WO2019202461A1

WO2019202461A1 - Workout unit

Info

Publication number: WO2019202461A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/053069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michela CITARELLI; Mattia FERRI
Original assignee: Jungle S.R.L.
Priority date: 2018-04-18
Filing date: 2019-04-15
Publication date: 2019-10-24
Also published as: IT201800004661A1

Abstract

A workout unit (1) comprising: a support base (2); a plurality of vertical uprights (3) emerging from said support base (2); a first group of horizontal beams (5) engaged at the top of said uprights (3) and arranged to define in mutual cooperation a first substantially polygonal path (A); a second group of horizontal beams (6) engaged at the top of said uprights (3) and arranged to define in mutual cooperation a second substantially polygonal path (B); a plurality of pieces of equipment (8), each defining a specific body exercise to be performed; said plurality of pieces of pieces of equipment (8) being engageable in a reversible manner to said beams (5, 6); said pieces of equipment (8) associated to the beams (5, 6) defining a predefined workout routine.

Description

WORKOUT UNIT

The present invention relates to a workout unit.

In particular, the present invention relates to a unit which provides a series of tools for a multitude of body exercises, in particular the bodyweight ones, all performable within the unit itself.

Therefore, the invention specifically falls under the field of sports activities and generally for personal physical training, as well as for recreational/training activity.

As is known, there is plenty of machines and tools for fitness, each of which is dedicated to a particular physical activity or sport.

For example, as part of the functional training and the bodyweight training, i.e. without using weights and without using training mechanisms based on restricted movement, there are fixed structures mostly consisting of frames for supporting the user’s exercises.

In particular, the frames can be comprised of two or more vertical uprights engaged to respective beams suitable for supporting in suspension the user, which can perform traction exercises with the arms, for example.

The frame may also be provided with suitable gripping accessories to allow the user to train in climbing, or other tools derived from artistic gymnastics and each specifically dedicated to a particular exercise.

A further example of a workout unit is the one used as part of calisthenics, or other similar disciplines which involve bodyweight exercises for strength and balance, or for physical therapy.

Such unit is constituted by a "castle" of uprights and beams having different heights and profiles in order to allow the user to perform a series of exercises, which can be differentiated depending on the level of athletic preparation.

The castle, indeed, allows traction exercises in which the user can climb at different heights from the ground based on his/her athletic abilities, or perform isometric exercises of different kinds. The workout units briefly described above, although used for different areas and disciplines, still have significant limitations and could be improved in many ways.

A first serious drawback consists in the lack of versatility of the known units, suitable for providing a series of exercises which are still very limited, though.

The "static" nature of the frames described above, which necessarily fixed to the ground for reasons of safety and structural stability, indeed, makes the frames themselves usable only for specific disciplines, not allowing to be modified in a versatile way and depending on the exercise to be performed.

That is, starting, for example, from a unit for tractions in suspension, such as the "castles" intended for calisthenic exercises, it is not possible to execute different exercises which are not specifically comprised in this discipline.

Such drawback is even more crucial for those facilities, such as fitness centres or sports centres, which must provide a wide range of possibilities in terms of type of workout.

In order to provide a greater versatility to its users, the sports centre must necessarily provide a multitude of units, each dedicated to a specific activity, with the resulting disadvantages in terms of costs of each unit and overall dimensions.

Such technical rigidity also results in a certain limitation to the type and quality of workout. In order to do a specific training dedicated to his/her athletic abilities, the user must indeed necessarily choose the most adequate unit in order to optimize and make his/her workout beneficial.

In this context, it is therefore difficult for the end user to be able to find the unit which best suits his/her physical needs.

Furthermore, the improper use of a unit designed for the execution of specific exercises could be detrimental and ineffective for the user’s workout. In this context, the technical aim of the present invention is to provide a workout unit not having the drawbacks mentioned above.

Notably, an object of the present invention is to provide a workout unit which is versatile and usable for a multitude of disciplines and for the execution of a wide variety of body exercises.

In greater detail, an object of the present invention is to provide a single unit which can be easily and quickly modified by the user itself and depending on the individual exercises comprised in a specific workout.

