U.S. patent application number 14/312083 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for weight adjustment by means of a ramp.
The applicant listed for this patent is Peter A. MUELLER. Invention is credited to Peter A. MUELLER.
Application Number | 20150367162 14/312083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54868730 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150367162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MUELLER; Peter A. |
December 24, 2015 |
Weight adjustment by means of a ramp
Abstract
A weight adjuster on a weight station which has a support frame
on which a rotatably mounted guide frame is attached which has
rails on which the weight can be moved in the longitudinal
direction by means of pulleys or sliding elements, and the angle of
the guide frame is continuously adjustable by means of an actuator
means and therefore effects a change in the load on the rope. The
rope can supply electrical power, and a training program can be
optimized by means of buttons, a force sensor, a rotational-speed
sensor, a vibration generator and the controller.
Inventors: |
MUELLER; Peter A.;
(Gattikon, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MUELLER; Peter A. |
Gattikon |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
54868730 |
Appl. No.: |
14/312083 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4033 20151001;
A63B 2220/51 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/10
20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 2071/0683 20130101; A63B
21/0622 20151001; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 21/4034 20151001;
A63B 2220/34 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/154 20130101;
A63B 2071/0627 20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 21/00072
20130101; A63B 2220/54 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B
21/0058 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. A weight adjuster, wherein the weight adjuster is connected to a
weight station and comprises a support frame on which the guide
frame with the rotary bearing and the guide pulley is fastened, and
attached to the guide frame are rails on which the weight is
movable, and also guided and supported, in the longitudinal
direction according to the lift by means of pulleys or sliding
elements, and an actuator means is fastened to the guide frame,
which actuator means makes the guide frame continuously adjustable
through the angle, and the weight is fastened to the rope which is
fed past or deflected at the guide pulley and is fastened at the
other end to the training means and has an angle measurement
means.
2. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the guide
pulley is attached such that the rope pulls parallel to the rail
and centric between the rails independent of the angular position
of the guide frame.
3. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the rail forms
the guide frame and acts as a ramp which can be swiveled from a
vertical position up to an almost horizontal position.
4. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the rope
comprises an integrated electric power and data cable which can be
connected to the button, the force sensor, the display and the
controller.
5. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the guide
frame can be adjusted during training with regard to the angle by
means of the buttons or automatically by means of an algorithm in
the controller, and the button can be a piezo button having a radio
module.
6. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the can be
detected by a rotary-speed sensor and values are transmitted to the
controller.
7. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the rope
absorbs the frequency generated by the vibration generator at the
deflection pulley and transmits it specifically to the training
means.
8. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the training
means comprises one of the following elements, which are a grip
bar, a pull or push rod, a padded bar, a padded plate, a foot
plate, a strap, a barbell and the like.
9. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the guide
frame can be swiveled hydraulically, electrically or manually by
means of the actuator means and can be locked in any position, and
the actuator means is fastened in a rotatably mounted manner to the
support frame on the one side and to the guide frame on the other
side.
10. The weight adjuster according to claim 9, wherein the actuator
means is a cylinder or a rack with a pinion or a rotary motor with
worm gear, and attached thereto or therein is an angle measuring
means or length measuring means which acts electronically or
mechanically.
11. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein a hoist
serves for elongating the lift by means of the hoist pulley which
is attached to the weight and effects the lift.
12. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the rope is
guided at the deflection roller and is optionally attached to a cam
disc or an eccentric.
13. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the guide
frame is supported by a gas spring which can be blocked, or a
ratchet lock or a worm gear provides for the locking.
14. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the weight
adjuster has a damper, and the weight can consist of lead and can
be segmented for assembly and can have a cover.
15. The weight adjuster according to claim 1, wherein a curved
measuring rail or a mark is located at the guide frame and curved
measuring rail or a mark is located at the support frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention is based on a device on an exercise machine
for continuously adjusting therewith a training weight by means of
an actuator means and for enabling, if needed, a load increase or
decrease by pressing a button or automatically during the training
exercise, according to the preamble of the first claim.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Exercise machines for studios or for home are known, wherein
in most cases, a metal weight guided on rods can be vertically
lifted or lowered with rope pulls and pulleys, and the ropes can be
guided in different directions in order to keep the body
musculature such as back muscles, arm muscles, abdominal muscles
leg muscles and also smaller muscle groups under muscle tension in
any angular position in order to strengthen the musculature and to
improve the cardiovascular system. In order to maintain a constant
force on arms and legs during rotational movements, systems are
known which, by means of an eccentric, keep a certain weight
constant over the entire lift or radian measure, as described in
the U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,873 or DE 3445104 A1 or DE 197 10 132 C1.
