EP0337955A2

EP0337955A2 - Combined gymnastic pedal implement

Info

Publication number: EP0337955A2
Application number: EP89830047A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Teodoro Carnielli
Original assignee: Teodoro Carnielli & C SpA
Current assignee: Teodoro Carnielli & C SpA
Priority date: 1988-04-15
Filing date: 1989-02-09
Publication date: 1989-10-18
Also published as: IT8885554A0; EP0337955A3; IT1221343B

Abstract

The combined gymnastic pedal implement comprises a bearing framework (1), constructed as a bicycle frame and rotatable supporting a pair of pedals (3) which drive, by means of a kinematic chain, a flywheel (7) for exercising the legs of the user, and a massaging band (14) to be removably arranged on a portion of the trunk of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combined gymnastic pedal implement.
So-called room bicycles are already known, which are used for performing physical exercises and which substantially comprise a bicycle frame-like supporting framework mounted on a stable base structure.
Such a room bicycle usually includes pedal members to be operated by the user to drive a flywheel member usually arranged at the rear of the framework of the implement under the saddle thereof.
While this type of gymnastic implement is particularly efficient for exercising the user legs, it does not provide the possibility of exercising other muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the main object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawback by providing such a combined gymnastic pedal implement which, in addition to exercising the user legs, also affords the possibility of exercising other muscles of the user body.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a combined gymnastic pedal implement which is very simple construction-wise.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a combined gymnastic pedal implement which is very reliable in operation and can be constructed, at a comparatively low cost, starting from easily commercially available elements and materials.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a combined gymnastic pedal implement, characterized in that said implement comprises a bearing framework, of substantially bicycle frame shape, which rotatably supports a pair of pedals adapted to simultaneously drive, by means of a kinematic chain, a flywheel member for exercising a user legs and a massaging band to be removably arranged on a portion of said user trunk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a combined gymnastic pedal implement, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of the combined gymnastic pedal implement according to the present invention;
and
Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view illustrating the means for driving a massaging band associated with the subject combined gymnastic pedal implement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the combined gymnastic pedal implement according to the invention, comprises a framework, indicated overally at the reference number 1, which supports a saddle 2 for receiving the user thereon.
The framework 1, which substantially consists of a bicycle frame, rotatably supports a pair of pedals 3 operatively coupled to a ring gear 4 which, through a first belt, or the like element 5, drives a rear pulley 6 rigid with a flywheel member 7 arranged under the saddle 2.
At the front portion of the framework 1 there is provided a fixed handle-bar 8.
A main feature of the present invention is that the pedals 3, in addition to driving the fly wheel member 7, simultaneously also drive, through a kinematic mechanism or chain, which will be disclosed in a more detailed way hereinafter, a massaging band 14.
According to the subject preferred embodiment, the kinematic mechanism or chain consists of a small shaft 9 which is supported at one end of a bar member 10 rigid with the framework 1, preferably at the saddle upright.
More specifically, said small shaft 9 is preferably arranged at a rearwardly displaced position from said saddle 2.
At the axial end portions of the small shaft 9, there are rigidly keyed wheels 11 one of which is provided with a groove therein there is engaged a second belt 12 driven by a pulley which is coaxial and rigid with the mentioned flywheel member 7.
On each wheel 11 there is affixed an eccentric pin 13, and the pins 13 of the two wheels 11 are arranged at diametrically opposite positions.
To said pins 13 there are affixed the end portions of a massaging band 14, which is provided with buttons 15 adapted to adjust the useful lenght of said massaging band, by mutually associating the two portions of said massaging band so as to encompass the body of the user at the lower region of his/her trunk.
In this connection, it should be apparent that as the user locates said massaging band or belt about his/her waist, as is shown in Figure 2, and starts to pedal, there is generated a transversal reciprocating movement effective to massage the ventral parts of the user.
It should be also apparent that the button members 13 can be replaced by other equivalent elements such as, for example, the commercially available strip material known with the tradename of Velcro; moreover, the belts can also be made of a resilient material.
Thus, by operating the pedals, the legs of the user will be efficiently exercised and, in the meanwhile, the user's abdomen and ventral parts will be advantageously simultaneously massaged.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended objects.
While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope and spirit of the appended Claims.

Claims

1. A combined gymnastic pedal implement comprising a bearing framework (1), substantially of bicycle frame shape, rotatably supporting a pair of pedals (3) adapted to simultaneously drive, by means of a kinematic chain, a flywheel (7), for exercising a user legs and a massaging band (4) to be removably arranged on a portion of said user trunk.

2. A combined gymnastic pedal implement according to Claim 1, characterized in that said kinematic chain comprises a ring gear (4) rigid with said pedals (3) and driving, through a first belt (5), a rear pulley (6)rigid with said flywheel member (7).

3. An implement according to Claim 1, wherein said kinematic chain comprises a second belt driven from a pulley rigid with said flywheel member (7) and in turn driving a small shaft (9) at the end portions of which there are fixedly keyed wheel members (11) operatively coupled to said massaging band (14).

4. An implement according to Claim 3, characterized in that said small shaft (9) is arranged rearwardly from a saddle member (2) fixed to said framework (1), said small shaft being supported by a bar member (10) extending from said saddle (2) upright.

5. An implement according to Claim 3, wherein to said wheel members (11) there are coupled eccentric pins (13) in turn associated with the end portions of said massaging band (14).

6. An implement according to Claim 5, wherein said eccentric pins (13) are arranged at diametrically opposite positions.

7. An implement according to Claim 1, characterized in that said massaging band (14) is provided with closure means (15) for adjusting the length of said massaging band.

8. An implement according to Claim 7, wherein said closure means (15) of said massaging band (14) consists of button members (15).