FR2613236A1 - Multi-function muscle-development device - Google Patents

Abstract

A muscle-development device includes a stationary tubular frame 1, a load 3 of variable mass which is movable in a rectilinear direction and at least one means 2, 5, 42 for actuating the load connected to the said load via a strap 6 passing over at least one angle return 130 to 137. The tubular frame 1 defines a rectangular parallelepiped consisting of two vertical parallel rectangular frameworks 11 which are interconnected by crosspieces 12. The means for actuating the load may be a carriage 2 which can be moved on the lateral sides and on the upper side of the frame 1, consisting of two bogies 21 interacting with the frameworks 11 of the frame, to which bogies are secured two articulated arms 22 which can be immobilised and are interconnected by a spacer 23. The muscle-development device makes it possible, in a small space, to work all the muscles of the body. It is particularly adapted to the requirements of medical and paramedical consulting rooms.

Description

 The present invention relates to a multifunction weight training device.

 Bodybuilding which is properly 'a set of exercises intended to build muscle' (Petit Robert) is practiced essentially for sporting, aesthetic or therapeutic purposes (rehabilitation in particular).

It can be general and tend to develop the musculature of the body or specific, and aim particularly to combat the accidental weakening of such or such part of the body or to strengthen it. Strength training is essentially dynamic, that is to say it consists of the repeated performance of movements almost as diverse as the muscles that one seeks to develop. To be effective, these movements must generally avolr the effect of the displacement of a load, variable according to the muscle (s) requested and according to the strength of the individuals who make them. particular sportsmen practicing indoor sports (gymnastics in particular), as well as the studies of specialists in human anatomy have long established the correlation between the accomplishment of such movement and the work of such muscle, or group of muscles, and, from this knowledge, various bodybuilding machines were made on which a specific movement is associated with the displacement of a variable load. The apparatuses available on the market are ordinarily designed for the training of a limited part of the body and, consequently, if one wants to have an installation allowing a complete work of all the muscular masses, it is necessary to juxtapose several , between six and ten according to the manufacturers. Installations of this type therefore have the drawback of being expensive as well as that prohibitive when they are intended for premises of limited dimensions, as are generally medical or paramedical offices- to be very bulky. Accidentally, we can also blame them for being of average or even low performance, since, even in frequent sports centers, they are rarely completely occupied.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a bodybuilding device allowing, under a small footprint, to perform a full range of exercises, this device being of a manufacturing cost very much lower than that of Installations offering the same training possibilities currently available. .

According to the present invention, a weight training device which comprises:
- a fixed tubular base,
- a mobile load in a rectilinear direction, and
- to the monks a means of activating the load, said means of activating being bolted to said load by a strap passing over at least one angular gear, is characterized in that the tubular frame defines a rectangular parallelepiped constituted of two vertical parallel rectangular frames interconnected by crosspieces.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the actuation means is a carriage comprising two bogies cooperating respectively with each of the frames of the frame and two lockable articulated arms, respectively subject to each of the bogies and interconnected by a spacer comprising a polnt attachment for one end of the strap, said carriage being movable along the lateral sides and the upper side of the tubular frame.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the mobile load is of adjustable mass and is constituted by a container comprising a filling opening and an evacuation orifice, the weight training device further comprising a reservoir for containing ballast balls and a conveying device for transferring balls from said reservoir into said container. The container can overhang the tank and the conveying device can comprise a substantially vertical worm driven by a motor and cooperating with at least two grooves to cause an upward movement of the balls.

When the container overhangs the reservoir, its evacuation orifice is advantageously located at its bottom and is closed by a hatch, the reservoir then comprising a filling opening at the upper part situated directly above said hatch
According to yet another characteristic of the invention, when the bodybuilding device comprises such a charging system, it furthermore comprises means for measuring the load. These can be constituted by premlers detection means at the level of the filling opening of the container, second detection means at the filling opening of the tank and counting means lncrementing or decrementing by one unit when a ball passes respectively the opening of the container or that of the tank. The detection means can be photoelectric cells or magnetic sensors.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, below in relation to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the weight training device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the movable carriage of the weight training device according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, along a vertical plane, of the pivoting support of the weight training device according to the invention
Figure 4 is a perspective view with a cutaway, of the variable mass load system of the weight training device according to the invention
Figure 5 is a sectional view, passing through line AA, of the charging system of Figure 4; and,
Figures 6a to 61 are schematic side views It polishing some of the exercises practicable on the weight training device according to the invention.

