U.S. patent application number 15/298810 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for foldable sliding belt gymnastic machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is TECHNOGYM S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Alessandro BELLAVISTA, Davide GATTI.
Application Number | 20170113093 15/298810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55359656 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170113093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BELLAVISTA; Alessandro ; et
al. |
April 27, 2017 |
FOLDABLE SLIDING BELT GYMNASTIC MACHINE
Abstract
The present invention concerns a gymnastic machine of the type
having a sliding belt comprising a base structure, having a frame,
on which a closed circuit sliding belt is installed for gymnastic
exercises, a supporting structure rotatably coupled with said base
structure, characterized in that said gymnastic machine comprises a
closing and moving group, comprising a trolley, rotatably coupled
with said frame of said base structure, capable to assume a first
position, corresponding to the opening position of said gymnastic
machine, wherein said trolley is substantially parallel to said
base structure, and a second position, corresponding to the closing
position of said gymnastic machine, wherein said trolley is rotated
with respect to said base structure, so as to lift and rotate it
with respect to said supporting structure, arranging close to it;
and actuator means, capable to allow the moving of said trolley
from said first position to said second position and vice
versa.
Inventors: |
BELLAVISTA; Alessandro;
(Cesena Fc, IT) ; GATTI; Davide; (Cesena Fc,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TECHNOGYM S.P.A. |
Cesena Fc |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
55359656 |
Appl. No.: |
15/298810 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0023 20130101;
A63B 2071/025 20130101; A63B 2210/54 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101; A63B 2210/56 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 22/205
20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/20 20060101
A63B022/20; A63B 22/02 20060101 A63B022/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2015 |
IT |
102015000064906 |
Claims
1. Gymnastic machine of the type having a sliding belt comprising:
a base structure, having a frame, on which a closed circuit sliding
belt is installed for gymnastic exercises, a supporting structure
rotatably coupled with said base structure, characterized in that
said gymnastic machine comprises a closing and moving group,
comprising a trolley, rotatably coupled with said frame of said
base structure, capable to assume a first position, corresponding
to the opening position of said gymnastic machine, wherein said
trolley is substantially parallel to said base structure, and a
second position, corresponding to the closing position of said
gymnastic machine, wherein said trolley is rotated with respect to
said base structure, so as to lift and rotate it with respect to
said supporting structure, arranging close to it; and actuator
means, capable to allow the moving of said trolley from said first
position to said second position and vice versa.
2. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1 characterized: in that
said base structure comprises a covering carter of said frame,
which has a front portion provided with an abutment surface, on
which said sliding belt gymnastic machine abuts when it is in said
closing position, and in that during the transition from said
opening position to said closing position, said base structure and
said supporting structure move relatively to each other, so that
the barycenter of said gymnastic machine describes a locus of
points, whose vertical projections fall within said abutment
surface or close to the same.
3. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
said actuator means comprise a nut screw coupled with said trolley,
and a lead nut engaged with said nut screw.
4. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, characterized: in that
said trolley comprises a first and a second supporting bar,
substantially parallel arranged, on each one of said first and
second supporting bar a guide is obtained, a first and a second
sliding pin, each sliding in one respective of said guides of said
first and second supporting bar and a coupling and rotating bar,
rotatably coupled with said frame, said first and second supporting
bar being fixed to said coupling and rotating bar, in that said nut
screw has an end fixed to said coupling and rotating bar, and in
that said first and second sliding pin are fixed to said lead
nut.
5. Gymnastic machine according to claim 3, characterized in that
said actuator means also comprise a motor member, to operate said
nut screw.
6. Gymnastic machine according to claim 4, characterized in that
said closing and moving group comprises a first couple of
supporting arms, wherein each arm of said first couple of
supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with said frame
and a second end rotatably coupled with one respective of said
first and second sliding pin.
7. Gymnastic machine according to claim 4, characterized in that
said closing and handling group comprises a second couple of
supporting arms, wherein one arm of said second couple of
supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with said
supporting structure and a second end coupled with said coupling
and rotating bar, by a crank.
8. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, characterized: in that
said frame comprises a couple of longitudinal side members on which
said sliding belt is installed, and in that said supporting
structure comprises a couple of uprights parallel arranged and
rotatably coupled with one respective longitudinal side member of
said frame.
9. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
each of said couple of longitudinal side members is provided with a
recess to partially or entirely accommodate respectively each arm
of said second couple of supporting arms, during the closing of
said gymnastic machine.
10. Gymnastic machine according to claim 8, characterized: in that
each one of said longitudinal side members has a respective through
slot, and in that each one of said uprights comprises a first
coupling pin, rotatably coupled with the respective longitudinal
side member, and a second coupling pin, slidingly coupled with a
respective through slot of each of said longitudinal side
members.
11. Gymnastic machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
each arm of said second couple of supporting arms has a first end
rotatably coupled with one respective of said first and second
uprights by one respective pin of said second coupling pins.
12. Gymnastic machine according to claim 4, characterized: in that
it comprises two lifting wheels fixed to said frame, to lift said
base structure when said gymnastic machine is operating, in that it
comprises rollers fixed to said first and second supporting bar,
and in that said gymnastic machine is placed on said two lifting
wheels and said rollers during the transition from said opening
position to said closing position.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable sliding belt
gymnastic machine.
[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns a machine of the
above kind, designed and manufactured to automatically close.
[0003] In the following, the description will be directed to a
gymnastic machine with a folding sliding belt, but it is clear that
the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.
[0004] As is well known, there are machines to perform gymnastic
exercises in gyms, sports centers or medical rehabilitation
centers, equipped with a walking or running sliding belt.
[0005] These machines, also known as walkers, runners, treadmill or
tapis roulant, essentially comprise a base structure and a
dashboard integrated in a support structure, connected to the base
structure by means of two uprights.
[0006] The dashboard comprises a control panel for managing the
functionalities of the machine by means of controls.
[0007] Uprights connect the dashboard to the base structure and
comprise gripping handles or supports for the upper limbs of a user
while performing the exercise.
[0008] The base structure comprises a support frame, a board that
is a supporting base of a running belt, on which the user performs
the walk or the run.
[0009] The base structure also comprises two rollers coupled to the
frame, one front and one rear, put in rotation by a motor, on which
said belt runs, realizing a closed circuit.
[0010] The existing treadmill gymnastic machines can be fixed or
closable. Generally sizable walkers installed in public
environments (e.g., gyms and the like) are fixed; instead, those
intended for domestic use are often closable, so as to reduce the
space occupied when they are not used.
[0011] Currently closable walkers are equipped with means of manual
closing. Therefore, the closure of such machines according to the
prior art involves considerable effort for the user.
[0012] There are also known automatic locking systems, which are
nevertheless very bulky and are usually external devices to be
coupled to machines to be closed. Therefore, the user is forced to
move members often rather heavy and couple them to the machine,
which is often rather complex and, in the end, impractical.
[0013] In light of the above, it is, therefore, object of the
present invention providing a sliding belt gymnastic machine
capable of closing automatically, which is structurally simple and
easy to use for a user.
[0014] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a
gymnastic machine of the type having a sliding belt comprising a
base structure, having a frame, on which a closed circuit sliding
belt is installed for gymnastic exercises, a supporting structure
rotatably coupled with said base structure, characterized in that
said gymnastic machine comprises a closing and moving group,
comprising a trolley, rotatably coupled with said frame of said
base structure, capable to assume a first position, corresponding
to the opening position of said gymnastic machine, wherein said
trolley is substantially parallel to said base structure, and a
second position, corresponding to the closing position of said
gymnastic machine, wherein said trolley is rotated with respect to
said base structure, so as to lift and rotate it with respect to
said supporting structure, arranging close to it; and actuator
means, capable to allow the moving of said trolley from said first
position to said second position and vice versa.
[0015] Further according to the invention, said base structure
comprises a covering carter of said frame, which has a front
portion provided with an abutment surface, on which said sliding
belt gymnastic machine abuts when it is in said closing position,
and in that during the transition from said opening position to
said closing position, said base structure and said supporting
structure move relatively to each other, so that the barycenter of
said gymnastic machine describes a locus of points, whose vertical
projections fall within said abutment surface or close to the
same.
[0016] Preferably according to the invention, said actuator means
comprise a nut screw coupled with said trolley, and a lead nut
engaged with said nut screw.