A further object of the present invention is to considerably expand the range of exercises that the user can perform, by means of a single unit able to give plenty of workout possibilities.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a single unit which is able to meet the needs, the ability, and the advancement routine that the user performs during the body exercise.

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a unit which is simple, with low costs and limited dimensions, and therefore usable in many facilities such as fitness centres or sports centres of various kinds. These and other objects are substantially achieved by a workout unit as described in one or more of the appended claims.

Dependent claims correspond to further embodiments of the unit according to the present invention.

Further characteristics and advantages will become more manifest from the detailed description of one preferred but non-limiting embodiment of a unit according to the present invention.

This description is provided with reference to the appended figures, also provided for merely exemplary and therefore non-limiting purposes, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective and front view of a first embodiment of the workout unit according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective and schematic view of a second embodiment of the unit with some parts removed to better illustrate others and according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the workout unit according to the invention and according to Figure 2; and

- Figures 4a - 4f are front and schematic views of respective pieces of workout equipment usable in the unit according to the present invention. With reference to the appended Figures, reference number 1 globally indicates a workout unit according to the present invention.

The unit comprises a support base 2, preferably having a square plan and from which a plurality of vertical uprights 3 emerges.

According to a first embodiment illustrated for merely exemplary and therefore non-limiting purposes in Figure 1 , the uprights 3 have a wavy configuration, reproducing substantially the shape of a "tree". In this case, each upright 3 is defined by a wavy axle, preferably made of wood and tapered toward the top.

Flowever, it should be specified that the upright 3 may have any shape depending on the various usage requirements. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 2 and 3, the uprights may have a parallelepiped shape with a rectangular plan.

Preferably, at least four supporting uprights 3 are provided, each of which is engaged substantially at the centre line of a respective side 2a of the base 2.

The base 2 is further provided with an associated mat 4 inside the area defined by the base 2. The mat 4 (shown only in Figure 1 ) is preferably made of yielding material in order to cushion any falls to the ground of the user.

The unit 1 further comprises a first group of horizontal beams 5 engaged at the top of the aforementioned uprights 3.

The beams 5 of the first group are arranged to define in mutual cooperation a first substantially polygonal path A. Likewise, a second group of horizontal beams 6 engaged at the top of the uprights 3 and arranged to define in mutual cooperation a second substantially polygonal path B is provided.

In greater detail, as is better illustrated in the schematic view of Figure 2, the aforementioned polygonal paths A and B have each a preferably square development. In this situation, for each group there are four beams 5, 6, each of which is arranged at one side of the aforementioned square path A, B.

Still, it should be noted that the first group of beams 5 is arranged inside the second group of beams 6 and lying on the same horizontal development plane.

In this situation, the first square path A is arranged rotated by 90° with respect to the second path B (Figure 1 and 2) in such a way that the corners of the first path A (conjunction of two beams 5) are placed at the centre line of each beam 6.

It should be noted that the second square path B is parallel to and above the square path defined by the base 2. Still, the first path A turns out to be above and inside the area defined by the base 2.

Advantageously, the unit 1 further comprises a third group of horizontal beams 7 engaged at least to the first group of beams 5 and arranged in the area within the first polygonal path A.

According to a first embodiment illustrated only by way of example in Figure 1 , the beams 7 of the third group are parallel to each other and extend from two opposite beams 5 of the first group.

In this case, the beams of the second group 7 are suitably spaced to cover homogeneously the area of the first square path A.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, by contrast, the beams 7 of the third group are arranged transversely one with respect to another defining a "cross" inside the first square path A.

In this case, indeed, each beam 7 extends from a corner of the first square path A to a respective central zone of the aforementioned square. Also in this case, the beams 7 are equally spaced from each other to cover and partition homogeneously the square area defined by the first path A.

However, it should be specified that the beams 7 of the third group can be in any number and arrangement depending on the size of the whole unit 1 or on the various usage requirements.

The unit 1 further comprises a plurality of pieces of equipment 8, each defining a specific body exercise to be performed.

