Device for training the arm and / or leg muscles

Abstract

Device (10) for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs by means of a crank (18), comprising a housing (16) in which a bearing (26) is arranged, in which an axle (24) is provided, which at its free ends on both sides of the housing (16) is connected to a crank part (18a, 18b) of the crank (18) with a contact surface for hands and / or feet, wherein the housing (16) is provided with at least one support foot (12, 14) extending substantially parallel to the axle (26) and with at least one massage element (34a, 34b) which are connected to the housing (16), characterized in that the at least one massage element (34a, 34b) is arranged in the support foot (12, 14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs by means of a crank according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Basically, there are various types of devices for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs using a crank. These are offered as ergometers or so-called exercise bikes and consist of a seat, a handlebar for the user's hands, and a pedal crank. The pedal crank works in conjunction with a mechanism that allows the resistance of the pedaling motion to be adjusted.

[0003] The present invention relates to devices for training the arm and / or leg muscles, also known as mini exercise bikes, which are designed without a handrail or seat for the user. Such a mini exercise bike comprises a housing, which is generally equipped with two feet: a front foot and a rear foot. A bearing is arranged in the housing, into which an axle is inserted. At its free ends, the axle is connected on both sides of the housing to a crank arm with a gripping surface for the hands and / or feet. The axle interacts with an adjustable resistance device. The adjustable resistance device allows the user to adjust the training intensity, i.e., the resistance when turning the crank. An adjustment mechanism is generally provided on the device for this purpose.Furthermore, the housing may also include displays showing training time, resistance level, distance traveled, calories burned, cadence, and similar information. These displays typically also include input devices for entering the data necessary to calculate calories.

[0004] A mini exercise bike like this can be placed on the floor, allowing the user to pedal while lying down or sitting in a chair. Alternatively, the user can also pedal while lying down or, if the device is placed on a table, for example, by cranking the pedals with their arms. These mini exercise bikes are generally quite lightweight and can easily be moved to suitable locations for exercise.

[0005] A device of this type is known from Community Design EM 008209910-0001, in which the housing is designed as a frame. Massage elements are arranged in the frame in the lower section next to the feet. These massage elements can be positioned at different locations along the length of the frame. Separate cranks for leg and arm training are provided on the frame, with the cranks for leg training located lower down and the cranks for arm training located higher up.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a device for training the arm and / or leg muscles according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the functionality is extended in a simple manner while maintaining a compact design.

[0007] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with the features of the preamble.

[0008] The invention is based on the understanding that integrating at least one massage element into the base expands the device's functional possibilities while simultaneously ensuring a compact design. This allows for greater freedom in the housing design. Furthermore, integration into the base also results in weight savings, as a separate connection to the housing is no longer necessary.

[0009] The invention therefore relates to a device for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs using a crank. The device comprises a housing in which a bearing is arranged. An axle is provided in the bearing, and at its free ends, on both sides and outside the housing, is connected to a crank section with a contact surface for the hands and / or feet. The housing is provided with at least one base extending substantially parallel to the axle and with at least one massage element. The massage element is connected to the housing. According to the invention, the at least one massage element is arranged in the base. This results in a compact design and expands the function of the device by increasing blood circulation in the feet or hands using the massage element.The feet or hands are placed on the massage element, weight is applied, and if necessary, moved over the massage element.

[0010] To facilitate access to at least one massage element, the base can be positioned further forward in relation to the axis connected to the crank parts, towards the user of the device.

[0011] Preferably, the device has a longitudinal center plane that bisects the axis such that the distance to each crank part arranged laterally on the axis is equal. This results in an ergonomic design of the device.

[0012] The base can be moved laterally in both directions relative to the longitudinal center plane to ensure a secure stand for the device.

[0013] In particular, the base is symmetrical to the longitudinal median plane and has two foot parts extending laterally to the longitudinal median plane.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one massage element is arranged in each foot section. This facilitates the use of the massage elements by the user.

