CA2752763A1

CA2752763A1 - Neck exercise device

Info

Publication number: CA2752763A1
Application number: CA2752763A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Scott Burston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-12
Filing date: 2011-09-12
Publication date: 2013-03-12

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise device. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an exercise device for the improvement and/or therapeutic rehabilitation of the muscles and physical structures of the neck, face, shoulders, upper chest and upper back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists a need for a device that will safely and comprehensively exercise the muscles of the human neck which is available to the general population to own and use routinely for the benefit of their health, while being compact enough to store easily.
Such a device, if used regularly, would encourage healthy function of the neck in counteraction to negative influences such as working long hours at a computer, a sedentary lifestyle and habitually poor posture. It may also be used therapeutically in order to counteract the effect of traumatic neck injuries.

It is desirable for such a device to have a range of motion which exercises all of the muscles of the neck but which is constrained within safe bounds of movement and which has an adjustable and linear resistance pattern.

A number of devices are known that attempt to address such a need.

US 2011111925 Al describes a floor standing device which allows for the application of resistance to the muscles of the neck through a strictly limited range of motion.

This device offers resistance in one direction only, requiring a user to orientate their body position in ninety degree increments relative to the device in order to experience resistance to the front, back, left and right sides of the neck.

A user is required to stabilise their body relative to the resistance applied to their head making this less than ideal for a solution required to work the neck muscles alone. This solution lacks of control over the range of movement, in this case by allowing movement

2 of other parts of the body in congruence with neck movement, which will compromise its effectiveness.

Optimising the contact points on the head and body required to isolate and control the movement of the head relative to the body, in a manner that is comfortable to the user even under resistance, is a critical part of the solution to this problem. A
failure to adequately address this aspect of the problem are common to all prior art in the field.
Other types of floor-standing device are described in US 2008119331 Al, US
2003228955 Al, KR 20110028936 A, and CA 2419347 Al.

WO 2010132106 Al describes a device which is worn by the user and is relatively compact. A strap is placed around the user's forehead by which forward movement of the head is resisted using an elastic resistance mechanism. This device is compact enough for a user to own and store at home, however it provides merely a rudimentary approach to the resistance pattern and range of movement which means that it fails to adequately address aspects of the problem specification, since it uses a non-linear resistance pattern and has too limited a range of motion. According to this solution in order to exercise the muscles at the back of the neck a foam insert is provided against which the user presses with the back of their head, compressing the foam.
Aside from introducing unnecessary complexity, this method means that a different range of motion and pattern of resistance is experienced by the user in forward and backwards movements.

Other types of device that attempt to provide a compact solution to the problem are described in HR 20080385 A2, WO 2005021103 A2, CH 201379679 Y, US D622333 Si, CA 2669505 Al, CN 101822893 A

it is common for the range of motion to be limited to either posterior (rearward relative to the body) movement or anterior (forward relative to the body) movement sometimes in combination with a slight angular deviation. Such limited range of motion is likely be fundamentally counteractive to certain aspects the problem specification, namely to safely, comprehensively and effectively exercise the muscles of the neck.

3 A third common limitation is the use of elastic or other non-linear resistance mechanism as the primary resistance mechanism in the system. An elastic resistance mechanism will tend to have low resistance upon initial operation, which then increases as the elastomer stretches or compresses. This is sub-optimal for nearly every type of exercise device, since a non-linear resistance pattern will put varying strain on muscles at different phases of the exercise cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a neck exercise device which provides adjustable resistance through a safe range of motion in a linear resistance pattern in alternately posterior and anterior directions in simultaneous combination with low-resistance rotational (the turning of the head left or right) movement.

According to the invention, there are provided separate contact points for the front and rear of a user's head. The frontal contact points preferably contact a user's jaw underneath and on both sides. Said frontal contact points preferably being adjustable in orientation to accommodate different jaw shapes. The rear contact similarly has contact points on both sides of, and on the lower rear of the cranium. Said rear contact points are optionally adjustable in orientation. Said rear contact points may alternatively comprise a single rear contact pad and a restraint to rotational movement, comprising a strap or pincer-motion closing pads, which encircles the head either partially or entirely.
Both the front and rear contact points principally should restrain the head relative to the device in both posterior, anterior and rotational movement by having contact points both in the jaw area and on the rear of the cranium.

Both front and rear contact points are attached to a structurally rigid inner hoop which encircles a user's head horizontally at approximately the height of the chin.
Said inner hoop is able to rotate as a user turns their head to the left and right, having an axis closely resembling a line drawn vertically through a user's spine at the height of said inner hoop. Said inner hoop is located partially within a larger outer hoop and is

4 secured relative to said outer hoop by means of a bearing mechanism which allows said inner hoop to rotate around its axis as described with minimal resistance.

