GB2506857A

GB2506857A - Hand held running aide to hold both hands together when jogging

Info

Publication number: GB2506857A
Application number: GB1218039.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2012-10-09
Publication date: 2014-04-16
Also published as: GB201218039D0

Abstract

A hand held running aide 1 has handles 2 and 3 to be held in each hand and is used during walking, jogging and running. When held in both hands the running aide links the arms together in a unified fashion and encourages a more aligned movement of the arms whilst exercising. Consequently the core muscles enjoy a better workout than if the arms are allowed to swing naturally. The running aide 1 may be weighted by filling a hollow chamber with a consumable fluid or weighted articles. The aide may have a drinking straw through which the water can be drunk and the aide may also incorporate a music player, headphones, lights, a mobile phone or an alarm.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

DANIEL THOMAS

FOR

HAND HELD RUNNING AIDE. EXERCISE AND SUPPORT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand held device that improves the body's comfort when running or jogging whilst providing an exercise motion that is encouraged by the adjoining of the arms by the device. It may also provide user support apparel including fluid intake, viewing light and entertainment source.

Background

The use of apparel and clothing to assist the user when running or jogging is known.

These normally comprise improvements to foot wear or essentials and is a constantly changing and developing area. Foot wear for example, uses technology to make the impact of the running less wearing on the user by improving comfort to the underside or outer and inner areas of the shoe. This in turn helps to prevent strain on the various areas of the leg when running by maintaining careful attention to those points where the joints or tendons, for example, may become stressed over time. This can prevent long term joint or muscle problems, which can extend to other areas of the body such as the back. Therefore, essential footwear and other apparel such as back or joint, limb supports aie a requirement for long term users.

Devices that are attached to the body to assist in the toning of muscles are also known, these may provide an electrical or vibrating pulse through a bodily attached pad or area that is worn whilst the person is running or exercising. Weights that simply are attached to wrist and ankles along with other body areas are common and provide small amounts of resistance to the area where placed to improve the workout of the wearer.

It is also known that some runners may carry weights in the hand when in motion and move accordingly. These tend to be of a type that are not designed for this method of use and are taken out of their normal environment by the user to attempt to achieve a result from their weight in combination with their, walking, running or jogging activity.

Many people use exercise activities to improve their fitness and encourage weight loss, muscle tone as well as help defer medical conditions including heart and other physical disease. Exercises such as walking, jogging or running have for most people a typical biomechanical movement cycle or gait, although some minor variations are seen between people.

The overall biomechanical movement/gait cycle of a person's body during activities such as walking, jogging and running is created by the coordinated biomechanical movements of the body's individual elements: limbs, muscles, joints etc. These biomechanical movements determine a number of physiological effects upon the body during activities; namely amongst other things the level of the physical work out experienced, the balance of their body in particular; balance in keeping the body upright and also in terms of keeping the body rotationally balanced during these activities.

The human body's biomechanical movements during walking, jogging and running has evolved over a long period of time to develop a very efficient coordinated cycle of biomechanical movementslgait cycle(s); to propel the body forwards. The normal movement of a human body during, walking jogging and running (without the use of the Invention described herein) is for the arms to swing mostly backwards and forwards independently of each other, pivoted about their respective shoulders. There are a number of reasons for this independent forward and backward movement of the arms.

It is a very efficient method of the arms contributing to the body's overall forward motion, the swinging of the arms during walking, jogging and running contributes to propel the body forwards, and this means that minimal energy is expended to cover distances and or attain desired speeds.

