FOLDABLE SLIDING BELT GYMNASTIC MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable sliding belt gymnastic machine.

[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns a machine of the above kind, designed and manufactured to automatically close.

[0003] In the following, the description will be directed to a gymnastic machine with a folding sliding belt, but it is clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

[0004] As is well known, there are machines to perform gymnastic exercises in gyms, sports centers or medical rehabilitation centers, equipped with a walking or running sliding belt.

[0005] These machines, also known as walkers, runners, treadmill or tapis roulant, essentially comprise a base structure and a dashboard integrated in a support structure, connected to the base structure by means of two uprights.

[0006] The dashboard comprises a control panel for managing the functionalities of the machine by means of controls.

[0007] Uprights connect the dashboard to the base structure and comprise gripping handles or supports for the upper limbs of a user while performing the exercise.

[0008] The base structure comprises a support frame, a board that is a supporting base of a running belt, on which the user performs the walk or the run.

[0009] The base structure also comprises two rollers coupled to the frame, one front and one rear, put in rotation by a motor, on which said belt runs, realizing a closed circuit.

[0010] The existing treadmill gymnastic machines can be fixed or closable. Generally sizable walkers installed in public environments (e.g., gyms and the like) are fixed; instead, those intended for domestic use are often closable, so as to reduce the space occupied when they are not used.

[0011] Currently closable walkers are equipped with means of manual closing. Therefore, the closure of such machines according to the prior art involves considerable effort for the user.

[0012] There are also known automatic locking systems, which are nevertheless very bulky and are usually external devices to be coupled to machines to be closed. Therefore, the user is forced to move members often rather heavy and couple them to the machine, which is often rather complex and, in the end, impractical.

[0013] In light of the above, it is, therefore, object of the present invention providing a sliding belt gymnastic machine capable of closing automatically, which is structurally simple and easy to use for a user.

[0014] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a gymnastic machine of the type having a sliding belt comprising a base structure, having a frame, on which a closed circuit sliding belt is installed for gymnastic exercises, a supporting structure rotatably coupled with said base structure, characterized in that said gymnastic machine comprises a closing and moving group, comprising a trolley, rotatably coupled with said frame of said base structure, capable to assume a first position, corresponding to the opening position of said gymnastic machine, wherein said trolley is substantially parallel to said base structure, and a second position, corresponding to the closing position of said gymnastic machine, wherein said trolley is rotated with respect to said base structure, so as to lift and rotate it with respect to said supporting structure, arranging close to it; and actuator means, capable to allow the moving of said trolley from said first position to said second position and vice versa.

[0015] Further according to the invention, said base structure comprises a covering carter of said frame, which has a front portion provided with an abutment surface, on which said sliding belt gymnastic machine abuts when it is in said closing position, and in that during the transition from said opening position to said closing position, said base structure and said supporting structure move relatively to each other, so that the barycenter of said gymnastic machine describes a locus of points, whose vertical projections fall within said abutment surface or close to the same.

[0016] Preferably according to the invention, said actuator means comprise a nut screw coupled with said trolley, and a lead nut engaged with said nut screw.

[0017] Still according to the invention, said trolley comprises a first and a second supporting bar, substantially parallel arranged, on each one of said first and second supporting bar a guide is obtained, a first and a second sliding pin, each sliding in one respective of said guides of said first and second supporting bar and a coupling and rotating bar, rotatably coupled with said frame, said first and second supporting bar being fixed to said coupling and rotating bar, said nut screw has an end fixed to said coupling and rotating bar, and said first and second sliding pin are fixed to said lead nut.

[0018] Further according to the invention, said actuator means also comprise a motor member, to operate said nut screw.

[0019] Preferably according to the invention, said closing and moving group comprises a first couple of supporting arms, wherein each arm of said first couple of supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with said frame and a second end rotatably coupled with one respective of said first and second sliding pin.

[0020] Still according to the invention, said closing and handling group comprises a second couple of supporting arms, wherein one arm of said second couple of supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with said supporting structure and a second end coupled with said coupling and rotating bar, by a crank.

[0021] Further according to the invention, said frame comprises a couple of longitudinal side members on which said sliding belt is installed, and said supporting structure comprises a couple of uprights parallel arranged and rotatably coupled with one respective longitudinal side member of said frame.

[0022] Preferably according to the invention, each of said couple of longitudinal side members is provided with a recess to partially or entirely accommodate respectively each arm of said second couple of supporting arms, during the closing of said gymnastic machine.

[0023] Still according to the invention, each one of said longitudinal side members has a respective through slot, and each one of said uprights comprises a first coupling pin, rotatably coupled with the respective longitudinal side member, and a second coupling pin, slidingly coupled with a respective through slot of each of said longitudinal side members.

