GB2537403A

GB2537403A - The ashley easy exercise chair

Info

Publication number: GB2537403A
Application number: GB1506491.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Ashley Peter; Lacy Mike
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2015-04-16
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: GB201506491D0

Abstract

An exercise force system having a variable resistance which comprises a pneumatic element 6 capable of compressing gas into a resistance element (i.e. pneumatic piston 3). The system is configured to have the same resistance force on the outward stroke as the backward stroke. The pneumatic element 6, such as a pump, is used to compress air into a pneumatic piston 3 which can subsequently be attached to a pulley system 12. Preferably the apparatus is lightweight and may be easily attached to a seat or wheelchair with the user interacting with the device by grasping handles 10, 15. Additionally the resistance force is controlled via the pneumatic force element 6 and release valve 4, which may be shown on a measuring gauge 7 and can be altered by the user manually or by remote control.

Description

THE ASHLEY EASYXCHAIR

Abstract Title.A lightweight exercise apparatus incorporating Improvements to a measurable resistance system using a gas strut. The invention relates to a multifunctional exercise apparatus configured as a detachable lightweight back of a chair suitably shape to give support to lower part of spinal cord known as vertebrae region of the operator. The resistance elements are concealed within the curved shape Where as prior art the resistant elements were incorporated in the framework of the office chair and not suitable on invalid wheelchair. The measurable resistance is produced by a force element compressing air into the pneumatic air piston which is connected to the resistance force elements. Also the force element is operated with a battery system which can be controlled remotely. Where as prior art involves the use of a force exchanger first filled with gas and then compressed by a primary force piston increasing and decreasing the force in the resistant elements which if there is a leakage of gas cannot be replaced. Also the present invention is designed similar to the human body and has a back support structure and shoulder support structure where the resistant elements are attached

DESCRIPTION

Exercising the human body is an essential part of keeping healthy and an exercise apparatus is one of the most popular way of training the body. People with disabilities report higher rates of health problems, stress and depression than people without disabilities. The most effective way to treat those problems is a healthier lifestyle and exercise. There are eleven million paraplegics in the UK but only 20 % actually exercise mainly because there are no facilities to do so and it is not convenient. Also stress in an office is a well-known health problem and exercising after a stress situation is the best way to counter act the resulting problems according to the HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE, because the adrenaline is used up by the muscular exertion. There are no exercise machines at present that are part of a wheelchair or office chair that can give a full body workout or is convenient to use. The ASHLEY EASY EXERCISE CHAIR has been devised to fulfil this purpose. With the present invention the exercise resistance is built into the detachable back of the chair which makes it convenient to keep fit. The exercise resistance gradually built up to its maximum with a pneumatic force element reducing impact stress. This feature of the exercise system has an advantage over prior art where a hydraulic force element reducing the volume of nitrogen gas and having two compression element which has a different variable resistance. Also the present invention has been devised to provide an alternative measurable resistance; to a gas struts filled with nitrogen which has an element to dampen the downward thrust of the strut normally used for opening lift up doors or car boots slowly. The use of this type of strut for an exercise machine only gives the user a resistance on the compressive motion. The withdrawal motion is dampened by an element which slows down the downward movement. This invention uses an electric air pump forcing air into a pneumatic tube increasing the force so that the outward force is the same as the compression force and a release valve in the system allowing the air to escape lowering the resistance The present invention allows the resistance to increase or decrease manually or by a remote control which has not been used in previous art The system has an expansion tube allowing the resistance to be an even force and a changeover force element which allows two different exercises to be performed from a one resistance force element preventing tangling of the cords The principle of the system is to use a pneumatic element 6 transferring variable pressure force to a pneumatic piston 3.The sealed expansion element 5 allows the air to expand giving a balanced resistance to the operator. The resistance can be reduced by a release valve 4 the pneumatic force 6 and release element 4 can be operated by a remote control element The resistance force can then be shown on a measuring element 7 and thus having an infinite variable resistant's. To use the apparatus it must first be attached to a seat component ensuring the extension arms 9 are of similar height to the shoulders. For a bench press exercise FIG 3 the arms 9 are first extended from the shoulder element 1 which is attached to backbone element 2 and the handles 10 are held by the hands and extended outwards against the resistance. The cord 11 is pulled out lifting pulley wheel 12 which is attached to cord 11 by means of a stop element 13 and depressing the pneumatic piston 3 via pulley wheels. The resistance felt by the operator will be the resistance of the piston 3.the value of which is shown on measuring element 7. To exercise the laterals FIG 6 the extension bar 14 is raised out from back bone element 2 and the pulley element 15 held by both hands. By pulling the element 15 the cord 11 will pull down the piston 3 via pulley wheels and sliding past pulley wheel 12 creating a resistance to the muscles of the operator. The leg press exercises FIG 5 is operated by pulling cord 16 which can also be used as a rowing exercise. FIG 7 Shows bench press exercise on standard an office chair FIG 8 shows the leg extension on the standard office chair By way of example some particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings and photos.

FIG. 1 Shows schematic section of the exercise apparatus with an improved variable force system using a pneumatic tube filled with air instead or a gas strut. This has the advantage of equalising the outward and backward stroke of resistance while in use. The graph A shows forward and backward resistance of prior art. Graph B shows forward and backward resistance of this invention. It can be seen that the present invention is a balanced resistance while prior art has an imbalance movement.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus designed to be carried like a light weight case where the internal support structures are made of aluminium or other lightweight material.

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus attached to an invalid chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a bench press exercise.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus attached to an invalid chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a biceps press exercise.

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus attached to an invalid chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a leg extension exercise.

F1G.6 shows the apparatus attached to an invalid chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a lateral pull exercise.

FIG.7 shows the apparatus attached to an office chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a bench press exercise.

FIG. 8 shows the apparatus attached to an office chair where the operator is using the apparatus for a leg extension exercise.

FIG 9 shows a changeover force element with a stop element which allows two different exercises to be performed from a one resistance force and prevent tangling of the cords