WO2007043917A1

WO2007043917A1 - Collapsible training apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007043917A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001496
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas Svenberg
Original assignee: Personality Gym Ab
Priority date: 2005-10-10
Filing date: 2005-10-10
Publication date: 2007-04-19

Abstract

A collapsible training apparatus (100) , comprising a stationary frame structure (110) adapted to be upright positioned. The frame structure (110) has an upper portion (111) and a lower portion (112) . The collapsible training apparatus (100) also comprises a foldable bench (140) that has a proximal portion (141) and a distal portion (142) . The proximal portion (141) is pivotally arranged at said lower portion (112) for pivotal movement of the bench (140) between a folded position, substantially parallel to the frame (110) , and an unfolded position, substantially perpendicular to the frame (110) . The collapsible training apparatus further has a first safety device (130) integrated with the upper portion (111) , which safety device (130) is arranged to engage the distal portion (142) when the bench (140) is in the folded position.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE TRAINING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible training apparatus for physical exercises in order to improve the strength of a user. More specifically the invention relates to such a collapsible training apparatus comprising a safety device.

Background To be able to feel well and perform well during daily work, people are seeking efficient ways of maintaining and improving their health. As a result, workout gymnasiums and health clubs has seen an increase of members over the years. Training at such places typically involve exercises using physical training devices, which typically involves controlled lifting of weights, wherein the devices are arranged such that a person doing an exercise is supported to perform the exercise in a correct way. Typically each such device is targeted towards one muscle group, or to closely related groups of muscle- es. To cover different groups of muscles, the user has to change between a number of different devices.

However, visiting workout gymnasiums or health clubs is not convenient for everyone, for example, typically it involves regular travels, perhaps many days each week, to places located somewhere outside the place of work and the home, which is time consuming and sometimes not even possible. Being member at a health club also involves paying regular member fees. An alternative solution to training devices located at health clubs, is training devices located at persons home or at their place of work. This saves valuable time and, typically, there is no regular fee involved. The training also becomes more private. However, at these places, it is of practical and economical reasons not possible to use the same type and number of devices as in the health clubs.

Multi-exercise, collapsible devices has been pres- ented as a space-saving and cost efficient solution, but the success has been limited. One reason is the difficulty to provide efficient and different exercises using a single device, especially since the exercises, and the device itself, always will be compared to what is prov- ided by devices at the health clubs. In addition to meeting up with the quality of those devices, a collapsible multi-exercise device must also facilitate changing from one exercise to another, or else a user may be reluctant to use the device at all. The collapsible nature in comb- ination with that exercises at home often are performed in private, also makes safety a challenge.

The present applicant has presented a collapsible, multi-exercise device, see e.g. Swedish patent SE522325 and currently pending European patent application EP1201169, that has been well received and that meet much of what is desired from a collapsible training device. However, during commercialization of the device, there has been demand for a device having increased safety in connection with collapsing the device, e.g. when trans- ferring from a storage position to a training position and vice versa, in order to decrease risk that a user, the device and/or the environment in which the device is placed, accidentally becomes hurt or damaged.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is based on the understanding that a safe collapsible training apparatus must also be user friendly. Although safety alone is very important, a safe training apparatus is of no, or at least limited use if it is not user friendly at the same time. Since using, or owning, a training apparatus is optional, safety must not compromise the reason for using or owning the device in the first place, i.e. to improve wellness and/or health. Any safety mechanism that is too complicated, or even difficult to activate, may result in that the device is not used at all. Also, if the safety mechanism is comp- licated, safety may in practise be compromised, since the user may perform wrong, fail or even ignore to activate or use the safety mechanism in a correct way. Thus, the user friendly aspect must be taken into account when improving the safety. It is an object to overcome, or at least alleviate, problems of the prior art. A specific object is to provide a collapsible training apparatus that is more safe and still user friendly. These and other objects that will be evident from the following description, are achieved by a collapsible training apparatus, comprising a stationary frame structure adapted to be upright positioned, said frame structure having an upper portion and a lower portion; and a foldable bench having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion being pivotally arranged at said lower portion of the frame structure for pivotal movement of the bench between a folded position substantially parallel to said frame and an unfolded position, substantially perpendicular to said frame, wherein there is a first safety device at said upper portion of the frame structure, which safety device is integrated with said upper portion and arranged to engage said distal portion of the bench when the bench is in the folded position.

