Foldable exercise apparatus with blocking function

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus (1) for exercising the muscles, which allows simplified handling in terms of transport and / or in terms of exercises with a fastenable or blocked resistance element, in particular pull-ups. The exercise apparatus according to the invention can be folded into a compact form and / or has a blocking function which facilitates the conversion of the exercise apparatus for specific exercises. By virtue of the novel blocking element, no incorrect manipulation is possible Thus, firstly the risk of the user suffering an injury is reduced, and secondly a defect and / or breakage of the exercise apparatus is prevented. Accordingly, the handling of the exercise apparatus is improved in two respects.

Description

[0001] Foldable training device with locking function

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The subject of the present invention is a training device for training the muscles, which enables simplified handling with regard to transport and / or with regard to exercises with a lockable or blocked resistance element, such as in particular pull-ups.

[0004] The training device according to the invention can be folded into a compact form and / or has a locking function, which facilitates the conversion of the training device for specific exercises. The new locking element prevents incorrect handling. This reduces the risk of injury to the user and prevents defects and / or breakage of the training device. The handling of the training device has therefore been improved in two ways.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] WO 2016 / 091330 discloses a device for training muscles, comprising a force arm that can be equipped with an actuating element at a first end, and wherein a second end of the force arm is arranged at a first end region of a holding element via a first joint so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis. A compression spring element for generating a resistance force is articulated at a first end region at a first articulation point on the force arm, wherein the articulation point is adjustable along an adjustment range of the force arm, and is articulated at a second end region at a second articulation point on the holding element. Furthermore, a blocking element in the form of a slotted hollow cylinder can be placed on the compression spring element on the fully extended piston rod of the compression spring element, so that the force arm is blocked in this state.

[0007] If the user fails to follow the instructions for use and the power arm is locked in a position close to the first joint, the slotted hollow cylinder could become deformed under prolonged load, which on the one hand meant that the lock was no longer guaranteed and on the other hand posed a danger to the user of the device, as they could then slip while performing pull-ups, for example.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the objective of the present invention was to provide a training device for muscle training that is further simplified in its handling and improved with regard to safety aspects. On the one hand, the training device should be easier to transport, and on the other hand, it should be easy and safe to convert it to a locked power arm for performing pull-ups and similar exercises, eliminating the possibility of malfunction.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a training device for training the muscles, comprising a) a power arm with a first end, which can be equipped with an actuating element, and a second end; b) a holding element with a first end region, on which a first joint is arranged, about which the second end of the power arm is arranged such that it can pivot about a pivot axis, and with a second end region; c) a compression spring element with a piston rod for generating a resistance force against which the power arm can be actuated, wherein the compression spring element is separable with a first end section at a first articulation point on the power arm and is articulated with a second end section at a second articulation point on the second end region of the holding element, wherein the first articulation point is adjustable over an adjustment range along the power arm; and d) a blocking element.

[0011] The training device according to the invention now has either an improved holding element and / or an improved blocking element. In a preferred embodiment, it has both an improved holding element and an improved blocking element.

[0012] The improved holding element is formed from two parallel side parts, which define a space between them in which the force arm can be at least partially accommodated. The two side parts are preferably connected to one another by suitable connecting means. This allows the training device according to the invention to be brought into a folded position. The space is particularly dimensioned such that, in the folded position of the training device, the force arm, which is separated from the compression spring element, including the plates arranged thereon, is at least partially accommodated therein. In the folded position, the training device has a compact shape and thus a space-saving unit, making it easier to transport and store.

[0013] The improved blocking element can be placed on the compression spring rod and is characterized in that its end region is designed such that it is slidably received along a displacement path between a first starting position near the pivot axis and a second end position at the end of the adjustment range. The path is designed such that, after being decoupled from the force arm and after the blocking element is positioned, the compression spring element automatically moves to this second end position, regardless of the compression spring element's initial position. This displacement path is along a corresponding shaped surface formed on the lower side of the force arm.

