Patent Description:
One of the most practised sporting disciplines in the last decades, both at amateur and competitive level, is the weight lifting performed in lying position on an exercise bench. In particular, the position for performing the lifting provides that the subject's torso is supported on the bench in supine position, whereas the lower limbs are folded laterally to the bench itself, so that the feet result to be rested upon the walking plane and can support the body in the exercise effort and in guaranteeing stability and power during execution.

This discipline is performed even by disable athletes and it is recognized by CONI as Paralympic specialty. It is exerted, in particular, by subjects without mobility of the lower limbs, for example due to partial or total paralysis, or unilateral, bilateral, trans-tibial and trans-femoral amputation. For the above-mentioned use cases, the assumption of the above-mentioned standard posture which provides to place the lower limbs resting laterally is not practicable or however it appears to be not effective in providing a safe and adequate support during exercise. For this reason, dedicated benches were developed, which are larger and longer than those usually available in the workout gyms, so as to allow resting in a lying position not only the torso, but even the complete pelvis and the lower limbs. The execution of the exercise on the above-mentioned dedicated bench, or with a body wholly lying in supine position, is practised also by able-bodied athletes, as complementary to the classical execution, so as to cause different stimula and muscle activation, so as to guarantee a performance progression.

However, since it is a not standard tool, and however reserved to a specific target of athletes, it generally results to be very expensive and, even as a consequence of this, not very widespread. Such circumstances prevent most parathletes from training in the common gyms. The parathletes then have to address to specialized structures, not very widespread on both national and International territory (with particular reference to the developing countries where all the more reason the costs to be supported become prohibitive), or to use extemporaneous and improvised supports inadequate to the purpose which expose them to high risk of injury, not being able to guarantee an adequate stability and safety in the exercise execution.

<CIT> describes a polyfunctional exerciser for weight lifting, which can be used to perform exercises identified as "power hip exercise", "power leg exercise" and "hack squat exercise", corresponding to different postures of the athlete with respect to the equipment itself.

The machine described in this document comprises a frame defined by crossbeams and uprights, whereon a weight support is applied sliding along two counter-lateral oblique guides. The equipment further includes an extractable bench which comprises two lateral portions for supporting the athlete's back and an extractable central portion, apart from a head support.

<CIT> does not describe an adapter device of an exercise bench having two lateral portions and a central platform defining a "U"- or "C"-like shaped unitary supporting surface. Moreover, the head supporting surface of <CIT> is not suitable to receive as rest the lower limbs.

Moreover, the equipment of <CIT> does not configure as adapter, but as independent machinery for the exercise of the lower limbs. Such machinery, if used in the mode providing lying supine on the resting plane, support only the torso so as to be able to perform exercises related to the lower limbs by pressing on a plate constrained to sliding tracks whereon the load is positioned.

The technical problem placed and solved by the present invention is then to obviate the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art.

Such problem is solved by an adapter device according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the depending claims.

The invention provides an adapter device suitable to be used with a common flat and in case reclinable weight lifting bench, which enlarges and lengthen the resting surface thereof available for supporting the sportsman's body, in particular at the level of torso, pelvis and lower limbs, by guaranteeing an effective execution in total safety.

In particular, the adapter device of the invention is configured to be arranged side by side to an exercise bench having a supporting upper surface with substantially rectangular plan, by integrating the extension thereof, in particular both width and length. This is obtained by means of longitudinal and transverse auxiliary supporting surfaces which define as a whole a "U"-like profile at least partially circumscribed on three sides to the "standard" bench. Such auxiliary surfaces are indeed arranged laterally both on the long side of the bench and on the short side farer from the application of the work load by means of barbell, handlebars, elastic bands or cables provided in performing the exercise, that is at the lower limbs.

The adapter device of the invention is suitable to a simple implementation and low costs, giving the possibility to all parathletes to train in all gyms providing a weight or fitness activity, by avoiding barriers of any type and by guaranteeing the athlete safety. The proposed device allows a training with comfort and safety, for any injury involving the lower limbs or the pelvis.

The device is suitable to be used both in amateur and competitive field, by guaranteeing in particular the approach of disabled people to sport and fitness in a perspective of well-being and daily independence, by promoting at the same time inclusion and aggregation. In the paralympic field, the device makes sport of Paralympic bench usable on wide scale.

Other advantages, features and use modes of the present invention will result evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, shown by way of example and not with limitative purpose.

