Gymnastic machine

Abstract

Gymnastic machine including an epicycloidal mechanism ( 2 ) for connecting an application member ( 3 ) of a driving device to resistive means ( 36 ); the mechanism ( 2 ) being provided with a satellite member ( 4 ) connected to the application member ( 3 ) by means of a first crank ( 5 ) having a pin ( 6 ); with a planetary member ( 7 ); with a second crank ( 8 ) which rotationally connects a movable rotation centre ( 9 ) on the satellite member ( 4 ) to a fixed centre ( 10 ) on the planetary member ( 7 ); and with transmission devices ( 11, 12, 13 ) for transmitting a relative motion between the satellite member ( 4 ) and the planetary member ( 7 ); the planetary member ( 7 ) being supported in freely rotatable manner around an axis ( 14 ) passing through the fixed centre ( 10 ); actuating members ( 15 ) being provided for imparting to planetary member ( 7 ) an angular movement (α) around the fixed centre ( 10 ) which corresponds to a relative angular variation (β) of the first and second cranks ( 5, 8 ), and a corresponding variation of the orientation of the path ( 21, 22 ) of the pin ( 6 ) of the satellite member ( 4 ).

1 . Gymnastic machine comprising at least one mechanism ( 2 ) for connecting an application member ( 3 ) for applying a driving load to resistive means ( 36 ) opposing said load, said mechanism ( 2 ) being provided with a satellite member ( 4 ) connected to the load application member ( 3 ) by means of a first crank ( 5 ) having a pin ( 6 ) on the satellite member ( 4 ); with a planetary member ( 7 ); with a second crank ( 8 ) which rotationally connects a movable rotation centre ( 9 ) on the satellite member to a fixed centre ( 10 ) on the planetary member ( 7 ); and with transmission means ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ) for the coordinated transmission of a relative motion between the satellite member ( 4 ) and the planetary member ( 7 ); in said mechanism ( 2 ), the rotation of first crank ( 5 ) determining, in synchronized manner: the rotational movement of satellite member ( 4 ) around its own centre of rotation ( 9 ); the revolving movement of satellite member ( 4 ) around the fixed centre ( 10 ) of planetary member ( 7 ); and the movement of pin ( 6 ) on satellite member ( 4 ) along a generally elliptical path concentric with the fixed centre ( 10 ) of planetary member ( 7 ); said machine ( 1 ) being characterized by the fact that said planetary member ( 7 ) of mechanism ( 2 ) is supported in freely rotatable manner around an axis ( 14 ) passing through said fixed centre ( 10 ); actuating means ( 15 ) being provided for imparting to planetary member ( 7 ) an angular rotation (α) around said fixed centre ( 10 ), to which correlatively corresponds a relative angular variation (β) of said first and second cranks ( 5 ,  8 ), and a corresponding variation in the orientation of the path ( 21 ,  22 ) of said pin ( 6 ) on the satellite member.  
   
   
       2 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said pin ( 6 ) on the satellite member and said movable centre of rotation ( 9 ) have an invariable mutual distance.  
   
   
       3 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that actuating means ( 15 ) include an adjustment lever ( 16 ), pivoting on the fixed structure ( 25 ) of machine ( 1 ), which carries a first end ( 17 ) rigidly connected to said planetary member ( 7 ) and a second end ( 18 ) which is capable of receiving a command for altering the angular position, around said axis ( 14 ) of planetary member ( 7 ).  
   
   
       4 . Machine according to  claim 3 , characterized by the fact that said actuating means ( 15 ) include a sliding guide ( 23 ) and a slider ( 24 ) coupled together with freedom of relative movement between at least two successive positions in which slider ( 24 ) and guide ( 23 ) can be locked together and unlocked; said guide ( 23 ) and said slider ( 24 ) connecting said lever ( 16 ) indifferently to the fixed structure ( 25 ) of machine ( 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . Machine according to  claim 4 , characterised by the fact that said slider ( 24 ) and said guide ( 23 ) have relative coupling positions variable, at the discretion of the user, in a discrete series of adjustment positions.  
   
   
       6 . Machine according to  claim 4 , characterised by the fact that said slider ( 24 ) and said guide ( 23 ) have relative coupling positions variable, at the discretion of the user, in a continuous series of adjustment positions.  
   
   
       7 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterised by the fact that said actuating means ( 15 ) include an activating organ ( 26 ) capable of imparting a relative movement between said slider ( 24 ) and said guide ( 23 ) at the command of the user.  
   
   
       8 . Machine according to  claim 7 , characterized by the fact that said command can be executed with machine ( 1 ) in motion.  
   
   
       9 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said one or both mechanisms ( 2 ) is applied to two said application members ( 3 ) for applying the load, movable on parallel planes to each other, in such a way as to render configuration of paths ( 28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ) of significant points on said application members ( 3 ) for applying the load, variable at the discretion of the user.  
   
   
       10 . Machine according to  claim 9 , characterized by the fact that said application members ( 3 ) are movable antisymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal midline plane of machine  1 .  
   
   
       11 . Machine according to  claim 10 , characterized by the fact that said application members ( 3 ) for applying the load include footboards ( 35 ) in which the configuration of the paths ( 28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ) of said significant points is variable to reproduce corresponding adjustments of stride for the user who treads the footboard ( 35 ).  
   
   
       12 . Machine according to  claim 10 , characterized by the fact that each said application member ( 3 ) for applying the load includes at least one handle ( 44 ) in which the configuration of the paths of significant points of each said handle ( 44 ) is variable for reproducing corresponding adjustments for the reach of the user who grasps the corresponding said handle ( 44 ).  
   
   
       13 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the means of transmission include a pair of toothed sprockets ( 12 ,  13 ), belonging respectively to the satellite member ( 4 ) and to the planetary member ( 7 ), which are inscribed in, and in mesh with, a flexible organ running in a loop around said sprockets ( 12 , 13 ).  
   
   
       14 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the transmission means are actuated by direct meshing of an externally-toothed sprocket ( 12 ) on the satellite member ( 4 ) with an internally-toothed ring gear, on the planetary member ( 7 ), inside which the satellite member ( 4 ) is located.  
   
   
       15 . Machine according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the satellite member ( 4 ) and the planetary member ( 7 ) have radii which stand to each other substantially in the approximate ratio 0.5.