FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an exercise machine of the type suitable to develop motor and functional skills, muscle strength, but also for medical rehabilitation purposes. In particular, the present invention concerns an exercise machine of the compact type, and possibly transportable, in which the user acts on a grip element connected through cable traction means to a resistant load source comprising an electronically controllable actuator member. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise machines that generate a resistance to allow a user to perform complex movements relatively freely in space, imitating traditional exercises with free weights, such as dumbbells, barbells, or others, with the possibility of performing a wide range of exercises, are known. This type of known machines generally consist of one or more grip elements that transmit a resistant load to the user, carried through a cable, typically sliding around a certain number of pulleys. The resistant load can be “generated” through resistance devices that are alternative to traditional stacks of weights, such as pneumatic or electric actuators. In these solutions, the cables are returned, to be selectively wound and unwound onto corresponding winding drums which, in turn, are kinematically connected, through possible motion transmission and reduction systems, to the pneumatic or electric actuators, so that the torque applied by the latter on the drum translates into an axial load on the cable. In this way, the resistant load (that is, the force that the user perceives on the grip element and to which he has to react, opposing it, in order to make a specific movement) always acts in the direction of the cable that carries the load onto the grip element.

Therefore, while the active action of the user determines a substantially linear movement of the cable, the winding or respectively the unwinding of the latter onto/from the drum occurs with an oscillatory evolution on a plane which is substantially parallel to or lying on the axis of rotation of the drum itself, so as to wind into adjacent coils. One of the main disadvantages of the state of the art is that the cable, transitioning from a linear to an oscillatory movement, can accidentally be wound onto the drum in a disorderly manner.

This erroneous winding can result, during the unwinding or winding phase, in a non-fluid and irregular perception of the force, or unwanted resistance peaks, which can cause several problems, even possible injuries to the user, machine malfunctions and wear on the rope or on the winding drum.

To limit this disadvantage, it is known to move as far away as possible from the drum any transmissions, and therefore the portion of the cable in which the latter passes from the oscillatory evolution to the linear direction of operation, in order to reduce the angle of oscillation of the cable during the winding and/or unwinding phase as much as possible.

For example, as can also be seen in fig. 1, which shows a solution of the prior art, an angle a of 1.5° is necessary when the drum is smooth and an angle a of 3° is necessary when the drum has a helical groove. Therefore, the higher the height H of the coil pack, the longer the length L of the cable segment between the latter and any transmissions. In particular, the length L is about 26-28 times the height H in the case of a smooth drum and 9-10 times in the case of a grooved drum.

However, this solution involves an increase in the sizes of the machine, with a consequent increase in costs and overall installation sizes, and, in any case, it does not guarantee a correct and orderly winding of the cable onto the drum over time.

In addition, the increased sizes of the machine and the possible increase in transmissions, to reduce cable winding malfunctions, limits the use of the machine itself, causing it to lose its characteristic of greater manageability compared to traditional machines with mechanical weights, and forcing the user to work muscularly only in pre-established conditions.

Exercise machines are also known, always of the type with cables with a resistant load, which, depending on their conformation or their functionality and adjustments, are suitable to perform various types of exercises, which also affect different muscle groups.

Other known solutions provide, with the same length of wound cable required, the use of short winding drums but having a large diameter to reduce the distance of the transmissions. However, this implies a demand for greater torque on the drum with the same linear force on the rope, which requires larger motors or transmission systems with a high reduction ratio.

Both known solutions, in addition to causing greater friction and less responsiveness and fluidity of the resistant load, shift the problem of overall size to the level of the motor and transmission, while reducing the need to distance the transmissions from the winding drum.

In any case, always due to the sizes and distances required to limit cable winding malfunctions, these machines have considerable overall sizes and costs, and, in any case, their functionality is limited to their specific conformation. For example, exercise machines are known which comprise a mobile trolley provided with at least one snub pulley for a cable segment that extends between a first load source and the grip element. A second cable branch extends between a second load source and can also be connected to the grip element by means of a second snub pulley associated with the mobile trolley, or to the mobile trolley itself. These solutions require the use of special support means such as platforms or sliding guides, which therefore require a certain amount of space both in order to be positioned/installed and also for their use and, in addition, the cable segment disposed between the snub pulleys and the drum itself is in the order of 1-1.5m.

In any case, known machines require a specific design and conformation, whether they are intended for a single muscle group or for different muscle groups.

