GB2271292A - Exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

Exercise apparatus which allows a wide range of limb movements for exercises without throwing the body off balance and in a manner which provides balance and equal support and resistance for the limbs by providing an elongate member 1, two limb support members 9 secured adjustably to the elongate member at spaced positions along the length thereof, and means (3, 7) securing the elongate member with respect of an anchoring point (5), said means connecting pivotally with the elongate member intermediate of the two limb support members. The limb support members each incorporate resilience and for convenience are elasticated straps. The spacing of the limb support members can be adjusted (saddles 11, holes 14). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Exercise Device DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an exercise device.

Normal floor exercises for the lower trunk and limbs rely on a variety of leg lifting exercises performed against gravity from a prone position and demand a certain level of fitness and strength to perform them in the first place. An aim of the present invention is to provide a useful and advantageous exercise device which demands a lower level of initial fitness and strength.

According to the present invention there is provided an exercise device comprising an elongate member, two limb support members secured to the elongate member at spaced positions along the length thereof, and means securing the elongate member with respect to an anchoring point, said means connecting pivotably with the elongate member intermediate of the two limb support members, and wherein the limb support members each incorporate resilience.

The device provides balance and equal support and resistance for the limbs from one fixed point. This allows a wide range of body movements for exercises without throwing the body off balance. Preferably the limb support members offer resistance by virtue of spring mounting, eg. tension springs, or by virtue of incorporating some form of elasticated fixing whereby greater extension requires the exertion of greater force by the user. The means securing the elongate member is preferably a substantially inextensible (in elastic) strap, albeit of adjustable length, but may be replaced by or include some resilient means.

The connection of the support means with the elongate member is preferably in the form of a universal joint affording unrestricted swivelling movement of the elongate member. This is readily made possible by a chain link type connection but may be of the ball joint type or alternatively can be achieved by simply restraining the strap with respect to the elongate member and relying on the freedom of movement inherent with strap. The connection of the limb support members with the elongate member preferably also allows for swivel type movement, readily made possible with a strap or cord which has no particular resistance to movement in any direction. The spacing of the limb support members is preferably adjustable and with each being independently adjustable in respect of the pivot position. The pivot position may be adjustable along the length of the elongate member.The elongate member may be telescopically adjustable. The limb support members are configured to accept both upper or lower limbs, eg. arms or legs. Restraint of the support means and/or limb support member can be conveniently achieved utilising a cup-like body having a part spherical surface and a hole for entry of strapping, of for example the support means a limb support member, which strapping is then secured against pulling out of the cup-like body. The part spherical surface cooperates with the elongate member and the strapping passes through an aperture in the elongate member.

In use, the limbs, eg. legs, are supported in an equilibrium position, ie. limb weight balanced by the force being exerted by the resilience of the support members which thereby adopt an extended position.

Consequently it will be understood that the apparatus according to the invention allows the limbs to be supported in an unrestricted "weightless" state of equilibrium from which exercises at any level of effort can be chosen.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of exercising the body in which the weight of upper or lower limbs is counteracted by force exerted by respective limb support means carried from an elongate member mounted for pivotal movement intermediate the limb support means whereby the limbs are supported in a state of equilibrium, and wherein limb exercises are performed both with the aid of the force exerted by the limb support means and against said force.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of the apparatus according to the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 are elevational views of the elongate member of the apparatus showing three alternative fixings for the support member, Figure t is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus and illustrating possible movements of the apparatus, Figures 5, 6 and 7 are schematic representations of three different types of leg exercise which can be performed with the apparatus, and Figures 8 to 12 are views of a further embodiment, namely:: Figure 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the apparatus part in section, the right hand loop shown in a stretched position, Figure 9 is a cross section at arrow V, Figure 10 is a cross section of the sleeve at arrow V11, Figure 11 is a section at arrow V1 with exposed side of the sleeve, and Figure 12 is a cross section through one end of the five ball ends.

Referring firstly to the drawing of Figure 1, exercise apparatus according to the invention comprises an elongate member 1 having a connection at 3 to an anchoring point 5 (say a hook secured to a ceiling or other overhead structure), by way of link 7. In one embodiment the link is made up of a flexible non-elastic strapping or webbing whose length is adjustable to set the height of the elongate member relative to the user's position. The connection at 3 is in the nature of a universal joint allowing pivotal movement of the elongate member and a chain-link type connection provides the desired freedom of movement in a simple and effective manner.

The elongate member carries two limb support members, 9, which according to the preferred embodiment comprise extendible elasticated strapping. In the embodiment of Figure 1 each support member depends from a saddle 11 which is mounted for slidable movement along the elongate member so that the distance of the support members from the pivot and from one another can be set to suit the user and/or the exercise to be performed.

In the illustration, the elongate member has a plurality of holes 14 for setting the respective saddle in the desired position, for example using a locating peg cooperating with a hole in the saddle. The support members have limb contacting parts 17 designed to spread the load. The dotted line of the supporting member shown in Figure 1 represents extension of the support members under the weight of the limbs or forces exerted by user.

Reference to Figure 2 shows two alternative means of attaching the support members. In one - viewed to the left - the support member comprises a loop 9a which is simply located by way of a peg fitting in a selected one of the holes 14. In the version to the right of Figure 2, each end of the support member 9 has a respective saddle lla, lib which are slidable independently along the elongate member. Such an arrangement can provide advantageous control of movement of the apparatus whilst performing certain exercises.

In Figure 3 left hand side, the support member again comprises a length of strapping and in this instance opposite ends are secured at maximum and minimum distances from the pivot 3, whilst the distance of the loop from the pivot is determined by passing the strapping over two pegs fitted into holes 14 in the elongate member. The holes may be adjacent or spaced apart.

