The present invention relates to a training device for performing exercises according to the preamble of claim 1 .

Such a device is known . For example , such a device is known from DE 20 2006 010 067 U1 . The training device of this closest prior art publication comprises a base to be placed on a surface and a platform for supporting a user' s body ( or a body part of the user ) and to perform a reciprocal vertical movement relative to the base . A user may stand on the platform for performing squats . Alternatively, but not disclosed in this publication, the user may support hands on the platform with feet on the surface ( outside of the platform) to perform push-ups or dips . Other types of exercises are also imaginable . When exercising squats , push-ups , dips and the like on the surface ( i . e . without the device ) , muscles of the user are loaded less in a downward movement than in an upward movement , because gravity aids a downward movement . In contrast , using the training device of the closest prior art , it is in principle possible to strain muscles used by the user for upward and downward movement ( relative to the resp . down and upward moving platform) to practically the same extent . This is also the case for the present disclosure ( referred to in the field of physiotherapy as ' isokinetic' exercising ) .

Further the known device comprises a drive accommodated in the base and connected to the platform . The drive in the known device is a generic electromotor , to drive the platform in the rectilinear reciprocal vertical movement relative to the base .

Separate from the drive a stationary handgrip is provided at or near a top of an upright , which extends approximately parallel to the movement direction of the drive and upwards from the base and above the platform . The user may use the handgrip for stabilization when doing squat exercises or the like .

In the known device , a transmission is provided between the motor and the platform, comprising a dis k arranged on an output axis ( or ' output shaft ' to clarify that it relates to a physical entity) of the motor , with a swivel bar being pivotably connected to the disk and to the platform, and extending therebetween . Further , slide bars in slide structures on opposite sides with the transmission disk in between are required for a stable reciprocal movement .

The above referenced training device exhibits disadvantages . Provision of movement stabilization with the slide bars and slide structures contributes to a bulky and complex configuration . The dis k based transmission is limited with respect to achievable amplitudes of the reciprocal movement of the platform . In particular , the range or freedom of movement is restricted to a distance corresponding with the diameter of the disk . To keep dimensions of the base manageably small , the disk needs to be small , whereby the training range of the reciprocal movement is also small . If larger movement ranges are desired, the dis k in the transmission must be replaced by a dis k with a larger diameter and necessarily a sturdier design because of the weight of the user pressing down on the platform and subsequently acting on the motor and the disk thereon, in combination with a larger distance from the center of the dis k to the attachment point of the swivel bar , undesirably contributing further to the complexity and bulkiness of the resulting overall configuration according to this closest prior art publication . However, this publication is silent on how to achieve a smaller amplitude movement , if desired for a particular exercise , when a large diameter disk is in place on the output axis ( or shaft ) of the motor . A possible solution is for the disk to be embodied very large ( at the detriment of bulkiness of the resulting device ) , and to have the motor reciprocally switch rotational direction within a subrange , smaller than a half rotation of the motor axis ( shaft ) , but this cannot be achieved by any old generic electromotor, at least not for desired reversal speeds , that allow for effective exercising . Consequently, the device of the closest prior art publication is suited only for a very limited set of types of exercises , which require an amplitude of movement that is dictated by the diameter of the transmission dis k on the motor axis ( shaft ) , and require replacement of the dis k on the motor axis ( shaft ) for other exercises , which replacement is cumbersome .

Yet further , the user standing on or leaning against the platform puts considerable strain or load on the electromotor , which must be able to lift the platform with the user standing thereon or leaning there against , and generate the considerable force for the required functionality at a relatively low rotational speed of for example between 3 - 50 rpm. The requirements of high power at low rotational speeds can normally only be met by using very expensive and bulky electromotors .

