PHYSICAL TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A physical training apparatus includes a housing, a flywheel mechanism accommodated in the housing, the flywheel mechanism including a spindle, at least one flywheel mounted on the spindle and bearings to support the spindle in the housing, a windable pull element, such as a pull cord or band, which is arranged to be wound up the spindle and unwound from the spindle, and a handgrip attached to the pull element. The spindle includes a spindle end portion. The flywheel is exchangeably mounted on the spindle end portion against a stop located on the spindle. A fastening knob is releasably coupled to the spindle end portion and adapted to engage the flywheel and force it against the stop located on the spindle.

Claims

1. A physical training apparatus comprising: a housing; a flywheel mechanism accommodated in the housing, said flywheel mechanism including a spindle, at least one flywheel mounted on the spindle and bearings to support the spindle in the housing; a windable pull element, such as a pull cord or band, which is arranged to be wound up the spindle and unwound from the spindle; a handgrip attached to the pull element; wherein the spindle includes a spindle end portion, in that the flywheel is exchangeably mounted on the spindle end portion against a stop located on the spindle, and wherein a fastening knob is releasably coupled to the spindle end portion and adapted to engage the flywheel and force it against the stop located on the spindle.

2. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastening knob includes an associated spring element which resiliently forces the flywheel against the stop.

3. The physical training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spring element is a multiwave spring.

4. The physical training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spring element is integrally formed with a part of the fastening knob.

5. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle end portion has substantially a polygonal cross section, preferably a hexagonal cross section, and wherein the flywheel has a central aperture with a corresponding shape which fits over the spindle end portion.

6. The physical training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fastening knob has an engagement opening, preferably arranged centrally in the knob, wherein said engagement opening is adapted to receive the spindle end portion.

7. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first set of one or more radial projections are formed on the spindle end portion, wherein the central aperture of the flywheel has one or more recesses in its outer contour corresponding with the pattern of the one or more radial projections of the first set such that the flywheel can be moved beyond the one or more radial projections, and wherein the engagement opening of the fastening knob is defined by a radially inwardly extending flange having one or more recesses such that the recesses of the flange can be aligned with the radial projections and when the spindle end portion is inserted in the engagement opening and when the projections are moved beyond the flange, the recesses of the flange can be misaligned with the radial projections of the first set by rotation of the knob relative to the spindle end portion so as to form a bayonet catch wherein the spring element forces the projection(s) of the first set of one or more radial projections into engagement with the flange.

8. The physical training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the flange has a rear side having raised formations, wherein in use when the spindle end portion is moved through the engagement opening of the knob, the first set of projections on the spindle end portion are moved beyond a height of the raised formations and when the recesses are misaligned with said projections, the raised formations are moved beyond the projections of the first set, such that the raised formations form a retaining stop.

9. The physical training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the flange has at least one rear surface portion with a pitch, whereby upon rotation of the knob relative to the spindle end portion, at least one of the projections slide relative to the pitched surface and the knob is tightened on the spindle end portion, wherein preferably the pitched surface has at the end of the rotational stroke a recess into which the projection can snap to retain the knob secured on the spindle end portion.

10. The physical training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fastening knob comprises an interior body, including the engagement opening, and an exterior cap which covers, in a mounted state, the interior body, at least partly, and the spindle end portion.

11. The physical training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a second set of one or more radial projections is formed on the spindle end portion, wherein the second set of one or more radial projections adjoins the stop, such that when the flywheel is arranged against the stop, the projection(s) of the second set are received in the recesse(s) of the aperture of the flywheel.

12. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least on one lateral side a covering lid, which is removable from the housing to exchange the flywheel.

13. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle has two opposite of said spindle end portions and wherein the apparatus comprises two of said flywheels, each one mounted on one of the respective spindle end portions, and furthermore comprises two of said fastening knobs, each one fastening one of the flywheels.

14. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a support adapted to be fixed to a stationary structure, such as a pole, a wall or a door post, wherein the housing is pivotably connected to the support, wherein the pivot axis extends perpendicular to the axis of the spindle.

15. The physical training apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the housing is releasably coupled to the support, preferably by a quick release coupling.

16. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the windable pull element has an end which is releasably connected to the spindle.

17. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle has a wind/unwind portion adapted to receive a pull element to be wound/unwound thereon, wherein said wind/unwind portion of the spindle has an outer diameter of 10-16 mm.

18. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle is made of aluminium, preferably injection moulded aluminium.