[0017] Still according to the invention, said trolley comprises a
first and a second supporting bar, substantially parallel arranged,
on each one of said first and second supporting bar a guide is
obtained, a first and a second sliding pin, each sliding in one
respective of said guides of said first and second supporting bar
and a coupling and rotating bar, rotatably coupled with said frame,
said first and second supporting bar being fixed to said coupling
and rotating bar, said nut screw has an end fixed to said coupling
and rotating bar, and said first and second sliding pin are fixed
to said lead nut.
[0018] Further according to the invention, said actuator means also
comprise a motor member, to operate said nut screw.
[0019] Preferably according to the invention, said closing and
moving group comprises a first couple of supporting arms, wherein
each arm of said first couple of supporting arms has a first end
rotatably coupled with said frame and a second end rotatably
coupled with one respective of said first and second sliding
pin.
[0020] Still according to the invention, said closing and handling
group comprises a second couple of supporting arms, wherein one arm
of said second couple of supporting arms has a first end rotatably
coupled with said supporting structure and a second end coupled
with said coupling and rotating bar, by a crank.
[0021] Further according to the invention, said frame comprises a
couple of longitudinal side members on which said sliding belt is
installed, and said supporting structure comprises a couple of
uprights parallel arranged and rotatably coupled with one
respective longitudinal side member of said frame.
[0022] Preferably according to the invention, each of said couple
of longitudinal side members is provided with a recess to partially
or entirely accommodate respectively each arm of said second couple
of supporting arms, during the closing of said gymnastic
machine.
[0023] Still according to the invention, each one of said
longitudinal side members has a respective through slot, and each
one of said uprights comprises a first coupling pin, rotatably
coupled with the respective longitudinal side member, and a second
coupling pin, slidingly coupled with a respective through slot of
each of said longitudinal side members.
[0024] Further according to the invention, each arm of said second
couple of supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with
one respective of said first and second uprights by one respective
pin of said second coupling pins.
[0025] Preferably according to the invention, said gymnastic
machine comprises two lifting wheels fixed to said frame, to lift
said base structure when said gymnastic machine is operating,
comprises rollers fixed to said first and second supporting bar,
and being placed on said two lifting wheels and said rollers during
the transition from said opening position to said closing
position.
[0026] The present invention will be now described, for
illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its
preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of
the enclosed drawings, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a treadmill gymnastic machine according to the
present invention, in open position;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the machine of FIG. 1, in which the base
structure is without the covering carter;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the gymnastic
machine according to FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4a shows the coupling between the frame of the
treadmill gymnastic machine according to the present invention with
a first upright;
[0031] FIG. 4b shows the coupling between the frame of the
treadmill gymnastic machine according to the present invention with
a second upright;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of part of the structure of
the gymnastic machine of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6a shows the gymnastic machine according to the present
invention without the covering carter in an intermediate position,
between the open and the closed position;
[0034] FIG. 6b shows the gymnastic machine according to FIG. 6a
provided with the covering carter;
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the gymnastic machine
according to FIG. 6a;
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of part of the gymnastic
machine structure of FIG. 6a;
[0037] FIG. 9a shows the gymnastic machine according to the present
invention without the covering carter in closed position;
[0038] FIG. 9b shows the gymnastic machine according to FIG. 9a
provided with the covering carter;
[0039] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the gymnastic machine
according to FIG. 9a; and
[0040] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of part of the structure of
the gymnastic machine of FIG. 9a.
[0041] In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by
the same reference numbers.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, it is observed the sliding belt
gymnastic machine 1 according to the present invention.
[0043] The gymnastic machine 1 essentially comprises a base
structure 2 that is placed on a floor, a support structure 3 and a
closing and moving group 4, arranged below said base structure 2,
suitable to close automatically the gymnastic machine 1, by
arranging said base structure 2 and the support structure 3
overlapped and in a substantially vertical position.
[0044] Said base structure 2 comprises a frame 21, having a first
211 and a second 212 longitudinal side members, a plurality of
supporting feet 213 and two plates 214, each integral with a
respective first 211 and second 212 side member. Said base
structure 2 also comprises a table (not shown in the figures)
arranged in said frame 21 between said first 211 and second 212
side members and a belt 22, sliding in a closed circuit on said
table, put in motion by a pair of motorized rollers 23. The user
can perform gymnastic exercise on said sliding belt 22.
