Load selector, in particular for exercise machine

A load selector, in particular for an exercise machine in which a load to be used in an exercise is variable and is determined by a value of a sum of a plurality of weight elements which are associated, through related fastening elements, to a tugging element comprising a rod kinematically connected to appropriate connectors able to exert a force by a user; the weight elements can be stacked on top of one another and present corresponding holed portions able to define a channel for the rod, the rod presents, along its own longitudinal development, i.e., along a direction of development of the aforesaid channel, cross sections of alternatively differentiated value to define thereby a series of notches or tapers; the fastening elements comprise a plurality of coupling elements, positioned in correspondence with each of the weight elements, and movable between a first position in which they do not interact with the rod and a second position in which they do interact with the rod itself, in correspondence with one of the notches or tapers, for a determination of the load.

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What is claimed:

1. An exercise machine having a load selector, comprising:

a tugging element including a rod;

a plurality of weight elements stacked on top of one another and associated, through related fastening elements, to said tugging element, a load to be used in an exercise being variable and being determined by a value of a sum of said pluralityof weight elements, said weight elements having formed therein corresponding holed portions defining a channel for said rod;

a movable element arranged to be moved in a direction parallel to a development of said rod; and

means for transmitting a force exerted by a user, said rod being kinematically connected to said means for transmitting said force by said user; wherein:

said rod has, along a longitudinal direction, a plurality of cross sections of alternatively differentiated value as to define a series of notches or tapers,

said fastening elements comprise a plurality of coupling elements positioned in correspondence with each of said weight elements, and being movable between a first position, in which said coupling elements do not interact with said rod, and asecond position, in which said coupling elements do interact with said rod, in correspondence with one of said series of notches or tapers, for a determination of said load, said coupling elements being arranged to be moved by said movable element, and

said coupling elements are provided thereon with a thrust element able to maintain said coupling elements in said second position.

2. The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein said rod presents a longitudinal profile shaped essentially as a saw tooth.

3. The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein said rod presents a conformation defined by a succession of truncated cones with a greater base positioned at a top portion of each of said truncated cones.

4. The exercise machine according to claim 11, wherein said coupling elements comprise elements with a laminar conformation, provided with a slotted portion fitted onto said rod, and able to interact therewith in correspondence with anactivation of a related drive.

5. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein said coupling elements comprise elements of essentially laminar development, coupled to each of said weight elements, and present a deactivation end able to be thrust by said movable element.

6. The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein said movable element comprises a flexible belt contained and able to run within a guide structure shaped as a "U" and arranged to extend to encompass said plurality of weight elements, andwherein said deactivation end is constructed and arranged to be at least partially inserted in a first position of said guide structure in such a way as to be thrust by said flexible belt when said flexible belt is at a corresponding height.

7. The exercise machine according to claim 6, wherein on each of said laminar elements are provided with said thrust element with a reaction directed towards a first belt portion able to maintain a slotted portion of said laminar elements incontact with said rod, thereby maintaining said laminar elements in said second position.

8. The exercise machine according to claim 6, wherein on said guide structure are provided a drive able to move said flexible belt to run parallel to said weight elements.

9. The exercise machine according to claim 8, wherein said drive comprises a drive roller positioned along a path of said flexible belt, opposite with respect to an idle roller.

10. A load selector for an exercise machine, comprising:

a guide structure, said guide structure constructed and arranged to surround a plurality of weights stacked one over another;

a movable element constructed and arranged to be moved within said guide structure; and

a plurality of coupling elements, wherein:

each of the weights forms a holed portion defining a channel for receiving a rod having a series of notches or tapers,

each of said coupling elements being constructed to be positioned in correspondence with the weight elements and the rod passing through the channel defined by the holed portion of the weight elements, said coupling elements being constructed soas to be arranged in a first position, in which said coupling elements do not interact with the rod and a second position, in which said coupling elements do interact with the rod, in correspondence with one of the series of the notches or the tapers,for a determination of a load, said coupling elements being arranged to be moved by said movable element, and

each of said coupling elements is provided thereon with a thrust element for maintaining said coupling element in said second position.

11. The load selector according to claim 10, wherein:

a first portion of said coupling elements is constructed to be at least partially inserted into a first portion of said guide structure,

said movable element is constructed to be moved within said guide structure such that when said movable element is arranged to be positioned at a same height of at least one of said coupling elements, said first portion of said at least one ofsaid coupling elements comes into contact with said movable element causing said at least one of said coupling elements to be moved to the second position.

12. The load selector according to claim 11, further comprising a drive constructed and arranged to move said movable element within said guide structure.

13. The load selector according to claim 12, wherein said drive further comprises a motor.

14. The load selector according to claim 11, wherein:

said movable element comprises a flexible belt, and

said guide structure has a "U" shape.

15. The load selector according to claim 11, wherein said thrust element is constructed to be provided at a second portion of each of said coupling elements to cause a force to be exerted on said coupling element in a direction toward a portionof said guide structure arranged to include said movable element.

16. The load selector according to claim 10, wherein said coupling elements have a laminar conformation and are provided with a slotted portion constructed to be fitted onto the rod.

17. The load selector of claim 10, wherein when said movable element moves said coupling elements, said moved coupling elements are moved to said first position.

18. An exercise machine having a load selector, comprising:

a tugging element including a rod;

a plurality of weight elements stacked on top of one another and associated, through related fastening elements, to said tugging element, a load to be used in an exercise being variable and being determined by a value of a sum of said pluralityof weight elements, said weight elements having formed therein corresponding holed portions defining a channel for said rod;

means for transmitting a force exerted by a user, said rod being kinematically connected to said means for transmitting said force by said user; and

a movable element for moving a plurality of coupling elements, said movable element being arranged to be moved in a direction parallel to a development of said rod, wherein:

said rod has, along a longitudinal direction, a plurality of cross sections of alternatively differentiated value as to define a series of notches or tapers,

said fastening elements comprise the plurality of coupling elements positioned in correspondence with each of said weight elements, and being movable between a first position, in which said coupling elements do not interact with said rod, and asecond position, in which said coupling elements do interact with said rod, in correspondence with one of said series of notches or tapers, for a determination of said load,

said coupling elements are provided thereon with a thrust element able to maintain said coupling elements in said second position, and

said coupling elements comprise elements of essentially laminar development, coupled to each of said weight elements, and present a deactivation end able to be thrust by said movable element.