Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: Portable fitness apparatus
The present invention relates to a fitness apparatus, in particular to a
fitness
apparatus which can be worn by a person on the body.
A portable fitness apparatus of this type is known from W097/34662. The
fitness
apparatus has a hip belt, which is provided with two resistance apparatuses.
Each resistance
apparatus is provided with a cord having a handle. A training exercise can be
performed by
pulling on the cord, whereupon the resistance apparatus generates a training
resistance. In
the case of the known fitness apparatus, it is intended to deliver a constant
resistance during
the performance of a training exercise.
The training resistance which is created by the resistance apparatus is
delivered by a coiled
leaf spring inside the housing of the resistance apparatus. By pulling on the
flexible element,
the leaf spring is made to uncoil and thereupon generate a training
resistance. If so desired,
it is possible to incrementally increase the training resistance by coupling
to the outer side of
the housing of the resistance apparatus an additional resistance apparatus.
The additional
resistance apparatus is comparable with the first resistance apparatus in its
configuration
and is also provided with a coiled leaf spring which delivers the additional
resistance.
A problem with the known portable fitness apparatus is that the performance of
training exercises is limited. The number of training exercises which can be
performed with
the fitness apparatus is also limited. Moreover, the ease of use of the
resistance apparatus
leaves something to be desired. The coupling of additional resistance
apparatuses in order to
increase the training resistance is regarded as very awkward. Awkward because
the portable
fitness apparatus should be specifically meant to provide more freedom for a
training
location. The lugging of additional resistance apparatuses over a training
circuit is felt to be a
hindrance, for example. Moreover, the additional resistance apparatuses hamper
the
freedom of movement during a training exercise. During a training exercise,
the arms or
hands can collide with the additional resistance apparatuses.
The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome at least
one of the
abovementioned drawbacks, or to provide a usable alternative. In particular,
the object of the
invention is to provide a fitness apparatus having a resistance apparatus
which is compact
and can deliver a constant training resistance.
The invention provides a fitness apparatus for the performance of a training
exercise
by a person. The fitness apparatus comprises at least one resistance apparatus
for the
creation of training resistance. The resistance apparatus comprises a housing
for the
accommodation of a winding device. The winding device is arranged to wind up
and unwind
a flexible element. In particular, the flexible element is a line, also
referred to as a rope or a
cord. Flexible here denotes that the flexible element is pliable and bendable
in the transverse
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direction. Preferably, the flexible element is non-elastic and substantially
inextensible, such
that the flexible element helps to procure a constant resistance. The winding
device
comprises a winding element having a winding surface for the winding up and
unwinding of
the flexible element. The flexible element has a first end, which is connected
to the winding
element. The flexible element extends from the winding element inside the
housing outwards
through an opening of the housing. The flexible element has a second end,
which is
connected to a handle for the securement of the second end. The winding
element is
mounted rotatably about a centre axis of the housing. By means of a coiled
leaf spring, the
winding element is pretensioned, such that the winding element back-rotates
when the
flexible element is unwound and an applied tensile force decreases. By the
back-rotation of
the winding element, the flexible element is rewound.
The fitness apparatus according to the invention provides an improvement by
virtue
of the fact that the winding element is rotationally supported on the centre
axis by a one-way
bearing. A one-way bearing is also referred to as a freewheel or freewheel
bearing. A
resistance unit for the generation of a training resistance is connected to
the one-way
bearing, such that the winding element has a freewheel in a first rotational
direction
corresponding to the back-rotation of the winding element, and thus the
winding up of the
flexible element, but meets a resistance in an opposite, second rotational
direction
corresponding to the unwinding of the winding element and the extension of the
flexible
element.
In the first place, the fitness apparatus according to the invention offers
the
advantage that the training resistance is now no longer determined by just the
coiled leaf
spring, but that a resistance unit is provided for the creation of the
training resistance. The
leaf spring can now be dimensioned so light that it generates just enough
tensile force to
wind up the flexible element, but the leaf spring no longer needs to be
dimensioned so heavy
that the leaf spring delivers sufficient training resistance for a training
exercise.
