U.S. patent application number 11/494994 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for gymnastic machine.
Invention is credited to Nerio Alessandri, Alessandro Del Monaco, Maurizio Roman.
Application Number | 20070027001 11/494994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37057263 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070027001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alessandri; Nerio ; et
al. |
February 1, 2007 |
Gymnastic machine
Abstract
Gymnastic machine (1) having a frame (10) supporting a load unit
(20) and including an exercise station (30) having at least one
functional group (31) mechanically connected to the load unit (20)
to exchange mechanical energy with the load unit (20); the group
(31) including at least one articulated quadrilateral (32) coupled
to the frame (10) and an implement (40) connected to the
articulated quadrilateral (32) and movable with respect to the
frame (10) to exchange energy with the load unit (20); the
implement (40) being shaped in such a way as to be interfaceable
with a particular portion of an extremity of a user and being
movable over an open path (P); a restraint device (52) being
provided in combination with at least one articulated quadrilateral
to control, in use, the displacement of the implement (40) relative
to the frame (10) in such a way that, in use, the implement (40) is
movable along path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear
composite movement.
Inventors: |
Alessandri; Nerio; (Longiano
(FC), IT) ; Roman; Maurizio; (Noale (VE), IT)
; Del Monaco; Alessandro; (Rimini, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
666 THIRD AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
37057263 |
Appl. No.: |
11/494994 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 ;
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0488 20130101;
A63B 2022/0071 20130101; A63B 69/0022 20130101; A63B 2208/0204
20130101; A63B 22/0069 20130101; A63B 21/005 20130101; A63B 21/225
20130101; A63B 21/151 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/051 ;
482/052 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 22/04 20060101 A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2005 |
IT |
RA2005A000029 |
Claims
1. A gymnastic machine (1) having a frame (10) supporting a load
unit (20) and including an exercise station (30) having at least
one functional group (31) mechanically connected to said load unit
(20) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit (20); said
group (31) including at least one articulated quadrilateral (32)
coupled to said frame (10) and an implement (40) connected to said
articulated quadrilateral (32) and movable with respect to said
frame (10) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit (20);
said implement (40) being shaped in such a way as to be
interfaceable with a particular portion of an extremity of a user
and being movable over an open path (P); each said articulated
quadrilateral (32) including a first equalizer and a second
equalizer (33, 34) carried rotatably by said frame (10) around
respective first and second axes (36, 37) and rotationally linked
to each other by a connecting rod (35) in line with respective
third and fourth axes (38, 39); said implement (40) being coupled
to said connecting rod (35) in rotatable manner around a
determinate axis (41); characterized by the fact of including means
of restraint (52) supported by said connecting rod (35) to control,
in use, the displacement of said implement (40) relative to said
frame (10); said means of restraint (52) including articulated
means (52) having a first lever (53) integral with said implement
(40) in such a way that, in use, said implement (40) is movable
along said path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear
composite movement.
2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
said composite movement results from the combination of a movement
of inclination inwards of said implement (40), to reduce varus of
the knee and favor the stability of the ankle, and of a forwards
rotation of said implement (40), with a lowering of a front portion
(44) of said implement (40), and at the same time with a raising of
a rear portion (45) of said implement (40) for the purpose of
stabilizing the centre of gravity of a user in training.
3. Gymnastic machine (1) having a frame (10) supporting a load unit
(20) and including an exercise station (30) having at least one
functional group (31) mechanically connected to said load unit (20)
to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit (20); said group
(31) including at least one articulated quadrilateral (32) coupled
to said frame (10) and an implement (40) connected to said
articulated quadrilateral (32) and movable with respect to said
frame (10) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit (20);
said implement (40) being shaped in such a way as to be
interfaceable with a particular portion of an extremity of a user
and being movable over an open path (P); each said articulated
quadrilateral (32) including a first equalizer and a second
equalizer (33, 34) carried rotatably by said frame (10) around
respective first and second axes (36, 37) and rotationally linked
to each other by a connecting rod (35) in line with respective
third and fourth axes (38, 39); said implement (40) being coupled
to said connecting rod (35) in rotatable manner around a
determinate axis (41); characterized by the fact of including means
of restraint (52) supported by said connecting rod (35) to control,
in use, the displacement of said implement (40) relative to said
frame (10); said means of restraint (52) including articulated
means (52) having a first lever (53) integral with said implement
(40) in such a way that, in use, said implement (40) is movable
along said path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear
composite movement and presenting decreasing vertical levels as it
proceeds laterally from a longitudinal portion of said frame
(10).