Said outer hoop is not free to rotate with the inner hoop and instead has a central pivot around a horizontal axis which runs laterally to the user's body, parallel to a line drawn through a user's shoulders. The axis is preferably implemented physically by two hinges, one either side of a user's neck, which are structurally mounted to shoulder pads which sit atop the user's shoulders. Said shoulder pads and mounting assembly support the weight of the device and steadily hold its position relative to a user's upper body.

A resistance mechanism, which preferably provides constant, linear resistance, is located between the outer hoop and the mounting assembly such that the pivoting motion of said outer hoop relative to said mounting assembly is opposed in either direction to a degree which may be set according to a user's preference.

Said resistance mechanism preferably comprises a pneumatic cylinder, hinged at both ends, connected between the front of said outer hoop and said mounting assembly.
Alternatively said resistance mechanism may be contained within the hinge mechanisms about which said outer hoop pivots by, for example, a variable resistance friction hinge mechanism. Alternatively said resistance mechanism may consist a pulley/cog arrangement with a load bearing mechanism attached such that the pulley/cog ratio be adjusted to vary resistance inherent in the mechanism.
Principally said resistance mechanism should be compact enough to be integrated into or onto the device itself and provide a near linear resistance pattern such that resistance felt by a user is roughly constant at all points in the pivoting of said outer hoop.
Preferably said resistance mechanism allows for differing resistance in posterior and anterior motion of said outer hoop.

Application of pressure to the frontal contact points in forward motion of the user's head causes the outer hoop to pivot around its axis and the user's head correspondingly to pivot relative to the body around the same axis. Said forward motion will be referred to from hereon as anterior motion. Anterior motion will primarily engage the muscles as the front of the neck.

Rearward motion is identical except that pressure is applied to the rear contact points, the direction in which the outer hoop and the head pivots will be opposite, and that the muscles engaged will primarily be those at the back of the neck. Said rearward motion will be referred to from hereon as posterior motion.

Since the inner hoop is free to rotate around its vertical axis without significant resistance, a user may simultaneously turn their head and tilt it forward or backward, thereby further engaging muscles in the sides of the neck. Rotational motion of said inner hoop imparted by the turning of a user's head will be referred to from hereon as rotational motion.

The combination of rotational motion, which is opposed by the least resistance mechanically possible within the constraints of the design, and anterior or posterior motion, which is opposed by constant and adjustable resistance inherent in the resistance mechanism, allows a controlled range of motion for a user's head relative to their body and precise control over the resistance pattern, while the device remains stable in terms of the location of both axis. This structural stability automatically maintains an upright posture for a user's upper spine and limits the potential for injury to the muscles of the neck which could otherwise be induced by poor exercise form.

It should be noted that in addition to the muscles of the neck, the device will also exercise surrounding muscle groups including those of the upper chest, upper back, upper shoulders and those of the face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly;

5

6 FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly;
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of a portion of the assembly;
FIG. 4 is an alternative perspective view of the assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly with a component detached.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of the assembly when worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. I shows an example of neck exercise machine assembly 100. The assembly comprises an inner hoop I which is free to rotate within outer hoop 2 and around axis Y
by means of a bearing mechanism which will be described subsequently.

Outer hoop 2 is permanently attached to hinge mechanisms 3 which in turn are permanently attached to mounting apparatus 4 by mounting brackets 12. Mounting apparatus 4 is a rigid structure and is mounted atop shoulder pads 5 by fixing mechanism 6 which principally allows height and orientation adjustment with sufficient minimal clearance to allow some flexing of said shoulder pads 5. Shoulder pads preferably should comprise a combination of a supple or soft material with a semi-rigid backing to allow for a comfortable interface between the device and a user's shoulders.
FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 show further specific details of neck exercise machine assembly 100. Fixing mechanisms 6 in this example comprise a wing nut 601 mounted on a bolt 602 which is fixed to shoulder pads 5 and which passes through long slot 603 in mounting apparatus 4 and allows for mounting apparatus 4 to be raised or lowered relative to shoulder pads 5 prior to use of the assembly 100. Said fixing mechanisms 6 also allow shoulder pads 5 to be rotated in orientation relative to the user's shoulders in order to provide fitment to varying upper shoulder shapes.

