GB2402630A

GB2402630A - Exercise apparatus for feet and legs

Info

Publication number: GB2402630A
Application number: GB0313462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Francis Griffin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-11
Filing date: 2003-06-11
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Also published as: GB0313462D0

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises a support member 6 and two rotatable portions 10 supported by the support member. The rotatable portions 10 are arranged to be rotatable in use on application of force by a user's foot. The apparatus may be attachable to a seat, for example an aircraft seat and the support member 6 is attached so as to permit rotation of the rotatable portions 10 relative to the support member 6. The apparatus stimulate circulation in the legs of a user helping to prevent deep vein thrombosis.

Description

Exercise Apparatus The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus,

particularly an apparatus for stimulating circulation in the legs of a user.

Background to the Invention

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when the flow of blood is restricted in a vein and a clot forms. It can be caused by poor circulation due to problems such as heart disease or from inactivity or prolonged rest. Deep vein thrombosis may develop during a long flight in which minimal movement of a passenger occurs. Certain people are more vulnerable, for example, people who are 1 0 overweight.

The most common serious complication of deep vein thrombosis is a pulmonary embolism where a blood clot breaks free from a vein wall, travels to the lung and blocks an artery. A pulmonary embolism can be life threatening and needs immediate medical attention.

Simple measures to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis are known, such as taking a low dose aspirin just before boarding an aircraft which helps thin the blood, but this type of precaution may not be suitable for all passengers.

It is also encouraged that a passenger should not sit still in the seat during a flight. Passengers are encouraged to walk up and down the aisle to stimulate circulation in the legs. However, it is not always practical to walk around during a flight, particularly as the sudden onset of turbulence could cause passengers to be injured if they are not seated with their seat belt fastened.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to providing a means of stimulating circulation for a user whilst seated, for example on an aircraft, or in a train, coach, at a desk or at home. r

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides in an exercise apparatus comprising a support member, one or more rotatable portions supported by the support member, the rotatable portions being arranged to be rotatable in use on application of force by a user's foot, and mounting means for mounting the support member to permit rotation of the rotatable portions relative thereto.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises means for attaching the apparatus to an airline seat. The apparatus may be fixed relative to the floor and/or seat, however, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may be pivotable between an in-use position and a stowage position.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more rotatable portions comprise one or more rollers which are preferably mounted on a cross-member attachable to the support means and are rotatable about the cross-member.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises two rotatable portions separated by a spacer to permit independent rotation of the portions relative to the support member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is further schematic perspective view of the apparatus embodying the present invention; Figure 3a is an end elevation of a first section of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3b is a side elevation of a first section of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3c is a perspective elevation of an alternative configuration of first section of the apparatus; and Figure 3d is a perspective elevation of a further alternative configuration of first section of the apparatus.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 show an exercise apparatus 1 comprising a first section 2 and a second section 4 attachable, for example, to the base or the footrest of an airline seat (not shown). A cross bar 6 extends between the first and second sections 2,4 and is fixedly attached thereto by, for example, a screw 8 extending through aligned apertures in each of the sections 2,4 and the cross bar 6, or a force fit. The first and second sections 2,4 are spaced from each other horizontally along the cross bar 6. A number of rollers 10, preferably two, are mounted coaxiaily on the cross bar 6 between the first and second sections 2,4. The rollers 10 are free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cross bar 6. The rollers 10 may be spaced from each other and the ends of the first and second sections 2,4 by a number of spacers 12, or the rollers may have anti-friction end portions or bearings to permit smooth independent rotation of the rollers about the cross bar 6.

The apparatus is particularly advantageous for use in aircraft and it may attachable to the footrest of a seat for use by the person seated in the seat behind, or attachable to the seat itself thereby constituting a footrest. The first and second sections 2,4 may be pivotally mounted to the seat or footrest such that the apparatus 1 is movable between an inuse position in which the first and second sections 2,4 rest on the floor and a stowage position.

The first and second sections 2,4 are generally identical in shape and may preferably be made of a lightweight material such as aluminium or carbon fibre but could be formed of any suitable material such as wood, metal or a plastics material. The first and second sections 2,4 are shaped according to the requirements of the installation and such that the base 14 of each of the first and second sections rests on the floor in use, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The first and second sections 2,4 have a bore therein into which the cross bar 6 is inserted and the cross bar 6 is supported at the ends thereof by the first and second sections 2,4 a number of millimetres above the floor to permit free rotation of the rollers 10. Alternative examples of possible shapes for the first and second sections 2,4 are shown in Figures 3c and 3d. The first and second section 2,4 may have a channel therein extending from the base of the respective sections to mount the sections 2,4 to the desired installation.

Preferably, the cross bar 6 is made of metal such as aluminium, carbon fibre, or a plastics material. The rollers 10 may be in the form of metallic, carbon fibre or plastic tubes and the spacers 12 may be plastic or carbon fibre inserts which are inserted into the ends of the tubes forming the rollers 10. A rubberised surface may be placed over the outer surface of the rollers 10 to prevent slippage of feet in use.

In use, the passenger places his feet on the rollers 10 mounted on the cross bar 6 and by moving his feet to and fro across the rollers 10 causes rotation of the rollers about the cross bar. This form of exercise simulates the action of walking and stimulates circulation in the legs therebyservingtoreducethe risk of development of deep vein thrombosis.

The apparatus embodying the present invention is advantageous not only in that it serves to stimulate circulation thereby reducing the risk of a person developing a potentially life-threatening problem, but it is also inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install as a retrofit to existing furniture such as seats on an aircraft.

Various modifications may be made to the present invention which will be obvious to the skilled person. For example, the materials used to construct the various parts of the apparatus 1 may be different from that described above and the apparatus 1 itself may be attachable to the sidewalls or base of an airline seat rather than a footrest. Also, the apparatus is not limited to use on an aircraft but could be used in any situation where a user is seated. In a further embodiment (not shown), the apparatus 1 could be connected to a digital or mechanical logging device to record and display the approximate distance "walked" by individual users of the apparatus thereby providing an additional point of focus to users during, for example, a long flight.

Claims

Claims 1. An exercise apparatus comprising a support member, one or more

rotatable portions supported by the support member, the rotatable portions being arranged to be rotatable in use on application of force by a user's foot, and mounting means for mounting the support member to permit rotation of the rotatable portions relative thereto.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises means for attaching the apparatus to a seat.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for attaching the apparatus comprises pivotal means arranged such that apparatus is pivotally movable between an in-use position and a stowage position.
4. An exercise apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more rotatable portions comprise one or more rollers.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one or more rollers are mounted on a cross-member attachable to the support means, the one or more rollers being rotatable about the cross-member.
6. An exercise apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises two or more rotatable portions separated by a spacer to permit independent rotation of the portions relative to the support member.