GB2482136A

GB2482136A - A portable exercise device with a rotatable lever or leg support

Info

Publication number: GB2482136A
Application number: GB1012157.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sona Portoian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-20
Filing date: 2010-07-20
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Also published as: GB201012157D0

Abstract

An exercise device comprising a rotatable region 8, at least one leg support 9 and 11 or lever 22 extending from the rotatable region 8 and means 3 to attach the device to a seating region. There may be a plurality of rotatable regions 8, a plurality of levers 22 and a plurality of leg supports 9 and 11. The rotatable regions 8 may move independently or the movement of the leg supports 9 and 11 and levers 22 may be linked. The levers 22 may be removably attached to the device and there may be a number of slots to allow them to be attached in a variety of positions. The levers 22 and leg supports 9 and 11 may be biased through the use of a spring or there may be means to resist their movement such as a frictional braking mechanism.

Description

Exercise device The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly to an exercise device that is easy to use in a home environment.

Many people do not like to partake in formal' exercise (e.g. running, going to a gym, etc.), or do not have the strength to undertake formal or rigorous exercise regimes, or indeed even leave the home. Some people only exercise through performing such acts as shopping, or doing house work, or being on their feet all day caring for another person. Many elderly people, in particular, fall into one or more of these categories.

Moreover, gym fees can be expensive, and this often puts off people from using the available facilities.

There are various exercise devices that can be used in the home, ranging from rowing machines, running machines, step-walkers, exercise bicycles, etc. However, many of these are costly, heavy, and relatively non-portable. They also take up a large amount of space, which is particularly disadvantageous in places where space is at a premium.

The present inventor has developed a device which aims to overcome at least some of the problems with existing exercise devices. In particular, the present inventor has developed a device which can be placed on existing furniture found within the home, such as a chair, thereby saving space within the home.

In this regard, the present inventor has developed a device which can be used to exercise either the upper body or the lower body, or both. In particular, the device can be used to exercise the legs and/or arms/chest.

The device of the present invention may be used to improve the muscle strength and/or blood circulation of both arms and legs and may also be useful to improve core stability, in particular for the elderly or anyone with injuries or disability. It can be used to do informal exercise in the home, or in more formal physiotherapy settings. Advantageously, the device can be portable, which may be useful for e.g. home visits by nurses or the like, and it can be easily stored.

To this end, the device comprises a seating region and a moveable arrangement for exercising (the exercise arrangement'), in particular for exercising the legs and/or arms.

The exercise arrangement comprises at least one rotatable region which has associated with it either at least one leg-support region or at least one lever, or both leg-support(s) and lever(s). The exercise arrangement is designed such that it allows relative movement of the leg-support(s) and/or the lever(s) in relation to the seating region.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the exercise arrangement comprises a mechanism wherein at least one leg-support or lever is rnoveable between a resting' position, where the user does not exert any energy in maintaining the position of their leg(s) or arm(s), and an active' position where the user inputs energy to move their leg(s) or arm(s) away from their resting' positions.

The rotatable regions can be moveably connected to the seating region in any manner well know to a person of skill in the art. In one particular embodiment, the rotatable regions are connected via at least one axle arrangement to the seating region. The axle arrangement preferably comprises an axle connected at each of its ends to an end cap of the exercise arrangement. The end caps may be fastenable to the seating region. In order to achieve independent movement of each leg-support (if there are two being used), there is preferably a plurality (e.g. two) rotatable regions. Each region can be arranged such that it freely rotates around a central axle which runs through the rotatable regions of the exercise arrangement. Alternatively, there may not be a single axle that runs through the entire exercise arrangement, but instead there may be a configuration of e.g. two end caps and a central island' which form fixed regions for each rotatable region to be rotatably connected. Such a connection may be through an individual axle for each span between an end can and central island', or else the leg-support or lever itself may have an integrally-formed axle' about which the leg-support or lever can pivot. The end caps and central island' can be fixed to each other, via e.g. a connecting rod, or by at least a portion of an optional housing as discussed below.

