GB2423942A

GB2423942A - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2423942A
Application number: GB0504678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Schetrumpf
Original assignee: SUBITO Ltd
Current assignee: SUBITO Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-07
Filing date: 2005-03-07
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Also published as: GB0504678D0

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises a carriage 4 slidable on a track 2, a pulley system 5 and cords attached between a bar handle 7 and the pulley system 5 and between the carriage 4 and pulley system 5, such that, a user strapped to the carriage 4 may pull himself/herself up the inclined track 2 against the resistance of the users body weight. The largest pulley may be mounted eccentrically on its axle so as to offer varying resistance during the downward transit of the handle 7. A number of smaller pulleys of differing diameters may be mounted on the same axle as the largest pulley so that the pulley system may provide different degrees of mechanical advantage depending on which of the smaller pulleys the cord is attached. The carriage 4 may be divided into two parts so as to be adjustable in length.

Description

I

OrthoToner The invention relates to a device on which the user exercises and stretches the joints and muscles of the back and shoulders The device is positioned on the floor during use in a free standing structure which can be placed anywhere convenient Many devices are already known for providing this exercise but suffer from the disadvantage that they require heavy components, are uninteresting to use and do not offer what the invention does.

Ageing is universal and manifests itself particularly in weakness and deformity of the spine and shoulders. At some stage, 40 percent of the UK population suffers from back pain and back-related problems Exercise is universally considered to have value in improving the well- being and the recuperation and rehabilitation of back-related problems However, the current availability of devices that stretch the joints and muscles of the back and shoulders for the domestic market only exists in a cumbersome form.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an easy-to-use device for the domestic market user to enable stretching and exercising of the Shoulder and spinal joints and musculature.

This invention stretches and straightens the back and specifically exercises the pectoral girdle through lifting the users own weight. Its mechanism obliges the user to synchronise the breathing with effort in the ideal physiological manner.

Today, devices exist, within clinics and gyms, that stretch the spine by tipping the user upside down that generally precludes single-user use and easy access for exercise. This invention is Specifically designed to be of single-user use, relatively light-weight and easily folded for ease of transportation and storage.

One of the features of this invention is that it exercises and simultaneously stretches the spine and shoulder joints.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows the side elevation of the whole device FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the whole device FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the carriage and harness FIGURE 4 shows a side view of the track, carriage, and harness FIGURE 5 shows a front view of the under-surface of the carriage separation As Shown in Figure 1, the Ortholoner includes a base 1 composed of two struts crosslinked to each other, and sited on the floor. To what is nominated as the front of the device is hinged a track 2 which can be raised or lowered. The angulation of the track 2 is governed by the adjuster support arm 3 that connects with notches in the base struts and through triangulation provides rigidity for the device.

Attached to the track 2 is a carriage 4 mounted on wheels. The carnage 4 provides the means for Supporting the user by means of an adjustable seat attached to the lower part. The carriage is in two separate parts that are held together with springs that compress their connection to each other, as shown in Figure 5.

The user starts by sifting astride the seat with feet on the ground and with the back against the carriage 4.

A body harness 6, shown in figure 3, is fitted to the top part of the carriage 4 around the user's chest and connects the user and carriage 4 to the lifting mechanism 5.

The body harness 6 is comprised of webbing and/or rope attached directly or via a pulley, as in Figure 3, to one of a series of locations on the side of the carriage 4 in which to accommodate different user physiques as shown in Figures 1, 2 & 3. The harness webbing/rope is located through half of a buckle on each side and subsequently connected via a pulley to the lifting mechanism 5 as shown in Figure 1.

The lifting mechanism 5 is Situated on the free and upper end of the track 2 so as to provide movement of the carriage 4 through the action of the person on the carriage. The lifting mechanism 5 is actuated through a 1-bar 7 that the user grips and pulls downwarcjs The 1- bar 7 is attached via a length of cord that is located in the groove of a cam pulley and attached to it after encompassing for most of its circumference Attached on the same spindle of the cam pulley is also attached a smaller concentric pulley. A further length of cord is attached to and then lies in the grove of the smaller pulley encompassing it partly to actuate over a simple free wheeling sheave thence on to be attached to the body harness 6.

The sequence of events for a user are: 1. The user will make appropriate adjustments to the pitch of the track 2, by adjusting the support arm 3, the body harness 6, 1-bar 7 and seat as necessary to provide a comfortable position on the device.

2. They then position themselves astride on the seat and buckle the body harness 6 across their chest. The user is now in a position ready to use the device.

3. The user grasps the T-bar 7 which is positioned well above the head and within reach with both hands and pulls down the 1-bar 7 downwards as far as they can. The effect of the cam pulley enables smooth passage of the arms through the difficult transit that is at the level of the shoulders. This occurs because the disposition of the greater radius is located specifically on the pulley for that purpose.

As a result of the excursion of the T-bar 7 downwards, the purchase on the body harness 6 through the lifting mechanism 5 actuates the carriage 4 in the reverse direction and by the action of the harness 6 compresses the chest. When the 1-bar is allowed to ascend the opposite sequence of events occur.