As better clarified in the following, the pieces of equipment 8 are engageable in a reversible manner with the beams 5, 6, 7 of the first and / or second and / or third group. The location, type and number of pieces of equipment 8 determines a predefined workout routine which is selected by the user depending on the activity or the specific discipline to be performed.

Preferably, reversible hooking means (not described, nor shown in detail) of each piece of equipment 8 to the beams 5, 6, 7 are provided.

The hooking means make each piece of equipment 8 switchable between an engagement condition wherein they are associated to the beams 5, 6, 7 and supported in suspension by them, and a release condition wherein they are not associated to the beams 5, 6, 7.

For example, the hooking means can consist of tools such as hooks or snap-hooks associable to suitable metal slots formed in the beams. However, it should be specified that any type of means of reversible hooking may be employed, provided that it is structurally simple and easy to implement.

Each piece of equipment 8 comprises at least one elongated end portion

8a, made of flexible material and configured to be associated with reversible hooking means.

Preferably, all the materials used for the pieces of equipment 8 are natural materials, or possibly derived from recycled material.

Typically, each piece of equipment has the end portion 8a which, in use, is placed at the top and in the form of a rope. Each piece of equipment 8 can have a different conformation and be intended to determine a specific exercise. For example, the pieces of equipment 8 can comprise ropes (Figures 4a, 4b) with or without knots facilitating climbing, or can comprise trapezes (Figure 4e) and / or ladders (Figure 4f) and/or gym rings (Figure 4d) and / or traction bars and / or rope nets (Figure 4c).

Flowever, it should be specified that a piece of equipment may be of any kind depending on the various requirements, provided it is equipped with the aforementioned end 8a configured to be associated with the reversible hooking means.

In the appended Figures 4a to 4f, some pieces of equipment 8 are illustrated only by way of example. Also, in Figure 1 , the pieces of equipment 8 which can be used are illustrated only by way of example. These Figures show the pieces of equipment 8 only by way of example and are not intended as limitations to the number or kind of piece of equipment 8, and therefore of the exercise which can be implemented in the tool 1.

For example, the pieces of equipment 8 can be divided into three categories based on the purpose of use: pieces of equipment 8 for being stationary, for moving, for being suspended.

The pieces of equipment 8 for being stationary can be hung to the beams 5, 6, 7 and allow the user to stay in suspension and sit, rest his/her feet, to carry out balance exercises. Typically, these pieces of equipment 8 are the bars, the trapeze (Figure 4e) or the net (Figure 4c).

The pieces of equipment 8 for moving can be hung to the beams 5, 6, 7 and allow the user to stay in suspension and move freely from one piece of equipment 8 to the other along the entire area defined inside the unit 1. Typically, these pieces of equipment 8 are the rings (Figure 4d), the rope (Figure 4b), or the knotted rope (Figure 4a).

Finally, the pieces of equipment for being suspended are hung to the beams 5, 6, 7 and allow the user to hang with hands or feet using various gripping techniques in order to train strength and resistance. Typically, these pieces of equipment 8 are the stepladders (Figure 4f), the trapeze (Figure 4e), or the rings (Figure 4d).

These pieces of equipment 8, associable to the unit 1 , thus define respective workout procedures which can be differentiated depending on personal abilities, the physical capacity, the user’s age, and the respective discipline to be performed.

In addition to the foregoing, the unit 1 may further comprise an equipped wall 9 interposed between two uprights 3 and extending from the base 2 to at least one beam 5 of the first group.

The wall 9, which is provided only optionally, is preferably supported by auxiliary uprights 10, shown in the schematic views in Figure 2 and 3, arranged at a corner of the base 2 and at the second square path B defined by the beams 6 of the second group.

In particular, two auxiliary uprights 10, each of which is arranged at a respective side of the square path B and adjacent to the centre line uprights 3, are provided.

The wall 9 is anchored to the aforementioned auxiliary beams 10 with a respective surface 1 1 facing inward, i.e., toward the area defined between the uprights 3.

The surface 1 1 of the wall 9 has a series of gripping elements (not shown in detail) for sport climbing, which are therefore used to climb and descend vertically and to move horizontally along the wall 9 itself.

