WO2015076681A1

WO2015076681A1 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015076681A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2014/050011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dave Arama NUKU
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-21
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-21

Abstract

There is provided a suspension training system (1) having a pulley (3), a pulley housing (5) rotatably supporting the pulley, and a cable (7) operatively connected to the pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the pulley relative to the pulley housing. The suspension training system (1) also has a securing mechanism for securing the position of the pulley relative to the housing and securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a suspension training system. BACKGROUND It is known to use suspension training systems to increase fitness. Existing suspension training systems commonly use adjustable cables. The adjustable cables are either mounted in a fixed relation to a support element such as a door frame, or may run over a pulley. A user's own body weight is used to provide resistance in various exercises involving pulling and pushing on handles attached to the cable ends.

Pulley based suspension systems are known to provide a different variety of exercises to the fixably mounted suspension systems. Pulley based systems may require more upper body strength and skill to operate, and may be for a more advanced user or used only for certain types of exercises. In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension training system that can provide more than one mode of operation, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suspension training system comprising :

a pulley;

a pulley housing rotatably supporting the pulley;

a cable operatively connected to the pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the pulley relative to the pulley housing; and a securing mechanism for securing the position of the pulley relative to the housing and securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley.

In an embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a first securing member for securing the position of the pulley relative to the housing. The first securing member preferably comprises a first pin engageable with a locking aperture of the pulley. The pin is also engageable with the pulley housing. The pin preferably secures the pulley such that there is little or no relative movement between the pulley and the housing. The securing mechanism preferably comprises a first button engageable with the first pin, which a user can press to move the first pin from the unlocked position to the locked position.

In an embodiment, the pulley comprises a plurality of locking apertures. The locking apertures are preferably evenly spaced.

In an embodiment, the pulley has a pair of opposing faces with a drum extending between the opposing faces. The drum is suitably adapted to accept the cable. In the preferred embodiment, the opposing faces extend beyond the drum, forming flanges and creating a space for receiving the cable.

In an embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a second securing member for securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley. The second securing member preferably comprises a second pin engageable with an aperture of the cable. The second pin preferably secures the pulley such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the housing and/or the pulley. The securing mechanism preferably comprises a second button engageable with the second pin, which a user can press to move the first pin from the unlocked position to the locked position.

In an embodiment, the second pin secures the cable such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the second pin secures the cable such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the pulley. In an embodiment, the cable comprises a locking aperture. The locking aperture is preferably provided by a loop formed in the cable. The cable may comprise a plurality of locking apertures.

In an embodiment, the cable comprises a webbing material. Alternatively, the cable may comprise a rope or cord. In an embodiment, the suspension training system further comprises an anchor strap for removably attaching the suspension training system to a support.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment suspension training system;

Figures 2a to 2e show details of the pulley, and pulley housing and strap of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1; Figures 3a to 3f shows the front plate of the pulley housing of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1;

Figure 3g shows an alternative embodiment of the front plate;

Figure 4a to 4c shows the back plate of the pulley housing preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1; Figures 5a to 5c show the pulley of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows the first pin of the securing mechanism of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows the first button of the securing mechanism of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows the second pin of the securing mechanism of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1;

Figure 9 shows the second button of the securing mechanism of the preferred embodiment suspension training system of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pulley housing showing the pins in the secured positions;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the pulley housing showing the pins in the secured positions; and