Also , NL-1021619 is acknowledged here as more remote prior art than DE-20 2006 010 067 . NL-1021619 discloses a normally ( during training or exercise ) stationary platform that is supported by a scissor-conf iguration . The scissor-conf iguration allows for preparatory height adj ustment of the platform relative to a moveable hand grip to compensate for or adapt to a length of a user, before actually starting exercises . During training or exercise , the platform stays stationary, while the hand grip is driven up-and- down along upright columns , for the exercising user to follow for performing squats or the like . The user can perform training exercises , such as squats , by following cyclic or reciprocal movements of the hand grip . Thus NL-1021619 reverses the functions of the platform and the handgrips during training, whereby requirements on a drive for moving the handgrip of NL-1021619 are far more easily met than those for driving the platform as in DE 20 2006 010 067 ( only the latter prior art device needs to lift the user standing on or leaning against the platform) . However , efficiency of training is better using a moveable platform according to DE 20 2006 010 067 , because the user will feel a need to maintain a stationary position of his or her hands on the grip and of his or her head, and will get a better exercise , than a user of a device according to NL-1021067 who may more easily cheat a bit by bending arms at elbows or shoulders and back at the pelvis to follow the reciprocally moving handgrip and thereby cheat him- or herself out of a good training exercise . More importantly, NL-1021619 does not allow for isokinetic exercising , because the exercising person could j ust as well be standing on the surface ( floor ) with gravity aiding downward movements , thus making NL-1021619 incompatible with the obj ectives of DE 20 2006 010 067 .

Evidently, the device of DE 20 2006 010 067 is susceptible to improvements , while the disclosure of NL-1021067 provides no hint whatsoever in what way and using what features such improvements may be achieved for the device known from DE 20 2006 010 067 , while preserving the great benefits of isokinetic training exercises . In particular , there is a need for a multi-purpose , multiexercise device to provide a better , more efficient training exercise , especially for exercising to train multiple muscles or muscle groups , for example to attain a greater improvement in mobility, strength, endurance , coordination, strength, and the like , while also providing improvements in terms of structure , complexity, costliness , bulkiness , increased movement range ( at least without cumbersome refitting of components of the device ) , and the like , for the device itself .

In order to obtain at least one or some of the desired improvements over the closest prior art mentioned above , according to a first embodiment the invention provides a training device comprising further the characterizing features of claim 1 . This device has the advantage that more types of exercises to be performed by a user can be performed in a simple manner .

It has also been found that the device according to the invention can easily be used in different ways , so that different parts of the body can be trained . Such a synergistic effect is a great advantage .

By the feature that the transmission comprises an elongate guide extending along a side of the platform, where the platform is connected to the guide , while the upright includes the guide , a considerable simplification is achieved . The elongate guide , forming (part of ) the transmission may then extend over a considerable length of the upright , to extend the range of movement , that is achievable , relative to the small disk transmission of the closest prior art , which requires a separate stabilizing structure , that may be omitted by implementing the teaching of the present disclosure . The elongate guide thus defines a large movement range but by appropriate control over the motor , smaller movements may be set than those associated with the entire length of the guide , to adj ust the device for training more diverse types of exercises .

The present invention relates to a device that can be used in multiple areas , in particular for exercising multiple muscle groups of both the legs-hips and the arms-shoulder girdle . Due to the degree of adj ustability of the platform movement in both frequency and amplitude and a linear vertical movement instead of a cyclical movement , the device according to the present disclosure can be used for any level of user training . The device is suitable , among other things , for improving mobility, strength, endurance , coordination and the like , whereby it is also suitable for rehabilitation training .

The user can take place on the platform in the desired manner , after which the user must follow the movement of the platform with a part of the body . When the user stands on the platform with one or two legs , the user will , for example , have to keep his or her upper body at the same height during the up and down movement of the platform . Because the upper body does not undergo a change of movement , but only the legs follow the movement of the platform, a so-called eccentric exercise or load of the upper leg and buttock muscles is performed . When the user is exhausted, he can simply stand still and without further effort follow the movement with his entire body, which provides great safety .

