GB2586999A

GB2586999A - A portable resistance training machine

Info

Publication number: GB2586999A
Application number: GB1913120.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aitchison Keith
Original assignee: Sportiactiv Ltd
Current assignee: Sportiactiv Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-11
Filing date: 2019-09-11
Publication date: 2021-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-11
Also published as: GB2586999B; GB201913120D0

Abstract

A portable resistance training machine comprising a base member 12, mast 18 which has an operative position and a stowed position which it is movable between, carriage 38 which is mountable at different positions along the length of the mast, cable means (fig 1, 50) attached to a resistance band (fig 1, 54). The base might have two base legs 14, 16 pivotally mounted to the base member 12 with an operative position with the legs splayed and a stowed position with them adjacent. The base legs might have wheels 24, 26 attached. The mast might be formed of a lower 20 and upper 22 section which can be pivotally connected together. A pulley 44 might be mounted to the lower end of the mast. A pulley 48 might be mounted to the base member. The resistance band might be releasably connected to the mast.

Description

A PORTABLE RESISTANCE TRAINING MACHINE

The present invention relates to a portable all body resistance training machine

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Regular physical activity is essential to the health and wellbeing of men and women of all ages. People use exercise to improve their body tone, lose weight, build strength and cardiovascular capability, recover from injury or simply for recreation. Resistance I 0 training, in which the body is used to move an object against a resisting force, is widely recognised as one of the most effective methods of achieving these aims.

The simplest method of resistance training is to lift weights, for example barbells and dumbbells. However, weightlifting can pose risks if not performed correctly, leading to joint problems, strained muscles, or damage to the spine. Weightlifting is particularly unsuited to people who are unused to exercise, frail or recovering from injury.

To address these problems, static equipment cable machines have been developed which utilise a metal frame supporting a system of pulleys, through which a cable passes and connects to a rack of weights on a vertical track. Cable machines provide a more controlled exercise motion, as the movement of the weight is constrained by the track. Additionally, the resistance is mediated by the pulley system, which provides for a smooth and fluid movement. Static equipment does however require valuable floorspace and often proves to be inconvenient when operating in restricted environments.

While some people choose to exercise regularly in a gym or fitness club, others may not have the time to travel to and from such a facility, or may not wish to pay for access to it. Additionally, some users, particularly women, the elderly and those who are less physically fit, may not wish to exercise in a public environment, preferring to do so in private. Some users may also prefer not to be constrained by the restricted opening hours of many gyms and fitness clubs Such users may therefore purchase their own health and fitness equipment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable exercise device which reduces or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a portable resistance training machine comprising a base for resting on the floor, a mast pivotally mounted to the base and movable between an operative position in which the mast extends vertically from the base and a stowed position in which the mast overlies the base, a carriage mounted to the mast, the carriage being mountable in different positions along the length of the mast, and cable means attached to a resistance band for providing a resistive force against movement of the cable through the carriage.

Advantageously, the mast can be moved from a vertical position on the base to a folded down position, where the mast overlies and is substantially parallel with the base. This reduces the overall size of the apparatus considerably, enabling it to be easily stored and transported.

The base may include a base member and first and second base legs pivotally mounted to the base member, the first and second base legs being movable between an operative position in which the base legs are splayed apart and a stowed position in which the base legs lie adjacent one another.

In the splayed, or open position, the base legs provide lateral stability to the training machine. Furthermore, a person training is able to stand between the base legs.

Wheels may be pivotally mounted to the distal ends of the respective first and second base legs. The wheels facilitate easy movement of the training machine, when in the stowed position, or even for adjusting the position of the machine in the operative position within a room.

A handle may be mounted to the base member for lifting one end of the portable resistance training machine, the other end resting on the wheels Advantageously, the wheels are clear of the ground when the machine is resting on the floor, but contact the ground when the handle is lifted, enabling straightforward movement of the machine on the wheels.

