Weight bench with spring-like slats that operate in flame mode
The spring-like slat design in weight training benches addresses the bulkiness and mobility issues of traditional benches by using buckling deformation to simulate heavy loads, enabling easy transport and versatile exercises.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOURNEUX FABIEN
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing weight training benches are bulky, heavy, and difficult to move due to the presence of metal weights or dumbbells, limiting their use for home or portable applications.
A weight training bench with spring-like slats that utilize buckling deformation to simulate heavy loads, using composite materials and a force transmission system to provide a constant restoring force, allowing for a reduced weight and compact design.
The bench effectively simulates heavy loads with reduced weight and bulk, facilitating easy transportation and use in limited spaces, while providing a range of exercise movements.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: WEIGHT BENCH WITH A SPRING-FORMING, FLAME-OPERATED SLAB Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a weight training bench with a spring-like slat that works by buckling. It applies, in particular, to weight training benches for home or portable use by individuals, to gym or weightlifting benches, and to rehabilitation benches. The bench of the invention is intended for use by and for individuals, but also by physiotherapists, particularly those located on upper floors where the floor load is limited (weight gain), and by teachers, pupils, and students for teaching weight training without a dedicated room, and in medical facilities, particularly for dependent elderly people. Prior art
[0002] Weight training benches can be classified into two main groups.
[0003] The first group concerns weighted weight benches (generally metal weights) whose movement is guided on rails. These weights are connected to a cable which the user pulls to work their muscles. The user can pull the cables in different directions using pulleys. This allows the user to perform up-and-down, horizontal, oblique, and other movements. These benches are very bulky, especially for home use, often in a dedicated room that is not necessarily pleasant to use: garage, laundry room, basement. These benches are also very heavy (at least 60 kg and up to more than 100 kg of weights, plus a frame weighing 15 to 30 kg). Furthermore, they are complicated to deliver, install, and move.
[0004] The second group concerns free-weight weight benches, where the user uses dumbbells. The number of movements is more limited, as only up-and-down movements are possible, and the intensity is also more limited, as the weights are generally smaller, for example, between 20 and 40 kg. These benches are more compact and, in some cases, can even be folded. However, the weight of the dumbbells makes them difficult to deliver and move. Again, the delivery and transport of these benches and the associated weights are complicated by the presence of heavy loads.
[0005] For home or portable use, these two types of benches therefore present a weight problem, requiring the device to remain stationary in its location, and a bulkiness problem, thus limiting their use by individuals. Presentation of the invention
[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.
[0007] To this end, the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a weight training bench, which includes a frame, at least one spring-forming slat mechanically connected to the frame and a force transmission system, from at least one movable part relative to the frame and in contact with a part of the user's body, to at least one said slat whose attachment to the frame is configured to cause buckling by bending of the slat under the action of the displacement of the movable part via the force transmission system.
[0008] Thanks to these arrangements, the loads, which exert a constant restoring force, i.e. their weight, are replaced by buckling restoring forces, which are also substantially constant, unlike the forces exerted by parts in compression or extension.
[0009] The weight training bench that is the subject of the invention therefore very effectively simulates the presence of heavy loads, while having a reduced weight.
[0010] It should be noted that buckling is a phenomenon of instability in an elastic structure which, in order to escape a significant load, uses an unstressed mode of deformation, thus offering less stiffness to the load. The concept of buckling generally applies to beams, in this case slender slats, which, when subjected to a compressive normal force, tend to bend and deform in a direction perpendicular to the axis of compression (transition from a state of compression to a state of bending) (source: Wikipedia).
[0011] For a beam of constant inertia subjected to a simple compressive normal force, the theoretical critical buckling load is given by Euler's formula: F = pi2EW
[0012] formula in which: E is the Young's modulus of the material, 1 is the second moment of area of the beam and lk is the buckling length of the beam.
[0013] This critical load is obviously limited by the cross-sectional resistance of the beam.
[0014] The factor / ^ represents a length equivalent to that of a pinned-pinned beam. This refers to the distance between two points of inflection of the beam's deformed shape, or the distance between two points of zero bending moment. Thus, - for a beam pinned at both ends, lk = L, the length of the beam, - for a fixed-end beam - movable fixed-end beam (about the vertical axis), lk = 0.5 L, - for a fixed-end-pinned beam, lk = 0.699 L (the coefficient 0.699 is an approximation), and -for a free-fixed beam, lk = 2 L.