It is preferred that the motor comprises a servo motor and the transmission comprises a reducer arranged between the servo motor and the elongate guide . This allows for sufficient force to drive the platform even with the full weight of the user resting thereon, while being able to sufficiently quickly reverse the motion of the platform, when reaching the extremes of a movement range for a particular exercise , which may be well before reaching an end of the elongate guide .

It is additionally or alternatively preferred that the elongate guide comprises at least one type of guide from a group , at least comprising a geared belt and a spindle shaft . These embodiments are simple and robust , and well suited to allow for integration of the guide in the upright , or allow the upright to function as a carrier or support for the guide . In an embodiment based on the spindle shaft , it may comprise a ball screw, for reliable and robust transfer of the motor ' s rotational movement into linear drive of the platform.

It is additionally or alternatively preferred that the device comprises a controller connected to the drive , wherein the controller ( 14 ) is configured to control the drive to regulate a frequency and an amplitude of the rectilinear reciprocal vertical movement of the platform . As a result , an exercise can be adapted to both the individual user and the exercise to be performed by that user . Particularly in the case of rehabilitation, the amplitude and frequency can be adapted to the capabilities of the user . For example , the amplitude can be varied from 1 to 70 cm, more specifically an amplitude of about 35 - 55 cm and more preferably of 45 cm is good for squats . For example , the frequency can be varied from 1 to 60 direction changes , or even more , per minute .

Particularly when the user has reduced stability, it is additionally or alternatively preferred that the device comprises a handgrip arranged at or near a top of the upright ( 17 , 18 ) for a user to hold on to , for example during commissioning or while during performing an exercise type from a group , at least comprising squat exercises . Such assistance is not only a great advantage for users , when getting on and off the platform, but also during mobility exercises , especially for the knee and hip, the user can lean on the handgrip and, depending on the situation, more or less weight can be transferred to the body part to be trained . The user is also encouraged ( in case of a squat movement ) to keep the hips at a constant height by using the handgrip .

Particularly when it is intended that the user can practice push-ups or dips , it is additionally or alternatively preferable that the platform comprises a handlebar for a user to hold, while performing an exercise type from a group , at least comprising push-up exercises . In such embodiments , it may further be preferred that the handlebar is configured to selectively extend from and be retracted in or towards the platform . As a consequence , the device can be adapted to prepare for squat exercises , without the handlebar on the platform for push-up exercises forming a hindrance or nuisance for the user during squat exercises . When desired ( i . e . when the user wants to do push-up exercises ) , the handlebar may again be deployed to extend from the platform. It is further possible that the handlebar may be detachable from the platform, to allow it to be re-arranged on the platform, when needed .

The device according to the invention is preferably constructed in that the upright comprises a guide channel for guiding a fastener in a vertical direction, wherein the guide , the fastener and the platform are configured to be interconnected to cause the rectilinear reciprocal vertical movement of the platform by operation of the guide , when the motor is activated . The base stands on a surface and therefore has a top side and a bottom side facing the surface during use . The at least one upright extends at the top , i . e . away from the ground .

Increased stability is obtained in an additionally or alternatively preferred embodiment comprising two uprights , each comprising a guide , connected to the platform at different sides thereof .

In an additionally or alternatively preferred embodiment , the motor is mounted in the base , and is connected to the guide by a drive shaft . A geared belt as (part of ) the guide of the transmission has the advantage that it is relatively inexpensive and requires virtually no maintenance . The advantage of the spindle is the large forces that can be transferred with it . When driven by an electromotor, and in particular a servo motor ( 5 ) , a quick response is obtained in both cases . The drive shaft allow transmission of the motor' s rotational movement to be transferred to a remote guide , while a plurality of drive shafts allows for the motor to power a plurality of guides simultaneously in a coordinated and synchronized manner .

