AU731287B3 - Exercising assembly and method - Google Patents

Description

APPLICANTS: JOHN RICHARD CORRY; ROBERT JAMES MAGILL; AND MICHELLE LEANNE FREIMANIS Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 1990 PETTY PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION ENTITLED: EXERCISING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -1- "EXERCISING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD" Technical Field This invention relates to a neck exercising assembly and to a method of exercising the neck.

Background of Invention The need to exercise the neck and the reasons for so doing are well known and documented. Chronic neck pain is common in modern society and chronic headache can also result from trauma to the neck. There is increasing research evidence that remedial exercise that develops the strength of the musculature in the neck region can significantly reduce pain and suffering. To meet these needs a wide variety of neck exercising devices and methods have been developed.

Summary of Invention The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known neck exercising assemblies and to known methods of exercising the neck.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a neck exercising apparatus including:a cranial enclosure adapted to loosely receive the head of a user; support means for supporting the cranial enclosure on the body of the user, and biasing means on the inner surface of the cranial enclosure and adapted to closely receive the head of the user such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of the biasing means in a plurality of directions.

As used herein the expression "cranial enclosure" is to be given a broad meaning and is not limited to an enclosure which completely surrounds the cranium.

The word "cranium" is not to be construed in the strict medical sense. The expression "cranial enclosure" includes arrangements which both substantially and partially enclose or surround the head, the enclosure per se being either continuous in the nature of a helmet or open in the nature of a grid, frame or the like.

The biasing means can be compensating or reciprocating in the sense that movement of the head in one direction against the action of a biasing means generates pressure against a portion of the head opposite to the biasing means.

Alternatively the biasing means can be non-reciprocating and can, for example, include resilient cushioning means or springs.

It is preferred that the biasing means includes bellows means.

As used herein the expressions "bellows means" and "bellows" are to be given broad meanings and include any hydraulic or pneumatic means for applying pressure.

The expressions thus include a flexible collapsible envelope or the like containing a liquid or a gas as well as the more conventional air filled bellows.

It is also preferred that the bellows means includes pairs of bellows opposed in the plurality of directions.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a neck exercising apparatus including:a cranial enclosure adapted to loosely receive the head of a user, and pairs of fluidly connected bellows opposed in a plurality of directions on the inner surface of the cranial enclosure and adapted to closely receive the head of the user such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of the bellows in the plurality of directions.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of exercising the neck including:positioning the head within biasing means adapted to closely receive the head such that the head can be moved against the bias of the biasing means in a plurality of directions, the biasing means being located on the inner surface of a cranial enclosure adapted to loosely receive the head of a user; supporting the cranial enclosure on the body of the exerciser, and moving the head against the bias of the biasing means in the plurality of directions.

It is preferred that the neck exercising apparatus includes coupling means for providing fluid communication between the opposed bellows in each pair.

It is preferred that the coupling means includes selectively adjustable valve means for selectively varying the resistance to fluid flow between the pairs of opposed bellows.

It is also preferred that the neck exercising apparatus includes control means for varying the resistance.

It is preferred that the control means is adapted to selectively couple the coupling means between selected opposed bellows.

It is also preferred that the neck exercising apparatus includes pressurising means for selectively controlling the pressure within the bellows.

It is also preferred that the neck exercising apparatus includes pressure sensing means for sensing the pressure within the bellows.

It is also preferred that the neck exercising apparatus includes handle means for gripping by the user.

It is also preferred that the cranial enclosure is a helmet or the like.

Alternatively the cranial enclosure can be a grid, frame or the like.

It is also preferred that the support means includes a shoulder mount for mounting the cranial enclosure on the shoulders of a user.

It is also preferred that the handle means includes a pair of hand grips adapted to be grasped by the hands of a user in front of the user's chest when the cranial enclosure is mounted on the shoulders.

It is also preferred that the biasing means is such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias thereof in lateral flexion, flexion/extension and rotation.

It is also preferred that the cranial enclosure and the biasing means are such that the user can move their head through substantially 60 degrees rotation and through substantially 50 degrees lateral flexion and flexion/extension.