The mast may comprise a lower mast section and an upper mast section. The lower and upper mast sections may be pivotally connected together, enabling the mast to be folded substantially in half in the stowed position.

The ability to fold the mast substantially in half enables the mast to lie within the length of the base in the stowed position This reduces the space required for storage of the machine and also makes the machine easier to transport.

A plurality of through apertures may be disposed at different vertical positions along the length of the mast The carriage may extend around at least three sides of the mast, and may be locked in position at a selected height by a locking pin which passes through apertures in opposing sides of the carriage and a selected aperture on the mast.

This enables different exercises to be carried out and different muscles targeted. For example, a pull down exercise can be undertaken when the carriage is at the top of the mast, a row can be undertaken with the carriage substantially at a mid-point along the mast and a leg pull can be undertaken with the carriage at the lower end of the mast.

First and second pulleys may be mounted adjacent to one another on the carriage.

A pulley may be rotationally mounted at an upper end of the mast.

A through aperture may be disposed in a lower end of the mast, and a pulley may be mounted within the aperture A pulley may be mounted to the base.

A floating pulley block may be provided for attachment to the resistance band.

The floating pulley block may be suspended from an upper region of the mast by a resilient band.

The resilient band may be releasably connected to the mast and floating pulley block enabling changing of the resilient band for a band of different resilience.

A cable may extend through the carriage and is connected to a handle for resistance training, the cable being restrained by the floating pulley block and resilient band.

Resistance at the handle may be adjusted by changing the resilient band for a band of greater or lesser resilience.

Resilient bands are commonly available in a variety of resistances, for example in imperial measurements 61b to 151b and in metric measurements 2kg to 7kg, so that the resistance provided can be tailored to the needs of the user in a choice of options One end of the cable may be attached to one side of the carriage, the cable extending from said side of the carriage and directed around a pulley disposed at lower end of the mast, passing through the floating pulley block, around a pulley disposed on the base, around a pulley disposed at an upper end of the mast and back to the carriage. The cable allows the user to stretch the resilient bands by pulling.

In the operative position a cable may be attached to a lower side of the carriage disposed on a front side of the mast, may extend around a pulley disposed in a aperture in the lower end of the mast, may extend to a rear side of the mast upwardly and around a floating pulley block, may extend downwardly around a pulley mounted to the base, may extend upwardly around a pulley at the upper end of the mast, and downwardly to the front side of the mast around a pulley on the carriage, the floating pulley block being suspended from an upper region of the mast by a resilient band.

Resilient bands advantageously provide resistance without requiring significant weight, so that the exercise device is more portable

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows side view of a first embodiment of portable resistance training machine of the invention in an operative position; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the portable resistance training machine of Figure 1 in the operative position without cabling in situ; Figure 3 shows a plan view from above of a second embodiment of portable resistance training machine in the operative position without cabling in situ, and 1 5 Figure 4 shows a side view of the portable resistance training machine of Figures 1 and 2 in a stowed position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a portable all body resistance training machine is indicated generally at 10. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs mainly in the construction of the handle but otherwise has the same features as those of the other embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 show the training machine 10 is shown in an operative condition. Figure 4 shows the training machine 10 in its folded condition.

The machine 10 includes a base member 12, first and second base legs 14,16 and a mast 18 including a lower mast section 20 and an upper mast section 22. A plurality of pulleys are supported from the mast 18 and base member 12 for supporting a cable and resistance band arrangement as described in more detail below.

The base member 12 is substantially rectangular in cross section and a lower side of the base member 12 lies on the floor. The first and second base legs 14,16 are similarly of rectangular cross-section material, but of half the width of the base member 12. One end of the first and second base legs is pivotally connected to one end of the base member 12 and the axes of the pivots 14a, 16a are vertical. The other end of the base legs 14,16 are provided with wheels 24, 26, which are pivotally mounted to the base legs about horizontal pivots 24a, 26a. The pivots 24a, 26a are di sposed towards an upper edge of the base legs 14, 16 and the wheels are of a diameter such that they do not engage with the ground, when the device is in the operative position as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A handle 28 is provided at a distal end of the base member 12 and extends away from the base member in a direction away from the base legs 14, 16. The handle 28 can be used to lift the training machine onto the wheels 24, 26 and facilitates movement of the machine. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 the handle 28 may be spaced from and connected to the rear end of the base 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the handle 28 may extend from either side of the base 12.

