Apparatus for physical exercise with magnetic interaction between the parts of which it is made

Abstract

A physical exercise apparatus for recreational, rehabilitative, gymnastic or sports purposes comprises at least one mobile part ( 2 ) and at least one support part ( 4 ), interacting by means of field forces generated by magnetic fields inserted between relative parts of which the apparatus is made.

1 . A physical exercise apparatus for recreational, rehabilitative, gymnastic or sports purposes, characterised in that it comprises at least one mobile part ( 2 ) and at least one support part ( 4 ), interacting with one another by means of field forces generated by a magnetic field located between them.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) are dynamically kept in equilibrium at least in a given direction (Y) of relative movement.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) are dynamically kept in equilibrium at least in a vertical direction (Y) of relative movement.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) is held in position relative to the support part ( 4 ) with a direct magnetic action at least in a horizontal direction of relative movement (X; Z).  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the support part ( 4 ) are inserted between the apparatus ( 1 ) user and the floor, the support part ( 4 ) being suspended above the floor by the magnetic field.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) susceptible of movement relative to a corresponding support part ( 4 ) is attached to apparatus ( 1 ) actuator means ( 21 ,  22 ,  27 ) to which the user applies muscular force.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  6 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) susceptible of movement relative to a corresponding support part ( 4 ) is attached to resistive means ( 39 ,  41 ) reacting to use of the apparatus ( 1 ) by the user.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one kinematic chain between the actuator means ( 21 ,  22 ,  27 ), upon which the user acts, and resistive means ( 39 ,  41 ) reacting to the actuator means, the apparatus being characterised in that the mobile part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) are included at any position in the kinematic chain.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the mobile part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) are attached to a support part ( 21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) for the apparatus ( 1 ) user.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  or  9 , characterised in that the support part is a footrest ( 21 ).  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  or  9 , characterised in that the support part is a platform ( 22 ).  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the support part is a seat ( 23 ) which supports the user.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the support part is a backrest ( 24 ) which supports the user.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the support part is a saddle ( 25 ).  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 ,  13  or  14 , characterised in that the support part is a chair ( 26 ).  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the footrest ( 21 ) is connected to a structure ( 42 ) of a machine which receives the user's muscular force.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the platform ( 22 ) is included in a machine with sliding belt or treadmill.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the actuator means includes at least handlebars ( 27 ).  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the actuator means includes at least a lever ( 40 ).  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the actuator means include at least a footrest ( 21 ).  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the mobile part ( 2 ) and the support part ( 4 ) are attached to at least one weight ( 39 ), the latter being designed to oppose the user's muscular force.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) exchange a magnetic action of reciprocal attraction.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from  1  to  21 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ) exchange a magnetic action of reciprocal repulsion.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  or  23 , characterised in that the part ( 2 ) and the relative support part ( 4 ) exchange a magnetic action designed to maintain their relative position about a preset point of equilibrium.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one permanent magnet ( 3 ) for generating the magnetic field interacting between the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one electromagnet for generating the magnetic field interacting between the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one electro-permanent magnet for generating the magnetic field interacting between the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 25  or  26 , characterised in that the magnet ( 3 ) is shaped and positioned in such a way as to maintain a position of equilibrium through a force control, the force being exchanged between the part ( 2 ) and the corresponding support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  25  to  27 , characterised in that the magnet ( 3 ) is shaped and positioned in such a way as to maintain a position of equilibrium through a position control, the position being a preset position of the part ( 2 ) relative to the corresponding support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  25  to  27 , characterised in that the magnet ( 3 ) is shaped and positioned in such a way as to maintain a position of equilibrium through a preset relation between the position of the part ( 2 ) relative to the support part and a preset relation of force between the part ( 2 ) and the support part.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  25  to  27 , characterised in that the magnet is shaped and positioned in such a way as to maintain a position of equilibrium through a preset relation concerning the position of the part ( 2 ) relative to the support part ( 4 ), concerning a preset relation of force between the part ( 2 ) and the support part ( 4 ) and concerning the user's weight.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  25  to  27 , characterised in that the magnet ( 3 ) is shaped and positioned in such a way as to maintain a position of equilibrium through a preset relation of force between the part ( 2 ) and the support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that at least the rigid part ( 2 ) or the support part ( 4 ) is made of a ferromagnetic material.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  1  to  33 , characterised in that at least the rigid part ( 2 ) or the support part ( 4 ) is made of a diamagnetic material and is fitted with at least one magnet ( 3 ).  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , characterised in that it comprises damper means ( 36 ) connected to the electromagnet ( 3 ).  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 35 , characterised in that the damper means ( 36 ) include elastic elements ( 45 ) connected in parallel to the electromagnet ( 3 ).  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 35  or  36 , characterised in that the elastic elements ( 45 ) include a system of helical springs.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  35  to  37 , characterised in that it comprises feedback control means that drive the electromagnet ( 3 ).  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 38 , characterised in that it comprises a sensor designed to detect the extent of a suitable variable physical quantity, the feedback control means driving the electromagnet ( 3 ) according to the readings of the sensor.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 39 , characterised in that the sensor is a position sensor ( 46 ), designed to detect the extent of the relative movements of the mobile part ( 2 ) and the support part ( 4 ), the feedback control means operating with the position control ( 47 ) and driving the electromagnet ( 3 ) according to the movements detected by the position sensor ( 46 ).  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , characterised in that the position sensor ( 46 ) is of the inductive type.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  35  to  41 , characterised in that it comprises stroke limiter means ( 48 ) designed to limit the extent of the movement of the mobile part ( 2 ) relative to the support part ( 4 ).  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , characterised in that the travel limiter means ( 48 ) are adjustable.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the magnetic field is stationary.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to any of the claims from  1  to  43 , characterised in that the magnetic field is variable.