It also helps balance the body's rotational forces as the arms provide a counterbalance to their respective opposite leg's motion which causes significant rotational forces about the vertical centre (through the centre of the pelvis) of the body. It helps the body attain upright balance as it can be used to counter balance the body's forward, backward and side to side motions, it does this by helping to keep the body's centre of gravity within acceptable parameters especially when running fast. Where movement of the body's constituent elements such as the torso, legs and arms etc, is caused by their respective muscles having to undertake work to create the associated movements; this work undertaken by the muscles requires energy, The energy is taken from the body's energy sources such as blood sugars, glycogen and body fats; it is the aim of many of those exercising via walking, jogging and running to burn up as much body fat as is possible as this is deemed to assist the regulating of their body mass which is essential for good general health and wellbeing along with external appearance. Thus it is highly desirable for those exercising to be able to increase the focus of their work out onto specific muscle groups and or individual muscles, in particular the core body muscles (abdominals, back etc.) and gluteus muscles.

This strengthens and tones these muscles, which improves the general physical stability of the body as a whole, as well as reduces the fat and or size around the stomach, back and gluteus muscle areas which is beneficial for a number of health reasons. As described previously movement of the body's elements (torso, legs, arms, etc.) is directly linked to the level of work required by their associated muscles in moving the element, so a lot of repetitive movements of a particular body element will mean a lot of repetitive work is being done by their associated muscles to move them.

This means that during walking, jogging and running the muscles which move the arms and legs gain a relatively good work out during motion.

In comparison the core muscles such as the abdominals and back muscles experience relatively modest movements; thus their work out during these exercises is relatively limited. It is common for many people to find that they have difficulty in achieving a good work out of their core body muscles and gluteus muscles during these activities as the core of the upper body has limited movement; as a result additional exercises such as sit ups, leg raises, crunches and oblique twists/crunches are required to strengthen and tone the core (abdominals, back etc.) and gluteus muscles. The proposal herein describes a means to provide improved bodily comfort and a related workout when walking, running, jogging or taking related exercise; while changing or adapting the normal movement of the body using a hand held device. This device also provides refreshments and other sustaining or supportive functions therein.

Prior Art

Accordingly patent applications have been filed to provide a similar solution, including the following: United States patent application ref: US4712794 (t-IALL) Discloses a hand held container that is used when running or jogging and is filled with a nutritious fluid, this is held in one hand. Therefore two units are used when running and move with the known movement of the arms in a swinging' motion; United States patent ref: US531 8492 (QUIN) Discloses a hand held device that offers some small resistance when running and is hand held with a repellent sprayer mounted to its upper body. This provides a form of defence for the user when jogging outdoors: United States patent ref: U55529556 (SEGARRA) Discloses apparel worn as a harness type of device that supports the arms and hands when inserted in openings. The aim is to limit fatigue on the arms and other related areas when running: United States patent ref: US4335875 (ELKIN) Disclosed a harness type device that is laid across the joggers shoulders and provides roped extensions with holding areas for the hands. This provides the ability for the walker or runner to move the arms in a repeated swinging movement or offer assisted suspension for limbs.

Patent application ref: JP20061 10326 Discloses a device that is shoulder mounted and has handles that are extended for the user to grip and offers support for the arms when walking, running or jogging.

Patent application ref: 2005193973 Discloses a handheld bottle or container based design that has a single handle. This is held and used as a weight when running or jogging to assist in physical exercise and provides fluid refreshment:

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is a provided a device that is held with both hands to the frontal area of the body including the waist, abdominal or chest region, depending on the users personal requirements. At least two holding regions or handles are provided and joined via a single or multiple upper cross members of equal or similar girth and length to the handles. This being mainly of a suggested tubular and cylindrical form of three lengths adjoined to form a single unit. The person would grip the device when walking running or jogging and as the arms move or pass in the known direction forward and backwards across the centre of the body to the side, the unit is moved with the hands to the side of the body and returns to the centre before passing to the opposite side area of the body, this is repeated. Owing to the way in which the unit is held it changes the body's normal biomechanical movement or pattern which provides an effect upon certain areas of the muscles or related junctures. This is achieved by the device connecting both the hands and or arms together as a single unified unit, so that during walking jogging or running the hands and or arms move as a combined unit, as opposed to moving independently of each other, this has the effect of changing the user's biomechanical movements and as such the user experiences a changed and an improved physical workout.

