Gymnastic machine

Abstract

Gymnastic machine ( 1 ) having a frame ( 10 ) supporting a load unit ( 20 ) and including an exercise station ( 30 ) having at least one functional group ( 31 ) mechanically connected to the load unit ( 20 ) to exchange mechanical energy with the load unit ( 20 ); the group ( 31 ) including at least one articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) coupled to the frame ( 10 ) and an implement ( 40 ) connected to the articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) and movable with respect to the frame ( 10 ) to exchange energy with the load unit ( 20 ); the implement ( 40 ) being shaped in such a way as to be interfaceable with a particular portion of an extremity of a user and being movable over an open path (P); a restraint device ( 52 ) being provided in combination with at least one articulated quadrilateral to control, in use, the displacement of the implement ( 40 ) relative to the frame ( 10 ) in such a way that, in use, the implement ( 40 ) is movable along path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear composite movement.

1 . A gymnastic machine ( 1 ) having a frame ( 10 ) supporting a load unit ( 20 ) and including an exercise station ( 30 ) having at least one functional group ( 31 ) mechanically connected to said load unit ( 20 ) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit ( 20 ); said group ( 31 ) including at least one articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) coupled to said frame ( 10 ) and an implement ( 40 ) connected to said articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) and movable with respect to said frame ( 10 ) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit ( 20 ); said implement ( 40 ) being shaped in such a way as to be interfaceable with a particular portion of an extremity of a user and being movable over an open path (P); each said articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) including a first equalizer and a second equalizer ( 33 ,  34 ) carried rotatably by said frame ( 10 ) around respective first and second axes ( 36 ,  37 ) and rotationally linked to each other by a connecting rod ( 35 ) in line with respective third and fourth axes ( 38 ,  39 ); said implement ( 40 ) being coupled to said connecting rod ( 35 ) in rotatable manner around a determinate axis ( 41 ); characterized by the fact of including means of restraint ( 52 ) supported by said connecting rod ( 35 ) to control, in use, the displacement of said implement ( 40 ) relative to said frame ( 10 ); said means of restraint ( 52 ) including articulated means ( 52 ) having a first lever ( 53 ) integral with said implement ( 40 ) in such a way that, in use, said implement ( 40 ) is movable along said path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear composite movement.  
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said composite movement results from the combination of a movement of inclination inwards of said implement ( 40 ), to reduce varus of the knee and favor the stability of the ankle, and of a forwards rotation of said implement ( 40 ), with a lowering of a front portion ( 44 ) of said implement ( 40 ), and at the same time with a raising of a rear portion ( 45 ) of said implement ( 40 ) for the purpose of stabilizing the centre of gravity of a user in training.  
     