[0015] Buckling is an elastic instability phenomenon related to Young's modulus and independent of the elastic limit.
[0016] In optional embodiments, at least one spring-forming slat is made of composite material.
[0017] Thanks to these arrangements, the weight of the slats is further reduced. Moreover, unlike metal parts, composite material parts are less sensitive to the environment, for example corrosion.
[0018] In optional embodiments, at least one slat has a slight curvature, hence a large radius of curvature, in the absence of force exerted by the force transfer system.
[0019] Thanks to these provisions, the onset of buckling by bending is facilitated, which increases user comfort.
[0020] In optional embodiments, at least one spring-forming slat has one end connected to a carriage mounted on the chassis and guided by at least one rail.
[0021] Thanks to these provisions, the risks of blockage at this end are reduced.
[0022] In optional embodiments, the chassis is foldable, between a deployed configuration in which the user can actuate the moving part to perform physical exercises and a folded configuration, in which the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the chassis is less than the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the chassis in the deployed configuration.
[0023] It should be noted that a geometric object is said to be convex when, whenever two points are taken on it, the segment joining them is entirely contained within it. By analogy, this is essentially the volume of a plastic package stretched over the frame, in one configuration or another.
[0024] Transporting the bench that is the subject of the invention is therefore particularly easy in its folded configuration. Conversely, in its unfolded configuration, the bench takes on its full size and allows for the performance of physical exercises.
[0025] In optional embodiments, the chassis has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, each of four uprights forming four edges of this rectangular parallelepiped being movable in rotation in a plane comprising a face delimited by two of the longest sides and said movable upright.
[0026] The folded chassis is thus practically flat and therefore easy to deliver and move.
[0027] In optional embodiments, at least part of the reference system forces and at least one spring-forming slat are positioned in the face of the chassis configured to be in contact with the ground during physical exercises.
[0028] Thanks to these arrangements, each spring-forming slat is kept away from the user's body, whether sitting or lying on top of the frame or sitting in front of the frame.
[0029] In optional embodiments, the bench which is the subject of the invention includes a folding seat. Brief description of the figures
[0030] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the exercise bench that is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] [Fig-1] represents, in front view, a first embodiment of a bench culation, the object of the invention, without effort on the slats forming springs,
[0032] [Fig.2] represents, in front view, the first embodiment of a bench culation, the object of the invention, with limited effort on the slats forming springs,
[0033] [Fig.3] represents, in front view, the first embodiment of a bench culation object of the invention, with an average force on the slats forming springs,
[0034] [Fig.4] represents, in front view, the first embodiment of a bench culation, the object of the invention, with significant stress on the slats forming springs,
[0035] [Fig.5] partially represents, in side view, a second embodiment of a weight training bench, the subject of the invention, in its folded configuration,
[0036] [Fig.6] partially represents, in side view, the second embodiment of a weight training bench, the subject of the invention, in its deployed configuration,
[0037] [Fig.7] partially represents, in top view, the second embodiment of a weight training bench, the subject of the invention, in its deployed configuration, without effort on the spring-like slats,
[0038] [Fig.8] partially represents, in top view, the second embodiment of a weight training bench, the subject of the invention, in its deployed configuration, under the effect of a force exerted on the slats forming springs,
[0039] [Fig.9] represents, in side view, the second embodiment of a bench of the bodybuilding device that is the subject of the invention, in its deployed configuration, under the effect of a force exerted on the slats forming springs, and
[0040] [Fig. 10] represents a third embodiment of a weight training bench of the invention, in deployed configuration, under the effect of a force exerted on the slats forming springs. Description of the implementation methods
[0041] The present description is given by way of non-limiting grammatical reason, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.
[0042] It should be noted from the outset that the figures are schematic and not to scale.