4. The machine according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that
said path (P) is substantially level.
5. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of
including two articulated quadrilateral (32), each of which is
provided with a respective said implement (40); said frame (10)
being symmetrical and said articulated quadrilaterals (32) being
located side by side and shaped symmetrically with respect to a
longitudinal median plane (M).
6. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
said first lever (53) is coupled rotationally to said connecting
rod (35) in line with a respective said axis (41); said means of
restraint (52) including a second lever (54) coupled rotationally
to said connecting rod (35) on said axis (39) and a third lever
(55) linked to said members (53) and (54) through respective
articulations (56) (57); said second lever (54) being integral with
said second equalizer (34); said first lever (53) being integral
with said implement (40) to determine said composite movement.
7. The machine according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that
said articulations (56) (57) include spherical pairs (56)(57) to
permit the synchronous movement of said first and second levers
(53)(54) even in conditions of lack of parallelism of respective
fulcrum axes (41)(39) in the respective coupling to said connecting
rod (35).
8. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
said connecting rod (35) is shaped in such a way as to support said
implement (40) on the side of the corresponding said first and
second axes (36, 37) of the relative first and second equalizers
(33, 34).
9. The machine according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that
said connecting rod (35) is shaped in such a way as to present, at
rest, said determinate axis (41) located on the side of said
longitudinal plane (M) and in a substantially intermediate position
between said first and second axes (36, 37) of the relative first
and second equalizers (33, 34), in such a way as to confer compact
and limited dimensions on said exercise station (30).
10. The machine according to claim 8, characterized by the fact
that said connecting rod (35) presents a substantially triangular
shape, with said third axis (38), determinate axis (41), and said
fourth axis (39) positioned adjacent to the apexes of said
connecting rod (35); said determinate axis (41) being carried by an
apex of said connecting rod (35) of substantially triangular shape
located on the side of said longitudinal plane (M).
11. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact
that said implement (40) includes a footboard (40) having an
interface (42) substantially level at least around said determinate
axis (41) to support an extremity of a user; said determinate axis
(41) being inclined in determinate manner with respect to said
interface (42).
12. The machine according to claim 11, characterized by the fact
that said determinate axis (41) is positioned on said connecting
rod (35) in such a way as to trace a path having at least one
substantially circular stretch.
13. The machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact
that said load unit (20) includes at least one dissipating device
(80) capable of transforming into electrical energy the mechanical
movement energy of each said implement (40) with respect to the
corresponding said connecting rod (35); said first equalizer (33)
being connected mechanically to said load unit (20) through a
transmission (70) having at least one flexible component (71).
14. The machine according to claim 13, characterized by the fact
that said dissipating device (80) includes at least one
electromagnetic brake (82) and a mechanical energy storage
component (84) coaxial with each other; said mechanical
transmission (70) being located between the said load station and
the said mechanical energy storage component (84) in order to
transform a reciprocating movement of each said implement (40) into
a rotation of said electromagnetic brake (82).
15. The machine according to claim 14, characterized by the fact of
including a reaction device (90) having an elastic element (92) for
each said articulated quadrilateral (32) and mechanically connected
to said implement (40) in order, in use, to return the respective
said implement (40) to the respective rest position (R) through
said flexible component (71).
16. The machine according to claim 15, characterized by the fact
that each said elastic element (92) includes at least one torsion
spring (92).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a machine effectively
usable for executing physical exercises. In general, this invention
can have application both in gymnastic machines for the execution
of exercises aimed principally at muscular development, and in
machines set up for the execution of training of cyclical type, and
therefore aimed principally at the development of resistance to
prolonged exertion. In more detail the present invention relates to
a gymnastic machine having at least one implement usable for the
repeated execution of reciprocating movements over an open path
through the use of an articulated device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the field of gymnastic machines there are known machines
for the execution of exercises which involve/recruit a single
muscle area; machines for the execution of exercises which recruit
several muscle areas simultaneously or in succession, and for this
reason are designated "functional"; and machines which enable the
development of resistance to prolonged muscular exertion, by means
of which it is possible to perform repetitive
aerobic/cardiovascular exercises. Normally, machines of the first
type are equipped with load units with counterweights, in which the
exercise provides for the execution of a succession of eccentric
and concentric efforts, while machines of the second type are
equipped with load units which can exchange energy with the user
continuously while he/she carries out a cyclical movement without
break in continuity. Among the latter, the most widespread are
stationary bicycles, treadmills for walking or running, so-called
"steppers" for simulating a route with steps, and elliptical
machines for walking and/or running on movable footboards on closed
elliptical trajectories.