These may include the physical workout of back, abdominal, gluteal and other core or differing muscle groups due to the movement of the arms in combination with the hand held unit. In effect both arms are joined via the holding of the unit and the motion of the arm movements when running or jogging is more aligned due to this. The interior of the unit may be solid and incorporate a material to form a weighted structure to add resistance to the unit and aide the physical application and working of the body. This material used to fill the empty cavity of the unit may be of any known suitable type, to include sand, small individual weights of various kinds and single solid forms such as cement' or variant cast materials. This would provide further resistance and improve the units ability, when being motioned in front of the body at given points, to exercise muscles therein.

Further applications may include the use of the interior cavity to hold water or other desired drinks or fluids. This would provide the weight and the unit size and shape may therefore vary from that shown, to allow the larger area required to increase this volume by various degrees. The unit may also incorporate any known or emerging apparel that is able to be installed within or to the exterior of its body, these may include music or radio broadcast players, MP3 & MP4 variants, speakers, lights for improved forward viewing at night, flashing or alert lighting to improve the visibility of the user to others and pedometers. It may also be possible to employ a mobile phone into the unit as well as various alarms and repellents for personal protection and satellite navigation. The device may also incorporate any known or emerging aesthetic apparel that is able to be installed within or upon its body; these include decorative covers, images, stickers, logos of any known or emerging type.

The idea therefore may use its physical shape, which has been determined by the need for both hands to hold it, to provide any number of support applications to the user, outside of a basic running aide and weight. It may for example; be used to provide liquid sustenance only and could be marketed as a drinks bottle that also aides exercise when running or walking.

As a contrast it may provide many functions either combined or singular/dual for example and remain within the same or similar physical form disclosed herein.

This form, size or shape may vary from the basic idea presented but it is advised that most of the attributes disclosed here, provide important elements to its working ability and functionality and thus contribute to its appearance.

The handles or holding areas may be of different protrusions and angles to those shown to allow different workout capabilities, due to the realignment of the wrists and therefore the arms; providing retention and resistance being imposed on different muscles and areas of the arms and body. The size of the unit; as previously mentioned may also vary to provide a desired weight or preferred working performance therein.

This may also involve them being adjustable and hinged using a ball or similar encased joint that allows the handle to move to a desired angle from its original vertical status.

Known hand held units are cited that carry a fluid, weight, or device for use when running of jogging. Specifically patent document no: US4712794 which is a single handled unit for use with one hand, this is also able to carry drinks and fluids. This however is unable to provide the structured body workout as the two arms are not aligned in front of the body and the movement is different and to a lower reach; more in line with an outstretched arm. Although both hands and arms may be used with this device they are not unified or connected via the unit. Other examples also fail to render this physical workout capability of the aforementioned muscular patterns including patent ref: US4335675 which along with other examples discloses a shoulder mounted material based device that has extended arm locators which again seat more widely and lower to the user and provide more of a support than an exercise action. This due to a myriad of factors but namely the lack of resistance provided by the weight being a focus.

This presentation discloses a hand held device that is mainly gripped with both left and right hands and when combined with the walking or running movement wherein the arms move forwards and backwards in combination with the unit; stability is also improved. The balance of the person is assisted by helping to centralise the rotational forces created by the arms and legs, in effect the arms are held in a more uniform synchronised arrangement throughout the exercise period; this moving posture can be maintained with increased comfort owing to the device. The downward movement of the arms is therefore maintained at a reduced level and the rotational movement of the upper body increased. This modified biomechanical movement of the arms makes the user less efficient during movement than during their normal unaided motion.

This means that more energy has to be expended by the user to achieve the same speeds and or to cover the same distances as compared to their motion whilst not using the unit.