An advantage of an integrated safety device, is that there is no risk that essential parts to safely lock the bench may be lost or misplaced. Thus, in this case, the user friendliness also increase safety. A further contribution to safety is provided by the placement of the safety device at the upper portion of the frame struct- ure. Since the upper portion is distant from a user positioned on the bench during exercise, it can be avoided that the user by mistake interfere with the saf- ety device, e.g. avoided that the user damage the safety- device or that the user get hurt or even injured from it. Also, placing the safety device at the upper portion, restricts unauthorized access to it by children. Another advantage provided by the placement of the safety device, is that there will be only a small momentum subjected to the device if anyone tries to unfold the bench when it is engaging with the safety device.

The safety device may be arranged to automatically lock the bench to the frame structure when the bench is being pivoted to the folded position.

Because of the automatic locking, there will be no options than to lock the bench in the folded position, which further increase the user friendliness. The first safety device may be arranged to engage the distal end portion of the bench by a movement of a locking part in a direction substantially parallel to the frame structure.

Near the folded position, the distal end of the bench will mainly be able to move in a direction perpendicular to the frame structure due to the pivotal arrangement, i.e. when the frame is upright positioned, only able to move in a substantially horizontal plane. Thus, a locking part that is moving towards the lower portion of the frame, i.e. in a direction along the frame structure, will be able to safely obstruct further movement of the bench. Also, when the frame structure, as intended, is stationary arranged in an upright position, a movement towards the lower portion means moving with the force of gravity, i.e. gravity will cause the locking part to engage the bench and lock it.

The locking part may further comprise biasing means for biasing the locking part substantially downwardly.

The biasing means may comprise any type of spring or resilient material.

By biasing the locking part, e.g. by a spring, which is supporting the locking part in its movement the risk that the locking part may get stuck is decreased, or that it of some other reasons will not engage the bench. A loading force from the folding is a safe source of force that will always be available, i.e. the locking does not have to rely on some uncertain force that e.g. have to be separately provided by a user just in order to safely lock the bench. It should also be noted, that if the biasing means malfunctions, gravity will still act on the locking part and support it in its downward movement when the frame structure is in the intended upright position.

The locking part may comprise an inclined guiding portion arranged to engage the distal portion of the bench and cause the locking part to move substantially upwardly. The apparatus may be further comprising a second integrated safety device at said lower portion of the frame structure, arranged to restrict uncontrolled unfolding movement of the bench.

A user that is folding the bench may be exhausted from exercise, or may of some reason slip when lifting the bench, which, if the second safety device is not present, may cause dangerous and uncontrolled movement of the bench. Although the bench before reaching its folded and locked position not yet has achieved its greatest potential energy, which during an accidental drop of the bench will transform to kinetic energy, a drop of a lifted bench could still result in a considerable rapid and dangerous movement, which together with the weight of the bench would be able to hurt or injure the user if the second safety device are not present.

Even if the bench would not hit the user, it could hit the floor with a considerable force of impact, damaging the floor, the training apparatus, or both. When a user release grip of the bench during folding or unfolding, the degree of the restriction of movement, may vary from a very slow movement under influence of gravity, to no movement at all. Since the second safety device is restricting gravitational movement, a user might want, or even need, to apply an unfolding force in order to unfold the bench. This side effect is also advantageous since it put the user in complete control of the movements of the bench, both during folding and unfolding. Also, by placing the first and second safety- device at opposite frame portions and at opposite bench ends, the risk is reduced that both safety device at the same time would be damaged by, for example, an accidental external force.

The second integrated safety device may comprise a damper having one end attached to the lower portion of the frame and the other end attached to the proximal end portion of the bench. There may be two separate movement dampers attached at opposite lateral sides of the bench and at opposite lateral sides of the frame.

Two movement dampers arranged in this way adds stability and provides an extra degree of safety since if one of the movement dampers malfunctions, there will still be one damper contributing to restricting the bench movements .