This aspect leads to a substantial rigidity in the use of the machines, also limiting what is offered by training or rehabilitation centers for which these machines are intended.

Document US2021/03700123A1 describes a resistance device suitable to supply a resistant force in an exercise machine comprising a motor as a resistance source, a cable wound on a hook and a cable management mechanism, which cooperates with a tow rope and a spring to keep the cable in tension. This solution requires a large number of components, and in particular the presence of a towing rope and spring to correctly align the cable management mechanism. Other exercise machines of a known type are described in CN 114470620 A and

W02021/181350A1.

There is therefore the need to perfect an exercise machine that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of guaranteeing a correct and constant winding of the cable onto the drum, limiting to a minimum the distance that exists between the drum itself and the exit of the cable, that is, the portion where the oscillatory evolution ends in order to assume a linear direction of operation.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine which has a limited number of components.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine which is easy to handle, and which offers highly flexible use both in terms of the possibility of muscle stimulation and also of the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine which has small overall dimensions, and which is simple and economical to manufacture. Another purpose of the invention is to provide an exercise machine which can be maneuvered autonomously by a user and can be easily moved and used in different positions and locations.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea. In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an exercise machine according to the present invention comprises a grip handle and cable traction means which are connected between the grip handle and a winding member, which is connected to an electronically controllable actuator, and are provided with at least a first segment of the cable defined between the winding member and a transmission member.

In particular, the first segment of the cable is defined between a motorized winding member, such as for example a drum kinematically connected to an electric or pneumatic actuator, and a transmission member, such as for example a pulley or a cable sliding seating. This first segment of the cable, or at least a part of it, normally has an oscillatory evolution on a plane substantially parallel to, or lying with respect to, the axis of rotation of the drum. A second segment of the cable is defined between the transmission member and the grip element, the latter suitable to be used directly by the user to perform the desired muscular or rehabilitation exercise. This second segment of the cable normally has a substantially linear evolution in the direction of the traction applied by the user. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the exercise machine comprises a guide device interposed in cooperation between the winding member and the transmission member, in such a way as to guide the winding of the first segment of the cable onto the winding member.

In fact, the guide device cooperates with a third cable segment disposed in an intermediate position between the first and second cable, and configured to transform an oscillatory evolution of the first cable segment into a rectilinear evolution of the second cable segment, or vice versa.

The first, second and third cable segment in fact all belong to the same cable, which is wound onto, or unwound from, the winding member and is connected at one end to the grip handle, and the guide device cooperates directly with this cable in order to align it and position it correctly on the winding member.

In other words, no other ropes or elastic devices able to cooperate with the guide device are required.

Doing so achieves at least the advantage of guaranteeing a correct and effective winding of the cable onto the winding member, since this action is constantly guided by the guide device.

The solution according to the present invention therefore completely avoids the known solution of distancing the transmission member from the winding member, to reduce the angle of oscillation of the first cable segment, since it is the same guide device that effectively “translates” the linear evolution of the second segment into an oscillatory evolution, with an orderly winding into coils of the first segment onto the winding member.

As a consequence, with the solution according to the present invention, the guide device can be disposed substantially downstream of the winding member and, consequently, the transmission member can be disposed immediately downstream of the guide device.

With the solution according to the invention, the sizes of the exercise machine can be considerably compacted, to the advantage both of the handling of the machine itself and also of a high flexibility of use, in terms of the possibility of muscle stimulation and the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use.

Consequently, since it is easy to handle, functionally flexible and of small sizes, the machine according to the present invention can be easily combined with equivalent exercise machines so as to define a modular system of exercise machines according to the present invention. In this way, the need to design and manufacture complex exercise machines is also avoided, while still guaranteeing that the objectives of both muscle stimulation and also of the number of muscle groups involved, or which can be involved, with its use are achieved.

Another advantage achieved with the solution according to the present invention is that it is possible to provide an exercise machine which is simple and economical to manufacture.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the guide device comprises movement means disposed in cooperation with the first cable segment, which are able to relatively move the first segment with respect to the winding member in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the winding member, in such a way as to achieve the desired oscillatory evolution.

The guide device also comprises sliding means disposed in cooperation with the movement means, in such a way as to guide the sliding of the first segment with respect to the latter, in particular in a linear direction defined by the movement of the grip handle.

