WO2007105090A1

WO2007105090A1 - Body-building machine of generally clover-leaf shape for muscular working of the lower and upper limbs

Info

Publication number: WO2007105090A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/000635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Krupa
Original assignee: Sveltus
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Also published as: FR2898507A1; FR2898507B1; TW200806349A; JP2009529941A; CN101410151A; US20090093352A1; TWI419726B; JP5399717B2; EP1993677A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a body-building machine device for the lower and upper limbs in particular, possessing at least two resistive forces, preferably three forces. These forces are provided without the addition of any extra component, and without any particular adjustment. The device is of generally oval shape (1) and possesses two “ear”-like lateral extensions (4, 5), the function of which is, in part, to enable it to be held by a user. The device also comprises two bands (6, 7) which are thinner than the other main band forming the device as a whole (2, 3, 4, 5).

Description

Bodybuilding machine substantially shaped "clover" for muscle work of the lower and upper limbs.

Technical sector of the invention:

The present invention relates to the technical sector of weight machines in the form of an ellipse or an oval allowing inter alia muscular work of the lower and upper limbs.

Prior art:

Ring-type devices, "ring", or "circle", deformation on a single axis and two directions of a circle made of steel or carbon fibers or glass fibers are known. These are resistance ring type devices, essentially allowing the lower and upper limbs to be exercised.

They allow (among other things thanks to the "Pilates" method) to improve muscle performance and tone the muscles or simply to improve physical fitness.

A disadvantage of these prior devices is that the user can only perform one type of force, which will always be the same, unless using an additional resistance means (for example, a "bungee" or strap) which requires adjustment.

Another disadvantage is that they are made of expensive materials and that they can be made up of several parts (for example, two arcs of assembled circles, handles, "bungees", etc.) making the manufacture relatively complex and thereby increasing the cost of producing the equipment.

Technical problem posed:

There is a real need to develop a device for the bodybuilding among other lower and upper limbs offering at least two possibilities of strength, which can be easily achieved, and can also be manufactured at reduced cost.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a device of the body-building apparatus type including lower and upper limbs, having at least two resistance forces, preferably three forces. These forces being realized without the addition of an additional piece, and without any particular adjustment.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a device for the bodybuilding in particular of the lower and upper limbs (the pectoral, triceps, abdominal, dorsal, and the muscles of the legs and thighs, as well as other muscle groups, etc.).

Figure 1 is a top view of the device according to the present invention, in a rest position. Figure 2 is a view of the same device which applies a first pressure resulting in a low resistance force.

Figure 3 is a view of the same device where a second pressure is applied resulting in a very strong resistance force.

FIG. 4 is a view of the same device in which a third pressure is applied, resulting in an intermediate resistance force.

Figure 5 is a view of the same device where a fourth pressure is applied resulting in a strong resistance force.

FIG. 6, which consists of FIGS. 6A (front view) and 6B (profile view), shows the device according to the invention where a pressure is applied which causes a fifth resistance force called "torsion".

Fig. 7 is a view of said device according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 8 is a graph showing the evolution of the load over time, during a bench press exercise.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the evolution of the compressive load over time of the device according to the invention when a pressure is applied at the level of the strips (2 and 3), in order to obtain a force of weak resistance.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the evolution of the compression load over time of the device according to the invention when a pressure is applied at the level of the bands (A and C) or (B and D), in order to to obtain an intermediate resistance force.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the evolution of the compression load over time of the device according to the invention when apply pressure at the bands (4 and 5) to obtain a very strong resistance force.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the evolution of the compression load over time of the device according to the invention when a pressure is applied at the level of the strips (6 and 7), in order to obtain a force of strong resistance.

The invention relates to a device of substantially oval shape (1) which has two lateral extensions (4, 5) of the "ear" type allowing, inter alia, its gripping by a user. This device also comprises two strips (6, 7) of smaller thickness relative to that of the other main band forming the entire device (2, 3, 4, 5). These two thin strips are formed on the extension of the oval created by the device, thus pass through said extensions, and connect the points A and B / C and D.

All the curved parts formed on this device, because of its oval shape, are slightly curved outwards. The radius of the main bands and lateral extensions of the "ear" type is preferably 120 mm, but this dimension can of course be adapted to the requirements of those skilled in the art.

This device is preferably a monoblock piece of injected plastic (PA 6 ("nylon 6 polyamide"). The technological advance concerning plastic materials makes it possible to obtain relatively important memory effect materials, but to accentuate the memory effect it It is possible to place a steel band inside the plastic, this also to provide more resistance. In addition, the composite materials have the following characteristics: good tensile strength, bending capacity, good impact resistance, high mechanical strength, stiffness, hardness, good resistance to fatigue and wear; or by any other material accessible to those skilled in the art for making such a device in one piece, having a high rigidity and a large memory effect so that the piece can return to its original shape whatever the deformation applied and that the device can be used regularly over time by always offering optimal use qualities over time.