The first safety device may also comprise a lever arranged to be manipulated by a single hand of a user in order to release the bench from the folded position.

A single-hand arrangement is advantageous since it allows a user to support the unfolding of the bench with the other, free hand. Since the first safety arrangement is located at the upper portion of the frame structure, there is a very small risk that the lever will be moved unintentionally. At the same time the lever is conveniently placed near the outer end portion of the bench, thus facilitating a user to start unfolding the bench while releasing it from the folded position using the lever. Description of the drawings

The collapsible training apparatus will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings . Fig. 1 is a side view of a collapsible training apparatus according to an embodiment, showing a foldable training bench positioned between a unfolded training position and a folded storage position. Fig. 2 is a side view of an end portion of the foldable bench near its folded position and a first safety device arranged in an upper portion of a stationary frame structure of the collapsible device.

Fig. 3a is a side view corresponding to Fig. 2, but where dotted lines also are showing hidden details. Fig. 3b shows the same parts as in Fig. 3a, but in a situation when the bench end has come in contact with the first safety device.

Fig. 3c shows the same parts as in Fig. 3a and 3b, but in a situation when the safety device has locked the bench to the frame structure.

Description of an embodiment

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a collapsible training apparatus 100 according to an embodiment, wherein a fold- able training bench 140 of the device 100 is positioned between an unfolded training position and a folded storage position. The device 100 further comprises a frame structure 110, here shown in an intended upright position. The training bench 140 has an inner end 141 pivot- ally arranged at a lower portion 112 of the frame structure 110.

Collapsing the apparatus 100, involves folding the bench 140 by moving the outer or distal end portion 142 upwards, making the bench 140 pivot until the bench 140 has moved from a substantially perpendicular, unfolded position with respect to the frame structure 110, to a substantially vertical, folded position, adjacent to, and substantially parallel to the frame 110, such that the outer end portion of the bench 140 will be adjacent to an upper portion 111 of the frame 110.

At the upper portion of the frame 110, there may be a first safety device 130 arranged to engage the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140 in order to automatically lock that end, and thus, the bench 140, to the frame 110 when the bench 140 is reaching its folded position. In the locked, folded position, the first safety device 130 prevents the bench 140 from unfolding. When it has been locked in the folded position, the bench 140 may only be unfolded by a user manipulating the first safety device 130.

Between the inner, pivotally arranged end 141 of the bench 140, and the lower portion 112 of the frame structure 110, there may be arranged a second safety device 150. The second safety device 150 does not prevent the bench 140 from moving, but is restricting its movement between the folded and unfolded position by absorb- ing energy from, or dampening, the pivotal movement of the bench 140.

In the shown example of Fig. 1, the second safety device 150 comprises a gas-filled spring 151. Gas filled springs are efficient and reliable and may provide a constant dampening effect, i.e. substantially the same dampening effect independent of the position of a piston of the gas filled spring. In one embodiment, the second safety device 150 comprises two gas filled springs 151 arranged at opposite lateral sides of the bench 140, i.e. gas filled springs 151 separated by the width of the bench at its inner end portion 141.

The construction and function of gas filled springs are well known and will not be discussed in detail herein. It should be understood that there exist other devices than gas-filled springs that may provide the dampening effect, such as, for example, hydraulic-based dampers or friction based mechanical dampers. In one embodiment, the gas filled spring 151 is adapted to hold the bench 140 in a position between the folded and unfolded position where it is left by the user during folding or unfolding, and in another embodiment, the gas filled spring 151 is adapted to admit a slow unfolding movement of the bench 140 due to gravitational influence.

Still referring to Fig. 1, the bench 140 may be adjustable in its unfolded position so as to support a user during different exercises and in different training positions. For supporting and positioning the outer end portion of the bench at a convenient height, there may be arranged a foldable support (not shown) at the outer end portion 142. In the unfolded position, the inner end portion of the bench may be arranged at approximately the same height as the outer end portion. In the unfolded position, the bench may be transformable to a seat comprising a horizontal seating support and a substantially vertical back support. When the bench is in a state where it is transformed to a seat, it cannot be locked in the folded position by the first safety device, however, any attempts to fold the bench will be restricted by the second security device. Thus, before putting the bench it the folded position, the back support should be folded and made parallel with the seating support.