The modified movement of the arms causes an increase in the rotational movement of the upper body about its vertical centreline, running through the plan view dead centre of the body; this increase in rotational movement amongst other things, increases the work out of the core muscles (including: back, abdominals) and gluteal muscles. The user holds the two handles; one in each hand, the aide is then held close and adjacent to the front of the waist, stomach or chest depending upon the their personal work out preferences and ergonomic requirements, the user then starts to walk, jog or run, The user will notice that unlike when running without the aide they cannot independently move their arms forwards and backwards as this independent motion is inhibited by both arms now being connected together and moving as one unit through the use of the aide Instead the arms want to move from one side of their body to the other They should still keep the aide clOse to their body and allow the arms to rotate/move freely between the sides of their torso as they walkijoglrun, The user can vary the new rotating side to side motion as they desire by making an active effort to increase or decrease the angle of rotation about the centre of the body.

C

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 show a basic elevated example of the running aide Figures 2 show a single example of the running aide being held with both hands Figures 3 show a sectional example of the running aide as a liquid carrier and weight Figures 4 show a single example of the running aide with added devices Figures 5 show a person running whilst holding the aide, in two stages of the action

Detailed description of figures

A running aide has a body 1 which is formed of a cylindrical or tubed length 2 that is connected via continual arched cross member to a length and form equal to that of 2, being 3, as shown in Figure 1. A representation of this may form the shape as shown in Figure 1 and may have various formed alternatives to the tubed or cylindrical body shown, to include sided shapes that extend to a length, to include square or rectangular lengths. These would however, it is suggested, form the three angled shapes shown in Figure 1 as this is drawn from the practical nature and the usage of the design requiring two handles, 2 and 3. The materials required to construct the design may be of unlimited nature using all known and emerging variants; including plastics, rubberised materials, light metals and alloys. The surface may be of a smoothed or terrain; textured design providing this does not affect its handling or usage and its colouration is not limited in any way, however may be advised to be in keeping with nocturnal usage or popular trend relations.

Figure 2 shows hands 4 and 5 from the user holding the right, 2A and the left 3A, holding areas or handles of the body shown here as 1A. This is the suggested method by which the design or aide 1A is used and held. It may be desired to introduce a handle cover or handle improvement to increase purchase on the aide 1A. These may be of a rubber or similar addition or coating to the surface of 2A and 3A as shown in Figure 2 or as presented in Figure 3 as 7 and 6. The body 1,1A and 18 may be provided of such a material that a weight is established, although it is possible for the body 1B, as shown in Figure 3 to be hollow and filled with a weighting solution. This may include any known material or emerging material, to include: sand, inserted weights of all capacities, solid filaments such as cements, grain materials or liquids 9.

The provision of these intemal additions would allow a dual use of the body 16 as shown. Should the internal material be of a none consumable apparel, such as sand, it would render the body lB as a weight. This would benefit the user carrying the body 16 as it would install an element of muscle resistance to the carrier during walking or running activity, by creating a slight downward force that would need to be up held during arm motion.

Should liquid 9 be installed within the body 16 as shown in Figure 3 then the body 18 would become a vessel for refreshment or sustenance for the carrier, whilst also adding the aforementioned weight transfer to the arms in use. This may be extracted from the body lB via the liquid access point 10, as shown in Figure 3. This would form from a method already known in drinks vessels and allow the carrier to reseal the liquid access point 10 following retrieval of the liquid 9 therein. The running aide may therefore be chosen to be produced as a drinking vessel which aiso acts as a training or running weight.

To provide a larger area for the liquid 9 and to enhance this versions ability to also provide the weight required by the carrier, an additional bottom section 8 is provide, in contrast to the design in all other figures.

