GB2170112A - Pain relieving exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a frame 1 with a raised platform 17, a harness 3 attached to upward biasing means formed by sliding weights or by a cord and weight system 2, and a ladder 4 within the frame such that the user may ascend the ladder while a constant upward force is exerted on the harness. Downward biasing means such as weighted footwear or weights 25 and/or springs 27 attached to the feet may also be provided. A pneumatic or hydraulic ram may be provided for lifting the weights 19 to their original level when the user has reached the top of the ladder. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercise apparatus This invention relates to apparatus on which remedial exercises may be performed, the exercises being intended primarily to provide relief for sufferers from back ache, sciatica and other lumbar pains.

One known treatment for back ache is to apply traction to the patient's spine; in some cases, however, this gives little or no relief. I have now discovered that a person suffering from back ache can sometimes obtain relief by carrying out certain exercises, and it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in carrying out those exercises.

From one aspect the present invention consists in apparatus on which a person can perform physical exercises, primarily for the relief of back ache and other lumbar pains, comprising a harness for supporting a lower part of the person's trunk, upward biasing means operative to exert a generally upward force on the harness so as in use partially to counteract the person's own weight.

The apparatus preferably includes a step or steps for the user to climb up and down. Preferably there is a plurality of steps. The steps may be afforded by a ladder. A handrail or handrails may be provided for the user to hold while climbing up or down the step or steps.

I have discovered that when a person suffering from back ache or the like performs an exercise in which he or she climbs up and down the step or steps, while an upward force on the harness acts in the opposite direction to the weight of the person, the person often obtains at least partial relief for his or her back ache.

Preferably, the upward biasing means is arranged to exert a substantially constant force on the harness in use.

The upward biasing means may comprise a cord and weight system in which a cord passes around a pulley wheel or pulley wheels located at or towards the upper part of the apparatus, end portions of the cord depending downwardly from the wheel or wheels, one end of the cord being secured to the harness and the other end to a weight or weights. (The term "cord" is used herein to denote any cord-like component which is flexible and substantially inextensible). As the person climbs up the step or steps, in use, the weight or weights descend freely, the cord is kept in tension, and a constant upward force is exerted on the harness.

Preferably there is a set of weights, one or more of which can be suspended from the cord. In this way the bias applied to the cord, and thus to the harness, can be varied as desired. In practice it is often found useful for the bias applied to the cord by the weight or weights to be approximately equal to half the weight of the person performing the exercise.

Means may be provided for removing or reducing the upward force on the harness once the person has climbed up the step or steps in order to enable the person to descend the step or steps without the restraint imposed by the upward force.

When the upward biasing means comprises a cord and weight system, the upward force on the harness may be removed by releasing the tension in the cord. Preferably, lifting means is provided to lift the weights so that the cord becomes slack. The lifting means may incorporate an hydraulic or pneumatic jack. Alternatively, the tension in the cord may be released by temporarily detaching the harness from the cord or by removing the weights from the cord.

Preferably, downward biasing means is provided for exerting a downward force on each of the feet or legs of the person using the apparatus. Weights may be attached to the feet of the person to constitute the downward biasing means; for example, the person may be provided with weighted footwear. Alternatively the downward biasing means may comprise another cord and weight system. In a further alternative the downward biasing means comprises springs which are loaded when the user raises his or her feet. More than one of those kinds of downward biasing means may be provided.

From another aspect the present invention consists in apparatus on which a person can perform physical exercises, comprising downward biasing means for exerting a downward force on each of the feet or legs of the person using the apparatus.

The downward biasing means may be of any one or more of the kinds outlined above. By raising each foot or leg in turn the user will perform valuable exercises.

The apparatus may also include a step or steps for the user to climb up or down while the downward biasing means is operative.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of another form of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises a frame 1, a cord and weight system 2 provided on the frame 1, a harness 3 suspended from the cord and weight system 2, and a ladder 4 within the frame 1.

The frame 1 consists of four upright support posts 5 and a square-shaped upper framework comprising two side frame members 6, a rear frame member 7, and a front frame member (hidden behind the rear frame member, in Figure 2).

The upper framework is supported at a distance above a floor 8 by the support posts 5, the upper ends of which are secured to the corners of the square framework. The lower ends of the support posts 5 are firmly anchored to the floor 8. Parallel to, and halfway between the front and rear frame members, there extends a first cross beam 9, the ends of which are secured to the side frame members 6. Towards the front of the framework a second cross beam 10 extends parallel to the first beam 9 and is secured at either end to the front ends of the side frame members 6.

The cord and weight system 2, which constitutes upward biasing means, comprises first and second pulley wheels 11 and 12 respectively carried by mountings 13 and 14 half way along the first and second cross beams 9 and 10 respectively, and a cord 15 which extends over the pulley wheels 11 and 12. The first pulley wheel 11 is located above the centre of the square-shaped upper framework, and the end of that portion of the cord 15 depending from the wheel 11 is attached to the harness 3.

The mounting 14 for the second pulley wheel 12 extends forwards and upwards from the second cross beam 10 so that the wheel 12 is located above the front frame member. The end of the cord 15 depending from the second pulley wheel 12 is attached to a hook 16 on which weights can be suspended. The pulley wheels 11 and 12 are freely rotatable about horizontal axes parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cross beams 9 and 10.

A raised platform 17 is mounted above the floor 8, within the frame 1. The ladder 4 stands on the raised platform 17 with its foot disposed directly below the first pulley wheel 11 and with its upper end resting against the second cross beam 10. The ladder is thus inclined to the vertical.