In this way, the movement means determine a relative and guided movement between the first cable segment and the winding member, so that this first cable segment is wound in an orderly manner into coils onto the winding member. At the same time, the sliding means guide the first cable segment to and from the movement means, so as to increase the efficiency of the latter in their action of guiding the winding. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the movement means comprise at least one support element horizontally pivoting with respect to a first axis which is substantially orthogonal or inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the winding member. According to some embodiments, the horizontally pivoting support element has a flat or box-shaped conformation and is able to oscillate with respect to a first axis of horizontal pivoting which is passing through a lateral edge thereof or located in proximity to such edge. In other words, the support element oscillates on one side and the other with respect to the first axis, together with the components connected to it.

In this solution, the movement means horizontally pivot with respect to the winding member in order to determine the orderly disposition of the first cable segment into coils. The oscillatory movement of the support element involves the simultaneous oscillation of the cable segment cooperating with the guide device with respect to the first axis, and consequently a variation of the position of the cable with respect to the position of the axis of rotation, so as to wind the cable onto the winding member in ordered coils adjacent to each other, and respectively unwind it, without generating unwanted tensions on it.

In this embodiment, the sliding means can advantageously comprise at least one guide pulley mounted on the support element to guide the sliding of the cable.

Preferably, two pulleys can be provided, both mounted on the horizontally pivoting support element, so as to allow to divert the third cable segment in such a way that the second cable segment exits from the opposite side to the first cable segment, with respect to a longitudinal axis. The pulleys are integral with the horizontally pivoting support element and therefore oscillate together with it.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the movement means comprise at least one slide disposed mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding member. In this solution, the slide slides alternately with respect to the winding member, in a synchronized manner with respect to the winding and/or unwinding, in order to determine the orderly disposition of the first cable segment into coils.

According to possible embodiments, the slide is kinematically connected to the winding member so that the rotation of the winding member causes the slide to slide with a feed speed substantially equal to the feed speed of the coils onto the winding member.

In this embodiment, the sliding means can advantageously comprise at least one intermediate control element, such as for example a transmission wheel or suchlike, so as to guide the first cable segment toward the slide, and vice versa.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the movement means comprise a fixed worm screw, which extends in a direction which is substantially coaxial to the axis of rotation of the winding member. According to this solution, a rotation of the winding member by means of the electronically commanded actuator determines the movement of the latter along the worm screw.

The use of a worm screw allows to know the positioning of the cable precisely, since the movement is given by the ratio between the diameter of the screw and that of the winding member. In this solution, therefore, it is the winding member which is moved in alternating motion along its axis of rotation, in order to determine the orderly disposition of the first cable segment into coils. The speed with which the winding member is translated along the worm screw is equal to the feed speed of the coils onto the winding member. In this embodiment, the sliding means can advantageously comprise at least one intermediate control element such as, for example, a transmission wheel or suchlike, on which the cable is wound during the sliding toward the grip member or toward the winding member, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the exercise machine according to the invention comprises a containing body, inside which at least the winding member, the actuator member and the guide device are housed.

Advantageously, the containing body comprises at least one coupling end by means of which it can be connected and fixed to a support.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, rapid attachment means are provided on the coupling end, such as a spring or bayonet joint, or suchlike, of the type that can be removed without tools, so as to allow to selectively associate the containing body with suitable mating attachment means provided on the support.

In this way, because of its small sizes and characteristics of flexibility, the exercise machine according to the present invention presents characteristics of modularity, since it can be selectively associated with different parts of the support, therefore it is possible to train different muscle groups with the same machine.

In the same way, this characteristic of modularity allows to associate two or more machines according to the present invention with each other, so as to be able to carry out even very complex workouts in a simple and effective manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view of a winding member of the prior art;

- fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of an exercise machine according to the present invention in different operating positions;

- fig. 3 shows a part of the machine of fig. 2 in accordance with a first embodiment; - fig. 4 shows a plan view of fig. 3 in a first operating condition;

- fig. 5 shows a plan view of fig. 3 in a second operating condition;

- fig. 6 shows a part of the machine of fig. 2 in accordance with a second embodiment;

- fig. 7 shows a plan view of fig. 6; - fig. 8 shows a part of the machine of fig. 2 in accordance with a third embodiment;

- fig. 9 shows a plan view of fig. 8;

- fig. 10 shows a modular embodiment of the machine of fig. 2;

- figs. 10a and 1 Ob show possible configurations of use of the embodiment of fig. 10. We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims. To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to fig. 2, a machine 10 according to the present invention essentially comprises a containing body 11, a pulling cable 12 and a grip handle 13, which is disposed externally to the containing body 11, through which a user can pull the cable 12 in order to perform a certain muscular or rehabilitative exercise.