[0024] Further according to the invention, each arm of said second couple of supporting arms has a first end rotatably coupled with one respective of said first and second uprights by one respective pin of said second coupling pins.

[0025] Preferably according to the invention, said gymnastic machine comprises two lifting wheels fixed to said frame, to lift said base structure when said gymnastic machine is operating, comprises rollers fixed to said first and second supporting bar, and being placed on said two lifting wheels and said rollers during the transition from said opening position to said closing position.

[0041] In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, it is observed the sliding belt gymnastic machine 1 according to the present invention.

[0043] The gymnastic machine 1 essentially comprises a base structure 2 that is placed on a floor, a support structure 3 and a closing and moving group 4, arranged below said base structure 2, suitable to close automatically the gymnastic machine 1, by arranging said base structure 2 and the support structure 3 overlapped and in a substantially vertical position.

[0044] Said base structure 2 comprises a frame 21, having a first 211 and a second 212 longitudinal side members, a plurality of supporting feet 213 and two plates 214, each integral with a respective first 211 and second 212 side member. Said base structure 2 also comprises a table (not shown in the figures) arranged in said frame 21 between said first 211 and second 212 side members and a belt 22, sliding in a closed circuit on said table, put in motion by a pair of motorized rollers 23. The user can perform gymnastic exercise on said sliding belt 22.

[0045] Said base structure 2 also comprises a covering carter 24, which covers said frame 21 and has, in particular, the front portion 25 provided with a supporting surface 25′, which operation will be better described hereinafter. In addition, close to said support surface 25′ may be present two other wheels (not shown in the figures) on said covering carter 24, useful for the handling the exercise machine 1 when closed.

[0046] Finally, said base structure 2 comprises known two lifting wheels 26, fixed to said frame 21, for lifting said base structure 2 when the gymnastic machine 1 is operating and said sliding belt 22 is sliding to carry out an exercise, simulating a climb.

[0047] Said support structure 3 comprises a first 31 and a second 32 upright arranged parallel and rotatably coupled with said frame 21 of said base structure 2, in particular, on the front portion of said base structure 2.

[0048] FIGS. 4a and 4b, in particular, show, respectively, the rotatably coupling of said first 31 and second 32 upright to the respective first 211 and second 212 side member of said frame 21 of said base structure 2. In particular, said first side member 211 has, in correspondence with an end of said first upright 31, a through slot 215, while said first upright 31 comprises a first coupling pin 311, rotatably coupled with said first side member 211, and a second coupling pin 311′, slidingly coupled with said through slot 215.

[0049] Similarly, said second side member 212 has, in correspondence of the coupling to one end of said second upright 32, a respective through slot 215, while said second upright 32 comprises a respective first coupling pin 321, rotatably coupled with said second side member 212, and a respective second coupling pin 321′, slidably coupled with the respective through slot 215.

[0050] The reciprocal excursion of the movement of said first 31 and second 32 upright and said first 211 and second 212 side member is delimited by said through slots 215, obtained on said first 211 and second 212 side member. In this way, said support structure 3 and said base structure 2 can mutually rotate according to the arrow A, so as to overlap one on the other.

[0051] Between said first 31 and second 32 upright a dashboard 34 is arranged, on which a display or a touch screen monitor and the controls for the operation of the gymnastic machine 1 are generally provided.

[0052] Two handles or handrails 33 are each coupled to a respective one of said first 31 and second 32 upright, to allow the user to stably lean to said gymnastic machine 1 during the gymnastic exercise.

[0053] Said closing and moving group 4, arranged below to said base structure 2, so as to be located between said frame 21 and the floor, on which said gymnastic machine 1 is supported, comprises a trolley 41 and actuating means 42.

[0054] Said trolley 41 comprises a first 411 and a second 412 support bar, on each of which a guide is formed, indicated respectively with the first 411′ and second 412′ guide. On each of said first 411′ and second 412′ guide a respective sliding pin is slidable, indicated with first 411′ and second 412″ sliding pin, which function will be better defined in the following.

[0055] Said trolley 41 is also provided with rolling members or wheels 413, fixed to said first 411 and second 412 support bar.

[0056] Said trolley 41 also comprises a coupling and rotating bar 414, to which said first 411 and second 412 support bar are fixed. Said coupling and rotating bar 414 is rotatably coupled with said plates 214 of said frame 21 by means of brackets 415. In this way, said trolley 41 is capable to rotate relative to said frame 21 around said coupling and rotating bar 414, assuming a first position, in which it is arranged substantially parallel to said base structure 2, in which the gymnastic machine 1 is open, and a second position, in which said base structure 2 and the support structure 3 mutually rotate, arranging side by side, in which the gymnastic machine 1 is closed.