As an additional or alternative embodiment , an electromotor can be provided in one of the two uprights . This electromotor can be operatively coupled to a guide provided in said upright . The one electromotor can also be operatively coupled to a fastener provided in each upright to raise and lower the platform on both sides , via each upright , potentially via drive shaft ( s ) . According to a further variant , one electromotor can be provided in each of the uprights , each motor driving a guide and a fastener associated therewith, which may then be provided in the respective uprights to cause the platform to move up and down . In a variant with a spindle shaft , optionally a ball screw may be provided . Alternatively and to some extent preferably, a geared belt may be used . However, any other suitable guide of the drive may be employed in the upright ( s ) to raise and lower the fastener and platform .

In order to be able to use the device according to the invention with the highest safety and to prevent an obj ect , a body part or something else from becoming trapped during a downward movement of the platform, it is additionally or alternatively preferred that a cover plate is arranged on the base , wherein an emergency switch is provided between the base and the cover plate , wherein the emergency switch is configured to be triggered by a downward movement of the cover plate towards the base , and the drive ( 4 ) is configured to stop vertical movement of the platform in response to the emergency switch being triggered . Jamming of shoes , user' s body parts and the like between the reciprocally up-and-down moving platform and the cover plate of the base is thus adequately prevented . In such an embodiment , for example , the device may comprise a plurality of switches , distributed around a circumference of the base . This feature may serve for redundancy, or to achieve a sufficient resistance against triggering the switches merely by the weight of the user stepping on the cover plate . In yet another additional or alternative embodiment of the training device having at least one emergency switch, the device may exhibit the feature that the cover plate rests on springs whose load-bearing upper surfaces are located at a position higher than the top of the at least one safety switch . This way a clearing is left free between the cover plate and the switch ( es ) , wherein the springs exhibit the desired resistance to avoid the platform from being unnecessarily stopped from executing it ' s up-and-down movement .

In yet another additional or alternative embodiment , the training device comprises a dead man ' s switch, which is attachable to the user . If a user becomes incapacitated during exercising, for example falling off the platform, the device is able to passively stop the exercise , without active intervention by the user, and thus avoid inj ury of the user by an uninhibited continuation of the platform in its up-and-down movement .

In yet another additional or alternative embodiment , the training device comprises a stop switch on at least one of the base , the upright and optionally the handgrip, the handlebar and the controller, which stop switch is operable by at least one of the user and a bystander . Thus , when a user detects the onset of being incapacitated, the user can actively stop the exercise in progress , and bystanders may stop the exercise in progress when the bystanders detect that the user on the device is in danger of inj ury by the device , after having passed the point of onset of incapacitation .

Increased applicability is obtained when the platform comprises a support plate that is rotatable relative to the platform. A user can therefore add a twist movement to the exercise while performing a squat exercise , for instance for exercising or rehabilitation of the hips , the back or the like .

For example , the support plate is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the platform .

A non-limiting embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure is disclosed in more detail herein below with reference to the appended drawing . Therein, the same or similar aspects , features and/or components may be designated by the same or similar reference signs . The shown and below described embodiment ( s ) are by no means limiting on the scope of protection of or for the present disclosure , since that scope is defined in the appended independent claim ( s ) , where the dependent claims define optional or preferred features . The drawing shows in :

Fig . 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

Fig . 2 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention in which some plate materials have been removed,

Fig . 3 shows a drive for use in the device according to the invention, and

Fig . 4 shows an electrical diagram for powering the device according to the invention .

In the figures , the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals . However, not all parts necessary for a practical implementation of the invention are shown, for simplicity of presentation . Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of device 1. Device 1 comprises base 2 which is suited to be placed on a surface, such as a floor of a gymnasium or of a physiotherapist's treatment room. Device 1 further comprises platform 3 on which a user can stand for doing squats . The user may stand on platform 3 to exercise squats . For such exercise as push-ups and dips, platform 3 may comprise a handlebar 20 as a stationary, fixed component, as an attachable and detachable attribute, or may be extendible from / retractable in the platform 3. The user may arrange or extend and then grasp handlebar 20 for doing push-ups or dips, while the user's feet are on the floor or surface surrounding base 2. To prepare device 1 for squats, after push-ups, handlebar 20 may be removed or retracted into the platform so as not to hinder the user when doing squats. Other exercises are also possible.