Advantageously, the resistance unit is coupled by means of the one-way bearing
to
the winding element, so that the winding up of the flexible element is not
hampered by a
resistance delivered by the resistance unit. Through the use of the one-way
bearing, an
automatic decoupling of the resistance unit with the winding element is
provided when the
winding element rotates in a direction in which the flexible element is wound
up.
Another important advantage is that the fitness apparatus according to the
invention
can deliver a substantially constant training resistance over a substantially
total travel of the
flexible element. A non-elastic, inextensible flexible element contributes to
a constant training
resistance, and the used resistance unit can also, for instance on the basis
of friction,
contribute to the constant training resistance over the substantially total
travel of the flexible
element.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
flexible
element comprises a polyethylene-based synthetic fibre, in particular UHMWPE
(ultra high
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molecular weight polyethylene), more particularly a line made of Dyneema
material or an
equivalent material having comparable strength properties. This material can
be used,
because the material has a high tensile strength and a low specific gravity.
Dyneema is also
resistant to friction, sunlight and micro-organisms and the material does not
chafe or cut,
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the one-
way
bearing has an internal bearing part and an external bearing part. The
external bearing part
is fixedly connected to the winding element. The internal bearing part is
connected rotatably
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
resistance unit is a friction resistance unit for the friction-based creation
of a resistance. The
friction resistance unit is connected by the one-way bearing to the winding
device. In one
embodiment, the internal bearing part of the one-way bearing is connected to a
resistance
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
pressure
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In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
resistance
unit is an eddy current resistance unit, also referred to as a magnetic
resistance unit. The
eddy current resistance unit comprises a resistance rotor and at least one
permanent
magnet. The resistance rotor is rotatably mounted inside the housing of the
resistance
apparatus. A rotor part of the resistance rotor moves through a magnetic field
of the at least
one permanent magnet. The at least one permanent magnet is positioned next to
the
resistance rotor, such that the rotor part of the resistance rotor moves, in
operation, through
the magnetic field.
The fitness apparatus with eddy current resistance unit has the advantage that
the
creation of the training resistance occurs contactlessly. The eddy current
resistance unit has
no wearing components, which increases the working life of the fitness
apparatus.
Advantageously, the eddy current resistance unit can be steplessly adjusted.
Moreover, the
eddy current resistance unit can provide a constant training resistance over
the total travel of
the flexible element.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, a
training
resistance to be created is adjustable by the eddy current resistance unit.
The training
resistance can be adjusted with an adjusting knob by changing the position of
the at least
one permanent magnet with respect to the resistance rotor. By adjusting the
position of the
magnet, a greater or lesser rotor part of the resistance rotor will move
through the magnetic
field, so that the training resistance is thus adjustable.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
fitness
apparatus can be worn by a person. The fitness apparatus can, in particular,
be worn on the
body during the performance of a training exercise, for example during a
running exercise.
The fitness apparatus is manageable and has a weight of no more than 2500
grams, in
particular no more than 1800 grams, more particularly no more than 1000 grams.
In
particular, the resistance apparatus has a weight of at least 500 grams and no
more than
2500 grams. The resistance apparatus can be of lightweight configuration if
the maximally
desired resistance setting of, for example, no more than 5 kg remains
relatively low, or can
have a heavier embodiment if the maximally desired resistance setting needs to
be relatively
high, for example at least 10 kg.
Preferably, the housing of the resistance apparatus is disc-shaped. In one
embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the resistance
apparatus
has a housing having a relatively limited width. The housing of the resistance
apparatus has
a maximum width of no more than 5cm, preferably no more than 3 cm. The housing
of the
resistance apparatus is hence scarcely a hindrance to the freedom of movement
of a person.
