DESCRIPTION

It is the subject of the present patent application an improved exercise device, designed to make the practice of multiple exercises more functional and feasible, with said device being distinctive for the fact of including pneumatic actuators, or oleo-dynamic or mechanical, releasing an effort equivalent to the load of the training during the exercise repetition.

Field of application

The found subject of the present patent request finds application in the physical exercise devices manufacturing industry.

State of the art

It is known that each exercise of physical culture corresponds to a series of repetitions made up of two phases plus a moment of transition: the "positive" phase - known as the concentric phase- consists of the effort made in order to reach the unstable equilibrium of the loads, to this phase follows, after a more or less reduced transition, the "negative" phase - also known as the eccentric phase- entailing an effort to go back to the initial equilibrium of the repetition.

The term "negative" or eccentric phase means here the return phase of a repetition.

It is known that the validity of the exercise within the negative phase only (eccentric) is important in terms of effectiveness, particularly in case of exercises for post - traumatic rehabilitation or within the exercise mode excluding excessive stress for muscle-articulation, in which it is preferable to avoid the reflex known as stiffness in order to pass to the next positive phase of the movement (concentric). Therefore, the ideal condition for a physical exercise is the one that allows the user to regulate the physically generated power, in both the eccentric and concentric phases, with all the performance and health benefits possible, and with particular focus on the prevention of injuries. The current production of mechanical devices for physical culture, includes those specifically conceived for one type of exercise only (e.g., rowing machine, tread mill) or adaptable to a wider range of fitness machines (e.g., power-rack, chest-press, shoulder-press, rower-back, leg-press, lat- machine, ercolina, castello-cables-station, pectoral machine, pec-deck etc.). Currently all the machines for physical activity allow the exercise repetition only if it's done both in positive and negative phases.

Through the devices known as state of the art, it is therefore possible to only practice the negative phase of exercises, exclusively with the help of a support staff member. For example, document WO9211066 "PNEUMATIC VARIABLE RESISTANCE REHABILITATION/ THERAPY APPARATUS" describes a rehabilitation/therapy device, "leg press" type, particularly useful in strengthening the musculature of the ankle, knee and hip, while reducing at the minimum the unwanted ligaments stresses as well as allowing an exercise mode that replicates closely the physiological function of the muscles of the lower limbs and articulations, eliminating as well the noticeable risks, potentially harmful for lower limbs in a post-surgical or post-traumatic phase, during the use of exercise devices known as state of the art. The dynamic "leg press" type exercise device, described in the previously mentioned document, operating pneumatically, includes three main elements, that is a carriage assembly, a foot support assembly and a frame assembly. According to what is reported in the description, the frame also presents at one extremity a footrest assembly which has a footrest pad against which the patient/user presses his/her feet to move the carriage against a resistive force, while remaining in supine position on the sliding carriage/platform/plane surface.

Particularly, the foot support assembly includes a pair of longerons working together with the lateral elements constituting the frame on which the carriage slides on. The longerons are equipped with knobs whose position can be adjusted along the corresponding longeron, through the hand's normal force so that a user can horizontally extend or retract the footrest assembly (20) with respect to the frame assembly, to reach the knee's desired bending degree before beginning to use the rehabilitation apparatus. According to what is reported, the carriage assembly includes a platform and a frame which presents a pair of vertical distanced elements (13) on which is mounted a means of sliding.

To use the rehabilitative apparatus of the present invention, a user lays down on the back (that is in supine position) on a platform surface placed on the carriage, with the head supported by the headrest and the hands grabbing the handles. The foot support assembly is adjusted backwards or forwards with respect to the frame assembly (30) so that the user's feet are supported from the footrest and the knees are bent at the desired degree.

When the user has taken position on the rehabilitation device, as previously described, and has made the necessary adjustments forwards/backwards of the foot support assembly, he/she can activate the pneumatic system and set the desired resistive pressure, selecting it with a rotation of the pressure regulation knob. Once the desired pressure has been selected, the user presses his/her feet against the footrest to extend the legs and push the carriage assembly to the extremity of the frame assembly head.

Once the complete carriage assembly extension is reached, the resistive force that has been accumulated into the pneumatic system (80), due to the user's legs extension, will force the return of the carriage assembly into the "rest" position, that is the position in which the knees of the user will be bent, as if the energy accumulated into the cylinder has been accumulated into a spring. Therefore, the user must use the "negative resistance" meaning resisting to the force of return of the pneumatic system (80) during a complete cycle.