The unit 1 as described above can therefore be used to perform a multitude of exercises and to realize workout procedures, rather than dedicated workout routines based on the specific needs.

A sound or light emitter may be integrated into the unit to define appropriate sequences of timed workout routines according to said signals.

Advantageously, the unit 1 is extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of exercises. This allow the unit 1 to be potentially usable for any activity by means of the coupling of the suitable pieces of equipment 8.

Therefore, by acting on the reversible engagement of each piece of equipment 8, it is possible to choose the most appropriate piece of equipment and possibly easily and quickly replace it to carry out a different exercise.

Moreover, the presence of three groups of beams 5, 6, 7 allows a great versatility even in the position of each piece of equipment 8 which can be coupled in suspension inside the unit 1 and in any position.

Such advantage is particularly noticed in the training centres which require only a unit 1 and a series of pieces of equipment 8 to implement numerous disciplines, therefore saving the costs and spaces needed, by contrast, for adapting the known structures.

Furthermore, the unit 1 has no restriction in the type and quality of training. The user can indeed provide for a specific training dedicated to his/her athletic abilities, all performable within the single unit 1.

By using the unit 1 , any user can thus perform the activity which best suits his/her physical needs.

Finally, the particular aesthetic appearance of the unit 1 , which presents an environment similar to a "jungle", wherein lianas and trees are displayed in the uprights 3 and in the pieces of equipment 8, makes the unit 1 particularly ornamentally valuable and appreciable. In this context, also the respective disciplines performable in the unit 1 are all aimed at acquiring the primitive bodyweight abilities of climbing and displacing within a natural context such as that of the jungle.

Claims

1. Workout unit including:

- a support base (2);

- a plurality of vertical uprights (3) emerging from said support base (2);

- a first group of horizontal beams (5) engaged at the top of said uprights (3) and arranged to define in mutual cooperation a first substantially polygonal path (A);

- a second group of horizontal beams (6) engaged at the top of said uprights (3) and arranged to define in mutual cooperation a second substantially polygonal path (B);

- a plurality of pieces of equipment (8), each defining a specific body exercise to be performed;

characterized in that said plurality of pieces of equipment (8) can be reversibly engaged to said beams (5, 6), said equipment (8) associated with the beams (5, 6) defining a predefined workout routine.

2. Unit according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first and second polygonal paths (A, B) have a square conformation; said first group of beams (5) being arranged within the second group of beams (6) and lying on the same horizontal development plane.

3. Unit according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first square path (A) is arranged rotated by 90° with respect to the second path (B).

4. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a third group of horizontal beams (7) engaged at least to the first group of beams (5) and arranged in the area within the first polygonal path (A).

5. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises reversible hooking means of each piece of equipment (8) to the first, second or third group of beams (5, 6, 7); said pieces of equipment being switchable between an engaging condition with the hooking means, wherein they are associated with the beams (5, 6, 7) and supported in suspension therefrom, and a releasing condition from the hooking means, wherein they are not associated with the beams (5, 6, 7).

6. Unit according to the previous claim, characterized in that each piece of equipment (8) comprises at least one elongated end portion (8a) made of flexible material; said end portion (8a) being configured to be associated with reversible hooking means.

7. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said equipment (8) comprises a rope and/or a trapeze and/or a ladder and/or gym rings and/or a beam and/or a rope net.

8. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a mat (4) associated with the base (2) and made of yielding material to cushion falls to the ground.

9. Unit according to the previous claim, characterized in that said base (2) has a square conformation parallel to the second polygonal path (B).

10. Unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least four uprights (3) arranged at the corners of said first polygonal path (A) and at the centre line of one side of the second polygonal path (B) and of the base (2).

1 1. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an equipped wall (9) interposed between two uprights (3) and extending from the base (2) to at least one beam (5) of the first group.

12. Unit according to the previous claim, characterized in that said wall (9) has a surface (1 1 ) facing inwards an area defined by the uprights (3) and having a series of gripping elements for sport climbing.