[0005] Stationary bicycles, steppers and elliptical machines have
load units designed to operate by absorbing the power exerted by a
user, while treadmills may be either of the type actuated by a
user, or motorized with an actuator which determines the delivery
of power by the user. Steppers, also, are of the `floating` type,
in the sense that the power transmitted to the load unit during the
operation of the footboards determines the average height of the
user's centre of gravity with respect to the base of the machine,
and therefore influences the amplitude of the movement.
[0006] Among machines for cyclical training, the gymnastic machine
is known described with reference to Italian patent application no.
RA2004A000044, filed on 16 Sep. 2004 by the applicant, whose text
is incorporated for brevity, both with reference to the criticism
of the prior art, and with reference to the description of devices
usable for the execution of gymnastic exercises which imitate the
typical movement of skating. In the description in application No.
'044 by the applicant, the teachings are discussed of U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,718,658 and 6,786,850, and the inventive concept is
explained of an articulated device with crossed arms. This
inventive concept leads to the construction of a machine having
arms which at rest are mutually crossed, each of which supports a
footboard usable by the foot of a user. Each footboard is
constrained to rotate with respect to a fulcrum carried integrally
with the free end of the corresponding arm through an articulated
device fitted with asymmetrical levers owing to the necessity of
limiting the longitudinal dimensions of the machine itself.
Naturally this produces a significant complication in production,
with a corresponding considerable economic impact, for example
because of the need to produce asymmetrical frames, having fulcrum
pins inclined differently. This aspect contributes to increasing
the cost of the machine, particularly because of the numerous
pieces of workshop equipment which must be provided in order to
simplify production work, particularly in the case of small
production volumes. In fact, it should be noted that in the case of
specialist gymnastic machines such as the one in question, it is
rare to reach production volumes sufficient to justify investment
in automatic production plant, where the welding and the
positioning of the portions to be rigidly connected to each other
are carried out through the use of robotic tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to create a gymnastic
machine for the simulated execution of the movement of skating,
having compact dimensions and free of the disadvantages described
above.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to create a
gymnastic machine having a high degree of structural symmetry and
limited overall measurements in relation to the extent of the
movement which may be carried out on it, in such a way as to
simplify the production procedure and therefore allow the costs of
production to be minimized.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to construct a
gymnastic machine for the simulated execution of the movement of
skating, which should be usable indifferently by users who are
already practiced in the movements of skating, and by users who are
not practiced in this movement.
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention, which will
become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a gymnastic
machine having a frame supporting a load unit and including an
exercise station having at least one functional group mechanically
connected to the load unit to exchange mechanical energy with the
load unit. The functional group includes at least one articulated
quadrilateral coupled to the frame, and an implement connected to
the articulated quadrilateral and movable with respect to the frame
to exchange mechanical energy with the load unit. The implement is
shaped in such a way as to be interfaceable with a particular
portion of an extremity of a user and is movable over an open path.
Each articulated quadrilateral includes a first equalizer and a
second equalizer carried rotatably by the frame around respective
first and second axes and rotationally linked to each other by a
connecting rod in line with respective third and fourth axes. The
implement is coupled to the connecting rod in rotatable manner
around a determinate axis. The machine includes means of restraint
supported by the connecting rod to control, in use, the
displacement of the implement relative to the frame. The means of
restraint includes articulated means having a first lever integral
with the implement in such a way that, in use, the implement is
movable along the path according to a substantially curvilinear
composite movement.