The negative resistance, which is required from the user, due to the return velocity of the compressed rod inside the cylinder, is regulated using a pressure limiting valve, or limiter.

The pneumatic system that the device described in the previous document consists of a pneumatic cylinder, an accumulator, a pump, a pressure switch, and a pressure regulator, and describes where the system is located within the internal part of the frame, which the system longerons are connected to, over the carriage.

Particularly, the pneumatic system releases the resistive force against which the user must work by pushing his/her legs from a bent position to a completely extended one, while remaining in supine position on the sliding carriage or on a flat surface placed over the sliding carriage.

Therefore, on one end a cable is secured to the lower side of the moving carriage, wrapped around the pulley, and on the opposite end, connected to the frame structure. When the patient moves the carriage from a rest position - i.e. bent knees - to a work position - i.e. legs extended -, the cable connected with the lower part of the carriage is tensioned, determining the compression of the pulley and of the rod with respect to the internal part of the cylinder. In other words, the movement of linear translation of the carriage with respect to the frame assembly getting further from the footboard, corresponds to the movement of the compression piston of the stem inside the pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder is fitted with a check valve at the extremity of the stem to ensure that during the compressive phases no vacuum will form, thus preventing the effective movement of the piston's stem and the resistive force of the cylinder.

At the other extremity of the cylinder is also connected an accumulator in order to release an extra volume of air necessary to avoid exponential growth of the resistive force of the cylinder during compression of the cylinder. The ratio of the cylinder and accumulator volumes is selected to simulate the resistance curve and rebound of a mechanical compression spring system, comparable along the operating range of the pneumatic system.

Therefore, the device movement consists of a relative slide of the carriage towards the "support feet / frame" system, with said movement being determined from a cable/pulley system and the resistance, for the exercise effectiveness, being determined by a pneumatic system (80) located inside the frame (30).

The found described in the above-mentioned document consists of a "leg press" type machine for physical exercise that allows to reach the above-mentioned goal to by using an apparatus resulting particularly complex due to the presence of the carriage. Said carriage performs the relative movement against the frame by using the cable and the pulley and can be utilized exclusively in a supine position.

The purpose of the found object of the present application is therefore to realize an apparatus for physical activity able to solve the described disadvantages of the state of the art. Particularly, the purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to realize an apparatus for physical activity allowing a multiplicity of exercises by reproducing the load stress both in positive and negative phase, or alternatively just in one of the phases, relieving in the following phase, resulting neutral while autonomously returning to the desired starting point.

Ulterior purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to design an apparatus for physical activity resulting simplified in the realization.

Ulterior purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to realize an apparatus for physical activity able to gradually release the stress, both in traction and in compression reproducing the dynamic, static or isometric muscular contractions.

Ulterior purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to realize an apparatus for physical activity allowing to set up different times of duration of the two distinct phases - eccentric and concentric - by modifying as desired the parameter known as the T.U.T. = Time Under Tension that is the time under tension of one or more muscles during the repetition.

Ulterior purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to realize an apparatus for physical activity, allowing to set up both different times and different loads, for the two distinct phases.

Ulterior purpose of the found object of the present patent application is to allow performing in autonomy the repetitions in one phase only (positive or negative) without the assistance of an external operator. This and ulterior purposes will be reached from the apparatus object of the present patent application as per following description and main claim.

Summary of the invention

The found object of the present patent application concerns the realization of an apparatus for physical activity (200) consisting of a quadrangular frame (1) to which are connected a pair of telescopic actuators (2.1) with said actuators being connected to an actioning device (3) and connected to an extremity of the carriage (6) equipped with a pair of supports (7) along which a rod moves slidingly (5). Particularly, due to the action of the user on the pistons of the actuators these slide synchronically and lay on the parallel sides of the frame, consequently acting on the barbell which in turn slides along the supports.

The exercise, done using the device object of the present patent application, consists substantially of the barbell pushing action in one sense, or of the user's contrasting one in the opposite sense, with the user having the possibility of regulating the movement power by using the actioning device that in turn acts on the actuator devices. According to the found object of the present patent application, the barbell, slidingly inserted into the supports associated with the carriage, can follow the excursions given from the forearm's rotation, in case of squat type exercises and other situations requiring ergonomic conditions.

Drawings description:

Fig. 1 shows the device object of the present patent application.

Fig. 2 shows the device object of the present patent application operating in a first use configuration.