Platform 3 performs a vertical movement, for which purpose drive 4 is provided, which is shown in Fig. 3. In the embodiment shown, drive 4 comprises an electromotor which is preferably a servo-motor 5, a transmission formed by reducer 6 and two drive shafts 7, 8, and two guides 21. Device 1 comprises uprights 17, 18 extending upward from base 2. Each upright 17, 18 includes a guide 21 which forms part of the transmission of drive 4 and on which fasteners 9, 10 are provided, which are connected on the one hand to platform 3 and on the other hand are operatively coupled to the guides 21 of drive 4 to raise or lower platform 3 depending on the actuation state of motor 5 of drive 4. Drive shafts 7, 8 connect reducer 6 to guides 21 in each of uprights 17, 18.

Servo-motor 5 may, for example, be a 110V or 230V servo-motor, rotating at a speed of, for example, 3000 rpm but other rotational speeds are also possible. Reducer 6 may be of any type of several known kinds of reducers, amongst which there are planetary gear reducers, worm gear reducers, gear train gear reducers and bevel gear reducers, and may, for example, exhibit a reduction ration of 1:20, while other ratios may be applicable as well. For designing device 1, a skilled reader will acknowledge that device 1 should be able to lift about 200 kg, and design choices to achieve this objective are readily available.

Further, servo-motor 5 may have a fail-safe brake to arrest servo-motor 5, in case of a power outage, or the like, to prevent collapse of platform 3 and injury to a user in such a case.

At least one of the uprights 17, 18 includes guide 21 forming part of the transmission of drive 4 and in exemplary embodiments of guide 21, it may be a geared belt or a spindle shaft or any other similar elongate configuration of a guide to convert rotational movement of drive shafts 7, 8 into a desired vertical movement of fasteners 9, 10 with platform 3 attached thereto on or along the guide and consequently along uprights 17, 18. Guide 21 (spindle shaft or geared belt) is arranged in or on or along and/or may be housed in the one of upright 17, 18, for the upright

17, 18 to include the guide 21. Guide 21 extends upwards, the same as upright 17, 18, whereby guide 21 and upright 17, 18 consequently extend along a side of platform 3.

In the shown embodiment, each upright 17, 18 comprises a guide channel for guiding fasteners 9, 10 in a vertical direction and wherein opening 19 is provided in a side wall of uprights 17, 18 to enable fastener 9, 10 and platform 3 connected to fasteners 9, 10 to be guided by guide 21 over a distance to a desired height by means of the vertical reciprocal movement along uprights 17,

18. In practice, upright 17, 18 can have an inner frame to which guide 21 of drive 4 is attached. A housing can then be placed around the inner frame, wherein opening 19 is provided in order to be able to guide fastener 9, 10 and therewith platform 3 over the desired distance in the upwards or downward direction to a desired height .

Fig. 2 shows a stripped-down variant of the device 1 according to Fig. 1; some parts (in particular cover 12) have been removed so that an view into the interior of device 1 is obtained. In this view, base 2 of device 1 is better visible, since cover 12 is omitted. In the shown embodiment, four safety switches 22 are provided on the top of base 2, distributed around the circumference of base 2. Any other number of switches 22 may be provided, instead of four. A single centrally arranged switch may suffice. Cover 12 shown in Fig. 1 rests on an equal number of springs 11, whose load-bearing upper surfaces are located at a position higher than the top of safety switches 22 so that cover 12 is located in a rest position above safety switches 22 . Springs 11 need not be arranged next to switches 22 , need not be provided in the same number as switches 22 , and a single spring could suffice . Springs 11 are preferably dimensioned to generate a combined resistance designed to keep cover 12 distanced from switches 22 , even when a user steps on cover 12 and exerts a force corresponding with the user' s full body weight on cover 12 . However , if - for example - a user' s foot gets caught between cover 12 and platform 3 during a downward movement thereof , cover 12 is depressed with more weight or force than the springs are designed to withstand ( load of bodyweight ) , to activate one or more of safety switches 22 , as a result of which the circuit for operating device 1 is interrupted and device 1 may stop automatically . As a result , a user cannot be hurt ( severely) , when becoming trapped between platform 3 and cover 12 .

