[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly
for exercising the abdominal muscles.
[0002] Nowadays, in the field of sports apparatuses, gymnastic machines are known which
are capable of assisting body movements in order to intensify the exercising of specific
muscular groups.
[0003] Of these machines, we can identify machines which are capable of increasing the resistance
of the movement by means of weights and lever mechanisms which use, as a resisting
force, the weight of the athlete who is using it.
[0004] For example, machines are known for exercising the abdominal muscles which have a
seat which is provided with a sitting portion and backrest which are mutually pivoted
to each other, one of which is fixed to a supporting structure and the other one of
which can move. Depending on the abdominal muscles to be exercised, lower, upper or
oblique, such backrest and sitting portion are connected by way of systems of cables
and pulleys to a weight the intensity of which is adjustable, in such a manner as
to increase or decrease the difficulty of the exercise.
[0005] Differently, with regard to machines that take advantage of the weight of the athlete
as a resisting force, machines are known which are intended to exercise only the pectoral
and back muscles, and the upper and lower limbs.
[0006] In fact, if it is desired to exercise the abdominal muscles without availing of machines
that are provided with weights, generally one performs floor exercises on mats or
on adapted benches.
[0007] In this way, starting from a supine position it is possible, by raising the legs
or the upper body, to exercise respectively the lower abdominal muscles and the upper
or oblique abdominal muscles simply by adding a rotation of the upper body to the
movement just described. In fact, by doing this, the weight of the part of the body
in motion gives rise to a resisting moment which opposes the movement itself.
[0008] Such exercising technique is not devoid of drawbacks, among which there is the fact
that as one performs the exercise, the lever arm between the line of action, along
which the weight of the part of the body in motion acts, and the fulcrum, about which
it is caused to rotate, decreases, as a consequence decreasing the intensity of the
effort of the exercise.
[0009] The aim of the present invention consists in providing a machine for gymnastic exercises,
particularly for exercising the abdominal muscles, which takes advantage of the weight
of the athlete as a force of resistance of the exercise while keeping the intensity
of the effort constant over the entire exercise.
[0010] Within this aim, an object of the present invention consists in providing a machine
for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the abdominal muscles, which
is simple and intuitive to use.
[0011] This aim and this and other objects which will become more evident hereinafter are
achieved by a machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the abdominal
muscles,
characterized in that it comprises a supporting footing which is associated with a rolling track for a
cradle-like structure which is integral with a seat provided with a sitting portion
that is at least partly movable with respect to the backrest of said seat as a consequence
of the movement of the legs toward the upper body of a user who is seated on said
seat while keeping said upper body resting on said backrest, means also being provided
for the tilting of said cradle-like structure, which are connected kinematically to
said sitting portion for the rolling of said cradle-like structure on said rolling
track as a consequence of the movement of said legs toward said upper body, between
an inactive position, in which said backrest is substantially oriented vertically,
and a maximum effort position, in which said backrest is substantially reclined backwards,
and vice versa.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine
for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the abdominal muscles, according
to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly
for exercising the abdominal muscles, according to the invention;
Figures 2 to 4 are three side elevation views, partially sectional, in sequence, of
the machine for exercises shown in Figure 1 during its use.
[0013] With reference to the figures, the machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly
for exercising the abdominal muscles, generally designated by the reference numeral
1, comprises a supporting footing 2 which is provided by a lattice structure 3 which
is provided with feet 4 for resting on the ground and with a footboard 5.
[0014] Between the lattices of the supporting footing 2, a rolling track 6 for a cradle-like
structure 7 is accommodated which is integral with a seat 8 provided with a sitting
portion 9 that is at least partly movable with respect to the backrest 10 of the seat
8 as a consequence of the movement of the legs 11 toward the upper body 12 of a user
13 who is seated on the seat 8 while keeping the upper body 12 resting on the backrest
10.
[0015] More precisely, the rolling track 6 is defined by two straight guides 14 which are
arranged below the cradle-like structure 10 at two curved bars 15 which define the
cradle-like structure 7.
[0016] In order to ensure correct rolling between the cradle-like structure 10 and the straight
guides 14, means are provided for centering the curved bars 15 on the straight guides
14, the means consisting of centering holes and pins 21a which are defined on the
mutually facing surfaces of the curved bars 15 and of the straight guides 14 and of
shoulders 21b which are defined laterally with respect to the straight guides 14.
