EP2280769B1

EP2280769B1 - Exercise device

Info

Publication number: EP2280769B1
Application number: EP09732910A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Albert De Boers; Maurits George Maria Von Heijden; Andries Zijta; Gerrit Van Der Houwen; Carlos Defares
Original assignee: Straksstrak BV
Current assignee: Straksstrak BV
Priority date: 2008-04-17
Filing date: 2009-04-16
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-16
Also published as: ATE542574T1; WO2009127694A1; EP2280769A1

Abstract

This invention relates to an exercise device (100) comprising a first and a second resting portion (101) for resting the exercise device (100) against a surface during use, a seating portion (102), and a supporting portion (103) for supporting at least a part of a back of a user during use of the exercise device (100) wherein characterized in that the, the first resting portion (101) is connected to the seating portion (102), which is connected to the supporting portion (103), which is connected to the second resting portion (101), and that the first and/or the second resting portion (101) is adapted to make the exercise device (100) unstable during use, whereby a user during use would need to keep the device in balance. In this way, a user is given a very efficient exercise or work-out of especially the abdominal and/or lower back muscles.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an exercise device, in particular an exercise chair, bench, or tool for exercise by a human user. More specifically, the invention relates to an exercise device comprising a first and a second resting portion for resting the exercise device against a surface during use, a seating portion, and a supporting portion for supporting at least a part of a back of a user during use of the exercise device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various exercise chairs, benches, or tools exist for training one or more regions or parts of the human body.
The international patent application WO 02/056974 describes an exercise apparatus having a support board for a person's back and/or buttocks, and has positional instability in connection with a support bearing arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support board, whereby the support board is allowed a tilting motion in the transverse direction thereof relative to a firm surface.
US 1468671 discloses an exercise device according to the preamble of claim 1. Some exercise chairs, benches, or tools use weights, springs, etc. and/or other means requiring a physical movement and effort from a user in order to exercise the user's body or specific regions or parts thereof.
However, such chairs, benches, or tools may be more or less comfortable to use.
Furthermore, they may not provide an efficient exercise of certain regions or parts of a human user's body.
Additionally, the use of certain exercise chairs, benches, or tools may not be ergonomically correct or beneficial during use.
In the following, an exercise chair, bench, or tool according to the present invention will be referred to as an exercise device.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an exercise device that alleviates at least to an extent at least some of the abovementioned problems.
This is achieved by an exercise device comprising the features of claim 1.
In this way, a user - using the exercise device - is given a very efficient exercise or work-out of especially the abdominal and/or lower back muscles.
In one embodiment, a first angle between the seating portion and the supporting portion is selected from the group of

about 125° to about 145°,
about 130° to about 140°,
about 134° to about 136°,
about 135° to about 137°,
substantially 135°, and
substantially 136°..

Such angles will optimize the exercise even better for the abdominal and/or lower back muscles and avoid excess or excessive strain even more.
In one embodiment, a second angle between the surface and the supporting portion is selected from the group of

about 25° to about 50°,
about 35° to about 40°,
about 36° to about 38°, and
substantially 37°.

Such angles will optimize the exercise even better for the abdominal and/or lower back muscles and avoid excess or excessive strain even more.
In an alternative embodiment, the second angle between the surface and the supporting portion is selected from the group of

about 5° to about 11 °,
about 6° to about 10°,
about 7° to about 9°, and
substantially 8°.

