Multifunctional training apparatus for the lower limb muscles

Abstract

A multifunctional training apparatus for training the lower limb muscles includes a training bench adapted to support a user in a desired training position, a movable rotatable support unit for resisting a muscular force of a lower limb which is caused by a reciprocating movement, a contrast member that is adapted to provide a resistance force against the movement of the movable support unit, and a support element that is adapted to pivotally support the movable support unit and the contrast member. The support element is mounted on the training bench by a rotatable coupling about an axis that is at an angle with respect to the training bench, such that the movable support unit can rotate from a first substantially vertical position to a second substantially horizontal position. In this way, training movements of the lower limbs are possible according to movement in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, using a single training device.

1 . A multifunctional training apparatus for the lower limb muscles comprising:
 a training bench, said training bench having a training surface that is adapted to support a user in a desired training position   a movable support unit for supporting a lower limb and for moving responsive to a muscular force that is caused by a reciprocating training movement of said limb;   a contrast member that is associated to said movable support unit and that is adapted to provide a resistance force against the movement of said movable support unit;   a support element that is adapted to pivotally support said movable support unit with respect to said bench;   characterised in that said support element is mounted on said training bench by a rotatable coupling that can rotate about an inclined axis which is at an angle with respect to said training bench such that said movable support unit can rotate from a first substantially vertical position to a second substantially horizontal position.   
     
     
         2 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said inclined axis of the rotatable coupling between said support element and said training bench is at an angle according to a combined inclination angle consisting of a first inclination angle arranged in a plane parallel to said training bench and a second inclination angle arranged in a plane orthogonal to said training bench, in particular said first and second inclination angles are obtained from a fixed pin that is integral to a frame of said training bench, wherein said fixed pin has an inclined axis which is at an angle with respect to said frame and is a rotation pivot for said support element about said inclined axis. 
     
     
         3 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein lock means are provided for locking the rotation of said support element on said fixed pin according to a plurality of reference points, in particular said reference points allow to move said support element from said first substantially vertical position to said second substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
         4 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said first inclination angle is set between 80° and 100°, preferably between 85° and 95°, in particular between 88° and 92°; whereas said second inclination angle is set between −10° and 10°, preferably between −5° and 5°, in particular between −2° and 2°. 
     
     
         5 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional training apparatus provides two mirror-like multifunctional units, which are arranged symmetrically at opposite sides of said training bench, each having said movable support unit, said contrast member and said support element, in particular said contrast member are connected pneumatically to each other. 
     
     
         6 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said support element comprises a first and a second rectilinear portions and a connection portion that connects said rectilinear portions, in a way that is suitable to form a determined angle set between said first rectilinear portion and said second rectilinear portion, in particular said angle is set between 20° and 30°, preferably between 15° and 18°, in particular between 10° and 12°. 
     
     
         7 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said first rectilinear portion of said support element is at an angle with respect to the axis of said fixed pin according to an angle set between 3° and 15°, preferably between 5° and 10°, in particular between 7° and 9°. 
     
     
         8 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said movable support unit comprises:
 a transmission disc for transmitting said reciprocating training movement that is pivotally connected to said support element;   a push element integrally connected to said transmission disc;   a plurality of application points for said contrast member arranged on said transmission disc.   
     
     
         9 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 8 , wherein said push element has a movable support portion that is adapted to move from a positioning configuration, where the user is not obstructed in positioning on said training bench, to a training configuration, where the user can carry out the desired training exercise, said push element being completely integral to said transmission disc, and, in particular, said push element comprises a support arm that is integral to one end to said transmission disc at whose other end said movable support portion is present, which is capable of moving from said training configuration to said positioning configuration and remains in a plane substantially orthogonal to said support arm. 
     
     
         10 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said contrast member comprises a rectilinear contrast element having a first end that is pivotally connected to said support element and a second end that is pivotally connected to said transmission disc at a determined application point, in particular said rectilinear contrast element is connected through mutual engagement means with said transmission disc, at said application point. 
     
     
         11 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said contrast member has a first end that is pivotally connected to an extension element that is slidingly engaged with said support element, in particular said extension element can slide with respect to said support element between a first position, where said first end of the contrast member is farthest from said transmission disc and a second position, where said first end of the contrast member is nearest to said transmission disc. 
     
     
         12 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 11 , wherein lock means are provided for locking the extension element with respect to said support element in said first and second position, as well as in intermediate positions. 
     
     
         13 . A multifunctional training apparatus, according to  claim 11 , wherein said extension element is an extension sleeve that slides in the support element and the lock means consists of a bolt that engages respective holes correspondingly in said extension sleeve and in said support element, to allow locking sliding movements in the first and second position and in the intermediate positions.