For a simpler weight adjustment, manual and electromechanical
systems are known such as, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,729 Bs or DE
10 2006 003 731 A1, or by means of adjusting the load arm in Patent
EP1423170 B1.
[0003] Also, machines are known which, instead of using weights,
generate a certain tension or pressure by means of fluid cylinders,
and some comprise adjustable load settings.
[0004] Likewise, weight machines are known which use steel springs
or elastic bands.
[0005] Furthermore, systems are known in which an electric motor
generates the desired resistance and the motors serve as resistance
and as drive, e.g., in order to take a certain weight position or
to provide high resistance during slow-speed weight lowering
exercises, called negative exercises, as described in the U.S. Pat.
No. 4,635,933.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is based on a means that can be adjusted in a
simple manner in order to continuously adjust the training load on
an exercise machine electrically or manually, and to adjust the
load also during the exercise and, if needed, to be able to also
perform slow-speed exercises and high-intensity exercises,
according to the preamble of the first claim.
[0007] It is standard for fitness and weight machines to use
disc-shaped or rectangular weight elements from metal in different
weight classes which are guided on a vertical rod guide and to
connect the respective number of weight stacks to a pull rod by
means of a simple pin, wherein the pull rod is attached to a rope
which is guided by means of deflection pulleys and is finally
fastened to the barbell handles or pressure plates for leg pressing
or to the respective handle bars for back exercises and abdominal
exercises.
[0008] The trend is towards optimizing the sitting position, i.e.,
correct position of the trainee in order to bring the joints of the
trainee in alignment with the rotary elements of an exercise or
weight machine, i.e., the body joints are to be aligned as
accurately as possible with regard to pivot points of the
articulated joints of the machine, and the training weights are to
be included in the optimization, which training weights are
generated by means of virtual weights in the form of electric
motors which generate resistance instead of using metal
weights.
[0009] The desired and found sitting positions and also the weights
to be lifted are finally transmitted by means of sensors to a
controller and are stored there, i.e., the seat height, the
distance from the seat to the machine, and the handle positions or
leg pressing plate positions are often also stored and serve for
finding the same body position again with respect to the weight
station for the next training by making the previously stored data
accessible by means of a chip of the weight station.
[0010] Also, systems are known in which a weight can be
electrically moved by means of a boom towards or away from the
rotary bearing and therefore form an adjustable lever arm and the
displaceable weight effects in this manner a change in torque,
i.e., a changed load on the pull rope, which, due to the curved
movement of such a lever arm, forms unequal loads over the vertical
travel, which is hardly professional. Subsequently, the provided
resisting force is finally transmitted by means of a gear and a
corresponding gearing ratio to the barbell handles, wherein a
corresponding vertical travel has also to be provided for the
barbell handles.
[0011] These complicated and expensive constructions are simplified
by means of the solution disclosed here and therefore can be
produced in a cost-effective manner. At the same time, they allow
for each angular position or lifting position of the barbell
handles or the foot plate to increase or decrease the weight in
situ.
[0012] The advantage of this construction is that the fitness
machine is based on the usual weight unit which is vertically
stackable and is guided on rods and which is attached to a rope and
is guided via deflection pulleys to the respective training
application, but with the fundamental difference that all weight
elements are always lifted together, but the total weight, which is
displaceable on a rail, results in a different load effected by
means of the angularly adjustable rail. If, e.g., the total weight
is 100 kg and it is vertically lifted upwards, the load to be
lifted is 100 kg plus friction; however, if the total weight is
theoretically brought in a horizontal position, no load to be
lifted can be felt, only the friction for horizontally moving the
total weight can be felt. Thus, any angle below 90.degree.
increases the load to be lifted accordingly.
[0013] In order that the loads to be lifted on a training machine
for fitness or athletic sports are and remain reproducible, which
loads show the actual performance level, and also to document a
reliable success statistics, it is advantageous to keep the
friction as low as possible and to allow no stick-slip effects.
This requirement can be ideally implemented by pulleys. Magnetic
suspension and air cushion suspension could also be considered;
however, this is an application for exercise machines and as little
electrical power as possible should be consumed and, at the same
time, little noise should be generated. The wheels can be covered
with a plastic coating in order to effectively reduce the noise
during the movement on the angularly adjustable rail.