[0014] Axially to this displacement path are two plates that can be arranged on opposite side surfaces of the force arm and are not touched by the improved blocking element. These plates therefore do not limit the displacement path of the blocking element. Preferably, the two plates also provide the adjustment range. The plates can have a grid on their respective undersides, in particular a plurality of first joint surfaces with first curvatures, so that the first articulation point can be adjusted over the intended adjustment range. By adjusting the articulation point in the direction of the first joint or in the opposite direction, the leverage ratios change, which affects the force that can be applied to move the force arm.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the first end region of the compression spring element comprises a second joint surface with a second curvature, which is designed to be compatible with the first joint surfaces provided on the adjustment region of the force arm, so that the second joint surface at the first end region of the compression spring element can be brought into operative connection with corresponding first joint surfaces. In particular, a joint means providing the second joint surface can be provided in the form of a pin. The two protruding end sections of the pin form the second joint surfaces, which can be locked to the first joint surfaces.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a further element is provided to press the force arm against the first end region of the compression spring element so that the two operatively connected joint surfaces are held in contact. The further element can be provided as an elastic, elongated element, for example a cable or a band, which provides a tensionable connection between the force arm and the holding element. In one embodiment, the elastic, elongated element is releasably or permanently attached to the force arm at one end and can be fastened to the holding element at the other end, preferably in the region of the articulation point. Alternatively, one end of the elastic, elongated element can be fastened to the second end region of one of the side parts of the holding element, wherein this end is guided, for example, through a through-hole in the holding element and fixed in the passed-through position by means of a fixing piece or a knot.The other end of the elastic, elongated element, after being guided through openings in the force arm, is clamped onto a clamping device on the opposite side of the retaining element and held in position by a fixing piece. Thanks to the elastic properties of the elongated element, the locking between the first joint surface and the second joint surface can be easily released. Of course, other elements can also be provided to maintain the operative connection between the first joint surface and the second joint surface.

[0017] The plates define, with a lower surface of the force arm, a downwardly open receptacle which extends between a first starting position near the first joint and a second end position at the end of the adjustment range. The second end position is preferably designed as a stop. The lower surface of the force arm provides a shaped surface along which the shaped surface of the blocking element designed as a sleeve can be moved between the first starting position and the second end position. Accordingly, the compression spring element, which is decoupled from the force arm and provided with the sleeve, moves independently towards the second end position under the force of gravity, regardless of the point at which it is attached along the displacement path or the shaped surface at the lower end of the force arm.The second end position is designed such that the independent movement of the sleeve is stopped at the second end position, for example by a projection formed thereon. This means that in a further preferred embodiment, a projection attached between the plates prevents movement of the blocking element or the sleeve towards the user of the training device beyond the end of the adjustment range. For further conversion of the training device, the compression spring element equipped with the attached sleeve can be removed from the receptacle via an opening provided thereon in order to make the training device available for exercises in which the force arm is moved against the adjustable resistance force of the compression spring element.

[0018] Advantageously, the force arm and the compression spring element are separable from each other at the first pivot point, allowing not only the resistance force to be adjusted, but also the force arm to be pivoted against the holding element, allowing space-saving storage of the training device when not in use. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compression spring element is designed as a gas spring, i.e., a pneumatic cylinder with a movable means, e.g., a piston rod, accommodated therein, which results in a simple device structure and numerous adjustment options. Of course, other types of resistance elements are also conceivable.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the blocking element is provided in the form of a sleeve with a shaped end, which can be placed onto the displaceable means of the compression spring element, for example, the piston rod, when this means is fully extended. The sleeve has, as its shaped end, an outwardly curved end surface, i.e., a convex shape or another suitable shape that allows the sleeve to slide largely smoothly along the shaped surface of the receptacle. Accordingly, the second end position can be formed with a stop surface with a curvature complementary to the curved end surface.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the blocking element is designed as an at least partially cylindrical sleeve, wherein a through-opening in the form of an elongated hole is provided in an upper end section, i.e. in a region in which the annular opening of the compression spring element is located. Furthermore, the upper end section of the sleeve can have a shape deviating from the basic cylindrical shape, for example protruding or recessed surfaces which improve sliding and guidance on the plates in the receptacle. The friction-reduced sliding of the compression spring element in the receptacle thus achieved reliably ensures that the compression spring element is automatically placed in the second end position.