The fitness apparatus can preferably be fastened to the body of a person. The
fitness
apparatus preferably has a body fastening means for providing a fastening of
the fitness
apparatus onto the body of a person. In one embodiment of the fitness
apparatus according
to the invention, the fitness apparatus comprises a hip belt for fastening at
least one
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resistance apparatus to a hip of a person. Preferably, the fitness apparatus
comprises two
resistance apparatuses, which are connected to the body fastening means. In
particular, with
the two resistance apparatuses, the left and right limbs can respectively be
trained.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
opening of
the housing for the outward feed-through of the flexible element, the so-
called line passage,
is mounted rotatably with respect to the body fastening means. Advantageously,
the opening
can hereby be directed during a training exercise in the direction in which
the flexible element
is extended by the person. Preferably, the opening of the housing can rotate
over a rotation
travel, but, further preferably, over at least a complete revolution, with
respect to the body
fastening means. Hence the opening must form no obstruction during the
performance of the
training exercise. In particular, the housing of the resistance apparatus is
rotatably connected
to the body fastening means, such that the opening of the housing can rotate
during a
training exercise jointly with the movements of the flexible element. In
particular, the
resistance apparatus is mounted rotatable about a rotational axis, the centre
line of which
coincides with that of the centre axis over which the winding element is
rotatable.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
resistance
apparatus is slidably connected to the body fastening means. The resistance
apparatus is
slidable over a certain travel in translation motion. The resistance apparatus
can be
displaceable, for example, over a travel of at least 5 cm, in particular at
least 10 cm, but
preferably at least 15 cm. The resistance apparatus is displaceable with
respect to the body
fastening means from a first position into a second position. The body
fastening means is, for
example, a hip belt. The resistance apparatus is displaceable in a
longitudinal direction of the
hip belt. The resistance apparatus is displaceable from a hip position as the
first position into
a buttock position as the second position. The fact that the resistance
apparatus is
displaceable with respect to the body fastening means can prevent the
resistance apparatus
from forming an obstacle to a movement during a training exercise. In
addition, more forms
of training exercises can also be performed. In a training exercise, a
training resistance can
be generated, for example, over a longer portion of a travel of an arm
movement.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
body
fastening means is a hip belt. The hip belt is further provided with at least
one trunk strap for
fastening of the hip belt to a trunk of a person. The trunk strap can be
fastened over the top
of the shoulders or underneath through between the legs of the person. An
upward or
downward movement of the hip belt during a training exercise can hence be
opposed.
In one particular embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the
invention, the
body fastening means is a hip belt, wherein the hip belt is realized as a
trapeze. Such a
trapeze is known, for example, in wind surfing. The trapeze comprises two
trunk straps for
fastening underneath the hip belt to the trunk of a person. The two trunk
straps can be
passed between the legs and fixed to the hip belt.
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In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
fitness
apparatus comprises at least one ankle strap. The ankle strap can be fastened
to an ankle of
a person. The ankle strap is provided with a diverting element for the
diversion of the flexible
element. In particular, the diverting element is hook-shaped. The hook-shaped
diverting
element offers the advantage that the flexible element can be quickly fastened
to the ankle
strap. The diverting element has a hook eye for the feed-through of the
flexible element.
Preferably, the hook eye is positioned at a distance of at least 5 mm, in
particular at least 10
mm, but preferably at a distance of at least 20 mm from an outer side of the
ankle strap.
Advantageously, the flexible element is fed through at such a distance from
the ankle strap
that the flexible element during a training exercise remains substantially
free from contact
with the body of a person. In one embodiment the hook eye can be open, but
preferably the
hook eye is closable with a hook-closing clip such that a fed-through flexible
element is
detained in the hook eye. The flexible element can hereby be prevented from
coming loose
from the diverting element during the performance of a training exercise.
In an alternative embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the
invention, the
ankle strap can comprise a diverting pulley for the guidance of the flexible
element. The
diverting pulley is rotatably connected to the ankle strap.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
handle at
the end of the flexible element is looped. Preferably, the handle is flexible.