[0014] Adjusting the ramp is carried out electrically, either with
an electrically operated spindle cylinder, or hydraulically,
wherein oil flow and pressure can ultimately also be generated by
means of an electric motor or by means of a motor with pinion and
rack or sprocket or the like.
[0015] Furthermore, the exercise machine can also be adjusted
manually with the support of a gas spring which makes the weight
"lighter" and which can optionally also be directly blocked.
[0016] A controller having adequate sensors secures the desired
precise position of the rail and, associated therewith, the load to
be generated for each application. Also, with the buttons on the
barbell handle, the load can be increased or reduced during
training by pressing the buttons, or auto mode can be selected.
[0017] An electric cable that transmits power for the orders and
data is optionally integrated in the pull rope and thus, there are
no further cables that hang around or such cables that have to be
fixed appropriately.
[0018] Actuating the angular position of the weights can also be
carried out by means of conventional wirelessly operating buttons;
however, they are hardly ecological since batteries have to be
appropriately disposed and thus are also associated with service
costs. An environmentally compatible version that involves no
service costs can be implemented with piezo buttons which, upon
pressing the button, generate enough electricity for providing a
corresponding radio signal to the controller. Apart from manually
operating the buttons, the buttons can also be operated in
"automatic" in that an algorithm in the controller automates weight
increase and decrease.
[0019] Moreover, with this technical solution it is also possible
to use the weight station as high-intensity training machine, for
negative exercises in that by the same active cylinder that serves
for the basic setting of the training weight, the weight can be
sequentially or continuously adjusted during training either
manually or by means of an algorithm. It is likewise possible to
perform high-intensity negative exercises with electrically
operated weight station without physical weights; however, the
electric power consumption is many times higher since always the
total weight, this means, full resistance has to be generated,
whereas with the construction described here, the base load is set
once and thereafter only the differential load is generated by
means of angular adjustment of the rail, similar to a ramp, and
thus the corresponding load is generated. In addition, no jerking
can be felt and also no cogging torque due to the magnetic fields
of an electric motor operating at low rpm and during long
standstill periods under load, such an electric motor can burn out.
With this new solution by means of ramp adjustment, it is possible
via a simple weight, which has a physical size with a constant load
acting on the pull rope over the entire lifting travel until a
different weight is desired, to provide a new load in a fast and
simple manner by pressing a button, which is very much appreciated
by the trainee.
[0020] Due to the elegant rail adjustment by tilting as needed and
the associated change in the load, the trainee does not need a
sparring partner or a personal coach which normally would assist in
providing additional weights or would help during weight
lifting.
[0021] This is achieved according to the invention by the features
of the first claim.
[0022] The central idea of the invention is that on an exercise or
weight machine having a weight which is attached to a frame and
which can be moved on pulleys on a guided rail, the angle of the
guided rail can be adjusted by means of actuator means, and the
weight is fastened to a rope, and a corresponding exercise means or
weight training means is fastened to the other end, and in this
manner, the load can be continuously adjusted or readjusted
automatically or manually, wherein the ramp can be adjusted from
vertical to practically horizontal. The active cylinder serves for
setting the basic load and, at the same time, as a load adjuster
for the negative exercises and high-intensity exercises. The pull
rope or pull band has an integrated electric power supply for
actuating a button or for displaying the weight, and by means of
these buttons or by means of the remote control buttons, the
training weight can be individually changed at any time during the
course of the training.
[0023] Further advantageous configurations of the invention arise
from the sub-claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Hereafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention are
explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings. The
same elements in the different figures are designated by the same
reference signs.
[0025] In the figures:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a weight adjuster on a
weight station, with a guide frame which is rotatably mounted on a
support frame and in which a weight is mounted on rails by means of
pulleys and which, by means of a hoist via guide pulley and
deflection pulleys, guides the weight on a rope to the training
application means, and an actuator means on the support frame is
connected to the guide frame, and with buttons which are connected
to the pull rope that transmits electric power and data and are
connected to the controller.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a weight adjuster on a
weight station, with a guide frame which is rotatably mounted on a
support frame and in which a weight is mounted on rails by means of
pulleys and which, by means of the guide pulley, guides the weight
on a rope to the training application means, and a gas spring is
connected to the guide frame on the support frame and a release
cable runs to a console having a release button provided on an
adjusting lever, and a sprocket is attached to the rotatably
mounted guide frame, which sprocket is in engagement with a gear
rack that is connected to the adjusting lever by means of a Bowden
cable, and with an angle indicator.
