TRAINING APPARATUS FOR PRACTICING A PUSHING OR PULLING MOVEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a training device comprising a treadmill having a movable track for walking or running, a guide arrangement arranged substantially parallel to the movable track, a carriage slidably mounted on the guide arrangement and having a handle, and a weight, the carriage being coupled to the weight such that it is slidable against the weight along the guide arrangement in the walking or running direction, thereby simulating a load on the carriage, wherein the force to be exerted by a user on the carriage in the walking or running direction for sliding depends on the simulated load on the carriage. The invention further relates to the use of the device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of devices and machines for training, physical fitness and physiotherapy and to the more specific technical field of treadmills that can be operated in a walking and/or running mode to simulate pushing or pulling exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Equipment and machines for training, physical fitness and physical therapy are available in different configurations and for different purposes, for example as cardio machines or strength machines. Treadmills are also well known and usually enable an exercise routine at a relatively steady and continuous level of physical activity, e.g. by maintaining a constant walking or running speed and a constant incline, or at a variable level of physical activity.

Treadmills have also been proposed that allow the user to simulate a pulling or dragging motion on the treadmill to save space. This can be useful to train and develop different muscle groups and to enable aerobic or anaerobic training. For example, US2011/281691 describes an exercise treadmill that allows the user to simulate both a load-push motion, i.e. a forward walking motion, and a load-pull motion, i.e. a backward walking motion. US2020/0330818 also describes a system with a treadmill and a weight stack, wherein the weight stack is coupled to a harness or a handle that can be put on by the user, wherein the coupling simulates the pulling or pushing of a weighted sled for the user of the treadmill.

However, these devices have the disadvantage that although the user exerts force against a handle/pull rope held back by the weight, this handle/rope is always statically fixed at one point relative to the treadmill. This means that the pushing/pulling movement is not adequately simulated. In addition, a running workout limited to pushing or pulling has little motivating effect on the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the task of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is the task of the invention to provide a training device for practicing a pushing or pulling movement which better reproduces the natural movement sequences, saves space and is motivating for the user.

The task is solved by a training device having the features of, for example, the device described in the appended claims. The problem can be solved in particular by a training device comprising

• • a treadmill with a moving track for walking or running,
  • a guide arrangement arranged essentially parallel to the moving track, in particular a pair of rails;
  • a carriage with a handle, preferably two handles, displaceably mounted on the guide arrangement;
  • a weight, in particular a weight stack;
  • wherein the carriage is coupled to the weight such that it is displaceable against the weight along the guide arrangement in the walking or running direction, thereby simulating a load on the carriage, the force to be exerted by a user on the carriage in the walking or running direction for displacement depending on a simulated load on the carriage.

The invention is based on the idea that a dynamic pushing or pulling movement differs from simply pushing or pulling a lever. On the one hand, it may be necessary for the force required for pushing to be directed in a slightly different direction than when a lever is actuated artificially. On the other hand, the static friction force is always greater than the force effect caused by sliding friction. In the training device according to the invention, a carriage that can be displaced relative to the treadmill is actually displaced instead of simulating such a displacement only by means of a pretensioned lever. This imitates the alternation of static and dynamic friction that takes place in a “natural” pushing process in space and the associated muscle strain is excellently reproduced. An effect similar to push or pull training on a flat track is achieved, but a space-saving treadmill can still be used. Furthermore, the invention has the advantage that the user is motivated by the visible effect of his training on the carriage position.

A “guide arrangement arranged essentially parallel to the moving track” within the meaning of the invention is understood to mean that the guide arrangement forms an angle of no more than 5 degrees, preferably no more than 2 degrees, with the moving track in a basic state. Particularly preferably, the guide arrangement, in particular the pair of rails, and the moving track are arranged exactly parallel in a basic state. Of course, the treadmill and/or the guide arrangement can also be adjusted in a variation of the basic state, in particular tilted, so that an incline is simulated for the user. A pair of rails gives the carriage to be guided additional stability. It is also preferable for safety reasons if the weights are placed in a front part of the system so that a pushing user has the weights in view.

In a preferred embodiment, the simulated load on the carriage is variable as a function of a position of the carriage on the guide arrangement, increasing in particular with progressive displacement in the walking or running direction. Such variability can be achieved particularly well with a training device as described above. As the position of the carriage changes along the guide arrangement, an additional pushing resistance can be easily implemented, for example by using friction-intensive rail sections or adjustable resistances at the coupling between the carriage and the weight. Known from stationary bicycles are, for example, blowers or a flywheel with a magnetic resistance.

The device is particularly easy to implement if the carriage is coupled to the weight via pulleys using a cable hoist.