Such angles will optimize the exercise even better for the abdominal and/or lower back muscles and avoid excess or excessive strain even more.
In the invention, the first and/or said second resting portion has or have a curved surface or exterior with a predetermined curvature for the part for resting against a surface.
Hereby, a very simple shape is provided that enables the instability of the exercise device.
In one embodiment, the curvature has a substantially elliptical shape where a longest part of the elliptical shape is the part for resting against a surface.
Hereby, a very simple shape is provided that enables the instability of the exercise device without being too unstable thereby causing the device to tilt over during use.
In one embodiment, the curvature has a substantially spherical shape or parabolic shape.
In one embodiment, the curvature has a shape being a shape between a substantial elliptical shape and a substantial spherical shape.
In one embodiment, the first and the second resting portion have different shapes and/or curvatures.
In one embodiment, the first and the second resting portion have same shapes and/or curvatures.
In one embodiment, the resting portions have a direction of an end for resting against a surface going away from each other.
In this way, the exercise device is stackable with other exercise devices of its own kind.
In one embodiment, a length or lengths (they may be the same or different) of the resting portions are relatively short compared to a length of the seating portion.
In one embodiment, a length or lengths (they may be the same or different) of the resting portions are relatively long compared to the length of the seating portion.
In one embodiment, at least one of the resting portions comprises a carve or cut out.
In one embodiment, the seating portion is tilted forwards.
In one embodiment, the seating portion is tilted backwards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of an exercise device according to the present invention;
Figure 3 schematically illustrates a top view of an exercise device according to the present invention;
Figure 4 schematically illustrates a frontal perspective view of an exercise device according to the present invention;
Figure 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according to another embodiment;
Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 shows a side perspective of the yet other embodiment of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a front perspective of the yet other embodiment;
Figure 9 shows a side perspective of the embodiment of Figure 7 with exemplary measurements indicated;
Figures 10 and 11 show variations of the yet other embodiment;
Figure 12 illustrates a person using one embodiment of the exercise device in a resting position;
Figure 13 illustrates a person using one embodiment of the exercised device in an active position working to keep balance on the exercise device; and
Figure 14 schematically illustrates a side perspective of a further embodiment with exemplary measurements indicated.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according to the present invention. Shown is an exercise device (100) comprising at least one resting portion or resting part (forth only denoted resting portion) (101) for resting the exercise device (100) against a surface during use like a floor or the like.
In the shown example of Figure 1, the exercise device (100) comprises two resting portions (101) but could for other embodiments comprise only a single one, e.g. a single rail-like resting portion, or comprise more than two, e.g. three or four of the types shown in Figure 1 or other types.
Furthermore, the exercise device (100) also comprises a seating portion (102) for supporting a sitting or resting user during use and a supporting portion (103) for supporting the back or at least the lower back of a user during use.
In the shown exemplary embodiment in Figure 1, a first resting portion (101) is connected to the seating portion (102), which is connected to the supporting portion (103), which again is connected to a second resting portion (101).
Instead of being directly connected, the various parts could be fitted or snapped together, e.g. fitting the resting portion(s) to a main portion comprising the seating (102) and supporting portion (103) and variations thereof.
According to the present invention, the exercise device (100) is adapted to be unstable during use by a user when the exercise device (100) is positioned properly and resting against a surface like a floor, i.e. standing on the floor with the user sitting on the seating portion (102) and resting his or her (lower) back against the supporting portion (103). The user's feet may both be resting on the floor or above the floor during use depending on the specific exercise being performed by the user.
The instability of the exercise device (100) in such a situation would cause the user to keep the device in balance, which again would make the user use his or her muscles especially in the abdominal/lower back region. This gives a very efficient exercise or work-out of especially the abdominal and/or lower back muscles (both lower, upper, etc.).
Furthermore, the user may actively do certain motions, movements, or exercises during use to enhance the overall exercise.
As the body weight is supported to a large extent by the sitting portion (102) and the supporting portion (103), the exercise will not strain unsuitable parts and/or joints of the body.
According to one embodiment, the instability of the exercise device (100) is caused by letting the two resting portions (101) have a curved surface or exterior with a predetermined curvature for the part for resting against the surface or floor.
An aspect is also to not make the exercise device (100) too unstable thus potentially tilting over.
In the shown embodiment of Figure 1, the unstable curvature of the resting portions (100) has a substantially elliptical shape where the longest part of the elliptical shape is the one for resting against a surface.
In other embodiments the curvature could be more spherical, completely spherical and anything in between. The curvature could also parabolic.
In the shown embodiment, the first and the second resting portion (101) has substantially the same shape and thus substantially the same curvature. This will cause an instable tilting or rocking or similar motion during use of the exercise device (100).
In an alternative embodiment, the first and the second resting portion (101) have different curvatures. This will cause the exercise device (100) to have a tilting or rocking motion where one of the ends (the one with a larger extent of the curved surface of the resting portion (101)) will have a greater tilting, rocking, etc. motion than the other end (the one with a smaller extend of curved surface). It could be either end, but preferably the end with the greater motion will be at the end for receiving the legs of the user.
The first resting portion (101) could as an alternative have a shape partially moulded to accommodate at least a part of the user's legs.
