FR2878752A1 - GYMNASTIC APPARATUS COMPRISING A TRAY - Google Patents

Abstract

This gymnastic apparatus (10) comprising a plate (12) and at least one projection (20, 22) of said plate (12) intended to bear on a flat support (24) at at least two support points, so whether or not to allow the oscillation of said plate (12) on said support (24), is remarkable in that the distances between each of said support points and said plate (12) are different.

Description

The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus for

  among other things to work the abdominal muscles.

  Patent FR 78 78 10 851 describes a gymnastic apparatus in particular for the rehabilitation of the lower limbs by the proprioceptive method. This apparatus consists of a plate cut in a rigid material, having a center of symmetry and equilibrium on the ground by means of at least one hemispheroid element. This element is located at the center of symmetry of the bearing surface of the plate in the case where this plate rests only on a hemispheroid element. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a plurality of hemispheroidal elements are disposed on an axis of symmetry of the airfoil.

  A patient, placed on the bearing surface of such a plateau will develop the necessary muscular efforts and will act in particular alternately on the one and the other leg in order to restore permanently its equilibrium.

  However, the device can not be used to properly perform exercises to exercise the abdominal muscles.

  The object of the invention is notably to propose an apparatus making it possible to correctly work the abdominal muscles.

  This object of the invention is achieved by means of a gymnastic apparatus comprising a plate and at least one projection of said plate intended to bear on a plane support according to at least two points of support, remarkable in that the distances between each of said support points and said plate are different.

  Thus, the difference between the distances between each of the fulcrums and the plate makes it possible to keep the plate tilted and thus to prevent the user from breaking the belly, breaking the stomach obstructing the breathing during conventional exercises. working abdominal muscles. Thus, the apparatus is particularly suitable for practicing exercises to work the abdominal muscles.

  Preferably, the at least one projection is supported on said plane support so as to allow the oscillation of said plate on said support.

  Thus, advantageously, the user can work many muscles, including the lateral abdominal muscles.

  Preferably, said at least one projection comprises at least one flip-flop.

  Thus, advantageously, the use of a rocker provides greater pitch stability of the device during use. The oscillation movement of the plate is thus regular.

  Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention comprises two projections intended to cooperate with said support.

  Thus, advantageously, a good compromise is achieved between the weight of the apparatus, which is lower than in the case of a single projection of larger size, and its stability in pitch.

  Preferably, said at least one projection defines at least one support zone for the tray carried by a single cone.

  Thus, the contact between the oscillation means and the ground is, advantageously, linear or even surface, but never punctual. So, the device in use is no longer

stable in pitch.

  Preferably, said cone is of revolution.

  Thus, advantageously, the oscillations of the plate are more regular.

  Preferably, the half angle at the sornmet of said cone is substantially equal to 8.

  At an excessive angle, the user tends to slide off the board while using the unit. An angle of 8 advantageously solves this problem.

  Preferably, said plate is substantially plane.

  The user can thus, advantageously, rely on the device and thus maintain his right back.

  Preferably, the height of said cone of revolution is parallel to the plane of the plate.

  Thus, the plate advantageously keeps a constant inclination during the oscillations.

  Preferably, said tray is at least partially covered with non-slip foam.

  Thus, advantageously, the user does not slip when using the device. In addition, the foam provides better comfort when using the device, especially when the user lies down, the back on the device.

  Preferably, said plate has, in its plane, a narrowed portion directed towards that of said points of support whose distance relative to said plate is the smallest. Preferably, said tray has a mushroom shape.

  Thus, advantageously, the device can be placed on a chair, the less wide part of the back of the chair. Furthermore, such a shape of the apparatus allows, according to one of the modes of use, to grasp the apparatus with his hands at the narrower portion and support his elbows on the wider part.

  Preferably, the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention comprises means for fixing at least one elastic for arm training.

  The addition of an elastic indeed makes it possible, advantageously, to be able to exercise the muscles of the arms.

  Preferably, the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention is formed in one piece. Advantageously, it is made of injected plastic or molded.

  Thus, advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention is easy to manufacture. Its manufacture in plastic is also economical.

  Preferably, the gymnastic apparatus according to the invention comprises means for damping the oscillations of said plate, advantageously, these means comprise at least one block of foam.

