EP3544696B1 - Exercise device - Google Patents

Exercise device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3544696B1
EP3544696B1 EP17817027.0A EP17817027A EP3544696B1 EP 3544696 B1 EP3544696 B1 EP 3544696B1 EP 17817027 A EP17817027 A EP 17817027A EP 3544696 B1 EP3544696 B1 EP 3544696B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
exercise device
user
hand grips
exercise
grip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17817027.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3544696A1 (en
Inventor
Keith Toule
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Blackmoor Developments Ltd
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Blackmoor Developments Ltd
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/16—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles for hands or fingers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/00181—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/005—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
    • A63B21/0058—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters using motors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/012—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using frictional force-resisters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
    • A63B21/4039—Specific exercise interfaces contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
    • A63B21/4045—Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/0002—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms
    • A63B22/0005—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements involving an exercising of arms with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/20—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising
    • A63B22/201—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising for moving a support element in reciprocating translation, i.e. for sliding back and forth on a guide track
    • A63B22/203—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising for moving a support element in reciprocating translation, i.e. for sliding back and forth on a guide track in a horizontal plane
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
    • A63B23/03533—With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1209—Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
    • A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/15—Arrangements for force transmissions
    • A63B21/151—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
    • A63B21/154—Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains using special pulley-assemblies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
    • A63B21/4043—Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/30—Speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/40—Acceleration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
    • A63B2220/51—Force
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
    • A63B2220/56—Pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
    • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/20—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an exercise device particularly useful for assisting in recovery from a stroke.
  • GB2347873A we disclosed and claimed an exercise device having a support means mounting two foot supports connected together so as to be alternately reciprocable relative to the support means in a single, generally horizontal, plane.
  • the support means includes an endless drive member passing around a spaced pair of horizontal wheels, the foot supports being carried on respective horizontal bars attached to opposed runs of the endless drive member.
  • Each foot thus acts against the other to provide resistance for working of muscles, while using a stronger limb to assist a weaker limb, if necessary.
  • WO2015/177673 A1 discloses an exercise apparatus in the form of a rigid bar with handgrips at each end and with a stretchable external layer enclosing pressure or tension sensors and/or an accelerometer.
  • the apparatus can transmit signals to a client device or a computer.
  • WO2012/156516 A2 , WO2007/015096 A2 , US2009/036276 A1 and US 6050920 all relate to exercise devices involving handgrips connected to cables on tension reels. These all require special anchoring or the user has to restrain one end (for example using feet) while pulling on the handgrips. These devices are therefore unsuitable for use as exercise devices for assisting in recovery from a stroke, where the patient may not yet have the strength to operate conventional devices.
  • the present invention provides an exercise device, comprising a support mounting a pair of hand grips linked together so as to be movable relative to the support, the hand grips being formed of a resiliently deformable material containing sensors for detecting the speed and acceleration of the hand grips, and a processor connected to the sensors and programmed to display information relating thereto on a display screen, wherein the hand grips are linked by an endless belt running around a spaced pair of pulleys and the support comprises a body carried by legs, such that in use, when the device is placed with the legs on a horizontal surface with the body extending away from the user, as one grip is moved away from a user positioned at one end of the body, the other grip is caused to move towards the user.