The lower mast section 20 is pivotally mounted to the base member 12 about a pivot 30. The axis of the pivot 30 is set to one side of the mast and the base of the mast is "1: shaped, the pivot passing through the foot of the "L" shape. As seen in Figure 4, when the mast is folded down to the stowed position, the base of the mast is held clear of the base legs 14,16, to allow clearance for a pulley described below. A proti-usion 32 is provided on the other side of the base of the lower mast section 20, which aligns with a protrusion 34 provided on the base member, when the mast is in the vertical or operative position. The protrusions 32,34 are both provided with apertures to receive a locking pin, which securely fastens the mast 18 in the vertical position.

The lower and upper mast sections 20, 22 are fastened together by a hinge 36, mounted to the rear side of the mast 18. The hinge 36 enables the upper mast section 22 to be folded back over the lower mast section 20, when in the stowed position, shown in Figure 4. The hinge 36 is provided with a releasable lock to prevent the mast folding, when in use.

A plurality of through apertures 37 are provided along the mast 18. Each through aperture is spaced apart from another through aperture by a predetermined distance which can match or vary between spaced apart apertures so that each aperture is at a predetermined height from the base.

A carriage 38 provided by a main body which extends around at least a portion of the mast 18 and pulley attachment plates extending from a surface of the main body. The carriage 38 is mountable, using a locking pin, in different positions along the mast 18. The locking pin extends through an aperture in the main body of the carriage 38 and through one of the apertures 37 in the mast 18. At least some of the apertures 37 are used for mounting of the carriage 38.

A first pulley 40 and a second pulley 42 are adjacently and rotatably mounted to carriage 38 through apertures in the pulley attachment plates of the carriage 38 A third pully 44 is mounted within one end of the lower mast section 20. A bore is 1S formed by an aperture, or slot, in two opposite walls of the lower mast section 20. The third pulley extends partly out of the bore. The third pully is rotatably mounted about a pivot or axle mounted in apertures in the side of the mast 18.

A fourth pully 46 is mounted within one end of the upper mast section 22. A bore is formed by an aperture, or slot, in two opposite walls of the upper mast section 22. The fourth pulley extends partly out of the bore. The fourth pully is rotatably mounted about a pivot or axle mounted in apertures in the side of the mast 18.

A fifth pulley 48 is rotatably mounted between pulley attachment plates extending from a surface of the base 12.

A resistance band 50 is suspended from the upper mast section 22 by an attachment means such as a pin, hook, carabiner, or other attachment means allowing the resistance band to be changed. The resistance band 50 is attached by a releasable attachment means to a floating pulley 52.

A cable 54, as shown in Figure 1, is attached to a lower side of the carriage 38, adjacent to the first pulley 40, and follows a path around the resistance training machine 10 to the first and second pull ies 40, 42. From the attachment on the lower side of the carriage 38, the cable 54 interfaces with the pullies of the training machine 10 and extends around the periphery of at least some of the pullies. The cable terminates at a handle 56 for operating the resistance training machine Alternatively, it may terminate at an attachment means for the handle, such as a carabiner or similar, which allows for the handle 56 of different sizes and profiles to be interchanged providing the user with customisation.

