternatively or in combination, determinate displacements of said first support member (22) and/or of said first bearing member (30) to enable the execution of exercises in previously determinate manners.

57. A machine according to claim 56, characterised in that said control means (700) comprise at least a first actuator (850′

) positioned between said first frame (10) and said first support member (22) to control displacements of said first support member (22) along the respective guiding device (20).

58. A machine according to claim 56, characterised in that said control means (700) comprise at least a second actuator (850′

) positioned between said first frame (10) and said first bearing member (30) to control their respective displacements.

59. A machine according to claim 57, characterised in that said control means (700) comprise a control unit (73) electronically connected to each said first and/or second actuator (850′

) (850′

) to control their respective operating mode.

60. A machine according to claim 59 with dependence on claim 53 or 55, characterised in that said control unit (73) is electronically connected to said time measurer (93) in such a way as to enable to set a determinate duration of at least one muscle stretching exercise.

61. A machine according to claim 60, characterised in that said control unit (73) is electronically connected to at least one of said first and second sensor (91) (92) in such a way as to continuously monitor the position of said first support member (22) and/or of said first bearing member (30) to regulate the operation of at least a respective first and/or second actuator (850′

) (850′

).

62. A machine according to claim 56, characterised in that said control means 700 comprise a control panel (71) provided with at least one data input device (79) electronically connected to said control unit (73) to enable its respective programming.

63. A machine according to claim 59, characterised in that said control unit (73) comprises a memory device (77) for storing physical characteristics and/or training data of at least one user, usable in automated training sessions.

75. A method according to claim 74, to be implemented on a machine (1) described with reference to claim 39 or 40, characterised in that said step of appropriately regulating the inclination of said second contrast device (26) is carried out operating on a second switching device (21) (270) actuated through a fifth Bouden cable (75).

64. A training method, comprising the steps of providing a gymnastic machine (1) comprising a first frame (10), a first support member (22) carried by said first frame (10) through a guiding device (20) to be movable along at least one given direction (D);

said first support member (22) being shaped to be interfaced with a first body region of a user;

characterised by comprising a first bearing member (30) supported rotatable by said first frame (10) around a first transverse axis (32) (100) transverse to said given direction (D) to assume, in use, an inclination as a function of said first support member (22) relative to said first frame (10);

a machine (1) engaging a second support member (22) carried movable by a second frame (10);

engaging a third bearing member (30) carried rotatable relative to said second frame (10) with one'"'"'s legs;

rotating one'"'"'s legs around a fourth axis (32) (100);

characterised in that to said step of rotating one'"'"'s legs around said fourth axis (32) (100) is correlated the step of varying the position of said second support member (22) along a given path (D).

65. A method according to claim 64, characterised in that said fourth axis (32) (100) is substantially transverse to said given direction (D);

said step of rotating one'"'"'s legs around said fourth axis (32) (100) comprises the step of reducing and alternatively increasing the amplitude of the angle between the thighs and the torso as the distance of said second support member (22) from at least one determinate reference (29) decreases/increases and vice versa.

66. A method according to claim 65, characterised in that said reference (29) comprises an end stop (29) of said second support member (22) on a third guide (20) associated to the said second frame (10).

67. A method according to claim 64, characterised in that said step of rotating one'"'"'s legs around said fourth axis (32) is preceded by a step of substantially aligning a transverse axis of rotation of a user'"'"'s femurs relative to his/her pelvis with said fourth axis (32) (100).

68. A method according to claim 67, characterised in that said step of rotating one'"'"'s legs around said fourth axis (32) comprises the step of controlling the rotation of said legs by means of a second handle (61) rigidly connected to said third bearing member (30).

69. A method according to claim 68, characterised in that said step of controlling the rotation of said legs by means of a second handle (61) comprises the step of varying a gripping pressure and/or a peripheral thrust on said second handle (61) in such a way as to contrast or facilitate the rotation of said legs around said fourth axis (32).

70. A method according to claim 64, characterised in that said steps of engaging said second support member (22) and said third bearing member (30) with one'"'"'s legs are preceded by a step of locking the motion of said second support member (22) along the related said third guide (20) by means of a second blocking device (80).

71. A method according to claim 70, characterised in that said step of locking the motion of said second support member (22) along the related said third guide (20) by means of said second blocking device (80) is followed by a step of unlocking the motion of said second support member (22) along the relative said third guide (20) operating said second blocking device (80) in opposite manner from the previous one.

72. A method according to claim 64, characterised in that said step of rotating one'"'"'s legs around a fourth axis (32) (100) can be carried out with pauses by the user intervening on the motion of said second support member (22) by means of a second blocking device (80).

73. A method according to claim 64, characterised in that said step of engaging said third bearing member (30) carried rotatable by said second frame (10) with one'"'"'s legs is associated with a step of engaging a plantar portion on a second contrast device (26).

74. A method according to claim 73, characterised in that said step of engaging a plantar portion on a second contrast device (26) is associated with the step of appropriately regulating the inclination of said contrast device relative to the bearing member (30).