Patent Application
20200406083
The present application is a translated copy and continuation of GR Patent Application No. 20180100056, filed 15 Feb. 2018, which is a continuation and in part modification of GR Patent Application no. 2015010049, filed 18 Nov. 2015, for which the Patent no. GR 1009153 was granted, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to the configuration of spaces where liquid is present, such as beaches, seas, lakes, rivers, pools and water tanks, by constructing a installation and assembling a variable frame, for the realization of the rocking motions of the human body in various directions, using natural waves or currents or the realization of those rocking motions by generating artificially waves and currents with a multifunctional device, so that a person, relying on the necessary assembled components of the system frame, to resist against the flow of fluid in order to achieve a very effective way of exercise and therapy.
Nowadays there are several ways to generate waves in swimming pools. In conventional swimming pools, small waves in height are created, while in other cases, for sports purposes, like surfing, etc., large rectangular tanks with high walls are constructed to contain the big waves.
The first cases concerning the creation of waves in conventional swimming pools are disadvantaged by the fact that large waves cannot be produced because the water is extracted creating disturbances and with the extraction of water the waves quenches.
The second cases are disadvantaged since these premises are exclusively constructed for a specific sporting purpose (surfing), so their use is limited and the access to all their points is difficult.
As it is known, various devices or installations exist to create water flow or currents in swimming pools where the basic concept in all cases is the propulsion of water molecules through components such as pumps, jets, screw blades, propellers, etc.
In some cases, as represented by patents EP0472976B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,754B1, called water circulation systems, on the one wall of the pool an inlet port is constructed or mounted while on the opposite wall an outlet port is constructed. These ports are connected to one another through a water pipe and a screw blade or water pump, which placed within the pipe, causes the suction of the water in the inlet port on one side of the pool and the water discharge at the outlet port on the opposite side of the pool, thus creating the flow of water in the pool.
These systems are disadvantageous since in one case the water pipe, the water receiving port and the water unloading port must be pre-fabricated, the water propulsion device requires extra external space and this is a permanent and costly construction, while in conventional pools, the required ports must be assembled within the pool walls and the connection water-tube within and at the bottom of the pool and thus this construction is unsightly and costly, while the pool's usable area is reduced.
In the two above-mentioned cases, the water flow does not take place at all the points in the pool, the water flow has only one direction while for the flow of water to the opposite direction, the engine must run counterclockwise and thus there is a delay time and higher energy consumption.
In other systems of currents generation in swimming pools and water tanks, as presented by the patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,662,558A, 6,789,278B2, FR2886662A1, US20080148470A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,855,479B2, 3,534,413A, 4,001,899A, etc., propellers are used, mounted either in portable devices placed on the pool walls or within the walls of the water tank with water unloading openings on the walls.
These cases are disadvantageous since the water flow does not take place at all the points of the pool, in large water tanks it is not possible to make currents at all the points, on the sides and opposite to the device, the currents have only one direction and are effective only in proximity to the device, while finally the devices can be mounted only at specific points where permanent supports should be built.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,133A patent presents a way of creating currents in pools wherein a device mounted on a vertical shaft on the walls of the swimming pool, comprises a longitudinally extending housing within which an assembled underwater motor with one or two propellers brings the water to a horizontally extending nozzle at one end of the device, near the water surface and extracts it on an horizontally extending nozzle at the other end of the device, at the bottom of pool or vice versa.
This device is disadvantageous in the following ways:
a) since the device is tubular and the underwater motor is within it, this directly reduces the smooth flow of water and therefore more requires more energy consumption to generate satisfactory currents,
b) since the device is mounted on the pool walls and its rotation is only 180 degrees horizontally, currents cannot be created at all the points of the pool,
c) in the event that a person is in front of the device when discharge occurs at the bottom and suction on the surface of the pool, this will force the human body to take an horizontal position thus creating fear instincts and probably causing injuries, while if the propellers operate backwards with discharge on the surface and suction at the bottom, this will again cause the human body to take an horizontal position, in the same time pulling it to the bottom, a fact that can cause even more severe injuries,
d) since the discharge and suction nozzles extend horizontally, but to the same direction, this results in the circulation of the water in front of the device, thus limiting the distance of the created currents so that cannot cover all the points of the pool,
e) if more devices are assembled on the walls and these devices have the same way of currents flow generating, suction and discharge, there will be no efficiency in the center of the pool but in currents generated by two opposed operating devices, the one device discharge at the surface, the other device suction at the surface, on the bottom oppositely, the above mentioned disadvantages apply too, as well as the fact that the human body can stand only horizontally.