  • the resiliently deformable material is an expanded elastomer, for example a natural or synthetic rubber, so as to offer progressive resistance to compressive deformation.
  • the hand grips may be shaped to conform with a user's fingers.
  • the hand grips may each contain at least one load cell connected to the processor.
  • the processor can display on the display screen a measure of the squeezing force applied to each grip by the user. This may, for example, be compared with a desired force for the benefit of the exercise required.
  • the device is preferably configured to transmit the processed information wirelessly to a remote monitoring station. This may be done continuously or the device may comprises data storage to save the information for periodic onward transmission to the monitoring station, where it may be reviewed by a medical practitioner.
  • the exercise device comprises a body 1 which is carried by legs 2 and 3 having wide laterally-extending feet 4 and 5 respectively to ensure stability when placed on a surface such as a table top.
  • One leg 2 is longer than the other leg 3 so that the body 1 slopes upwardly away from the user in use when the device is placed on a horizontal surface. This is to ensure that the user's arms are flexed at a comfortable angle for effective exercise, in use.
  • the device could be configured with the body horizontal or sloping in the opposite direction, according to the exercises which are to be performed.
  • the body 1 has mounted therein an endless flexible drive belt, which may, if desired, be toothed, passing around a horizontal pulley at each end of the body.
  • Horizontal bars 6 extend outwardly laterally of the body 1 through elongate slots 7, the bars 6 mounting hand grips 8 and being attached at their innermost ends to opposite runs of the endless belt so that as one grip 8 is moved away from a user positioned at one end of the body, the other grip 8 is caused to move towards the user.
  • the body may contain means for increasing resistance to movement of the belt, for example controlling a friction force applied to a pulley, and/or means for assisting movement, such as a motor driving one of the pulleys.
  • Sensors may be provided to measure speed and acceleration of the belt or one of the pulleys.
  • a processor may be incorporated to process the outputs of the sensors and to control the resistance or assistance applied to the movement of the belt and to provide information to the user via a display screen 9, which is also provided with push-buttons 10 to permit the user to control the device.
  • the hand grips 8 are formed of a progressively compressible resilient material such as an expanded elastomer, so that the user can squeeze and release the grips during the exercise cycle. This can be done, for example, by instructions displayed on the screen.
  • the grips may incorporate one or more load cells to output a signal to the processor proportional to the compression applied to the grip so that the processor can output to the screen feedback on the squeezing and releasing exercises performed, while also providing the user with guidance on the performance of the exercise.
  • the load cells may, for example, include piezo-electric material generating a voltage according to deformation of the material during the squeezing.
  • the hand grips 8 are formed with finger recesses 8a for the comfort of the user and to ensure that the relationship between the squeezing pressure applied and the internal sensors is such as to ensure accurate measurement.
  • the device can be used to assist the user in getting the maximum benefit from exercising by displaying performance indicators on the screen
  • the measurements relating to speed and acceleration as well as grip can be digitised by the processor and saved in internal memory for periodic onward wireless transmission to a remote monitoring station.
  • This may be achieved by a built in GSM system that transmits data according to a predetermined schedule, or by a wi-fi connection to the internet.
  • the data can be streamed live to the monitoring station via the internet.
  • Information can also be displayed on the screen, although it would be possible for the screen to be omitted from the device, the display screen therefore effectively being remote from the device.
  • the device could be provided with a wired connection, for example to a Local Area Network (LAN) in turn connected to the internet. In this way, a doctor or other medical practitioner can monitor the user's progress remotely.
  • LAN Local Area Network