The body lB is held via the right 7 and left 6 holding or handle areas as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This hand positioning shown in Figure 2, as described previously. The body lB is then raised to the users mouth, not shown to withdraw the desired liquid contained within using the holding or handle areas 7 and 6 during exercise, walking, running or jogging and similar or when stationary. The liquid or drink delivery tube 11 is submerged into the liquid 9, as shown in Figure 3 and the liquid is then withdrawn or drained into the delivery opening 12. As indicated this then travels in an upward motion, or similar route, to liquid access point 10 to the user or carrier, not shown. The body lB in Figure 3 may be of any variant shape providing there is suitable access points to locate and hold the body 1 B when using. As shown this configuration required a cross member and adjacent bottom section 8 to form a usable option and a hollow or open centre point is therefore formed. This allows sufficient area for the fingers and hands of the user, 4 and 5 as shown in Figure 2 to locate and hold at the holding area of 7 and 6.

These holding or handle areas 7 and 6 are also shown in Figure 4 as 7C and 6C and comprise a rubberised or comfort based material that may have undulations, as shown, to depict the finger locations, as in other known handles, being of variant and none limited materials. These handle or holding areas 7C and 6C may also be made to relocate or reposition E, as shown. This would be provided to allow the user to change or alter the grip angle thus providing a differential effect on their arms and outwardly the result that the aide has on working different muscle groups. This would apply to both handles as shown in Figure 4 as E and may be delivered with a joint or hinged area, not shown, that may be derived from any known example, to include ball jointed multi angle point hinges. The body 1C which would be weather proof has an entertainment player 13 to include music output which is controlled by the entertainment player controls 14 and extended to the carrier via a head phone input area 17 and head phone cable 16, as shown. These are presented to the upper area of the body 1C but may be applied and installed at any given point of the body 1C exterior that is deemed suitable. This installation 13 may also be replaced by a counting or monitoring variant such as a pedometer or heart rate evaluator, timing clock, temperature gauge, calorie counting device, attack alarms, alert devices, ejecting repellents for personal protection; where legal; or other known or emerging apparel related to sport, health or safety interests combined.

A light 15 is provided that may have numerous uses to include making the carrier more visible in poor or restricted light and dark periods. This may also provide light forward for the carrier to allow them to see their route more clearly and any other known usage for a light or related torch' application. Although is it desired to keep the aide as a basic item for possibly dual usage only, for example Figure 3 as a liquid dispenser and weight, it may be required in production to add any existing and known apparel to the body 1,IA,1C and 1D.

During the use of the aide the carrier may either be walking or running as shown in Figure 5. The nature of this natural and common movement allows the user to predetermine the trajectory and the degree of the movement of their arms This decision is made as a conscious or subconscious thought and would initially be born of a requirement for comfort during the activity and may develop or change though out different periods or through longer single activity patterns. Also the build or height of the person would create differentials with the way their arms move in relation to their body in all known aspects and therefore the way in which they choose to use and hold the running aide will be slightly altered.

It can be stated therefore that the arms and body move in different but similar motions during running or related activities and this differs between individuals. This will therefore be reflected in the position the running aide is held and how it moves and performs in relation therefore to the variable movements of peoples arms and upper /lower body.

Figure 5 shows an example of how the carrier 2D may appear when using the aide or body 1 D, in this example.

The position shown in Figure 5 captures two stages of the movement of the carrier in a* similar stance, having moved the legs in the known manner during running and returning to that point with the aide 1D in a different position, when the other body elements would have returned to the same region. The movement of the carrier's right arm 18 is shown as it arrives to a point across the left of the body and the aide 1D would then be relocated temporarily to the right area of the body, passing over the centre or abdominal area, in this image, as it does so. This action repeats throughout.

This position will vary greatly according to the comfort required by the carrier, as would the height and angle of the arms and related body stance, as this is variable from person to person. This action of movement to the left of the body 18 would be repeated with the running aide body 1 D being located to the opposite side of that shown but in a similar but extensively variable position It may also be desired that the running aid is held in a central or more static point to the frontal area of the runners body and the arnis held in an almost still position to provide an alternative action and result, it is also possible that the running aid may wish to be held in any number of chosen heights or angles away from or in close quarters to the runners body as required. Although the advised guide; is to move the running aid along with the natural movement of the arms and body when in motion.