The coupling can be direct or indirect. It is preferable if the cable hoist establishes the coupling between the weight and the carriage via a transmission element which comprises a roller that is firmly connected to an eccentric or oval rotary element. A first cable hoist section, in particular one leading towards the carriage, is rigidly attached to the roller, and a second cable hoist section, in particular one leading towards the weight, is rigidly attached to the eccentric or oval rotating element. This ensures that a displacement of the carriage acts as a torque on the transmission element and that the load of the weight is transferred to the transmission element.

If the weights are pulled over a round pulley with a centered hub, the resistance is constant. However, if an eccentric or oval rotating element is used, the resistance varies. In particular, the distance between the pivot point of rotating element and the loaded cable is shortened in certain positions of the rotating element, which reduces the load. Conversely, the force required by the user increases if the distance between the pivot point of the rotating element and the loaded cable is increased. For example, the load can be lower at the beginning and during the movement, while the full resistance is present at a later point in the sliding path. The variable resistance can follow the body's natural force curve or provide a motivating increase towards the end of the pushing or pulling movement.

In one embodiment, the simulated load on the carriage increases in the last third of the progressive displacement in the walking or running direction, in particular exponentially, so that the user feels a sustained challenge over the duration of the walking or running distance.

In a preferred embodiment, the training device has a braking device that throttles the return of the weight from a raised position to a storage position. For example, the return of the weight from a raised position to a storage position can be throttled via a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

It is clear to the specialist that such a device is suitable for both pushing and pulling a load. Depending on the direction, the user is either behind or in front of the carriage in walking or running direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the walking or running direction is directed towards the carriage so that the carriage is pushed. In this embodiment, the advantage that the user completes a real pushing distance instead of operating a lever is particularly effective. The user grips the carriage directly by the handle and can vary the training again by selecting the grip height or adjust it particularly easily to their physiognomy. It is therefore particularly desirable that the handle extends over a height of between approx. 20cm and approx. 160 cm measured from the track of the treadmill or that it is adjustable between these dimensions. Horizontal and/or vertical handles may be provided.

Alternatively, the walking or running direction can be directed away from the carriage so that the carriage is pulled. In this embodiment, the device comprises a harness or harness that the user can attach to their body to pull the carriage. It is particularly preferable if the device can be used either for pushing or pulling training.

In one embodiment, the treadmill of the training device is motorized. This allows the user to set a specific walking or running speed, vary the corresponding parameters if necessary and/or monitor them in order to achieve the best possible progress. If the treadmill is motorized, brake activators may be provided to allow the user to stop the treadmill if necessary.

It is preferable if the weight of the weight stack on the training device can be adjusted, in particular via a pin. This makes it particularly easy for the user to adjust their training load and monitor their progress.

The same advantages arise if the treadmill of the training device can be adjusted so that it has an incline. For example, the running surface can be set to an incline of 1 to approx. 15 degrees to increase the running difficulty. The guide arrangement, or preferably the pair of rails, can also adopt the selected angle of inclination so that the sliding track of the carriage continues to extend essentially parallel to the walking or running track.

In one embodiment, the following features of the training device as described above can be set alone or in combination by the user or by a computer program during a training session:

• • Speed of the motorized treadmill,
  • Inclination angle of the conveyor belt,
  • simulated load on the carriage.

The invention then extends to the use of a training device as described above for the operation of a fitness studio or therapy center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further explained with the aid of the figures and the following description. However, the figures are examples which are not intended to limit the invention.

It shows:

FIG. 1 Perspective top view of one embodiment of the training device according to the invention;

FIG. 1A Section A-A in FIG. 1, detailed view of the coupling of the carriage and weight stack via a transmission element with eccentric rotating element;

FIG. 2 Side view of an embodiment of a training device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 Schematic representation of the simulated load on the carriage in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 of the invention along the travel path of the carriage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a training device 1 comprising a treadmill 2 with a movable endless track 3 for walking or running, a pair of rails 4, 4′ arranged substantially parallel to the movable track 3, a carriage 5 with handles 7, 7′, 7″ and a weight stack 6 mounted for displacement on the pair of rails 4, 4′. The carriage 5 is coupled to the weight stack 6 by means of a cable hoist 8 via pulleys 9, 9′, 9″ in such a way that it can be moved against the weight of the weight stack 6 along the pair of rails 4, 4′ in the walking or running direction. This simulates a load on the carriage. The force to be exerted by the user in the walking or running direction on the handle 7, 7′, 7″ of the carriage 5 to move it therefore depends on the simulated load on the carriage. The user can exert the force either on the vertical handles 7,7′ or the horizontal handles 7″.

