EP3229927B1 - Self-supporting muscle-building device which is convertible between a storage position and a use position - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment for the practice of sport. More specifically, the invention relates to the design of a weight training device, and more particularly to the type body weight training apparatus.

Physical training aims to improve a person's physical performance. Traditionally, for the practice of bodybuilding, weight machines have been developed to allow a person to perform specific exercises. These exercises can be of the type "isolation exercise", to isolate muscle groups, or be of the "polyarticular exercise" type, allowing to work at the same time or sequentially a whole muscle chain. As an example of polyarticular exercise, there are tractions that can develop the muscles of the back and arms.

Thus, for the practice of bodybuilding and in view of a global and harmonious work of all muscle groups, it is necessary to diversify the training and perform different exercises.

To achieve such training, the prior art offers various devices that can perform one or more exercises. These devices have the disadvantage of requiring a spacious space because of the multiplication of the number of devices dedicated to exercises.

To answer this problem, complete and versatile devices have been designed, bringing together in one device the majority of bodybuilding exercises allowed by the most common bodybuilding equipment.

This type of device nevertheless requires a large space, dedicated to its use. Even if elements can be mounted movably above to be folded or stored, this type of device generally has the disadvantage of monopolizing the space where it is installed after use.

Weight machines with a wide variety of exercises can be sold in stores in disassembled form and stored in transport cartons. Because of the weight of these devices, they are packaged in several boxes of transport, which however each remain relatively heavy and difficult to carry. In addition, these devices include screwed tubular structures that are not designed to be disassembled once assembled and are not easily moved because of their weight.

We also know the weight machines for the general public and intended to be used at home. They are sometimes designed to be foldable for easy storage. However, no or few devices of this type do not reconcile exercise versatility and reduced size.

In addition, the development of personal coaching at home entails a need for equipment of this type that can combine exercise versatility, reduced size but also can be transported, set up and stored, easily and quickly.

Several exercise benches have been proposed by the prior art, and in particular by the patent documents published under the numbers US2013 / 324383 , US2008 / 161162 , US-5,961,430 , US-7,488,277 , US2011 / 190103 , US2004 / 124680 and CN-202 161 737 . However, these solutions do not meet the expectations mentioned above.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a weight training device for a wide variety of exercises.

The invention also aims to provide such a device whose footprint is low and easy transportability.

The invention also aims to provide such a device whose implementation and storage operations are simple to perform.

• l'appareil est convertible entre au moins une position d'utilisation et une position de rangement ;
• dans une position d'utilisation, les pans latéraux sont dépliés en côté du pan central pour former une structure autoportante ;
• dans la position de rangement les pans latéraux sont repliés en regard du pan central ;
• la partie de base comporte un élément de verrouillage de la position des pans latéraux par rapport au pan central dans la position d'utilisation de l'appareil pour sécuriser la structure autoportante.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved by means of the invention, which relates to a weight training device intended to present weight training accessories as defined in claim 1. The apparatus for weight training having a base portion having a central panel and two side panels on either side of the central panel, the two side panels being pivotally mounted relative to the central panel, so that:

• the apparatus is convertible between at least one use position and a storage position;
• in a position of use, the side panels are unfolded on the side of the central panel to form a self-supporting structure;
• in the storage position the side panels are folded facing the central panel;
• the base portion comprises a locking element of the position of the side panels with respect to the central panel in the position of use of the apparatus for securing the self-supporting structure.

According to a particular embodiment, the weight training device according to the invention is of the body weight training apparatus type.

The weight training device according to the invention thus makes it possible to reconcile a wide variety of exercises (for example, of the type of traction, bar repulsion (or "dips"), etc.), a small footprint and easy transportability of the body. device in storage position.

Indeed, as will be explained in more detail later, the weight machine has at least two positions allowing it to be particularly suitable for use in a domestic setting, especially in a housing where a space dedicated to bodybuilding does not exist.

Such an apparatus according to the invention has particularly advantageous characteristics for the practice of bodybuilding in collective spaces. Indeed, this device can for example be used for group lessons when performing different exercises and then quickly converted to its storage position by course participants to free the exercise room.

By "central panel" is meant a solid or perforated element positioned centrally in the base part. As illustrated by the mode of preferred embodiment described below, the central panel is formed, for example and not exclusively, by a metal frame. The central panel may also include one or more panels assembled together while remaining within the scope of the invention.

By "side panels" is meant in particular, for example and by analogy to the central panel, a metal frame, a frame or one or more panels assembled together.

Furthermore, a weight training device according to the invention allows, in the use position, to have multiple bodybuilding accessories located at different heights. These bodybuilding accessories can be stable support points (bars, handles, elbow rests, etc.) or unstable gripping elements (rope, elastic, etc.). For example, the locking member can be a weight-training accessory by providing stable support points.