19. The physical training apparatus according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a spindle adapter, which includes a reel to be arranged around a wind/unwind portion of the spindle where the windable pull element is wound and unwound during use, wherein the reel has an outer surface on which the windable pull element is wound, and which has an outer diameter which is larger than the diameter of the wind/unwind portion of the spindle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will be further explained in the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the physical training apparatus according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the training apparatus of FIG. 1 which is fixed to a lamppost,

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a view in perspective of the training apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein the housing is opened and a flywheel is removed,

[0032] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view in perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein a covering plate of the housing is removed,

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a similar view as FIG. 4, but with a flywheel mounted on the spindle end portion,

[0034] FIG. 6a shows a view in perspective of a detail of a spindle and a fastening knob of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 6b shows an elevational view of the fastening knob and the spindle of FIG. 6a,

[0036] FIG. 6c shows a view in perspective of one side of the fastening knob of FIG. 6a,

[0037] FIG. 6d shows a view in perspective of another side of the fastening knob of FIG. 6a,

[0038] FIG. 6e shows a cross sectional view of the fastening knob of FIGS. 6c and 6d,

[0039] FIG. 7a shows a view in perspective from one side of another embodiment of a fastening knob,

[0040] FIG. 7b shows a view in perspective from another side of the fastening knob of FIG. 7a,

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a quick release mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a detail of the spindle extending through a flywheel,

[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates in a view in perspective the attachment of a pull band to the spindle of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

[0044] FIG. 11 shows in a view in perspective another embodiment of the pull band for an apparatus of FIG. 1,

[0045] FIG. 12a illustrates the arrangement of a spindle adapter on the spindle,

[0046] FIG. 12b shows the spindle with the spindle adapter mounted on the spindle,

[0047] FIG. 12c shows the spindle adapter as such in a pre-mounting state,

[0048] FIG. 13a shows a partly exploded view of a part of an embodiment of the training apparatus according to the invention including a spindle with an alternative end portion, and

[0049] FIG. 13b shows in a view in perspective the spindle having the alternative end portion shown in FIG. 13a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] In the figures an embodiment of a physical training apparatus is shown. The apparatus as a whole is indicated by reference numeral 1. The training apparatus 1 is portable and can be attached to a support structure. In FIG. 2 is shown by way of example that the apparatus is attached to a lamppost 200.

[0051] It must be understood that the training apparatus 1 in the shown embodiment includes a support 3 with which it can typically be attached by tensioning bands 15 to a pole type of structure, such as the lamppost 200, but also trees etc. However, also other supports, adapted to attach the apparatus to another structure, e.g. door posts, walls and ceilings are conceivable and are considered to be comprised within the concept of the present invention.

[0052] The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, which can be coupled to the support 3 by a coupling, which will be described in more detail further below. The housing 2 can pivot with respect to the support 3, about a pivot axis 4 which in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extends in a vertical direction. However, the apparatus 1 can also be used in a mode in which the pivot axis is not vertical. In one possible practical mode the apparatus may for example be mounted such that the pivot axis 4 extends substantially horizontal.

[0053] In a practical embodiment the housing 2 comprises shells 9 formed from plastics material or aluminium. The shells 9 can be made by injection moulding. In FIG. 4 is shown a view in which one of the shells 9 is removed. The shells 9 are placed opposite each other and connected by screws 10.

[0054] The training apparatus 1 in general includes a flywheel mechanism, which will be explained in more detail further below, and a pull band 7 that is wound around a spindle 8 of the flywheel mechanism (cf. FIG. 3). The pull band 7 has on its free end a handle 5, which in the embodiment shown in the figures is connected to the pull band 7 by a carabiner 53. During exercise the user can pull the band 7 via the handgrip 5, and set the flywheel mechanism in motion. The housing 2 has a guiding passage 6 through which the band 7 extends towards the spindle (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Ideally the tensioned band 7 and the guiding passage towards the spindle 8 are aligned. However, since the housing 2 can pivot with respect to the support 3 around the pivot axis 4, the housing 2 can adjust its own position and swivel to an orientation that the housing 2 and the band 7 are aligned when the user pulls the band 7 a bit sideways.