Figure 12 a cross-sectional view of the pulley housing showing the pins in the unlocked positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to figures 1 to 9, a preferred embodiment suspension training system 1 is shown. The suspension training system has a pulley 3, a pulley housing 5, a cable in the form of webbing 7, and an anchor strap 9 for removably attaching the suspension training system to a support. The anchor strap is connected to the pulley housing via a carabineer 9a and a loop of webbing 9b. The suspension training system 1 also comprises a securing mechanism for securing the position of the pulley 3 relative to the housing and securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley. With reference to figures 3a to 3f and 4a to 4e, the pulley housing 5 has a front plate 11 and a back plate 13. On the inside of each plate is a centrally located protruding pulley mount 15. When the two plates 11, 13 are mated together, the respective protruding pulley mount 15 of each plate become aligned and able to rotatably mount the pulley 3. The pulley is additionally supported by a pulley axle. Figures 3a to 3f show details of the front plate 11. The front plate has two shaped protrusions 11a, lib extending outwardly from the plate. The protrusions are generally cylindrical, each having two slots. With reference to figures 3b and 3c, the slots each have a shaped surface having a first generally vertical section 11c that leads into an upwardly extending angled section lid, then leads into a substantially horizontal section l ie, then leads into a downwardly extending angled section llf, and finally leads into a second generally vertical section llg.

Figure 3g show an alternative embodiment of the front plate in which the protrusions each have differently shaped slots 12. The slots 12 have a shaped surface having a first generally vertical section 12a that leads into an upwardly extending angled section 12b, then leads into a substantially horizontal section 12c.

With reference to figures 5a to 5c, the pulley 3 has a pair of opposing faces 17 with a drum 19 extending between the opposing faces. The drum 19 is adapted to accept the webbing 7. The opposing faces 19 extend beyond the drum, forming flanges 21 and creating a space for receiving the webbing 7, The drum has a relatively smooth surface and the flanges 21 prevent the webbing 7 slipping off the outer surface of the pulley.

The pulley 3 has a central aperture 23 for receiving the pulley mount of the pulley housing 5 such that the pulley can rotate relative to the housing 5. The pulley 3 has a number of locking apertures 25 extending between the opposing faces of the pulley. In the preferred embodiment shown, the locking apertures 25 are evenly spaced.

The pulley 3 may have a bearing 3a located in the central aperture. The bearing 3a is pressed onto the pulley mount and allows the pulley 3 to rotate about the pulley mount with minimal resistance. Alternatively, the pulley 3 may be mounted directly to the pulley mount.

The securing mechanism comprises a first securing member for securing the position of the pulley 3 relative to the housing and a second securing member for securing the position of the webbing 7 relative to the housing and/or the pulley. In the preferred embodiment shown, the first securing member comprises a first pin 27 engageable with the locking apertures of the pulley 3. The pin is also

engageable with the pulley housing 5. The pin preferably secures the pulley 3 such that there is little or no relative movement between the pulley and the housing 5. The first locking pin 27 is cylinder shaped and sized to allow it to pass into the respective pulley housing mount and any of the locking apertures of the pulley 3. The first locking pin 27 is contained within the pulley housing 5.

The first locking pin 27 can be in a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, the pulley 3 is positioned relative to the housing 5 so that one of the locking apertures is aligned with the first locking pin 27 and the first locking pin extends through the locking aperture. In the unlocked position, the locking pin 27 does not interfere with the pulley 3 and allows the pulley to rotate relative to the housing.

The second securing member comprises a second pin engageable with an aperture of the cable. As described below in relation to the webbing 7, the aperture is provided by a loop formed in the webbing. The second locking pin is cylinder shaped and sized to allow it to pass into the respective pulley housing 5 and through the loop of the webbing 7. The second locking pin is contained within the pulley housing 5. When the pulley housing 5 is viewed from the front in an in-use orientation, the second locking pin is positioned above the first locking pin and is aligned above the upper most portion of the pulley 3.

The second locking pin can be in a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, the webbing 7 is positioned relative to the housing so that the locking loop of the webbing is aligned with second pin and the second pin extends through the locking loop of the webbing. In the unlocked position the locking pin does not interfere with the webbing 7.

Both the first and the second locking pin have buttons 31, 32, which a user can manoeuvre to move the pins from the unlocked position to the locked position. The buttons have tabs that are received by the shaped slots of the front plate protrusions 11a, lib.