Thus, thanks to the apparatus according to the invention in use position, a wide variety of exercises can be performed. In addition, when the device is in its storage position, all of its elements are folded over each other and the device thus has a particularly small footprint and is easily transportable.

The locking member avoids changes in position of the side panels vis-à-vis the central panel when a user of the device is undergoing a weight training exercise.

• dans une position d'utilisation, la partie supérieure est située au-dessus de la partie de base ;
• dans la position de rangement, la partie supérieure et la partie de base de l'appareil sont amenées et maintenues en regard l'une de l'autre.

This locking element also secures the base portion in its self-supporting position. According to the invention, the weight training device has an upper part, and:

• in a position of use, the upper part is situated above the base part;
• in the storage position, the upper part and the base part of the apparatus are brought and held opposite one another.

By the expression "brought and kept facing each other" is meant that the base part and the upper part are arranged facing each other in the immediate vicinity of one another, or that the one of the parts is disposed against the other part and the parts are held in position, or one of the parts is inserted and held in position within the other part.

This upper part makes it possible to increase the number of exercises that can be performed by means of the weight training device according to the invention while not increasing the amount of space occupied by the weight training device in its storage position.

• étant parallèles et contiguës (ou quasiment) au pan central dans la position de rangement de l'appareil ;
• s'étendant écartées du pan central en direction des pans latéraux dans une position d'utilisation de l'appareil.

According to an advantageous solution, the locking element comprises two movable branches relative to the central pan according to the positions of the apparatus, the branches:

• being parallel and contiguous (or almost) to the central pan in the storage position of the apparatus;
• extending away from the central panel towards the side panels in a position of use of the apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking element takes the form of a mobile U relative to the central panel in a pivot connection.

The locking element thus produced makes it possible to secure the position of the side panels with respect to the central panel while being adapted to the apparatus so as to occupy as little space as possible in the storage position of the apparatus. Such a locking element also has the advantage of having a reduced weight, allowing the device to be more easily transportable.

The branches of the U may be divergent from each other. In this way, the spacing between the branches is variable along these branches and allows a user to find the positioning that allows him to perform an exercise in the most appropriate way to his morphology when said locking element is used as a bodybuilding accessory.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the upper part comprises a central panel and two lateral panels pivotally mounted relative to the central panel, the side panels of the upper part being unfolded on the side of the central panel of the upper part to form a self-supporting structure in a position of use of the device.

The upper part thus designed has the advantage, being itself self-supporting, to give the weight machine other positions of use thus increasing the variety of weight training exercises achievable by means of the invention.

For example, for a particular exercise, it is possible to dissociate the upper portion of the base portion to provide raised support points for both the upper body but also for the lower body.

Advantageously, in a position of use, the side panels of the upper part and the base part have assembly means to be joined together to form a single self-supporting structure.

The unique freestanding structure allows for exercises requiring, for example, points of support located in height whose stability is enhanced. Indeed, the bodybuilding apparatus according to the invention thus produced has increased stability.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking element is situated in the vicinity of the upper end of the central panel of the base part and forms the assembly means of the side panels of the upper part and of the base part. of the device in the position of use.

By combining the locking element and the assembly means, the total weight of the structure is reduced as well as its size thus making it possible to improve its transportability in the storage position.

Preferably, the side panels comprise a plurality of pairs of holes positioned in correspondence on each side panel to receive a pull bar in a substantially horizontal position.

The invention thus constituted makes it possible to increase the number of workout exercises that can be performed.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the central part of the base part and / or the central part of the upper part and / or the locking element have a tubular structure.

According to this characteristic and as explained above, the weight training device in the storage position is more easily transportable, in particular by reducing the overall weight of the device and by reducing its size.

According to a preferred feature, the side panels of the base portion and / or the upper portion have notches intended to allow the passage of a user's arms when the latter seeks to perform exercises requiring a wide grip.

In addition, in combination with the position of the bodybuilding accessories (bars, holes, etc.), these indentations make it possible to optimize the distribution of the stresses exerted on the structure of the bodybuilding apparatus during the execution of the exercises by an user. This optimization of the stresses is reflected in particular by a limitation of the forces exerted on the central sections, which in particular makes it possible to lighten the structure of the weight training apparatus and to make it more easily transportable in the storage position.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the weight training apparatus comprises a belt which is brought and held facing the base part or the upper part of the apparatus in the storage position, the belt being intended to be arranged in front of the body. central and between the side panels of the base part of the device in the position of use.