[0055] The pull band 7 is attached to the spindle 8 as is shown in FIG. 10. The spindle 8, which is shown in a cross section, is formed having a substantially cylindrical outer surface 12, which constitutes the wind/unwind portion of the spindle on which the pull element 7 can be wound unwound. The axial ends of the wind/unwind portion 12 of the spindle 8 are delimited by radial collars 32 integrally formed on the spindle. In a preferred embodiment the diameter of the cylindrical surface 12 is 15 mm, but this may vary in practise between 10 mm and 16 mm.

[0056] The spindle 8 is preferably injection moulded in aluminium. However, also other materials and processes are conceivable to manufacture the spindle.

[0057] At the wind/unwind portion a gap 11 is generally extending diametrically through the spindle 8. The gap 11 is tapering from a wide end to a narrow end. At the end of the pull band 7 a loop 13 is formed. To assemble the pull band 7 and the spindle 8 the loop 13 is folded such that it becomes a relatively flat state in which it can be passed through the gap 11 from the narrow end to the wide end of the gap 11. When the loop 13 during the assembly extends beyond the outer surface at the wide end of the gap 11, a key body 14 can be inserted in the loop 13. When the band 7 is pulled again the key body 14, which preferably has a tapering shape corresponding to the narrowing shape of the gap 11 is pulled in the gap and secures the loop 13 in the gap of the spindle 8.

[0058] To release the pull band 7 from the spindle 8, for example in the event that a user wishes to replace a worn pull band 7 with a new one, he can lever the loop 13 and the key body 14 out of the gap 11 through the wide end of the gap 11 by a screw driver or another suitable tool, after which the key body 14 can be removed and the loop 13 can be pulled out from the narrow end of the gap 11.

[0059] The loop may be an integrally formed portion of the pull band 7 as is shown in FIG. 10. It is also possible to provide a loop 13′ at the end of the pull band 7′ which is made of a separate band, which is then attached, e.g. stitched to the pull band 7, as is shown in FIG. 11. This has the advantage that for the band for the loop 13′ another material can be used than for the pull band 7′. One option is to make the loop 13′ as shown in FIG. 11 from an elastic band, which provides the advantage that when the pull band 7 is completely unreeled, the loop 13′ deforms elastically such that the shock at the end of the stroke of the pull band 7′ gets absorbed by the elastic loop 13′ and no peak load is transferred via the band 7′ to the user holding the handle 5.

[0060] In FIGS. 12a-12c is shown a spindle adapter 16 which can be placed on the spindle 8 to increase the diameter of the surface on which the pull band 7 is wound. The spindle adapter 16 comprises a reel 17 which is arranged around the spindle 8. The reel 17 includes two reel halves 18 that are placed around the spindle 8 and then interconnected such that it can be retrofitted to an existing apparatus 1 without having to disassemble the spindle 8 from the housing 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12a-12c the reel halves 18 are connected on one end by a hinge 19. In a particular embodiment shown the reel 17 can be made from plastic by means of injection moulding, and the hinge 19 is formed integrally on the reel halves 18 as a living hinge or film hinge. Opposite the hinge 19 a recess 20 is formed in the reel surface 21 on which the pull band 7 is to be reeled. In the closed state of the reel 17 as is shown in FIG. 12b the recess 20 forms a passage for the pull band 7, which is secured to the spindle 8 in the way as is shown in FIG. 10 or 11.

[0061] The spindle 8 includes a spindle end portion 22. In the embodiment shown in the figures the spindle 8 has two spindle end portions 22. A flywheel 23 can be mounted on each one of the spindle end portions 22 as can be seen in FIG. 5. In general the apparatus thus comprises two of the flywheels 23, each one mounted on one of the respective spindle end portions 22. The flywheels 23 are fastened to the respective spindle end portions 22 by respective fastening knobs 34 as will be explained further below.

[0062] The flywheel 23 is positioned against a stop 24 located on the spindle 8, which stop is visible in FIG. 6a. The spindle end portion 22 has is a possible embodiment substantially a polygonal cross section. In FIG. 6a is visible that it has a hexagonal cross section. The flywheel 23 has a central aperture 30 with a corresponding shape which fits over the spindle end portion 22.

[0063] Also other shapes suitable for coupling the spindle end portion 22 to the flywheel 23 in a form-fitting manner in the rotational direction are possible such as for example a shape as is shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Therein the first set 25′ of projections 26′ and the second set 27′ of projections have a sort of lobed shape. The flywheel has a similar lobed shaped central opening, typical for torx shapes known from screw heads, which fits over the sets 25′ and 27′ of projections.