The buttons are shown in detail in figures 8a to 8d and 9a to 9d. The first button 31 has a generally cube-shaped top half 31a with a cylindrical bottom half 31b. The button is engageable with the first pin via an aperture 31c surrounded by an annular wall 31d. The aperture is threaded and engageable with a corresponding thread on the first pin. The second button has similar features and operation to the first button. Like numbers are used to indicate like parts, except that the second button's components are labelled 32a, 32b, 32 c, 32d, 33e, 33f, and 33g. Each button has tabs 31f, 32f that are received by the shaped slots of the front plate protrusions 11a, l ib. Each button 31, 32 also has recesses 31g, 32g to assist a user to operate the button. Each first button and associated pin are assembled with the front plate, as shown in figure 10. A compression spring 33, 34 is positioned between a shoulder 27a, 29a of each pin 27 and the front plate 11. Each compression spring urges the associated pin and button in a direction towards back plate 13. By assembling the pins and buttons in this manner, the pins are contained within the pulley housing.

With reference to the shaped slots shown in figures 3a to 3e, to move each button from the unlocked position to the locked position, a user first pulls the button outwards against the spring and rotates the button 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. When the button is released, the spring will urge the pin and button towards the housing. The tabs will move within the slots and control the movement of the pin relative to the housing. In particular, the spring, slot, and tabs will cooperate to pull the pin and button into the locked position, as shown in Figure 10. To move each button to the locked position, a user can follow the same process, except that they will turn the button in a counter-clockwise direction. In the locked position, the tab is positioned so that it engages with portion 11c of the slot. In the unlocked position, the tab is positioned so that it engages with portion llg of the slot.

With reference to the shaped slots shown in figure 3g, to move each button from the unlocked position to the locked position, a user first pulls the button outwards against the spring and rotates the button 45 degrees in either direction. When the button is released, the spring will urge the pin and button towards the housing. In the locked position, the tab is positioned so that it engages with portion 12a of the slot. In the unlocked position, the tab is positioned so that it engages with portion 12c of the slot. The second button has similar features and operation to the first button.

The webbing 7 is of adjustable length. The webbing 7 uses a buckle 8 to adjust the length of the webbing 7 over a continuous range. The webbing 7 is placed over the pulley 3 so that a first portion of the webbing runs down one side of the pulley, and a second portion of the webbing runs down the other side of the pulley. Each portion of the webbing 7 forms a strap of adjustable length. Each strap terminates with a handle 7b, which may be interchangeable with a number of different types of handles. The handles 7b are preferably separate components that are clipped to the ends of the webbing 7. The handles 7b are loops of a webbing material, surround by a cylindrical grip. Alternatively, the handles may be integrally formed in the webbing 7 by a loop of the webbing .

The webbing 7 has one or more locking loops 7c to receive the second locking pin 29. Once the second locking pin 29 is inserted through the locking loop, the webbing 7 is unable to move relative to the pulley housing 5. In the preferred embodiment shown, the locking loop is located in the middle of the length of the webbing 7.

In the preferred embodiment, the webbing 7 contains only one locking loop 7c centrally located in the middle of the length of the webbing. In an alternative embodiment, the webbing 7 may comprise two or more locking loops that enable the webbing to be secured in a number of positions along its length. In the preferred embodiment, the length of the webbing 7 is adj ustable via a buckle at each ends of the webbing 7. In an alternative embodiment, only one end of the webbing has a buckle for adjusting the length of the webbing. The pulley 3 and pulley housing 5 are constructed from a suitable metallic material, such as an Aluminium alloy, mild steel or stainless steel. The metallic material may be treated by galvanizing or painting for example.

In operation, the suspension training system of the present invention can be arranged in three configurations.

A first configuration is achieved by securing or locking both the first and second locking pins. The first locking pin 27 secures the pulley 3 against movement relative to the pulley housing 5. The second locking pin 29 secures the webbing against movement relative to the pulley housing 5. It will be appreciated that the second locking pin 29 also secures the webbing against movement around the pulley 3.

In this configuration, the straps of the webbing 7 are set at fixed lengths on each side of the pulley 3, allowing certain exercises that require stable straps to be performed. Such exercises may include pull ups or push ups for example. While the webbing 7 is secured against movement relative to the pulley housing 5 in this configuration, the angle of the webbing is still able to be set at any angle suitable to the user. This allows exercises to be performed using anywhere from 0% to 100% of the users body weight.