7 Rear contact 7 is permanently attached to inner hoop 1. Front contact 8 is removably attached to inner hoop I in this example by a sliding mechanism with a sprung latch to lock, though it is understood that any appropriate mechanism which allows easy removal of, and secure attachment to front contact 8 from inner hoop 1 may be used.
Front contact 8 consists of side contact pads 801 which are adjustable in rotation around mounting pillars 802 and which are secured in said rotation by thumb screws 803. Horizontal contact pad 804 is permanently attached to support plate 805.
Mounting pillars 802 are permanently attached to support plate 805. Front contact 8 attaches to inner hoop 1 by the insertion of male front contact attachment 806 into corresponding female front contact attachment 807. s FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exercise machine assembly 100 with front contact 8 removed. Female front contact attachment 807 is permanently fixed to inner hoop 1.
Sprung latch 808 folds flat within the body of male front contact attachment 806 during insertion and automatically protrudes from the body once inserted/removed by means of a spring mechanism (not shown). To detach front contact 8 from exercise machine assembly 100 a user depresses sprung latch 808, thereby allowing male front contact attachment 806 to be removed from female front contact attachment 807.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of bearing assembly 9, which is contained within and includes components of inner hoop 1 and outer hoop 2. Inner hoop I rotates freely around axis Y and within a fitted recess in outer hoop 2 by means of bearing assembly 9 which comprises bearings 901, bearing cage 902, inner hoop bearing channels and outer hoop bearing channels 904. Bearings 901 are contained within bearing cage 902. Bearings 901 are located within inner hoop bearing channels 903 and outer hoop bearing channels 904. The lower section of outer hoop bearing channels 904 are not visible in FIG. 3 but they should be assumed to be present.

Outer hoop 2 is free to pivot around axis X by means of its physical association with hinge mechanisms 3 and is resisted in said pivoting motion by resistance mechanism 11. Inner hoop 1, rear contact 7, front contact 8 and bearing mechanism 9 follow the

8 same rotation pattern as outer hoop 2 since they are physically associated along said axis X with said outer hoop 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of exercise machine assembly 100 from below.
Resistance mechanism 11 comprises pneumatic cylinder 1101, lower cylinder hinge 1102, upper cylinder hinge 1103 and flow control valves 1104. Upper cylinder hinge 1103 connects pneumatic cylinder 1101 to outer hoop 2. Lower cylinder hinge 1102 connects pneumatic cylinder 1101 to mounting apparatus 4. Pivoting of outer hoop 2 around axis X causes pneumatic cylinder 1101 to operate in alternately positive and negative strokes depending on the direction of pivot. By this means the resistance to the pivoting motion of outer hoop 2 felt by a user in operation of exercise machine assembly 100 is determined by the resistance inherent in said pneumatic cylinder 1101.
Resistance to movement of pneumatic cylinder 1101 can be determined by varying the aperture which allows air into an out of pneumatic cylinder 1101 by operation of flow control valves 1104.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembly when worn. Prior to use a user adjusts side contact pads 801 of front contact 8 to attain a close fit to their jaw. Thumb screws 803 are then tightened to lock side contact pads 801 in place.

Exercise machine assembly 100 is lowered over the head of a user with front contact 8 detached. Once shoulder pads 5 are fully located the user, attaches front contact 8 by inserting male front contact attachment 806 into female front contact attachment 807 on inner hoop I until sprung latch 808 engages.

Movement of inner hoop 1 is now tied to movement of the user's head by means of rear contact 7 and front contact 8. In operation the user is able to tilt their head forwards in anterior motion, pressing their chin into front contact 8 thereby pivoting the associated assembly components around axis X as described, in opposition to the resistance provided by pneumatic cylinder 1101.

The user is able to tilt their head backwards in posterior motion, pressing the back of their head into rear contact 7 thereby pivoting the associated assembly components

9 around axis X as described, in opposition to the resistance provided by pneumatic cylinder 1101.

The user is further able to rotate their head in either direction around axis Y, said head rotation being constrained to inner hoop 1 by contact between their jaw and side contact pads 801 of front contact 8 and the back of their head with rear contact 7.
This causes inner hoop 1 to rotate within outer hoop 2, said rotation being facilitated by bearing assembly 9.

It is the goal of a user of exercise machine assembly 100 to alternately combine anterior or posterior motion with rotational motion. It is by combining these movements that a user will engage the muscles at the front, back and sides of the neck, thereby giving a user's neck musculature exercise within a controlled range of motion. The device allows movement of the head relative to the body around axis X and axis Y, either in combination or in isolation, with the movement around axis X being subject to controlled resistance and the movement around axis y being relatively free to resistance.
The device does not allow movement in other directions by virtue of its rigid structure thereby ensuring that movements performed by the user remain within safe bounds.
Exercise machine assembly 100 allows a user flexibility in the pattern of movement they choose for their exercise. It may consist a combination of rotational and posterior/anterior movement, posterior/anterior movement only with the head rotated or neutrally located, rotational movement alone combined with incremental or zero posterior/anterior movement, or any combination of these or alternative to these that the user sees fit.

A significant benefit of the two-axis approach employed by the design of exercise machine assembly 100 is that individual movements can be seamlessly linked together such that they feel like one continuous movement. This is beneficial both in terms of the user experience feeling more fluid and satisfactory, meaning that continued use and benefit are more likely, and that smooth and stutter-free movements are more conducive to injury free exercise.