[0043] Figures 1 to 4 show, in which only the front face is shown. vertical of a weight bench 20 implementing the present invention. The weight bench 20 comprises the rigid frame equipped with legs 21 and uprights vertical uprights 24 on which a mobile carriage 23 slides vertically. For example, the mobile carriage 23 is equipped with internal pads that slide on the surface of the uprights 24 or with internal wheels that roll on the surface of the uprights 24. The uprights 24 then form guide rails for the mobile carriage 23. Alternatively, a single upright 24 constitutes a guide rail for the mobile carriage 23.
[0044] A fixed support 22 for flexible slats 25 and 26 is positioned at the junction of the uprights 24 and the legs 21. The flexible slats 25 and 26 extend from the support 22 to the carriage 23. Each mechanical connection 27 between the slats 25 and 26 and the support 22, on the one hand, and the carriage 23, on the other hand, may be a ball joint, a pivot joint (as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the pivot axis being perpendicular to these figures at the midpoint of each connection 27), or a fixed (rigid) connection. A force transmission system (not shown) moves the carriage 23 vertically downwards under the effect of forces exerted by a user. This force transmission system includes, for example, straps passing through pulleys and / or wheels, with or without grooves, gears, pivot joints, and / or ball joints.The force transmission system transmits movements from a moving part relative to the chassis and driven by at least one limb and / or the user's torso, to the carriage 23, possibly with a multiplication of these movements.
[0045] As can be seen successively in figures 1 to 4, the greater the movement caused by the user, the more the carriage 23 moves downwards and the more the flexible slats 25 and 26 forming springs deform according to a buckling deformation by bending.
[0046] The flexible slats 25 and 26 preferably have a rectangular horizontal cross-section with the shorter side facing forward, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, so that the deformation of the flexible slats occurs essentially in the plane of these figures. The flexible slats 25 and 26 are, for example, made of composite materials, such as unidirectional glass with epoxy resin, carbon fiber-based materials, metal, or laminated wood.
[0047] Alternatively, a single slat or more than two slats are used.
[0048] As can be understood from the preceding description, the weight bench 20 comprises a frame 21 and 24, at least one spring-like slat 25 and 26 mechanically connected to the frame, and a force transfer system from at least one movable part relative to the frame and in contact with a part of the user's body to at least one such slat. The attachment of each slat 25 or 26 to the frame 21 and 24 is configured to cause the slat to buckle under the action of the movement of the movable part via the force transfer system.
[0049] In embodiments, at least one slat 25 or 26 has a slight curvature, therefore a large radius of curvature, in the absence of force exerted by the force transfer system, as illustrated in [Fig.1].
[0050] In embodiments such as that illustrated in figures 1 to 4, at least one spring-forming slat 25 and 26 has one end connected to a carriage 23 mounted on the chassis 21 and 24 and guided by at least one rail.
[0051] Figures 5 to 9 show a second embodiment of a weight training bench that is the subject of the invention. Figures 5 and 6 depict the folding and unfolding of the frame of the weight training bench 40. The spring-forming slats, the force transfer system, and their connections to the frame are not shown. The frame of the bench 40 comprises two parallel horizontal uprights 41 (only one of which is visible in figures 5 and 6 since these are side views), four uprights 43 and 44 (two of which are visible) parallel and movable in rotation about two axes of rotation 55 perpendicular to figures 5 and 6 and passing through the horizontal uprights 41. Two upper uprights 42 are also connected to the uprights 43 and 44 by pivot joints with axes of rotation 55. The frame thus formed by the uprights 41 to 44 can be folded as illustrated in [Fig.5], or unfolded as illustrated in [Fig.6].An oblique upright 47 ensures the stability of the deployed configuration. A mattress 46 is fixed to the upper uprights 42.
[0052] Figures 7 and 8 show the lower face of the chassis, in top view, in the deployed configuration illustrated in [Fig.6]. In addition to the elements already presented, a trolley 48 equipped with wheels 49 which roll on the lower horizontal uprights 4L can be seen. The trolley 48 can thus move in translation, from right to left in Figures 7 and 8, on the lower face of the chassis. Flexible slats 49 and 50 are fixed, at their ends, respectively on the trolley 48, for example by means of a pivot joint with a vertical axis in these figures, and on one of two horizontal uprights 53 connecting the uprights 4L. Straps 51 and 52, fixed on the trolley 48, pass through wheels 45, preferably grooved, which rotate around a vertical axis in figures 7 and 8, and join a traction bar 54 equipped with handles (not shown).Straps 51 and 52 and wheels 45 form a force transfer system from the traction bar 54 to the flexible slats 49 and 50.
