WO2004073804A1

WO2004073804A1 - Exercise machine

Info

Publication number: WO2004073804A1
Application number: PCT/LV2004/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfons Gaigals; Anastasija Lukina
Original assignee: Alfons Gaigals; Anastasija Lukina
Priority date: 2003-02-21
Filing date: 2004-02-16
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: LV13205B

Abstract

The invention refers to the exercise machines which can be used as for physical vigor as well as for stamina training because of the proposed construction capability of loading in harmonic mode practically all groups of muscles: those of arms, legs, abdominal, neck and of the other parts of the human body. Two alternatives of the invention implementation are proposed. The first embodiment of exercise machine is made as stable, at least three, better four or five rod structure where the rods are fixed on one of the hollow base surfaces and are journaled between them, wherin - at least one of the mentioned rods in the initial state takes vertical position and serves as bearing rod(s), but the other are oblique against the base; - each bearing rod lower end is journaled to the base lower surface; - all the oblique rods lower ends is journaled to the base lower surface, but all the oblique rods upper ends are journaled to any of the bearing rods on the level, corresponding the base upper surface, better slightly under the base upper surface level; - the length of all the bearing and oblique rods is adjustable in certain limits by means of the hydro cylinders built into each of mentioned rods.

Description

Exercise machine

Description of Invention

The invention refers to the exercise machines which can be used as for physical vigor as well as for stamina training because of the proposed construction capability to load in harmonic mode of practically all groups of muscles: those of arms, legs, abdominal, neck and of the other parts of the human body.

Various types of exercise machines are known (including those where hydro cylinders are used), intended as for amateurs as well as for professionals, for example various "KETTLER" exercise machines, commercialized as home exercycles CORSA, GOLF, ROYAL, STRATOS, RACER, bicycle ergometers AX, FX, GX, SX, ENERGORACER, elliptical trainers ASTRO, CONDOR, CTR, ATLANTIS, BOSTON, MARATHON, rowing machines FAVORIT, KADETT, COACH and so on. They all are equipped with one or another type of load simulation system (magnetic, electromagnetic and so on) resistance adjusting system (manual, processor controlled), gauges (for pulse, time, force and other value measuring), as well as with display visualizing in scripts or in symbols the main movement parameters and the amount of work done during the session. All the "KETTLER" exercise machines conform to the EC safety standard DIN EN 957, 1/5, as well as to A class certificate of the therapeutic exercise machines. The mentioned machines, representing only the small part of the commercialized range of these type of equipment, in no way cover all eventual needs of various training activities.

Of common knowledge are configurations with hydraulic cylinders [1 , pp. 74- 75], shown on the fig. 1 , where a - single-acting hydraulic piston cylinder; b - double-acting single-rod piston cylinder; c - double-acting piston double-rod cylinder; d - ram hydraulic cylinder; e - telescopic piston or ram cylinder; f - piston cylinder with deceleration at the end of the stroke; g - diaphragm actuator; h - bellows type cylinder. Aforecited hydraulic cylinders differ by stroke length, movement direction and speed, sealing reliability. For example, the working stroke of the (a) type of cylinder occurs under the action of fluid pressure, but the idle stroke is spring actuated. In the (b) type fluid pressure moves the piston in both directions, at that in the (c) type the rod extends out of the cylinder in both directions. The (d) type ram cylinder assures steady centering. The (e) configuration is characterized by the biggest stroke length. In the (f) cylinder type the power fluid is slowly pressed out by the protrusion 10 from the pocket 9 at the end of the stroke, resulting in piston deceleration at the end of the stroke. The diaphragm in the (g) cylinder offers short piston stroke, but high level of tightness. The long stroke and high grade of the tightness are typical for bellows actuator (h).

The other positions in the fig.1 are as follows: 1 - ducts for power fluid supply and removal; 2 - cylinder; 3 - piston; 4 - spring; 5 - cylinder rod; 6 - piston cavity; 7 - rod cavity; 8 - ram. Sealing types for fixed and movable coupling as well as swivel joints design solutions are commonly known [2, pp. 372-377 and 338-445], so the professional designers can easily select the most suitable hydro cylinder, swivel and sealing construction, according to the given structure general configuration not applying to inventor's suggestion.

