GYMNASTIC APPARATUS FOR INDOOR CYCLING TRAINING
A gymnastic apparatus for indoor cycling training that includes two cranks with alternating movement, each of which is contrasted by a device capable of varying the resistance of the crank in real time depending on the position and load.
The present invention belongs to the technical field of devices used for training athletes and, in particular, for indoor training of cyclists.
The device is used not only for sports training, for strengthening and reinforcing the lower limbs, but can also be used for therapeutic and/or rehabilitative purposes.
In particular, the present invention belongs to the technical field of gym apparatus in which the pedals describe only a fraction of an arc of circumference and are therefore characterized by alternating motion and not by continuous rotation.
Finally, the present invention relates to a device in which it is possible to continuously adjust the effort to be applied while pedaling.
PRESENT STATUS OF THE ARTIn the field of indoor training devices for cyclists, the so-called exercise bikes or spin bikes are known, i.e. devices in which the athlete can replicate the movement performed by the lower limbs while using the bicycle on the road; these devices comprise suitable means for simulating the different conditions that occur during actual use of the bicycle, for example changes in the slope of the road and the like, often also comprising means, such as flywheels, in order to simulate the accumulation of kinetic energy of the bicycle in motion.
Devices of this type are suitable for aerobic training, but for the athlete who wishes to develop only certain muscular districts, without the obligation to perform complete pedal strokes, they are less advantageous, mainly because of the poor efficiency of the thrust in correspondence of the top dead center of the cranks, which actually prevent strength work since passing in rotation the top dead center does not allow to apply the maximum force starting from standstill.
To overcome this drawback a gym apparatus has recently been developed in which the athlete pushes on the cranks only for a fraction of an arc of circumference, without the pedals performing a full rotation and therefore without having to overcome the top dead center in rotation.
It is known that during the pedal stroke the force exerted by the cyclist's leg produces a different torque on the crank, depending on the pushing angle. In general, in fact, when pedaling the vectorial composition of the forces depends on the angle formed by the crank with the limb that pushes on the pedal and, since this angle varies during pedaling as the direction in which the limb pushes on the pedal varies, with the same resisting moment, there are angular positions of the crank in which the thrust that the limb must exert to overcome said moment is greater than that required in other angular positions.
To solve this technical problem the current inventor in the Italian patent 102015000025171 has disclosed a specific apparatus for the training of the cyclist who, while maintaining the correct position, is able to increase its muscle power thanks to the fact that it can restart every time from a stationary position and that the resistance offered to the athlete's leg does not depend on the thrust angle.
The apparatus in object makes it possible to perform controlled muscular effort exercises with even high pedaling loads, ensuring fluidity of movement even in the presence of high resistant loads, thanks to a technical solution with lever mechanisms that allow to vary and manage the resistant torque during the rotation of the crank, allowing to calibrate the effort in an optimal way in every angular position.
As mentioned, the apparatus described in IT102015000025171 bases its operation on a plurality of secondary levers that serve to create a specific fixed torque curve, so the athlete can only vary the degree of resistance offered by the apparatus.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a gymnastic apparatus for indoor cycling training that allows the athlete to apply maximum force even starting from a standstill, avoiding the inconveniences arising from having to make complete pedal strokes and, at the same time, allows him to adequately develop the muscle districts of interest thanks to the possibility of being able to continuously vary the curve of the resistant torque depending on the rotation angle of the crank, and this not only with regard to the overall resistance, but also with regard to the point-by-point resistance, instant by instant.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that gives the athlete the possibility to perform training cycles with different loads and resistance curves for the two legs.
In particular yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus with which it is possible to perform both isokinetic and isotonic or viscous friction workouts.
Not least object of the present invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus for training cycling that allows the athlete to perform eccentric work, i.e., with at least one active crank transferring the load to the athlete's limb that strives to counteract it.
The achievement of these and other objectives is possible thanks to a gymnastic apparatus comprising a base, on which a handlebar and a saddle stand, and in the lower portion of which two cranks are pivoted which rotate in an alternating direction around a horizontal axis, all configured so that a person can act with his feet on the cranks, while sitting on the saddle and keeping his hands resting on the handlebar.
