Exercise Device And Exercise System

Abstract

The invention relates to an exercise device, comprising a frame, a resistance system; and an engagement element, the engagement element being connected to the resistance system using a first line end and a second line end, wherein the resistance system is configured to provide the resistance to extension of the first line end independently from the resistance to extension of the second line end. The invention also relates to an exercise system comprising two exercise devices according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising: a frame; a resistance system; and an engagement element, the engagement element being connected to the resistance system using a first line end and a second line end, the resistance system providing a resistance to extension of the first line end and the second line end, the first line end engaging the frame at a first engagement mechanism and the second line end engaging the frame at a second engagement mechanism, which is in a different position than the first engagement mechanism, so that a movement of the engagement element with respect to the frame in a first direction from the second engagement mechanism to the first engagement mechanism corresponds to an extension of at least the second line end, and a movement of the engagement element with respect to the frame in a second direction from the first engagement mechanism to the second engagement mechanism corresponds to an extension of at least the first line end, the exercise device thereby allowing reciprocal movement of the engagement element with respect to the frame against the resistance provided by the resistance system, wherein the resistance system is configured to provide the resistance to extension of the first line end independently from the resistance to extension of the second line end.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance system comprises at least two separate resistance mechanisms, each independently connected to the first line end and the second line end respectively.

3. The exercise device according to claim 1, the resistance system comprising at least one flywheel for providing the resistance, possibly further comprising a magnetic brake for braking the flywheel.

4. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retraction mechanism configured for retracting the first line end and/or the second line end.

5. The exercise device according to claim 1, comprising a first line having the first line end and at least one second line having the second line end.

6. The exercise device according claim 1, the frame comprising at least one leg and a first beam supported by the at least one leg, the first beam carrying at least one of the first and second engagement mechanisms.

7. The exercise device according to claim 6, further comprising a second beam supported by the at least one leg, the second beam carrying the other of the first and second engagement mechanisms.

8. The exercise device according to claim 6, the resistance system being at least partly supported by the first and/or second beam.

9. The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second beam each carry one of the first and second resistance mechanisms.

10. The exercise device according claim 6, the first beam and/or the second beam being moveable with respect to the leg.

11. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein the first beam and/or the second beam being moveable along a longitudinal direction of the leg.

12. The exercise device according to claim 10, the first beam and/or the second beam being rotatable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a or the longitudinal direction of the leg and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the respective beam.

13. The exercise device according to claim 10, the first beam and/or the second beam being pivotable about an axis that is parallel to a or the longitudinal direction of the leg.

14. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured for sensing an amount of work performed by moving the engagement element.

15. The exercise device according to claim 14 further comprising a display configured to display the amount of work.

16. The exercise system, comprising two exercise devices according to claim 1.

17. The exercise system according to claim 16 wherein the two exercise devices being attached to each other via their frames.

18. The exercise system according to claim 16, wherein a distance between corresponding engagement mechanisms of the two exercise devices is adjustable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The exercise device and system are hereafter elucidated with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the exercise system including two exercise devices;

[0056] FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a side views of one exercise device of FIG. 1 in different positions;

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a top view of part of the exercise system;

[0058] FIGS. 6-8 show, as a non-limiting example, varying extensions of the first and second line ends connected to respective resistance mechanisms in a side view of the first and second beams; and

[0059] FIGS. 9-11 show, as a non-limiting example, varying extensions of the first and second line ends connected to a single resistance mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] In FIGS. 1 and 2 an embodiment of the exercise system 100 is shown, comprising two exercise devices 1 and a floor structure 2. The floor structure 2 connects legs 20 of each exercise device 1, which each extending from the floor structure 2. Each exercise device 1 comprises a first beam 21 extending from the leg 20 in a first direction and a second beam 22 extending from the leg 20 in an opposite second direction. The legs 20 of the exercise devices 1 are triangularly shaped and connected at their apexes by a bridging frame part 23 to provide stability to the exercise device 1. Extending from the bridging frame part 23 is a support 24 supporting a display 3 in front of a user standing on the floor structure 2 between the legs 20 and facing the display 3. This display 3 can include software connected to the resistance mechanisms 61, 62 which would calculate accelerations and decelerations of the resistance mechanism 61, 62. By determining the speed of the resistance mechanism 61, 62 and how fast that speed changes, the resistance level of that resistance mechanism 61, 62 can be re-calculated at each time that the resistance mechanism 61, 62 spins without load from the user. Thus by two resistance mechanisms 61, 62 being used, one can spin down and be calculated for drag factor, thus ensuring that the amount of work, force or power output for each resistance mechanism 61, 62 is accurately calculated and displayed. When the user applies force on the next movement, this calculated drag factor or resistance can be used. This is another advantage to providing the two engagement mechanisms 25, 26 and/or resistance mechanisms 61, 62 as described previously.