 As can be seen in FIG. 1, the weight training device according to the invention essentially comprises a tubular frame 1, an articulated carriage 2 movable on said frame, an adjustable mass load 3 movable in a substantially vertical direction as well as a bench 4 and a pivoting support 5 subject to said frame.

 The tubular frame I comprises two vertical parallel rectangular frames 11 secured to one another by several crosspieces 12.

These frames can be partially or totally open on their side contiguous to the ground and be, for example, constituted by gantries whose pleds are fixed to the ground or subject to the four columns of a plate, a horizontal frame, etc. Advantageously, for the sake of rigidity, the frames 11 are however closed. The frame 1 thus delimits a rectangular parallelepiped in which, in the embodiment shown, all the elements of the device are included. From there vlent that three of the four crosspieces 12 located on the side of the carcass I where the load 3 is sttuated are not straight, but have the shape of a rectangle open on one side. The crosspieces 12 are provided in a sufficient number to ensure perfect rigidity of the frame 1. Advantageously, this number is at least equal to that of the corner bezels 130 to 137 necessary for the multiple operation of the device, said corner bezels being subject to said sleepers, in the middle of them. Trots angular references 130, 131, 132 are provided on the lateral side A of the frame, approximately at the base, at ml-height and at the top of said side respectively; a bevel gear 133 is arranged around the top of the lateral side B (side opposite to the side A); three other corner flaps 134, 135, 136 are provided in a plane parallel and contiguous to the side B, approximately at the base, halfway up and at the top of the frame 1, respectively; finally, an angular gear 137 is arranged on the upper side C of the frame 1, slightly offset from the ml-length of this side towards the lateral side A. The angular gear essentially comprises a roller 13 which can pivot around a rod passing through their longitudinal axis, which rod is fixed to the frame 1 perpendicularly to the frames 11, with the exception of that of the bevel gear 134 which can pivot in a plane parallel to the lower side D of the frame 1. The frame 1 also comprises two substantially vertical parallel guides 14 for the guldage of the load 3, which are approximately situated in the side B, as well as two louvers 15 subject respectively to each of the vertical uprights on the lateral side A of the frame 1.

The movable carriage 2, which is shown in detail in FIG. 2, comprises two boggles 21 to which two arms 22 are respectively fastened which are secured by a spacer 23. The bogies 21 include three grooved rollers 210, 21 i, 212 d ' parallel axis which are secured in a triangle by a frame 213 so as to rotate freely. Each bogie 21 is provided to cooperate with one of the frames it, the rollers 211, 212 arranged outside the sandwiched frame, with the roller 210 arranged inside the frame, the tube from which said frame is formed. The boggles 21, thus shaped, can be moved without difficulty on three sides of the frames il, provided that the upper angles thereof are rounded. The carriage 2 can be temporarily secured to the frame I by any suitable locking system
In particular, each frame 213 may have one or two holes 214 on each of its sides to allow the keying of the bogie 21 to the frame 11 in predetermined places where said frame is itself pierced with corresponding holes. The arms 22, which are subject to the boggles 21, comprise an articulation 220 located a short distance from said boggle. Thanks to this articulation, the movable part of the arm 22 can pivot in the plane of the frame 11 with which the corresponding bogie 21 cooperates, on either side of a central position where the arm 22 is perpendicular to the tube of the frame on which said bogie is positioned. The articulation 220 can be blocked so that the movable part of the arm 22 is kept in this central position.

The spacer 23 which connects the two arms 22 is a simple bar, provided at ml-length with a ring 230 intended for fixing the end of a strap.

 The bench 4 comprises a plate 40 subject to a tubular support 41, itself fixed to the frame 1 at the rigidity of which it contrlbue. The plate 40 consists of a seat 401 and a backrest 402 whose respective inclinations relative to a horizontal plane are adjustable. The bench 4 further comprises a T 42 whose bar is perpendicular to the frames II and whose foot is subject to the support 41 by an articulation 43 lul making it possible to pivot about 270 * in a plane parallel to the frames 11, from the position where said T is applied against the lower surface of the plate 40. The articulation 43 can be blocked, the T being approximately raised. The bar of the T 42 is provided in its middle with a ring 420 intended for fixing the end of a strap.

