U.S. patent application number 10/583203 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for exercise machine with device for handling on wheels.
Invention is credited to Rodolfo Panatta.
Application Number | 20070105694 10/583203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38004501 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070105694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Panatta; Rodolfo |
May 10, 2007 |
Exercise machine with device for handling on wheels
Abstract
The present industrial invention refers to an exercise machine
provided with a device for handling on wheels mounted under the
machine platform and comprising a wheel supported at the end of an
arm that oscillates freely on the vertical plane, which
spontaneously tends to descend and remain in lowered position by
means of a retention mechanism actuated by a spring and deactivated
by a pedal.
Inventors: |
Panatta; Rodolfo; (Apiro,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Armstrong, Kratz, Quintos, Hanson & Brooks;Intellectual Property Law
Offices
502 Washington Avenue
suite 220
Towson
MD
21204
US
|
Family ID: |
38004501 |
Appl. No.: |
10/583203 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT04/00639 |
371 Date: |
June 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 2022/0658 20130101; A63B 71/0036 20130101; A63B 2071/025
20130101; A63B 71/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 69/16 20060101 A63B069/16 |
Claims
1. Exercise machine with device for handling on wheels, of the type
comprising at least a ground platform (2) provided with front and
back feet (3) and wheels (4) with fixed axis located next to the
front edge of the platform (2) before the feet (3), having a
suitable height to prevent the wheels (4) from touching the ground,
machine (1) characterised by the fact that it is equipped with at
least one device (6) mounted under the platform (2) in opposite
position with respect to the wheels (4), which comprises a wheel
(7) supported at the end of an arm (8) that oscillates freely on a
vertical plane, spontaneously tends to descend and is blocked in
lowered position by means of a retention mechanism (10, 10a)
actuated by a return spring (11) and deactivated by means of a
pedal (12) pivoted onto the platform (2); it being provided that
when the retention mechanism is activated, the machine (1) is
raised from the ground and tilted forward so that the feet (3) lose
contact with the ground and the wheels (4 and 7) touch the
ground.
2. Machine as defined in claim 1, characterised by the fact that
the arm (8) has a shelf-like configuration with a central lowered
housing (8a) and a lateral transversal ramp (8b) immediately before
the housing (8a); with the ramp (8b) and the housing (8a) acting as
slide and stop for a bearing (10a) supported at the end of a rod
(10) which is provided at the other end with a collar (10b) for
pivoting at a bearing pin with vertical axis fixed to the platform
(2), in such a way that the rod (10) freely oscillates on the
horizontal plane under the platform (2); it being provided that the
rod (10) is constantly subject to the action of the return spring
(11), which tends to raise the bearing (10a) onto the ramp (8b)
until it engages inside the housing (8a).
3. Machine as defined in claim 2, characterised by the fact that
the device (6) also comprises a pedal (12) pivoted onto the
platform (2) and connected by means of a connecting rod (13) to a
cylindrical support (14) in contrast with the rod (10), which
slides inside a support and guide bush (15) fixed under the
platform (2) with longitudinal axis in horizontal position
perpendicular the axis of the arm (8).
4. Machine as defined in claim 1, characterised by the fact that
the wheel (7) is a pivot wheel.
Description
[0001] The present patent application refers to an exercise machine
with device for handling on wheels.
[0002] The purpose of the present invention is to find a solution
to the problem faced when an exercise machine, with suitable
dimensions and weight to be lifted manually by one operator, must
be temporarily moved from its working position.
[0003] As it is known to users of body-building machines, the
structure of some exercise machines comprises one or more ground
platforms that support the bearing frame of the exercise
machine.
[0004] Reference is made to exercise machines such as stationary
bicycles or spinning bicycles, step machines or treadmills.
Although they are mainly used in public gyms, these machines are
more and more used in home environments, thanks to their compact
size that allows to place them in large rooms, such as bathrooms or
bedrooms.
[0005] These machines are quite compact in size and relatively
light in weight, and may be moved manually by one or maximum two
operators.
[0006] In view of the above, manufacturers have decided to provide
this kind of exercise machines with wheels to allow the operator to
move them around without great effort.
[0007] A similar device is, for example, provided for in spinning
bicycles, in view of the fact that many gyms do not have a
dedicated room for spinning lessons, and group sessions are usually
held in large rooms that are normally used for aerobics or
gymnastics.
[0008] In view of the above, when lessons are over, spinning
bicycles must be moved from the centre of the room and parked one
next to the other next to the walls. They will be moved and
arranged in their working position before the next lesson
begins.
[0009] Apart from the organisation of spinning sessions, exercise
machines need to be moved for very different reasons, both in gyms
and at home, for example for cleaning, space organization and
use.
[0010] As mentioned earlier, based on the aforementioned
considerations, this kind of exercise machines is normally provided
with wheels with fixed axis under the ground platforms, so that the
operator can manually move the machine by lifting the opposite side
with respect to the wheels and pushing it in the desired direction,
while maintaining the machine lifted during handling.
[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the
need for the operator to maintain the machine lifted during
handling, thanks to the presence of a new, original device mounted
in opposite position with respect to the wheels with fixed
axis.
[0012] The device comprises a pivot wheel supported at the end of
an arm that oscillates freely on the vertical plane and can be
placed in two stable positions at the stop limit that correspond to
working and idle position, respectively.