Preferably at each distal end of each crank a respective pedal is rotationally coupled; in this patent text the term pedal is used to refer to any element capable of transmitting the effort exerted by the athlete's leg to the crank, even if connected to the latter integrally and not rotationally.
Preferably the saddle and handlebar positions are adjustable so that they can be easily adapted to differently shaped athletes.
The two cranks are kinematically connected to each other, so that they are forced to move simultaneously in the opposite direction, describing arcs of circumference of the same measure so that while the first pedal rotates downward, the second pedal must necessarily rotate upward.
According to a preferred embodiment, the alternating movement of the cranks in the opposite direction is obtained by connecting each crank to a first end of a respective hydraulic piston, whose second end is rotationally connected to the base and by placing the cylinders of both pistons in hydraulic continuity, so that the decrease in volume of the first cylinder must correspond to an equal increase in volume of the second cylinder.
The pistons are of the single-acting type so that the athlete cannot contribute to the effort by lifting the pedal on which he is not pushing.
It must be pointed out that the alternative movement of the cranks in the opposite direction can also be achieved with other solutions different from the one described, even if not single-acting.
By means of a respective freewheel device, the proximal ends of both cranks are connected to a contrast unit that counteracts the thrust exerted by the athlete with a continuously adjustable mechanical resistance.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the proximal ends of both cranks are connected to a shaft by means of a respective freewheel device, to the same shaft is connected the contrast unit that counteracts the thrust exerted by the athlete with a mechanical resistance.
The latter can be obtained with different technical solutions, for example using an electronically controlled servomotor, or by means of a circular hydraulic actuator regulated by a highly sensitive electromechanically-operated valve.
In order to perform training cycles involving eccentric work, the servo motor must be able to reverse the direction of rotation, in which case the freewheel device will always remain engaged and will transmit torque to the cranks that will act actively against the lower limbs of the athlete.
Similarly, in the event that the solution with a hydraulic actuator has been adopted to provide the resistance, it will be necessary to complete the circuit configuration with a pump capable of introducing pressurized fluid into the actuator.
In the basic assembly solution, only one actuator can be used for both cranks, thus creating a gymnastic apparatus in which the cranks must always alternate, if, on the other hand, it is desired that both cranks be able to carry out their action independently at the same time, the gymnastic apparatus must include two distinct actuators.
The mechanical energy that the athlete transmits to the cranks is dissipated by the contrast unit in an alternating manner because during the downward rotation each crank engages in a freewheel device, also known as a ratchet, and thus transmits motion to the contrast unit, overcoming its resistance.
Thanks to the freewheel device, no torque is transmitted to the shaft during the upward movement.
It should be noted that the single acting operation is generally preferable for indoor cycling training, in order to prevent the athlete from using both legs to overcome the resistant torque, but the same inventive concept can also be applied in the case where the cranks counteract the athlete's thrust when the latter strives to lift the cranks upwards.
The hydraulic system for transmitting motion from one crank to another makes it possible to easily modify the angular travel of the cranks, simply by increasing or decreasing the amount of hydraulic fluid in the circuit thanks to an external transfer tank.
The movement of the cranks is supervised and controlled in real time by an electronic device which, during every single rotation of the cranks, is able to continuously detect the speed and the effort transmitted, consequently modifying the resistance moment by moment, in order to offer to the athlete who trains an infinite number of different work cycles, able to set any displacement/resistance curve.
The electronic control device includes a user interface, advantageously the latter can in turn include a panel on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus, or an external device, such as a smartphone or tablet, appropriately connected, can be used.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the present gymnastic apparatus comprises a base (1) to which a saddle (2) and a handlebar (3) are connected in an adjustable manner. In the lower back portion of the gymnastic apparatus, a shaft (6) is rotationally housed to which two cranks (51, 52) are rotationally connected by means of two respective freewheel devices, so that when pressed downward, each crank transmits a rotational torque to the shaft (6), which rotates by overcoming the action exerted by a contrast unit (7), while the freewheel devices do not transmit any torque to the shaft (6) when the cranks then rotate upward again.