[0021] The length L from the end of the upper end region of the sleeve / blocking element to the end of the through-hole opposite the end region of the sleeve / blocking element is dimensioned such that, when the sleeve / blocking element is in place and positioned in the receptacle, the articulation means of the compression spring element can be disengaged from the operative connection with the first articulation surface within the adjustment range of the force arm. The shaped end of the blocking element bears against the shaped surface of the receptacle in such a way that the displaceable means of the compression spring element is returned from the fully extended position in such a way that the operative connection between the first articulation surface and the second articulation surface is severed, thus locking the force arm in this state.This ensures that when using the blocking element, the compression spring element can never accidentally engage in one of the positions in the adjustment range.

[0022] The holding element is preferably designed such that it can be arranged on a support structure (not specified in more detail) and / or displaceably along the support structure. Accordingly, the holding element can be connected to the support structure via a pivot joint, can be rotated about a pivot axis in a plane of the support structure, and can be locked in the respective pivot position, wherein the pivot axis runs perpendicular to the pivot axis. The pivot joint itself thus serves as a support for attaching the training device to the support structure. This arrangement creates a lightweight training device that can be rotated about the pivot axis from 0° to 360°, such that the power arm can be adjusted to any desired position. This allows any orientation of the training device on a support structure to be created.

[0023] The height adjustment of the training device, the rotation of the respective power arm relative to the support structure, and the ability to lock it in any set position allow the power arm to be positioned in virtually any position. In addition to vertical movement of the power arm at any height against a resistance force, it is also possible to perform exercises with a fixed resistance element, such as pull-ups.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the holding element is not connected to the support structure via a pivot joint, but instead has a hook on a side facing away from the extension of the power arm, which can be hooked into a correspondingly designed support structure having at least one rod-shaped element, for example, a bar or rung. The training device according to the invention can be equipped with various actuating elements at one end of the power arm, for example, with a bar, on which various exercises for training the muscles can be performed against the resistance force of a resistance element or with the resistance element fixed.

[0025] The training device according to the invention simplifies both the handling of the blocking element and its transportability. The stability of the blocking element is also increased compared to the blocking element known from the prior art. Furthermore, malfunctions during blocking are avoided.

[0026] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the training device according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. Further advantages of the present invention can be derived from the description, as well as modifications and suggestions for how the subject matter of the invention can be modified or further developed within the scope of the claimed.

[0027] Short description of the drawings

[0028] The exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 6 each show different details of the same training device according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. 1 and 2 show a schematic perspective view of a training device in which the compression spring element is blocked;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows, in particular, a schematic perspective view of a blocking element for blocking the compression spring element of the training device according to the invention, wherein the end region of the blocking element is located in a second end position at the end of the adjustment range; Fig. 4 shows the same blocking element as in Fig. 3, but the end region of the blocking element is located in a first starting position near the pivot axis;

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a training device in a folded position;

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a blocking element which is designed as a sleeve.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0034] Figure 1 shows a training device 1 for training muscles, which has a power arm 2. One end region 3 of the power arm 2 is designed so that an actuating element 18 can be inserted in a known manner, whereby a person to be trained can perform a variety of exercises. The other end region 4 of the power arm 2 is arranged on a holding element 6 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 5. One end region 8 of the compression spring element 9 is pivoted on the power arm 2 at a first pivot point 7. This first pivot point 7 and thus one end region 8 of the compression spring element 9 is adjustable along an adjustment range 10 on the power arm 2. The other end region 11 of the compression spring element 9 is pivoted on the holding element 6 at a second pivot point 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the compression spring element 9 is a gas pressure spring with a means 13 slidably received in a pressure cylinder, e.g.a piston rod.