Claims

Claims 1 A hand held running aide, exercise and support device has two handles.
2. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim I has two handles for a person to hold when running or engaging in similar exercise.
3. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 2 has two handles that a runner or jogger can hold to connect their two arms in a synchronised manner when in motion. These handles may be adjustable in their position.
4. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the runners arms are connected by the device, creating a unified movement of both arms when in motion.
5. A hand held running aide, -exercise and support device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the unified movement created by the held device exercises various muscles.
6. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 5 is weighted to create muscular resistance when exercising various muscles, during the motion of walking, running or jogging.
7. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the device is weighted to create resistance on musc!es to promote a muscular workout whilst running and may be weighted with consumable fluids.
8. A hand held running aide: exercise and support device as claimed in claim 7 wherein consumable fluids may be provided in a hollow interior of the device which may also be filled with other alternate materials.
9. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as clamed in claim 8 wherein the hollow interior of the device may be filled with weighted articles which may be removable.
10. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the device may house weighted articles or fluids for the benefit of the person carrying it.
11. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 10 may have other installed apparel for use by the person carrying it; examples of which are music players, mobile phone, pedometer, other counting or health measuring devices, lights or reflective displays, safety devices, alarms and repellents.
12. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in all previous claims is a hand herd device that has two handles that may adjust; which is designed to promote efficient and unified movement of both arms of the person carrying it; to encourage comfort of the arms and exercise of related muscles and areas during walking, jogging or running with more required effort and has fluid cairying or protection and entertainment apparel that may be installed therein.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device which affects and or alters the bio-mechanical movements and or gait of a person when running or undertaking similar exercises such as jogging or walking.2. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 1 has two handles and or holding areas for a person to hold when running or engaging in similar exercises such as jogging or walking.3. A handheld held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 2 where the handles and or holding areas may be adjustable in their position and or geospatial orientation.4. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 3 has two handles that a person undertaking running or similar exercises can hold to connect their two arms and or hands when in motion which alters and or affects their bio-mechanical movements. 5. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 4 has two handles that a person undertaking running or similar exercises can hold to connect their two arms and or hands so that they move as a single unified unit 0 which as a result alters and or affects their bio-mechanical movements when in 1 motion.0 6. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the user's hands and or arms are connected by the device, creating a unified movement of both arms when in motion.7. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 6 that a user can hold to connect their two hands and or arms together whereby the connecting of them alters and or affects the user's biomechanical movements during running or similar exercises such as jogging or walking.8. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the user's altered and or affected biomechanical movements created by using the device exercises various muscles.9. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the unified and even movement created by use of the device exercises various muscles.10. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the use of the device provides geometric and or dynamic stability to the user's body in particular their upper body.11. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 10 is weighted to create muscular resistance when exercising various muscles, during the motion of walking, running or jogging.12. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the device is weighted to create resistance on muscles to promote a muscular workout whilst running and may be weighted with consumable fluids.
13. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 12 wherein consumable fluids may be provided in a hollow interior of the device which may also be filled with other alternate materials.
14. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as darned in claim 13 wherein the hollow interior of the device may be filled with weighted articles which may be removable.
15. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the device may house weighted articles or fluids for the use of the person carrying it C')
16. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in claim 15 may have other installed apparel for use by the person carrying it; examples of which o are music players, mobile phone, pedometer, other counting or health measuring devices, lights or reflective displays, safety devices, alarms and repellents.
17. A hand held running aide, exercise and support device as claimed in all previous I-claims, is a hand held device which affects and or alters the bio-mechanical movements and or gait of the user for positive effect, having two handles and or holding areas that may adjust; which is designed to promote efficient and unified movement of the arms of the person carrying it; to encourage comfort of the arms and exercise of related muscles and areas during walking, jogging or running with increased effort and has fluid carrying or protection and entertainment apparel that may be installed therein.