[0015] To increase the functionality of the massage elements, the massage element can be movably mounted in the base.

[0016] The massage element can be designed in different ways. Firstly, it can consist of at least one massage roller that rotates parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. Secondly, it can consist of at least one massage ball that is movably mounted in the base.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, several massage elements are mounted in the base, in particular in a foot section. This improves the effectiveness of the massage when using the massage elements.

[0018] For the same reason, several massage elements can still be arranged one behind the other in the base, especially in a foot section, in a longitudinal direction.

[0019] Preferably, several massage elements are arranged side by side in the base, particularly in a foot section, in a transverse direction.

[0020] Several support feet can be provided in a longitudinal direction one behind the other to increase the stability of the device.

[0021] The feet on the housing can be arranged in different positions along the length of the housing to guarantee optimal stability depending on the use of the device.

[0022] To make the device as easy as possible for the user, a pedal, a handle, or a pedal designed as a handle can be arranged at the free end of each crank section. The pedal designed as a handle is ergonomically designed for use by the user with their hands and feet.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one set of pedals and one set of handles for the crank are provided, wherein a pedal or a handle is designed to be connectable to a crank part as required.

[0024] The training possibilities of the device are expanded by the fact that an expander with at least one handle for the user is provided on the housing.

[0025] Preferably, such an expander can be provided on the housing on each side of the longitudinal median plane.

[0026] Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0027] The description, claims, and drawing use the terms and associated reference numerals listed below. In the drawing, this means: Fig. 1 a perspective view from an oblique top front of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a front view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a top view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a side view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a perspective view from an oblique angle above of a support foot of the device of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 a front view of the support leg of Fig. 5.

[0028] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs according to the invention. Such an invention is also known as a so-called mini exercise bike, which comprises a front support 12, a rear support 14, a housing 16, and a crank 18 with a crank part 18a on the right side with respect to the housing 16 and a crank part 18b on the left side of the housing 16.

[0029] A pedal 20a, 20b is provided at the free ends of the crank sections 18a, 18b. Each pedal 20a, 20b is rotatably mounted within its corresponding crank section 18a, 18b. The pedal 20a, 20b is ergonomically designed for both hand gripping and foot pedaling. To achieve this, the top and bottom surfaces of the pedal taper towards the center. Both the front and back surfaces of the pedal 18a, 18b feature raised and recessed areas to facilitate a comfortable grip. Each pedal 18a, 18b is equipped with an adjustable pedal strap 22a, 22b to prevent slippage during operation.

[0030] Both crank parts 18a, 18b are rigidly connected to each other via an axle 24, the crank parts 18a, 18b extending in diametrically opposite directions with respect to the axle 24. The axle 24 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 26 arranged in the housing.

[0031] The housing 16 has a display 28 located on its front face, which shows the distance traveled, calories burned, cadence, the resistance setting for crank 18, elapsed time, and similar information. Data for calculating calorie consumption and / or a predefined time can be entered via an input device 30 provided on the display 28.

[0032] A rotary knob 32 is provided between the display 28 and the front support 12, which allows the resistance when operating the crank 18 to be adjusted. By turning the knob in one direction or the other, the resistance of the device 10 when operating the crank 18 can be changed; turning in one direction increases the resistance, turning in the other direction decreases the resistance.

[0033] The front support foot 12 is arranged symmetrically to a longitudinal center plane of the housing 16. The longitudinal center plane of the housing 16 thus divides the support foot into a right foot section 12a and a left foot section 12b. Parallel to the axis 24, a massage roller 34a, 34b, which is provided with nubs 34c, 34d, is mounted in each foot section 12a, 12b.

[0034] It is also conceivable that 12 movably mounted massage balls are located in the front base. Furthermore, several massage rollers 34a, 34b and / or massage balls can be arranged side by side and / or one behind the other in the base section 12a, 12b.