[0028] Only those elements are schematically shown that are
directly essential for understanding the invention.
Ways to Implement the Invention
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a weight adjuster 1 at
a weight station 2 which, on a support frame 3, has a guide frame 4
with a rotary bearing 5 which also carries a guide pulley 6. The
guide frame 4 has rails 7 in which a weight 8 is guided with
pulleys 9. The weight 8 on a rope 10 is operatively connected to
the training means 14 by means of a hoist 11 by means of the hoist
pulley 12 and further deflection pulleys 13 and is fastened there,
wherein buttons 16 with a display 17, which are connected to the
controller 18, are attached on the grip bar 15, and an actuator
means 19 on the support frame 3 is connected to the guide frame 4.
A force sensor 20, a rotational-speed sensor 21 and a vibration
generator 22 are utilized for training optimization.
[0030] At weight stations 2, stacked weights which are guided on
rods and which are in operative connection to a pull rope are
connected on the opposite side in each case to a training means,
which can be a dumbbell, barbell, foot plate etc. and represent a
standard solution. In order to set the stacked weight for training,
the pull rope has a perforated rod which extends into the segmented
stacked weights, and each of the weight segments likewise has a
transverse hole which can be connected to the perforated rod by a
corresponding pin. The pin carries all stacked weights arranged
thereabove and the training weight is adjusted in this manner. As
shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,729 B2, the desired number of
weight segments can also be connected to one another via gear
wheels and grippers and thus can regulate the training weight.
[0031] The inventive solution show a considerably simpler weight
adjustment for training and is based on the principle of a ramp
with an adjustable incline, wherein the displaceable weight 8 is
always the same and the required load for training is achieved by
means of the variable inclined position of the ramp. A total weight
can also be moved as a whole by means of a weight attached on a
load arm; however, this serves only for setting the weight relative
to the pivot point on the load arm and in interaction with the
engagement point of a pull rope on the load arm, which determines
the leverage force, wherein the load arm follows a partial circle,
i.e., the load on the rope does not remain constant but forms a
sinusoidal shape with regard to the load as a function of the angle
or lift.
[0032] The inventive solution provides that a constant load acts on
the rope 10 over the entire lift H with the exception that this can
be changed individually by means of the auto mode or by means of
the buttons 16. The weight 8 has smoothly running pulleys 9 which
are guided in a guide frame 4 which has rails 7 and serves as a
ramp, and the rail 7 has a U- or C-profile or an O-profile or a
similar profile which is mounted in tubular, concave, convex or
flat manner so that the weight 8 is in any case properly guided in
the rail profile of rail 7 and cannot tilt therein, which is also
ensured through the centric connection of the rope 10 to weight 8.
If the rope 10 is pulled, the weight 8 moves like a slide in the
central rail or along the rails 7 attached on both sides and
performs a lift H.
[0033] By means of the guide frame 4, a ramp incline can be
generated in that an actuator means 19 is attached to said guide
frame, which actuator means 19 is connected to the support frame 3.
The actuator means 19 can be an electric cylinder or a fluid
cylinder or, as shown in FIG. 2, a rack means or a pinion or a worm
gear and the like and can interact at the rotary bearing 5 with a
motor that is directly attached there.
[0034] The ramp incline is detected by means of an angle
measurement means or the like and can be displayed on a display 17
and processed in the controller 18.
[0035] The guide frame 4 is connected to the support frame 3 by
means of the rotary bearing 5 and, at the same time, the guide
pulley 6 is located at the rotary bearing 5, which guide pulley
serves for keeping the rope 10 in the respective running direction.
In the basic position, the guide frame 4 hangs vertically from the
support frame 3 and in this case, the rope 10 runs straight and
vertical over the entire distance up to one of the deflection
pulleys 13. When the actuator means 19 is actuated and the guide
frame 4 swivels upwards, virtually up into the horizontal position,
the rope 10 at the guide pulley 6 passes through an angle of almost
90.degree. but enables the weight 8 to continue to slide smoothly
in the rail 7. The guide pulley 6 is mounted such that the rope 10
pulls parallel to the rail 7, regardless of the ramp position, and
also centric between the rails 7. By means of the formula for an
"inclined plane" the load acting on the rope can be calculated;
however, the friction values at the guide pulley 6, the deflection
pulleys 13 and the pulleys 9 are to be included as well and the
whole load can be empirically estimated for different angular
positions of the rails 7. Likewise, the effective tensile load on
the rope 10 can be effectively measured by a force sensor 20, which
can be an inexpensive hanging scale, and in connection with the
controller 18, the target value can be correlated with the actual
value by correspondingly extending and retracting the actuator
means 19 so that a ramp change is generated and the angle at the
rail 7 changes such that the desired load on the rope 10 can be
adjusted precisely.