With reference to Figure 11, a second configuration is achieved by unlocking the second locking pin 29, with the first locking pin 27 still in the locked position. In this configuration, the pulley 3 is fixed and unable to move in relation to the pulley housing 5. The webbing 7 is free to move over the pulley 3 if enough force is applied to overcome the friction of the webbing on the outer surface of the pulley. This allows the webbing 7 to move over the pulley 3 with friction providing a stabilising force. A variety of exercises involving unilateral movements can be performed using this configuration.

With reference to Figure 12, in a third configuration, both locking pins 17, 29 are moved to the unlocked position. In this configuration, the pulley 3 is free to rotate within the pulley housing 5, and the webbing 7 causes the pulley to rotate. The friction force between the webbing 7 and the outer surface of the pulley 3 means forces on the webbing create rotation of the pulley rather than movement of the webbing relative to the outer surface of the pulley. This third configuration provides a balance challenge because a very small difference in forces on the webbing 7 is sufficient to rotate the pulley 3. This constant balancing of the straps during movements provides a new challenge for the user. Unilateral exercises can be performed or static exercises with the user actively controlling the balance of forces through each side of the webbing.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the preferred embodiment, the cable has been described as a webbing material. Alternatively, the cable may be a rope or cord.

An alternative or additional embodiment is to include apertures on the outer surface of the pulley so that the second locking pin may extend through both the loop and into the pulley and also lock the pulley. In this embodiment, a single locking pin may be used to lock both the webbing and the pulley. The pulley has been described as having a plurality of apertures for securing the pulley relative to the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the pulley may have only one aperture.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than the webbing having a loop, the webbing may have an aperture used for locking the webbing relative to the housing. The aperture may be reinforced, for example, with an eyelet. The webbing 7 aperture may allow the second locking pin to be vertically orientated and, when in the locked position, the locking pin may extend down to pass through the webbing aperture to lock the webbing in place.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A suspension training system comprising :

a pulley;

a pulley housing rotatably supporting the pulley;

a cable operatively connected to the pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the pulley relative to the pulley housing; and

a securing mechanism for securing the position of the pulley relative to the housing and securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley.

2. The suspension training system according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a first securing member for securing the position of the pulley relative to the housing.

3. The suspension training system according to claim 2, wherein the first

securing member comprises a first pin engageable with a locking aperture of the pulley.

4. The suspension training system according to claim 3, wherein the pin is engageable with the pulley housing.

5. The suspension training system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first pin secures the pulley such that there is little or no relative movement between the pulley and the housing.

6. The suspension training system according to any one of claims 3 to 5,

wherein the securing mechanism comprises a first button engageable with the first pin, which a user can press to move the first pin from the unlocked position to the locked position.

7. The suspension training system according to any one of claims 3 to 6,

wherein the pulley comprises a plurality of locking apertures.

8. The suspension training system according to claim 7, wherein the locking apertures are evenly spaced.

9. The suspension training system according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a second securing member for securing the position of the cable relative to the housing and/or the pulley.

10. The suspension training system according to claim 9, wherein the second securing member comprises a second pin engageable with an aperture of the cable.

11. The suspension training system according to claim 10, wherein the second pin secures the pulley such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the housing and/or the pulley.

12. The suspension training system according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a second button engageable with the second pin, which a user can press to move the first pin from the unlocked position to the locked position.

13. The suspension training system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second pin secures the cable such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the housing.

14. The suspension training system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second pin secures the cable such that there is little or no relative movement between the cable and the pulley.

15. The suspension training system according to claim 14, wherein the cable comprises a locking aperture.

16. The suspension training system according to claim 15, wherein the locking aperture is provided by a loop formed in the cable.

17. The suspension training system according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the cable comprises a webbing material.

18. The suspension training system according to any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the suspension training system further comprises an anchor strap for removably attaching the suspension training system to a support.