According to possible embodiments, for example shown in fig. 2, the containing body 11 can have a substantially cylindrical shape, although according to possible variants box-like shapes can also be provided, for example parallelepiped, cubic, or suchlike, or even spherical or partly rounded shapes.

In the solution shown in fig. 2, the containing body 11 comprises a transmission member 15, through which the cable 12 exits, and a coupling device 16 in correspondence with the opposite end with respect to the transmission member 15.

Inside the containing body 11 there is disposed a winding member 19, for example a drum or a spool, kinematically connected to an electronically controllable actuator member 20. In the following examples, particular reference will be made to an actuator member consisting of, or comprising, an electric motor 20a.

According to some embodiments, not shown, adjacent grooves suitable to each receive a coil of the cable 12 can be provided on the winding member 19.

The actuator member 20 can be powered by a battery 40, preferably disposed inside the containing body 11, which can be of the rechargeable type, for example by means of a power cable, or possibly of the replaceable type.

It is not excluded, however, that the electric motor 20a can be traditionally powered by an electric cable, not shown in the drawings, and at least partly wired inside the containing body 11.

A first tensioning segment 12a of the cable 12 is connected to the drum 19; the action of the electric motor 20a determines a rotation of the drum 19 around an axis of rotation X thereof, so as to determine, normally, the winding of the first segment, or tensioning segment 12a, of the cable 12 on it.

The intensity of the torque generated by the electric motor 20a is directly proportional to the tensioning of the first segment 12a and determines the desired resistant tensioning of the entire cable 12 and, therefore, the intensity of the pulling action that the user has to exert on the handle 13 in order to unwind the cable 12.

Furthermore, the action of the winding determines an oscillatory evolution of the tensioning segment 12a on a plane which is substantially parallel to the axis X, so as to be progressively disposed in adjacent coils around the drum 19. A second segment 12b of cable 12 which extends between the head 15 and the grip handle 13 is a traction segment and it has a substantially linear evolution in the direction of the traction applied by the user.

In accordance with some embodiments, the exercise machine 10 also comprises a control unit 35, which is configured to command the operation of the electric motor 20a in such a way as to provide a certain force resistant to the traction exerted by the user on the grip handle 13. In fact, the electric motor 20a can be connected, at output, to a position transducer 41, such as for example an encoder, or other element capable of measuring one or more operating parameters thereof in real time, in order to provide the control unit 35 with feedback for a possible correction of the power transmitted.

The exercise machine 10 can also comprise a user interface 36 through which the user, or other operator, can set a certain type of exercises to be performed and/or the load, that is, the resistant force desired for that type of exercises.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 36 can be installed on the containing body 11 or it can be provided on an electronic device, such as for example a smartphone or a tablet, on which a special software application is installed and executed. In this case, the control unit 35 can be provided with, or connected to, a data transmission module 37 suitable to transmit and/or receive data in wireless mode, for example via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi transmission systems, or other.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a guide device 21 is provided inside the containing body, which will be described in detail below, in different embodiments, which is configured to guide the winding of the first segment 12a onto the winding member 19. The guide device 21 is in particular configured to cause the cable 12 to be wound from, or wound onto, the winding member 19 in a direction which is substantially tangential to the winding member 19, and to be wound onto the latter in orderly coils without overlaps between adjacent coils. This guide device 21 is interposed between the winding member 19 and the transmission member 15, in cooperation with a third segment 12c, or intermediate segment, disposed between the tensioning segment 12a and the second segment 12b. The guide device 21 generally provides, common to all three embodiments described below, a movement part, which is functionally associated with the drum 19 either to direct the tensioning segment 12a along the axis of rotation X or to move the winding member 19 as a function of the position of the tensioning segment 12a. In particular, the guide device 21 comprises movement means 14 disposed in cooperation with the first cable segment 12a and able to relatively move the latter and/or the winding member 19 in a direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X, so as to transform the linear evolution of the second segment 12b into an oscillatory evolution that follows the position of the coils of the cable 12 on the winding member 19.

Moreover, also common to the embodiments described below, the guide device 21 also generally comprises a sliding part, which is functionally associated with the movement part and allows the cable 12 to slide correctly toward the grip handle 13 or toward the winding member 19, respectively, in such a way that the movement part can operate correctly with the winding member 19 in order to wind or unwind, respectively, the coils of the cable 12 in an orderly manner.

