U.S. patent application number 10/689701 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for exercise machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Technogym S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Alessandri, Nerio, Fabbri, Gianmatteo, Manaresi, Enrico.
Application Number | 20040097341 10/689701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11440385 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040097341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alessandri, Nerio ; et
al. |
May 20, 2004 |
Exercise machine
Abstract
An exercise machine, of the type used for gymnastic or
rehabilitative exercises, comprises a combination of: a frame (2);
dynamic means (3), supported by the frame (2), interacting with a
user for the performance of gymnastic or rehabilitative exercises;
means (4) for generating an air flow around the user; essence
diffuser means (5) which can be combined with the generator means
(4) to allow the generated air flow to be scented, when
required.
Inventors: |
Alessandri, Nerio;
(Longiano, IT) ; Manaresi, Enrico; (Porto Fuori,
IT) ; Fabbri, Gianmatteo; (Rimini, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
Suite 600
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Assignee: |
Technogym S.p.A.
|
Family ID: |
11440385 |
Appl. No.: |
10/689701 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2213/00 20130101;
A63B 21/00 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 2220/76
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 ;
482/148 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02; A63B
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2002 |
IT |
BO2002A000677 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1) an exercise machine of the type that can be used for gymnastic
or rehabilitative exercises, comprising a combination of: a frame
(2); dynamic means (3), supported by the frame (2), interacting
with a user for the performance of the gymnastic or rehabilitative
exercises; essence diffuser means (5) which can be associated with
the frame (2) to allow scenting of the air around the user, when
required.
2) An exercise machine of the type that can be used for gymnastic
or rehabilitative exercises, comprising a combination of: a frame
(2); dynamic means (3), supported by the frame (2), interacting
with a user for the performance of the gymnastic or rehabilitative
exercises; means (4) for generating a flow of air around the user;
essence diffuser means (5) which can be combined with the generator
means (4) to allow scenting of the generated air flow, when
required.
3) The machine according to claim 2, in which the dynamic means (3)
are equipped with drive means (6), wherein the generator means (4)
consist of at least one fan housed in the frame (2) and
power-driven by the drive means (6).
4) The machine according to claim 2, wherein the diffuser means (5)
comprise a filtering element (5f) holding the essence and which can
be associated with the generator means (4).
5) The machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diffuser
means (5) comprise a cartridge (5c) of the essence which can be
fitted close to the generator means to allow its use when
required.
6) The machine according to claim 2, in which the frame (2) is
fitted with a protective guard (7) covering part of the dynamic
means (3), wherein the generator means (4) are housed inside the
protective guard (7) presenting at least one opening (8) for the
discharge of the air flow generated by the generator means (4).
7) The machine according to claim 2, in which the frame (2) is
fitted with a protective guard (7) covering part of the dynamic
means (3), wherein the generator means (4) are housed inside the
protective guard (7) presenting at least one opening (8) for the
discharge of the air flow generated by the generator means (4); it
being possible to fit diffuser means (5) on the protective guard
(7) at the opening (8) and with relative non-permanent locking
means (9).
8) The machine according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a series of
openings (8) in the protective guard (7) near the relative
generator means (4) in order to allow the discharge of air flows
around the user of the machine (1).
9) The machine according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a series of
openings (8) in the protective guard (7) near the relative
generator means (4) in order to allow the discharge of air flows
around the user of the machine (1); it being possible to fit
diffuser means (5) on each opening (8) with relative non-permanent
locking means (9).
10) The machine according to claim 3, wherein the air flow
generator means (4) are power-driven by the drive means (6) and
controlled by a relative unit (10) to allow generation of the flow
to correspond with the performance of the exercise by the user.
11) An endless belt exercise machine (1), of the type that can be
used for gymnastic or rehabilitative exercises, comprising: a frame
(2); two rollers (11, 12) supported by the frame (2) and parallel
to each other; a main endless belt (13) associated with the frame
(2) and mounted on the rollers (11, 12), this main belt (13) moving
at a speed (V) along a closed path and powered by drive means (6);
means (4) for generating a flow of air around a user; essence
diffuser means (5) which can be combined with the generator means
(4) to allow the generated air flow to be scented, when
required.
12) The machine according to claim 11, wherein the air flow
generator means (4) are power-driven by the drive means (6) of the
belt (13).