[0045] Said base structure 2 also comprises a covering carter 24,
which covers said frame 21 and has, in particular, the front
portion 25 provided with a supporting surface 25', which operation
will be better described hereinafter. In addition, close to said
support surface 25' may be present two other wheels (not shown in
the figures) on said covering carter 24, useful for the handling
the exercise machine 1 when closed.
[0046] Finally, said base structure 2 comprises known two lifting
wheels 26, fixed to said frame 21, for lifting said base structure
2 when the gymnastic machine 1 is operating and said sliding belt
22 is sliding to carry out an exercise, simulating a climb.
[0047] Said support structure 3 comprises a first 31 and a second
32 upright arranged parallel and rotatably coupled with said frame
21 of said base structure 2, in particular, on the front portion of
said base structure 2.
[0048] FIGS. 4a and 4b, in particular, show, respectively, the
rotatably coupling of said first 31 and second 32 upright to the
respective first 211 and second 212 side member of said frame 21 of
said base structure 2. In particular, said first side member 211
has, in correspondence with an end of said first upright 31, a
through slot 215, while said first upright 31 comprises a first
coupling pin 311, rotatably coupled with said first side member
211, and a second coupling pin 311', slidingly coupled with said
through slot 215.
[0049] Similarly, said second side member 212 has, in
correspondence of the coupling to one end of said second upright
32, a respective through slot 215, while said second upright 32
comprises a respective first coupling pin 321, rotatably coupled
with said second side member 212, and a respective second coupling
pin 321', slidably coupled with the respective through slot
215.
[0050] The reciprocal excursion of the movement of said first 31
and second 32 upright and said first 211 and second 212 side member
is delimited by said through slots 215, obtained on said first 211
and second 212 side member. In this way, said support structure 3
and said base structure 2 can mutually rotate according to the
arrow A, so as to overlap one on the other.
[0051] Between said first 31 and second 32 upright a dashboard 34
is arranged, on which a display or a touch screen monitor and the
controls for the operation of the gymnastic machine 1 are generally
provided.
[0052] Two handles or handrails 33 are each coupled to a respective
one of said first 31 and second 32 upright, to allow the user to
stably lean to said gymnastic machine 1 during the gymnastic
exercise.
[0053] Said closing and moving group 4, arranged below to said base
structure 2, so as to be located between said frame 21 and the
floor, on which said gymnastic machine 1 is supported, comprises a
trolley 41 and actuating means 42.
[0054] Said trolley 41 comprises a first 411 and a second 412
support bar, on each of which a guide is formed, indicated
respectively with the first 411' and second 412' guide. On each of
said first 411' and second 412' guide a respective sliding pin is
slidable, indicated with first 411' and second 412'' sliding pin,
which function will be better defined in the following.
[0055] Said trolley 41 is also provided with rolling members or
wheels 413, fixed to said first 411 and second 412 support bar.
[0056] Said trolley 41 also comprises a coupling and rotating bar
414, to which said first 411 and second 412 support bar are fixed.
Said coupling and rotating bar 414 is rotatably coupled with said
plates 214 of said frame 21 by means of brackets 415. In this way,
said trolley 41 is capable to rotate relative to said frame 21
around said coupling and rotating bar 414, assuming a first
position, in which it is arranged substantially parallel to said
base structure 2, in which the gymnastic machine 1 is open, and a
second position, in which said base structure 2 and the support
structure 3 mutually rotate, arranging side by side, in which the
gymnastic machine 1 is closed.
[0057] Said actuator means 42 comprise a nut screw 421, coupled
with said trolley 41, having in particular one end fixed to said
coupling and rotating bar 414, and a lead nut 422, engaged with
said nut screw 421, to which said first 411' and second 412''
sliding pin are fixed.
[0058] Said actuator means 42 also comprise a motor member 423, for
the actuation of said nut screw 421.
[0059] Said closing and moving group 4 also comprises a first 43
and a second 44 couple of supporting arms. Each arm of said first
couple of supporting arms 43 has a first end rotatably coupled with
a respective first 211 or second 212 side member of said frame 21,
and a second end rotatably coupled with a respective first 411'' or
second 412'' sliding pin.