By the term "axle" it is meant any configuration that allows the rotatable regions to pivot or rotate around an axis of the exercise arrangement. The axle need not be cylindrical in the common sense of the term, but may comprise e.g. pin-like structures extending from the body of e.g. the leg-support into a socket formed in the end caps I central island' of the exercise arrangement.

Preferably the device of the present invention comprises two leg-supports which are attachable to or integral with the rotatable regions, preferably which are independently moveable from one another. In this manner, each of the user's legs can be manipulated independently of the other. This may be advantageous if the user is undergoing rehabilitation for an injury sustained to only one of their legs (e.g. if one leg has been in a cast for a period of time).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises at least one lever which extends from the exercise arrangement.

Preferably there are two levers, each being associated with one of the

rotatable regions.

In the embodiments of the present invention which comprise both leg-supports and levers, one possible configuration is that each of the levers is associated with the leg-support on the same side of the device. In another embodiment, each lever is associated with the leg-support on the opposite side of the device.

In use, the user can use the lever to move the associated leg-support, via the rotatable region. In this manner, the upper body (e.g. the arms) can be exercised if minimal effort is put into raising the leg resting on the associated leg-support, since the arm will then be lifting the weight of the leg.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the levers can be removable from the exercise arrangement. This may be beneficial to improve the portability of the device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the leg-supports can be removable from the exercise arrangement such that the device becomes one which can be used solely to exercise the arms / upper body of the user. It may also improve the portability of the device.

In the case where the levers are removable from the device, there may be a number of different receiving slots associated with the exercise arrangement and/or rotatable regions so that the angle of the levers with respect to the leg-supports is changeable. This may be beneficial depending on the length of the user's arms, such that people with shorter arms or longer arms are able to position the lever in a slot that results in the handle of the lever being at a comfortable distance from the body. It may also be useful depending on the exercise routine that is being performed, such that lesser or greater movements of the arms / legs are required or permitted depending on where the levers are slotted.

The leg-supports and/or levers of the device of the present invention may be resiliently biased in a particular direction such that it increases the required effort by the user to move the respective parts of the device. This can increase the benefit of the exercise undertaken. Depending on the construction of the device, the bias can be associated with the rotatable regions, the leg-supports, and/or the levers.

In one embodiment, the bias can result in the leg-support(s) being biased towards the floor. In such an embodiment, in order to raise the leg-support(s) away from the floor, the user has to pull harder on the respective lever.

In other embodiments, the bias can result in the leg-support(s) being biased away from the floor. In such an embodiment, the user must exert downward pressure on the leg-support in order to push it towards the floor, or must push harder on the respective lever.

The person of skill in the art will be aware of the variety of biasing means that can be incorporated into the device in order to provide the required resilience to free movement of the leg-support(s) and/or levers. Such means may be e.g. springs (e.g. compression springs, torsion springs, tension springs etc.), or such things as hydraulic mechanisms or the like, such as can be found in slow (soft) close toilet seats etc. Alternatively, the device may be configured such that there is resistance in both directions of movement of the leg-support and/or lever. In this way, extra effort is required by the user to move the leg-support(s) and/or lever(s) in both directions, again permitting extra exercise to be achieved.

Mechanisms for achieving resistance to a device are well known to the skilled person, and can be such things as frictional resistance mechanisms e.g. a braking mechanism. Moreover, such mechanisms may be particularly advantageous since the resistance can be varied depending on the exercise regime being undertaken.

Typically, the device of the present invention will have a cover over at least a portion of the moving parts of the exercise arrangement, to prevent e.g. clothing from getting trapped in the mechanism or to prevent parts of the body from being pinched etc. from the movement of the mechanism.