[0017] Advantageously, means 16 are provided for tilting the cradle-like structure 7 which
are connected kinematically to the sitting portion 9 for the rolling of the cradle-like
structure 10 on the rolling track 6, as a consequence of the movement of the legs
11 toward the upper body 12 of the user 13, between an inactive position, in which
the backrest 8 is substantially oriented vertically, and a maximum effort position,
in which the backrest 8 is substantially reclined backwards, and vice versa.
[0018] More precisely, the sitting portion 9 comprises a first portion 17 which is integral
with and adjacent to the backrest 10 and a second portion 18 which is articulated
with respect to the first portion 17 by way of two first linkages 19 which are pivoted,
with their ends 19a and 19b, laterally to the portions 17 and 18 of the sitting portion
9.
[0019] In order to bind the legs 11 of the user 13 to the second portion 18, the latter
is provided with a fixing belt 20 which is adapted to be fastened around the legs
11 of the user 13 so as to allow the movement of the second portion 18 with respect
to the first portion 17.
[0020] In the same manner, in order to enable the user 13 to grip the backrest 10 during
the performance of the exercise, so as to keep his/her upper body 12 resting on the
backrest 10, grip handles 22 are provided which are associated with the seat 8 proximate
to the upper part of the backrest 10.
[0021] The tilting means 16 comprise a second linkage 23 which is pivoted at its ends 23a
and 23b, respectively, to the second portion 18 of the sitting portion 9 and to an
end portion 24a of a first lever 24 pivoted, at a central portion 24b thereof, to
the cradle-like structure 7.
[0022] At its other end portion 24c, the first lever 24 is pivoted to the seat 8 substantially
at the intersection defined between the backrest 10 and the sitting portion 9.
[0023] The tilting means 16 moreover comprise a third linkage 25 which is pivoted at its
ends 25a and 25b, respectively, to the end portion 24b of the first lever 24 and to
an end portion 26a of a second lever 26.
[0024] Such second lever 26 is pivoted, at a central portion 26b thereof, to the cradle-like
structure 7 at a central portion of the backrest 10 and is pivoted, at its other end
portion 26c, to a fourth linkage 27 which in turn is pivoted at its ends 27a and 27b,
respectively, to the second lever 26 and to the rolling track 6.
[0025] Advantageously, means 28 are also provided for the adjustment of the inclination
of the rolling track 6 in order to vary the extent of the effort required to perform
the gymnastic exercise.
[0026] More specifically, such adjustment means 28 comprise a control lever 29 which is
pivoted to the supporting footing 2 and is associated with a fifth linkage 30 pivoted
to a crank 31 which is integral in rotation with an actuation shaft of pushers 33
which are arranged below the rolling track 6 at an end portion 6a thereof, i.e. at
the portion that is pivoted to the fourth linkage 27, so as to be able to lift it
by an extent that is proportional to the rotation of the control lever 29; in fact,
the control lever 29 is provided with a position selector that makes it movable between
a plurality of positions which correspond to different inclinations of the rolling
track 6 so as to vary the extent of the effort required to perform the gymnastic exercise.
[0027] Conveniently, at the other end portion 6b thereof, the rolling track 6 is pivoted
to the supporting footing 2.
[0028] In more detail, the pushers 33 consist of two rollers which are slideably accommodated
in two slots 34 arranged below the two straight guides 14.
[0029] Conveniently, for allowing the movement of the linkages and of the levers, all of
the pivoting axes and all of the pivoting points of the tilting means 16 and of the
adjustment means 28 are oriented along directions which are parallel to the oscillation
axis of the cradle-like structure 7 with respect to the rolling track 6.
[0030] Operation of the machine 1 for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the
abdominal muscles, is described hereinafter.
[0031] After stepping onto the footboard 5, the user 13 sits down on the seat 8, fastening
the fixing belt 20 around his/her legs 11 at the thighs and gripping the grip handles
22.
[0032] Subsequently, the user 13 raises his/her legs 11 and moves them toward the upper
body 12, thus pulling with them the second portion 18 of the sitting portion 9.
[0033] In this way, the second portion 18 of the sitting portion 9 pulls the second linkage
23 which rotates the first lever 24 which, by way of the third linkage 25, rotates
the second lever 26 thus lowering the cradle-like structure 7 with respect to the
rolling track 6 thanks to the coupling provided by the fourth linkage 27, substantially
proportionally to the rotation imposed on the second portion 18 of the sitting portion
9 with respect to the backrest 10.
[0034] The direct consequence of the mechanism described is to keep the resisting moment
that the user has to defeat while performing the exercise substantially constant.
[0035] The more the rolling track 6 is reclined, the lower the effort necessary to perform
the exercise.