[0013] More precisely, when the machine is lifted from the ground,
the arm is lowered spontaneously because of gravity and remains
permanently in lowered position because of a retention mechanism
with a spring. This means that when the operator has lifted the
machine, the machine is slightly lifted and tilted forward, using
the pivot wheel as the only support point in the back.
[0014] Assuming that because of the slightly forward inclination
the front wheels of the machine touch the ground (if necessary), it
appears evident that the exercise machine touches the ground with
the wheels only, thus allowing the operator to push the machine and
move it, with good manoeuvring capabilities thanks to the pivot
wheel.
[0015] Moreover, the device of the invention is provided with a
pedal that can be pressed to eliminate the action of the retention
mechanism, thus allowing the oscillating arm to raise under the
weight of the machine on the pivot wheel located at the end of the
arm.
[0016] For major clarity the description of the machine according
to the present invention continues with reference to the enclosed
drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration only and
not in a limiting sense, showing a spinning bicycle according to
the invention as an example:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of the machine of the invention, which
is supported and moved by means of wheels;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the machine of the invention in
working condition, with platforms on the ground;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the machine of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device mounted on the
machine of the invention in working condition, that is to say with
pivot wheel in lowered position;
[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 are a top and side view of FIG. 5,
respectively;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device mounted on the
machine of the invention in idle condition, that is to say with
pivoting wheel in raised position;
[0024] FIGS. 9 and 10 are a top and side view of FIG. 8,
respectively.
[0025] With reference to the aforementioned figures, the machine of
the invention (1) is provided with a standing platform (2) with
front and back feet (3).
[0026] In the case of the bicycle shown in the figures, the
platform (2) is divided into two platforms--a front and a back
platform--and contains wheels (4) with fixed axis located next to
the front edge of the platform (2) before the feet (3), having a
suitable height to prevent the wheels (4) from touching the ground,
so that the machine (1) stands on the front and back feet (3) when
the machine (1) is in working or parking position.
[0027] The presence and location of the wheels (4) permit to move
the machine (1) on the wheels (4), just like a wheelbarrow, after
lifting the platform (2) on the opposite side with respect to the
wheels (4) to detach the feet (3) from the ground and let the front
wheels (4) touch.
[0028] The machine of the invention is characterised by the fact
that it is provided with a device (6) located on the platform (2)
in opposite position with respect to the wheels (4), with the
possibility of holding the machine (1) slightly raised and with the
wheels (4) in contact with the ground.
[0029] The device (6) incorporates a wheel (7) that is the only
support point of the machine (1) in the back when the machine (1)
is held in raised position by the device (6).
[0030] More precisely, the wheel (7) is supported at the end of an
oscillating arm (8) that is pivoted at the other end on a pin (9)
with horizontal axis fixed to the platform (2), in such a way that
the arm (8) oscillates freely on the vertical plane under the
platform (2).
[0031] The arm (8) has a shelf-like configuration with lowered
central housing (8a) and a lateral transversal ramp (8b) in lateral
position that ends immediately before the housing (8a).
[0032] The ramp (8b) and the housing (8a) act as slide and stop for
a bearing (10a) supported at the end of a rod (10), which is
provided at the other end with a collar (10b) for pivoting at a
bearing pin with vertical axis fixed to the platform (2), in such a
way that the rod (10) freely oscillates on the horizontal plane
under the platform (2).
[0033] The rod (10) is constantly subject to the action of a return
spring (11) that tends to make the bearing (10a) raise onto the
ramp (8b) until it engages in the housing (8a).
[0034] The device (6) also comprises a pedal (12) that, when
pressed, brings the rod (10) back, thus overcoming the action of
the return spring (11) to remove the bearing (10a) from the housing
(8a) and move it down the ramp (8b).
[0035] The pedal (12) is pivoted onto the platform (2) and
connected by means of a connecting-rod (13) to a cylindrical
support (14) that is inserted and slides inside a support and guide
bush (15) fixed under the platform (2) with longitudinal axis in
horizontal position perpendicular to the axis of the arm (8). When
the bearing (10a) is inside the housing (8a), the support (14) is
in the maximum backward position, which corresponds to lifting the
pedal above the platform (2), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0036] In this condition the machine (1) stands on the front wheels
(4) and on the back wheel (7) and can therefore be moved by simply
pushing it.
[0037] If the pedal (12) is pressed downwards, it actuates the
support (14) that pushes the rod (10) backwards, in spite of the
resistance offered by the return spring (11), thus transferring the
bearing (10a) to the side of the arm (8), which is now free to move
upwards, letting the platform (2) go down and the feet (3) touch
the ground.
[0038] Once the feet (3) touch the ground, the arm (8) goes back to
the maximum lifting position, so that the bearing (10a) is forced
to remain still on the side of the arm (8), until the arm (8) makes
a new descending travel because the machine (1) is lifted from the
opposite side with respect to the wheels (4), that is to say from
the side where the device (6) is mounted.
[0039] Although reference is made to exercise machines, preferably
with limited weight and size, the invention can be advantageously
used for heavy exercise machines that are usually lifted by means
of traditional lifting devices, such as hoists or forklift
trucks.
[0040] In these cases the exercise machine could be provided with
one or more devices (6).
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