Fig. 3 shows the device object of the present patent application operating in a second use configuration.

Fig. 4 shows the device object of the present patent application operating in a third use configuration.

Fig. 5 shows the device object of the present patent application operating in a fourth use configuration.

Description of the invention

The found object of the present patent application is represented in the following enclosed Tables, representing the found (200) operating into different use configurations.

Regardless of the operating use configuration described as follows, with reference to Fig. 1, the found object of the present patent application consists of a physical exercise device (200) consisting of a frame (1), with said frame (1) presenting a substantially squared profile, made of a first pair of parallel sides (1.1) and of a second pair of parallel sides (1.2), with said second pair of parallel sides (1.2) resulting perpendicular to the first pair of parallel sides (1.1) called first and second pair of parallel sides (1.1, 1.2) going to define the frame perimeter (1) itself defining a central opening (1.3). According to the found object of the present patent application, on each one of the parallel sides (1.1) of the first pair of sides of the frame (1), there is a telescopic actuator (2). Each one of the telescopic actuators (2) is constituted of a series of cylindric objects (2.1.1, 2. In.), having these ones a decreasing diameter, as well as being slidingly inserted one in another.

Particularly, each telescopic actuator (2) consists of a superior cylinder (2.1.1), an intermediate cylinder (2.1.2) with said intermediate cylinder (2.1.2) being slidingly inserted at one extremity in the superior cylinder (2.1.1) and at the opposite extremity into a lower cylinder (2.1.n).

In a first preferential form of realization, not binding, the telescopic actuators (2) are of pneumatic cylinder type.

In a second preferential form of realization, not binding, the telescopic actuators (2) are of oleo- dynamic cylinder type.

In a third preferential form of realization, not binding, the telescopic actuators (2) are of mechanical cylinder type.

Regardless of the mentioned preferential forms of realization, each actuator (2) is connected to an actioning device (3).

In a first preferential form of realization, not binding, the actioning device (3) consists of a compressor hydraulically associated with the actuators (2).

In a preferential form of realization, the hydraulic connection between the actioning device (3) and the actuators (2) it is obtained by using a pipe, being this pipe located within the device's (200) frame (1).

In a second preferential form, not binding, the actioning device (3) consists of an engine mechanically linked to the actuators (2).

Regardless of the mentioned preferential form of realizations, the force generated from the actioning device (3) is regulated by using a manual or digital type selector (4).

With reference to the Fig. 1, for the found object of the present patent application, one side of the frame's (1) second pair of parallel sides (1.2) has a carriage (6).

Particularly, the carriage (6) consists of a pair of supports (7) each one equipped with a guide (8) having a slider (9) moving in it, with said slider (9) resulting associated with a transversal rod (5.) According to the found object of the present patent application, the extremity of the lower cylinder (2.1.n) of each actuator (2) is associated with the correspondent support (7) of the carriage (6), with said carriage (6) resulting positioned at the extremity of the frame (1) opposite to the extremity presenting the pair of handles (2).

According to the found object of the present patent application, the sliding movement of the rod (5) in vertical direction along the supports (7), requires the application of a force, from the user, adjustable through the regulation of the actioning device (3) which acts on the telescopic actuators (2).

According to what previously exposed, the physical training device (200) object of the present patent application allows the realization of a series of exercises having the rod (5) sliding along the supports (7) and/or the carriage (6) sliding along the bearing of the telescopic actuators (2).

According to what has been previously exposed, it is possible, through the regulation of the actuators sliding excursion, to realize a wide range of exercises by using the same device (200) realized as previously described.

Description of a first use configuration - "rowing machine" type exercises.

With reference to the Fig. 2, in a first use configuration, the device (200) object of the present patent application is suitable for realizing "rowing machine" type exercises.

In the use configuration of Fig. 2 the frame (1) is laid on the floor and the carriage (6) results positioned at one extremity of the said frame (1) while the telescopic actuators (2) are in maximum extension position. In the use configuration of Fig. 2, the usertakes position by sitting, having his/her legs drawn up, feet on the ground, within the frame (1) between the two actuators, (2) immediately in front of the rod (5). By setting the load through the actioning device (3) and grabbing the rod (5), the user moves his torso back and forth, stretching and drawing up the arms in the characteristic gesture of the "rower" alternatively pulling and pushing the rod (5), up to conclusion of the repetition.