The looped handle
can be produced, for example, from a fabric strip. Advantageously, the number
of possible
training exercises is increased by the use of the looped handle. During a
training exercise,
the looped handle can be slipped, for example, around the housing of the
resistance
apparatus. The flexible element can hence extend, for example, from the
housing to the
ankle strap and back again to the housing of the resistance apparatus. The
looped handle
also makes a simple foot connection possible, since a foot can be placed
easily and quickly
into the loop.
In one embodiment of the fitness apparatus according to the invention, the
flexible
element has a length of at least 2 m, preferably at least 4 m. As a result of
the relatively long
length of the flexible element, the fitness apparatus is suitable for tall
people. A further
advantage is that the relatively long length of the flexible element increases
the number of
training exercises, for example since training exercises in which the flexible
element is
double-wound are also possible.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the
appended
drawings. The drawings form a practical embodiment of the invention, which
should not be
regarded in a limiting sense. Specific detailed characteristics can also be
viewed separately
from the illustrative embodiment, in a general sense, as characteristic of the
invention,
wherein:
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Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a person with fitness apparatus according
to the
invention;
Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of the fitness apparatus with hip belt and
resistance
apparatus;
Fig. 2B shows a perspective view of a person with fitness apparatus, wherein
the hip belt is
realized as a trapeze;
Fig. 3A shows a perspective view of an ankle strap, with diverting pulley, of
the fitness
apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 3B shows a perspective view of an ankle strap, inclusive of hook and foot
strap, of the
fitness apparatus according to the invention;
Figs. 4A-D show partially cut-away perspective views of a resistance apparatus
with friction
resistance unit; and
Figs. 5A-D show partially cut-away perspective views of a resistance apparatus
having a
magnetic resistance unit.
In the figures, consistent reference numerals are used for similar, identical
or
functionally identical components of a fitness apparatus 1 according to the
invention.
Figure 1 shows a person 27 with the fitness apparatus 1 during a training
exercise.
The fitness apparatus 1 is portable and fastened to the body of the person 27.
The fitness
apparatus 1 has a body fastening means 3, which is here in the form of a hip
belt. The hip
belt 3 is fastened at the height of the hip of the person 27. The fitness
apparatus 1 comprises
a resistance apparatus 7, which is connected to the body fastening means 3.
The resistance
apparatus 7 has a housing with a winding device therein. The winding device
serves to wind
up and unwind a flexible element 17. The person 27 holds a distal end of the
flexible element
17 tightly in the hand. The flexible element 17 has a proximal end connected
to the winding
device of the resistance apparatus 7. The fitness apparatus 1 further
comprises an ankle
strap 23 having a diverting element 25. As a result of the ankle strap with
diverting pulley, a
large variety of training exercises can be performed with this fitness
apparatus. The diverting
element 25 is here a diverting pulley. The flexible element 17 extends during
use from the
resistance apparatus 7, wherein the flexible element 17 is guided along the
diverting element
25 and from there to a handle 19 held tight by the user.
Figure 2A shows the body fastening means 3 with resistance apparatus 7 in
further
detail in a perspective view. The body fastening means 3 comprises a belt, in
particular a hip
belt. The belt can be closed with a click joint. The belt is provided with a
pad, a support
surface 31. The support surface 31 provides a local widening on the belt,
against which the
resistance apparatus 7 can rest.
The resistance apparatus 7 is mounted rotatably with respect to the body
fastening
means 3. The resistance apparatus 7 is connected to the hip belt 3 rotatably
about a centre
line 5. The resistance apparatus 7 has a housing 9. The housing 9 accommodates
the
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winding device for winding up and unwinding the flexible element 17. The
housing 9 is disc-
shaped. The housing 9 has two parallel side walls 91, which are connected to
each other by
a peripheral wall 92. The peripheral wall 92 is circular. In the peripheral
wall 92 is an opening
93, a line passage, provided for the feed-through of the flexible element 17
outwards from
the winding device. The flexible element 17 is here a cord.