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Description

    Field of the Invention
  • This invention relates to an exercise device particularly useful for assisting in recovery from a stroke.
    • Background to the Invention
  • People who have suffered from a stroke, neurological trauma or some musculoskeletal conditions may have a consequential loss of joint dexterity or motor function and require regular controlled exercise to obtain an improved outcome. In GB2347873A we disclosed and claimed an exercise device having a support means mounting two foot supports connected together so as to be alternately reciprocable relative to the support means in a single, generally horizontal, plane. In one embodiment, the support means includes an endless drive member passing around a spaced pair of horizontal wheels, the foot supports being carried on respective horizontal bars attached to opposed runs of the endless drive member.
  • Each foot thus acts against the other to provide resistance for working of muscles, while using a stronger limb to assist a weaker limb, if necessary.
  • While the device was intended for leg exercises, especially for those recovering from knee surgery, it has been found beneficial for arm exercising as well, preferably with the foot rests removed to enable the use to grasp the horizontal bars with their hands.
  • WO2015/177673 A1 discloses an exercise apparatus in the form of a rigid bar with handgrips at each end and with a stretchable external layer enclosing pressure or tension sensors and/or an accelerometer. The apparatus can transmit signals to a client device or a computer. WO2012/156516 A2 , WO2007/015096 A2 , US2009/036276 A1 and US 6050920 all relate to exercise devices involving handgrips connected to cables on tension reels. These all require special anchoring or the user has to restrain one end (for example using feet) while pulling on the handgrips. These devices are therefore unsuitable for use as exercise devices for assisting in recovery from a stroke, where the patient may not yet have the strength to operate conventional devices.
    • Summary of the Invention
  • The present invention provides an exercise device, comprising a support mounting a pair of hand grips linked together so as to be movable relative to the support, the hand grips being formed of a resiliently deformable material containing sensors for detecting the speed and acceleration of the hand grips, and a processor connected to the sensors and programmed to display information relating thereto on a display screen, wherein the hand grips are linked by an endless belt running around a spaced pair of pulleys and the support comprises a body carried by legs, such that in use, when the device is placed with the legs on a horizontal surface with the body extending away from the user, as one grip is moved away from a user positioned at one end of the body, the other grip is caused to move towards the user.
  • Preferably, the resiliently deformable material is an expanded elastomer, for example a natural or synthetic rubber, so as to offer progressive resistance to compressive deformation.
  • The hand grips may be shaped to conform with a user's fingers.
  • The hand grips may each contain at least one load cell connected to the processor. In this way, the processor can display on the display screen a measure of the squeezing force applied to each grip by the user. This may, for example, be compared with a desired force for the benefit of the exercise required.
  • The device is preferably configured to transmit the processed information wirelessly to a remote monitoring station. This may be done continuously or the device may comprises data storage to save the information for periodic onward transmission to the monitoring station, where it may be reviewed by a medical practitioner.
  • It has been found that the combination of alternately extending and retracting the user's arms while squeezing and releasing the grips is especially beneficial in assisting the user to recover mobility and motor function in the arms and hands, for example after a stroke.
    • Brief Description of the Drawings
  • In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention:
    • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exercise device; and
    • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the device, viewed from the opposite direction to that in Figure 1.
    Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment
  • The exercise device comprises a body 1 which is carried by legs 2 and 3 having wide laterally-extending feet 4 and 5 respectively to ensure stability when placed on a surface such as a table top. One leg 2 is longer than the other leg 3 so that the body 1 slopes upwardly away from the user in use when the device is placed on a horizontal surface. This is to ensure that the user's arms are flexed at a comfortable angle for effective exercise, in use. It will be appreciated that the device could be configured with the body horizontal or sloping in the opposite direction, according to the exercises which are to be performed.
  • The body 1 has mounted therein an endless flexible drive belt, which may, if desired, be toothed, passing around a horizontal pulley at each end of the body. Horizontal bars 6 extend outwardly laterally of the body 1 through elongate slots 7, the bars 6 mounting hand grips 8 and being attached at their innermost ends to opposite runs of the endless belt so that as one grip 8 is moved away from a user positioned at one end of the body, the other grip 8 is caused to move towards the user.
  • The body may contain means for increasing resistance to movement of the belt, for example controlling a friction force applied to a pulley, and/or means for assisting movement, such as a motor driving one of the pulleys. Sensors may be provided to measure speed and acceleration of the belt or one of the pulleys. A processor may be incorporated to process the outputs of the sensors and to control the resistance or assistance applied to the movement of the belt and to provide information to the user via a display screen 9, which is also provided with push-buttons 10 to permit the user to control the device.
  • The hand grips 8 are formed of a progressively compressible resilient material such as an expanded elastomer, so that the user can squeeze and release the grips during the exercise cycle. This can be done, for example, by instructions displayed on the screen. The grips may incorporate one or more load cells to output a signal to the processor proportional to the compression applied to the grip so that the processor can output to the screen feedback on the squeezing and releasing exercises performed, while also providing the user with guidance on the performance of the exercise. The load cells may, for example, include piezo-electric material generating a voltage according to deformation of the material during the squeezing.
  • The hand grips 8 are formed with finger recesses 8a for the comfort of the user and to ensure that the relationship between the squeezing pressure applied and the internal sensors is such as to ensure accurate measurement.
  • Although the device can be used to assist the user in getting the maximum benefit from exercising by displaying performance indicators on the screen, the measurements relating to speed and acceleration as well as grip can be digitised by the processor and saved in internal memory for periodic onward wireless transmission to a remote monitoring station. This may be achieved by a built in GSM system that transmits data according to a predetermined schedule, or by a wi-fi connection to the internet. Alternatively, the data can be streamed live to the monitoring station via the internet. Information can also be displayed on the screen, although it would be possible for the screen to be omitted from the device, the display screen therefore effectively being remote from the device. As an alternative to a wireless connection the device could be provided with a wired connection, for example to a Local Area Network (LAN) in turn connected to the internet. In this way, a doctor or other medical practitioner can monitor the user's progress remotely.