The GR 1009153 patent teach us a way of constructing a gym installation.
This system consists of a basic variable support frame which through joints can be assembled in various ways. In the basic support frame are mounted, variable hand grips, variable feet support holders, variable support rail holders, pulleys, a substrate support mounted and driven by rollers on the support rails, and a substrate consisting of various parts in accordance with the anatomy of the human body which move at an angle.
For use of the installation in watertight spaces, a mechanical system is constructed with sensors generating pulsating movements of the substrate parts through rotary rollers arms rotating through one-way wheels.
For use of the installation in a space where there is liquid, the pulsating motions caused by natural waves and currents in the water are used or otherwise through special constructions artificial waves and currents are created.
Artificial currents are created through one or more twin-motion twisting propellers and waves are created by a device where a container moves vertically inside into a chamber causing the outlet of the water.
This gymnastics installation is disadvantageous since it is not possible to produce satisfactory technical waves at a height in order to use the system in a small water tanks, the realization of pulsating motions of the human body by creating waves and currents in large water tanks requires high power consumption.
Creating currents with opposite drive twin propellers is disadvantageous since currents are not generated at all the points in the water tanks, the flow of water has only one directional path and the flow to the opposite direction takes time and more energy consumption and finally, the substrate base being mounted on rails moves only to one direction and the substrate parts cannot be used separately for different exercises.
A multifunctional gymnastics installation by realizing rocking movements of the human body in various directions, wherein the installation comprises the configuration of liquid-containing spaces by placing protective walls with built-in adjustable reclining bars, a frame support base with integrated rotating wheels, wherein a connected arm stabilizes or moves reciprocated the said frame support base to various directions, expanding rotating columns mounted on the support base whereby with frame connectors and the necessary bars form a variable reclining support frame on which assembled are, movable adjustable holders for seat mounting, hands grips, feet rests, pulleys and cables, and a substrate base attached to the cables in which a substrate composed of detachable support parts according to the anatomy of the human body are placed, wherein the detachable hands and feet parts of the said substrate are separately used for exercises, transferring or removing air therein.
The rocking movements of the substrate parts and of the human body supported by the frame handles are performed through natural waves, currents and a multifunctional device comprising an electronically and mechanically regulated central unit where an engine transmits motion to a mechanical or hydraulic box, which through the connected to it arm, moves the support frame reciprocally in different directions, moves and stabilizes the substrate parts through attached cables, brings and removes air to the substrate parts by means of an air tube, moves rotary and vertically in a reciprocating way a shaft into a rotating chamber wherein said chamber includes suction and discharge ports, an airtight container with integral valve, a rotor with arms and a screw blade are assembled alternatively on the shaft moving within the chamber, in order to create waves and currents.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a system with lower manufacturing cost and energy consumptions, providing a significant improvement over the above-mentioned techniques and thus greater gymnastics and exercise efficiency, a fun and enjoyable way of training, slimming and cure for all ages.
The purpose of the present invention is that, when a person is holding on specific accessories, exerts resistance against friction of fluid.
For better fitness results and the activation of more body muscles, is to perform anti-friction resistance in rocking motions.
These rocking motions can be realized through natural or artificial waves, natural or artificial currents, or by realizing the reciprocating movement in various directions of the components where the person is held.
The installation of adjustable protective walls enables the water tanks to be used for various purposes, the waves can be generated at any size according to the requirements, disturbances caused by the water extraction are avoided, the power of the waves is not extinguished and it can be used even at their return.
The adjustable reclining support bars, mounted on the protective walls provide easy access to all points of the tank providing safety and can be used for exercises.
The multifunctional reciprocating motions device, has the ability to perform vibratory movements of the human body in different directions in alternative ways, is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, can be easily installed or removed at any point in the water tank without causing damages or permanent constructions, can be easily modified according to the requirements, produces waves in size and frequency according to the requirements, produces very effective waves and currents at all tank points, and works very efficiently with low energy consumption.
The support frame can be easily assembled in a variety of locations and can be easily modified in different shapes, the expanding rotating columns of the support frame and the seat allow for more exercises, the substrate base connected with cables to the support frame moves to different directions, while the substrate hands and feet parts are detachable and can be used separately to perform different exercises.