On the distal end of the flexible element is provided a handle 19, wherein the
handle
is bar-shaped. The flexible element 17 is fastened centrally to the handle 19
in a middle
region of the handle 19.
The flexible element 17 can be pulled counter to a spring force out of the
housing 9,
whereupon it meets resistance. When the handle is released, the flexible
element is retracted
into the housing and wound up by a spring, in particular a coiled leaf spring.
As a result of the
spring, the flexible element 17 back-rotates.
The resistance apparatus 7 is fastened to the hip belt 3 in a freely rotatable
manner
with respect to the hip belt 3. If the flexible element 17 is pulled while the
flexible element is
coming out of the opening 93 at other than right angles to the peripheral wall
92, the tensile
force in the flexible element will ensure that the resistance apparatus 7 is
rotated until the
flexible element leaves the resistance apparatus at right angles to the
peripheral wall, as in
Fig. 2A.
As will be further explained below with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the
resistance
apparatus 7 has a winding device positioned inside the housing 9. This winding
device has a
disc-shaped winding element, onto which the flexible element 17 is wound. The
winding
element is rotatable counter to a spring force and is rotatable about a centre
axis. The
resistance apparatus is rotatable about a rotational axis, the centre line 5
of which coincides
with that of the centre axis.
Pulling on the flexible element 17 causes the winding element to revolve and
the
flexible element to unwind from the winding device. By means of an adjusting
knob 21, here
a rotary knob, the size of the resistance which the winding element meets as
it revolves in
the housing 9 can be adjusted.
As shown in Figure 2A, the resistance apparatus 7 is mounted displaceably with
respect to the body fastening means 3. The resistance apparatus 7 is
displaceable in a
longitudinal direction of the body fastening means 3. The resistance apparatus
7 is
displaceable from a first position into a second position on the body
fastening means 3. In
the first position, the resistance apparatus is positioned, for example, above
the hip of a
person 27. In the second position, the resistance apparatus 7 is displaced
rearwards and is
positioned above a buttock of a person 27.
Figure 2B shows an alternative embodiment of the fitness apparatus 1, wherein
the
body fastening means 3 is realized as a trapeze. The trapeze is provided with
a girdle, a hip
belt, with two trunk straps. The trunk straps should be fastened around the
thighs. During
use, the ends of the trunk strap are fastened to the girdle and extend
underneath the trunk of
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a person. The trunk straps prevent the body fastening means 3 from being able
to move
upwards during a training exercise wherein a tensile force is applied in the
upward direction.
Figure 2B further shows that the fitness apparatus 1 comprises two resistance
apparatuses 7. During use, a first resistance apparatus is positioned on a
left side of a
person and a second resistance apparatus on a right side of a person.
In Figure 3A, an ankle strap, with a diverting pulley 25 thereon, of the
fitness
apparatus is represented. The diverting pulley 25 is rotatably fastened to the
ankle strap 23.
In Figure 3B is shown an ankle strap of the fitness apparatus 1, wherein the
ankle strap is
further provided with a foot strap 24. During use, the ankle strap should be
slipped around
the ankle and the foot strap 24 should extend through beneath the foot. The
foot strap serves
to absorb upwardly directed forces during a training exercise. The ankle strap
is further
provided with a diverting element 25, which is here of hook-shaped
configuration. The hook-
shaped diverting element 25 has an open hook eye for receiving the flexible
element 17. The
hook eye is positioned at a distance from an outer surface of the ankle strap
23 in order to
prevent the flexible element from coming into contact with a leg of a person
during a training
exercise. In particular, the distance from the centre of the hook eye to the
outer surface of
the ankle strap is at least 20 mm.