[0011] The novel features of the present invention, which are
considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in
the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its
construction and its mode of operation, together with additional
advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiment, when read
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will now be described by reference to the
attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of
its embodiment, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view, on an enlarged scale and
with parts removed for clarity, of the machine in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view, on an enlarged scale and
with parts removed for clarity, of the machine in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view seen from below, on an enlarged
scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the machine in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a front portion of
FIG. 1 from a lateral point of view; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a rear portion of
FIG. 1 from a lateral point of view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, in its entirety, a
gymnastic machine having a frame 10 which supports a load unit 20
and an exercise station 30 arranged side by side. This station 30
is capable of exchanging mechanical energy with load unit 20 and
has a group 31 of mechanical components articulated together, which
include at least one articulated quadrilateral 32 coupled to the
frame 10, and an implement 40 shaped so as to be interfaceable with
a particular portion of an articular extremity of a user. In the
example used to illustrate the present invention, it was decided to
opt for a solution in which the extremity of a user is the lower
one, therefore a foot, without this choice being considered
limiting for the possibility of applying the invention itself to
other articular extremities of a user. Each articulated
quadrilateral 32 includes some mechanical members, which have been
designated here and in what follows according to the terminology
used in the field of general mechanics, to facilitate the
interpretation of the text. In particular, each articulated
quadrilateral 32 includes a first equalizer 33, coupled
rotationally to frame 10 along an axis 36, a second equalizer 34,
also coupled rotationally to frame 10 on an axis 37 and a
connecting rod 35 linked to equalizers 33 and 34 by means of known
rotational joints 38 and 39. Each implement 40 is coupled to the
respective connecting rod 35 in freely rotatable manner around an
axis 41 inclined in a particular manner with respect to a face 42
of footboard 40 itself, which defines a support plane of footboard
40, as will be better explained in what follows the present
description.
[0020] As is well-known, each point of each connecting rod 35
describes curves in space shaped in a particular way, whose
conformation depends on the position of the point itself on the
connecting rod 35. For example: curvilinear, convex or biconvex,
and in particular, not just curvilinear shapes but even ovoidal or
extended Fig.-of-eight shapes, and therefore having a crossing.
Seeing that connecting rod 35 is suitably shaped and has the
implement 40 coupled to it in a suitable position, the implement 40
itself is movable along a particular path P, visible in FIG. 2,
which in the case in question is curved and open, as will be better
described further on. For greater clarity, FIG. 2 shows the path of
one of the two axes 41 of the rotational kinematic pair between
connecting rod 35 and footboard 40 of the articulated quadrilateral
32 illustrated on the right in FIG. 2 itself.
[0021] The connecting rod 35, furthermore is shaped like a prism
with a triangular base of limited thickness, which carries in
proximity to the respective corners, and therefore to the apexes of
the base triangle, the kinematic pairs corresponding to axes 38, 39
and 41, previously described. The points of each component of the
two articulated quadrilaterals 32 move on paths parallel to a
plane. Preferably, but without limiting effect, this plane is
inclined with respect to the horizontal, as is easily visible in
the attached Figs. The result is that path P is inclined downwards
in such a way that each implement 40 is movable starting from a
higher level in proximity to a longitudinal median plane M of
machine 1 itself and a lower level located to the side.
[0022] Here and in what follows, for pure convenience, a preference
is made for referring to the concrete case of a machine 1
employable for the simulation of the skating movement, without this
choice necessarily being interpreted as an implicit limitation of
the applicability of the present inventive concept to gymnastic
machines usable for the execution of other forms of training than
that of skating. In line with what has been stated, the machine 1
has two articulated quadrilaterals 32 arranged side by side and
located symmetrically on opposite sides of plane M, fully
analogously with what occurs in the known machines for simulating
the skating movement. A preference is therefore made for assigning
implement 40 the designation of footboard 40. Plane M is visible by
reference to FIG. 2.
[0023] Again for reasons of convenience, it has been preferred not
to complicate the attached drawings and the present description
with the addition of a device, known and not illustrated, for the
control and monitoring of machine 1, a device which is normally
indicated by the term "console", referring to the casing which
contains it. In fact, notwithstanding that such a console normally
has instruments for regulating particular functional aspects of the
machine connected with physiological parameters of the user, the
description of such a device would have added nothing to the
inventive content of the present invention.
[0024] The exercise station 30 includes, for each articulated
quadrilateral 32, a second articulated quadrilateral 52 whose
reference frame is represented by connecting rod 35. In more
detail, each quadrilateral 52 includes a first equalizer 53,
coupled rotationally to the connecting rod 35 coaxially with axis
41, a second equalizer 54, also coupled rotationally to connecting
rod 35 coaxially with axis 39 and a connecting rod 55 of
determinate length, linked to equalizers 53 and 54 by means of
spherical joints 56 and 57. It will be noted that each articulated
quadrilateral 32 is capable of moving the respective articulated
quadrilateral 52 through the respective equalizer 34, which is
rigidly connected to equalizer 54 in such a way as substantially to
constitute, in use, a single body, and therefore a movement of
quadrilateral 32 generates a determinate movement of quadrilateral
52 and vice versa. The footboard 40 and the crank 53, furthermore,
constitute a single member. In particular, the equalizer 53 is
capable of constraining the rotation of the footboard 40 with
respect to connecting rod 35 in such a way as to control in
rotation a foot resting on an upper face 42 of the footboard 40
itself with respect to the corresponding connecting rod 35.