[0035] The front and rear support legs 12, 14 are each detachably connected to the housing 16. At the free ends of the front support leg 12, an eyelet 36a, 36b is provided, into which a carabiner 38a, 38b is detachably hooked. The carabiner 38a, 38b is connected to the free end of an expander 40a, 40b. The expander 40a, 40b is equipped with a handle 42a, 42b at its end opposite the carabiner 38a, 38b. The expanders 40a, 40b can be used to train the arms and legs as well.

[0036] Below the feet 12, 14, support feet 44a, 44b are provided on the sides, which are firmly connected to the associated foot 12, 14. Reference symbol list 10 Device, mini exercise bike 12 front stand 12a right foot section of the stand 12 12b left foot section of the stand 12 14 rear stand 16 cases 18 crank 18a right crank part of the crank 18 18b left crank part of the crank 18 20a right pedal 20b left pedal 22a right pedal strap 22b left pedal strap 24-axis 26 bearings for the axle 24 of the crank 18 in the housing 16 28 Display 30 Input devices 32 rotary knob 34a Massage roller, right 34b Massage roller, left 34c studs, right 34d studs, left 36a Eyelet, right 36b eyelet, left 38a carabiner, right 38b carabiner, left 40a Expander, right 40b expander, left 42a Handle, right 42b Handle, left 44a Support foot, right 44b Support foot, left

Claims

[1] Device (10) for training the arm and / or leg muscles by moving the arms or legs by means of a crank (18), comprising a housing (16) in which a bearing (26) is arranged, in which an axle (24) is provided, which at its free ends on both sides of the housing (16) is connected to a crank part (18a, 18b) of the crank (18) with a contact surface for hands and / or feet, wherein the housing (16) is provided with at least one support foot (12, 14) extending substantially parallel to the axle (26) and with at least one massage element (34a, 34b) which are connected to the housing (16), characterized by , that at least one massage element (34a, 34b) is arranged in the base (12, 14). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the base (12, 14) is arranged offset forwards towards the user of the device (10) with respect to the axis (24) connected to the crank parts (18a, 18b). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a longitudinal median plane which bisects the axis (24) such that the distance to the respective crank part (18a, 18b) arranged laterally on the axis (24) is the same in each case and the base (12, 14) extends laterally to the longitudinal median plane in each case. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by , that the base (12, 14) is symmetrical to the longitudinal median plane and has two foot parts (12a, 12b) extending laterally to the longitudinal median plane. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that at least one massage element (34a, 34b) is arranged in each foot section (12a, 12b). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the massage element (34a, 34b) is movably mounted in the base (12, 14). [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the massage element (34a, 34b) is formed by a massage roller rotatable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base (12, 14). [8] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the massage element (34a, 34b) is formed by a massage ball movably mounted in the base (12, 14). [9] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several massage elements (34a, 34b) are mounted in the base (12, 14), in particular in a foot section (12a, 12b). [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several massage elements (34a, 34b) are arranged longitudinally one behind the other in the base (12, 14), in particular in a foot section (12a, 12b). [11] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several massage elements (34a, 34b) are arranged side by side in the base (12, 14), in particular in a foot section (12a, 12b), in a transverse direction. [12] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that several support feet are provided in a longitudinal direction one behind the other. [13] Device according to claim 12, characterized by , that the feet (12, 14) can be arranged in different positions along the length of the housing (16). [14] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at the free end of each crank part (18a, 18b) a pedal (20a, 20b) or a handle is arranged. [15] Device according to claim 14, characterized by , that at least one set of pedals (20a, 20b) and one set of handles for the crank (18) are provided, wherein one pedal (20a, 20b) or one handle is designed to be connectable to a crank part as required. [16] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an expander (40a, 40b) arranged on the housing (16) with a handle (42a, 42b) for the user. [17] Device according to claim 16, characterized by , that an expander (40a, 40b) is provided on each side of the longitudinal median plane on the housing (16).

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