[0064] A first set 25 of one or more radial projections 26, in the example three projections (see for example FIG. 6b), are formed on the spindle end portion 22. The central aperture 30 of the flywheel 23 has one or more recesses in its outer contour corresponding with the pattern of the one or more radial projections 26 of the first set 25 such that the flywheel 23 can be moved beyond the one or more radial projections 26 and against the stop 24, which situation is visible in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9.

[0065] A second set 27 of one or more radial projections 28 are formed on the spindle end portion 22. The second set 27 of radial projections 28 adjoins the stop 24 as is visible in FIG. 6a. When the flywheel 23 is arranged against the stop 24, the projections 28 of the second set 27 are received in the recesses of the aperture 30 of the flywheel 23 as is visible in FIGS. 5 and 9. The second set 27 of projections 28 provides a form fit and thus an interlocking between the flywheel 23 and the spindle end portion 22 in the rotational direction, because the projections 28 of the second set 27 are received in the recesses of the aperture 30 of the flywheel 23.

[0066] The spindle 8 is supported rotatably in the housing 2 by means of bearings 31. The bearings 31 conveniently are roller bearings. The spindle 8 has a pair of radial collars 32 formed on it. The respective collars 32 constitute a stop for the respective bearings 31 on the spindle 8. The collars 32 delimit between them the wind/unwind portion of the spindle 8. On the opposite side the bearings 31 are locked in by a bearing support portion 29 of the housing 2. The respective bearing support portions 29 of the housing 2 are in the embodiment shown in the figures an integral part of the shells 9 of the housing 2.

[0067] A fastening knob 34 is releasably coupled to the spindle end portion 22 to lock the flywheel 23 on the spindle end portion 22. The fastening knob 34 is adapted to engage the flywheel 23 and force it against the stop 24 located on the spindle 8. The fastening knob 34 has an engagement opening 35 centrally in the knob 34. The engagement opening 35 is adapted to receive the spindle end portion 22.

[0068] In the specific embodiments shown in the figures the fastening knob 34 comprises an interior body 41, including the engagement opening 35 in the centre, and an exterior cap 39 which encloses the interior body 41. The exterior cap 39 covers, in a mounted state, the spindle end portion 22 of the spindle 8. The exterior cap 39 is coupled to the interior body 41 by snap fingers 43 snapping behind the edge of coupling openings 44 in the interior body 41.

[0069] As can be seen in FIGS. 7a and 7b in one embodiment the engagement opening 35 of the fastening knob 34 is defined by a radially inwardly extending flange 36 having one or more recesses 37 such that the recesses 37 of the flange 36 can be aligned with the radial projections 26 of the spindle end portion 22. When the spindle end portion 22 is inserted in the engagement opening 35 and when the projections 26 are moved beyond the flange 36, the recesses 37 can be misaligned with the radial projections 26 of the first set 25 by rotation of the knob 34 relative to the spindle end portion 22. Thereby a sort of a bayonet catch is formed. The flange 36 has a rear side having raised formations 38. In use, when the spindle end portion 22 is moved through the receiving aperture 35 of the knob 34, the first set 25 of projections 26 on the spindle end portion 22 move beyond a height of the raised formations 38 and when the recesses 37 are misaligned with the projections 26, the raised formations 38 move beyond the protrusions. Thus, when the knob is released by the user, projections 26 behind the raised portions 38 and the latter form a retaining stop for the projections 26.

[0070] The fastening knob 34 includes a spring element which resiliently forces the flywheel 23 against the stop 24. In FIG. 7b is visible that in one embodiment the spring element is formed by an inner portion of the interior body 41 having integrally formed resilient tongues 40 extending from an inside surface 42 of the body 41. The interior body 41 may conveniently be made of a plastics material such as POM by means of injection moulding and the tongues 40 may be formed in one piece therewith. However the tongues may also be separate pieces, e.g. of plastic or metal which are assembled with the body interior body 41. The interior body 41 may also be a metal piece, for example, while the exterior cap 39 is made of plastic, or also metal.

[0071] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6d. In this embodiment is made the spring element is a multiwave spring 45 that is assembled with the interior body 41. Multiwave springs 45 are known per se and have the advantage of providing a constant force independent of the compression of the spring.

[0072] The spring element 40, 45 forces the projections 26 of the first set 25 into engagement with the flange 36. The bayonet catch is a convenient coupling type to provide a quick coupling by a consecutive translation and rotation of the fastening knob 34 on the spindle end portion 22, and a quick release by a rotation and translation of the knob 34 relative to the spindle 8. Variations in the thickness of the flywheel 23 are absorbed by the spring elements 40 or 45.