13) The machine according to claim 11, wherein the diffuser means
(5) comprise a filtering element (5f) holding the essence and which
can be combined with the air flow generator means (4).
14) The machine according to claim 11, wherein the diffuser means
(5) comprise a cartridge (5c) of the essence which can be fitted
close to the generator means (4) to allow its use when
required.
15) The machine according to claim 11, in which the frame (2) is
fitted with a protective guard (7) covering part of the belt (13)
and with a supplementary structure (14) positioned above the belt
(13), wherein the generator means (4) are housed inside the
protective guard (7) and/or the supplementary structure (14)
presenting at least one opening (8) for the discharge of the air
flow generated by the generator means (4).
16) The machine according to claim 11, in which the frame (2) is
fitted with a protective guard (7) covering part of the belt (13)
and with a supplementary structure (14) positioned above the belt
(13), wherein the generator means (4) are housed inside the
protective guard (7) and the supplementary structure (14)
presenting at least one opening (8) for the discharge of the air
flow generated by the generator means (4); it being possible to fit
diffuser means (5) on the protective guard (7) at the opening (8)
and with relative non-permanent locking means (9).
17) The machine according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a series of
openings (8) in the protective guard (7) and/or the supplementary
structure (14) near the relative generator means (4) in order to
allow the discharge of air flows around the user of the machine
(1).
18) The machine according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a series of
openings (8) in the protective guard (7) and/or the supplementary
structure (14) near the relative generator means (4) in order to
allow the discharge of air flows around the user of the machine
(1); it being possible to fit diffuser means (5) on each opening
(8) with relative non-permanent locking means (9).
19) The machine according to claim 1, 2 or 10, wherein the diffuser
means (5) hold aromatic type essences.
20) The machine according to claim 1, 2 or 10, wherein the diffuser
means (5) hold balsamic type essences.
21) The machine according to claim 7 or 16, wherein each opening
(8) is equipped with at least one flap (8a) to adjust the direction
of the air flow and the locking means (9) consist of snap-in
support walls (9a) of a filtering element (5f), which can be
associated, on both sides, with the flap (8a).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine, in
particular an exercise machine provided with supplementary
accessories that can be combined together in order to achieve a
more effective and natural performance of the physical
exercise.
[0002] Currently available exercise machines are usually used for
physical exercise, rehabilitation or whenever a user or athlete
wants to perform an aerobic type exercise: for example, the
so-called "treadmill" simulates a walking or running action while a
"bike" simulates the action that can be performed on a bicycle.
[0003] Machines of the above-mentioned type (whether they are
machines for use in gymnasiums or at home) attempt, by various
means, to reproduce as faithfully as possible the natural reaction
of the elements with which the human body interacts, in order to
make the exercise performed on the machine as similar as possible
to the simulated activity in question.
[0004] In this context, that is the simulation of a physical
activity, especially the more modern machines try to emphasize the
positive aspects of the exercise and to limit the possible
disadvantages, so that the aim of the training or rehabilitation is
to achieve the benefits deriving from the specific physical
activity, limiting as much as possible the effect of the negative
characteristics that may be present in the natural performance of
the exercise.
[0005] From this point of view, the fact that these machines are,
in a word, static means that they are unable to simulate, as
realistically as possible, the presence of whatever the user or
athlete normally encounters in the surrounding environment, for
example sensations, when he or she goes for a run or rides a
bicycle: in other words a more marked sensory "virtualization"
within the framework of physical exercise on static type
machines.
[0006] A known solution to attempt to improve this situation is
disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,380, in which a treadmill type
exercise machine is fitted with a fan, powered by the drive of the
endless belt, to direct a flow of air towards the user, that is in
the opposite direction to the direction in which the user is
running.
[0007] This solution obviously adds something to this type of
machine, but is limited to the simple presence of a flow of air
oriented towards the user during the exercise.
