Training tool for tractions at the drawbar and training method using such a training tool

Technical field

The present invention relates to a training tool for tractions at the drawbar and a training method using such a training tool.

Prior art

As is known, the training of the dorsal muscles is included among the motor activities. There are various techniques in this context, which can be grouped into two categories: free body training with tractions at the drawbar and weight lifting training with the aid of the inversion of motion by a system of pulleys.

The large footprint of the traditional gym machines used to perform the training in question should be noted. With reference to the former category, hence to the exercise performed with free body with tractions towards the drawbar, the insurmountable drawback of the only resistant force given by one's body weight emerges. This is almost always excessive and in particular cannot be modulated.

There are known solutions that involve the use of elastic bands that help the user during traction. In particular, there is a device to be coupled to the drawbar equipped with a footrest bracket and with three elastic cylinders.

However, the use of elastic bands or similar means to assist a user in his/her exercise entails an inherent difficulty in determining precisely how much (and therefore with what external load) the user is facilitated as the elastic response curve is not linear. In addition, the user cannot modulate the quantity of assistance offered by the instrument at will.

Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a training tool for tractions at the drawbar and training method using such a training tool, which overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known art. In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a training tool and a training method using such a training tool, which are able to facilitate a user during the lifting step.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a training tool for tractions at the drawbar and training method using such a training tool, which allow the user to accurately determine the quantity of assistance offered in terms of weight reduction.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a training tool for tractions at the drawbar and a training method using such a training tool, which allow the user to modulate the assistance offered.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a training tool for tractions at the drawbar, which has a reduced footprint and is easily transportable.

The specified technical task and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a training tool for tractions at the drawbar and a training method using such a training tool, comprising the technical features set forth 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 indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a training tool for tractions at the drawbar, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

- figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a training tool for tractions at the drawbar, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 illustrates a sectional front view of the training tool of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 illustrates a top view of the training tool of figure 1 ;

- figure 4 illustrates a front view of the training tool of figure 1 , folded into a non-use configuration.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the figures, the number 1 indicates a training tool for tractions at the drawbar.

The training tool 1 comprises an elongated element 2. In particular, the elongated element 2 has an extension along a first direction between a first end 2a and a second end 2b. The elongated element 2 is substantially a beam. Preferably, the elongated element 2 has tubular structure with polygonal section.

The elongated element 2 comprises rest means 3 for resting the user's feet at the first end 2a. Preferably, the rest means 3 comprises a first support 4 for one of the two feet and a second support 5 for the other foot. The first and second support 4, 5 protrude laterally from opposite parts of the elongated element 2. In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the first and second support 4, 5 are two pins.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the first and second support 4, 5 are two pedals, for example of a bicycle.

The elongated element 2 comprises weight loading means 6 at the second end 2b. In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the loading means 6 comprises a columnar element originating from the elongated element 2 with extension away from it. The columnar element 6 extends upwards and preferably does not protrude laterally. The weights are inserted vertically (i.e. stacked) along the columnar element.

In an alternative embodiment, the weight loading means 6 comprises a container, for example a basket.

The training tool 1 comprises support means 7 on a surface, such as for example a ground or a floor. The elongated element 2 is located above the support means 7 and is mounted so as to oscillate with respect to them.

In particular, the elongated element 2 is mounted to the support means 7 at a fulcrum 8 and is rotatable with respect to a hinging axis X. The hinging axis X is transverse to the first extension direction of the elongated element 2. Preferably, the hinging axis X is substantially orthogonal to the first extension direction of the elongated element 2.

The oscillating mounting involves a movement of the elongated element 2 with respect to the fulcrum 8 like a tilting swing (also known as a see-saw swing): the raising of one end involves the lowering of the opposite end, and vice versa.

Consequently, the rest means 3 is rotatable with respect to the fulcrum 8 between a first position and a second position. The first position is characterized in that the first end 2a is located below (i.e. , at a lower height) than the fulcrum 8. The second position is characterized in that the first end 2a is located above (i.e. at a higher height) than the fulcrum 8. Therefore, the first position identifies a lowered condition of the rest means 3, while the second position identifies a raised condition of the rest means 3.

The loading means 6, likewise, is rotatable with respect to the fulcrum 8 between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is characterized in that the second end 2b is located below (i.e., at a lower height) than the fulcrum 8. The fourth position is characterized in that the second end 2b is located above (i.e., at a higher height) than the fulcrum 8. Therefore, the third position identifies a lowered condition of the loading means 6, while the fourth position identifies a raised condition of the loading means 6.

Since the rest means 3 and the loading means 6 are located from opposite parts with respect to the fulcrum 8, the rest means 3 assuming the first position corresponds to the loading means 6 assuming the fourth position, and vice versa.

Similarly, the rest means 3 assuming the second position corresponds to the loading means 6 assuming the third position, and vice versa.

As is known, tractions at the drawbar are a free body exercise that consists of lifting one’s body with one’s hands grabbed onto an overhead drawbar. The presence of weights on the opposite side of the fulcrum 8 with respect to where the user rests his/her feet entails an additional and quantifiable thrust that assists the user in the lifting step.

Consider an initial condition in which the weights have been loaded on the loading means 6 and the user positions himself/herself with his/her feet on the rest means 3, below the drawbar. In this condition, the first end 2a (and therefore the rest means 3) is located in the first position (lowered), while the second end 2b (and therefore the loading means 6) is located in the fourth position (raised). The weight force of the user keeps the training tool 1 in this configuration.