A user of the training machine 10, while in its operative vertical position, positions themselves in front of the mast 18 so that the handle 56 can be gripped. In use, the user grips the handle 56 and pulls the handle 56 away from the mast 18. The movement of the handle 56 draws the cable 54 through the pullies 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 52. Because the cable 54 is of substantially fixed length, with one end being attached to the cradle 38 fixed to the mast, the floating pulley 52 is dawn towards the base 12. The resistive band 50 provides a force opposing the direction of movement which adds a resistive force to the user's action. When the force applied by the user lessens the resistive band causes the floating pulley 52 to move upwards towards its original position moving the handle 56.

To convert the training machine 10 from the operative position to the stowed position, a user moves legs 14, 16 so that they are adjacent along their length. A user disengages both of the locking means applied to the hinge 36 and plates 34 sequentially or at the same time. Once the locking means have been disengaged, the upper mast 22 may rotate about the hinge 36 so that it is adjacent to the lower mast 20, the lower mast 20 may be rotated about pivot 30 so that it is adjacent the legs 14, 16. The handle 56 may be disconnected from the cable through means 56. The resistive band 50 may be disconnected from the upper mast 22 and/or the floating pully 52. These steps can be performed in reverse to convert the training machine 10 from the stowed position to the operative position. The above steps should not be understood as being indicative of the precise order needed to convert the training machine 10 from the operative position to the stowed positioned or vice versa.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A portable resistance training machine comprising a base for resting on the floor, a mast pivotally mounted to the base and movable between an operative position in which the mast extends vertically from the base and a stowed position in which the mast overlies the base, a carriage mounted to the mast, the carriage being mountable in different positions along the length of the mast, and cable means attached to a resistance band for providing a resistive force against movement of the cable through the carriage.
2. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim I, in which the base incudes a base member and first and second base legs pivotally mounted to the base member, the first and second base legs being movable between an operative position in which the base legs are splayed apart and a stowed position in which the base legs lie adjacent one another.
3 A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 2, in which wheels are pivotally mounted to the distal ends of the respective first and second base legs.
4. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 3, in which a handle is mounted to the base member for lifting one end of the portable resistance training machine, the other end resting on the wheels.
5. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mast comprises a lower mast section and an upper mast section.
6. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 5, in which the lower and upper mast sections are pivotally connected together, enabling the mast to be folded substantially in half in the stowed position.
7. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a plurality of through apertures are disposed at different vertical positions along the length of the mast.
8 A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the carriage extends around at least three sides of the mast, and is locked in position at a selected height by a locking pin which passes through apertures in opposing sides of the carriage and a selected aperture on the mast.
9. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which first and second pulleys are mounted adjacent to one another on the carriage.
10. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a pulley is rotationally mounted at an upper end of the mast 1.1.
A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a through aperture is disposed in a lower end of the mast, and a pulley is mounted within the aperture
12 A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a pulley is mounted to the base.
13 A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a floating pulley block is provided for attachment to the resistance band.
14. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 13, in which the floating pulley block is suspended from an upper region of the mast by a resilient band.
A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 14, in which the resilient band is releasably connected to the mast and floating pulley block enabling changing of the resilient band for a band of different resilience.
16. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 15, in which a cable extends through the carriage and is connected to a handle for resistance training, the cable being restrained by the floating pulley block and resilient band.
17. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 16, in which resistance at the handle is adjusted by changing the resilient band for a band of greater or lesser resilience
18. A portable resistance training machine as claimed in claim 16 or 17, in which one end of the cable is attached to one side of the carriage, the cable extends from said side of the carriage and is directed around a pulley disposed at lower end of the mast, passes through the floating pulley block, around a pulley disposed on the base, around a pulley disposed at an upper end of the mast and back to the carriage.
19 A portable resistance training machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which in the operative position a cable is attached to a lower side of the carriage disposed on a front side of the mast, extends around a pulley disposed in a aperture in the lower end of the mast, extends to a rear side of the mast upwardly and around a floating pulley block, extends downwardly around a pulley mounted to the base, extends upwardly around a pulley at the upper end of the mast, and downwardly to the front side of the mast around a pulley on the carriage, the floating pulley Nock being suspended from an upper region of the mast by a resilient band.