AU2003101001A4 - Exercise Device and Method - Google Patents

Description

2003 15:54 Wa l inston-Dummer Sydney No. 364 9 P 4 P/00/009 Regulation 3 2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION Invention Title: EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHOD The invention is described in the following statement: Our Ref: 036009 COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:54 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 2 EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHOD The present invention relates to aids for the development or rehabilitation of the musculature of the upper arm.

BACKGROUND

The desire to increase the muscle tone and muscular capacity of the body and specific parts of the body have led to the development of a large range of equipment designed to aid in that process. Such equipment includes weights, stretchable spring arrays and highly complex socalled exercise machines.

The development of the muscles of the arm, in particular the biceps, has generally required the use of weights. These are bulky and inconvenient in many situations and do not allow a specifically useful means and method of exercise in which the range of pivotal movement of the forearm relative to the upper arm is restricted to an angle less than 90 degrees.

The present invention seeks to address these disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:55 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 6 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said method including the steps of; the use of an exercise device providing a resistance force to the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm of a user, said resistance force acting along the line between the shoulder and the wrist of said user; adjusting said device so that when in a relaxed state between the shoulder and the wrist of said user said device restricts the angle at the elbow of said user to an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees; adjusting said device so that the resistance force is within the capacity of the user to overcome the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm, repeated reciprocal rotational movements of the forearm from said relaxed state towards the upper arm.

Preferably said device is adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about the elbow of the COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:55 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 7 4 forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90 0 at the elbow and an angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm; and wherein said device comprises; first and second tubular elements adapted for telescopic interaction between a first extended state and a second compressed state, outwardly urging means adapted to bias said first and second tubular elements into said first extended state.

Preferably said outwardly urging means is a compression spring.

Preferably said resistance force is provided by a compression spring; and wherein said resistance force may be varied by selecting one of a range of compression springs of varying spring rates or by varying the installed length of said compression spring.

Preferably said resistance force is provided by compression of a column of air releasably contained within a first element of said tubular elements between a closed end of said first element and a moving piston urged by a second element of said tubular elements; said COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 r b.Dec. 2UU3 15:55 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 8 column of air selectively released from said first element through a restrictive flow valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is partially cut away perspective view of an exercise device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of an exercise device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first preferred embodiment of an exercise device will now be described with reference to Figure 1 in which an outer tubular member 11 is adapted to telescopically receive an inner tubular member 12.

Outer tubular member 11 is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar 21 at its open end 22.

Likewise, inner tubular member 12 is provided with an outwardly projecting collar 23 at its open end 24, the collars adapted to prevent the separation of inner tubular COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:55 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 9 6 member 12 from outer tubular member 11. when the device is assembled for use.

Outer tubular member 11 is provided with closure means 15 at outer end 13. Closure means 15 comprises a threaded sleeve 16 adapted to screw onto a threaded end portion of the tubular member 11, and a curved portion 17 adapted to fit against the wrist of a user. Curved portion 17 may be provided with a covering of resilient material to improve the comfort of the user.

Inner tubular member 12 is provided at outer end 14 with an internally threaded socket 26. A supporting element 18 comprising of curved element 19 and a resilient cover adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user. Supporting element 18 further comprises a threaded shaft 27 adapted to screw into internally threaded socket 26 so as to provide adjustment of the overall length of device 10 to suit individual users.

A compression spring 25 acts between the outer ends 13 and 14 of outer tubular member 11 and inner tubular member 12 respectively, to urge the tubular members into a maximum extended condition. Closure means 15 may be unscrewed from outer tubular member 11 so as to allow springs of various spring rates to be installed in the device thereby COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 r U.Dec. 2UU003 15:bb55 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 7 providing different levels of effort required to force the telescopic compression of inner tubular member 12 into outer tubular member 11. Preferred spring rates are in the range of 11 to 151b and 17 to 21b per inch of compression.

In at least one preferred embodiment device 10 may be provided with alternative end unit 27. Alternative end unit 27 is comprised of a threaded shaft 29 adapted to screw into socket 26, and a resilient pad 28. When fitted with alternative end unit 27 device 10 may be operated between the two hands or between the hand and hip of a user, for example.