The bench 140 of the shown example further comprises an adjustable pivot member 144 furnished with leg rolls 146 and arranged at the outer end portion of the bench 140. When the bench 140 is folded, the pivot member may be positioned such that the leg rolls are adjacent to the side of the bench 140 that is not facing the frame structure 110.

In the non-limiting example of Fig. 1, the frame structure 110 may comprise two vertically arranged slide bars 113. A weight stack (not shown) may be located between the slide bars and is at opposite sides of its perimeter arranged to slidingly engage the slide bars 113. An upper portion of the frame 110 structure may comprise an upper transverse bar 114 between the slide bars and/or an overhead bar 116 protruding from the transverse bar 114. A lower portion 112 of the frame structure 110 may comprise a frame support 115 for safe upright positioning of the frame structure on a floor. The frame structure 110 and the bench 140 may be so arranged that the bench 140, in its folded position, has the end at the outer end portion 142 adjacent to the overhead bar 116. In the shown example, the first safety device 130 is arranged in the overhead bar 116.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the upper portion 142 of the frame structure 110 and the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140 near the folded position. The upper portion 111 of the frame comprises the overhead bar 116 where the first safety device 130 is arranged.

The safety device 130 comprises a locking part 132, which, in the shown example, is a piston-like member, for example a bolt, plunger or cylinder, protruding downwards from the overhead bar 116 in a direction parallel to the frame 110, i.e. towards the lower end portion 112 of the frame 110. The piston-like member may be safely arranged to the overhead bar 116 so that it in an idle position protrudes maximal with a predetermined portion of the piston-like member 132. The piston-like member 132 further may be e.g. spring loaded and have a chamfered end portion comprising a locking surface 135 and an inclined guiding surface 133 facing the bench 140. When the bench 140 is being folded, a portion of or a part at the outer end portion 142 strikes and engages the inclined guiding surface 133. In the shown example of fig.2, it is the pivot member 144 of the bench 140 that engages the piston-like member 132. However, in alternative embodiments, it may be the outermost portion or end of the bench itself that engages the piston-like member 132. In further embodiments it may be a gripping part (not shown) arranged at the outer end of the bench that engages the piston-like member 132. Near the folded position, the pivotal movement of the bench 140 will be mainly horizontally oriented, however, when the outer bench end 142 presses against the -inclined guiding surface 133, part of the horizontal force transforms to a vertically oriented force pressing the piston-like member 132 upwards. During further movement of the bench 140, the piston-like member 132 slides on the surface of the outer bench end 142, here the pivot member 144, until the outer end portion 142 allows the piston-like member 132 to move down again and lock the bench 140 in the folded position. To allow a user to move the piston-like member 132 upwards and release the bench 140, the first safety device 130 may also comprise a lever 134 connected to the piston-like member 132.

Fig. 3a is a side view substantially corresponding to Fig. 2, but where dotted lines show hidden details. In the shown example, the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140 is not in contact with the first safety device 130 and the spring loaded piston-like member 132 protrudes maximal from the overhead bar 116 with the inclined guiding surface 133 facing the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140. The opposite end of the piston-like member 132 is located inside the overhead bar 116, where there also is arranged a spring 136. In an idle position, when the piston-like member is not engaging the outer end portion of the bench 140, the piston-like member 132 is pressed down by gravitational force. In one embodiment, the spring 136 is also biased in the idle position so as to provide an additional spring force pressing the piston-like member downwards.

Fig. 3b shows the same parts as in Fig. 3a, but in a situation when the outer bench end 142 has pressed the piston-like member upwards and further loaded the spring. In this situation, the piston-like member 132 is pressing down on the surface of the pivot member 144 by force from the loaded spring 136 and/or from gravity.

When the pivotal movement causes the bench 140 end to move, the piston-like member 133 may be slidingly engaging the surface of the pivot member 144. In the shown example, there is formed a recess, or a hole, 145 in the pivot member 144 at the outer bench end 142. The recess 145 may be adapted to fit the piston-like member 132. When the piston-like member reaches the recess 145 due to pivotal movement of the bench 140, the down pressing force causes the piston-like member 132 to move down into the recess 145.