[0036] For this reason, the adjustment means 28, by acting on the inclination of the rolling
track 6, make it possible to intensify or reduce the intensity of the effort of the
exercise.
[0037] In practice it has been found that the machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly
for exercising the abdominal muscles, is capable of taking advantage of the weight
of the athlete as a resisting force of the exercise while keeping the intensity of
the effort constant over the entire exercise.
[0038] Another advantage of the machine for gymnastic exercises, according to the invention,
consists in that it is intuitive to use and makes it possible to exercise the abdominal
muscles in a simple and effective manner.
[0039] The machine for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the abdominal muscles,
according to the present invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications
and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
[0040] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
[0041] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific
use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements
and to the state of the art.
[0042] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
MI2011A002184 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0043] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A machine (1) for gymnastic exercises, particularly for exercising the abdominal muscles,
characterized in that it comprises a supporting footing (2) which is associated with a rolling track (6)
for a cradle-like structure (7) which is integral with a seat (8) provided with a
sitting portion (9) that is at least partly movable with respect to the backrest (10)
of said seat (8) as a consequence of the movement of the legs (11) toward the upper
body (12) of a user (13) who is seated on said seat (8) while keeping said upper body
(12) resting on said backrest (10), means (16) also being provided for the tilting
of said cradle-like structure (7), which are connected kinematically to said sitting
portion (9) for the rolling of said cradle-like structure (7) on said rolling track
(6) as a consequence of the movement of said legs (11) toward said upper body (12),
between an inactive position, in which said backrest (10) is substantially oriented
vertically, and a maximum effort position, in which said backrest (10) is substantially
reclined backwards, and vice versa.
2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (28) for adjusting the inclination of said rolling track (6) in
order to vary the extent of the effort required to perform the gymnastic exercise.
3. The machine (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said sitting portion (9) comprises a first portion (17) which is integral with and
adjacent to said backrest (10) and a second portion (18) which is articulated with
respect to said first portion (17) by way of two first linkages (19) which are pivoted,
with their ends (19a, 19b), laterally to said portions (17, 18) of said sitting portion
(9), said second portion (18) being provided with a fixing belt (20) which is adapted
to be fastened around the legs (11) of said user (13) so as to allow the movement
of said second portion (18) with respect to said first portion (17).
4. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tilting means (16) comprise a second linkage (23) which is pivoted at its ends
(23a, 23b), respectively, to said second portion (18) of said sitting portion (9)
and to an end portion (24a) of a first lever (24), said first lever (24) being pivoted,
at a central part (24b) thereof, to said cradle-like structure (7) and being pivoted,
at its other end portion (24c), to said seat (8) substantially at the intersection
defined between said backrest (10) and said sitting portion (9), a third linkage (25)
being also provided which is pivoted, at its ends (25a, 25b), respectively to said
other end portion (24c) of said first lever (24) and to an end portion (26a) of a
second lever (26), said second lever (26) being pivoted, at a central part (26b) thereof,
to said cradle-like structure (7) at a central portion of said backrest (10) and being
pivoted, at its other end portion (26c), to a fourth linkage (27), which is pivoted,
at its ends (27a, 27b), respectively to said second lever (26) and to said rolling
track (6).
5. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rolling track (6) comprises two straight guides (14) which are arranged below
said cradle-like structure (7) at two curved bars (15) which define said cradle-like
structure (7).
6. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for centering said curved bars (15) on said straight guides (14),
said means consisting of centering holes and pins (21a) which are defined on the mutually
facing surfaces of said curved bars (15) and of said straight guides (14) and of shoulders
(21b) which are defined laterally with respect to said straight guides (14).
7. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises grip handles (22) which are associated with said seat (8) proximate
to the upper part of said backrest (10).
8. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means (28) comprise a control lever (29) which is pivoted to said
supporting footing (2) and is associated with a fifth linkage (30) which is pivoted
to a crank (31) which is integral in rotation with an actuation shaft (32) of pushers
(33) arranged below said rolling track (6) at an end portion (6a) thereof so as to
be able to lift it by a vertical extent that is proportional to the rotation of said
control lever (29), said rolling track (6) being pivoted to said supporting footing
(2) at its other end portion (6b).
9. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control lever (29) is movable between a plurality of positions, which correspond
to different inclinations of said rolling track (6) so as to vary the extent of the
effort required to perform the gymnastic exercise.
10. The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the pivoting axes and all the pivoting points of said tilting means (16) and
of said adjustment means (28) are oriented along directions which are parallel to
the oscillation axis of said cradle-like structure (7) with respect to said rolling
track (6).