Such a cover will preferably be stationary in use. In such an embodiment, the cover can also act as a support for fastening the exercise mechanism to the seating region, and may also be connected to or integral with the end caps of the exercise arrangement, and central island' if present.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the exercise arrangement can be removable from the seating region. This may be beneficial to permit easier packing of the device if being transported or stored.

The skilled person will be aware of many different ways that the exercise arrangement can be attached to the seating region. Examples of such ways are using materials such as Velcro®, or by other fastening means such as straps and the like.

The seating region of the device can also be designed to be fastenable to the piece of furniture (e.g. a chair) on which it is to be positioned. In this regard, such fasteners can be one or more belts I straps which can fit under and/or around the seat I back (if present) of the chair in order to secure the seating region in position. Other suitable fastening means will be envisaged by the skilled person and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Preferably the seating region is reasonably firm, so that the user can exercise comfortably. The seating region may be a firm cushion, or may have a core of a hard material (e.g. wood) and have a layer of padding in order to provide more comfort to the user.

Optionally, the seating region of the device may comprise an integral pocket to store e.g. the levers.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, which are purely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection to the particular embodiments shown therein.

Figure 1 depicts the component parts of one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure IA showing the seating region, Figure lB showing the exercise arrangement and leg-supports and Figure 10 showing a lever.

Figure 2 shows the component parts of the device of Figure 1 being assembled into the exercise unit of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the exercise device of Figure 2 being positioned on a chair.

Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the exercise device of the present invention being used by a person.

Turning now to Figure 1A, the device of the present invention comprises a seating region (1). The seating region preferably has fastening means (3) to secure it to the piece of furniture (e.g. a chair) on which it is to be positioned. The fastening means can be something like a belt I strap. Each arm of the belt I strap can be secured to another or to part of the seating region by e.g. Velcro ® or a buckle-type arrangement. There are preferably enough fastening means to allow adequate securing. In the embodiment shown, there is a fastening means to wrap around the back of a chair and a fastening means to strap underneath the seat of the chair on which the seating region (1) is to be positioned.

In one embodiment of the present invention where the device is separable into component parts, the seating region (1) further comprises a portion (5) which is configured to allow attachment of the exercise arrangement to the seating region (1). In the embodiment shown, such a portion (5) comprises Velcro ® or the like.

Figure 1 B shows the exercise arrangement (7) of one embodiment of the present device. The arrangement (7) comprises rotatable regions (8).

Preferably these rotatable regions (8) are independently moveable from one another.

The rotatable regions (8) can comprise a cylinder-like structure from which the leg-support(s) and/or lever(s) extend(s) and which can rotate around an axle (not shown) that runs through the rotatable regions (8).

Alternatively, rotatable regions (8) may be of any other configuration that allows rotation around an axis. In one embodiment, the rotatable regions are effectively the proximal ends (15) of the leg-supports, which may form their own axle(s) via means of extensions (e.g. pins) that extend out from the proximal end of the leg-support and which are received by slots I holes in caps (17, 18) and a central island' (19) of the exercise arrangement.

The caps may be fixed to one another and/or to the central island' to provide a solid structure for the exercise arrangement and for the proximal ends (15) of the leg-supports (9, 11) to slot in to.

Preferably the rotatable regions (8) are attached to at least one leg-support, in this embodiment two leg-supports (9, 11). The leg-supports have a distal end (13) which is positioned away from the seating region (1) when the device is in use, and a proximal end (15) positioned near to the seating region (1).

Optionally, there may be one or more slots (20) in the rotatable regions (8) for a lever to slot in to in order to allow exercise of the upper body.

Optionally there may be a housing which covers at least a portion of the moving parts of the exercise arrangement. If a housing is present, then it will be configured to allow free movement of the leg-support(s) and/or lever(s) which naturally extend beyond the housing. Preferably there will be at least some sort of fixed structure on the portion of the exercise arrangement (7) facing the seating portion (1), such that secure fixing of the exercise arrangement (7) to the seating portion (1) can be achieved.

