FR2883192A1 - Muscular training device e.g. rowing machine, for use in e.g. gymnasium, has video equipment fixed on plate mounted on ball and socket joint of front unit of articulated support arm whose rear unit is connected to front unit by axle - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two opposite tubular lateral columns (3, 4) and a central column (5) that are raised from a lower horizontal base (2). An articulated horizontal support arm (16) with a rear unit (17) is fixed at an adjustable height on the column (3). A video equipment (15) e.g. DVD drive, is fixed on an orientable plate (22) mounted on a ball and socket joint of a front unit (18) of the arm. The unit (17) is connected to the unit (18) by a vertically articulating axle (19).

Description

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for

  bodybuilding, used collectively or individually, in gyms and communities, or at home. More

  particularly, this invention relates to a weight training apparatus which is provided with video equipment, placed in front of the user of the apparatus and intended to broadcast images and / or information to guide the user in his exercises. .

  It has already been proposed weight machines or gymnastics, equipped with video equipment placed in front of the user, this video equipment to guide the user in his exercises, or to create a fun environment during exercises practice.

  In particular, are known devices for pedaling exercises, the frame door, facing the user so at the handlebar, a display screen. By way of examples, the documents FR 2 443 848, EP 1 327 465 (FIG. 1), WO 01/12269, WO 02/102471 and GB 2214095 can be cited here.

  Other weight machines or gymnastics, such as "rowers" and exercise machines simulating running, climbing stairs or skiing, have also been proposed with a screen placed in front of the user. By way of examples, the documents EP 1029507, EP 1327465 (FIGS. 19 A to 19 D), WO 2004/111910, US 4674741, US 5277678 and US 6132314 can be cited here.

  In all cases, it is about weight machines or gymnastics intended for a single type of exercise, so that the display screen can be mounted in a fixed position, facing the user whose position and posture are almost predetermined and invariable.

  However, there are other categories of weight machines, and in particular devices that can be described as versatile or universal, in that they are designed for the execution of various types of exercises, for example the lifting of weight through cables in various postures: standing, sitting, lying down ... For such weight machines, the solution of mounting on the frame of the device a fixed screen is clearly not appropriate, and in The consequence of such devices is not currently equipped with video equipment.

  Of course, it is still possible to put a video monitor on a piece of furniture, such as a cupboard, or on the ground, at a greater or lesser distance from the weight or gymnastics apparatus, as the EP documents teach. 075931'1, WO 99/00782, US 4278095 and US 5507708, which theoretically provides a "mobility" of the video equipment. However, in this case, the video equipment is physically separated from the weight or gymnastics apparatus, which is detrimental to the compactness of the assembly, and requires the user to travel if he wishes to change the location. video equipment. In addition, this solution does not meet the need to move the video screen to a greater or lesser height, depending on the size of the user and the type of exercise practiced on the weight machine.

  In addition, if it is a gym in which are installed multiple weight machines, the solution is to install a single screen, for example placed at a height so as to be seen by all users. 'proves insufficient because the single screen may be too far from some devices, and especially because it does not allow different users of weight machines to simultaneously follow separate "programs" and individualized.

  The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages described above, and therefore aims to provide a versatile bodybuilding equipment of individual video equipment adaptable to all uses of this device in a compact embodiment.

  For this purpose, the invention essentially relates to a versatile weight training apparatus, designed for the execution of various types of exercises, including by means of vertically guided weight, the apparatus comprising a base from which rise from columns joined at their vertex by an upper frame, this weight training apparatus being characterized by the fact that it comprises an articulated support arm, substantially horizontal, whose rear element is fixed at an adjustable height on a column of the apparatus, and whose previous element is provided to support, at its end, a video equipment.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the articulated support arm comprises: a socket provided at the rear of its posterior element and mounted around the tubular column concerned, a substantially vertical axis articulation linking the posterior element; from the support arm to its front element, and at the end of this front element, a hinge preferably ball joint on which is mounted a steerable plate receiving the video equipment.

  Thus, the support arm forms a "compass" which allows to direct the video equipment, to place it always facing the user of the multi-purpose weight training device, regardless of the position or posture of the user. In addition, the support arm makes it possible to bring the video equipment closer to or away from the user, and to adapt the height of this video equipment to the size of the user for a better comfort. The folding of the support arm also makes it possible, when the weight training apparatus is not used, to store the assembly in a reduced volume, with a minimum footprint.

  Thus, the object of the invention is fully achieved, namely to provide a versatile bodybuilding apparatus provided with individual video equipment, made movable so as to be usable to guide the user in multiple exercises, corresponding to positions and postures very variable, this in a compact execution.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will be highlighted, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention. of this versatile bodybuilding machine with video equipment.

  Figure 1 is an overview, in perspective, of a weight training apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, the detail of the support arm 25 of the video equipment of the weight training apparatus; Figure 3 is a plan view over this weight machine, schematically illustrating various positions that can be taken by the video equipment and its support arm.

  The multi-purpose weight training apparatus, shown as a whole in FIG. 1, has a frame constituted by a lower horizontal base 2, from which rise three vertical columns, namely two opposite tubular side columns 3 and 4 and a central column. 5, the three columns 3, 4, 5 being joined at their summit for a horizontal upper frame 6.