In particular, the guide device 21 comprises sliding means 18 disposed in cooperation with the movement means 14 and able to guide the sliding of the cable 12 with respect to the movement means 14 and the transmission member 15. According to some embodiments, the transmission member 15 is associated with a cap 33 which is mounted pivoting on the containing body 11, rotatable with respect to an axis Z, in this specific case a longitudinal axis of the containing body 11, so as to allow the maximum flexibility of exit of the traction segment 12b (fig. 2) and, therefore, allow its traction through the handle 13, substantially at any angle, even orthogonal or variable, with respect to the longitudinal axis Z of the containing body 11.

Advantageously, the transmission member 15 is associated with a head end 1 lb of the containing body 11. According to some embodiments, the transmission member 15 comprises one or more pulleys, or transmission seatings, not shown in detail, which allow the cable 12 to exit from the containing body 11, even at an angle, defining a desired safety radius, in order to limit possible improper stresses on the cable 12 itself, which may compromise its durability.

According to some embodiments, the coupling device 16 is a rapid type coupling.

According to one possible embodiment, it can be a coupling device 16 of the bayonet type, that is, with combined axial and rotary insertion; however, it is not excluded that it can be of the pressure, spring, ball, screw, or other known type that does not require tools to guarantee the solidity of the coupling to a special and mating coupling element 34.

According to possible variants, the coupling device 16 can comprise a plate or other element suitable to cooperate with known fastening elements of the screw or bolt type, or suchlike, to allow a fixed and stable connection with mating support flanges.

As shown schematically in fig. 10, the coupling device 16, in particular if of the rapid type, allows the selective coupling of the machine 10 to an external support, in this specific case a panel 17 or a wall, provided with corresponding coupling and/or plug elements 34, which are compatible with the coupling device 16.

In this way, the machine 10 can be connected in one or the other of the coupling elements 34 to allow the execution of different types of exercises.

As can be seen from figs. 10a and 10b, which show possible operating configurations of the exercise machine 10, thanks to the presence of the guide device 21 the sizes of the exercise machine 10 are on the one hand very compact and on the other suitable to allow to perform exercises along a substantially vertical directrix, without requiring transmission devices which are external to the containing body 11 itself.

According to other embodiments, two or more machines 10 can be associated with each other, in various functional combinations on a same panel 17, so as to create, on each occasion, a desired operating configuration which is functional to the muscular or rehabilitation purposes to be pursued.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in figs, from 3 to 5, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20 are disposed substantially parallel to each other and kinematically connected by means of a belt 22, preferably both housed inside the containing body 11.

According to possible variants, instead of the belt 22, motion transmission members of the gear or chain type can be provided.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 defining the movement part described above comprise a support element 23, with a flat or box-shaped shape, and horizontally pivoting freely with respect to an axis of horizontal pivoting Y, the latter substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the winding member 19.

According to some embodiments, the axis of horizontal pivoting Y is located in correspondence with, or in proximity to, a lateral edge of the support element 23.

Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one pulley 25, in the example case two pulleys 25, mounted idle on the support element 23. The pulleys 25 are integral with the support element 23 and oscillate together with it on one side and on the other with respect to the axis of horizontal pivoting

If there are two pulleys 25, it is possible to divert the third segment 12c in such a way that the second segment 12b exits from the guide device 21 from the opposite side with respect to the first segment 12a in the direction of the axis of horizontal pivoting Y. In the case of a single pulley, the first segment 12a and the second segment 12b will be on the same side.

With particular reference to fig. 3, the disposition of the two pulleys 25 is such that the third segment 12c is guided at the lower part by one pulley 25 and at the upper part by the other pulley 25, so as to assume a substantially S-shaped evolution between the two.

In this way, the third segment 12c is substantially coaxial to the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, in the zone comprised between the guide device 21 and the transmission member 15, while the tensioning segment 12a is substantially tangent to the winding member 19, in the zone comprised between the guide device 21 and the winding member 19.

In this way, whatever the direction of movement of the tensioning segment 12a, that is, whether it is being wound or unwound, with respect to the winding member 19, the support element 23 pivots horizontally around the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, passively following the position of the tensioning segment 12a with respect to the winding member 19, as schematically shown in figs. 4 and 5, and guaranteeing the correct winding or unwinding of the cable 12. In other words, the oscillation of the tensioning segment 12a of the cable 12 on one side and on the other of the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, that is, a movement thereof in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the winding member 19, involves the simultaneous horizontal pivoting of the support element 23, thus keeping the cable 12 aligned with respect to the position of the coils on the winding member 19.