Figures 4A-4D show a cut-away perspective view of the resistance apparatus 7
in
cross section. The resistance apparatus 7 has a disc-shaped housing 9. The
housing 9 has a
limited size with a maximum outer diameter of no more than 20 cm, preferably
no more than
15 cm, whereby the resistance apparatus 7 is manageable and portable and can
be easily
transported on the body by a person. The housing is formed from two mutually
opposing
housing parts, so that the housing can be produced by injection moulding. The
housing 9 has
a rear side and a front side. On the front side of the housing 9 is provided
an adjusting knob
21. The assembled housing 9 has 2 parallel side walls 91, which determine a
width of the
housing. The width of the housing 9 is relatively limited and has a maximum
width of no more
than 5 cm, preferably no more than 3 cm. The housing of the resistance
apparatus 7 is
hence scarcely a hindrance to the freedom of movement of a person.
Inside the housing 9 is situated a shaft 5 for the positioning of a winding
device 6. The
shaft 5 is centrally positioned and runs parallel with the centre line of the
housing 9. The
shaft 5 is fixedly connected at a proximal end to a rear side of the housing 9
and extends to a
front side van the housing 9. The shaft 5 has a distal end. The adjusting knob
21 is fastened
to the distal end of the shaft 5.
The resistance apparatus 7 comprises a winding device 6 having a winding
element
61. The winding element 61 is cylindrical. The winding element 61 is shaped as
a spool and
has a winding surface 611 for the winding of the flexible element 17. The
winding surface
611 is formed by an external shell surface. The winding surface 611 is
provided with side
cheeks 612 for the detention of a wound flexible element. The winding element
61 is
positioned in the housing 9 in a cylindrically shaped housing chamber 94
having a peripheral
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wall 941. The side walls on either side of the winding surface 611 connect to
the peripheral
wall 941 of the housing chamber 94. In an assembly of the winding element 61
and the
housing 9, the peripheral wall of the housing chamber encloses a wound
flexible element 17.
The risk of entanglement of the flexible element is thereby substantially
eliminated.
The winding element 61 is connected by means of a leaf spring 62 to the
housing 9.
The leaf spring 62 is strip-shaped and made of spring steel. The leaf spring
62 has an
external end and an internal end. The external end is connected to the winding
element 61,
whilst the internal end is connected to the housing 9 by a spring bush 621.
The leaf spring 62
is coiled up inside the housing 9.
The leaf spring 62 is positioned in a spring chamber 613 of the winding
element 61.
The spring chamber 613 is cylindrical. The leaf spring 62 is in a coiled state
positioned in the
spring chamber 613 of the winding element 61. The spring chamber 613 is on one
side open
for the reception of the leaf spring 62. The spring chamber 613 is on an outer
side enclosed
by an external wall section and on an inner side enclosed by an internal wall
section. The
internal and external wall sections are cylindrical. The winding surface 611
is provided on the
external wall section.
The leaf spring 62 is fixedly connected by means of a spring bush 621 to a
rear side
of the housing 9. The spring bush 621 has a spring bush flange, which is
connected to the
housing 9. Here, the spring bush 621 is connected by means of a bolt joint to
the housing 9.
The spring bush 621 extends into the spring chamber 613.
The winding element 61 is supported on the shaft 5 by means of a one-way
bearing
63. The one-way bearing 63 is a freewheel bearing. The one-way bearing 63
comprises an
internal bearing part 631 and an external bearing part 632. The external
bearing part 632 is
connected by a bearing to the internal bearing part 631. The external bearing
part 632 is
fixedly connected to the winding element 61. The internal bearing part 631 is
rotatably
connected to the shaft 5. The bearing is arranged such that the internal
bearing part is not
engaged and hence freewheels in a first rotational direction, but that the
internal bearing part
631 is engaged and hence co-rotates with the external bearing part 631 and the
winding
element 61 in a second rotational direction.