Claims (8)

  1. An exercise device, comprising a support (1) mounting a pair of hand grips (8) linked together so as to be movable relative to the support, the hand grips (8) being formed of a resiliently deformable material containing sensors for detecting the speed and acceleration of the hand grips, and a processor connected to the sensors and programmed to display information relating thereto on a display screen(9), characterised in that the hand grips (8) are linked by an endless belt running around a spaced pair of pulleys and the support comprises a body (1) carried by legs (2-5), such that in use, when the device is placed with the legs (2-5) on a horizontal surface with the body extending away from the user, as one grip (8) is moved away from a user positioned at one end of the body (1), the other grip (8) is caused to move towards the user.
  2. An exercise device according to Claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable material is an expanded elastomer so as to offer progressive resistance to compressive deformation.
  3. An exercise device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the hand grips (8) are shaped to conform with a user's fingers.
  4. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein the hand grips (8) each contain at least one load cell connected to the processor.
  5. An exercise device according to Claim 4, wherein the load cells comprise piezo-electric material generating a voltage according to deformation of the material.
  6. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured to transmit the processed information wirelessly to a remote monitoring station.
  7. An exercise device according to Claim 6, wherein the display screen is located at the remote monitoring station.
  8. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein one leg (2) is longer than the other (3), whereby the body (1) slopes upwardly or downwardly away from the user when the device is placed on a horizontal surface.
EP17817027.0A 2016-11-28 2017-11-28 Exercise device Active EP3544696B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1620092.5A GB201620092D0 (en) 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Exercise device
PCT/GB2017/053585 WO2018096370A1 (en) 2016-11-28 2017-11-28 Exercise device

Publications (2)

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EP3544696A1 EP3544696A1 (en) 2019-10-02
EP3544696B1 true EP3544696B1 (en) 2021-04-28

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GB (1) GB201620092D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2018096370A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN210447950U (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-05-05 王兴兴 Body-building chest expander
CN110478857A (en) * 2019-08-29 2019-11-22 成都体育学院 A kind of comprehensive training device of sports with rotation and drawing mechanism

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2164096A1 (en) * 1993-06-02 1994-12-08 Ted R. Ehrenfried Electromechanical resistance exercise apparatus
WO2000054848A1 (en) 1999-03-12 2000-09-21 Keith Toule Rehabilitative exercise device
GB0515929D0 (en) * 2005-08-03 2005-09-07 Loach Andrew R Exercise machine
GB0603869D0 (en) * 2006-02-28 2006-04-05 Loach Andrew R Cable recoil system for an exercise machine
GB201108398D0 (en) * 2011-05-19 2011-07-06 Loach Andrew Hand-held exercise apparatus and resistance mechanism for exercise apparatus
WO2015177673A1 (en) * 2014-05-20 2015-11-26 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System and apparatus for activity classification and activity measurement through tangible interaction
US10252105B2 (en) * 2015-03-25 2019-04-09 EDWARD Via COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Iron grip

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Title
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WO2018096370A1 (en) 2018-05-31
GB201620092D0 (en) 2017-01-11
EP3544696A1 (en) 2019-10-02

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