Such fixing can be achieved by e.g. Velcro ® fixing onto portion (5) of the seating region (1). The person of skill in the art will be aware of other arrangements of fastening elements that can be used on various parts of the device. For example, the housing of the exercise arrangement may comprise a Velcro® region approximately mid-way along the housing, which can be used to provide further securing to the seating region.

The leg-supports (9, 11) may optionally have further support structures (not shown) which are integral with or attachable to the main body of the leg-supports in order to ensure that the user's legs remain positioned on the leg-supports. There may also be such things as a foot rest (not shown) at the distal end (13) of the leg-supports (9, 11), which again may be useful for extra support to the legs.

The exercise arrangement (7) may optionally further comprise one or more biasing means or resilience means (not shown), which bias the rotatable regions (8) in one direction or another.

As described above, such means will be known the skilled person, and may be such things as springs, hydraulic mechanisms, or general resistance mechanisms. They all are designed to make the user exert more force to move the rotatable regions, and hence the leg-supports or the levers, and thereby undertake more exercise.

Figure 10 shows an optional addition to the device of the present invention, which is a lever (22) which can be inserted into slots (20) of the device. The lever (22) comprises a region (24) which fits into the slots (20), and a handle portion (26) for gripping by the user.

Figure 2 shows the components of the exercise device when fitted together, and Figure 3 shows the exercise device positioned on a chair (30). The exercise device can be attached via straps (3) around the chair.

In use, the user positions seating region (1) of the device on the seat of the chair (30) and secures seating region (1) in place via straps (3). The user then can optionally position the levers (22) into slots (20). The user then sits on seating region (1) and places their legs in the usual seating position, and then uses the device to exercise their arms and/or legs, as shown in Figure 4.

In one embodiment, where the leg-supports are not biased away from the floor, the leg-supports (9, 11) of the device will be resting' behind the legs of the user. To begin exercising, the user then pulls on one of the levers (22) which will in turn raise one of the leg-supports (9, 11). It may raise the leg-support on the same side as the lever, or alternatively the exercise arrangement may be configured to raise the leg-support on the opposite side of the device.

Typically, the device will be arranged such that the leg-supports andlor levers are able to move through approximately 30° to 70° of arc, preferably approximately 60° of arc from their resting positions.

The user pulls / pushes the lever towards / away from their body repeatedly, which exercises the upper body and the legs.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the leg-supports (9, 11) can be removable from the exercise device such that the user relies on the levers (22) for their exercise.

In some embodiments of the invention, where the leg-supports (9, 11) are resiliently biased towards a particular position, there may only be effort required by the user in one direction of movement, since the bias may be sufficient to return the device to its resting position with minimal extra effort from the user.

The components of the device of the present invention can be made from any suitable material in the art, such as wood, metal, plastics etc. The size and dimensions of the present invention will be recognised by the person skilled in the art. Typically, the seat may be approx. 45cm x 45cm x 6 cm, although suitable sizes will depend on the type and size of the furniture upon which the device is to be placed. Each leg-support may be an approximate rectangle of approx. 38cm x 18cm. The axle region and! or housing of the exercise arrangement may be approx. 60 cm long and 6 cm diameter. The levers may be approx. 30-45 cm long, perhaps 40cm long. The skilled person will be aware that the dimensions can be changeable depending on the circumstances and factors such as the size of the user. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the components of the device such as the levers and leg supports can be adjustable so that they more closely fit the user. For example, the levers may be configured in a telescopic arrangement for adjustable length.

Optionally, the leg-supports (9, 11) may have at least one region for securing to the seating region (1) during transport or storage such that they do not flap around. Such regions may comprise Velcro ® or the like.

One embodiment of the present invention also comprises a kit comprising the component parts of the present invention and a bag to store the parts in. Optionally, instructions for use can also be included.

