Patent ID: 7001312

Claim:
A damping support device for an exercise apparatus, in which the apparatus comprises a user interface moving part and a fixed support member, the moving part performing movements, towards or away from the fixed support member, correlated with the exchange of forces between the user and the apparatus; the device comprising supporting means with at least one elastic element positioned between the moving part and the fixed support member; means for damping the movements of the moving part relative to the support member; wherein the damping means of the device comprise at least one magnetic actuator with a first moving component integral with the moving part of the apparatus, and a second fixed component, integral with the support member; either the first component or the second component of the actuator having an electroconductive element designed to be the seat of an electromotive force, the other component comprising a permanent magnet and a non-permanent magnet, connected to one another in such a way as to form at least one air gap designed to radiate a magnetic field passing through the electroconductive element; electrical energizing of the electroconductive element producing a reactive magnetic force which, when applied to the moving part of the first component and of the second component, counteracts its translation in the direction of the movements of the moving part of the apparatus.