The internal bearing part 631 is connected to a resistance unit 70. The
resistance unit
70 is a friction resistance unit, also referred to as a friction brake. The
resistance unit 70
comprises a resistance plate 71. The resistance unit 70 further comprises a
pressure plate
72 cooperating with the resistance plate 71. In the resistance unit 70, the
resistance plate 71
is arranged such that the resistance plate 71 is rotatable with respect to the
pressure plate
72. A resistance material 73, also referred to as a brake lining, such as
cork, is provided
between the pressure plate 72 and the resistance plate 71. The resistance
material is a
wearing material. The resistance material provides a friction force when the
resistance plate
71 rotates with respect to the pressure plate 72. The generated friction force
provides in the
resistance apparatus 7 the training resistance.
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The internal bearing part 631 of the one-way bearing 63 has on the front side
of the
housing 9 end face provided with the resistance plate 71 of a resistance unit
70. The
resistance plate 71 is integral with the internal bearing part 631. The
resistance plate 71 is
formed by a flange on the end face of the internal bearing part 631.
The pressure plate 72 is positioned opposite the resistance plate 71. The
pressure
plate 72 is connected in a rotationally rigid manner to the housing 9 by means
of the shaft 5.
The shaft 5 is provided with at least one flat edge in an outer surface. The
flat edge forms a
locking mechanism for the pressure plate 72. The fastening of the pressure
plate 72 on the
shaft 5 permits a movement of the pressure plate 72 in the axial direction of
the shaft 5.
By means of the adjusting knob 21, the pressure plate 72 is axially
displaceable over
the shaft 5 and, as such, can be pressed more tightly or more loosely against
the resistance
plate 71. The pressure plate 72 has an end pressure face, which can be pressed
against an
end pressure face of the resistance plate 71. The training resistance is
hereby adjustable.
Advantageously, the adjustability requires hardly any space compared to a
radial
engagement and the resistance apparatus can be compactly configured. The
adjusting knob
21 is centrally positioned on the front side of the housing 9. Advantageously,
the positioning
of the adjusting knob on the front side of the housing is ergonomically
accessible in the
performance of a training exercise. The resistance is created substantially by
friction and
only to a small extent by the spring force. With the adjusting knob, the
pressure force, and
thus the size of the resistance, can be continuously and steplessly
readjusted.
The adjusting knob 21 is connected by means of a screw joint to the centre
shaft 5.
Turning of the adjusting knob 21 produces an axial shift of the adjusting
knob, such that the
pressure plate 72 is also axially displaced and a resistance force is
adjusted.
The one-way bearing 63 ensures that the set training resistance is only
transmitted to the
flexible element 17 when the flexible element 17 unwinds from the winding
element 61 and is
pulled out of the housing 9. The one-way bearing 63 is disconnected in an
opposite rotational
direction, wherein the flexible element 17 is wound onto the winding element
61. The
resistance of the resistance unit 70 is hence not present during winding up of
the flexible
element 17. In the return movement, no frictional resistance is thus met and
the spring
element, the leaf spring, can easily wind the flexible element onto the spool.
The leaf spring
62 can be designed light enough for the leaf spring 62 to offer sufficient
tensile force to
rapidly wind up the flexible element 17. Advantageously, the shown
configuration is compact,
which is favourable for the mobility and portability of the fitness apparatus.
Figures 4C and 4D further show a fastening plate 8 for a rotatable fastening
of the
resistance apparatus 7 to a body fastening means 3. The fastening plate 8 is
circular. The
fastening plate 8 is connected to the housing 9. The rotatable fastening of
the resistance
apparatus 7 ensures that the line passage of the resistance apparatus 7 is at
the same time
aligned with a direction of pull of the flexible element 17.
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Figures 5A to 5D show an alternative embodiment of the resistance apparatus 7
of
the fitness apparatus.
Figure 5A shows a perspective view of an outer side of the resistance
apparatus 7.
The resistance apparatus 7 has a housing 9, which is disc-shaped. The housing
has two
parallel side walls 91 and a peripheral wall 92. The housing 9 is
substantially closed. The
housing has an opening 93, a line passage, for the feed-through of the
flexible element 17.