 The pivoting support 5, which is shown in detail in Figure 3, is fixed to the frame 1 and 11 as the frames there. It essentially comprises two tubular sleeves 51 fixed respectively to each of the frames 11, a bar 52 fitted over a certain part of its length in said sleeves, an axis 53 fixed to the drolt of the bar 52 in the middle and a disc 54 perpendicular to the axis 53 The disc 54 is centered on the free end of the axis 53 to which 11 is subjected so as to be able to pivot freely. The position of the bar 52 relative to the sleeves 51, that is to say the attitude of the disc 54 relative to the ground, can be modified. Each sleeve 51 has for this purpose entallles at its inner end, the entallles of a sleeve being located opposite those of the other sleeve, and the bar 52 comprises two movable tabs 55, arranged on either side of the axis 53, to cooperate each with one of said notches and block said bar in a determined position relative to said sleeves. Advantageously, the disc 54 can be arranged parallel to the ground or inclined by about 20, either in the direction of the lateral side A, or in the direction of the lateral side B of the frame 1. The disc 54 is provided, at one point with its circumference, of a ring 540 intended for fixing the end of a strap.

 In addition to being able to be used for training individuals of different strength, the weight training device according to the invention being multifunctional, that is to say being suitable for the work of all the muscles of the body as will be seen further in detail, it is absolutely important that its charge 3 pulses be of variable mass. This load can consist of the stacking of ballast elements (plates or other) of low unit mass (ten or twenty five kilograms, generally) that a pinning system, known per se, allows to easily associate in addition or fewer. These plates are pierced with a hole at each of their ends and they are threaded onto the vertical rods 14 fixed to the frame 1 which guide them. To the upper plate of the stack of plates is fixed a rewinder 31 of lockable strap, the strap lengths required according to the exercises can be very different. The advantage of a load with plug-in plates of this type is its modular cost and ease of assembly.

In return, it has the double disadvantage, like all variable mass loads available on the market today, of being only roughly adjustable and of not being remotely adjustable in this way, the person who trains must leave her work station whenever she wishes to modify the mass of the load, whether it be for example to increase her effort from one series of movements to the next, that this is because she changes exercises. It is to overcome this drawback that provision is made, according to the invention, for a variable mass load system that can be adjusted remotely, in particular from all of the workstations in frame 1.

 As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the load system 3 of variable mass according to the invention comprises a mobile container 30, to the upper surface of which are fixed a strap winder 31, a receptacle 32 and a mechanism for routing of ballast balls, both fixed.

 The container 30 is a container of substantially parallel shape with an epiped which, advantageously made of a molded plastic material or a composite of fibers and resin, intended to contain a variable number of ballast balls 34. The nature and thickness of the material used are determined according to the total mass of balls that must be able to contain the container 30, about two hundred kilograms.

The balls 34 are made of a material of high density, a metal for example and in particular steel, and their diameter can be between a few millimeters and a few tens of millimeters (between about five and thirty millimeters, for example) according to the method of measuring the weight of the container 30 adopted, as will be seen below.

The container 30 has two holes 300, 301 at its upper surface and two holes 302, 303 at its lower surface, the second being respectively located directly above the first, for the passage of the guiding rods 14. The upper holes 300, 301 and lower 302, 303 are connected two by two by two rollers 304, 305 where the rods 14 can flow. The container 30 also comprises a filling opening 306 and a discharge orifice 307 having a diameter slightly greater than that of a ball 34, the opening 306 being located approximately at the top of the container, at the bottom of a bowl 308 contiguous to one of its lateral sides and the orifice 307 being located approximately at the center of the bottom of the container, said bottom advantageously consisting of two inclined planes converging towards said orifice. The orifice 307 is closed by a hatch 309, the opening and closing of which are electrically controlled. Advantageously, the hatch 309 consists of an electromagnetic bolt, of a type known per se.

 The receptacle 32 comprises a container 320 superimposed on a reservoir 321. The internal dimensions of the container 320 are provided so that the container 30 fits therein at least part of its height. The tank 320 and the tank 321 are separated by a common clolson 322 pierced with an orifice 323 situated directly above the hatch 309 of the container 30. The tank 321 is intended to contain balls 34. Its bottom is constituted by a inclined plane 324 relative to the horizontal, arranged in such a way that the surrounding balls 34 tend to flow by gravity towards one of its lateral sides. The parol 322 separating the tank 321 from the tank 320, as well as the bottom 324 of the said tank can each be pierced with two holes located directly above the holes 300, 302 and 301, 303 of the container 30 for the passage of the gu rods, Jage 14.The end of the rods 14 can also be fixed to the partition 322 and do not cross the bottom of the tank.