Furthermore, certain carefully selected angles between the first resting portion (101) and the seating portion (102) and/or between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103) - as will be explained in greater detail in connection with Figure 2 - will optimize the exercise even better for the abdominal and/or lower back muscles and avoid excess or excessive strain even more on unfortunate parts of the body like the lower back muscles and/or the upper leg muscles.
The exercise device (100) may be made from any material capable of bearing the weight of a user and withstanding the strain of use, e.g. wood, plastic, aluminium, steel, etc. or generally any fabric strong enough to support the weight a person.
In one embodiment, the exercise device (100) is primarily made from wood or plastics.
Furthermore, different parts of the exercise device (100) may be made from different materials.
The exercise device (100) of Figure 1 also has an additional advantage in that the device is stackable with other exercise devices of the same type.
This is due to the resting portions (101) having a direction (of their free end, i.e. the end for resting against a surface) going 'away' from each other i.e. they go outwards from the center of the exercise device (100) as opposed to a direction going straight down to the surface (i.e. being perpendicular to the surface upon which the device would stand) and opposed to the resting portions having a direction (of their free end) going inwards or towards each other.
Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of an exercise device according to the present invention. Shown is a side view along a center line of the exercise device shown in Figure 1. Shown is the first resting portion (101) being connected to the seating portion (102), which is connected to the supporting portion (103), which again is connected to the second resting portion (101) of the exercise device (100).
Further illustrated are a first angle (a) between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103) and a second angle (β) between the supporting portion (103) and the surface that the device is standing or resting on. Ergonomically tests and development have given that - for the shown exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 - the first angle (α) is preferably selected from about 125° to about 145°, or about 130° to about 140°, or even more preferably about 134° to about 136°. In one embodiment the first angle (α) is substantially 135°. The same test and development have given that - for the shown exemplary embodiment - the second angle (β) is preferably from about 25° to about 50°, more preferably about 35° to about 40°, or even more preferably about 36° to about 38°. In one embodiment the second angle (β) is substantially 37°.
These angles provide enhanced exercise of the abdominal and/or lower back muscles without undue stress or strain on unfortunate parts or joints of the body.
The angle between the first resting portion (101) and the seating portion (102) and the angle between the supporting portion (103) and the second resting portion (101) are not critical with respect to efficient exercise and ergonomic use.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates a top view of an exercise device according to the present invention. Shown is a top view of the exercise device (100) shown in Figures 1 and 2 showing the first resting portion (101) being connected to the seating portion (102), which is connected to the supporting portion (103), which again is connected to the second resting portion (101) of the exercise device (100).
As can be seen from Figure 3, the exemplary embodiment comprises a cutout (104) facilitating as a handle enabling easier movement and/or lifting of the exercise device (100). Alternatively, a handle could be mounted directly on the exercise device (100). The exercise device (100) may also be without any handle means (104).
Figure 4 schematically illustrates a frontal perspective view of an exercise device according to the present invention. Shown is the exercise device (100) of the previous Figures shown from a frontal perspective view showing the first resting portion (101) being connected to the seating portion (102), which is connected to the supporting portion (103), which again is connected to the second resting portion (not shown) of the exercise device (100).
Figure 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according to another embodiment. Shown are an exercise device (100) comprising a first resting portion (101) connected to a seating portion (102), which is connected to a supporting portion (103), which again is connected to a second resting portion (101).
This embodiment also comprises suitable padding (107) or the like making it softer for a user and covering at least a part of the seating portion (102), at least a part of the supporting function (103), and at least a part of the second resting portion (101). It is to be understood that fewer (e.g. only the seating and supporting portion) or more portions (e.g. also the first resting portion) could be covered with the padding (107).
Additionally, the first and second resting portions (101) have a band or similar of a rubber-like or elastic material (108) at their lower end, e.g. at the end that is to be in contact with a surface like a floor or the like that the exercise device (100) is to be used on. This will ensure that the exercise device (100) does not leave marks, e.g. on a soft wooden floor, and also that is does not slip or skip easily.
Additionally, the rim of the exercise device (100) or the rim or parts thereof of the seating portion (102) may be of a bigger size (and different shape) than the main portions (i.e. to portions that a person sits on or rests against) in order to serve as handles for the user during use of the exercise device (100) or at least facility a better grip.
It is to be understood that the padding, the larger rim, and/or rubber-like or elastic material may also be present on the other embodiments shown in connection with the other figures.
Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the length or lengths (they may be of same or different lengths) of the resting portions (101) are relatively long in relation to the length of the seating portion (102). Also for this embodiment, a first resting portion (101) is connected to the seating portion (102) that is connected to a supporting portion (103), which is connected to a second resting portion (101).
This embodiment is will enable the user to exercise in a more sitting position instead of the more laying position as would be the case for the embodiments of Figures 1 - 5. This makes abdominal and/or lower back training possible for people who are not able to do any form of the typical existing abdominal training, e.g. injured and/or elderly people). Training of these muscles for such people is important since the abdominal and/or lower back (core) muscles typically is important for general daily activities.
Figure 7 shows a side perspective of the yet other embodiment of Figure 6 and Figure 8 shows a front perspective of the yet other embodiment.
Figure 9 shows a side perspective of the embodiment of Figure 7 with exemplary measurements indicated. Shown is an exercise device (100) comprising a first resting portion (101) connected to a seating portion (102), which is connected to a supporting portion (103), which again is connected to a second resting portion (101).