[0025] The choice of spherical joints for connecting the equalizers
53 and 54 through the respective connecting rod 55 has the
advantage of allowing the correct functioning of the articulated
quadrilateral 52 itself even in the event that equalizers 53 and 54
were constrained to rotate on axes 41 and 39 not parallel to each
other, or in the event that the execution of the (known and not
illustrated) housings of the (known and not illustrated) fulcrum
pins of equalizers 53 and 54 on connecting rod 35 were to present a
lack of parallelism, or in the event that deformation were to arise
in the housings and/or in the pins such as to compromise the
parallelism between axes 41 and 39 following improper use of the
machine 1 itself. By virtue of what has been described above, the
production specifications for connecting rod 35 and the respective
(known and not illustrated) housings of equalizers 53 and 54, and
of the respective (known and not illustrated) fulcrum pins can be
defined with a greater degree of tolerance, with positive
consequences for the production costs, which will be significantly
reduced.
[0026] The control of the movement of each footboard 40 confers on
each articulated quadrilateral 32, and in particular on each
respective footboard 40, the capacity to support the feet of a user
in a mating, and therefore bilateral, manner along the path P from
and towards a rest position R of footboard 40, in which the latter
lies alongside plane M, and then alternating a first thrust phase
with a subsequent return phase to the position R. By virtue of what
has been described above, this occurs along the whole of path P,
which is inclined downwards in its respective outer part, with the
aim of increasing the safety of machine 1 for careless or
inadequately trained or skilled users. Naturally, in the event that
it is necessary to adapt the behavior of footboard 40 to the needs
of users, the component 55 can also have length adjustable at
will.
[0027] On the basis of what has been described above, the rotation
of the footboard 40 with respect to the connecting rod 35 is
controlled by quadrilateral 52 by means of equalizer 53 which, in
its turn, is controlled by quadrilateral 32, by means of equalizer
34. The assembly, therefore, of the two quadrilaterals 32 and 52
may be interpreted as a device capable of controlling the movement
of the implement 40 relative to the frame 10 in such a way that a
foot placed on footboard 40 is guided in space along a composite
path with the modalities described above in conditions of contact
and rest relative to face 42, through the combination of the
rotational movement of footboard 40 around axis 41 and the movement
of connecting rod 35 with respect to frame 10. The footboard 40 is
constrained with respect to connecting rod 35 so that face 42 is
maintained substantially parallel to a determinate horizontal plane
starting in the rest position R. As a result, in the particular
case in which all the points on the equalizers and on the
connecting rod 35 of the corresponding articulated quadrilateral 32
move on paths parallel to a horizontal plane, the face 42 will be
perpendicular to axis 41. In other cases, as for example with
reference to the attached Figs., in order for face 42 of footboard
40 to be substantially horizontal in position R, the face 42 will
have to be not perpendicular with respect to axis 41, and inclined
in relation to the specifications of the case. By virtue of what
has been described above, the corresponding group 31 is capable of
producing a composite movement of the respective footboards 40
starting from the rest position R in which the footboards are
arranged parallel to each other and longitudinally with respect to
machine 1, as is visible in FIG. 1. In particular, the composite
movement of each footboard during the thrust phase of the relative
connecting rod 35 towards the outside, and simultaneous rotation of
equalizers 33 and 34, includes a rotation around axis 41, an
inclination inwards, and simultaneously a forwards rotation, to
lower a front portion 44 of footboard 40 and simultaneously to
raise a respective rear portion 45. The inclination inwards of
footboard 40 allows varus of the knee to be reduced and favors the
stability of the ankle in the lateral thrust, while the forwards
inclination of footboard 40 favors stabilization of the user's
centre of gravity on the foot which rests on footboard 40 located
alongside longitudinal median plane M in respective position R, and
therefore in an advanced position with respect to the other
footboard 40, on which the thrust is currently being applied. In
the event that the footboard 40 were to remain constantly parallel
to itself, the user would have to displace his/her centre of
gravity on the rearward thrust stroke, weakening the support
capacity of the leg which is in a forward position. This also
allows the sole of each of the user's feet to be kept substantially
perpendicular and at rest with respect to an upper face 42 of the
relative footboard 40 in the course of the evolution of the
position of the corresponding footboard 40, and therefore
constantly mating with this face 42. In this way, it will be
possible to fully exploit the movement imparted by the user, in
full respect of joint biomechanics, with the result that the thrust
produced will be the maximum producible by a user in training, and
therefore in full dynamic equilibrium. In addition, it follows that
this makes optional the recourse to a holding component capable of
embracing at least one transverse portion of the foot, and thus
allows simplified construction of the individual footboards 40,
which will also be able to be smooth on their upper surface, with
the added advantage of a reduction in cost. By transference, the
compound movement of footboard 40 may also be summed up by the term
`eversion movement`, because of the affinity which this movement
has with the movement of flexion and pronation which the sole of a
foot can execute when the relative leg is maintained in a static
condition.