Description of Drawings In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIG 1 is a perspective view of a cranial enclosure in the form of a helmet with shoulder mount and hand grips for a neck exercising assembly in accordance with the invention; FIGS 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic illustrations of the extent of rotational, flexion/extension and lateral flexion movement respectively for exercising the neck in accordance with the present invention; FIG 3 is a schematic side view of the neck being exercised in accordance with the present invention by flexion/extension movement; FIG 4 is a schematic plan view of the neck being exercised in accordance with the present invention by rotational and flexion movement; FIG 5 is a schematic side view of the neck exerciser in accordance with the present invention showing the biasing means for biasing the head during flexion/extension movement; FIG 6 is a schematic plan view of the neck exerciser in accordance with the present invention showing the biasing means for biasing the head during rotational and lateral flexion movement; FIG 7 is a schematic diagram of a pair of opposed bellows in fluid communication with each other; FIG 8 is a schematic perspective view of a cranial enclosure in accordance with the present invention showing the location thereon of the various pairs of opposed bellows, and FIG 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the control and fluid coupling of the hydraulic or pneumatic system constituting the reciprocating biasing means in accordance with the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiment of Invention As can be seen in FIG 1 a neck exercising apparatus 10 in accordance with the invention includes a helmet 11 having an outer side 12 and an inner side 13, a pair of shoulder saddles or seats 14 and a pair of rods 16 mounted thereon and extending forwards and downwards and terminating in a pair of handles 15 which can be grasped in front of the chest by a user wearing the helmet.

It will be appreciated that shoulder saddles 14 and hand grips 15 are just one of various ways in which the helmet can be mounted on the body of the user to provide stability for the helmet against the forces generated by head movement. In the case of users with paraplegic or atrophic upper limbs or in other conditions where the hands cannot be used to grasp the hand grips, other arrangements for example could include extensions of the shoulder saddles down to the chest or waist with a belt or strap being used to fasten the equipment more securely to the user's body.

Helmet 11 is preferably made from a lightweight plastics material but it will be appreciated that an open grid-like structure or other suitable frame can be utilised.

Helmet 11 is oversize in the sense that it is adapted to loosely receive a user's head. The space between the inner surface 13 and the user's head is occupied by biasing means in a manner subsequently to be described with the biasing means within helmet 11 being adapted to closely receive the user's head such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of the biasing means in three main directions.

These three basic neck and head movements are rotation, in which the head turns or rotates from side to side; flexion/extension, in which the head moves forward eg when looking down, and backward eg when looking up; and lateral flexion, in which the head moves laterally as when a person's ear moves toward a shoulder.

These movements are illustrated schematically in FIGS 3 and 4 within a helmet 21 having shoulder saddles 24 and handgrips 25. In FIG 3, a schematic head is shown in flexion/extension movement between a posterior position 27 and an anterior position 28. Fig 4 illustrates rotation of the head between left position 30 and right position 31.

Turning now to FIGS 2A, 2B and 2C which schematically illustrate the extent of rotational, flexion/extension and lateral flexion movement respectively for exercising the neck in accordance with the present invention, the illustrations show the space required within the helmet to allow for 60 degrees of rotational movement of the head and for degrees of both lateral flexion and flexion/extension. These distances are 350mm, 400mm and 400mm respectively, thus the minimal clearance between the head and helmet 11 to allow for the above degree of movement will be 400mm all round plus the space taken by the biasing means.

The biasing means will now be explained and described, in general terms by reference to FIGS 5 and 6, and in more specific terms in respect of a preferred embodiment by reference to FIGS 7 and 8.

As indicated above, the biasing means are disposed on the inner surface of helmet 11 and function to allow exercise to occur as the head moves against the action of the bias in rotation, lateral flexion and flexion/extension.

The biasing means can be non-compensating or non-reciprocating in the sense that movement of the head in one direction acts only against a bias against such movement without any pressure being generated against the head opposite to the biasing means. A resilient foam plastic insert or the like occupying the space between the head and inside of the oversize helmet will function as a biasing means in this embodiment (not illustrated).

Alternatively, and preferably, the biasing means is compensating or reciprocating in the sense that movement of the head in one direction against the action of a biasing means will result in a compensating or reciprocating pressure being generated against the head opposite to the biasing means.

This type of bias can be provided by a set of opposed springs for example, or in the manner subsequently to be illustrated and described, by reciprocating pneumatic or hydraulic cushioning in which a pair of opposed flexible bellows, cushions, pillows or the like which are interconnected by a fluid coupling such that movement in one direction by the head against one of the cushions will translate into a compensating pressure against the head from the other cushion of the pair. This type of bias is schematically illustrated in FIGS 5 and 6.

In FIG 5 which illustrates the arrangement for the bias means for flexion/extension head movement, anterior bias means 61 is paired with posterior bias means 62. In FIG 6, neck exercise by lateral flexion head movement is provided by left bias means 63 paired with right bias means 66. Similarly, neck exercise by rotation head movement is provided by left movement bias means 64 being paired with right movement bias means FIG 7 illustrates a paired pneumatic bellows configuration 80 in which a pair of flexible bellows or cushions 81,82 are interconnected by piping 83. If external pressure is applied to bellows 81 for example, as for example by movement of the head thereagainst, a corresponding pressure can be applied by bellows 82. Thus if the bellows 81 and 82 are located within a helmet in accordance with this invention, as for example is illustrated in FIG 5 by bias means 61 and 62 say, then the compensating or reciprocating configuration previously described will be effected. A variable setting resistance valve 84 is positioned in piping 83 and by varying the setting of valve 84, the resistance to pneumatic flow along piping 83 between bellows 81 and 82 can also be varied. This enables the work done during exercising to be controlled.