The invention also includes other items, advantages and features which will be apparent from the detailed description and which are inherently protected by the invention.
The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not intended to be used in order to limit the scope of the description or claims.
Preferred applications of this invention are described in dependent claims 2 to 24.
Although some preferred implementations of the invention are illustrated in the appended drawings and the description, it should be understood that the system can be modified without departing from the main concept of the invention.
A central mechanical motion generating unit (17) wherein a motor (18) transmits motion to a mechanical or hydraulic gearbox (19) which through motion transport element (195), transmits motion to a rotating device (17-2) of currents generating, through motion transport element (194), transmits motion to a waves and currents generating device (17-1), through motion transport element (193), transmits motion to a cable rotor (23) which through cable (231) and pulleys adjusts the depth of inflatable feet parts of a inflatable substrate, through motion transport element (192), transmits motion to an air compressor (20) which through the air hose (202) removes or brings air to the detachable parts of the inflatable feet substrate and through motion transport element (191), transmits motion to an arm (34) attached to the frame support base (4).
A frame mounted on the support base (4) which holds hand grips, support fittings and an inflatable substrate connected by cables to the support frame, a stable base support (4-1) on which another frame with support fittings is mounted and another oval-shaped support base (4-2) assembled on a slope position of the water tank (1) where the substrate moves on rails (47) through rollers.
The protective walls (2) are adjustable and vertically sliding, made of durable and lightweight material, they are assembled on pools and tanks' walls or in places where there is water (e.g. seas), while their shape and position are adjusted according to the requirements and depending on the waves.
On the vertical sliding and adjustable protective walls (2), adjustable and reclining support bars (3) are mounted, wherein in said adjustable and reclining support bars (3), the human body support parts are placed.
The basic prerequisite in the present invention for performing exercises is that a person is held on handles and fittings mounted on the adjustable reclining support bars (3) or on a support frame, exerts resistance against friction of fluid.
As illustrated in
Movable adjustable holders (52) are mounted on the support frame for mounting, pulleys, handles (6), foot rests (7), seat (8), rails (47) and cables (9) wherein the cables (9) retain the substrate support base (10).
All the components of the system are made of durable stainless materials; the support frame is variable and it can be constructed in any form and placed wherever required and movable adjustable holders (52) are also mounted on the reclining support bars (3) for assembling hand grips (6), feet rests (7) seat (8) and cables (9).
The disclosure in the present invention with respect to the support frame is that it is easier and cheaper to manufacture, the rotating wheels (41) enable the support frame to move to various directions, the arm (34) moves or stabilizes the support frame, the rotating extending columns (5) of the support frame allow for more fitness exercises, the seat (8) allows relaxation and performance of various exercises for the lower extremities and the abdomen, while with the connected cables (9), the substrate moves to different directions according to the flow of water and waves, and the substrate support base (10) is easily assembled through cables (9) at the required position and with the required inclination.
The substrate consists of inflatable detachable parts constructed in accordance with the human body anatomy, which those said parts are: a pelvis support substrate part (11) with integrated adjustable safety belt (111), a head support substrate part (13) mounted on a reclining arm (102), two reclining shoulder substrate parts (12) mounted on the substrate base (10) through hinges (103), two reclining glutes substrate parts (14) with built-in reclining arms (141) mounted on the substrate base (10) through hinges (104), two detachable inflatable feet substrate parts (15) assembled with fasteners (152) on the reclining arms (141) and two detachable hands substrate parts (16).
The substrate parts, pelvis (11), head (13), shoulders (12), and glutes (14) substrate parts are inflatable but up to a permissible point.
Each detachable inflatable feet substrate part (15) comprises a base made of durable material and shaped to fit at the rear of the feet retaining adjustable belts (151) so that the feet substrate part (15) can be tied and stay fixed on the feet, the fastener (152) for assembling the feet part (15) on the reclining arm (141) of the substrate part (14), an elastic inflatable element that swells sufficiently in accordance with the requirements, transporting air therein, a cable (154) connected with the cable (231) of the unit (17) and a rubber air hose (153) with a safety valve integrated in the inflatable part, connected to the air hose (202) of the unit (17).
Each detachable hand substrate part (16) consists of a floating container, elastic or fixed, with integrated adjustable handles (161).