[0028] The layout of each group 31 on opposite sides of
longitudinal median plane M has significant advantages from the
point of view of overall dimensions and functionality for the
machine 1 as a whole, given that it allows compact stations 30 to
be constructed to small dimensions, both as regards overall
measurements on plan and in elevation. This last characteristic
constitutes a very important advantage as it allows machine 1 to be
made more easily accessible at the time when the user wants to
utilize it, and therefore when it is necessary to climb onto
footboards 40. It should furthermore be borne in mind that the
particular conformation of the group 31 of station 30 allows a user
to bring each footboard 40 onto the opposite side of plane M as the
one on which the respective articulated quadrilateral 32 is
located, in particular conditions of operation, to suit the skating
style of each user. Lastly, it is clear that, as may be seen in
FIG. 2, quadrilaterals 32 of group 31 are shaped symmetrically to
each other, making station 30 simpler and less expensive to
construct because of the reduced number of parts which must be kept
in stock. In addition, it is as well to state that this
simplification also produces a reduction in the costs of
maintenance.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 1, and particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6,
the load unit 20 includes at least one dissipating device 80,
capable of transforming into electrical energy the mechanical
movement energy of each footboard 40 with respect to the
corresponding connecting rod 35, in a similar way to patent
application no. RA2004A000044 by the applicant, to which please
refer for the corresponding teachings, summarily recalled here for
brevity. In particular, each equalizer 33 is connected mechanically
to the corresponding load unit 20 through a transmission 70 having
at least one flexible component 71. The dissipating device 80 also
includes at least one electromagnetic brake 82 and a storage
component for mechanical energy, in the case in point and without
limiting effect a flywheel 84 coaxial with a disc 83 for the
electromagnetic brake 82. The mechanical transmission 70 is located
between the load station 30 and the flywheel 84 to transform a
reciprocating movement of each implement 40 from and towards
position R into a rotation of flywheel 84 and of disc 83 of
electromagnetic brake 82. Naturally electromagnetic brake 82
includes a control unit 86, capable of modulating the resistance to
the rotation of the flywheel 84 according to the needs of the user
in training.
[0030] Still according to FIG. 1, and with particular reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6, the machine 1 includes a reaction device 90
connected to the load unit 20 and connected to each articulated
quadrilateral 32 to return each footboard 40, in use, to its
respective rest position R through flexible component 71. For this
purpose, the device 90 is fitted with an elastic element 92,
connected mechanically to footboard 40, and including at least one
axial torsion spring 92 located with its respective longitudinal
axis transverse to longitudinal median plane M, similarly to what
has already been described in patent application no. RA2004A000044
by the applicant.
[0031] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may
be made to machine 1 here described and illustrated without for
this reason departing from the protective scope of the present
invention.
[0032] In any case it is as well to state that, differently from
what is found in patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,130 and
WO9409858, which illustrate gymnastic machines which utilize
articulated quadrilaterals and footboards linked to respective
connecting rods of the quadrilaterals themselves, in machine 1 each
footboard 40 is linked to the respective connecting rod 32 adjacent
to the extension of connecting rod 32 towards the inside of the
quadrilateral, in other words towards the fulcrum axes 38 and 39 of
the corresponding equalizers 33 and 34, and footboard 40, in this
way, is linked to connecting rod 35 adjacent to a position almost
intermediate between fulcrum axes 38 and 39 themselves. From this
particular configuration it follows that the exercise station 30 is
more compact than those in documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,130 and
WO9409858, but also than the exercise station described in patent
application no. RA2004A000044 by the applicant.
[0033] Though the present invention was shown and described with
references to the preferred embodiment, such is merely illustrative
of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limitation
thereof and various modifications of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore not intended
that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment
or details thereof, and the present invention includes all
variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and
scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
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