In accordance with other embodiments, on one or preferably both sides of the horizontally pivoting support 23, alignment means 42 can be provided, for example springs or other elastic elements, having the function of facilitating the return of the horizontally pivoting support 23 in alignment with the axis of horizontal pivoting Y. This arrangement is particularly advantageous if the machine 10 is used in a horizontal direction, since it allows to at least partly compensate the weight force and inertia of the support 23 itself, and prevent it from impacting against the internal walls of the containing body 11.

Alternatively, or in addition, according to other variants not shown, there can be provided a counterweight for the support 23 such that the mass of the support 23 is symmetrical with respect to the axis of horizontal pivoting Y, regardless of the orientation of the machine 10, so that its movement is conditioned only by the traction on the cable 12.

In the embodiment shown in figs. 6 and 7, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20a are provided inside the containing body 11, disposed substantially concentrically or coaxial with each other and connected in rotation, possibly through one or more intermediate gears or reducers.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 comprise a slide 26 disposed facing the winding member 19 and mobile in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X of the latter.

This movement is embodied by a worm screw 27, advantageously kinematically connected to one of either the winding member 19 or the electric motor 20a, for example by means of a toothed coupling 29, with crown 38a and pinion 38b, with desired transmission ratio. In this way, the activation of the electric motor 20a determines, simultaneously, both the rotation of the winding member 19 and also the linear movement of the slide 26.

The feed speed of the slide 26 is equal to the feed speed of the coils along the winding member 19. Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one intermediate control element 30a, in this specific case a pulley, configured to precisely direct the tensioning segment 12a toward the winding member 19 in order to guide its winding or unwinding with respect to the latter.

The intermediate control element 30a is advantageously installed on the slide 26 and is mobile together with it.

The sliding means 18 in this embodiment can also comprise at least one snub pulley 30, in the example case two pulleys 30, always disposed inside the containing body 11, in the segment between the intermediate control element 30a and the transmission member 15. With reference to the solution of fig. 6 and 7, the disposition of the two pulleys 30 is such that the third segment 12c is guided and diverted toward the slide 26 in such a way that the entry and exit of the cable 12 into/from the guide device 21 occurs from opposite sides with respect to it along the longitudinal axis Z.

In the embodiment shown in figs. 8 and 9, the winding member 19 and the electric motor 20 are disposed substantially coaxial to each other and connected in rotation, preferably both housed inside the containing body 11.

In this embodiment, the movement means 14 comprise a fixed worm screw 31, positioned coaxial to the axis of rotation X of the electric motor 20a and cooperating axially with the winding member 19 to move it along the axis of rotation X.

Advantageously, the rotation of the winding member 19 by means of the motor member 20a also determines the screwing/unscrewing of the latter along the worm screw 31.

The movement means 14 in this solution comprise at least one rod 39, in the example case two rods 39, configured to transmit the torque from the electric motor

20a to the winding member 19, allowing its translation along the axis of rotation X.

In particular, the winding member 19 advances in one or the other direction along the worm screw 31 with a pitch equal to the winding or unwinding pitch of the coils of the cable 12, in such a way that the point of exit of the cable from the winding member 19 is always facing the sliding means 18.

Again in this embodiment, the sliding means 18 comprise at least one intermediate control element 32a, in this specific case a pulley, disposed in a fixed position on one side of the winding member 19 and configured to precisely direct the tensioning segment 12a toward the winding member 19.

The sliding means 18 in this embodiment can also comprise one or more snub pulleys 32, in the example case two pulleys 32, always disposed inside the containing body 11 , in the segment comprised between the intermediate control element 32a and the transmission member 15. In the case described by way of example, the disposition of the pulleys 32 is such that the entry and exit of the cable into/from the guide device 21 occur on opposite sides thereof.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

For example, according to one variant, the electric motor 20a can be freely replaced with a pneumatic actuator, or an actuator of another known type.

According to other embodiments, a command and control unit can be provided, connected to the electric motors 20a of different machines 10, in order to coordinate their intensities and operations as a function of a predefined operating sequence, that is, functional, in a condition of modular combination of the type schematized in fig. 10.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of exercise machine, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the very claims.