FIG 8 schematically illustrates a practical arrangement of pneumatic bellows within helmet 51, with the numbering of the bellows corresponding to that used in FIGS 5 and 6 to schematically illustrate the several bias means for each of the three movements.

It will be appreciated that the bellows configuration illustrated schematically in FIG 8 can be integrally formed as the lining within the oversize helmet to provide a close fit on a user's head. The individual bellows can be formed within a double sided layer by appropriately joining the two sides to create individual cushions or compartments, and with the pairing of opposed compartments being effected by similarly forming connecting passageways.

Such an arrangement is schematically illustrated in FIG 9, wherein the opposed bellows pairs (61/62 for flexion/extension, 63/66 for lateral flexion and 64/65 for rotation) are linked by pneumatic or hydraulic control means 93 which in known manner effect connection of corresponding pairs as required through a common resistance valve, or through a series of such valves, and which also controls the setting of the valve(s) to control the resistance to movement and hence the work done when exercising. Measuring means 91 can be connected to the system to measure the pressure therein and a pressure source 92, such as for example a sphygmomanometer bulb, can also be connected to the system to vary the pressure therein.

The capacity to vary the pressure and/or volume within the bellows configuration means that one size helmet can be provided, the variation in user's head size being compensated for by varying the volume of the bellows whilst still providing a close fit of the bellows about the user's head. It will also be noted that the configuration of the hand grip is shown differently in FIGS 1 and 3. The configuration can vary to suit individual requirements and the handle can be articulated to its support arm to allow for varying positions to be adopted.

It will thus be appreciated that in one aspect the invention broadly resides in a neck exerciser which includes a cranial enclosure preferably in the form of a helmet which is adapted to loosely receive the head of a user, support means preferably in the form of shoulder saddles and hand grips for supporting the helmet on the body of the user, and biasing means on the inner surface of the helmet and preferably in the form of bellows which closely receive the head of the user such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of the bellows in the directions of rotation, lateral flexion and flexion/extension.

It will thus also be appreciated that in another aspect the invention broadly resides in a neck exerciser which includes a cranial enclosure preferably in the form of a helmet which is adapted to loosely receive the head of a user, and pairs of fluidly connected bellows on the inner surface of the helmet which closely receive the head of the user and which are opposed in the directions of rotation, lateral flexion and flexion/extension such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of the bellows in these directions.

In use in the method of exercising the neck in accordance with the present invention, the head is positioned within biasing means preferably in the form of bellows which are adapted to closely receive the head such that the head can be moved against the bias of the biasing means in the directions of rotation, lateral flexion and flexion/extension, with the biasing means being located on the inner surface of a cranial enclosure preferably in the form of a helmet and which is adapted to loosely receive the head of a user. The helmet is supported on the body of the user, and the head is then moved against the bias of the biasing means in these directions.

It will be appreciated that the neck exercising assembly and method of the present invention has a number of advantages over known neck exercising assemblies and known methods of exercising the neck.

The present invention is far more portable than known apparatus which utilise a weight held to the head by the user such as by attachment to a weighted headband, or to pulleys or resistive springs attached to frames.

The present invention allows effective control of variable resistance in a manner not provided with any significant control or degree of confidence by more simple apparatus intended to be mounted on the head, mouth, neck or chest, or which use other body parts or muscles to provide resistance. Exercise against progressively increasing loads has been demonstrated as an effective methodology with high effort compliance.

The present invention also provides the capacity to measure force and work and transfer data to a computer for use in research as well as therapy.

The present invention is particularly suited for personal or home use and is not limited to use in large specialised facilities as is the case with more complex equipment having means for moving the head against weights or hydraulic resistance with the user seated on chair or bench and the apparatus itself intended to be fixed to floor or chair. In contrast to the present invention these are relatively complex, heavy and expensive and often allow movement in only one axis.

In summary the present invention will be seen to be light and portable, relatively cheap to manufacture, have the capacity to provide a progressive resistance to exercise, allow for exercise in one or more axes and have the capacity to provide feedback on effort and progress.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims (3)

1. A neck exercising apparatus including:- a cranial enclosure adapted to loosely receive the head of a user; support means for supporting said cranial enclosure on the body of the user, and biasing means on the inner surface of said cranial enclosure and adapted to closely receive the head of the user such that the user can exercise their neck by moving their head against the bias of said biasing means in a plurality of directions.

2. A neck exercising apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes bellows means.

3. A neck exercising apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bellows means includes pairs of bellows opposed in said plurality of directions.