[0035] To train the muscles, the force arm 2 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 5, wherein the compression spring element 9 forms a counterforce to the actuating force and pushes the force arm 2 back into the original position, which is obtained when the fully extended means 13, ie the piston rod, is reached.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the adjustment range 10 is provided by two plates 30, 30', which are arranged laterally on the power arm 2 and have on their underside a plurality of second joint surfaces 37, 37' (see Figure 3), which can be brought into operative connection with the first joint surface 36 (see Figure 3) of the compression spring element 9. The parallel, spaced-apart plates 30, 30' and a shaped surface 38 (not visible) on the underside of the power arm 2 form a receptacle 39 which is open downwards and thus delimited on three sides.

[0037] The first end region 8 of the compression spring element 9 thus comes into operative connection with the first joint surface 36 and one of the second joint surfaces 37, 37'. The first joint surface 36 and the second joint surface 37 are pressed against each other by a further element 20, in the illustrated embodiment an elastic elongated element, e.g., a rope or an elastic band, so that the two operatively connected first joint surface 36 and second joint surface 37 are kept in contact with each other.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the training device comprises a blocking element 21, which essentially has the shape of a hollow cylinder or a sleeve 22, which in various embodiments is designed such that it can be placed on the displaceable means 13, i.e., the piston rod, in the fully extended position. As can be seen from Figure 1, the sleeve 22 has a curvature at the upper end region 26, which can slide in the receptacle 39 along the shaped surface 38.

[0039] Figure 2 shows in particular the intermediate space 32 delimited by the side parts 31, 31' serving as holding elements.

[0040] As can be seen from Figure 3, the first end region 8 of the compression spring element 9 has a first joint surface 36 with a first curvature, while a series of second joint surfaces 37, 37', each with a second curvature, are arranged along the force arm 2 across the adjustment range 10, which are designed to complement the first curvature. The end region 26 of the blocking element 21, which is designed here as a sleeve 22, is located in the second end position 28 at the end of the adjustment range 10. The displacement path 17 is shown here as a dashed line.

[0041] According to Figure 4, the end region 26 of the blocking element 21, which is designed here as a sleeve 22, is located in the first starting position 27 near the pivot axis 5. Here, a displacement path 17 of the blocking element 31 is shown as a dashed line. As soon as a force is applied, the blocking element 21 slides along the shaped surface 38 or the displacement path 17 toward the user of the training device into the position shown in Figure 3.

[0042] In the folded variant of the training device shown in Figure 5, the first joint surfaces 36, 36' are clearly visible, in particular from the projecting ends 35, 35' of a pin which is fastened to the displaceable means 13 of the resistance element or the compression spring element 9.

[0043] Figure 6 shows the details of the sleeve 22 preferably used as the blocking element 21. As shown in Figures 6 a) and d), the sleeve 22 is cylindrical and has a longitudinal slot 24 on the first longitudinal side 23, which extends partially over the length of the sleeve 22. On the second longitudinal side 25 opposite the first longitudinal side 23, it has a through-opening 19 through which the first end section 8 of the compression spring element 9 can be guided (see also Figure 6 b)). In Figures 6 a) and b), the curvature 33 of the upper end region 26 of the sleeve 22 or of the blocking element 21 can be seen particularly well, which facilitates sliding along the shaped surface 38 or the displacement path 17.

[0044] List of reference symbols

[0045] 1 training facility

[0046] 2 power arm

[0047] 3 first end power arm

[0048] 4 second end of power arm

[0049] 5 swivel axis

[0050] 6 Holding element

[0051] 7 first pivot point on the power arm

[0052] 8 first end section compression spring element

[0053] 9 compression spring element

[0054] 10 Adjustment range

[0055] 11 second end section compression spring element

[0056] 12 second pivot point at the second end area of ​​the holding element

[0057] 13 Piston rod

[0058] 14 first end area of ​​the holding element

[0059] 15 second end area of ​​the holding element

[0060] 16 first joint of the first end region of the holding element

[0061] 17 Displacement path of the blocking element

[0062] 18 Actuating element

[0063] 19 Passage opening

[0064] 20 elastic, elongated element

[0065] 21 Blocking element

[0066] 22 sleeve

[0067] 23 first long side of the sleeve 24 long slot

[0068] 25 second long side of the sleeve

[0069] 26 End area of ​​the blocking element

[0070] 27 first starting position

[0071] 28 second final position

[0072] 29 End of the passage opening

[0073] 30, 30' records

[0074] 31 , 31 ' side panels

[0075] 32 Space between the side parts 31 , 31 '