Description of a second use configuration - "leg press" type exercises

With reference to the Fig. 3, in a second use configuration, the device (200) object of the present patent application is suitable for realizing "leg press" type exercises.

In the use configuration of Fig. 3, the frame (1) of the device for physical activity (200) is connected in the lower part with a pair of elements of support (101) and into the central opening (1.3) is positioned a bench (400) on which the user can lay down in supine position. In the use configuration reported in Fig. 3, the carriage (6) by means of the telescopic actuators (2) slides longitudinally up to the minimum extension position of the said actuators (2), and in order to result positioned at the opposite extremity with respect to the correspondent position of the first use configuration (Fig.2). In the use configuration of Fig. 3, the user is in supine position on the bench (400) positioned within the frame (1) between the two actuators (2), having the legs drawn up to the chest and feet laying against the rod (5). By setting the load through the actioning device (3), the user alternatively with the legs pushes the rod (5) and holds its return, up to the end of the "leg press" exercise repetitions. Description of a third use configuration - "squat" type exercises

With reference to the use configuration of Fig. 4, in a third use configuration, the device (200) object of the present patent application is in the suitable configuration for "squat" type exercises. In the use configuration of Fig. 4, the frame (1) of the physical exercise device (200) object of the present patent application is associated with a wall (500) in order to result positioned vertically with respect to the floor plane. In the use configuration of fig. 4, the carriage (6) slides longitudinally into the position corresponding to the minimum extension of the actuators pair (2) and corresponding to the frame's extremity (1) opposite to the superior extremity. According to the use configuration of Fig. 4, the user is positioned in squat with respect to the wall direction, exactly between the two actuators (2), bringing the rod (5) close to the floor, in position of maximum elongation of the actuators (2). By setting the load through the actioning device (3) and grabbing the rod (5) with both hands, the user lifts the rod (5) in force of the synchronised arms and legs, to reach the standing up position, having the arms lifted, with said position corresponding to the complete gathering of the actuators (2), to then go back to the squat position, up to the "squat" type exercises repetition's end.

Description of a fourth use configuration - "seal row" or "french press" exercises With reference to the Fig. 5, in a fourth use configuration, the device (200) object of the present patent application, is in a suitable configuration for "seal row" or "french press" exercises type. In the use configuration of Fig. 5, the frame (1) is connected to an inclined support (600), a bench (400) resulting frontally positioned.

In the fourth use configuration of Fig. 5, the carriage (6) is in the position corresponding to the maximum extension of the telescopic actuators (2) therefore, in the position corresponding to the lower extremity of the frame (1). According to the fourth use configuration of Fig. 5, the user can take place on the bench (400) in prone or supine position. According to the use configuration of Fig. 5, the user takes the supine position on a bench placed between the two actuators (2), having his/her head towards the found, holding the rod (5) above his forehead. Setting the load through the actioning device (S), the user alternately pushes up the rod (5) using his/her arms and holds on the rod's return, up to the end of the "leg press" exercises repetition. Alternatively, the user takes position prone on the bench (400) arranged between the two actuators (2), having his/her head towards the found and placing the rod (5) under the bench, in position of maximum elongation of the actuators (2). By setting the load through the actioning device (3), the user grabs the rod (5) and alternately with his/her arms pulls it towards him/herself and then pushes it against the floor, up to the end of the "seal row" exercise repetitions. Description of a fifth use configuration

With reference to the Fig.6 and Fig.7, in a fifth use configuration, the frame (1) of the physical activity device (200) object of the present patent application is associated with an inclined support (600). Particularly, with reference to the Fig. 6, the carriage (6) is placed in correspondence of the minimum extension of the telescopic actuators (2) and the rod (5) is placed in position of minimum extension along the supports (7). With reference to the Fig. 7, the carriage (6) is placed in correspondence of the maximum extension of the telescopic actuators (2) and the rod (5) is placed in position of minimum extension along the supports (7).

Regardless of the mentioned use configurations, the device (200) object of the present patent application allows the placement of the carriage (6) through the telescopic actuators (2) along the longitudinal axis of the frame (1) and the placement of the rod (5) along the supports (7) of the mentioned carriage (6) in a range of positions apt to allow the realization of a series of physical exercises, the difficulty of which in terms of stress for the user is determined by the actioning device (3) which can be regulated through a control device (4). Particularly, in a preferential functioning mode, the control device (4) is opportunely realized with the purpose of making the actioning device (3) selective for one only actuator (2) of the pair of actuators (2) of which the device (200) is equipped.