Adjustment device for a training machine

The present invention relates to an adjustment device (2) for a training machine (1), especially a triceps extension or a biceps curl, for strengthen training and rehabilitation, having an arm or elbow rest member (50, 51) and pivotably connected handles (23, 24) are provided on each side of a seat (17). Furthermore, the arm or elbow rest members (50, 51) as well as the handles (23, 24) are provided at the lower ends of at both sides of the seat arranged arms (18, 19) pivotably suspended at a position at the top of the training machine (1). Moreover, the adjustment device (2) includes control element (41, 42, 48, 49) for laterally adjusting the positions of the arms and in turn also the arm or elbow rest members (18, 19) as well as the handles (23, 24).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to an adjustment device for a training machine, especially a triceps extension or a biceps curl, for strengthen training and rehabilitation of the kind which is defined in the pre-characterising portion of claim1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The training machine known as triceps extension has handles which are to be gripped by the user when exercising. The general triceps extension machine has a weight stack with weights whereas the user selects a weight package to be lifted, normally consisting of a selected number of weights from the top of the package. The selected weights are then lifted by means of a non-elastic wire or belt when the user draws the handles of the machine towards his body.

Such a triceps extension machine is, e.g., disclosed in US 2002/0198087 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,467. These known triceps extension machines do not take the body structure of the user in consideration, i.e., the width across the shoulders is varying from person to person so that when a weight package of a weight stack is lifted or lowered, the user often must bend wrist or elbow to be able to perform the exercise.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device for a training machine of the type mentioned above which sets aside the above mentioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by means of an adjustment device for a training machine having the characteristics defined in the characterising portion of claim1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been given the characteristics which are apparent in the sub claims.

When a person lowers and lifts a selected number of weights of a weight package, the person performing the exercise can adjust the position of the handles laterally, which makes the exercise movement more comfortable and does not end in injuries due to unnatural bending stresses.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

InFIGS. 1-7a preferred embodiment of a training machine1, especially a triceps extension, for strength training and rehabilitation with an adjustment device2according to the invention is shown. The machine1consists of two main sections, viz., a training section3and a weight section4which are fixed connected to each other by means of horizontal beams5,6and7which are fixed to the machine. The weight stack section4has an inner substantially rectangular frame portion8, which is turnably journalled in pivot pins (not shown). The frame portion8supports the weight stack9and is tiltable from a vertical position as is best seen inFIG. 1to an inclined position shown with broken lines at8ainFIG. 1. By changing the inclination of the frame the load can be altered for the user as is disclosed in my PCT-patent application WO 2007/037755. The beams5,6and7as well as the beams10,11,12,13and14comprised in the frame construction of the training machine1, which portions are fixed connected to each other, are advantageously welded to each other to achieve a solid construction, which shall be able to stand high loads concerning pull and press loads as well as vibrations. Base plates15are fixed to the lowest beams1011,12, and14under the machine1, said plates being provided with bolt holes16for fixing the machine1to a floor or the like.

The training section3comprises a seat17for the user to rest on while exercising, two journally mounted arms18and19turnably connected at18aand19a, respectively, at the top of the machine to an arcuately formed top beam20which is attached to the top of the beam10, preferably by welding. Non-elastic wire or belts21and22, preferably made by the material Kevlar®, are each fixed to pivotable handles23and24over pulleys25and26. The belts21,22are lead from the handles23,24around further pulleys27,28,28avia an equalization device (not shown) to a transmission device29.

The transmission device has a disc30which is fixed to a shaft31. At the other end of the shaft31a similar disc32is fixed to a further non-elastic wire or belt33, preferably made by the material Kevlar®, which is led over not shown pulleys to the weight stack8. The discs30,32are journalled in bearings in brackets34and35which are fixed to the frame12,14of the machine1.

The adjustment device2according to the invention is best shown inFIGS. 4-7and comprises a central link36(seFIG. 7) which is turnably attached to the frame beam10at the centre thereof. Link arms37and38are connected at one end to the each end of the central link36and at the opposite ends at arcuate arms39and40which in turn are rigidly fixed to the arms18and19, respectively. A T-formed handle member41is spring-loaded mounted in a tube42which is rigidly connected to the central link36via a member43. An adjustment scale holder45having a substantial U-form is bolted to the frame beam10at46and47so that it astrides over the link36. At a central portion of the holder45a substantially U-formed scale bracket48is fixed having three holes49in an arcuate central portion thereof. The holes49are so situated that each of them represent a lateral position of the arms18and19when the tip of the T-formed handle member41protruding out of the tube42, as the spring thereof is released, is introduced into a selected hole. In the drawings, three different positions for the lateral positioning of the arms are shown, but it is evident that the number of positions of the arms can be other within the scope of the claims.

A user of the machine1, before be seated on the seat chooses the lateral position of the arms18and19which is best apt to his body structure by means of the handle member41. The user will then get a comfortable lateral distance between his arm elbows resting on pads50and51so that he can perform his exercise without bending elbows or wrists. Reference number49denotes a selection device to select a desired group of weights of the weight stack8to be lifted.

Instead of the T-formed handle member41the adjustment device2according to the invention could be provided with any other kind of adjustable control means, as, e.g., a knob (not shown) fixed to the central link36and having a push bottom which when pressed provides that a pin inside the knob is disengaged from one of the holes in a scale on a member which is fixed to the frame, each hole constituting an adjustable set position of the laterally pivotably arms18and19. When the knob is turned and the push button is released the pin is provided to enter another one of the position holes in the scale.

Reference number52denotes shields, preferably made of transparent plastic mounted around the weight section4to protect the user or other persons from injuries due to the movement of the frame portion8and the weight stack9.

Although one embodiment is disclosed in the description and drawings, the training machine according to the invention can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.