Claims

1. The OrthoToner is a multi-component devise Composed of a base, a track, and adjuster support arm, a carriage, a lifting mechanism, a body harness and a T-bar handle.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one end of the base is attached to one end of the track so the free end of the track can be raised and lowered by an adjuster support arm attached to the track and so as to locate securing with one of a number of fastening site on the base.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the track is provided with a stop or buffer at its lower end and a lifting mechanism is located at its upper end.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, providing a carriage which runs on the tack and which has wheels for the purpose of both bearing weight and making the carriage captive on the track.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, providing for a carriage that has at its lower end an adjustable seat and back rest for the user.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5, providing for the carriage to be divided into two transversely and so the two parts can telescope in and out along the length of the carriage.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, providing for the separation of the carnage parts to be constrained by compression springs or elastic bands, which are incorporated in the telescoping mechanism.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, providing for the attachment, either directly or as an anchor point for a roller or pulley, for the harness at the lower outer aspect of the upper part of the carriage and so the position of these attachments can be varied for different users in the harness.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 7, where there are adjustable rollers or sheaves at the upper end of the upper part of the carriage to accommodate the upper part of the harness.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 1, Providing for a lifting mechanism, which is attached to the upper end of the track.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, providing for a lifting mechanism, which is a train of pulleys, held in a frame so the orientation and disposition of those pulleys on the frame allows a cord connected to the T-bar handle above the user sitting on the carriage to actuate the device by pulling down the 1-bar handle and moving the carnage upwards.

12. A device as claimed in Claim 11, providing a train of pulleys where the size of the pulleys in the train offer a Power/weight ratio gain, to the user of lifting themselves on the carriage, and where the pulleys offering the advantage can be multiple in number and diameter on the same axle to provide different power ratios, the preferable single ratio being one that gives the user an order of 3:1 power advantage

13. A device as claimed in Claim 12, providing for a cord from the T-bar handle held by the user to pass over a V or groove pulley which is preferably excentric on its axle so as to offer a changing and improving gain during a critical part of the downward transit of the Tbar handle by the user, and so as to be fixed to the pulley at the base of its groove at a place distant from its point and direction of entry to the pulley.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein a small disc and its axle is held by extension springs attached to the frame, so as to lodge in the groove of the pulley to prevent the cord from dislodging during use or storage.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the harness incorporates a buckle to enable the components of the harness to embrace the user seated on the carriage.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the buckle is made of two halves which clip together centrally in front of the user over the abdominal or chest wall or the junction of these two areas.

17. A device as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the two halves of the buckle have attached to them an easy release Push-and-clip mechanism and a captive roller and/or pulley to accommodate webbing and/or rope, and also attached to the buckle is a mechanism preferably such as a jam cleat for securing such webbing and/or rope as may be used in the harness.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the harness is attached to cordage at its upper end which comes from the rear-most of the train of pulleys above the user and that such an attachment to the harness is arranged through captive sheaves attached at the upper end of the carriage so as to distribute the forces equally to the left and right halves of the harness.

19. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the arrangement of the rope and/or webbing is such that it will pass through the captive sheaves at the top of the carriage on each side of the users head and neck thence to pass to the buckle component, relevant to the right and left hand side of the user, through its captive rollers or sheaves and thence to a captive roller or pulley on the lower outer aspect part of the upper part of the carriage as in Claim 8, from which the webbing and/or rope passes back to the buckle for adjustment and fixation on the buckle by use of the cleat as mentioned in Claim 17.

20. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the arrangement of the webbing and/or rope passes from the captive sheaves at the top of the upper part of the carriage to a captive roller or sheave on the buckle and thence to a fixation point on the lower outer aspect of the upper part of the carriage.

21. A device as claimed in Claim 15, wherein provision is made for such webbing and/or rope of the harness which is in contact with the user is covered in a soft rubber foam or similar material to stop chafe and provide comfort for the user.

22. A device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the space caused by the division of the carriage during use is covered by a thin and firm sheet of material attached to one or other part of the carriage but not both, to allow freedom for expansion and the purpose of the sheet being to prevent any part of the user or their clothing from falling into the space between the two parts of the carriage which will occur from its upper excursion during use.

23. A device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the platform of both parts of the carriage Which forms the back rest are covered by a layer of foam Which will conform to the back of the users body, such foam being stretchable so as to allow the two parts of the carnage to separate during the action of the device or if not, for it to be divided at a level Which is above or below the division of the carriage to allow for expansion of the carriage.

24. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the stop Which constrains the downward transit of the carriage has a buffer which is of Springs and/or firm rubber to cushion the inadvertent judcjer which could Occur during use or if purchase on the I bar handle slips during use or if a failure in the lifting mechanism or harness occurs.

25. A device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein an adjustable seat is provided at the lower end of the lower part of the carnage such that its angular disposition can be changed with respect to the plane of the carriage platform so the pelvis and legs of the user can be changed in respect to each other for their comfort and so that the user can adjust the seat with respect to angle which the track and carnage has been set to the base and claim that the preferable design of the seat will be akin to the shape of a typical motorcycle seat, wide at its back junction with the carriage platform to accommodate the buttocks and narrowing in its forwarri projection to secure the users weight between their legs.

26. A device as claimed in Claim 1 Wherein a 1-bar handle is provided for the users hands to actuate the devise and whose centre, along its length, provides a means of attachment, adjustme and fixation of the cordage from the large pulley in the lifting mechanism so as to allow adjustment and fixation of the T-bar handle at different heights above the user.

27. A device as claimed in Claim 26 which provides for comfortable and adjustable grips along its length for purchase by the user.

28. A device as claimed in Claim 27 which is very light, Preferably tubular and is padded at its ends to protect the user in case of accidental collision with it.

29. A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the base can fold, dismantle or dissemble to make it compact for adjustment in use, transport or storage.

30. A device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the track can fold, dismantle or dissemble to make it compact for adjustment in use, transport or storage

31. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the adjustor support arm can fold, dissemble to make it compact for adjustment in use, transport or storage.

32. A device as claimed in Claim 15 wherein appropriate padding is provided where any component of the harness is in contact with the user's body or clothing.

33. A device as claimed in Claim I which has cordage to connect the harness, the components of the lifting mechanism and the 1-bar, which are therein mentioned.