Fig. 3c shows the same parts as in Fig. 3a and 3b, but in a situation where the piston-like member 132 is positioned in the recess 145. In this situation, unfolding movement is prevented by the locking surface 135 of the piston-like member 132.

The lever 134 is pivotally arranged at the overhead bar 116 and is connected to the inner end portion of the piston-like member 132 inside the overhead bar 116. By manipulating the lever 134, a user can move the piston- like member upwards from the recess 145, compressing the spring, and then move the outer end portion 142 to unfold the bench 140. For example, the user may use one hand to manipulate the lever 134, while the other hand supports unfolding of the bench 140.

In the shown example of Fig. 3c, the lever 134 is arranged at a side portion of the overhead bar 116. Pulling the lever 132 down and perpendicular to, and towards, the frame structure 110, i.e. down and to the left in Fig. 3c, releases the bench 140 from its locked position. Typically the lever may be placed near the rest of the first safety device, as shown in the shown example, but may also be placed at a larger distance. For example, the lever 134 may be arranged at other locations at the upper portion 111 of the frame 140 where it is accessible by a user, such as at the transverse bar 114, or at other locations on the overhead bar 116, e.g. its underside.

It should be noted that in other embodiments, the first safety means 130 may be placed at other locations at the upper portion 111 of the frame 110, for example in the transverse bar 114 or in other parts or portions located and/or arranged at the upper portion 111.

Further, in alternative embodiments, there is no recess 145, instead the locking surface 135 engages with some other part or portion at the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140, such as a projection, a protruding part or portion, or with any surface at the outer end portion 142 which by the folding movement may be positioned between the locking surface 135 and the frame structure 110, for example the pivot member 144.

Also, instead of the pivot member 144, the piston- like member 132 may, in a similar manner as described above, be arranged to engage other parts or portions at the outer end portion 142 of the bench 140, such as the foldable support, the seat support or any other part or portion extending from the sides and/or from the upper side or underside of the bench 140.

A person skilled in the art realizes that the invention by no means is limited to the above described embodiments. On the contrary, several alternatives are possible, some of which has been indicated in the foregoing. Such and other obvious modifications must be considered to be within the scope of the invention, as it is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible training apparatus (IQO), comprising a stationary frame structure (110) adapted to be upright positioned, said frame structure (110) having an upper portion (111) and a lower portion (112) ; and a foldable bench (140) having a proximal portion (141) and a distal portion (142), said proximal portion (141) being pivotally arranged at said lower portion (112) of the frame structure (110) for pivotal movement of the bench (140) between a folded position substantially parallel to said frame (110) and an unfolded position, substantially perpendicular to said frame (110); c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n a first safety device (130) at said upper portion (111) of the frame structure (110) , which safety device (130) is integrated with said upper portion (111) and arranged to engage said distal portion (142) of the bench when the bench (140) is in the folded position.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety device (130) is arranged to automatically lock the bench (140) to the frame structure

(110) when the bench is being pivoted to the folded position.

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first safety device (130) is arranged to engage the distal portion (142) of the bench (140) by a movement of a locking part (132) in a direction substantially parallel to the frame structure (110) .

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, further comprising biasing means for biasing the locking part substantially downwardly.

5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, wherein the locking part (132) comprises an inclined guiding portion (133) arranged to engage the distal portion (142) of the bench (140) and cause the locking part to move substantially upwardly.

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second integrated safety device (150) at said lower portion (112) of the frame structure (110), arranged to restrict uncontrolled unfolding movement of the bench (140) .

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second integrated safety device (150) comprises a damper (151) having one end attached to the lower portion (112) of the frame (110) and the other end attached to the proximal portion (141) of the bench (140) .

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are two separate movement dampers (151) attached at opposite lateral sides of the bench (140) and at opposite lateral sides of the frame (110) .

9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first safety device (130) further comprises a lever (134) arranged to be manipulated by a single hand of a user in order to release the bench (140) from the folded position.