[0053] Figure 7 illustrates the resting configuration of the carriage 48 and the flexible slats 49 and 50, in the absence of any force exerted by the user on the pull bar 54. Figure 8 illustrates the configuration of the carriage 48 and the flexible slats when the user pulls the pull bar 54 to the left. As can be seen, the carriage 48 is then moved to the left. Figure 9 shows, in side view, the bending buckling of the flexible slats 49 and 50 under the effect of the user's movements. The bending of the flexible slats 49 and 50 is progressive in relation to the displacement of the bar. traction 54.
[0054] In this second embodiment, the frame of the bench 40 is foldable, between an unfolded configuration (Figures 6 to 9) in which the user can actuate the movable part, consisting of the pull-up bar 54, to perform physical exercises, and a folded configuration ([Fig. 5]), in which the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the frame is less than the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the frame in the unfolded configuration. Preferably, the ratio of these volumes is greater than five.
[0055] In this second embodiment, the chassis has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, each of the four uprights 43 and 44 forming four edges of this rectangular parallelepiped being mobile in rotation in a plane comprising a face delimited by two of the longest sides and said movable upright.
[0056] In this second embodiment, at least a part of the force transfer system and at least one spring-forming slat are positioned in the lower face of the chassis configured to be in contact with the ground during physical exercises.
[0057] Fig. 10 represents, from the side, a third embodiment of the bench which is the subject of the invention, in deployed configuration. This bench 60 is similar to the bench 40, with uprights 61 to 64 and 67 corresponding to uprights 41 to 44 and 47, respectively, two wheels 65 corresponding to wheels 45, a backrest 66 corresponding to the mat 46, flexible slats 69 mounted on a carriage (not shown) corresponding to the flexible slats 49 and 50 and the carriage of bench 40, straps 71 and a pull-up bar 74 corresponding to the straps 51 and the pull-up bar 54. The bench 60 also includes two removable gantry bars 76 assembled to the uprights 63 and carrying wheels 75 similar to the wheels 65, and a seat 77 supported by two angled uprights 78. The weight training bench 60 allows for pulling movements on the bar 74, using either the user's arms or legs.
[0058] The seat 77 is preferably removable or foldable so that the bench 60 can be changed from the configuration illustrated in [Fig. 10] to a configuration similar to that of the bench 40, for exercises of the user lying on the backrest 66 forming a mattress or for exercises of the user positioned next to the weight training bench.
[0059] Further descriptive elements of the weight training benches that are the subject of the invention are given below.
[0060] Compared to prior art test benches, in the test benches of the invention shown in the figures, the loads (masses) are replaced by spring-like slats, preferably made of composite materials, which are subjected to buckling. These test benches make it possible to obtain a constant, or nearly constant, force during the deformation of the flexible slats. This feature makes it possible to replace all Counterweight systems allow, for example, the easy handling of heavy loads. Flexible slats can thus replace weights in any strength training or rehabilitation system.
[0061] Unlike the spring (leaf, helical, etc.) used in bending (taking the form of a longitudinal deformation in the case of helical springs) whose restoring force is proportional to the deformation, these benches use the buckling phenomenon of a vertical slat (called a "beam" in materials mechanics) for which: - if the force applied along the axis of the slat is less than a predetermined limit value, Fcritique there is no deformation (the slat remains straight) and, - if this applied force is greater than Fcritique, there is collapse and the slat deforms by exerting a roughly constant restoring force.
[0062] The critical force, Fcritique, is given by Euler's formula: Fcritique = ir2EI / Lk2
[0063] Formula in which: - E is the Young's modulus of the material, -1 is the second moment of area of the beam, and - Lk is the buckling length of the beam.
[0064] It should be noted that this critical force varies depending on the type of connection used (joints or fixed joints). For reasons of stress reduction in the material, the present invention preferably implements a joint at at least one end of at least one slat and, preferably, at each end of each slat.
[0065] To allow for significant deformations, these benches preferentially use composite materials, in particular unidirectional glass with epoxy resin, which allows for a specific energy (E / kg) greater than other materials and therefore to have the maximum energy stored (or a maximum stroke) for a minimum weight.