The invention has been described as if it were a portable unit that can be transported to where it is needed and fixed on to existing furniture.

However, it will be evident that an integral exercise unit comprising the exercise device described above integrated with a chair is also encompassed by the present invention. In such a situation, the chair may be height-adjustable to accommodate people with long or short legs. The chair may also comprise wheels, such that it can more easily be transported.

Claims

Claims 1. An exercise device comprising a moveable arrangement for exercising (the exercise arrangement'), wherein said exercise arrangement comprises at least one rotatable region which has associated with it at least one leg-support region and/or at least one lever, the exercise arrangement allowing relative movement of the leg-support(s) and/or the lever(s) in relation to a seating region to which the exercise arrangement is attached when in use.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said exercise arrangement comprises a plurality of rotatable regions, preferably 2 rotatable regions.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein said rotatable regions are independently moveable from one another.
4. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein said exercise arrangement and/or at least one rotatable region comprises a number of different slots to receive said at least one lever.
5. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the exercise arrangement further comprises a cover over at least a portion of the at least one rotatable region.
6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said cover extends to the end of the rotatable region, and wherein said cover has fixed to it at least one end cap, such that said end cap forms a fixed structure to which said at least one rotatable region is rotatably connected.
7. The exercise device of claims 2-6, wherein the exercise arrangement further comprises a central island' between said plurality of rotatable regions which forms a fixed region for each rotatable region to be rotatably connected.
8. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one rotatable region is moveably connected to said seating region via at least one axle arrangement.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein said at least one rotatable region rotates around a central axle which is part of or runs through the at least one rotatable region of the exercise arrangement.
10. The exercise device of claims 8 or 9, wherein and said axle arrangement comprises an axle connected at each of its ends to end caps of the exercise arrangement.
11. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the exercise arrangement is attached to the seating region, preferably via Velcro®.
12. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises two leg-supports which are attachable to or integral with therotatable regions.
13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the rotatable regions are the proximal ends of the leg-supports.
14. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one leg-support is removable from the exercise arrangement.
15. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises two levers, each being associated with one of the rotatable regions.
16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein each lever is moveably associated with a leg-support on the same side of the device as the respective lever.
17. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein each lever is moveably associated with a leg-support on the opposite side of the device to the respective lever.
18. The exercise device of claim 17, wherein the exercise arrangement comprises two inter-fitting rotatable members, the first rotatable member connecting one lever with the opposite leg support and the second rotatable member connecting the other lever with its opposite leg support.
19. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one lever is removable from the exercise arrangement.
20. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one leg-support and/or at least one lever are resiliently biased in a particular direction.
21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein said bias is associated with the rotatable regions, the leg-supports, and/or the levers.
22. The exercise device of claim 20 or 21, wherein the bias results in the leg-support(s) being biased towards the floor.
23. The exercise device of claim 20 or 21, wherein the bias results in the leg-support(s) being biased away from the floor.
24. The exercise device of claims 20-23, wherein said biasing means comprises at least one resilient member, such as a spring or the like.
25. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that there is resistance in both directions of movement of the at least one leg-support and/or lever.
26. The exercise device of claim 25, wherein said resistance is provided by a frictional resistance mechanism such as a braking mechanism.
27. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one leg-support comprises further support structures to ensure that the user's legs remain positioned on the at least one leg-support.
28. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is arranged such that the at least one leg-support and/or at least one lever is able to move through approximately 30° to 70° of arc, preferably approximately 60° of arc from their resting positions.
29. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein said device further comprises said seating region.
30. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein the seating region is fastenable to the piece of furniture on which it is to be positioned.
31. The exercise device of any preceding claim, wherein said device is integrated with a chair.
32. A kit comprising the device of any of the preceding claims.
33. The exercise device of any preceding claim of claims 1-31, or the kit of claim 32, wherein the at least one leg-support has at least one region for securing to the seating region during transport or storage.