The figures of the enclosed drawings will be referred to, wherein:.

Various embodiments and variants of the invention will be described hereinafter, and this with reference to the above-mentioned figures.

Analogous components are designated in the different figures with the same numeral reference.

In the following detailed description, additional embodiments and variants with respect to embodiments and variants already treated in the same description will be illustrated limitedly to the differences with respect to what already illustrated.

Moreover, the different embodiments and variants described hereinafter are subject to be used in combination.

By firstly referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an adapter device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated as a whole with <NUM>.

The device <NUM> is configured to be used in association with an exercise bench, the latter designated with P, for weight lifting. In particular, such bench, as it is known in the art, has a supporting surface S configured to receive part of the body of a sporting subject in a lying position, typically supine position, as exemplified in particular in <FIG>. The supporting surface S typically has, a plan rectangular profile. For the bench P then two directions, orthogonal to each other, can be defined defining the position of the subject who uses the bench itself, that is a longitudinal direction L corresponding to the height of the lying subject and to the long sides of the bench and a transverse direction T corresponding to the width of the subject's body and to the short sides of the bench itself.

In said lying position, the subject lifts a barbell M carrying weights at the ends, as it is known in the art.

The adapter device <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> and elevation means <NUM> to keep the main body itself in elevation with respect to a walking plane.

The main body <NUM> is formed by a first and a second lateral arm, respectively <NUM> and <NUM>, mainly extending according to the longitudinal direction L and spaced transversely from each other. The arms <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to arrange, in use, each one externally placed side by side to a respective longitudinal lateral edge, or long side, of the exercise bench, preferably extending for a portion of the length thereof. Such arms <NUM> and <NUM> define longitudinal appendixes of a main platform <NUM> of the main body2 itself. The latter mainly extends according to the longitudinal and transverse directions L and T and it is configured to arrange, in use, side by side to an end transverse edge of the exercise bench, or short side thereof.

Each arm <NUM> and <NUM> extends starting from the main platform <NUM> with a respective external longitudinal longitudinally aligned, or substantially aligned, with a corresponding external longitudinal edge of the platform <NUM>. In this way, the bench P inserts in the longitudinal direction between the arms <NUM>, <NUM> and abuts at an internal transverse edge of the platform <NUM>.

The main body <NUM>, and in particular the arms <NUM> and <NUM> and the platform <NUM>, define a supporting surface <NUM> of the subject's body, which, thanks to the overall arrangement of the arms <NUM>, <NUM> and of the platform <NUM>, is substantially "U"-or "C"-like shaped. In particular, in <FIG> the portion of such surface defined by the platform <NUM> is designated with <NUM> and the portions defined by the arms <NUM> and <NUM> with <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

In use, the supporting surface <NUM> receives as rest a lateral part of the subject's torso at the lateral arms <NUM> and <NUM> and the lower limbs of the latter, for their whole extension, at the platform <NUM>, as exemplified in <FIG>.

The main body <NUM> is advantageously implemented in two layers of material, vertically placed side by side, in particular a first ergonomic layer <NUM> interacting with the subject's body, in particular made of sponge with leather coating, foam rubber, neoprene or other natural or synthetic material, and a second structural layer <NUM>, in particular made of wood or metal, for example steel.

In embodiment variants an additional coating made of anti-slipping material (for example eco-leather) can be used to avoid damages to the padding during use and to define the external aspect.

Generally, the upper portion of the arms and of the platform defines a supporting, that is resting, floor for the body of the athlete who performs the exercise.

The arms <NUM> and <NUM> and the platform <NUM> can be implemented integral or in-built to each other or, as in the herein described embodiments, jointed mutually to allow folding the adapter device.

The elevation means <NUM>, as said, keeps the supporting surface <NUM> at vertical distance, that is elevated, with respect to the walking plane and substantially vertically side by side to the bench surface S, that is substantially at the same level of the latter. In the present example, the means <NUM> comprises four supporting legs or uprights, designated respectively with references <NUM> to <NUM>. The uprights <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged transversely spaced apart and longitudinally aligned, each one under a respective arm <NUM>, <NUM>. The uprights <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged longitudinally spaced apart from the respective uprights <NUM> and <NUM> and transversely spaced apart from each other, under the platform <NUM>.

The elevation means <NUM> can be too made of metal, in particular made of steel. Embodiment variants can provide a different number of uprights, for example equal to five or six.