     
         3 . Gymnastic machine ( 1 ) having a frame ( 10 ) supporting a load unit ( 20 ) and including an exercise station ( 30 ) having at least one functional group ( 31 ) mechanically connected to said load unit ( 20 ) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit ( 20 ); said group ( 31 ) including at least one articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) coupled to said frame ( 10 ) and an implement ( 40 ) connected to said articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) and movable with respect to said frame ( 10 ) to exchange mechanical energy with said load unit ( 20 ); said implement ( 40 ) being shaped in such a way as to be interfaceable with a particular portion of an extremity of a user and being movable over an open path (P); each said articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) including a first equalizer and a second equalizer ( 33 ,  34 ) carried rotatably by said frame ( 10 ) around respective first and second axes ( 36 ,  37 ) and rotationally linked to each other by a connecting rod ( 35 ) in line with respective third and fourth axes ( 38 ,  39 ); said implement ( 40 ) being coupled to said connecting rod ( 35 ) in rotatable manner around a determinate axis ( 41 ); characterized by the fact of including means of restraint ( 52 ) supported by said connecting rod ( 35 ) to control, in use, the displacement of said implement ( 40 ) relative to said frame ( 10 ); said means of restraint ( 52 ) including articulated means ( 52 ) having a first lever ( 53 ) integral with said implement ( 40 ) in such a way that, in use, said implement ( 40 ) is movable along said path (P) according to a substantially curvilinear composite movement and presenting decreasing vertical levels as it proceeds laterally from a longitudinal portion of said frame ( 10 ).  
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 3 , characterized by the fact that said path (P) is substantially level.  
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact of including two articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ), each of which is provided with a respective said implement ( 40 ); said frame ( 10 ) being symmetrical and said articulated quadrilaterals ( 32 ) being located side by side and shaped symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane (M).  
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said first lever ( 53 ) is coupled rotationally to said connecting rod ( 35 ) in line with a respective said axis ( 41 ); said means of restraint ( 52 ) including a second lever ( 54 ) coupled rotationally to said connecting rod ( 35 ) on said axis ( 39 ) and a third lever ( 55 ) linked to said members ( 53 ) and ( 54 ) through respective articulations ( 56 ) ( 57 ); said second lever ( 54 ) being integral with said second equalizer ( 34 ); said first lever ( 53 ) being integral with said implement ( 40 ) to determine said composite movement.  
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 6 , characterized by the fact that said articulations ( 56 ) ( 57 ) include spherical pairs ( 56 )( 57 ) to permit the synchronous movement of said first and second levers ( 53 )( 54 ) even in conditions of lack of parallelism of respective fulcrum axes ( 41 )( 39 ) in the respective coupling to said connecting rod ( 35 ).  
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said connecting rod ( 35 ) is shaped in such a way as to support said implement ( 40 ) on the side of the corresponding said first and second axes ( 36 ,  37 ) of the relative first and second equalizers ( 33 ,  34 ).  
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 8 , characterized by the fact that said connecting rod ( 35 ) is shaped in such a way as to present, at rest, said determinate axis ( 41 ) located on the side of said longitudinal plane (M) and in a substantially intermediate position between said first and second axes ( 36 ,  37 ) of the relative first and second equalizers ( 33 ,  34 ), in such a way as to confer compact and limited dimensions on said exercise station ( 30 ).  
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 8 , characterized by the fact that said connecting rod ( 35 ) presents a substantially triangular shape, with said third axis ( 38 ), determinate axis ( 41 ), and said fourth axis ( 39 ) positioned adjacent to the apexes of said connecting rod ( 35 ); said determinate axis ( 41 ) being carried by an apex of said connecting rod ( 35 ) of substantially triangular shape located on the side of said longitudinal plane (M).  
     
     
         11 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said implement ( 40 ) includes a footboard ( 40 ) having an interface ( 42 ) substantially level at least around said determinate axis ( 41 ) to support an extremity of a user; said determinate axis ( 41 ) being inclined in determinate manner with respect to said interface ( 42 ).  
     
     
         12 . The machine according to  claim 11 , characterized by the fact that said determinate axis ( 41 ) is positioned on said connecting rod ( 35 ) in such a way as to trace a path having at least one substantially circular stretch.  
     
     
         13 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said load unit ( 20 ) includes at least one dissipating device ( 80 ) capable of transforming into electrical energy the mechanical movement energy of each said implement ( 40 ) with respect to the corresponding said connecting rod ( 35 ); said first equalizer ( 33 ) being connected mechanically to said load unit ( 20 ) through a transmission ( 70 ) having at least one flexible component ( 71 ).  
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 13 , characterized by the fact that said dissipating device ( 80 ) includes at least one electromagnetic brake ( 82 ) and a mechanical energy storage component ( 84 ) coaxial with each other; said mechanical transmission ( 70 ) being located between the said load station and the said mechanical energy storage component ( 84 ) in order to transform a reciprocating movement of each said implement ( 40 ) into a rotation of said electromagnetic brake ( 82 ).  
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 14 , characterized by the fact of including a reaction device ( 90 ) having an elastic element ( 92 ) for each said articulated quadrilateral ( 32 ) and mechanically connected to said implement ( 40 ) in order, in use, to return the respective said implement ( 40 ) to the respective rest position (R) through said flexible component ( 71 ).  
     
     
         16 . The machine according to  claim 15 , characterized by the fact that each said elastic element ( 92 ) includes at least one torsion spring ( 92 ).