Aim of invention is to create a simple framework exercise machine, using above mentioned wide available hydro cylinders, swivel joints and sealing.

Substance of invention, stated in the form of claims in the integrated by common concept articles 1 and 2 of the invention formula, is as follows:

- the first exercise machine configuration, made as a stable, at least three, but better four or five rod structure, where mentioned rods are journaled together and with one of the hollow base surfaces, distinctive with that

- at least one of the mentioned rods in the initial state takes vertical position and serves as bearing rod(s), but the other are oblique against the base;

- each bearing rod lower end is journaled to the base lower surface;

- all the oblique rods lower ends is journaled to the base lower surface, but all the oblique rods upper ends are journaled to whatever bearing rod on the level, corresponding the base upper surface, better slightly under the base upper surface level;

- the length of each bearing and oblique rod is hydraulically adjustable in certain limits by means of the built-in hydro cylinders.

- the second exercise machine configuration, made as a stable at least three, but better four or five rod structure where mentioned rods are journaled together and with one of the hollow base surfaces, distinctive with that

- at least one of the mentioned rods in the initial state takes vertical position and serves as a bearing rod(s), but the other are oblique against the base;

- the bearing rods are journaled to the base upper surface;

- all the oblique rods lower ends are journaled to whatever bearing rod lower end, but their upper ends are journaled to the upper base;

- the lengths of all rods are hydraulically adjustable in certain limits by means of the built-in hydro cylinders.

The following realization variants, stated in the Articles 3 to 9 of the invention formula (claims), proposed for the both above mentioned exercise machine configurations:

- two of the mentioned rods (bearing rods) are vertical, but the other are arranged oblique against the base, at that the mentioned bearing rods are connected between them by auxiliary rods to make the structure more rigid;

- the mentioned hydro cylinders are chosen from the following cylinder ranges: single- or double-acting piston cylinders with single- or double piston rod, ram cylinders, telescopic ram or piston cylinders, piston cylinders with deceleration at the end of the stroke, diaphragm cylinders, bellows actuators, at that the hydro cylinders built into the rods could be equipped with hydraulic fluid valves;

- fixed and movable hydro cylinders joints sealing, made using wide known mechanical engineering solutions, conforms to the exercise machine hygienic and safety requirements, considering eventual variation range of the force applied in the exercise process;

- the rod structure overall dimensions, power fluid viscosity and/or return spring power were chosen considering the requirements specified to the rowing machines, as well as the bearing rod(s) is/are fitted up with handholds, and/or with a foothold, and/or with a seat, which during exercise can perform reciprocal displacement with deceleration at the end of the course in both directions;

- the power fluid circuit of each hydro cylinder is independent of others;

- the exercise machine is provided with a distributive valve for power fluid control in two or more circuits or in hydro cylinders according to the external adjusting action;

- the power fluid (hydraulic oil, gas or oil and gas mixture), conforming to the A class certificate (therapeutic exercise machines) is used to act the above mentioned hydro cylinders.

Examples of the invention implementation

The various arrangements of rods, hydro cylinders and joints has been used in all the following examples to transform the rods kinetic energy, generated by the applied external force action, into the power fluid energy.

Example 1. The exercise machine (fig. 2a and fig. 2b) made according to the Claim 1 of the invention formula as five rods frame, composed of one bearing rod A(F)B and four oblique rods EιF, E₂F, E₃F, E₄F, the first one being journaled at the point F and the others at the points E^ E₂ , E₃, E₄ of the base lower surface, at that in the a) alternative all the oblique rods upper ends are journaled to the bearing rod slightly under the level of the base upper surface (hatched), but in the b) alternative the base thickness is taken up equal to zero because of that the base upper and lower surface levels coincide with the floor level. The mentioned rod frame is equipped with hydro cylinders (a, a, e, e), schematically presented by the same symbols as in the fig.1 , which are used to apply external force couple to the bearing _. rod upper end, at that the length of each mentioned rod is adjustable. This exercise machine arrangement has one significant advantage as against the configurations presented in the fig. 3a, b: the bearing rod A(F)B can perform spatial motion, at that the distance AF in effect is adjustable.