[0008] The aim of the present invention is to provide an exercise
machine equipped with a series of accessories which form sensory
type elements designed to simulate a greater degree of realism in
performance of the exercise through integrations and combinations
on the machine without, however, altering the normal structure of
the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The aim is achieved by means of an exercise machine, of the
type used for gymnastic or rehabilitative exercises, comprising the
following combination: a frame, dynamic means supported by the
frame and interacting with a user for the performance of gymnastic
or rehabilitative exercises; generator means of a flow of air
around the user and essence diffuser means, which can be combined
with the generator means to allow the air flow to be scented, when
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The technical features of the present invention, in
accordance with the above-mentioned aims, are set out in the claims
herein and the advantages more clearly illustrated in the detailed
description which follows, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention
without limiting the scope of the inventive concept, and in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view with some schematic parts of an
exercise machine, of the endless belt type, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part A of FIG.
1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] In accordance with the figures in the accompanying drawings,
and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine in
question is used for gymnastic or rehabilitative exercises.
[0015] In the accompanying figures, the machine is the endless belt
type, known in the sector jargon as a "treadmill", although this
does not limit the generic nature of the solution which can be
applied to any type of exercise machine or equipment.
[0016] This machine, in fact, comprises in general the following
combination: a frame 2; dynamic means 3 supported by the frame 2,
interacting with a user for the performance of the gymnastic or
rehabilitative exercises (according to the type of machine);
generator means 4 of a flow of air around the user and essence
diffuser means 5 which can be combined with the generator means 4
in order to allow the generated air flow to be scented, when
required.
[0017] As already stated, and to simplify the description of the
solution, the machine 1 illustrated is the endless belt type and
comprises: the frame 2; two rollers 11 and 12 supported by the
frame 2 and parallel to each other; an endless belt 13 associated
with the frame 2, mounted on the rollers 11 and 12 and forming the
dynamic means 3.
[0018] The belt 13 moves at a speed V (see the relative arrow V in
FIG. 2) along a closed path and by drive means 6 schematized in
FIGS. 1 and 2, since they are the known type and usually consist of
an electric motor.
[0019] The generetor means 4 of the flow of air around a user and
the essence diffuser means 5 can be combined to allow scenting of
the generated air.
[0020] The generator means 4 of the flow of air can consist of at
least one fan (schematized with a block in FIGS. 1 and 2)
power-driven by the drive means 6 of the belt 13.
[0021] In accordance with what is illustrated in FIG. 3, the
diffuser means 5 can comprise a filtering element 5f for the
essence and which can be combined with the air flow generator means
4.
[0022] The diffuser means 5 can also comprise a cartridge 5c of the
chosen essence, which can be inserted in the filtering element that
can be fitted close to the fan 4 to allow its use, when
required.
[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 2
is equipped with a protective guard 7 covering a part of the belt
13 and a supplementary structure 14 positioned above the belt
13.
[0024] This structure 14 can support and protect the handgrips 15
and the control panel 16 of the exercise machine 1.
[0025] The protective guard 7, and in particular the structure 14,
can house the fan 4 in correspondence with at least one opening 8
for the discharge of the air flow generated by the fan 4.
[0026] The diffuser means 5 can be can be fitted directly on the
opening 8 with relative non-permanent locking means 9.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine 1, that is the
protective guard 7 and the supplementary structure 14 can obviously
have a plurality of openings 8 corresponding with the relative fans
4 in order to discharge relative air flows around the user of the
machine. In this case too, the diffuser means 5 can fitted on each
opening (8) with relative non-permanent locking means 9.
[0028] In the non-restricting example shown in FIG. 3, the opening
8 can be equipped with at least one adjustable flap 8a, while the
locking means 9 can consist of snap-in support walls 9a of the
filtering element 5f which can be associated, on both sides, with
the flap 8a.
[0029] The filtering element 5f can also be equipped with a slot 5a
to discharge the air and the essence towards the user.
[0030] The possibility of changing the filtering element 5f makes
it possible to change the type of essence to be used according to
the user's preferences or physical requirements, such as for
example the possibility of using mainly aromatic type essences, or
balsamic type essences to allow better respiration during the
exercise.
[0031] An exercise machine of this type therefore achieves the
preset aims thanks to a simple but effective combination of air
flow and essence diffusion means inside a traditional machine
structure.
[0032] In olfactory terms, the use of essences makes it possible to
achieve greater virtualization of the exercise through smells that
are similar to naturalistic areas (marine or woodland settings,
etc.) or, alternatively, respiration can be improved by using
balsamic type essences.
[0033] The invention described can be subject to numerous
modifications and variations without thereby departing from the
scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the
invention may be substituted by technically equivalent
elements.
* * * * *