  More particularly, this is a weight training device designed to perform various exercises using weight 7 guided vertically (by known means not detailed) and pulled through cables 8, passing on pulleys. This apparatus comprises in particular a transverse arm 9, guided vertically on the central column 5, and provided with hinged handles 10 at both ends, the arm 9 also carrying in its middle a cushion 11 of dorsal or ventral support. The base 2 of the device supports bars 12 serving as cradle for free weights, while the upper frame 6 is provided at the rear with handles 13 for certain tractions and other movements. This weight training device can be completed by a separate bench 14, for exercises in sitting, recumbent or other.

  It is thus realized a versatile bodybuilding apparatus, that is to say, to perform a variety of exercises, the user can have positions and postures very variable, and can in particular be placed in front of or behind the device .

  In all his exercises, and whatever his position or posture, the user can be guided by video equipment 15, mounted at the end of an articulated arm 16 connected to one of the tubular side columns, for example the side column 3.

  The articulated arm 16, whose structure appears more particularly in Figure 2, consists mainly of a rear arm member 17 and an anterior arm member 18, which extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The posterior element 17 of the support arm 16 is connected to the front element 18 by an intermediate articulation, of substantially vertical axis 19.

  The rear arm member 17 comprises, at the rear, a bushing 20 which is mounted around the tubular column 3 concerned of the apparatus. Thanks to the sleeve 20, the posterior element 17 of the support arm 16 is orientable, at an angle of almost 360, around the lateral column 3. In addition, by vertical sliding of the sleeve 20 along the column 3, the support arm 16 is adjustable in height, over a large amplitude. It will be noted that the rear bushing 20 of the articulated support arm 16 is advantageously designed to hold itself, by bracing, at the desired height on the tubular column 3 concerned, which avoids the addition of clamping means. . Of course, the possible addition of locking means in translation or rotation of this sleeve 20 is not excluded.

  At the front end of the front arm member 18, there is provided a ball joint 21 on which is mounted a steerable plate 22, receiving the video equipment 15.

  This video equipment 15 is, in particular, a video disc player or "DVD", which can be fixed on the plate 22 by means "anti-theft". Since said video equipment 15 has its own power reserve, it is not necessary to provide a power supply cable which would extend along the support arm 16.

  Thanks to the articulated support arm 16, the video equipment 15 can be brought into various positions relative to the weight training apparatus, and at different heights above the ground, according to the orientation of the posterior element 17 of the arm. support 16 and the angle formed by the front element 18 with respect to the rear element 17, and according to Ila height at which this support arm is placed. It is thus possible to better adapt the position of the video equipment 15 to the position and posture of the user, as well as its size, according to the exercises practiced on the weight machine. In addition, the video equipment 15 can be placed more or less far from the eyes of the user, for comfort and ergonomic use. Furthermore, when moving from one exercise to another, the position of the video equipment 15 can be changed easily and quickly, virtually instantaneously. Finally, the articulated support arm 16 can also, in case of non-use, be folded closer to the weight training device.

  By way of example, FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates several typical positions in which it is possible to bring the articulated stirrup support 16 and, consequently, the video equipment 15. In particular, as this figure shows, the video equipment 15 can be brought to the front or rear side of the weight training device, this in correspondence with the fact that this device allows a multiplicity of exercises by placing itself in front of the device or behind the device. In addition, the video equipment 15 can be brought to a low height above the ground, in the case of exercises practiced sitting or lying on the bench 14.

  The possibilities are further multiplied if one considers that the articulated support bar 16 can be mounted on one or the other, optionally, of the two opposite side columns 3 and 4.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this weight training device provided with video equipment which has been described above, for example; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants of implementation and application respecting the same principle; it is thus, in particular, that one would not move away from the scope of the invention: - by modifying the forms and the constructive details of the articulated support arm; modifying the construction details and equipment of the weight machine itself; by mounting the articulated support arm not on one of the pre-existing columns of the weight machine, but on any column that can be added specifically for this function; by mounting on the support arm any kind of video equipment, which can provide all types of images or information to the user; for example, video equipment can provide a "gymnastics class" by showing the right gestures and postures, but it can also broadcast information from computers or measuring devices; this video equipment can be not a videodisc player, but also a video monitor displaying images or information broadcast from a more or less remote location, the INTERNET or any other network.

Claims (4)

  1 - Multi-purpose weight training apparatus, designed for the execution of various types of exercises, in particular by means of weights (7) guided vertically, the apparatus comprising a base (2) from which rise columns (3, 4,5) joined at their apex by an upper frame (6), characterized in that it comprises an articulated support arm (16), substantially horizontal, whose rear element (17) is fixed at an adjustable height on a column (3) of the apparatus, and whose front member (18) is provided to support, at its end, video equipment (15).   2 - A weight training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated support arm (16) comprises: a sleeve (20) provided at the rear of its rear element (17) and mounted around the tubular column (3). ) concerned, a substantially vertical axis articulation (19) linking the rear element (17) of the support arm to its front element (18), and at the end of this front element (18), a joint ( 21) preferably with a ball joint on which is mounted an orientable plate (22) receiving the video equipment (15). 3 - A weight training device according to claim 2, characterized in that the postieure sleeve (20) of the articulated support arm (16) is provided to hold itself, by bracing, to the desired height on the tubular column (3) concerned.   4 - A weight training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the articulated support arm (16) is mounted on one or the other, optionally, two opposite side columns (3, 4) of the device.   Bodybuilding apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the video equipment, mounted at the end of the articulated brace (16), is a video disc player (15).