On a front side, the housing 9 is provided with an adjusting knob 21 for the
adjustment of a
training resistance.
In Figures 5B-5D, cut-away perspective views of the resistance apparatus 7 of
the
fitness apparatus are shown, wherein different training resistances are set.
The resistance
apparatus 7 has a resistance unit 70.
The resistance unit 70 comprises a resistance rotor 71. The resistance rotor
71 is
rotatably positioned inside the housing 9. The resistance rotor 71 coupled to
a winding
element 61 by a one-way bearing 63, such that the resistance rotor 71 has a
freewheel with
respect to the winding element 61 in a first rotational direction, wherein the
winding element
61 winds up a flexible element 17. The resistance rotor 71 co-rotates with the
winding
element 61 in a second rotational direction, whereupon the flexible element 17
unwinds from
the winding element 61. The one-way bearing 63 has an external bearing part
632, which is
integral with the winding element 61. The external bearing part 632 is
provided with bearing
cams 633 for engagement in a single rotational direction on an internal
bearing part of the
one-way bearing 63. The bearing cams 633 are evenly distributed over a
circular outer
surface of the external bearing part 632.
The resistance unit 70 further comprises at least one permanent magnet 72. The
at
least one permanent magnet 72 provides a magnetic field. The resistance rotor
71 is
mounted such that it is rotatable through the magnetic field. The resistance
rotor 71 is
positioned next to the at least one permanent magnet 72. An end face of the
resistance rotor
71 moves through the magnetic field. When the resistance rotor 71 rotates
through the
magnetic field, a magnetic resistance, serving as the training resistance, is
generated. The
rotation of the resistance rotor 71 gives rise to eddy current turbulences.
The resistance unit
70 is also referred to as a magnetic resistance unit or eddy current
resistance unit.
The training resistance can be adjusted by varying a size of a rotor part of
the
resistance rotor 71 which moves through the magnetic field. For this purpose,
the at least
one permanent magnet 72 is mounted such that it is radially displaceable with
respect to the
resistance rotor 71. In Figure 5B, a maximum training resistance is set,
wherein a maximum
rotor part of the resistance rotor 71 moves through the magnetic field. In
Figure 5D, a
minimum training resistance is set by a radial displacement of the magnetic
field, and in
Figure 5C an intermediate training resistance is set.
The at least one permanent magnet 72 is positioned on a lever 721. The lever
721 is
hinged via a lever shaft 722 for the displacement of the magnetic field over a
radial travel.
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The lever shaft 722 is mounted parallel with the shaft 5 of the resistance
apparatus 7.
Between the lever 721 and the adjusting knob 21, a transmission 22 is provided
for the
positioning of the lever 721, and thus the permanent magnet 72. With the
transmission 22,
the training resistance can be steplessly adjusted. Advantageously, the shown
configuration
is compact.
In addition to the embodiments shown in the figures, many variants are
possible.
Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to particular
embodiments, a
person skilled in the art, after having read the description, will wish to
make changes or
modifications which are possible from a technical viewpoint, but expressly do
not fall outside
the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In
particular,
changes can be made in relation to the disclosed embodiments, which changes
fall within the
teaching of the invention without hereby departing from the essence of the
invention. The
person skilled in the art should understand that various modifications can be
made and
elements can be replaced by equivalents, without hereby departing from the
essence of the
invention. Thus the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments
included in the
description, but rather the invention will comprise all embodiments which fall
within the scope
of protection as defined by the claims.
Thus, according to the invention, a mobile fitness apparatus, which can be
worn on
the body for the performance of a training exercise, is provided. The fitness
apparatus
according to the invention has an improved facility for the provision of a
training resistance,
comprising a coupling to a resistance unit by means of a one-way bearing,
whereby the
fitness apparatus can be realized in compact and lightweight configuration.
Moreover, the
fitness apparatus according to the invention provides various improvements,
whereby the
options for the performance of training exercises are increased and can be
executed better.
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