[0073] Another fastening structure for securing the knob 34 on the spindle 8 may be like is shown in FIGS. 6b-6e. In this embodiment the flange 36′ has a pitch such that a sort of screw thread is formed. The projections 26 can be inserted through recesses 37′, and then the knob 34 can be rotated, such that the knob 34 is tightened against the flywheel 23 by the projections 26 sliding along the flange 36′ having a pitched surface 38′. In FIG. 6e can be best seen that at an end of the pitched surface 38′ a recess 39′ is formed in which the projection 26 can snap in. The snap connection fixes the knob with respect to the spindle such that the spindle can be rotated by rotating the knob to wind or unwind the pull band 7 on or of the spindle 8. The snap action is however such that when the rotation of the flywheel 23 or the spindle 8 is blocked the snap connection between projection 26 and recess 39′ can be released for removing the knob 34 of the spindle end portion 22.

[0074] The housing 2 has on either of the lateral sides a covering lid 50, which is shown in FIG. 1 where it is in a closed state, and in FIG. 3 where it is in an open state. The covering lid 50 is in the embodiment shown, coupled to the remainder of the housing 2 by means of a hinging structure. Preferably the cover 50 is made of a transparent plastic material. The covering lid 50 can be opened as is shown in FIG. 3 to exchange the flywheel 23. It is noted that in FIG. 3 there is no flywheel 23 mounted yet on the spindle end portion 22.

[0075] As mentioned in the above, the housing 2 is releasably coupled to the support 3, preferably by a quick release coupling. An example of such a quick release coupling is illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0076] The quick release coupling shown in FIG. 8 comprises a sliding locking body 48 which is partly received in and guided in an accommodation space 51 formed in the housing 2. A biasing spring 49 is provided to force the locking body out of the accommodation space 51, such that a free end 48A can extend into a locking space 52 in the support 3 and thereby interlock the support 3 and the housing 2. The support 3 is provided with a release button 46, in this embodiment on an upper side 47 of the support 3. The release button 46 extends into the locking space 52 and abuts the free end 48A of the locking body 48. When the release button 46 is pushed in, it pushes the locking body 48 into the accommodation space 51 against the biasing force of the spring 49. When the locking body 48 is entirely pushed out of the locking space 52, the housing can be detached from the support 3.

[0077] Thus the housing 2 can be decoupled from the fixed world, so as to carry it to another location. Also for exchanging the flywheel 23 it might be convenient to remove the housing 2 from the fixed support 3. The locking body 48 is preferably also functioning as a pivot pin defining the pivot axis 4. On the underside of the support 3 a similar release mechanism may be arranged.

[0078] In use the user can attach the support 3 to a pole 200 or other support by the tensioning bands 15. Then the housing 2 can be coupled to the support 3, either with or without the flywheels 23 mounted to the spindle 8. If the flywheels 23 are not yet mounted, a suitable set of flywheels can be selected by the user for performing a certain exercise. The selection can for example be made between different flywheels 23 having different thicknesses and/or different weights. Via the quick release knobs 34 the flywheels 23 can be quickly mounted or replaced by the user before a new exercise is started.

[0079] In case the pull band 7 is not yet fully wound on the spindle or spindle adapter, before use of the apparatus 1, the knob 34 may be conveniently used to turn the spindle 8 to wind the band 7 on the spindle 8 or on the spindle adapter 17.

[0080] During exercise the user grips the handle 5 and pulls the pull band 7 out of the slot 6 of the housing 2. The spindle 8 and the flywheels 23 are thereby set in rotation. When the pull band 7 is fully unwound or unreeled, the flywheel mechanism remains rotating due to the inertia of the flywheels 23, thereby winding the pull band 7 on the wind/unwind portion of the spindle 8 or the spindle adapter 17 again. During this return stroke the user then experiences a pull force which he/she has to brake by using muscle force. At the end of the return stroke the rotation is zero for one instant and then is reversed in direction when the user pulls the pull band 7 with the handle 5 again. This cycle can be repeated as long as desired. Variations in the physical exercise can be made by varying the flywheels 23.

[0081] According to the invention, and the possible embodiments according to the invention shown in the figures, a compact physical training apparatus is provided, which still allows a great range in exercises in view of intensity, speed, forces etc.