[0066] Alternatively, the joints are shifted to obtain a non-constant force (initial geometry defect: Fcritique remains the same, but at the beginning of the movement, we have a behavior in F = X . Fcritique / Xo);
[0067] Alternatively, the cross-sectional area of at least one slat is not constant over its entire length but has an evolution (in width and / or thickness) along this slat to modify the curve followed by the slat, particularly during large displacements, to approach a constant force.
[0068] The weight training bench 20, illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, can be constructed by modifying a prior art weight training bench, using a guide carriage 23 equipped with four bearings to avoid any binding problems, and using several articulated and removable flexible slats 25 and 26 to vary the resistance and simulate the use of different loads (or masses). In [Fig. 1], the force exerted by the user on each slat is less than Fcritique. In Figures 2 to 4, the force exerted by the user on each slat is approximately equal to Fcritique.
[0069] In the second and third embodiments, in addition to these advantages of lightness (less than 1 kg of spring slats is equivalent to more than 60 kg of load), frame deformation characteristics are added that make the 40 or 60 bench portable. The 40 or 60 bench is made compact by folding, so that it can be stored, for example, under a bed, in a closet, or behind a door.
[0070] In these embodiments, a bench is provided, possibly with a removable or folding seat, combined with a rail to guide the spring-like slats which are tensioned by means of at least one strap (or cable or belt) to allow work in all directions of movement of the user's body parts. For storage, the bench 40 or 60 is therefore foldable without tools. To achieve this, the frame of the bench 40 or 60 is a deformable parallelogram. Preferably, the slats used for buckling are housed within this bench 40 or 60 for maximum compactness.
[0071] For example: - A version of the horizontal bench 40 is illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, - a vertical version 60 is illustrated in [Fig. 10], verticalization is achieved by means of an integrated seat and the installation of accessories (for example the gantry bar 76) allowing other exercises than those possible with the bench 40.
[0072] It should also be noted that, traditionally, the load is pulled with a cable. However, for loads up to 60 kg, a relatively large cable is required, and therefore pulleys that are also quite large (approximately 10 cm in diameter), which again limits the compactness when folded. Thanks to the implementation of the present invention, these cables can be replaced by straps, allowing the use of pulleys with a much smaller diameter.
Claims
Demands
1. A weight training bench (20, 40, 60) comprising a frame (21, 24, 41 to 44, 61 to 64), characterized in that it further comprises at least one spring-like slat (25, 26, 49, 50, 69) mechanically connected to the frame and a force transmission system (45, 51, 52, 65, 71, 75) from at least one movable part (54, 74) relative to the frame and in contact with a part of the user's body, to at least one said slat, the attachment (22, 23, 48) of this slat to the frame being configured to cause buckling by bending of the slat under the action of the displacement of the movable part via the force transmission system, wherein at least one slat (25, 26, 49, 69) forming spring has one end connected to a carriage (23, 48) mounted on the chassis and guided by at least one rail (24, 41).
2. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to claim 1, wherein at least one spring-forming slat (25, 26, 49, 69) is made of composite material.
3. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to claim 2, wherein at least one spring-forming slat (25, 26, 49, 69) is made of composite material, comprising unidirectional glass.
4. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one slat (25, 26) has a slight curvature, hence a large radius of curvature, in the absence of force exerted by the force transfer system.
5. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame (41 to 44) is foldable, between an unfolded configuration in which the user can actuate the movable part (54) to perform physical exercises and a folded configuration, in which the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the frame is less than the volume of the smallest convex shape surrounding the frame in the unfolded configuration.
6. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to claim 5, wherein the frame (41 to 44) has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, each of four uprights (43, 44) forming four edges of this rectangular parallelepiped being movable in rotation in a plane comprising a face delimited by two of the longer sides (41, 42) and said movable upright.
7. Weight training bench (20, 40, 60) according to claim 6, in which at least part of the force transfer system (45, 51, 52) and at least one spring-forming slat (49, 50) are positioned in the face of the chassis configured to be in contact with the ground during physical exercises.
8. Weight training bench (60) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, which includes a folding seat (77).