Technical field

The present invention relates to a gym apparatus for training a limb.

Prior art

A device comprising a casing containing a gyroscope is known. It is rotated manually until a high speed is reached. For the conservation of the angular momentum, the gyroscope opposes a change in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore the user, holding the casing, undergoes stresses linked to the fact that the gyroscope is opposed to moving from the axis of rotation thereof. Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task on which the present invention is based is to propose a gym apparatus that allows maximising that the effectiveness of the training.

The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by a gym apparatus comprising the technical features as set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a gym apparatus as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figures 1 and 2 show an example of configuration of a gym apparatus according to the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a schematic view of the components of the gym apparatus according to the present invention;

-figure 4 shows a perspective view of the gym apparatus according to the present invention in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a gym apparatus for training at least a portion of a limb. It can in fact be used for training an arm or a leg.

The apparatus 1 comprises a first gyroscope 21 rotatable about a first rotation axis 210. Conveniently, the first gyroscope 21 can be part of a plurality of gyroscopes (preferably superimposed on each other) rotatable about the first rotation axis 210. The first gyroscope 21 is motorised (to allow a rotation about the first axis 210). The first gyroscope 21 for example comprises a first rotatable flywheel. The first flywheel comprises a first rotatable mass, preferably discoidal. Typically the first flywheel is rotatable about a first shaft. Conveniently, the first rotation axis 210 passes through the centre of gravity of the first flywheel.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a first motor 31 which causes the first gyroscope 21 to rotate about the first rotation axis 210. The first motor 31 is typically an electric motor.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a second gyroscope 22 rotatable about a second rotation axis 220. Conveniently, the second axis 220 is rotatable about the first rotation axis 210. By way of example, the first and second axis 210, 220 can be incident and orthogonal. In particular, the second rotation axis 220 moves about the first axis 210 integrally with the first gyroscope 21. The second gyroscope 22 is motorised (to allow a rotation about the second axis 220).

The apparatus 1 also comprises a second motor 32 which causes the second gyroscope 22 to rotate about the second rotation axis 220. The second gyroscope 22 for example comprises a rotatable sphere. Typically the sphere is rotatable about a second shaft.

A first direction identified by the first rotation axis 210 is inclined, instant by instant, relative to a second direction identified by the second rotation axis 220. In particular, the first and second direction are orthogonal to each other (Figure 1). In an alternative solution, for example, they form an angle comprised between 30° and 150°. The apparatus 1 further comprises a support 4 for the first and second gyroscope 21 , 22. The support 4 comprises for example a casing 40 containing the first and second gyroscope 21 , 22. For example, but not necessarily, the support 4 is spherical. Conveniently, the first and second gyroscope 21 , 22 lie in the same chamber identified by the support 4. The support 4 can define a protective shell. The first and second rotation axis 210, 220 are constrained to the shell and maintain a predefined orientation with respect thereto.

The support 4 is intended to be associated with (grasped by/constrained to) a limb of the human body. For example, it can be held by a user or constrained to a portion of the human body. In this regard, the apparatus 1 can comprise a shin guard constrained, preferably in a removable way, to the support 4. In an alternative solution, however, it could also be constrained to a portion of an arm or a thigh or to the hand or foot of a user.

Conveniently, the first motor 31 has an adjustable rotation speed. This allows the speed of rotation of the first gyroscope 21 to be adjusted about the first axis 210. This allows adjusting the intensity of the exercise to better adapt it to the user's needs (athlete/amateur use, adult/boy, etc.). With adjustable rotation speed it is meant not only the possibility to choose between switched on and off, but also to be able to choose between different rotation speeds (with the possibility of choosing different speeds that can be discretely selected or continuously adjustable).