Further illustrated are a first angle (α) between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103) and a second angle (β) between the supporting portion (103) and the surface that the device is standing or resting on.
The first angle (α) is preferably selected from about 125° to about 145°, or about 130° to about 140°, or even more preferably about 135° to about 137°. In one embodiment the first angle (α) is substantially 136°.
The second angle (β) is preferably from about 5° to about 11 °, more preferably about 6° to about 10°, or even more preferably about 7° to about 9°. In one embodiment the second angle (β) is substantially 8°.
Further indicated are third angles (D) between the surface and the first or second resting portion (101). The third angle (D) may be substantially 80° or about 79° to about 81° or even about 75° to about 85°. The third angle between the surface and the first resting portion may also be different than the third angle between the surface and the second resting portion.
Further indicated are some height indications to various points of the exercise device (100). H₁ indicates a height between the surface (or end of the resting portions) and a point between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103), e.g. just when the seating portion (102) starts to curve into the supporting portion (103). This height may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 46 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 41 - 51 cm.
H₂ indicates a height between the surface (or end of the resting portions) and a point between the seating portion (102) and the first resting portion (101), e.g. just when the seating portion (102) starts to curve into the resting portion (101). This height may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 48,8 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 44 - 54 cm.
H₃ indicates a height between the surface (or end of the resting portions) and a point between the supporting portion (103), e.g. a the highest point of the exercise device (100). This height may - for this particular embodiment, e.g. be about 54,5 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 50 - 60 cm.
Also indicated is a length L₁ that indicates the length between the outmost points of the exercise device (100) at the surface level, i.e. between the outermost end of the first resting portion (101) and the outermost end of the second resting portion (101). This length may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 62,3 cm. It may e.g. be about 55 - 70 cm.
For the embodiment of Figure 2, the corresponding heights H₁, H₂, and H₃ would be about 13,1 cm, 15,8 cm, and 21,2 cm (or generally about 10 - 16 cm, 13 - 19 cm, and 18 - 24 cm) and the corresponding length L₁ would be about 54,9 cm (or generally about 50 - 60 cm).
It should be noted that the various measurements and angles are exemplary and may vary from specific embodiment to embodiment.
Figure 10 and Figure 11 show variations of the yet other embodiment where a first carve out or cut out (105) has been made in the first resting portion (101) and a second carve out or cut out (104) has been made in the second resting portion (101). As already indicated, such carve outs or cut outs can be used as handles. In addition, the carve out or cut out (105) in the first resting portion (101) can serve as a foot rest for a person using this exercise device. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that an exercise device according to the invention can be embodied with a carve or cut out in only the first or the second resting portion, in both resting portions or in neither one of them. The carve or cut outs can be made covering the majority of the surface of the resting portions (101) or only a small part of the resting portions (101).
Figure 12 illustrates a person (106) using one embodiment of the exercise device (100) in a resting position while Figure 13 illustrates a person (106) using the exercised device (100) in an active position working to keep balance on the exercise device (100).
Figure 14 schematically illustrates a side perspective of a further embodiment with exemplary measurements indicated.
Shown is an exercise device (100) comprising a first resting portion (101) connected to a seating portion (102), which is connected to a supporting portion (103), which again is connected to a second resting portion (101).
In this embodiment, the length or lengths (they may be of same or different lengths) of the resting portions (101) are also relatively long in relation to the length of the seating portion (102) (as was the case for the embodiment of Figure 6). However, a difference is that the seating portion (102) is tilted a little to the front (i.e. tilted below a horizontal line) whereas the embodiment of Figure 6 was tilted a little to the back (i.e. tilted above a horizontal line). To tilt the seating portion (102) a little to the front may e.g. be achieved by letting the second (or back) resting portion (101) be relatively longer than the first (or front) resting portion (101).
That the seating portion (102) tilts a little to the front may be important for people who would like to use the exercise device (100) not purely as a training device but e.g. as a chair behind a desk or the like or as another kind of furniture to sit in for a relatively long period of time. The forward tilting of the seating portion (102) reduces the weight on the lower back and makes longer sitting less heavy for the lower back. This embodiment, still trains the abdominal and lower back muscles, but in a less intense way.
Further illustrated are a first angle (α) between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103) and a fourth angle (C) between the seating portion (102) and a horizontal line going through the surface that the device is standing or resting on.
The first angle (α) is preferably selected from about 125° to about 145°, or about 130° to about 140°, or even more preferably about 135° to about 137°. In one embodiment the first angle (α) is substantially 136°.
The fourth angle (C) is substantially 2°. This angle indicates the tilting of the seating portion (102). As - in this embodiment - the tilting is forwards the angle (C) may also be described as being -2°. The angle (C) may also be less or more degrees, e.g. from about 1° to about 3° or 5° (or the same but negative amount).
Further indicated are some height indications to various points of the exercise device (100) as was done for Figure 9. H₁ may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 46,1 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 41 - 51 cm.
H₂ may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 44,9 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 40 - 50 cm.
H₃ may - for this particular embodiment, e.g. be about 54,2 cm. It may e.g. be another height, e.g. 49 - 59 cm.
Also indicated is a length L₁ that may - for this particular embodiment - e.g. be about 58,8 cm. It may e.g. be about 54 - 62 cm.
In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be constructed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the invention as disclosed can be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