One of the detachable hand substrate part (16) includes a switch (162) which, wirelessly or by wire (164) sends a command to the central unit (17) so that the air compressor (20) through the air hose (202) can bring in (or remove) air to the detachable feet part (15).
The other detachable hand substrate part (16) includes a switch (163), which wirelessly or by wire (165) sends a command to the central unit (17) so that the cable rotor (23) with the cable (231) and pulleys can move and stabilize the detachable feet parts (15) at the required depth.
Switches (162) and (163) can also be assembled at other positions.
The integrated cables (154) of the feet substrate parts (15) are connected to the fastener (155) located at the bottom of the tank (1), the air hoses (153) are connected to the rubber air hose (202) and then the air hose (202) is connected to the air outlet valve (201) of the compressor (20). The compressor (20) is operated with rechargeable batteries (203), wherein the said compressor (20) and the rechargeable batteries (203) are located within the floating container (17-3).
At the beginning there is no air within the feet substrate parts (15), with the cable (154) regulating up to what point the upward movement of the substrate parts (15) is allowed, while the human body stands perpendicularly in the tank (1), through the switch (162) a command is sent by wire (164) to the air compressor (20) so that air can be brought in through the air hose (202) to the air hoses (153) and then to the feet substrate parts (15).
The incoming air within the foot substrate parts (15) will cause swelling and upward movement with the buoyancy force, so in this way the person is trying to keep his balance and his body in a vertical position, moves his arms and feet continuously, causing a very enjoyable and effective way of exercising.
In another alternative and more economical construction, it can be used only the container (17-3) with compressed air while air outlet valves (201) can be added.
In a manner of a way illustrated in
The multifunctional device as basic elements include: an electronically and mechanically regulated central unit (17) receiving commands wirelessly or by wire in order to generate and transfer mechanical motion to components and devices so that they can perform rocking movements, a 360 degrees rotating height adjuster (172), mounted on the central unit (17) and a chamber (24) consisting of detachable parts mounted on the rotating height adjuster (172).
The multifunctional system as well as the necessary devices are assembled in water tanks through trapezoidal screws (171) with the side protectors (174) fitting into the walls while through nuts (173) the position is adjusted and the devices become fixed without causing any damage or creating permanent structures.
In the central unit (17), the motor (18) carries motion to a device (19), through the motion transport element (181).
The device (19) may be a hydraulic or mechanical box, however, in the present description it is a hydraulic gear box which creates a hydraulic circuit wherein through liquid pipes (191) transmits motion to piston chambers (33), wherein inside the said piston chambers (33) moves reciprocating pistons (331) which are connected to one or more arms (34).
The device (19) through liquid pipe (192), transmits motion to the air compressor (20) and then to the rubber air hose (202) as mentioned above in the operation of the feet substrate parts (15).
The device (19) through motion transport element (193), transmits motion to a cable rotor (23) which through a cable (231) adjusts and stabilizes the substrate parts as mentioned above in the description of the substrate parts operation (15).
The device (19) through liquid pipe (194), transmits motion to a piston chamber (21), wherein inside the said piston chambers (21) moves in a reciprocated manner a piston (211) which transfer reciprocated motion to a shaft (22) and finally, the device (19) transmits rotating motion to a shaft (195) which through gears (221) transmits rotating motion to the shaft (22).
The upper end of the shaft (22) moves vertically in a reciprocating and horizontally in a rotating manner within the chamber (24) of the wave and current generating device.
As represented in
Control valves (28) are placed at the ports (26) and (27), while detachable nozzles can be fitted on duct (25) and ports (26) and (27).
The upper detachable housing (242) is assembled for security and made of lightweight material so that it can be easily removed and mounted for the assembly of alternative required components within the chamber (24).
The components alternatively assembled within the chamber (24) and driven by the shaft (22) in order to generate waves and currents according to the configuration of the device are the following: a vertically moving closed container (29), a horizontally rotating impeller (30) with built-in arms (301) and a vertical rotating screw blade (31).
The closed container (29) is made of lightweight material and in a form so as to fit and be able to move within the chamber (24), is assembled and integrated to the shaft (22) and comprises one or more valves (291), wherein through said valves (291) water is added into the container (29) or removed for the easy assembly and removal of the container (29).