A preferred arrangement of outer tubular member 11 and inner tubular member 12 allows for a reciprocating telescopic movement of compression and extension in the order of An important feature of the operation of the device is that it should be adjusted to suit a user so that it is the rotational limitation of the user's arm as the forearm contacts the bicep rather than the limit of travel of the telescoping elements of the device which defines the limit of the compression stroke when the device is in use. When fully extended and placed between the wrist and the shoulder the adjusted length of the device should define an angle at the elbow of approximately 900 or less.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 r oUec. ZUU lb:b6 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 11 8 Normally an inexperienced user will start an exercise regime with a compression spring 25 installed at its maximum relaxed length, gradually moving to springs with greater rates as the musculature of the upper arm develops.

Tn a second preferred embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, an exercise device 100 has again telescopically associated outer tubular member 101 and inner tubular member 102 closed at their outer ends by closure means 103 and 104 respectively.

Outer tubular member 101 is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar 105 at its open end 106.

Likewise, inner tubular member 102 is provided with an outwardly projecting collar 107 at its open end 108, the collars adapted to prevent the separation of inner tubular member 102 from outer tubular member 101 when device 100 is assembled for use.

The closure means 103 of outer tubular member 101 is in the form of a screw-on cap 109. Screw-on cap 109 is formed with an extended threaded sleeve section to allow for a range of adjustment of the position of cap 109 at the outer end 103 of outer tubular member 101. A piston rod 110 is fixed to the outer end of tubular member 101 at a first end and to piston 111 at a second end. Piston rod 110 is of a length so as to locate piston 111. just within the end 108 COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:56 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 12 9 of inner tubular member 102 when device 100 is at maximum extension.

A compression spring 112 is adapted to act between the outer end of outer tubular member 101 and the outwardly projecting collar 107 of inner tubular member 102 so as to urge the tubular members 101 and 102 into a maximum extended position. In this embodiment the force exerted by spring 112 is only sufficient to return the tubular members to that maximum extended position.

Piston 11.1 is adapted to slide within inner tubular member 102 and is provided with annular sealing means (not shown) to allow for the comoression of the air column between the piston 111 and the closed outer end 104 of inner tubular member 102. Inner tubular member 102 is provided at its outer end 104 with flow restriction valve 114. valve 114 is provided with control means whereby the rate of flow of air through the valve may be varied, thereby varying the amount of force required to drive piston 111 towards the outer end 104 of inner tubular member 102. The open end 106 of outer tubular member 101 nay be provided with a slot (not shown) so as to accommodate flow restriction valve 114 when the device is driven to maximum compression.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:56 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 13 The outer end 104 of inner tubular member 102 and the cap 109 of outer tubular member 101 are provided with resilient pads 115 and 116 respectively. Optionally, cap 109 may be provided with a strap adapted to pass around the wrist of a user. As a further option, the device may be supplied with an interchangeable end pad in the form of a curved pad adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user.

In use, an exercise session with the device of any of the above described embodiments consists of a series of oscillating movements with the forearm between the relaxed state approximately defined by the adjusted extended length of the device and its compressed state determined by the rotation of the forearm relative to the upper arm between a first angle and second angle equal to or less than where is approximately 90 degrees.

In a further preferred embodiment the shoulder and wrist yokes are adapted to be detachable from the device to allow the yokes to be replaced by suitable handgrips. Tn this configuration the device may be used to exercise the shoulder muscles by grasping the device by the handgrips, one in each hand, and applying compressive force.

EXAMPLE

Electrodes were positioned over four muscles (biceps brachii, medial triceps brachii, pectoralis major and COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:56 Wal insto -Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 14 1'1 latissimus dorsi) of one male subject to measure activation levels during use of the exercise device.

Test A: The first task that was performed involved elbow flexion while the shoulder was flexed to maintain a horizontal position of the upper arm. In this position, while the device was held in the hand and pressed down onto the shoulder, muscle activation of the biceps brachii was monitored.

Test B: For the next task the subject positioned his arm by his side and adducted the shoulder against the resistance of the exercise device. The exercise device was held in the hand and squeezed against the thigh, muscle activation of the pectoralis major, triceps brachii (medical head) and latissimus dorsi were monitored during this task.