FIG. 1A shows a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1. A preferred variant is shown of how the simulated load on the carriage 5 can be variably designed depending on a position of the carriage on the rail 4. Specifically, the cable hoist 8 establishes the coupling between the weight 6 and the carriage 5 via a transmission element 10. The transmission element 10 comprises a roller 12, which is firmly connected to an eccentric, in this case a “nautilus-shaped” rotating element. A “nautilus shape” is understood to mean a non-circular but rounded shape, for example a shape that resembles (in circumference) the cross-section of a snail shell. FIG. 1A shows that a first cable hoist section 8a leading towards the carriage 5 is rigidly attached to the roller 12, and a second cable hoist section 8b leading towards the weight stack 6 is rigidly attached to the eccentric or oval rotating element. Thanks to this arrangement, a displacement of the carriage acts as a torque on the transmission element 10 and the load of the weight stack 6 is simultaneously transferred to the transmission element 10. In an initial position, as shown in FIG. 1A, the cable hoist section 8b therefore runs close to the pivot point 11 of the pulley 10. As the carriage is pushed further in the walking or running direction, the transmission element rotates and the distance between the cable section 8b and the pivot point 11 increases from a certain rotation progress, which increases the load on the user.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is suitable for use as a pushing device, as the user is instructed to grasp the carriage 5 by the handles 7, 7′, 7″ and push it in the walking or running direction. However, the device can easily be converted into a pulling device by attaching the cable hoist 8 to a side of the carriage opposite the attachment point shown in FIG. 1. In this case, a harness or harness can be attached to the carriage, which the user can put on, and he can pull the carriage behind him in the opposite direction, i.e. away from the weight stack.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of another exemplary embodiment. The carriage 5 in an initial position is indicated by a dashed line. The extended lines show the carriage in its final position at the end of a thrust distance with the weight stack 6 raised to its maximum. The reference signs correspond to those in FIG. 1. The embodiment differs from the previously described embodiment in the positioning of the transmission element 10. Here, the nautilus-shaped rotating element 13 is shown in a rotational state, where the cable hoist section 8b is far away from the pivot point of the rotating element 13 and the user has therefore experienced an intensification of the training load on the last third of the thrust distance.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the increase in the simulated load of the carriage along a thrust distance of the carriage 5 on the pair of rails 4 according to FIG. 2. The perceived load (L_sens) remains constant for the user in a first section of the thrust distance, corresponding to the weight 20 set on the weight stack 6. However, as the thrust distance D increases, the perceived load L_sens increases and rises exponentially, particularly in the last third 21 of the thrust distance. This effect is due to the eccentric rotating element 13 of the transmission element 10 in FIG. 2.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A training device comprising: a treadmill with a moving track for walking or running;a guide arrangement arranged essentially parallel to the moving track;a carriage with a handle, displaceably mounted on the guide arrangement;a weight (6);wherein the carriage is coupled to the weight in such a way that it is displaceable against the weight along the guide arrangement in the walking or running direction, thereby simulating a load on the carriage, the force to be exerted by a user on the carriage in the walking or running direction for displacement depending on the simulated load on the carriage.

14. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the guide arrangement is a pair of rails.

15. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the carriage comprises two handles.

16. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the weight is a weight stack.

17. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the simulated load on the carriage is variable depending on a position of the carriage on the guide arrangement.

18. The training device according to claim 17, wherein the simulated load on the carriage increases with progressive displacement in the walking or running direction.

19. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the carriage is coupled to the weight by means of at least one cable hoist via pulleys.

20. The training device according to claim 19, wherein the cable hoist establishes the coupling between weight and carriage via a transmission element which comprises a roller which is firmly connected to an eccentric or oval rotary element, wherein a first cable hoist section is rigidly fastened to the roller (12), andwherein a second cable hoist section is rigidly attached to the eccentric or oval rotary element,so that a displacement of the carriage acts as a torque on the transmission element and the load of the weight is transferred to the transmission element.

21. The training device according to claim 20, wherein the first cable hoist is leading towards the carriage.

22. The training device according to claim 20, wherein the second cable hoist is leading towards the weight.

23. The training device according to claim 17, wherein the simulated load on the carriage increases in the last third of the progressive displacement in the walking or running direction.

24. The training device according to claim 23, wherein the simulated load increases exponentially.

25. The training device according to claim 13, comprising a braking device which throttles the return of the weight stack from a raised position to a storage position.

26. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the walking or running direction is directed towards the carriage so that the carriage is pushed.

27. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the walking or running direction is directed away from the carriage so that the carriage is pulled.

28. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the treadmill is motorized.

29. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the weight of the weight stack is adjustable.

30. The training device according to claim 29, wherein the weight stack is adjustable via a pin.

31. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the treadmill is adjustable so that it has an inclination.

32. The training device according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the following features is adjustable by the user or by a computer program during a training session: a speed of the motorized treadmill,an inclination angle of a conveyor belt,a simulated load on the carriage.