Conveniently, the rotation of the second motor 32 can also be controlled by the user. For example, it implies the possibility of choosing between switched on/off. Also in this case, at least in the preferred solution, there is the possibility of adjusting the rotation speed by choosing from a discrete number of rotation speeds including zero speed. The first and/or second motor 31 , 32 are powered by means 8 for storing electrical energy placed on board the support 4. Typically, the storage means 8 comprise one or more electric batteries. The first and second motor 31 , 32 could be driven by separate batteries or by the same battery. In addition or alternatively, the first and/or second electric motor 31 , 32 could be powered by the electrical network. In this regard, the apparatus 1 can comprise a power cable which can be connected to the electrical network. This cable could also be used for recharging the means 8 for storing electrical energy. Conveniently, the apparatus 1 can comprise a third gyroscope 23 rotatable about a third rotation axis 230. Conveniently, the third rotation axis 230 and the second rotation axis 220 lie in a plane orthogonal to the first rotation axis. Conveniently, the second and third rotation axis 220, 230 identify two directions which are orthogonal to each other. The third gyroscope 23 conveniently lies inside the support 4. The third gyroscope 23 is also motorised (in figure 4 the motor is indicated by the reference number 33). Eventually there could also be a fourth and/or fifth gyroscope 24, 25 which are suitably motorised and which rotate about a fourth and fifth rotation axis 240, 250, respectively. In an operating mode, the fourth and fifth rotation axis 240, 250 rotate about the first axis 210 integrally with the second and third rotation axis 220, 230. The second, third, fourth and fifth gyroscope 22, 23, 24, 25 have rotation axes which define a cross (and which advantageously lie in the same plane). The first motor 31 causes the first, second and third gyroscope 21 , 22, 23 (and suitably also the fourth and fifth 24, 25) to rotate about the first axis 210 of rotation. The first motor 31 therefore causes the first gyroscope 21 and the second and third axis 220, 230 to rotate about the first axis 210. In at least one operating mode, the second and third gyroscope 22, 23 rotate respectively about the second and third axis 220, 230 according to opposite directions of rotation. This allows the exercise to be optimized by requiring a greater force of the user. Thus an observer who from the centre of the first gyroscope 21 observes the second and third gyroscope 22, 23 sees one of the two rotate clockwise and the other counterclockwise. For example, as exemplified in Figure 4, the second and fourth gyroscope 22, 24 rotate in the same direction with respect to the second and fourth axis 220, 240 respectively, while the third and fifth gyroscope 23, 25 rotate with respect to the third and fifth rotation axis 230, 250 with a direction of rotation that is concordant with one another, but opposite to that of the second and fourth gyroscope 22, 24. In this case the directions of rotation of the individual gyroscopes can therefore be coupled two by two. Conveniently, at least two pairs formed by consecutive gyroscopes have the same direction of rotation.

As exemplified in Figure 4, the first gyroscope 21 is shaped like a flywheel or in any case a disk; the second and third gyroscope 22, 23 are respectively placed in housing means 9 formed in said flywheel.

Preferably the apparatus 1 comprises a vibrating motor 5 which causes said support 4 to vibrate. This motor 5 is therefore additional with respect to the first and second motor 31 , 32. For example, the motor 5 is a motor which causes a mass to vibrate. These oscillations cause a vibration of the support 4. This induces a phenomenon that overlaps with that induced by the gyroscopes. It therefore allows an enhancement of the training. Conveniently, the support 4 comprises means 41 for connecting an additional body. Such connection means 41 is typically threaded. For example, it comprises a threaded pin. Conveniently, the connection means 41 comprises a plurality of connection points. They are located on the outside of the support 4.

The apparatus 1 conveniently comprises a handle 6 which can be connected to the support 4. This connection occurs for example by means of the connection means 4. In particular, the handle 6 can be constrained to the support 4 through one or more of the connection points.

In the preferred solution, the vibrating motor 5 is integrated in the handle 6. The apparatus 1 conveniently comprises a shin guard 7 connected to the support 4. Optionally, the apparatus 1 can also comprise a second vibrating motor 50, preferably integrated in the handle 6.

Eventually an additional weight could be constrained to the outside of the support 4 (to enhance the exercise). The object of the present invention is also a kit 90 (see Figure 1) comprising:

-a first apparatus 91 ; the first apparatus is an apparatus 1 which has one or more of the features described above for apparatus 1 ; -a second apparatus 92; the second apparatus is an apparatus 1 which has one or more of the features described above for apparatus 1 ;

-a connector 93 which connects the first and second tool. This connector is typically a bar. This connector suitably rigidly constrains the first and second tool. The present invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, it allows enhancing one's training. The electrically powered gyroscopes in addition to not requiring a preventive manual charge, allow them to maintain their effectiveness for a prolonged time that allows the exercise to be performed. This is also associated with the option of being able to adjust the intensity of the exercise by acting at will on the rotation speed. Another important advantage is linked to the fact that the user can "switch off" the apparatus quickly by acting on the electric motors (which will become a load that brakes the gyroscopes) without having to wait a long time for the flywheel to slowly exhaust its rotation speed. The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Furthermore, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever, according to need.