In the present embodiment example, the device <NUM> even comprises transportation means, for example in the form of gripping means such as lateral handles <NUM> and <NUM>. The latter are arranged, in the represented example, aligned at longitudinal edges of the platform <NUM>.

Preferably, the device <NUM> comprises means for stabilizing the subject's body, in particular one or more transverse belts <NUM> configured to wound pelvis and/or lower limbs. Advantageously, the belt(s) <NUM> can slide in longitudinal slots obtained below the main body <NUM>, the latter exemplified in <FIG> as a pair of slots associated each one to a respective arm <NUM>, <NUM> and herein designated with <NUM> and <NUM>.

By referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, based upon a preferred embodiment variant the main body <NUM> has an adjustable longitudinal extension, in particular at the level of the platform <NUM>. The latter has an appendix <NUM> selectively extractable indeed in the longitudinal direction by means of a pin and shaped guide system <NUM> known on itself and schematically represented in the above-mentioned figures.

Still by referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, based upon a preferred embodiment variant the elevation means <NUM> has adjustable height, in particular by means of a telescopic construction.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the device <NUM> is foldable, at the level of the main body <NUM> and/or of the elevation means <NUM>.

In particular, also with reference to <FIG>s and <FIG>, the uprights <NUM>-<NUM> can be each one revolvingly connected to the main body <NUM> so as to be able to assume a folded configuration, or having minimum encumbrance, below the main body <NUM> itself, in which the upright extends in the longitudinal direction.

Moreover, the main body <NUM> can be foldable at a connection between each arm <NUM> and <NUM> and the platform <NUM>. Such connection is shown purely schematically and by pure way of example in the drawings, its implementation being within the comprehension of the person skilled in the art.

In this way, the device <NUM> can assume one or more configurations having minimum encumbrance, for example for storage or transportation, exemplified in the views of <FIG>.

An embodiment variant can provide a system for anchoring between the two portions of the device when this is closing, so as to avoid the adaptor opening during transportation when it is under the condition of having minimum encumbrance.

By pure way of example, in specific embodiments the device <NUM> can have overall longitudinal length of about <NUM>, extendable as far as about <NUM>.

The platform <NUM> can have overall width equal to about <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> can have thickness equal to about <NUM>, for example with an ergonomic layer <NUM> of about <NUM> and a structural layer <NUM> of about <NUM>.

Each arm <NUM>, <NUM> can have transverse width equal to about <NUM>.

The height of the resting surface <NUM> from ground can be of about <NUM>, which can be lifted up to about <NUM>.

An additional embodiment of the adapter device according to the invention will be now described with reference to <FIG>. The description will mainly relate to the variants or integrations with respect to what illustrated above.

By firstly referring to <FIG>, the adapter device of the present preferred embodiment of the invention is designated as a whole with <NUM>.

The device <NUM> is configured to be used in association with an exercise bench, analogously to what already exposed.

The adapter device <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> and elevation means <NUM> to keep the main body itself at a predetermined height with respect to a walking plane.

The main body <NUM> is formed by a first and a second lateral arm, respectively <NUM> and <NUM>, mainly extending according to the longitudinal direction L and spaced transversely from each other. The arms <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to arrange, in use, each one externally side by side to a respective longitudinal lateral edge, or long side, of the exercise bench, as already illustrated. Such arms <NUM> and <NUM> define longitudinal appendixes of a main platform <NUM> of the main body7 itself. The latter mainly extends according to the longitudinal and transverse directions L and T and it is configured to arrange, in use, side by side to an end transverse edge of the exercise bench, or short side thereof, still according to what already illustrated.

In use, the supporting surface <NUM> receives as rest a lateral part of the subject's torso at the lateral arms <NUM> and <NUM> and the lower limbs of the latter, for their whole extension, at the platform <NUM>, as already exemplified.

The surface <NUM> is then part of a supporting, or resting, floor for the body of the athlete defined by the arms <NUM> and <NUM> and by the platform <NUM>.

The implementation of the main body <NUM> as comprising two layers implementing a supporting floor for the athlete's body, herein designated with <NUM> and <NUM>, has been already illustrated with reference to the preceding embodiment.