Consider now that the user starts performing the exercise of traction at the drawbar. The user lifts his/her body by exerting force on the drawbar, therefore the action of the weight force on the training tool 1 ceases. Consequently, the action of the weights on the second end 2b results in a lowering towards the third position and at the same time a raising of the first end 2a towards the second position. In this way, the training tool 1 pushes the user upwards. In other words, the action of the weights provides an additional thrust for the user which assists him/her facilitating the lifting step. The user is thus lightened with respect to his/her weight by an amount quantifiable as a function of the weights used and the distances between loading means 6 and fulcrum 8 and between fulcrum 8 and rest means 3.

Preferably, the training tool 1 comprises means for varying the overall length of the elongated element 2.

In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the means for varying the overall length of the elongated element 2 comprises a central portion 9 of the elongated element 2 at least partially hollow. Preferably, the central portion 9 is entirely hollow.

The means for varying the overall length of the elongated element 2 comprises a first portion 10 of the elongated element 2 slidably mounted at a first end of the central portion 9 and a second portion 11 of the elongated element 2 slidably mounted at a second end of the central portion 9. In other words, the first portion 10 and the second portion 11 are telescopic.

The first portion 10 bears the rest means 3 for resting the user's feet, while the second portion 11 bears the loading means 6 for loading the weights.

In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the first and second portion 10, 11 each have a plurality of holes 12 arranged in a row. The central portion 9 has a first hole 13 at the first end intended to couple with one of the holes 12 of the first portion 10. This results in a first pair of holes defined by the first hole 13 of the central portion 9 and by one of the holes 12 of the first portion 10 located at the first hole 13.

The central portion 9 has a second hole 14 at the second end intended to couple with one of the holes 12 of the second portion 11. In this way, a discrete plurality of reciprocal positions that the first and second portion 10, 11 can assume with respect to the central portion 9 is defined. This results in a second pair of holes defined by the second hole 14 of the central portion 9 and by one of the holes 12 of the second portion 11 located at the second hole 14.

These positions are made stable by locking elements 15 insertable respectively in the first pair of holes 13, 12 and in the second pair of holes 14, 12.

In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the support means 7 comprises a pole 16 to which the elongated element 2 is rotatably mounted. In particular, the pole 16 has a substantially vertical extension, i.e. orthogonal with respect to the ground or to the floor.

Preferably, the pole 16 is telescopic. In other words, the pole 16 has variable length (which turns into the height of the training tool 1 ).

As shown in figure 2, the pole 16 is composed of a lower portion 16a and an upper portion 16b. The upper portion 16b is slidably mounted within the lower portion 16a to achieve telescopicity. A plurality of corresponding holes are made on the two portions 16a, 16b and in which a locking element can be inserted to lock the upper portion 16a in a desired position, preventing it from sliding.

Preferably, the support means 7 comprises a beam 17 placed in contact with the surface (ground or floor). The pole 16 originates from a central area of the beam 17, defining a reverse T-structure.

Preferably, the beam 17 has elongated extension along a second direction substantially parallel to the first extension direction of the elongated element 2. Preferably, the elongated element 2 and the beam 17 have extension one above the other for the entire length. In other words, the beam 17 follows the extension of the elongated element 2.

Preferably, the beam 17 comprises a central beam 17a at least partially hollow and two telescopic ends 17b, 17c with mounting and operation similar to the elongated element 2.

Preferably, the beam 17 is provided with feet 18 protruding therefrom and resting on the surface, so as to increase the stability of the tool.

The training tool 1 is foldable when it is not to be used, in order to minimize the footprint. In particular, in this condition of non-use, illustrated in figure 4, the elongated element 2 is in a position of maximum rotation such that it is partially flanked by the pole 16. The elongated element 2 is vertical, i.e. orthogonal to the support surface. The elongated element 2 is all on one side with respect to the fulcrum 8 and part thereof abuts with the pole 16. The rest means 3 is vertically aligned with the loading means 6.

Preferably, the elongated element 2, the pole 16 and the beam 17 have a tubular structure. Preferably, they have tubular structure with polygonal section.

A training method using a training tool 1 according to the above, according to the present invention, is described below.

The method comprises a step of positioning the training tool 1 at a drawbar for tractions so that the rest means 3 is located below the drawbar.

The method comprises a step of loading a predetermined quantity of weights at the loading means 6 of the training tool 1 .

The method comprises a step of stepping with one’s feet on the rest means 3 of the training tool 1 and grabbing the drawbar above.

The method then comprises a step of performing tractions at the drawbar. This step comprises a lifting step and a lowering step repeated cyclically. During the lifting step, the rest means 3 is lifted under the action of the weights arranged on the opposite side with respect to the hinging one, so as to assist the user in lifting. During the lowering step, the rest means 3 is lowered under the action of the user's weight on them.

From the description made, the characteristics of the training tool for tractions at the drawbar and the training method using such a tool, according to the present invention, are clear, as well as the advantages thereof.

The oscillating movement, similar to a see-saw swing, of the elongated element allows the user to easily position himself/herself above the rest means and to assist the user with a thrust facilitating lifting, under the action of the weights. The obtained facilitation can be modulated at will by the user who trains as he/she can apply a load at will by varying the number and nature of the weights used.

In addition, the telescopic adjustability of the first and second portions of the elongated element with respect to the central portion allows the quantity of assistance offered by the tool to be varied at will, as well as allows the overall dimensions to be reduced.

The adjustability of the pole and/or beam of the support means also contributes to the reduction of overall dimensions.

In addition, the proposed training tool is easily transportable as it can be dismantled in two parts at the two portions of the pole and subsequently reassembled in case of need of use.