Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for training triathlon and to a system thereof.

Background of the Invention

Triathlon is a sport of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines, namely: swimming, biking and running; in that particular order. The sport has made a massive impact in recent times and is e.g. one of the fastest growing sports in Sweden.

Naturally, the athlete exercising triathlon needs to train the three mentioned disciplines. The training is commonly performed outdoors if the weather conditions and the climate so allows. If not, swimming can e.g. be performed in a swimming pool while running and bike training can e.g. be performed in a sports gym.

However, this is not an efficient way of training triathlon as it often involves long transfer times between the three different disciplines.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for training triathlon which makes it possible to train the three disciplines in a time saving manner, i.e. which reduces the time spent for transfer of the athlete between the three disciplines. Another object of the invention is to provide a space saving device for training triathlon. According to a first aspect of the invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved with a device for training triathlon comprising:

a first training section including a first module for stationary swim training,

a second training section including a second module for stationary bike training, a third training section including a third module for stationary run training; wherein said first, second and third training sections are joined to each other so as to form said device for training triathlon having a surface area of less than 30 nr. According to a second aspect of the invention, the above mentioned objects are also achieved with a system comprising of a plurality of devices for training triathlon according to the present invention. The present invention makes it possible to efficiently practice triathlon on a small surface area. Thereby, the present device is e.g. easy to install indoors such as in sport gym venues, etc. This means that the triathlon training can be performed ti me efficient ly, i.e. the time needed for transfer between the disciplines is not prolonged due to long spatial distances between the locations of the training sites. The training may also be performed indoors independently of the weather conditions and the climate.

Thus, the triathlon training can be performed in a very realistic way since the time it takes to switch between the disciplines is an important factor in triathlon, and the present device makes it also possible to practice these aspects of the sport.

The present device can further add a huge commercial value to sports gyms as they can attract people wanting to practice triathlon if the present device is installed in these gyms.

Further applicat ions and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the fol lowing detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The appended drawings are intended to clarify and explain different embodiments of the present invention in which:

- Fig. 1 shows i n a vi ew from above an embodiment of a devi ce accordi ng to the present invent ion ;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment in figure 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of the embodiment in figure 1 ;

Fig. 4 shows yet another perspective view of the embodiment in figure 1 ; - Fig. 5 shows a part ial cross sectional view of the swim section and the transit and/or dressing room of the device;

Fig. 6 shows an exploding view of the bike section; Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a system according to the present invention; and

Fig. 8 shows the dimensions of an embodiment of the device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

To achieve the aforementioned and other objects, the present invention relates to a device 100 for training triathlon. The present device comprises a first training section 10 including a first module for stationary swim training, a second training section 20 including a second module for slationary bike training, and a third training section 30 including a third module for stationary run training. The first 10, second 20 and third 30 training sections are joined to each other so as to form the device for training triathlon 1.00 having a surface area of less than 30 m ² . Thereby, a space saving device for training triathlon is provided which e.g. make it possible for indoor triathlon training. The switching between the different disciplines can also be pract ised in a real istic way. Further, possible time consuming transfer is also avoided. Fig. 1 -4 shows an embodiment of a device according to the present invention from different views. The device 100 has in this embodiment a surface area of less than 23 nr. Fig. 8 shows the dimensions of an embodiment of the device.

The first, second and third training sections are so connected to each other in this embodiment so as to form a room 40 arranged between mentioned three sections. This is especially seen in Fig. 2 and 4. The room is located in the centre of the device and is preferably arranged as a transition/transfer room and/or a dressing room for the athlete. The room may therefore have exits to the three training sections which makes it possible for fast and easy transfer between the three training stations: swimming, biking and running.

In this respect the room may according to another embodiment comprise a water collecting system 41 as shown in Fig. 5 which shows a partial cross section view of the swim section 10 and the room 40. The water collecting system is arranged to collect water falling or pouring down on the floor of the room when the athlete leaves the water container/swimming-bath from the swimming section to the other two sections. The water collecting system may e.g. have holes in the floor of the room and a water collector which is arranged under the floor and connected to a sewer system or to a water recycling system via suitable tubing. As mentioned, the room may also have the function as a dressing room in which the athlete can change training cloths and training gears between the different training stations. Therefore, the room may have suitable means for storing training gears and other personal items. The room may also have suitable wall sections or other visual blocking means for shutting off peoples view when undressing.