Test C: The final task involved the horizontal adduction of the shoulder. Both arms were flexed and held in a horizontal position in front of the subject while the exercise device was pushed together between the hands. Muscle activation of the pectoralis major, triceps brachii (medical head) and latissimus dorsi were monitored in this test.

For all tests two static and two dynamic trials were performed and in each case the average activation of the COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:57 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 12 two trials was calculated. Test A was performed with a light and a heavy spring while only a light spring was used for Tests B and C.

Muscle activation levels were normalized to a percentage of the subject's isometric (static) maximal voluntary contraction against an immobile load for 3 seconds. Normalisation of the trial data involved dividing the average trial data by the MVC and then multiplying by 100 to produce a percentage of the MVC. In all tests the MVC was performed in the same position as the task, however for Test A an additional MVC was performed at a 90' flexed elbow position to compare the test results with a common biceps brachii flexing exercise position.

RESULTS

Table 1 lists the muscle activation level results as a percentage of MVC for each test.

Table 1. Results for tests A,B and C. For Test A the "standard" data indicated the comparison with the MVC taken in the same position as the test and represents the comparison with the MVC taken at 90° of flexion.

Test Spring Resistance Static (%MVC) Dynamic (%MVC) COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:57 Wallington-Dummer Sydney 13 No.3649 P. 16 A Elbow Flexion Light Heavy 30.5 25.2 217.8 180.0 Static (%MVC) 96.2 79.5 165.7 137.0 Dynamic (%MVC) Test B Adduction Muscles Triceps Brachii (medial head) Latissimus dorsi Pectoralis major 96.0 71.0 187.5 83.5 160.3 68.9 C Horizontal Triceps Brachii 14.3 14.1 Adduction (medial head) Latissimus dorsi 45.4 55.6 Pectoralis major 149.5 121.7 Overall, the results indicate that apart form the low activation level of the triceps brachii in Test C all muscles have shown a substantial level of activation in each test, see Table 1. In Test A (elbow flexion) the use of the light spring has shown a reasonable level of muscle activation. The us of the heavy spring has produced much greater activation while performing dynamic activity has had a varied effect. During Test B (shoulder adduction) the latissimus dorsi has shown substantially greater activity than the other two muscles. The static trials have produced greater activation than the dynamic trials for Test B. In Test C the pectoralis major has shown much COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:57 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No -3649 P 17 14 greater activity than latissimus dorsi and triceps. In this test the differences between the static and dynamic results carried once again.

SUMMARY

During an elbow flexion exercise the spring loaded exercise device has shown biceps brachii muscle activation that reaches and sometimes exceeds a level equivalent to a standard 9 0 flexed elbow position action. During shoulder adduction activation of the latisimus dorsi was the dominant muscle activated while during horizontal adduction activation of pectoralis major was dominant.

The above describes only some embodiments and uses of the present invention and modifications and adaptations, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05

Claims (4)

1. A method for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said method including the steps of; the use of an exercise device providing a resistance force to the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm of a user, said resistance force acting along the line between the shoulder and the wrist of said user; adjusting said device so that when in a relaxed state between the shoulder and the wrist of said user said device restricts the angle at the elbow of said user to an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees; adjusting said device so that the resistance force is within the capacity of the user to overcome the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm, repeated reciprocal rotational movements of the forearm from said relaxed state towards the upper arm.

2. A device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:57 Wallin ton-Dummer Sydney N o- 36 49 P 19 16 the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 900 at the elbow and an angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm; and wherein said device comprises; first and second tubular elements adapted for telescopic interaction between a first extended state and a second compressed state, outwardly urging means adapted to bias said first and second tubular elements into said first extended state.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said outwardly urging means is a compression spring.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said resistance force is provided by a compression spring; and wherein said resistance force may be varied by selecting one of a range of compression springs of varying spring rates or by varying the installed length of said compression spring. The device of claim 2 wherein said resistance force is provided by compression of a column of air releasably contained within a first element of said tubular elements between a closed end of said first COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05 2003 15:58 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3649 P. 17 element and a moving piston urged by a second element of said tubu3ar elements; said column of air selectively released from said first element through a restrictive flow valve. December 2003 Danny Leonard Adcock By his Patent Attorneys Wallington-Dummer COMS ID No: SMBI-00523949 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-12-05