[0036] Instead of the pulleys 9, sliding elements can also be used
which today have very good sliding properties, in particular with
the addition of PTFE or oil-containing incorporations, which is not
of central importance here, but it has to be ensured that no
stick-slip effect occurs because this could result in a partial
intermittences during the lifting movement.
[0037] The guiding of the rope 10 illustrated here corresponds to a
hoist 11 in that the rope 10 is fastened to the guide frame 4 and
the hoist pulley 12 is mounted on the weight 8 and subsequently,
the rope 10 is fed past the guide roller 6 to the deflection
pulleys 13 and is finally fastened to the training means 14. The
advantage is that in this regard, the lift H of the weight 8 is
only half with respect to the lift H1 at the rope 10 or the grip
bar 15. The theoretical disadvantage is that the weight 8 has to be
double as high, but the benefit that, in turn, the guide frame 4 is
built correspondingly shorter and thus swings out less far
compensates for the additional weight which can be easily displaced
anyway. Specifically for transportation reasons, the weight 8 can
be fabricated in segments and is then screwed together on site in
the rails 7 so as to form a unit. In order to save additional
space, lead can also be used instead of the usual steel since lead
has a higher specific weight and therefore reduces the volume of
the weight 8. Moreover, the weight can be covered with plastic and
thus has a more appealing appearance. Also, the weight adjuster 1
can be enclosed by a cover so that no adjusting mechanism is
visible.
[0038] It is optimal if the weight station 2 is equipped with a
training card recognition so that the trainee only has to insert or
place the card into recognition device and the machine moves the
seat automatically into the stored position, brings the training
means 14 in position and also adjusts the angle S of the guide
frame 4 so that the correct "weight" in the form of the correct
load is available. In particular, the controller 18 can perform a
defined target/actual comparison with the values of the force
sensor 20 and, e.g., can automatically include friction values that
change due to temperature fluctuations or general wear on the
weight adjuster 1. Furthermore, the rope 10, which is a pull rope,
can also comprise an integrated data and power supply cable. Thus,
buttons 16 can be provided, e.g. on the grip bar 15 so that the
trainee can change the load at any time during the training in that
the information is received by the controller 18 and the latter
issues the order to the actuator means 19 to extend to a greater or
lesser extent and thus to generate a greater or smaller angle S at
the rail 7, wherein correlation with the force sensor 20 is also
possible at any time. In addition, the trainee can set his "weight"
that he usually designates as such and, moreover, can check it on
the display 17 which is mounted on the grip handle 15 or at another
place, and can change the load at the touch of a button, if needed,
or can touch a button to leave the optimization of the training to
the automatic mode, which is implemented by an algorithm stored in
the controller 18. The algorithm can comprise a program which
specifically includes also negative exercises and high-intensity
exercises, which are not subject matter of this specification.
However, in order to achieve such optimization, the training speed
should and can also be considered. For this reason, the lifting
speed of the rope 10 is measured by means of a rotational-speed
sensor 21 at one of the deflection pulleys 13 or in the form of a
distance meter which detects cross lines on the rope 10 and
calculates the speed in this manner. Thus, a trainee who does not
perform the exercises correctly can be notified visually or
acoustically in this regard, or the load is temporarily increased
so that the exercises are performed slowly and as constant as
possible.
[0039] If a trainee cannot get used to the otherwise so convenient
continuous adjustment of the load, artificial steps can be
generated by means of the controller 18, i.e., each actuation of
the button 16 corresponds, for example, to an indicated weight
change of 2.5 kg.
[0040] The buttons 16 can also be designed as piezo buttons with a
radio module integrated therein which are accommodated in the
receiver in the controller 18 and the controller 18 processes the
signal.