  Thus, advantageously, the oscillations of the apparatus are damped. Beginner users and / or uncomfortable when the device oscillates, can then use the device without apprehension. The oscillations of the plate being damped, the apparatus is adapted to a beginner user.

  The invention also relates to a foam base intended to cooperate with a gymnastic apparatus according to the invention, having a first substantially flat surface, a second substantially flat surface opposite said first surface, characterized in that at least one cavity is provided on said second surface, said at least one cavity being of substantially complementary shape to the at least one projection of said gymnastic apparatus.

  Preferably, said first and second surfaces form, in a plane perpendicular to said first surface, an angle substantially equal to a.

  Thus, advantageously, the second surface of the base has the same inclination as the plateau of the gymnastic apparatus.

  According to a first variant of the base according to the invention, said at least one cavity is blind and the surface of said at least one cavity in the vicinity of said first surface is substantially flat.

  Thus, advantageously, the base cushioned better the oscillations of the gymnastic apparatus.

  According to a second variant of the base according to the invention, said at least one cavity opens at said first surface.

  The foam base is thus easier to make.

  Thus, advantageously, the plate rests directly on the support of the base.

  The invention further relates to the combination of a gymnastic apparatus according to the invention and a foam base according to the invention, remarkable in that the at least one projection is supported on the bottom plane of the at least one cavity.

  The invention also relates to the use of a gymnastic apparatus according to the invention to work the abdominal muscles, including the lateral abdominal muscles to work the muscles of the bust and arms or to work the lower limbs.

  The apparatus according to the invention can therefore be used in many ways and thus makes it possible to work many parts of the body. This device is thus intended for athletes wishing to develop a long and refined musculature.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will result from the examination of the following description and the attached figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which: FIG. 1 represents the apparatus according to the invention; in perspective from below.

  - Figure 2 shows the device according to the invention in perspective from the side.

  - Figure 3 shows schematically the apparatus according to the invention in side perspective.

  - Figure 4 shows a foam base adapted to cooperate with the apparatus according to the invention in perspective from above.

  - Figure 5 shows schematically the apparatus according to the invention cooperating with a foam base in side perspective.

  FIG. 6 represents a first mode of use of the apparatus according to the invention.

  FIG. 7 represents a second mode of use of the apparatus according to the invention.

  - Figure 8 shows a third mode of use of the apparatus according to the invention.

  Figure 9 shows a fourth mode of use of the apparatus according to the invention.

  The apparatus according to the invention 10 comprises a rigid plate 12, for example of wood or plastic, covered with foam 14. The plate has a trapezoidal shape presenting an appendage 16, 18 on each of its sides, these appendices being finding near the great base of the trapeze. The shape of the plate 12 thus recalls that of a mushroom. The plateau therefore has an axis of symmetry x-x '.

  The plate 12 can also take other forms, such as, for example, the shape of a T. In addition, it can also be covered only partially with foam or glue non-slip adhesives, the primary purpose of this element is to prevent slips of the user in use. One can also imagine that the foam is not glued, but just fixed with tongs. It can be removed for certain uses where it is not necessary, especially in standing posture. It can also be washed.

  In addition, the tray may not be flat. One can, for example, very well imagine that the tray has an ergonomic shape matching the shape of the back.

  Two latches 20, 22 are mounted substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry xx 'of the plate 12. These two latches are of different heights such that: h2 = hi + dx tan (a), where: - h, represents the height of flip-flop 20; - h2 the height of the rocker 22; at the angle of said axis of symmetry of said plate with the horizontal when said apparatus is balanced on the ground by the two latches; d the distance between the two flip-flops 20, 22.

  Finally, the surface of these two flip-flops 20, 22 adapted to be placed in contact with the ground extends along a fictitious cone of revolution, with a half angle at the apex a = 8.

  The small rocker 20 is mounted on the side of the small base of the plate. The large rocker 22 is mounted on the side of the large base of the tray.

  The device could also have a single larger scale to ensure pitch stability of the device. This rocker could have a less regular shape. In particular, it could extend according to any cone. By pitching is meant rotational movement of the apparatus along an axis substantially in the same direction as y-y ', the axis y-y' being contained in the plane of the plate and perpendicular to the axis x-x '.

  By cone, we mean the surface generated by a line based on any fixed curve, called a directrix, passing through a fixed point, called the vertex of the cone. This director is not necessarily a circle as is the case in the example presented here.