Moreover, in the present embodiment the main body <NUM> further comprises a carrier frame, preferably made of metal, placed below said floor and designated with <NUM>. The frame <NUM> substantially defines the polygonal shape of the main body7 of the device <NUM> and advantageously it is implemented by means of a plurality of bars, crossbeams, tubes or metal profiles, as better visible in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In particular, based upon the embodiment example shown in said figures the frame <NUM> consists of three structures implemented with welded tubes made of aluminium. In the shown embodiment, it is possible to distinguish three structures, as illustrated hereinafter.

A first structure <NUM>, having greater sizes, is intended to the connection with the part of the previously mentioned supporting floor corresponding to the platform <NUM>. Apart from the peripheral tubular elements defining the encumbrance thereof, the structure <NUM> is further provided with additional two reinforcement, or stiffening, elements, longitudinal in the central portion, designated with <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal centre plane of the device <NUM>.

Two additional structures, generally identical and designated with <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal centre plane and each one corresponds to a respective portion of floor defined by the arms <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the main body <NUM> further comprises a central arm, or cushion, <NUM>, interposed between the two arms <NUM> and <NUM> and approached to the platform <NUM>. The central arm <NUM> has the same above-exemplified construction of the other elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the main body, but not frame elements <NUM> placed therebelow. The element <NUM> can have its own carrier framework, or small frame, <NUM>, preferably made of metal too.

In use, the element <NUM> interfaces with the bench end near the lumbar region and it can define a portion <NUM> of supporting surface.

In the present example, the elevation means <NUM> comprises five supporting legs or uprights, designated respectively with references <NUM> to <NUM>, each one revolvingly constrained to the frame <NUM> according to a transverse rotation axis and in particular parallel to the short side of the device <NUM>, that is of the bench used together therewith. The arrangement of the legs <NUM>-<NUM> is analogous to the one already described with reference to the preceding embodiment. The device <NUM> further comprises, as said, a fifth leg <NUM>, arranged at the platform <NUM> in longitudinally retracted position with respect to the periphery thereof and transversely centred. The leg <NUM> can be constrained to the two stiffening elements <NUM>, <NUM> arranged in the central portion of the structure <NUM>. The three legs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are then constrained to the first structure <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The two legs <NUM> and <NUM> are constrained each one to a respective structure <NUM>, <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

On each one of the structures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> additional connecting means can be provided, for example in form of seats or holes, for re-positioning the legs in case of specific assembly needs, for example linked to the configuration of the exercise bench. The proposed configuration for the elevation means <NUM> provides great stability to the structure of the device <NUM> as a whole.

As shown in greater detail in <FIG>, referred by way of example to the leg <NUM>, each leg <NUM>-<NUM> can be implemented by means of a pair of elongated elements substantially C-like shaped and mutually coupled. A first element <NUM> with a "C"-like profile has two elongated symmetrical slots, or guides, <NUM>, an upper pair of coaxial holes <NUM> and a series of compartments with circular, or shaped, profile <NUM> which extends as far as the edge of the component by creating a kind of indentation. A second element <NUM> has smaller sizes than those of the element <NUM>, so as to be able to be embedded inside the latter, in particular when the leg has to be folded below the frame <NUM>.

A third stirrup-like element <NUM> connecting to the frame <NUM> is further provided, associated to the first element <NUM> at and end thereof placed side by side, in use, to the frame itself. The element <NUM> too is provided with two coaxial holes <NUM> for the insertion of a pin which engages with the coaxial holes <NUM> of the element <NUM>. Such configuration implements the above-mentioned revolving (rotoidal) coupling which allows each leg to fold below the frame <NUM> for storage or transportation, as described shortly.

Each leg <NUM>-<NUM> has variable, that is adaptable, configuration. In particular, the side slots <NUM> allow a pin <NUM>, which engages with a pair of holes obtained on the element <NUM>, to slide inside thereof, by implementing a coupling with telescopic shape between the elements <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way it is possible to extend/shorten the leg. The indentation obtained on the element <NUM> instead engages with a high pin <NUM>, in turn integral to the element <NUM>. In this way it is possible to lock in position the two elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg at a wished extension. The indentation is created to guarantee discrete positioning, for example at ranges of <NUM>. This allows the athlete to adjust the height of the device <NUM> relatively to that of the bench in use.

Embodiment variants can provide a different shape coupling between the elongated elements <NUM> and <NUM> with the purpose of implementing the wished adjustability of height/length.