In order to bring greater strength to the assembly, it is possible to provide reinforcement-type elements (9), in the places where the tensions applied are the strongest, that is to say essentially at the points vertex of curvature (e, f) and at the junction points of the bands (A, B, C, D).

Said device has a dimension of about 50 cm in diameter. The thickness of the strips of the device is about 7 mm for the thick portions (2, 3, 4, 5) and about 4 mm for the thinnest portions (6, 7).

According to the preferred embodiment of said device (FIG 7), the dimensions are as follows: diameter of 51 cm and width of the strips of 5 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is possible to place at the vertices of the four arcs formed by the main band of the device (2, 3, 4, 5), that is to say at the level of the upper parts (2), lateral (4, 5) (ear type extensions) and lower (3), a comfort overmolding (8) elastomer (or polyurethane foam or polyethylene) facilitating its handling and use. According to the preferred embodiment (FIG. 7), the device comprises altogether ten elements of the comfort (8) and of the reinforcement type (9).

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, this overmoulding is preferably ergonomic in order to improve the use of the device.

The material used can be of any type accessible to those skilled in the art, as long as it can guarantee the user a good grip and good support on the legs.

It is possible to exert different resistance forces according to the places by which the user grasps said device, and therefore according to the places where the user applies the pressures:

- low, by grasping the device simply at the lower (3) and upper (2), (Figure 2)

- intermediate, by grasping the device between the two parts of oval and extension, that is to say at the junction points of the different bands (A + C) (D + B) ₁ (Figure 4)

- strong, by gripping the device at said thin strips (6 and 7), (Figure 5)

- very strong, by grasping the device at the level of the lateral extensions of type "ears" (4, 5), (Figure 3)

- of "twist". grasping the device at the level of the lateral extensions of "ears" type (4, 5) and bringing said extensions together (FIG. 6) When the device is grasped at the lower (3) and upper (2) portions, and pressure is applied towards the inside of the device (pressure represented by arrows in the figures), the thin strips ( 6 and 7) (due to their outward curvature) accompany the movement without offering any resistance.

On the other hand, when the device is grasped at the lateral extension portions (4, 5) and the same type of pressure is applied inwards, said thin strips (6 and 7) are tend, creating increased resistance against applied pressure.

When the device is grasped at the junction points (A and C) or (B and D), and inward pressure is applied, the deformation of said thin strips creates an intermediate resistance force.

When the device is grasped at the level of the thin strips (6, 7) and pressure is applied inwards, a strong resistance force is created. In addition, starting from a certain pressure applied by the user, that is to say about 80% of the maximum force applicable, the device starts to oscillate and to tremble (because of the weight distributions notably of the lateral extensions of types "ears" ") And thus causes vibrations that are transmitted to the muscles of the forearms.

Different resistance forces are obtained by varying the thickness of the different bands and blocking the deformation using the thin strips connecting A to B and C to D. We have performed tests on said device according to the present invention, see Figures 9 to 12, by compressing it gradually (as in its recommended use), on a dynamometric platform that samples at 100 Hz. The results are as follows (expressed in kg):

- Low resistance force: average load at maximum compression of 14 kg with a maximum applied load of 16.2 kg;

- Intermediate strength of resistance: average load at maximum compression of 13.1 kg with a maximum applied load of 15.2 kg;

- Strong resistance force: average maximum compression load of 17.5 kg with a maximum applied load of 18.5 kg;

- Very strong resistance force: average load at maximum compression of 20.2 kg with a maximum applied load of 22.6 kg.

These tests demonstrate that, for the device of the present invention, the resistance force increases gradually until a maximum "plateau" is reached as the device is compressed.

For comparison, we also carried out a measurement of load (in kg) during a "bench press" exercise (exercise performed in an extended position, holding a bar carrying weights, arms stretched above the torso, and by bringing the bar into contact with the torso and raising it), with a load close to the maximum load produced with the device according to the invention.

Note that for the "bench press" (see Fig. 8), the resistance force is from the beginning of the quasi-maximum movement, then decreases slightly as the load is pushed.

Therefore, by working the same muscles (the pectorals), we obtain a much better result using the device of the present invention by performing a bench press exercise (at equal weight).

Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to modify the strengths of resistance depending on the applications that will be desired.

Thus, it is possible to perform varied exercises, adapted to each (of the occasional user, the experienced user), and this without using different devices and without making adjustments.

It is quite possible to provide devices having other dimensions than those described in the present application, as long as they allow to keep all the technical characteristics of said device. Indeed, it may be advantageous to provide smaller devices (for example for children) or on the contrary larger for the applications and exercises that you want to perform. It is also possible to modify the reinforcing and gripping elements.