[0061] Each exercise device 1 further comprises a handle 4 to be gripped by the user. Each handle 4 is connected to a first line end 51 engaging the first beam 21 at a first engagement mechanism 25 and to a second line end 52 engaging the second beam 22 at a second engagement mechanism 26. The first engagement mechanism 25 is configured to guide the first line end 51 to a first resistance mechanism 61 supported by the first beam 21 and the second engagement mechanism 26 is configured to guide the second line end 52 to a second resistance mechanism 62 supported by the second beam 22. Movement of the handle 4 in the first direction causes the second resistance mechanism 62 to provide resistance to extension of the second line end 52 and movement of the handle 4 in the second direction causes the first resistance mechanism 61 to provide resistance to extension of the first line end 51. In this case, the resistance mechanisms 61, 62 provide resistance by means of a flywheel rotating in a fluid. Although not shown here, the engagement mechanisms 25, 26 comprise pulleys carried by the beams 21, 22.

[0062] In the side view of the exercise system 100 in FIG. 3, the first beam 21 and the second beam 22 of one of the exercise devices 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown to be moveable with respect to the leg 20. The first beam 21 and the second beam 22 are connected to the leg 20 via an adjustment mechanism 7 that is moveable along a longitudinal direction of the leg 20 (shown in FIG. 2) such that the vertical position of the beams 21, 22 and therewith the vertical position of the first engagement mechanism 25, the second engagement mechanism 26, the first resistance mechanism 61 and the second resistance mechanism 62 can be adjusted by a linear translation of the adjustment mechanism 7 along the leg 20. The adjustment mechanism 7 comprises a travelling body 71 that is provided in a groove 27 in the leg 20 and is configured to allow sliding of the travelling body 71 along the groove 27. The handle 4 is depicted in a neutral position, i.e. no extension of the first line end 51 or the second line end 52 is visible.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows the first beam 21 and the second beam 22 to be rotatable with respect to the leg 20 via the adjustment mechanism 7 about a rotation axis R (shown in FIG. 2) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg 20 and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the beamlike beams 21, 22. The adjustment mechanism 7 comprises a rotation body 70 that is rotatable with respect to the travelling body 71 about the rotation axis R. The beams 21, 22 are shown to be rotatable in dependence of one another, but an embodiment can be envisaged wherein the first beam 21 is rotatable independently of the second beam 22 and vice versa.

[0064] In FIG. 5 the exercise system 100 is shown from above. Therewith it becomes apparent that the first beam 21 and the second beam 22 in each exercise device 1 are pivotable about an axis P parallel to the longitudinal direction of the respective leg 20. The pivoting is made possible by the adjustment mechanism 7 comprising hinges 72 connecting the first and second beams 21, 22 to the rotation body 70. Pivoting the beams 21, 22 toward the opposite exercise device 1 causes the handle 4 between the beams 21, 22 to move toward the opposite exercise device 1. Similarly, pivoting the beams 21, 22 away from the opposite exercise device 1 causes the handle 4 between the beams 21, 22 to move away from the opposite exercise device 1. This way, the distance between the handles 4 of the respective exercise devices 1 can be adjusted to account for, for instance, a smaller user or a different type of exercise. It is understood that the various adjustments in position of the resistance unit and its parts, including the beams 21, 22 and the engagement mechanisms 25, 26, whether in rotation or translating or combination thereof can be independent of the other side of the machine or resistance unit or that the same can be linked to move in a coordinated fashion. For example, the left side is independently adjustable from the right side from the user's perspective in FIG. 1 in terms of rotation of the beams 21/22, position in/out and position along axis P and height. As another example, rotation of the resistance unit can cause one side to tilt up and the other down.

[0065] In FIGS. 6-8 the first resistance mechanism 61 for providing resistance to extension of the first line end 51 and the second resistance mechanism 62 for providing resistance to extension of the second line end 52 are shown in various extensions of the first and second line ends 51, 52. FIG. 6 shows the handle 4 in the neutral position. In FIG. 7, the handle 4 is moved in the first direction toward the first engagement mechanism 25, thereby extending the second line end 52. Conversely, FIG. 8 shows that the handle 4 is moved in the second direction toward the second engagement mechanism 26, thereby extending the first line end 51.

[0066] Similarly, FIGS. 9-11 show a resistance system 160 for providing resistance to extension of a first line end 151 and a second line end 152 in various extensions of the first and second line ends 151, 152. FIG. 9 shows a handle 104 in the neutral position. In FIG. 10, the handle 104 is moved in a first direction from a second engagement mechanism 126 toward a first engagement mechanism 125, thereby extending the second line end 152. Conversely, FIG. 11 shows that the handle 104 is moved in a second direction from the first engagement mechanism 125 toward the second engagement mechanism 126, thereby extending the first line end 151. The resistance system 160 comprises one flywheel for providing the resistance and a magnetic brake 164 for braking the flywheel.

[0067] The above description of the attached drawings is provided merely for illustrative purposes to contribute to comprehension of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims in any way or form.