An exercise device (100) comprising
• a first and a second resting portion (101) for resting the exercise device (100) against a surface during use,

• a seating portion (102),
- the first resting portion (101) is connected to the seating portion (102), wherein

- the first and/or the second resting portion (101) is adapted to make the exercise device (100) unstable during use, whereby a user during use would need to keep the device in balance, and wherein

- said first and/or said second resting portion (101) has or have a curved surface or exterior with a predetermined curvature for the part for resting against a surface, and wherein

- the curvatures of the resting portions extend to the sides of the device.

characterized in that, the device further comprises a supporting portion (103) for supporting at least a part of a back of a user during use of the exercise device (100), the seating portion (102) being connected to the supporting portion (103), which is connected to the second resting portion (101).
An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein a first angle (α) between the seating portion (102) and the supporting portion (103) is selected from the group of
• about 125° to about 145°,

• about 130° to about 140°,

• about 134° to about 136°,

• about 135° to about 137°,

• substantially 135°, and

• substantially 136°.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 2, wherein a second angle (β) between the surface and the supporting portion (103) is selected from the group of
• about 25° to about 50°,

• about 35° to about 40°,

• about 36° to about 38°, and

• substantially 37°.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 2, wherein a second angle (p) between the surface and the supporting portion (103) is selected from the group of
• about 5° to about 11°,

• about 6° to about 10°,

• about 7° to about 9°, and

• substantially 8°.
An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said curvature has a substantially elliptical shape where a longest part of the elliptical shape is the part for resting against a surface.
An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said curvature has a substantially spherical shape or parabolic shape.
An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said curvature has a shape being a shape between a substantial elliptical shape and a substantial spherical shape.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein said first and said second resting portion have different shapes and/or curvatures.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein said first and said second resting portion have same shapes and/or curvatures.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the resting portions (101) have a direction of an end for resting against a surface going away from each other.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 10, wherein a length or lengths of the resting portions (101) are relatively short compared to a length of the seating portion.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 10, wherein a length or lengths of the resting portions (101) are relatively long compared to a length of the seating portion.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein at least one of the resting portions (101) comprises a carve out (104, 105).
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein said seating portion (102) is tilted forwards.
An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein said seating portion (102) is tilted backwards.