Examples of use of the device according to the present invention:

Example 1

By grasping the device according to the present invention by the lateral extensions of the "ear" type (4 and 5) with the hands and placing the elbows at the level of the parts (3 and 2), and tightening the elbows inwards , the work carried out acts effectively on the big pectorals.

Example 2

By gripping the device by the thin strips (6 and 7) with the hands stretching the arms almost to the maximum, and exerting a pressure towards the inside of the device, the work carried out acts effectively on the pectorals. During a sustained exercise, the vibration obtained due to this position, makes it possible to improve even more the work on the pecs.

Example 3

Once seated on the floor, the knee is placed on the device according to the invention at the junction points (A or C or D or B), and in support of the floor by opening the leg outwards, we work the abductor muscles of the leg.

These are just a few examples among many possible uses of the device according to the present invention that it is impossible to detail as the applications of said device are vast.

The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications which will be directly accessible to the person skilled in the art upon reading the present application, and of his own knowledge.

Claims

1. Device for the bodybuilding including lower and upper limbs (pecs, triceps, abdominals, dorsal, and muscles of the legs and thighs, as well as other muscle groups, etc.), characterized in that said device (1) is of substantially oval shape and has two lateral extensions (4, 5) of the "ear" type allowing, inter alia, its gripping by a user, and in that said device also comprises two strips (6, 7 ) of smaller thickness than that of the main band forming the entire device (2, 3, 4, 5), said thin strips (6, 7) having an outward curvature of the device; these two thin strips being formed on the extension of the oval created by the device, so through said extensions, and connect the points A and B / C and D.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device is preferably a one-piece piece of injected plastic (PA 6 ("nylon nylon 6").

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is possible to place a steel strip inside the plastic, this also to provide more resistance.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plastic materials used in the manufacture of the device, have the following characteristics: good tensile strength, bending capacity, good impact resistance, high strength mechanical, stiffness, hardness, good resistance to fatigue and wear; or by any other material accessible to those skilled in the art for making such a device in one piece, having a high rigidity and a large memory effect so that the piece can return to its original shape whatever the deformation applied and that the device can be used regularly over time by always offering optimal use qualities over time.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that all the curved parts formed on this device, because of its oval shape, are slightly curved outwards; the radius of the main bands and lateral extensions of the "ear" type is preferably 120 mm.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in order to bring greater strength to the assembly, it is possible to provide reinforcing elements (9), in places where the applied voltages are the strongest, ie essentially at the points of vertex of curvature (e, f) and at the junction points of the bands (A, B, C, D).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is possible to place, at the vertices of the four arcs formed by the main band of the device (2, 3, 4, 5), that is to say at the level of the upper (2), lateral (4, 5) (extensions type "ears") and lower (3), a comfort overmolding (8) elastomer (or polyurethane foam or polyethylene ) facilitating its handling and its use.

8. Device according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the device comprises a total of ten elements of type overmolding comfort (8) and reinforcing type (9).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said device has a dimension of about 50 cm in diameter, and in that the width of the strips of the device is about 7 mm for the portions. thick (2, 3, 4, 5) and about 4 mm for the thinnest portions (6, 7).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the dimensions are as follows: diameter of 51 cm and width of the strips of 5 mm.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the compressive loads according to different resistance forces are as follows (expressed in kg):

12. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one can exercise different resistance forces depending on the places by which the user grasped said device, and therefore depending on the places where the user applies the pressures:

- low, by grasping the device simply at the lower (3) and upper (2),

- intermediate, by grasping the device between the two parts of oval and extension, that is to say at the junction points of the different bands (A + C) (D + B),

- strong, by grasping the device at the level of said thin strips (6 and n - very strong, by grasping the device at the level of the lateral extensions of the "ears" type (4, 5),

- of "twist". by grasping the device at the level of the lateral extensions of the "ears" type (4, 5) and by bringing said extensions together.

13. Use of the device according to claim 12, characterized in that when one grasps the device (1) at the side extension parts (4, 5), and when one carries out the same type of pressure towards inside the device, said thin strips (6 and 7) are stretched, creating an increased resistance against the applied pressure.

14. Use of the device according to claim 1 Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that when said device (1) is gripped at the junction points (A and C) or (B and D), and when pressure is applied to the inside of the device, the deformation of said thin strips creates an intermediate resistance force.

15. Use of the device according to claim 12, characterized in that when one grasps said device (1) at the level of the thin strips (6, 7), and that one carries out an inward pressure, one creates a strong resistance force, and from a certain pressure applied by the user, to about 80% of the maximum force applicable, the device starts to oscillate (due to the weight distributions, in particular lateral extensions of types " ears ") and thus causes vibrations that are transmitted to the forearms.