Device for an exercise machine

• US 8,007,422 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Zaccherini, Leo
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, ROBERT FRANKLIN
• Application Number:
  US12/575,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20100087298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 482 52- 54, 482/57, 482/70, 482/92, 482114-119, 482/139, 482/901, 482 44- 46, 601/5, 601/27, 601 46- 49, 601/84, 601/94, 601101-102
• US Class Current: 482/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/005 Moveable platform, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platform for standing, sitting, laying, leaning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/009 Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus
• 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 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for an exercise machine comprising a base, forming at least one substantially flat supporting surface, at least one resistant load connected to the base, at least one seat for a user, being positioned in front of the supporting surface, connected to the base in such a way that it can move from a forward position to a back position relative to the supporting surface, the seat being connected to the resistant load for performing an exercise; the device being characterized in that it comprises at least one footplate which can be selectively connected to the base at the supporting surface by removable supporting means, at least one actuator portion connected to the supporting means being designated to generate a vibration for the footplate.

Claims

1. A device for an exercise machine comprising a base (3), forming at least one substantially flat supporting surface (4), at least one resistant load (5) connected to the base (3), at least one seat (6) for a user, being positioned in front of the supporting surface (4), connected to the base (3) in such a way that it can move from a forward position to a back position relative to the supporting surface (4), the seat being connected to the resistant load (5) for performing an exercise;

wherein the device comprises at least one footplate (7) which can be selectively connected to the base (3) at the supporting surface (4) by removable supporting means (8), at least one actuator portion (9) connected to the supporting means (8) being designed to generate a vibration for the footplate (7), the supporting means (8) comprising at least one base element (10) designed to support the footplate (7) in such a way that it is raised and free to vibrate relative to the supporting surface (4) while the exercise is performed, the actuator portion (9) being coupled to a shaft (16) to drive the shaft (16) in rotation around a first axis (17), the shaft (16) having an eccentric portion (20) defining a second, eccentric axis (19), parallel to the first axis (17) and arranged at a predetermined distance thereto, the footplate (7) being rotatably connected to said eccentric portion (20), whereby a rotation of the shaft (16) around the first axis (17) generates a rotation around the first axis (17) of the eccentric portion (20) of the shaft (16) and of the footplate (7) coupled thereto, thus generating a vibrating effect for a user having his feet pressed on the footplate (7).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means (8) comprise at least one hooking element (12) for coupling the device to the base (3) while the exercise with vibration is performed.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the hooking element (12) has an upper end (13) coupled to a U-shaped substantially cylindrical bar (3a) rigidly supported by the base (3) above the supporting surface (4), by at least one hook (14) and a lower end (15) connected to the footplate (7).

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the hooking element (12) comprises a plurality of hooks (14) designed to be coupled to the bar (3a) in such a way as to selectively connect the footplate (7) to the supporting surface (4) at different heights according to the anthropometric characteristics of the user.

5. The device according to claim 2, comprising a handle (41) designed to be gripped by a user to lift the device and unhook it from the hooking element (12).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means (8) comprise two base elements (10) positioned at the lateral ends of the device and designed to make contact on the supporting surface (4) to support the footplate (7) in such a way that it is raised and free to vibrate relative to the supporting surface (4) while the exercise with vibration is performed.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the base elements (10) has a substantially cylindrical shape, the outer lateral surface (11) being designed to make contact on the supporting surface (4) tying said supporting surface along a generatrix;

each of the base elements (10) being connected to the footplate (7) in such a way that they can rotate freely.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means (8) comprise at least two base elements (10), each having a substantially cylindrical shape and an axial hole (21) which is coaxial with the first axis (17), for coupling to the shaft (16) on said first axis (17) by means of respective radial bearings (22), at the respective end portions (23) of the shaft (16).

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the footplate (7) is connected to a shaft (16) by at least one supporting element (24) which is rigidly coupled below the footplate (7);

the supporting element (24) being coupled in such a way that it can rotate freely to the shaft (16) on a second axis (19) at an axial through-cavity (25) designed to house a second portion (20) of the shaft (16).

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the footplate (7) comprises two rectangular plates (26) coupled in such a way that they can rotate freely to a shaft (16) on a second axis (19) by respective supporting elements (24).

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator portion (9) comprises at least one frame (27) to which at least one motor (28) is rigidly coupled by means of a fixing bracket (29), at least one driving pulley (30) fitted on the motor (28) shaft, at least one driven pulley (31) fitted on a shaft (16) on a first axis (17);

the driving pulley (30) and the driven pulley (31) being connected to each other by a drive belt (32) so that a rotating motion is transmitted to the shaft (16).

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the frame (27) is rigidly connected to a lower end (15) of a hooking element (12).

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (16) is coupled in such a way that it can rotate freely to a frame (27) on the first axis (17) at a central portion (33) of the shaft (16), by means of bearings (33a).

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator portion (9) is positioned between rectangular plates (26), and wherein each of the rectangular plates (26) is positioned adjacent to a respective end portion (23) of a shaft (16).

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the footplate (7) is connected to a frame (27) by at least one elastic element (34) inserted between a lower face (35) of the footplate (7) and at least one sheet (36) consisting of a lateral extension of the frame (27) below the footplate (7).

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the footplate (7) is connected to a frame (27) by at least two elastic elements (34) consisting of respective cylinders (37) with respective axial cavities (38) for coupling to respective pins (39) rigidly supported by a lower face (35) of the footplate (7) on opposite sides relative to a first axis (17);

each of the elastic elements (34) being inserted between the lower face (35) of the footplate (7) and at least one sheet (36) consisting of a lateral extension of the frame (27) below the footplate (7).

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator portion (9) comprises an upper cover (40) designed to protect the user from any contact with moving parts.

18. The device according to claim 1, comprising a U-shaped substantially cylindrical rod (42) designed to be rigidly connected to the base (3) of the exercise machine above the supporting surface (4) on an opposite side relative to the seat (6), thus acting as a support for the device when it is not in use.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein it can be selectively connected to an exercise machine in which the resistant load (5) is connected to the base (3) in such a way that it can slide freely on substantially vertical guides (43) and the seat (6) is supported by the base (3) in such a way that it can move on substantially horizontal guides (44);

the seat (6) being connected to the resistant load (5) by at least one flexible cable (45), for performing an exercise.

20. A device for an exercise machine comprising a base (3), forming at least one substantially flat supporting surface (4), at least one resistant load (5) connected to the base (3), at least one seat (6) for a user, being positioned in front of the supporting surface (4), connected to the base (3) in such a way that it can move from a forward position to a back position relative to the supporting surface (4), the seat being connected to the resistant load (5) for performing an exercise;

wherein the device comprises at least one footplate (7) which can be selectively connected to the base (3) at the supporting surface (4) by removable supporting means (8), at least one actuator portion (9) connected to the supporting means (8) being designed to generate a vibration for the footplate (7), wherein the device can be selectively connected to an exercise machine in which the resistant load (5) is connected to the base (3) in such a way that it can slide freely on substantially vertical guides (43) and the seat (6) is supported by the base (3) in such a way that it can move on substantially horizontal guides (44);

the seat (6) being connected to the resistant load (5) by at least one flexible cable (45), for performing an exercise.