[0060] Instead, each arm of said second couple of supporting arms
44 has a first end rotatably coupled with respective one of said
first 31 and second 32 upright by means of a respective pin of said
first couple of pins 311' or 321', and a second end coupled with
said coupling and rotating bar 414, by means of a crank 45.
[0061] Said first 211 and second 212 side member of said frame 21
have a cavity for partially or entirely housing respectively each
arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44 during the closing
of the gymnastic machine 1, in order to reduce the dimensions of
the gymnastic machine 1 itself.
[0062] The operation of the sliding belt gymnastic machine 1
described above is as follows.
[0063] FIGS. 1-5 described above show the gymnastic machine 1 in
open position. Automatic closing of said gymnastic machine 1 can be
implemented with a control of the dashboard 34 or preferably by a
remote control.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, which show the gymnastic machine
1 in an intermediate position between the opening and the closing
ones, when the automatic closure of said gymnastic machine 1 is
started, said motor member 423 rotates said nut screw 421. Said
lead nut 422, engaged in said nut screw 421, slides in the
direction of the arrow B, parallel to said first 411 and second 412
support bar of said trolley 41, being it constrained to slide along
said first 411' and second 412' guide by means of said first 411'
and second 412'' sliding pin. In this way, said trolley 41 is
spread apart with respect to said base structure 2, gradually
passing from said first open position to said second closed
position, lifting it from the floor according to the arrow C,
sliding on said wheels 413.
[0065] At the same time, each of said first 211 and second 212 side
member rotates relative to the respective first 31 and second 32
upright of said supporting structure 3. In particular, with
reference to FIG. 4a, said first side member 211 rotates about said
first coupling pin 311, while said second coupling pin 311' slides
on said through slot 215. The same kinematics applies to FIG.
4b.
[0066] Said crank 45 allows said first 43 and second 44 couples of
supporting arms to rotate with respect to said coupling and
rotating bar 414. Each arm of said second couple of supporting arms
44 causes the movement of the respective second coupling pin 311'
and 321'. Said second coupling pin 311' and 321', being each
constrained to slide on the respective through slot 215, rotate
said first 31 and second 32 uprights towards said base structure 2,
while the same is lifting, thus moving by relative motion one (said
base structure 2) with respect to the other (said first 31 and
second 32 upright).
[0067] In this way, while said base structure 2 is lifted from the
floor, an effect is obtained for which the center of gravity of the
gymnastic machine 1 tends to describe a locus of points, whose
vertical projections fall on said supporting surface 25' or close
to it. Therefore, the weight of the gymnastic machine 1 is always
balanced during the transition from said open position to said
closed position.
[0068] This rotation, in order to limit any risk of overturning of
the gymnastic machine 1, is partly compensated by the rotation of
said crank 45, which by rotating aligns each to the respective
supporting arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44.
[0069] When both said nut screw 422 (approaching said coupling and
rotating bar 414) and said second coupling pin 311' of said first
upright 31, and the respective pin of said second upright 32,
arrive at the stroke end, said base structure 2 is in contact with,
or close to said dashboard 34, arranging between said handles or
handrails 33, as it is seen in FIGS. 9a-11, and each arm of said
second couple of supporting arms 44 arranges within the cavities of
the respective first 211 and second 212 side member.
[0070] In this configuration, the sliding belt gymnastic machine 1
is closed and can be stored.
[0071] Moreover, the gymnastic machine 1 can also be blocked, with
a suitable control, in said intermediate position (see FIGS. 6a-8),
before said support surface 25' of said covering carter 24 touches
the floor surface. This makes the handling of the gymnastic machine
1 itself by a user simple and safe, by means of said lifting wheels
26 and said wheels 413 of said trolley 41.
[0072] In closed position the gymnastic machine 1 occupies a little
space and can be easily moved and stored.
[0073] As is obvious from the above description, an advantage of
the foldable sliding belt gymnastic machine according to the
present invention is that it can be automatically closed simply by
operating a control located on said dashboard 34.
[0074] Another advantage of the gymnastic machine according to the
invention is that it can be closed in an optimal way without any
risk of overturning.
[0075] A further advantage of the gymnastic machine according to
the invention is to allow the movement of the gymnastic machine
itself by reducing every effort.
[0076] The present invention has been described for illustrative
but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred
embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or
changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without
departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed
claims.
* * * * *