[0057] Said actuator means 42 comprise a nut screw 421, coupled with said trolley 41, having in particular one end fixed to said coupling and rotating bar 414, and a lead nut 422, engaged with said nut screw 421, to which said first 411′ and second 412″ sliding pin are fixed.

[0058] Said actuator means 42 also comprise a motor member 423, for the actuation of said nut screw 421.

[0059] Said closing and moving group 4 also comprises a first 43 and a second 44 couple of supporting arms. Each arm of said first couple of supporting arms 43 has a first end rotatably coupled with a respective first 211 or second 212 side member of said frame 21, and a second end rotatably coupled with a respective first 411″ or second 412″ sliding pin.

[0060] Instead, each arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44 has a first end rotatably coupled with respective one of said first 31 and second 32 upright by means of a respective pin of said first couple of pins 311′ or 321′, and a second end coupled with said coupling and rotating bar 414, by means of a crank 45.

[0061] Said first 211 and second 212 side member of said frame 21 have a cavity for partially or entirely housing respectively each arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44 during the closing of the gymnastic machine 1, in order to reduce the dimensions of the gymnastic machine 1 itself.

[0062] The operation of the sliding belt gymnastic machine 1 described above is as follows.

[0063] FIGS. 1-5 described above show the gymnastic machine 1 in open position. Automatic closing of said gymnastic machine 1 can be implemented with a control of the dashboard 34 or preferably by a remote control.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, which show the gymnastic machine 1 in an intermediate position between the opening and the closing ones, when the automatic closure of said gymnastic machine 1 is started, said motor member 423 rotates said nut screw 421. Said lead nut 422, engaged in said nut screw 421, slides in the direction of the arrow B, parallel to said first 411 and second 412 support bar of said trolley 41, being it constrained to slide along said first 411′ and second 412′ guide by means of said first 411′ and second 412″ sliding pin. In this way, said trolley 41 is spread apart with respect to said base structure 2, gradually passing from said first open position to said second closed position, lifting it from the floor according to the arrow C, sliding on said wheels 413.

[0065] At the same time, each of said first 211 and second 212 side member rotates relative to the respective first 31 and second 32 upright of said supporting structure 3. In particular, with reference to FIG. 4a, said first side member 211 rotates about said first coupling pin 311, while said second coupling pin 311′ slides on said through slot 215. The same kinematics applies to FIG. 4b.

[0066] Said crank 45 allows said first 43 and second 44 couples of supporting arms to rotate with respect to said coupling and rotating bar 414. Each arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44 causes the movement of the respective second coupling pin 311′ and 321′. Said second coupling pin 311′ and 321′, being each constrained to slide on the respective through slot 215, rotate said first 31 and second 32 uprights towards said base structure 2, while the same is lifting, thus moving by relative motion one (said base structure 2) with respect to the other (said first 31 and second 32 upright).

[0067] In this way, while said base structure 2 is lifted from the floor, an effect is obtained for which the center of gravity of the gymnastic machine 1 tends to describe a locus of points, whose vertical projections fall on said supporting surface 25′ or close to it. Therefore, the weight of the gymnastic machine 1 is always balanced during the transition from said open position to said closed position.

[0068] This rotation, in order to limit any risk of overturning of the gymnastic machine 1, is partly compensated by the rotation of said crank 45, which by rotating aligns each to the respective supporting arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44.

[0069] When both said nut screw 422 (approaching said coupling and rotating bar 414) and said second coupling pin 311′ of said first upright 31, and the respective pin of said second upright 32, arrive at the stroke end, said base structure 2 is in contact with, or close to said dashboard 34, arranging between said handles or handrails 33, as it is seen in FIGS. 9a-11, and each arm of said second couple of supporting arms 44 arranges within the cavities of the respective first 211 and second 212 side member.

[0070] In this configuration, the sliding belt gymnastic machine 1 is closed and can be stored.

[0071] Moreover, the gymnastic machine 1 can also be blocked, with a suitable control, in said intermediate position (see FIGS. 6a-8), before said support surface 25′ of said covering carter 24 touches the floor surface. This makes the handling of the gymnastic machine 1 itself by a user simple and safe, by means of said lifting wheels 26 and said wheels 413 of said trolley 41.

[0072] In closed position the gymnastic machine 1 occupies a little space and can be easily moved and stored.

[0073] As is obvious from the above description, an advantage of the foldable sliding belt gymnastic machine according to the present invention is that it can be automatically closed simply by operating a control located on said dashboard 34.

[0074] Another advantage of the gymnastic machine according to the invention is that it can be closed in an optimal way without any risk of overturning.

[0075] A further advantage of the gymnastic machine according to the invention is to allow the movement of the gymnastic machine itself by reducing every effort.

[0076] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.