 The mechanism for conveying the balls, which has the function of filling the container 30 with the balls 34 contained in the tank 321, essentially comprises a vertical worm screw 33 housed in an oblong casing 35 and driven in rotation by an electric motor ( not shown). The housing 35 is fixed to the lateral side of the receptacle 32 towards which the balls 34 tend to flow. The reservoir 321 and the casing 35 are in communication at their respective bottoms by a passage 325. The casing 35 has an orifice 350 at its upper end, located opposite the bowl 308 of the container 30, when this the latter rests at the bottom of the tank 320. Inside the casing 35, between the top of the passage 325 and the base of the orifice 350, extend two ribs 351 defining a groove of width substantially equal to the diameter of the balls 34 and of lesser depth. This groove is intended to guide the balls 34 in their upward movement when the endless screw 33 rotates, the edge of said screw being substantially tangent to the ribs. The interior of the casing 35 can be cylindrical or include a cylindrical part, in which case several grooves 351 radials can be arranged on this cylindrical part between the top of the passage 325 and the base of the orifice 350 to delimit several guldage grooves. , the receptacle 30, the casing 35 of the worm screw 33 as well as the casing 36 of the drive motor of the worm screw are made of a piece of a moldable plastic material or a composite of fibers and resin.

The functioning of this mechanism is the following: when the drive motor of the worm screw 33, which is housed in a casing 36 adjoining the casing 35, is put under tension, the worm screw turns and causes the balls to rise 34 in the groove delimited by the grooves 351. Arrived at the top of the casing 35, the balls 34 escape from it through the orifice 350 and fall into the bowl 308 of the container 30, then into the container itself.

 To determine the weight of the container 30, several solutions are possible. It is possible, for example, to place a scale at the bottom of the container 320 on which the container 30 rests. Preferably, the measurement of this weight is made by counting the balls 34. This is how provision is made for having a sensor 37 at the filling opening 306 of the container 30 and a sensor 38 at the discharge orifice 323 drilled in the clolson 322 separating the tank 320 from the tank 321, which is located directly above the hatch 309, the opening of which controls the flow of the balls 34 from the container 30 into the tank 321. The sensors 37 and 38, which may be photoelectric cells or magnetic sensors for example, are associated with an electronic counter that increments or decreasing by one with the passage of each ball (this passage corresponding, in the case of sensors constituted by photoelectric cells, to the interruption of the beam emitted by the light source of said cells and, in the case of magnetic sensors, to the m odification of a magnetic field). The adoption of such or such a method of measuring the weight of the container 30 conditions to a large extent the choice of the callbre of the balls 34, the large sizes being particularly suitable for measurement by counting which exempts a flow ball by ball, therefore relatively slow .

 The variable mass load according to the invention is intended to be modified remotely by a movable control boot associated with an electronic system. This box has numeric keys by means of which the desired content fold 30 can be displayed. It also includes a control button by which the operation for transferring the balls 35 is triggered when the container 30 rests at the bottom of the tank 320. Advantageously, it is provided that the blocking system of the strap winder 31 is electric: in in this case, the control box can include a second button by which the said blocking system can be switched on or off. Thanks to this remote control and the associated electronic system, the person who trains on the weight training device according to the invention can, from its work station, adjust the length of the strap 6 and modify the weight of the container 30. The electronic system can be designed to perform other functions than those, minimum, defined above as 11 is in common practice, in bodybuilding, to perform series of several movements (ten, twelve or fifteen movements, typically) and to observe between each series a rest time equal to the time taken to carry out a series of movements, this electronic system can advantageously include means for recording the number of movements chosen by block, means for counting movements, means for memorizing the time taken to perform a series, transmission means sound signal at the end of each series and each subsequent rest period, etc.

 The bodybuilding device described above has the advantage of being truly multifunctional and allowing complete work of the entire musculature. By way of example, FIGS. 6a to 61 show some of the movements which it makes possible.