  One could for example imagine flip-flops of such a shape that this director is an ellipse or any other curve, preferably convex.

  However, one can also imagine that the plate 12 rests on solid pads that allow the plate 12 to oscillate relative to the support, such as, for example, two solid cylinders of wood or metal, relatively thin and of different sizes.

  Other support means allowing oscillations of the plate 12 are also conceivable. For example, the tray can be mounted on four elastic elements, such as springs or rubber studs, of two different sizes and with the same stiffness in order to support the plate inclined with respect to the ground 24, the elasticity of these elements making it possible to swing the board.

  The apparatus according to the invention 10, its two flip-flops 20, 22 placed on the ground 24, is stable in pitch. The plate 12 is in this case an angle a = 8 with the ground 24. The plate 12 is adapted to perform rotations according to the height of the imaginary cone carrying the bearing surfaces. During these oscillations, the contact with the ground is linear, that is to say that it is carried out according to a line. In this case, this line corresponds to a generator of the imaginary cone, base of the frustoconical surfaces of the two flip-flops.

  Other elements may be provided on the apparatus according to the invention 10. In particular, in order to be able to work the muscles of the arms, it is possible to provide a groove on the face not covered with foam 14 of the plate 12, in order to pass an elastic. This one allows to carry out many exercises aiming at making work the muscles of the arms.

  Finally, the apparatus according to the invention can be completed with at least one block of foam 26 for damping the oscillations of the apparatus 10. Thus, uncomfortable users on the oscillating apparatus can work without apprehension.

  FIG. 4 shows a base 26, for example made of foam, having on one of its flat faces 28, cavities 30, 32, intended to cooperate with the latches 20, 22 of the plate 12 in order to damp the oscillations of the plate 12 and or to decrease the amplitude of these oscillations. The section of the cavity 30, respectively 32, is complementary to the section of the rocker 20, respectively the rocker 22. The cavities 30, 32 are blind and their bottom is flat and parallel to the base surface 34, flat, of the base 26.

  According to a variant, shown in FIG. 5, the two cavities 30, 32 open at the same time at the level of the surface 28 and at the level of the surface 34 of the base 26, the gymnastic apparatus 10 then bearing on the ground 24 .

  The two faces 28, 34 form, in the plane of the lateral face 36, perpendicular to the surface 34, an angle substantially equal to the angle a. Depending on the material used for the production of this base 26, the oscillations can be more or less damped, a very dense foam, for example polyethylene or polyurethane, which can even be used to wedge the apparatus 10.

  Of course, the base 26 shown here is described by way of non-limiting example, it may, for example, be of different shape.

  It is also possible to complete the device with shims shaped to at least partially close the cavities 30, 32 of the foam base 26 in order to allow oscillations of the plate 12 of reduced amplitudes compared to the use of the apparatus according to the invention. invention 10, placed directly on the ground 24.

  The cooperation of a foam base 26 with an apparatus 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5. The gymnastic apparatus 10, whose rockers 20, 22 are mounted inside the cavities 30, 32 and take support on the ground 24, is able to oscillate. However, the amplitude of these oscillations is limited, the plate coming into contact with the surface 28 of the base 26, made of a very dense foam.

  According to a less advantageous embodiment, not shown, the apparatus 10 according to the invention 10 does not oscillate, for example when the platform rests on four cylindrical or parallelepiped-shaped feet, the surface of the feet in contact with the ground being flat, the four feet allowing the plate to maintain its inclination with respect to the ground. The apparatus may also rest on a base to maintain the inclination of the tray relative to the ground. Such an apparatus makes it possible to work the abdominal muscles and preserves the user from problems related to bad breathing.

  Of course, these embodiments are given as indicative and non-limiting examples.

  FIG. 6 represents a first example of use of the apparatus according to the invention 10. For this first use, the user first sits in front of the apparatus 10, placed on the ground 24, turning it the back. The user then grasps the appendages 16, 18 of the plate 12 by extending the arms backwards. By taking support on the arms, he sits on the apparatus 10, then, having released the handles, he lies so that his back, lying flat, is in contact with the foam 14 covering the tray 12, his feet still being in contact with the ground 24. The user then raises the head, and, raising a leg so that it no longer bears on the ground 24 by one foot, creates an imbalance. At first, the exercise consists only in that the edges of the plate 12, which oscillates on both sides of its rest position, do not touch the ground 24. The user thus solicits his lateral abdominal muscles then He keeps his back in contact with the tray 12. Thus, he is sure to keep his back straight and avoid problems with back pain. In addition, his belly remains flat, so he can breathe normally. The user can, in a second time, make movements of arms to complicate the exercise and make work the muscles of the arms.