As shown in <FIG>, advantageously, the structure with discrete elements of the frame <NUM> and the relative sizes and configuration thereof and of each leg <NUM>-<NUM> allow the legs themselves to be folded below the frame <NUM> and to be received within the overall thickness of the latter, without projecting on the lower side. In other words, the folded legs are housed in residual compartments between the elements constituting the frame <NUM>, by positioning directly side by side on the floor defined by the platform <NUM> and by the arms <NUM> and <NUM>.

In this way, an effective optimization of encumbrances is implemented.

In order to keep the legs placed side by side to the elements <NUM>-<NUM> in the herein considered folded configuration, keeping means, for example of magnetic coupling type, can be provided.

Even in the present embodiment example, the device <NUM> comprises transportation means, for example in the form of gripping means such as in particular a lateral handle <NUM>, advantageously with ergonomic shape. The handle <NUM> is arranged, in the represented example, at an external transverse edge of the platform <NUM> and visible, for example, in <FIG> and <FIG>.

According to an already mentioned preferred embodiment variant, the device <NUM> is foldable, in order to be transported or placed in a configuration having minimum encumbrance, as exemplified in <FIG>. In particular, the arms <NUM> and <NUM> are revolvingly connected to the platform <NUM> at respective transverse edges placed side by side to the latter, according to a rotation axis parallel to the transverse direction itself. In particular, as better visible in <FIG>, <FIG>, the frame structure <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to the structure <NUM> by means of a hinge <NUM>. The latter can be implemented by means of a single transverse pin <NUM> which engages respective slots or seats of the above-mentioned structures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. On the same hinge <NUM> even the cushion <NUM> is revolvingly connected, with an analogous coupling of the pin <NUM> in respective slots or seats.

As it is better appreciated from <FIG>, said revolving connection between each structure <NUM> and <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is so as to allow a translation of the first ones in transverse direction, that is along the pin <NUM> itself. Preferably, such sliding connection even provides, for each structure <NUM>, <NUM>, the interposition of elastic contrast elements, in particular a pair of compression springs, one thereof designated by way of example with <NUM>, inserted on the pin itself and cooperating with corresponding flanges of the frame structures, one thereof designated by way of example with <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment variant, at each structure <NUM>, <NUM> a knob mechanism <NUM>, or an analogous adjustment element, is further provided, to determine a selective transverse approaching of the structures <NUM>, <NUM>, and then of the arms <NUM> and <NUM>, to the central cushion <NUM>, that is to allow to adjust the relative transverse position of each arm <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to the platform <NUM>. In this way, the distance between the arms <NUM> and <NUM> can be adapted to the width of the exercise bench which, in use, is interposed therebetween.

In the shown embodiment example, a knob <NUM> is tightened on a threaded pin <NUM> passing inside an element of the structure <NUM>, <NUM> and constrained to the supporting small frame <NUM>. Since the latter is not free to translate along the axis of the hinge <NUM>, it acts as reaction element when the knobs <NUM> are screwed by pushing the lateral structures <NUM>, <NUM> against the sides of the bench.

The springs <NUM> keep the arms <NUM> and <NUM> in spaced-apart position and with longitudinal edges aligned with those of the platform <NUM> when the device <NUM> is in folded position.

In the folded configuration shown in <FIG>, even in this case keeping means, for example of magnetic coupling type, between platform <NUM> and arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, can be provided.

Claim 1:
An adapter device (<NUM>), for use with an exercise bench (P) for weight lifting, the exercise bench having a bench surface (S) configured to support part of a body of an athlete in a lying position, defining a longitudinal direction (L) corresponding to an athlete's height and a transverse direction (T) corresponding to a width of the athlete's body, wherein the adapter device (<NUM>) comprises:
- a first (<NUM>) and a second (<NUM>) lateral arm, each one spaced transversely from each other and arranged externally side by side to a respective longitudinal edge of the exercise bench;
- a main platform (<NUM>), wherein said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) lateral arm and said main platform (<NUM>) define a supporting surface (<NUM>) for the athlete's body which is substantially "U" or "C" shaped;
- elevation means (<NUM>) of said supporting surface (<NUM>), configured to support said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) lateral arm and said main platform (<NUM>) in an elevated position with respect to a walking plane and substantially placed side by side to the bench surface,
wherein said supporting surface (<NUM>) is configured to receive as rest a lateral part of the athlete's torso at said first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) lateral arm and the lower limbs of the latter, in particular for their whole length, at said main platform (<NUM>),
and wherein said supporting surface (<NUM>) is substantially continuous.