GYMNASTIC APPARATUS FOR INDOOR CYCLING TRAINING

Abstract

A gymnastic apparatus for indoor cycling training that includes two cranks with alternating movement, each of which is contrasted by a device capable of varying the resistance of the crank in real time depending on the position and load.

Claims

1. A gymnastic apparatus for indoor cycling training, comprising: a base which supports a saddle and a handlebar and to which is rotationally coupled a transverse shaft which is put into rotation by the torque transmitted alternately by two cranks whose distal ends describe an arc of circumference, so that they pass from a position of maximum height to a position of minimum height, overcoming the braking torque exerted on said shaft by at least one contrast unit, said cranks being interconnected by motion reversing means which force them to rotate simultaneously in the opposite direction, wherein said cranks include means for detecting the angular position and the load to which each of said cranks is subjected, which are functionally connected with an automatic command and control device which in turn regulates the action exerted by said contrast unit on said shaft.

2. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, for each of said cranks, said motion reversing means comprise a respective hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly, the distal end of which is rotationally connected to said crank and whose proximal end is rotationally coupled to said base, said cylinders of said piston/cylinder assemblies being placed in hydraulic communication by means of a non-expandable duct.

3. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cranks transmits motion to said shaft by means of a respective freewheel device.

4. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast unit comprises an electric servomotor controlled by an electronic device.

5. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast unit comprises a circular hydraulic actuator regulated by a highly sensitive electromechanically-operated valve.

6. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a respective pedal is rotationally coupled to the distal end of each of said cranks.

7. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downward stroke of each of said two cranks is blocked by a respective end-stop integrally connected to said base.

8. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said contrast unit is functionally connected to said cranks by means of a motion transmission system which can vary the ratio of transmission.

9. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said freewheel devices which transmit motion from said cranks to said shaft are of the type provided with reversible locking.

10. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a hydraulic pump which introduces pressurized fluid into said circular hydraulic actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the gymnastic apparatus subject of the present patent.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the invention and FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the contrast unit and belt drive.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the invention with the sectioned shaft housing (3) shown magnified in FIG. 5.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from the right side and FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the contrast unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the present gymnastic apparatus comprises a base (1) to which a saddle (2) and a handlebar (3) are connected in an adjustable manner. In the lower back portion of the gymnastic apparatus, a shaft (6) is rotationally housed to which two cranks (51, 52) are rotationally connected by means of two respective freewheel devices, so that when pressed downward, each crank transmits a rotational torque to the shaft (6), which rotates by overcoming the action exerted by a contrast unit (7), while the freewheel devices do not transmit any torque to the shaft (6) when the cranks then rotate upward again.

[0040] The cranks are pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis and each crank is rotationally connected to the distal end of a respective hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly (53, 54) whose proximal end is rotationally coupled to the base; in this way the motion of the two cranks is reciprocally constrained because the two cylinders are connected by a duct (55) that during operation alternately transfers the hydraulic fluid from one cylinder to the other, so that if one crank rotates downwards the other is forced to rotate upwards.

[0041] In the solution shown in the figures, the contrast unit (7) is located behind the shaft (6) and transmits torque to the latter by means of a belt (71), it should be noted that the latter can be replaced by any other motion transmission system, such as a chain or a series of gears, even introducing a non-unitary transmission ratio.

[0042] In a different embodiment, the shaft (6) can correspond to the shaft of the contrast device.

[0043] In a particularly complete embodiment, the motion transmission system can also include a group for varying the transmission ratio.

[0044] The present gymnastic apparatus includes a command and control system (8) of electronic type, functionally connected to means for detecting in real time both the position of each crank and the effort exerted on it.

[0045] The command and control unit is functionally connected with the contrast unit (7) and includes both data processing means and a user interface, the latter of which may be a dedicated touch panel or may be replaced by a computer or smartphone.

[0046] The contrast unit can be made using different types of components, a particularly simple and practical solution involves the use of an electric servomotor controlled electronically, in this case it is eventually possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the servomotor to make the apparatus capable of training the athlete by means of an eccentric work.

[0047] Thanks to the possibility of detecting both the position of and the force on the cranks in real time, the command and control system can give a feedback to the contrast unit in real time, according to any preset function.

[0048] Another possible constructive solution for realizing the contrast unit (7) consists in using a special circular hydraulic actuator regulated by a highly sensitive electromechanically-operated valve, with this solution it will be possible to obtain eccentric work by means of an electro-controlled pump that makes the actuator rotate.

[0049] It should be noted that freewheel functioning is preferable for training the cyclist, however, particularly complete versions of the gymnastic apparatus can provide the possibility of locking the freewheel devices so that it becomes possible to transmit torque to the shaft (6) even during the lifting phase of the crank.

[0050] In a particularly complete embodiment, the range of movement of the cranks can also be varied during operation, for example by means of a device capable of increasing or decreasing the quantity of hydraulic fluid contained in the two piston/cylinder units (53, 54) and in the duct (55) thanks to an external tank, the latter not shown in the figures.

[0051] To increase the flexibility of use of this gymnastic apparatus it is possible to use a dedicated contrast unit for each crank.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the downward travel of each crank (51, 52) is blocked by a respective end-stop (11, 12) that is integrally connected to the base (1).