In FIGS. 6a, 6b, the weight training device according to the invention is used as a bench press apparatus (6a) and a seated bench press (6b); in FIG. 6c, as the apparatus of "squat"; in Figures 6d, i, as apparell to work the backbones; in FIG. 6t, as a calf press; in FIG. 6g, as a bicep pulpit; in FIG. 6h, as the apparatus of the "latissimus" tractlon; in Figure 61, as a Roman chair; in FIG. 61, as a bench "lschios-jamblers"; in Figure 6K, as a horizontal press; and in Figure 61, like "twlster". As the weight training machines available on the market today are generally only suitable for one of these movements, it is conceivable the size and the cost of an Installatlon equivalent to the device according to the invention. The latter, thanks to its very small volume and floor space, also thanks to its low price compared to equivalent installations, and as 11 only allows the training of a person in lafols, is particularly adapted to the needs of the practices medical and paramedical.

 The present invention is not limited to the examples which vlendent to be described; it is, on the contrary, susceptible to modifications and variations which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims (13)

 1 weight training device comprising:  - a fixed tubular frame (1),  a load (3) movable in a rectilinear direction, and  - at least one actuation means (2, 5, 42) of the load (3), said actuation means being bolted to said load by a strap (6) passing over at least one angle return member ( 130 to 137), said weight-lifting device being characterized in that the tubular frame (1) defines a rectangular parallelepiped consisting of two rectangular parallel frames (11) vertical parallel interconnected by crosspieces (12).  2. weight training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the (one of) means (s) of actuation is a carriage (2) comprising two bogies (21) cooperating respectlvement with each of the frames (11) and two arms (22) articulated lockable, subject respectively to each of the bogies and interconnected by a spacer (23) comprising a point of attachment (230) for one end of the strap (6), said carriage being movable along the lateral sides and upper side of the tubular frame (1).  3. Strength training device according to soumlcatlon 2, characterized in that the carriage (2) can be blocked on the frame (1) in various places.  4. Weight training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the (one of) actuation means (s) is a pivoting support (5) comprising a disc (54) pivoting around a perpendicular axis (53) at its center and a cross-member (51, 52) for supporting said axis, the ends of which are fixed respectively to each of the frames (11), the disc (54) comprising an attachment point (540) at its periphery for one end of the strap (6).  5. Weight training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a bench (4) comprising a tubular support (41) fixed to the frame (1) and a plate (40), the longitudinal axis of said bench being parallel to the frames (11), and in that the (one of) means of actuation is a T (42) comprising an attachment point (420) for one end of the strap (6), the pled of said T being articulated at one end of the bench (4).  6. weight training device according to claim 4, characterized in that the inclination in a substantially vertical plane of the axis (53) of the disc (54) of the pivoting support (5), relative to the batl (1), is adjustable.  7. Weight training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap (6) is subjected to the load (3) by means of a rewinder (31) lockable.  8. Weight training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a reservoir (321) for containing ballast balls (34) and a conveying device (33, 35, 351) for transferring balls (34) of said tank in a container (30), said container constituting the mobile load (3) and comprising an opening (306) for filling and an orifice (307) for evacuation.  9. Strength-training device according to soumlcatlon 8, characterized in that the container (30) overhangs the tank (321) and in that the conveying device comprises a substantially vertical worm (33) driven by a motor and cooperating with at least two grooves (351) to cause an upward movement of the balls (34).  10. Dlsposltlf for bodybuilding according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the container (30) overhangs the tank (321), in that its discharge orifice (307) is located at its bottom and is closed by a hatch (309) and in that the reservoir (321) has a filling opening (323) at its upper part located directly above said hatch (309).  11. Weight training device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a scale for weighing the container (30).  12. Strength training device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises first detection means (37) at the filling opening (306) of the container (30), second detection means (38) at the filling opening (323) of the reservoir (321) and counting means incrementing or decrementing by one unit when a ball (34) passes respectively the opening of the container (30) or that of the reservoir (321).  13. Strength training device according to claim 12, characterized in that the detection means are photoelectric cells.  1 4. Strength training device according to refendlcatlon 7, characterized in that the reel (31) is electrically lockable.  15. Strength training device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the hatch (309) is a bolt with electromagnetic actuation.  ld weight training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frames (11) of the frame (1) are open on at least part of their lower horizontal side.