  According to other variants of this exercise, the user can have the legs extended or even raised against a wall. One can also place an elastic that the user pulls with the arms to work the muscles of his arms.

  FIG. 7 represents a second example of use of the apparatus according to the invention 10. For this second exercise, the user has to kneel in front of the apparatus according to the invention 10, the raised part of the plate 12 making him face. The user then grasps the plateau at its smallest part, his forearms resting on the wider part of the plate 12 and his elbows resting on the appendages 16, 18 of the plate. The user then lies down, his body and his legs being aligned with the apparatus of the invention 10. A first variant of the exercise is to hold the position, thus working the muscles of the bust and arms. A second variant consists in flexing the legs alternately. A third variant of the exercise involves tight legs, bending both knees and pulling the arms to move the bust forward and then return to the starting position. Finally, another variant of the exercise is to pass alternately legs behind the back and return to the starting position, this exercise including working the gluteal muscles.

  FIG. 8 shows a third example of use of the apparatus according to the invention 10. For this exercise, the apparatus according to the invention 10 is placed on a chair, its lower part towards the back of the chair. The user then sits on the chair, so that his knees are slightly raised. The exercise consists of a work of posture of the back, pelvis and stretching of the spine.

  The back straight, the user can work the balance and imbalance with arm movements. The oscillations of the plate 12 also massage the back.

  Figure 9 shows a fourth example of use, which is to put one foot, or both, on the plate 12 and keep its balance. This exercise allows for strengthening of the ankles and legs.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and uses described, provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples.

Claims (22)

  Gymnastic apparatus (10) comprising a plate (12) and at least one projection (20, 22) of said plate (12) intended to bear on a plane support (24) according to at least two support points, characterized in that the distances between each of said support points and said plate (12) are different.   Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one projection (20, 22) bears on said planar support (24) so as to allow the oscillation of said plate (12) on said support (24).   3. gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one projection (20, 22) comprises at least one rocker (20, 22).   4. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises two rockers (20, 22) for cooperating with said support (24).   Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said at least one rocker (20, 22) defines at least one bearing zone for the plate (12) carried by a single cone.   6. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said cone is of revolution.   7. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the half-angle at the apex of said cone is substantially equal to a = 8.   8. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate is substantially plane.   9. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the height of said cone of revolution is parallel to the plane of the plate (12).   10. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate (12) is at least partially covered with non-slip foam (14).   11. gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said plate (12) has, in its plane, a narrowed portion directed towards that of said bearing points whose distance relative to audit plateau is the smallest.   12. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said plate (12) has a mushroom shape.   13. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for attaching at least one elastic arm muscle building.   14. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in one piece.   15. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that it is made of plastic injected or molded.   16. Gymnastic apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 2 and 3 to 15, characterized in that it comprises means, preferably removable, for damping the oscillations of said plate (12).   17. foam base (26) intended to cooperate with a gymnastic apparatus (10) according to one of claims 2 and 3 to 16, having a first surface (34) substantially flat, a second surface (28) substantially flat opposite at said first surface (34), characterized in that at least one cavity (30, 32) is provided on said second surface (28), said at least one cavity (30, 32) being substantially complementary in shape to the at least one projection (20, 22) of said gymnastic apparatus (10).   18. Foam base according to claim 17 for cooperating with a gymnastic apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said first and second surfaces (34, 28) form, in a plane perpendicular to said first surface ( 34), an angle substantially equal to a.   19. The foam base according to claim 17, wherein said at least one cavity is blind, the surface of said cavity in the vicinity of said first surface. ) being substantially flat.   20. Foam base according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that said at least one cavity (30, 32) opens at said first surface (34).   21. Combination of a gymnastic apparatus (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16 and a foam base (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the at least one projection (20, 22) cooperates with the at least one cavity (30, 32).   22. Use of a gymnastic apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims for working the abdominal muscles and / or the bust and / or the arms and / or the lower limbs.