The right hand illustration adapts the same configuration, save for the use of a support member in the form of a continuous loop.

Reference to Figure 4 will serve to illustrate how the opposite ends of the elongate member 1 can be moved up and down (arrows a, b), or forward and backwards (arrows c, d) or rotated (arrows e), each moving relative to the central pivot point or with movement of one end relative to the other.

Referring now to Figure 5, a and b, there is illustrated a leg raising and lowering exercise. The apparatus is suspended from a position approximately vertically above the hips of the user. Initially the length of the link 7 may adjusted so that the weight of the user's legs are in a equilibrium position, ie.

midway between the positions as illustrated in Figures Sa and 5b. Thus, the legs are in a supported position elevated above the ground. Movement upwardly is assisted by the forces exerted on the user by the action of the elasticated support members. Movement upward may be termed "anti-gravity movements" where the legs are lifted and thereby reduce the support provided by the support members. Movement downwardly is against that force which will increase with continued movement.

Usually the force will be non-linear - requiring greater and greater force to move increasing distance increments. Movement downward may be termed "with gravity movements". The legs may be moved in the same or opposite directions.

The level of effort required can be adjusted by setting the length of the link 7 or using support members having the required force/extension characteristics. The extension may allow for a movement range of the order of 12 to 18 inches.

Figure 6 shows a knees bend exercise with the apparatus allowing for pivotal movement as indicated by arrows A and B of Figures 6a and 6b respectively.

Exercising can be performed in an equilibrium state or against the resistance offered by the support members.

Finally Figure 7 illustrates schematically a cycling type exercise in which there is rotation of opposite ends of the elongate members in opposite directions. Again the exercise is performed with the benefit of the equilibrium position whereby exercising can be commenced at a low level of effort.

With reference to Figures 8 to 12, the apparatus comprises of a hollow tube 11 attached to a non-stretch cord 12 passing through upper hole 16 and connecting to ball 14 by a securing knot 18. Two flat web sleeve loops 15 containing elastic cord 13 are similarly attached to tube 11 each through two spaced lower holes 16 to ball ends 14. The holes 16 are chamfered on the outside wall of the tube. An ankle rest 17 is attached to sleeve 15 which is formed by stitching two lengths of webbing together along their edges.

In use the elastic cord stretches inside the nonstretch sleeve loops and the round ball ends form an efficient means by which the horizontal tube can be attached to and pivot freely around the end of the fixing cord and the leg loops be similarly attached and move freely in any required direction. The sleeves have a dampening effect on the springiness of the elastic cord. The points at which the leg support loops connect with the elongate member are chosen to give maximum freedom of movement and variety of different exercises.

It is envisaged that the apparatus may be used for performing corresponding or appropriate movements of the upper limbs.

Because the device positively supports and assists movement, the variety and range of movements is very large and specific exercises can be designed to target specific muscle groups with tension, flexion and extension exercises. Thus for example the following muscle groups can be exercised:- thigh muscles - front, rear and inner; stomach muscles - front and side; hip, buttock and pelvic muscles.

Claims (23)

1. An exercise device comprising an elongate member, two limb support members secured to the elongate member at spaced positions along the length thereof, and means securing the elongate member with respect to an anchoring point, said means connecting pivotably with the elongate member intermediate of the two limb support members, and wherein the limb support members each incorporate resilience.

2. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1 in which the limb support members offer resistance by virtue of spring mounting.

3. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1 in which the limb support members offer resistance by virtue of comprising an elasticated material.

4. An exercise device as claimed in claim 3 in which the limb support members are constructed of elasticated strapping.

5. An exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which connection of the limb support members with the elongate member is in the nature of a universal joint.

6. An exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each limb support is in the form of a continuous loop of material.

7. An exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which each limb support member is in the form of a length of material whose opposite ends are secured to the elongate member to define a loop to support the limb.

8. An exercise device as claimed in any preceding claim in which connection of each limb support member with the elongate member is by way of adjustable connection means whereby the spacing of the limb support members are adjustable.

9. An exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which each limb support member cooperates with the elongate support member at two or more spaced locations, with at least one cooperating location being adjustable.

10. An exercise device as claimed in claim 8 in which the connection means comprises a saddle which is slidable along the elongate member and locatable at a desired position.

11. An exercise device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the elongate member has a plurality of spaced bores to receive abutments in selected ones by which the limb support members are located with respect to the elongate members at a desired position.

12. An exercise device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means securing the elongate member is a substantially inelastic strap.

13. An exercise device in which the inelastic strap is adjustable to a desired length.

14. An exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 in which the means securing the elongate member affords resilience.

15. An exercise device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the connection of the support means with the elongate member is in the form of a universal type joint affording unrestricted angular movement of the elongate member.

16. An exercise device as claimed in claim 15 in which the connection comprises a chain link.

17. An exercise device as claimed in claim 15 in which the connection comprises a ball joint.

18. An exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 further comprising retention means for providing cooperating engagement of the support means and/or limb support means with the elongate member and in which the retention means comprises an abutment to which strapping of the support means or limb support means is secured with said strapping passing through aperturing of the elongate member.

19. An exercise device as claimed in claim 18 in which the elongate member comprises a tubular member having openings for cooperating engagement by said retention means of the support means and/or limb support members.

20. An exercise device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of exercising the body in which the weight of the upper or lower limbs is counteracted by force exerted by respective limb support means carried from an elongate member mounted for pivotal movement intermediate the limb support means whereby the limbs are supported in a state of equilibrium, and wherein limb exercises are performed both with the aid of the forces exerted by the limb support means and against said force.

22. A method of exercising the body as claimed in claim 21 in which force exertion is governed by positioning of the elongate member relative to the body of the user.

23. A method of exercising the body using apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.