MACHINE FOR SPORTS TRAINING

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for sports training, which comprises a frame pivotably connected to a lever actuated by a user's arms, the at least one lever being connected to two main coupling elements situated parallel to each other, such that when the elements move, they describe an identical path at the same time, transmitting the movement of the at least one lever to resistance means. The machine provides continuous resistance to the actuation of the lever by the user, and a moment of inertia that prevents stops and jerks at the end of the stroke of the lever. The machine is provided with means for supporting the user, such as a platform, solidly fixed to the frame such that while the user trains the upper body, he or she can also train the lower body, at will, by performing exercises on the platform.

Claims

1. A sports training machine comprising: structural means; actuation means; and resistance means; wherein the actuation means include at least one lever and at least two main coupling elements, each of which is pivotably connected with the at least one lever, and the resistance means include at least a main resistance element having an axis; and wherein the at least two main coupling elements are positioned one in parallel to the other, in that each of the at least two main coupling elements is positioned, at all times along its path, in the same position as its counterpart and in that the at least one main resistance element revolves around its axis when motion of the at least one lever is transmitted to it through the at least two main coupling means.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least two main coupling elements operate directly on the at least one main resistance element.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least two main coupling elements operate on the at least one main resistance element through respective subsidiary coupling elements.

4. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising means to support the user, which are fixed to the structural means.

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein the means to support the user comprise a central platform.

6. The machine according to claim 4, wherein the means to support the user comprise two side platforms.

7. The machine according to claim 4, wherein the means to support the user comprise a seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1, a side view of the machine in a first embodiment, with two levers.

[0022] FIG. 2, a front view of same machine.

[0023] FIG. 3, a front view of the machine, in a second embodiment, with one lever.

[0024] FIG. 4, a side view of the machine of FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 5, a side view of a the machine in the first embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1, with a schematic representation of a user standing on a central platform, at one stage in the motion of the levers.

[0026] FIG. 6, a side view of the machine in the first embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1, with a schematic representation of a user in a further stage of the motion of the levers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows in lateral view a first embodiment of the sports training machine which is the subject matter of this patent.

[0028] The structural means of the machine consist of a frame, which comprises a bottom beam (1) with respective feet (2, 3) fixed to its ends. A main post (4) extends upwards from the end of the beam (1) close to foot (3). The main post (4) has a forked lower end that straddles a flywhell (15). A backing post (5) extends diagonally from the main post (4) and rests on the bottom beam (1). The means for supporting the user, consisting of a central platform (6), are fixed to the bottom beam (1) and to foot (2).

[0029] In this first embodiment, the actuation means comprise two levers (7), one on each side of the machine. The respective points of connection of the levers (7) are located in opposite sides of main post (4). The levers (7) move pivotably relative to the main post (4) through a rotatory cylinder (8) which traverses the main post. In the lower end of each of the levers (7) there are respective main coupling elements (9), pivotably connected to the levers (7) through respective first ball joints (10). The main coupling elements (9) are pivotably connected, through second ball joints (11), to respective subsidiary coupling elements, specifically two crank arms (12). As FIG. 1 is a side view, it only shows one lever (7), one main coupling element (9) and one crank arm (12), because the corresponding elements located on the opposite side, due to the machine's configuration, are at all times located in the same position as their counterparts and therefore, do not show in a side view. FIG. 2, consisting of a front view, shows the duplicity of said elements (7, 9, 12).

[0030] The resistance means, which can be viewed in their entirety in FIG. 1, in this embodiment are located in a central position relative to the main post (4) and comprise a main resistance element, namely, a crank disc (13) rotating on an axis located in the backing post (5). Said crank disc (13) is linked by way of a belt (14) to a flywheel (15), rotating on an axis traversing the fork of the main post (4). The flywheel (15) is provided with conventional devices to graduate its resistance to rotation of the crank disc (13), such as brake pads or magnets.

[0031] Crank arms (12) are pivotably connected to the axis of the crank disc (13), and in this way the main coupling elements (9) transmit the motion of the levers (7) to the crank disc (13). In this instance, the transmission is performed indirectly, due to the use of crank arms (12). The two crank arms (12) are positioned in the same geometrical radius on the opposing sides of the crank disc (13) and accordingly, the main coupling elements (9) are positioned one in parallel to the other, so that when they are in motion they will describe the same path at the same time.

[0032] In a variation of this first embodiment, the main coupling elements (9) are pivotably connected directly to the crank disc (13), that is to say, they operate on a point of said crank disc (13) instead of resorting to subsidiary coupling means (12) that operate on the axis of the crank disc (13). In order to perform this direct operation on the crank disc (13), the second ball joint (11) is pivotably connected to a segment which is perpendicular to the main coupling element (9), said segment bridging the distance between the main coupling element (9) and the crank disc (13). Specifically, the main coupling elements (9) are pivotably connected to a point in the opposing faces of the crank disc's rim (13), therefore they will be positioned one in parallel to the other and will describe identical path when they rotate in unison. Due to the location of the main coupling elements (9) and, where applicable, the subsidiary coupling elements (12), the two levers (7) must be operated simultaneously and they both move in the same direction.

[0033] The operation of the machine can be deduced from the configuration that has been described in the preceding paragraphs. When the user, standing on the platform (6), brings the two levers (7) towards himself, the main coupling elements (9), with or without the interpositon of the subsidiary coupling elements (12), confer a 180 rotation to the disc (13), and when the two levers (7) are moved in the opposite direction, the rotation reaches 360. The rotation of the crank disc (13) and the flywheel (15), poses a resistance to the movement of the levers (7), which provides more efficient training. When the levers (7) reach the end of their path there is no sudden stop, because the crank disc (13) and the flywheel (15) produce a moment of inertia which is used to the advantage of the user when moving the levers (7) in the opposite direction.

[0034] In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the training machine which is the subject matter of this invention comprises only one lever (17). As shown in FIG. 3, the structural means comprise a main post (16) with forked lower and upper ends. The upper forked end straddles a lever (17), which is pivotably connected to said forked upper end by way of a cylinder (18). The lever (17) is attached at its lower end to a rod (19) whose ends are pivotably connected, through first ball joints (10) to respective main coupling elements (9) identical to those described in the first embodiment. Through second ball joints (11) the main coupling elements (9) operate on a crank disc (13), connected via a belt (14) to a flywheel (15), as described in the first embodiment. This second embodiment also comprises the two modes of operation of the main coupling elements (9) on the crank disc (13): by subsidiary coupling means, such as crank arms (12), or directly on the crank disc (13) through a perpendicular segment. Due to this configuration, the main coupling elements (9) are likewise located one in parallel to the other, so when they are in motion they will describe the same path at the same time. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the element of the machine in this second embodiment.

[0035] The functioning of the machine in this embodiment is substantially the same: the user operates the lever (17) with one or two of his arms. Thanks to the rod (19), the motion of the lever (17) forwards and backwards is transmitted to both parallel main coupling elements (9), which will describe the same path at the same time, transmitting a full rotation to the resistance means (13, 14, 15).

[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 represent the interaction between user and machine, when the user has opted to combine training of his upper body, by operating the levers (7), with training of his lower body, flexing his legs while standing on the platform (6). Thus, in FIG. 5 user is upright on the platform (6), after having moved the levers (7) forward. Right after, the user moves the levers (7) towards himself while flexing his legs, FIG. 6 showing the culmination of said movement.