In an exercise for the relief of back ache, the harness 3 is secured around the lower part of the trunk of a person 18 standing on the platform 17 at the foot of the ladder 4 and weights 19 are suspended from the hook 16. The cord applies an upward force to a part of the harness in the person's lumbar region. The person 18 grasps a rung 20 of the ladder 4 that is substantially level with his head and climbs the ladder 4. Handrails, not shown, may be provided in front of and parallel to the stiles of the ladder, and the user may grasp them rather than the rungs 20. It will be appreciated that, as the person climbs the ladder, the weights 19 descend freely and exert a contant upward force on the harness 3 through the intermediary of the cord 15.This force acts in the opposite direction to the downwardly acting weight of the person and so a lower part of the spine of the person is in traction as the person climbs the ladder.

It has been found that when weights approximately equal to half the weight of the person are suspended from the hook 16, the climbing exercise is particularly beneficial to sufferers from back ache.

Preferably downward biasing means is provided to apply a downward force to the feet of the person using the apparatus, in order to increase the traction. This may be achieved by attaching weights to the feet of the person or by providing the person with weighted footwear. Figure 3 illustrates a preferred form of downward biasing means. Much of the apparatus is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, and corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals. The downward biasing means shown in Figure 3 comprises a further cord and pulley system having two cords 20, one attached to the user's left foot and the other to his or her right foot. The cords 20 extend downwards through holes in the platform 17 and pass round a first pair of co-axial pulleys 21 individually rotatable about a horizontal axis parallel to those of the pulleys 11 and 12.The cords then extend horizontally beneath the platform, towards the rear of the apparatus. At the rear of the apparatus the cords 20 pass round a second pair of individually rotatable co-axial pulleys 22 and extend vertically upwards to a third pair of such pulleys 23 which are mounted 7 or on another horizontal member, disposed vertically below the member 7. The end parts of the cords extend downwards and carry hooks 24 attached to weights 25 similar to the weights 19. In use, as the user raises either foot the associated cord is pulled and the associated weight rises.

In an alternative construction (not illustrated the downward biasing means is constituted by a pair of tension springs anchored below the platform 17. Both the cord and weight system and the springs may be provided, if desired.

When the user has climbed one or more steps up the ladder, the upward force on the harness 3 may then be removed by detaching the weights 19.

The user can then descend the ladder without having to move against an upward force on the harness 3. Alternatively the tension in the cord 15 may be released by lifting the weights 19 to their original level, by detaching the harness 3 from the cord 15 or by removing the weights 19 from the hook 16. Once the weights 19 have been restored to their original level and are freely suspended once more from the hook 16, the exercise may be repeated. Springs 26 and 27 may be used alternatively to weights 19 and 25.

An hydraulic or pneumatic ram (not shown) may be provided for lifting the weights 19 to their original level once the person reaches the top of the ladder 4.

Various modifications may be made to the apparatus described with reference to the drawings, for example, the ladder 4 may be replaced with a single step or a flight of stairs on the platform 17. In another modificaton the second pulley wheel 12 is mounted to the rear of the first pulley wheel 11 so that more headroom is provided for the user as he or she approaches the upper end of the ladder. If desired the ladder or other step or steps may be omitted entirely. In another alternative the harness 3 and the cord and weight system 2 is omitted. In a further alternative both are omitted so that solely the downward biasing means remains. In general, however, it is preferred to provide a full range of facilities so that a wide variety of exercises can be performed on the apparatus.

It has now been discovered that the apparatus previously described (either weights or springs) can be beneficial to all parts of the spine including the neck. The apparatus could be beneficial to all joints in the body (ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and elbows etc.).

The principles remain the same. i.e. that the patient undergoes remedial exercises whilst constantly being under traction, either from above or below the site of the pain.

It has now been found that the sliding weights used in modern gymnasiums could be used alternatively to the weights 19 and 25 shown in Figure 3.

It must also be noted that traction from above can be obtained with a less expensive pulley system (not shown) although this would restrict the exercises.

Claims (6)

1. A pain relieving exerciser, comprising of a steel frame which will bolt together. Within this frame will be incorporated various items of traction equipment which will allow the patient to carry out a large variety of exercises whilst being in an upright position and whilst being under constant traction.

2. A pain relieving exerciser whereby the patient can ascend and descend steps whilst being under traction from above and below by a varying number of springs attached to a belt. The belt will be positioned and tightened at waist level for sufferers of low back pain. The combination of the traction and the exercises should have the desired affect of easing the mis-placed joint or prolapsed disc back into position. The patient can also perform a knees bend, a side to side or a twisting exercise, again whilst being constantly under traction.

3. A pain relieving exerciser whereby the patient can carry out the above exercises (at 2) but in this instance the traction would be given by a system of sliding weights and pulleys. It would be my intention of gaining the co-operation from the manufacturers of a modern sliding weights body building equipment. Traction is, it seems, weightlifting in reverse. Most people are aware that weightlifting can cause injury.

4. A pain relieving exerciser whereby the patient will be under traction from above by a winch and pulley system similar to that used in handling small cravans and boats. With this system however exercises will be limited, but a knees raise with traction from the springs or weights (attached to suitably designed footwear) should prove beneficial. Also the patient can carry out a twisting exercise, all with the same purpose in mind, i.e. to manipulate the joint or disc back into position.

5. Using the above principles, the equipment could be varied to ease pain from other joints in the body i.e. knees, elbows, ankles and even knecks etc., although the equipment was designed to relieve low back pain, which costs the nation countless millions of pounds every year.

6. The patent office is in possession of all the relevant drawings.