In order to create waves, the container (29) is filled with water according to the required waves, the rotating adjuster (172) adjusts the chamber position so that the ports (26) and (27) are slightly above the water surface, the control valves (28) are open and the piston (211) pushes the shaft (22) with the integrated container (29) at the required point. Next, the power applied to the piston (211) is removed and through gravity, the container (29) moves abruptly downwards inside the chamber (24) displacing the amount of water equal to the submerged volume of the container (29) and making the water exit through the ports (26) and (27. Continuing the water enter into the chamber (24) through the duct (25), the piston (211) brings back the shaft (22) with the integrated container (29) to the required point for the next wave.
In order to generate small but more frequent waves, the water is removed from the container (29), its initial position is slightly within the chamber (24) water and the piston (211) causes sharp downward movements of the container (29).
The chamber (24) and the container (29) can be manufactured in various forms and the piston (211) can be replaced by cables and necessary pulleys.
As represented in
So, in order to generate waves, the height adjuster (172) adjusts the chamber (24) position, so that the ports (26) and (27) of chamber (24) are slightly above the water surface, the control valves (28) close the ports (26) and (27), the water enters into the chamber (24) through the duct (25), the shaft (22) rotates horizontally the rotor (30) with the integrated folding arms (301) causing the circular movement of the water inside the chamber (24), the control valves (28) open at the required moment and the water is gets out through ports (26) and (27) thanks to the energy obtained through the centrifugal force.
In order to generate currents, the rotating height adjuster (172) lowers and rotates the chamber (24) so that the ports (26) and (27) are inside the water and rotate horizontally in a circle having as rotation axis the chamber (24) center, the valves (28) remain open, the shaft (22) rotates horizontally the rotor (30) with the integrated folding arms (301), causing the water suction through the duct (25) and its discharge through the ports (26) and (27), thereby generating currents and reciprocating motion of the bodies within the water tank (1).
As represented in
On the horizontal rotating shaft (22), a 45 degrees detachable gear (222) is mounted which transmits motion to a 45 degrees gear (321), mounted on the vertical rotating shaft (32).
The rotating height adjuster (172) lowers and rotates the chamber (24) by 360 degrees so that the ports (26) and (27) lie and rotate horizontally in a circle inside the water. The control valves (28) remains open and the valve (251) seals the duct (25).
As shown in
In the present invention the suction and discharge ports move horizontally in a circle in the course of generating currents, and this circular motion is performed by rotating the chamber (24), either mechanically through the central unit (17) or through rudders (37), and thereby the reciprocating motion of the bodies within the tank (1) is achieved.
In alternative modes, a stand-alone unit with the necessary devices can be constructed to carry out any required movement, as shown in
At the suction point (27) of the said water pipe (24-1), a detachable polymorphic nozzle (35) is assembled with a horizontal suction direction and at the discharge point (26) of the said water pipe (24-1), a detachable polymorphic nozzle (36) is assembled with a horizontal discharge direction.
Nozzles (35) and (36) are assembled as illustrated a method in
The horizontal circular movement of the nozzles is performed by rudders (37) assembled on the nozzles or by changing the degrees of the nozzles (35) and (36) as to their rotation axis.
As illustrated in
The device operates as mentioned above with the advantage that the device is not modified to create different movements and the disadvantage that the rotation of the whole unit must be performed.
The purpose and disclosure of this invention for the realization of rocking movements of a solid body located at a fixed point in a water tank by generating currents, is to achieve the suction of the water molecules through a circularly moving suction point thus causing through friction the pulling of the solid body to the point of suction during its passage and from another circularly moving point of discharge to carry out the extraction of incoming water molecules causing through friction the pushing of the same solid body.
The generation of waves and currents in any way and especially in large tanks requires a great deal of energy consumption.
The most economical way but also the best one for performing more sophisticated exercises is to carry out movements of the human body rather than movements of the water.
In the present invention this is achieved by moving in reciprocating motion and to various directions the frame and the reclining bars (3) with the supporting parts on which the individual is holding.
As illustrated in
The motion and the course of the base (4) are mechanically and electronically adjusted.
In an alternative construction mode, the arm (34) can be replaced by a cable, a rotating wheel or any other component aiming at the performance of reciprocating and circular movements of the support frame.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180100056 | Feb 2018 | GR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GR2019/000016 | 2/14/2019 | WO | 00 |