Example 2. The exercise machine in fig. 2c, d, made similar to those of the Example 1 , except the number of oblique rods is three, but not four, at that their connection with one of the hollow base surfaces is realized according to the Claim 2 of the invention formula. Example 3. The exercise machine (fig. 3a, b, c) according to the Claim 3 of the invention formula arranged as curve or rectangular frame journaled to the base at the points Ai and A₂ or A. The oblique rods E₁F₁ and E₂F₂ or EF are journaled as to the corresponding surfaces of the base (the base upper surface is hatched) at points Ei and E₂ or E, as to the frame vertical rods A1F₁ and A₂F₂ at points Fi and F₂ or F correspondingly. The mentioned rod frame is equipped with hydraulic cylinders in the same way as in the previous examples.

Example 4. The exercise machine (fig. 3d) made as three rod EιF, E₂F and A(F)B structure where mentioned rods are fixed to the base by joints E^ E₂, F and A and to the vertical rod in a similar manner as in the Example 1 (fig. 2a) as well as they are equipped with hydro cylinders. The three rod structure is less reliable in use, comparing with four or five rod structure fig.2, but nevertheless it can be built and used.

The exercise machines shown in the figures are provided with handholds at the bearing rod upper ends and if necessary can also be provided with footholds, as well as with movable seat S, sliding along the guides towards and backwards of the machine frame in the same manner as in row machines, with deceleration on starting and finishing the course.

Bibliography

1. "KETTLER" Company advertising folder "FREIZEIT MARKE KETTLER".

2. A.F. Krajnev. Glossary of Mechanisms. Moscow. «Mashinostrojenie». 1987.

3. A.F. Krajnev. Machine elements. Glossary. Moscow. «Mashinostrojenie». 1992.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Exercise machine made as stable, at least three, better four or five rod structure where the rods are fixed on one of the hollow base surfaces and are journaled between them characterized in that

- each bearing rod lower end is journaled to the base lower surface;

2. Exercise machine made as stable, at least three, better four or five rod structure where the rods are fixed on one of the hollow base surfaces and are journaled between them characterized in that

- the bearing rods are journaled to the base upper surface;

- all the oblique rods lower ends are journaled to whatever rod lower end, but their upper ends are journaled to the upper base;

3. Exercise machine according to the Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that - two of the mentioned rods (bearing rods) are vertical, but the other are arranged oblique against the base;

- the mentioned bearing rods are connected between them by auxiliary rods to make the structure more rigid, at that their length is not adjustable by means of hydro cylinder.

4. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, where the mentioned hydro cylinders are chosen from the following ranges: single- or double-acting piston cylinders with single- or double piston rod, ram cylinders, telescopic ram or piston cylinders, piston cylinders with deceleration at the end of the stroke, diaphragm cylinders, bellows actuators, at that the hydro cylinders built into the rods could be equipped with hydraulic fluid valves;

5. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, where fixed and movable hydro cylinders joints sealing, made using wide known mechanical engineering solutions, conforms to the exercise machine hygienic and safety requirements, considering eventual variation range of force applied in the exercise process;

6. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, where the rod structure overall dimensions, power fluid viscosity and/or return spring power were chosen considering the requirements specified to the rowing machines, as well as the bearing rod(s) is/are fitted up with handholds, and/or with a foothold, and/or with a seat, which during exercise can perform reciprocal displacement with deceleration at the end of the course in both directions;

7. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, where the power fluid circuit of each hydro cylinder is independent of others;

8. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, which is provided with a distributive valve for power fluid control in two or more circuits or in hydro cylinders according to the external adjusting action;

9. Exercise machine according to any of aforecited Claims, where the power fluid (hydraulic oil, gas or oil and gas mixture), conforming to the A class certificate (therapeutic exercise machines) is used to act the above mentioned hydro cylinders.