It is also noted from the embodiment in Fig. 1 -4 that the three training sections have elongated shapes, and are preferably arranged so that the second 20 and third 30 sections extends in a radially outwards direction from the centre of the device 100 while the first section 10 extends transversally in a radially outwards direction from the centre. The training sections are joined so as to form a substantially triangular shaped device and are in this embodiment spaced apart from each other at an angle about 120°. This embodiment provides a very space saving arrangement e.g. suitable for indoor placement.

First section

With reference to Fig. 1-4, the first section comprises a water container 1 1 and a tethering device 12. The water container has suitable dimensions so as to hold a swimmer for swim training. The water container in this embodiment has a length of 400 cm, width of 150 cm and a depth of 1 20 cm. The water is preferably salt water warmed with a titanium heater and cleaned by a sand cleaning system. Preferably a chlorinator is provided for chlorinating the salt water.

It is also noted that the first section in this embodiment further has splash guard in the form of transparent wall sections that is arranged on top and around the water container.

As mentioned, the first section also has a tethering device 12 arranged to hold a swimmer in substantially the same location within the water of the water container 1 1. The tethering device in the shown embodiment comprises a waist belt made of neoprene connected to two elastic straps of latex tubing. The two straps are further fixed to the water container so as to hold the swimmer in the same location. A solution with only one strap or more than two straps is also possible. Second section

The second bike section comprises at least one of: an exercise bike, a spinning bike, or a bike arranged on a bike trainer or a bike roller. The selection of bikes may e.g. depend on athlete's preferences and the level of the athlete ^' s skills with handling the bike. The bike roller is the most difficult since the athlete has to balance the bike while riding the same. As a safety measure, the second section may also have safety bars, preferably made of aluminium, arranged in front of, and at the front sides of the bike so as to prevent the athlete from falling off the bike. The safety bars are e.g. shown in Fig. 2-4 and 6.

Third section

The third section comprises a motorised or an unmotorised treadmill. Also the third section may have safety bars, preferably made of aluminium, so as to avoid accidents. Furthermore, it has been realised by the inventors that a high disturbing sound may be generated when the athlete is biking or running in the second or third sections, respectively. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the invention the second and third sections have a sound absorbing floor layer made of any suitable material. The sound absorbing floor layer may preferably be arranged beneath a stiff plastic surface layer which is moulded from a mould.

Preferably, the plastic surface layer of the second and third sections can be made from the same mould thereby saving cost in manufacturing and substant ially simplify assembly of mentioned sections.

The plastic surface layer may also have a centrally located cut out in which the bike or treadmill is arranged, and may further be supported by a frame work (e.g. of aluminium) holding the plastic surface layer and other layers of the sections. For avoiding slipping accidents, the plastic surface layer may also have anti sl ip means, e.g. a plurality of anti slip rubber elements arranged on the plast ic surface. Fig. 6 shows an exploding view of in this case the bike section. As mentioned this section has a frame work that supports the plastic surface layer and one or more intermediate layers such as the sound absorbing layer. It can also be noted that the anti slip means are arranged as a rubber mat with a plurality of rubber protrusions that protrudes through corresponding holes in the plastic surface layer. Thereby a slick and effective anti slip arrangement is provided. The safety bar is also shown in figure 6.

It is further noted that all three sections may have an arch part each made from the same mould. The arch parts extends from the base of each section and radially inwards against the centre of the device 100. The arch parts of the different sections are joined to each other by means of a roof part of the room which makes the device 100 very robust and stable since the arch parts connects the three sections forming a common arch for the device. The arch parts also block some of the surrounding sound. The sound blocking can also be improved by arranging sound absorbing means on the inside of the arch parts.

Moreover, the present invention further relates to a system comprising a plurality of devices for training triathlon according to the present invention. With a system according to the invention a plural of triathlon athletes can compete with each other on a small space. An embodiment of such system is shown in Fig. 7. The plurality of devices are so connected to each other such that they together form a symmetrically ring shaped polygon with an open area in the middle of the polygon. This can easily be achieved if the devices are of the embodiment where the three sections are spaced symmetrically spaced apart from each other by an angle of about 120°. This particular spacing between the three sections is very suitable for building systems having different symmetrical shapes.

It can also be noted that the first sections are preferably arranged transversal ly in a radially outwards direction from the centre of the system in this particular embodiment. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the present device for training triathlon is not powered by electricity. This means that the three sections are not powered by electricity. The running section may have an unmotorised treadmill while the bike section may have non-powered spinning bike, bike trainer or bike roller. Regarding the first swim section, a non-powered solution with a water cleaning system is preferred according to this embodiment. Finally, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.