The integration of such a mat to a convertible weight training device makes it possible to offer an overall attractive system for a user who will not need, in particular, to buy and store another exercise mat.

In addition, such a mat can help contain the elements of the weight machine in their position when said apparatus is in a position of storage. In particular, the mat can make it possible to maintain the drawbar or bars contained inside the apparatus.

Finally, the carpet can improve the overall appearance of the weight training device in storage position by obscuring, at least on one side, the various stored elements that make up the device.

• les figure 1 et 2 sont des représentations schématiques de l'appareil de musculation selon l'invention, respectivement dans une position d'utilisation et dans la position de rangement ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des représentations schématiques de l'appareil de musculation de l'appareil de musculation dans une position d'utilisation selon respectivement une vue latéral et une vue de face ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématique d'une position d'utilisation possible de l'appareil de musculation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique de la partie de base de l'appareil de musculation selon l'invention, avec le tapis amené et maintenu en regard de la partie de base.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

• the figure 1 and 2 are schematic representations of the weight training apparatus according to the invention, respectively in a position of use and in the storage position;
• the Figures 3 and 4 are schematic representations of the weight training apparatus of the weight training apparatus in a use position according to a side view and a front view, respectively;
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation of a position of possible use of the weight training apparatus according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a schematic representation of the base portion of the weight training apparatus according to the invention, with the belt brought and maintained facing the base part.

As shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , the weight training device 1 according to the invention is convertible between at least one position of use ( figure 1 ) and a storage position ( figure 2 ).

With reference to figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 , the weight training device 1 has a base portion 3.

According to figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 , the base portion comprises a central panel 30 and two side panels 31 on either side of the central panel. The two side panels of the base portion are pivotally mounted relative to the central panel so that they can move from an unfolded position to the side of the central panel ( figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 ) to a collapsed position from the central panel ( figure 2 ). The connection between central panel and side panel is obtained by means of lower hinges 300.

Thus, the apparatus is convertible between a position of use of the apparatus, in which the side panels are unfolded at the side of the central panel and form a self-supporting structure, and a storage position in which the side panels are folded facing from the central pan.

According to figures 1 , 3 and 4 the bodybuilding apparatus 1 also has an upper part 2. According to this embodiment, in the storage position of the apparatus, the upper part and the base part are brought and held facing one of the other.

For example and as illustrated by the figure 2 in the storage position the upper part and the base part are positioned parallel and adjacent to each other (face to face) so as to minimize the size of the apparatus.

As it appears on the figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 , the base portion comprises a locking element 4 of the position of the side panels relative to the central panel in the position of use of the device. This locking element 4 thus makes it possible to secure the self-supporting structure in a position of use.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated by the drawings, the locking element 4 comprises two branches 40 movable relative to the central panel according to the positions of the device.

Indeed, the branches are essentially parallel and contiguous to the central part of the base part in the storage position of the device ( figure 2 ). In the position of use of the apparatus, the branches 40 extend apart from the central panel towards the side panels ( figures 1 , 3 , 5 and 6 ). These branches can form parallel bars type bodybuilding accessories. Advantageously, these branches are slightly divergent to provide the user, as explained above, a variable spacing from one end to the other of the branches.

The locking element 4 illustrated on the Figures 1 and 2 in particular takes the form of a U, movable relative to the central pan in a pivot connection, in particular by means of intermediate hinges 301.

Following the figures 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 , the upper part 2 comprises a central panel 20 and two side panels 21 pivotally mounted relative to the central panel, in particular by means of upper hinges 200. In a position of use, the side panels of the upper part 2 are unfolded on the side from the central pan of the upper part to form a self-supporting structure ( figure 5 ).

According to the present embodiment, the side panels of the upper part and the base part have assembly means 5 to be joined together and thus form a single self-supporting structure.

• un système d'attache inférieur 52 situé à l'extrémité supérieure des pans latéraux 31 de la partie de base ;
• un système d'attache supérieur 51 situé à l'extrémité inférieure des pans latéraux 21 de la partie supérieure ;

As shown in the figures, the locking element 4 is located in the vicinity of the upper end of the central panel of the base portion. The locking element 4 forms the assembly means of the side panels of the upper part and the base part of the apparatus in the position of use. The locking element thus comprises on each branch a section capable of being secured to:

• a lower attachment system 52 located at the upper end of the side panels 31 of the base portion;
• an upper attachment system 51 located at the lower end of the side panels 21 of the upper part;

The fastening systems consist for example clamp-type systems and / or hooks that can dock on a tubular section of the locking element and can achieve, at the same time, a connection by interlocking between the fastening system lower and the upper attachment system.