The cranks are pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis and each crank is rotationally connected to the distal end of a respective hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly (53, 54) whose proximal end is rotationally coupled to the base; in this way the motion of the two cranks is reciprocally constrained because the two cylinders are connected by a duct (55) that during operation alternately transfers the hydraulic fluid from one cylinder to the other, so that if one crank rotates downwards the other is forced to rotate upwards.
In the solution shown in the figures, the contrast unit (7) is located behind the shaft (6) and transmits torque to the latter by means of a belt (71), it should be noted that the latter can be replaced by any other motion transmission system, such as a chain or a series of gears, even introducing a non-unitary transmission ratio.
In a different embodiment, the shaft (6) can correspond to the shaft of the contrast device.
In a particularly complete embodiment, the motion transmission system can also include a group for varying the transmission ratio.
The present gymnastic apparatus includes a command and control system (8) of electronic type, functionally connected to means for detecting in real time both the position of each crank and the effort exerted on it.
The command and control unit is functionally connected with the contrast unit (7) and includes both data processing means and a user interface, the latter of which may be a dedicated touch panel or may be replaced by a computer or smartphone.
The contrast unit can be made using different types of components, a particularly simple and practical solution involves the use of an electric servomotor controlled electronically, in this case it is eventually possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the servomotor to make the apparatus capable of training the athlete by means of an eccentric work.
Thanks to the possibility of detecting both the position of and the force on the cranks in real time, the command and control system can give a feedback to the contrast unit in real time, according to any preset function.
Another possible constructive solution for realizing the contrast unit (7) consists in using a special circular hydraulic actuator regulated by a highly sensitive electromechanically-operated valve, with this solution it will be possible to obtain eccentric work by means of an electro-controlled pump that makes the actuator rotate.
It should be noted that freewheel functioning is preferable for training the cyclist, however, particularly complete versions of the gymnastic apparatus can provide the possibility of locking the freewheel devices so that it becomes possible to transmit torque to the shaft (6) even during the lifting phase of the crank.
In a particularly complete embodiment, the range of movement of the cranks can also be varied during operation, for example by means of a device capable of increasing or decreasing the quantity of hydraulic fluid contained in the two piston/cylinder units (53, 54) and in the duct (55) thanks to an external tank, the latter not shown in the figures.
To increase the flexibility of use of this gymnastic apparatus it is possible to use a dedicated contrast unit for each crank.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the downward travel of each crank (51, 52) is blocked by a respective end-stop (11, 12) that is integrally connected to the base (1).
Claims
1. A gymnastic apparatus for indoor cycling training, comprising:
- a base which supports a saddle and a handlebar and to which is rotationally coupled a transverse shaft which is put into rotation by the torque transmitted alternately by two cranks whose distal ends describe an arc of circumference, so that they pass from a position of maximum height to a position of minimum height, overcoming the braking torque exerted on said shaft by at least one contrast unit, said cranks being interconnected by motion reversing means which force them to rotate simultaneously in the opposite direction, wherein said cranks include means for detecting the angular position and the load to which each of said cranks is subjected, which are functionally connected with an automatic command and control device which in turn regulates the action exerted by said contrast unit on said shaft.
2. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, for each of said cranks, said motion reversing means comprise a respective hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly, the distal end of which is rotationally connected to said crank and whose proximal end is rotationally coupled to said base, said cylinders of said piston/cylinder assemblies being placed in hydraulic communication by means of a non-expandable duct.
3. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cranks transmits motion to said shaft by means of a respective freewheel device.
4. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast unit comprises an electric servomotor controlled by an electronic device.
5. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast unit comprises a circular hydraulic actuator regulated by a highly sensitive electromechanically-operated valve.
6. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a respective pedal is rotationally coupled to the distal end of each of said cranks.
7. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downward stroke of each of said two cranks is blocked by a respective end-stop integrally connected to said base.
8. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said contrast unit is functionally connected to said cranks by means of a motion transmission system which can vary the ratio of transmission.
9. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said freewheel devices which transmit motion from said cranks to said shaft are of the type provided with reversible locking.
10. The gymnastic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a hydraulic pump which introduces pressurized fluid into said circular hydraulic actuator.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 13, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 19, 2024
Inventors: Marco FORNASIER (Crocetta del Montello), Nicola MORALES (Sesto Florentino)
Application Number: 18/576,724