Cover 12 preferably rests on springs 11 with a limit against pressing too far, but before the limit is reached by depression of cover 12 , one of the safety switches 22 is pressed, which interrupts the electric circuit and arrests device 1 .

Uprights 17 , 18 are mutually coupled at or near their top with handgrip 13 . The user can hold on to handgrip 13 , while performing an exercise or when getting on or off device 1 . Controller 14 for the device 1 can be located on handgrip 13 . Controller 14 may be operated by the user to start or stop exercising . Further, controller 14 may comprise programs or memory for executing and storing , respectively, exercise routines . Controller 14 may allow for the user to input predetermined parameters for such routines , for example to adapt default parameters or to input parameters that are required to be input for exercise to be allowed to start , such as : duration of exercising; repetition of a routine for a predetermined or settable number of times ( interval training ) ; amplitude and frequency of reciprocal platform movement ; duration of a pause at a top or bottom in the reciprocal movement . A potential embodiment of an exercise routine may even have arbitrary or random settings , to unexpectedly have parameters change during the course of an exercise routine . For example , positions ( heights ) of tops / bottoms in reciprocal movements of platform 3 may unexpectedly ( for the user ) be changed in the course of an exercise , as well as speed or frequency of movements from tops to bottoms and vice versa . Controller 14 may comprise a touch screen for displaying a user interface . Then the controller 14 may be embodied as simple as a tablet , connected to motor 5 , optionally via a dedicated motor driver to convert control messages from controller 14 into driver signals for motor 5 .

In a possible embodiment , platform 3 may comprise a support plate that is rotatable relative to platform 3 . Preferably, such a support plate is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the platform 3 , i . e . an upright axis , to additionally allow a user to train a swivel motion ( e . g . for hip or pelvis rotation) during or instead of the up-and-down movement of platform 3 , on which the optional rotatable support plate would be mounted .

Finally, Fig . 4 shows a simplified connection diagram for switching device 1 on or off as a safety feature . The diagram provides a power supply for the motor and especially servo-motor 5 by means of transformer 15 and controller 14 in Fig . 1 , which can be operated by the user . Safety switches 22 ensure an automatic switch-off when activated as has been described above .

As a safety feature , stop switch 16 of any type may be provided . Stop switch 16 may form part of controller 14 on grip 13 in the embodiment of Fig . 1 . Stop switch 16 may be a so-called "dead man ' s switch" in or of controller 14 , to which the user is attached via a cord around the wrist or the like , to passively make device 1 stop through dead man' s switch, when the user is incapacitated to do so . Namely, if the user steps or falls off platform 3 ( or a rotatable support plate mounted thereon ) , training device 1 will be turned off . Additionally or alternatively, stop switch 16 may be provided in the form of a push button on controller 14 or on grip 13 , allowing the user to actively stop training device 1 prematurely (before the end of an initiated exercise routine ) in a normal manner (with the user in control , contrary to the obj ective of a dead man' s switch ) . A similar push button may be provided on base 2 or upright 17 , 18 , to allow a bystander to actively stop training device 1 prematurely (before the end of an initiated exercise routine ) , after having observed that a user on training device 1 is in distress or in need of assistance .

The invention also extends to any combination of features described above independently of each other .

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures . The invention is limited only by the appended independent claim, with optional features defined in the dependent claims .