[0076] 33 Curvature of the upper end area of ​​the blocking element or sleeve

[0077] 34 lead

[0078] 35, 35' protruding end sections of the pin

[0079] 36, 36' first articular surfaces

[0080] 37, 37' second articular surfaces

[0081] 38 Forming surface on the underside of the power arm 2

[0082] 39 recording

[0083] L Length from the end 29 of the through-opening opposite the end region of the blocking element to the end of the upper end region 26

Claims

Patent claims 1. A training device (1) for training the muscles, comprising: a) a power arm (2) with a first end (3), which can be equipped with an actuating element (18), and a second end (4); b) a holding element (6) with a first end region (14), on which a first joint (16) is arranged, about which the second end (4) of the power arm is arranged so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (5), and with a second end region (15); c) a compression spring element (9) with a piston rod (13) for generating a resistance force against which the force arm (2) can be actuated, wherein the compression spring element (9) is separable with a first end section (8) at a first articulation point (7) on the force arm (2) and is articulated with a second end section (11) at a second articulation point (12) on the second end region (15) of the holding element, wherein the first articulation point (7) is adjustable over an adjustment range (10) along the force arm (2); and d) a blocking element (21);wherein the holding element (6) is formed from two parallel side parts (31, 3T) which define a space (32) between them in which the power arm (2) can be at least partially received; and / or wherein the end region (26) of the blocking element (21) which can be placed on the piston rod (13) is designed such that it (26) is displaceably received along a shaped surface (38) formed on the power arm (2) between a first starting position (27) close to the pivot axis (5) and a second end position (28) at the end of the adjustment range (10), wherein the shaped surface (38) is designed such that the compression spring element (9) can be displaced after decoupling; from the force arm (2) and after arranging the blocking element (21) automatically into this second end position (28), regardless of the initial position of the compression spring element (9).

2. The training device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaping surface (38) is located on the lower side of the power arm (2) in the region of the two plates (30, 30') which can be arranged on opposite side surfaces of the power arm.

3. The training device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plates (30, 30') are designed as an adjustment area (10) for the compression spring element (9), in particular that the plates (30, 30') have a grid on their respective underside, in particular a plurality of first joint surfaces (36, 36') with a first curvature, so that the first articulation point (7) is adjustable over the intended adjustment area (10).

4. The training device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first end region (8) of the compression spring element (9) comprises a second joint surface with a second curvature, which is designed to be compatible with the first joint surfaces (36, 36') provided on the adjustment region (10) of the power arm, so that the second joint surface on the first end region (8) of the compression spring element (9) can be brought into operative connection with corresponding first joint surfaces (36, 36').

5. The training device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second articulation surface is provided by an articulation means in the form of a pin, the two projecting end portions (35, 35') of the pin forming the second articulation surfaces which can be locked to the first articulation surfaces.

6. The training device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element (21) is essentially designed as an at least partially cylindrical sleeve (22) with a shaped upper end region (26).

7. The training device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sleeve (22) has a longitudinal slot (24) on the first longitudinal side (23) which extends at least partially over the length of the sleeve (22), and has a through opening (19) on the second longitudinal side (25) opposite the first longitudinal side (23), through which the first end section (8) of the compression spring element (9) can be guided.

8. The training device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the length of the sleeve (22) is such that the length L from the end (29) of the through-opening opposite the end region of the blocking element to the end of the upper end region (26) is so great that the first end section (8) of the compression spring element cannot engage in the adjustment region (10).

9. The training device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper end region (26) of the blocking element (21) has a curvature (33).

10. The training device (1) according to one or more of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that a projection is formed between the plates 30 and 30', by which the movement of the upper end region (26) of the blocking element beyond the end of the adjustment range (10) is prevented.

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