Furthermore, the side panels of the base portion and the upper portion comprise a plurality of pairs of holes 6 positioned in correspondence on each pan to receive a pull bar 7 in a substantially horizontal position.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the central panel of the base part, the central panel of the upper part and the locking element have a tubular structure.

The figure 5 represents a position of use of the bodybuilding apparatus. We find the base part and the upper part positioned opposite each other so as to allow the realization of weight training exercises by proposing different combinations of use of the bodybuilding accessories.

It is noted that, as it is clear from the figure 5 , The side panels 31, 21 have notches 9. This shape of the side panels allows a user to be placed between the side panels and to pass the arms in the indentations to fetch a side outside of the side panels.

As illustrated by figure 6 , the weight training device comprises a belt 8. This belt is brought and maintained facing the base portion and / or the upper part of the device in storage position.

In the position of use of the weight training device the belt is intended to be arranged in front of the central panel and between the side panels of the base part 3.

To convert the weight machine from a use position to its storage position, a user can proceed as described below.

In a first step, the mobile weight training accessories are disassociated (in particular the traction bar or bars) and, for example, stored or attached to the central panel 31 of the base part. The side panels 21 of the upper part are then detached from the side panels 31 of the base part (separation of the side panels 21 of the assembly means 5 formed by the locking element 4), then said side panels 21 of the part upper are folded facing the central panel 20 of the upper part. That is, the side panels 21 are folded over each other and over the central panel 20 in a substantially parallel arrangement.

In a second step, the upper part thus folded is then brought facing the base part 3. More specifically, the upper part is positioned inside the unfolded base part so that the upper part is arranged. essentially parallel to the central part of the base part. Once the upper part 2 is positioned, the locking element 4 is detached from the side panels 31 of the base part and folded facing the base part (ie inside the base part, so that that the branches 40 are substantially in the vicinity and parallel to the central panel 30 of the base part, then the side panels 31 of the base part are folded facing the central panel, on the upper part which is thus maintained opposite the base part, that is to say that the upper part is maintained substantially parallel to the base part and / or contained within the base part as illustrated by the figure 2 .

Finally, the belt 8 is brought and held opposite the base portion and / or the upper part of the apparatus in the storage position as illustrated by FIG. figure 6 .

Thus, it is understood that the weight training device in its storage position is compact and easily transportable.

Claims (9)

1. Muscle-building device (1) intended to have muscle-building accessories, the muscle-building device having a base portion (3) comprising a central section (30) and two side sections (31) on either side of the central section, the two side sections being mounted so as to pivot relative to the central section, in such a way that:

   - the device is convertible between at least one use position and a storage position;

   - in a use position, the side sections are unfolded beside the central section so as to form a self-supporting structure;

   - in the storage position the side sections are folded opposite the central section;

   - the base portion (3) comprises a locking element (4) of the position of the side sections relative to the central section in the use position of the device for securing the self-supporting structure,

   characterised in that it presents an upper portion (2), and in that:

   - in a use position, the upper portion is located above the base portion (3);

   - in the storage position, the upper portion and the base portion of the device are brought and maintained opposite one another.
2. Muscle-building device according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper portion (2) comprises a central section (20) and two side sections (21) mounted so as to pivot relative to the central section (20),
   and in that in a use position of the device, the side sections of the upper portion are unfolded beside the central section of the upper portion so as to form a self-supporting structure.
3. Muscle-building device according to claim 2, characterised in that in a use position the side sections (21, 31) of the upper portion and of the base portion have assembly means (5) in order to be secured between them so as to form a single self-supporting structure.
4. Muscle-building device according to claim 3, characterised in that the locking element (4) is located in the vicinity of the upper end of the central section (30) of the base portion (3) and in that the locking element forms the assembly means (5) of the side sections (21, 31) of the upper portion and of the base portion of the device in use position.
5. Muscle-building device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the central section of the base portion and/or the central section of the upper portion and/or the locking element have a tubular structure.
6. Muscle-building device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a mat (8) which is brought and maintained opposite the base portion or the upper portion of the device in storage position, the mat being intended to be arranged in front of the central section and between the side sections of the base portion of the device in use position.
7. Muscle-building device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the locking element (4) comprises two branches (40) that are mobile relative to the central section according to the positions of the device, the branches:

   - being parallel to and contiguous with the central section in the storage position of the device;

   - extending separated from the central section in the direction of the side sections in a use position of the device.
8. Muscle-building device according to claim 7, characterised in that the locking element (4) has the shape of a U that is mobile relative to the central section (30) according to a pivot connection.
9. Muscle-building device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the side sections (21, 31) comprise a plurality of pairs of holes (6) positioned in correspondence on each pan in order to receive a traction bar (7) in a substantially horizontal position.

Images