[0041] The weight adjuster 1 is also suitable for integrating a
vibration generator 22 that can be activated in a time-related
manner and which comprises an unbalance motor which, e.g., at one
of the deflection pulleys 13, causes such a deflection pulley to
vibrate so that a vibration between 5 and 50 Hz is generated and
the vibrations are transmitted to the rope 10 or the grip bar 15.
If the muscle is contracted, the vibrations generate additional
muscle stimulation and thus also contribute to strengthening the
musculature. On the other hand, the trainee can activate the
vibration generator 22 without performing his exercises and, e.g.,
can simply hold the grip handle 15 and the vibrations thus effect a
positive relaxation of the musculature.
[0042] The load guide by means of deflection pulleys 13 at the rope
10 can finally be mounted to a respective training means 14 such
as, e.g., a grip bar 15 or a padded lever for backbends, pelvis
lifts or the foot plate for leg pressing and further applications
which are carried out directly or via another transmission or via
an eccentric device. The rope 10 can be round or can be implemented
as a flat band.
[0043] Because the weight adjuster 1 has to move only one weight 8,
an industrial damper 35 can be mounted in a very convenient manner
between the weight 8 and the end stop at the guide frame 4 so that
even when dropping the rope 10 from great height, the damper 35
absorbs the kinetic energy and thus brings the weight 8 back into
the initial position with only little noise. The damper 35 can be a
hydraulic device or a specific cellular polyurethane
(PUR)-elastomer insert as it is distributed by BASF under the brand
name Cellasto.RTM..
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a weight adjuster 1 at
a weight station 2 as described in FIG. 1, but with the difference
that the actuator means 19 between the support frame 3 and the
guide frame 4 is a blockable gas spring 23, with the unlocking
means 24 and the release switch 25 on the actuator lever 26 which
is secured on a console 27. Swiveling out the guide frame 4 is
carried out by means of a rack 28 with a Bowden cable 29 and a
pinion 36 at the rotary bearing 5, or manually by means of the
handle 30, and involves a curved measuring rail 31 with the mark 32
and optionally a releasable ratchet lock 33.
[0045] Shown here is a simpler variant which can be actuate
manually. Because in many cases it is not readily possible to
manually lift the weight 8 into the desired ramp position, the
blockable gas spring 23 is mounted here as a force balancing
element and behaves similar to gas springs for trunks of vehicles.
The difference is that each position of the angle S at the guide
frame 4 can be locked, and therefore a blockable gas spring 23 is
used that has an unlocking means 24 that can be a Bowden cable or a
hydraulic line. By means of the simple release switch 25 for the
Bowden cable or the release switch 25 as a hydraulic pressure
booster, the blockable gas spring 23 is unlocked, and when
releasing the release switch 25, the mechanism locks and the guide
frame 4, i.e., the ramp position is secured. Lifting the guide
frame 4 is carried out by means of the handle 30, and by means of a
curved measuring rail 31 attached, e.g., on the guide frame 4 and a
mark 32 provided on the support frame 3, the angle S can be read in
this manner or the usual and known values are directly indicated in
"kg/lbs".
[0046] A slight gain in comfort is achieved if at the console 27,
which is as close as possible to the training means 14, the
adjusting lever 26 attached next thereto can be actuated--of
course, only after pressing the release switch 25--and a rack 28 is
actuated by means of the Bowden cable 29, which rack engages with
the pinion 36 which is located at the rotary bearing 5 and brings
the guide frame 4 into the pivot mode supported by the gas spring
23. The desired load, which is set via the corresponding ramp
position, can be fixed in the selected position by actuating the
adjusting lever 26 and by means of the position fixations 34. Also,
a curved measuring rail 31 can be attached on the console 27 and it
can be read from the adjusting lever 26 which value is set or can
be set. Standard gas springs 23 are inexpensive, in contrast to
blockable gas springs 23. Therefore, there is the alternative to
secure the desired ramp position of the guide frame 4 by means of a
releasable lock or ratchet lock 33.
[0047] The spaciously laid Bowden cable 29 shown here or the
unlocking means 24 can also be laid to be less visible, wherein the
laying radius has always to be taken into account. The Bowden cable
29 can also be a force-transmitting shaft that is connected to a
spindle drive and by means of which significant torques can be
transmitted, and this can be used instead of the rack guidance 28a,
rack 28 and pinion 36, in order to drive a worm gear with the
advantage that for gear-related reasons, such a construction
already secures the position of an angle S of the guide frame 4,
i.e., no further locking means are necessary to secure the angle
S.
[0048] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary
embodiments shown and described.
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