GB2546558A

GB2546558A - An exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2546558A
Application number: GB1601395.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ferrao Lucie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-23
Filing date: 2016-01-23
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Also published as: GB201601395D0

Abstract

An exercise apparatus with a seat and a plurality of moveable portions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 corresponding to parts of a users body. The units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 are arranged to support respective body parts and to move independently with respect to the seat, from a first substantially folded chair position to a second substantially prone bed position. These sections may comprise head 1, upper arm 2, lower arm 3, torso 4, thigh 6, lower leg 7 and foot 8 portions, and may be separated by telescopically extending joints or servo-motors. Local or remote control means and data storage hardware for automatic adjustment to a users body shape are among other features which may optionally be provided. The chair may include massagers and allow the user to perform stretching exercises as a measure to prevent back pain.

Description

AN EXERCISE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to arv exercise apparatus, in particular apparatus arranged for aiding users warm down, relax or stretch.

Background

Increasing numbers of users undertaking exercise in many societies leads to increasing numbers of injuries. Massage is often viewed as a good way to deal with muscular injuries. Massage is generally undertaken with the user lying flat or prone, as being in such position means the user is able to breathe easier. Many users with chronic back pain however find it difficult to mount a standard massage horizontal table.

Manipulation is only part of the healing process. The use of ho&cokt compress, stretching, elevating to aid circulation as well as treating the user’s body holistically is also important

Regular stretching can lengthen muscles, reduce risk of injury and aid recovery and decrease soreness.

Elevating legs can help relieve issues due to poor circulation, relieve tension in the lower back and sacrum, increase blood flow, relax the adrenals and mind, reduce swelling and tension and pressure on the heart.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

United States patent application US 20 130 261 616 (ANDERSON) discloses a reclinable therapeutic massage chair for use in exercising and strengthening the muscles in the back, redeveloping the muscles in the back, restore motion to joints and alleviate soreness and stiffness in thejoints and muscles of the back comprising: a floor support assembly, a chair support frame pivotably attached to the floor support assembly, a linear actuator extending between the floor support assembly and the chair support frame for moving the chair support frame from a horizontal position to an inclined position, an upper back support mounted on the chair support frame and a lower body support member having a lower back support surface, a thigh support surface and a lower leg support surface integrally formed therewith, said lower body support member being mounted for reciprocal and oscillating movement on the chair support frame.

Chinese patent application CM 101 273 $45 (YlLl et al) relates to an exercise machine, in particular a human-shaped passive exercise machine, which is characterized in that the human-shaped passive exercise machine comprises a human-shaped body which comprises the following parts: a head part, an upper body, a left upper arm, a left lower arm, a left hand, a right upper arm, a right lower arm, a right hand, a left thigh, a left leg, a left foot, a right thigh, a right leg and a right foot; and all the parts are movably connected. The human-shaped body is a humanoid robot. The human-shaped passive exercise machine of the invention can drive a person who is lying thereon to do the motions of lying, side lying, sitting, bending waist, erecting, shaking head, stretching hand, lifting leg and so on, which can also be shaken and swung forward, backward, leftward and rightward. The human-shaped passive exercise machine can also be used by a healthy person, thus having the effects of relaxing muscles and tendons, activating the tendons of the body, restoring vitality and energy, strengthening health and playing the role of health care.

Granted European patent EP 1 884 225 (ΚΑΜΒΑ et al) discloses a chair-type massage machine comprising a base to be placed on a floor, a seat pivotally movably supported by the base for the user to be seated in, a backrest pivotally movably supported by the seat at a rear end thereof for the user’s back to bear on, a leg portion pivotally movably supported by the seat at a front end thereof for the user’s calves to bear on, seat moving means for pivotally moving the seat, backrest moving means for pivotally moving the backrest, leg portion moving means for pivotally moving the leg portion, control means for controlling the seat moving means, the backrest moving means and the leg portion moving means, a manual controller electrically connected to the control means for manipulating the seat moving means, the backrest moving means and the leg portion moving means, the massage machine being characterized in that: the control means has stored therein a plurality of preset reclining angles with respect to the angle of the seat, the backrest and the leg portion, the manual controller having reclining selection buttons, for selecting desired one of the plurality of reclining angles, foe control means being operable to operate the seat moving means, the backrest moving means and the leg portion moving means when foe reclining angle is selected by the reclining selection button and pivotally move foe seat, foe backrest and the leg portion to the selected reclining angle.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising a seat and a plurality of moveable portions corresponding to parts of a user's body, wherein such portions are arranged to support the body parts and move independently with respect to the seat, from a first substantially folded chair position to a second substantially prone bed position.

The seat may be supported on a base, which base may comprise a floor contacting part of the apparatus, and may comprise an energy source, at least one motor, and control circuitry. In some embodiments each portion may include its own motor.

In this way the apparatus provides a fully automatic chair/bed that provides a range of stretches and massages for the user after exercise. The apparatus advantageously provides is a preventative measure for back pain for those that don't exercise much or have certain disabilities.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of joints between portions. For example in some embodiments joints are provided between leg portions and between arm portions. In some embodiments such joints may be hinge joints or bail joints, in some embodiments the joints may comprise motors or be driven. in some embodiments the joints may aHow rotation, for example relative rotation between portions. In some embodiments foe seat may comprise a joint with foe base, for example such that the seat may be provided with rotation and/or hinging in one or more directions.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a local· and/or remote control· means. For example some embodiments may have a remote control means comprising wireless connectivity, for example a remote controller and/or intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM).

Some embodiments may comprise a local· control· panel·.

Some embodiments may comprise a data storage facility, for example such that foe apparatus is enabled to record or store user preferences of portion or relative portion positions. In some such embodiments therefore foe apparatus may adapt to foe user, for example wherein the user may input their preference before or during usage.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of independently moveable portions operating or moving with respect to each other or with respect to the seat, or to other portions. In some embodiments foe portions may be moveable in dimensions for example extendable and retractable. In this way such extendable portions, for example lower leg portions, may be extended so as to stretch the user’s body parts, which may be in combination with the joints. in other embodiments the joints aHow variation of foe effective area of foe portions, by extending or retracting the overall length of two adjacent portions, by increasing or decreasing joint length.

In this way in some embodiments the portions may be programmable with respect to exercise, stretching or massage regimes.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise massage sections. Such sections may provide massage through heat or vibration, which may be targeted dr spread across the portion.

The portions may comprise shaping, indentation or strapping to accept, control and/or comfortably maintain the part, for example limb.

The portions may comprise foot portions, which foot portions may be arranged substantially orthogonal to adjacent leg portions. In some embodiments the angle between the foot and leg portions may be varied in use.

In addition or the alternative foe apparatus may be modified before or during use, so as to accommodate different user body shapes. For example in some embodiments a head or neck portion may be extended or elongated.

Movement of the apparatus may be hydraulically or pneumatically driven, or for example the apparatus comprises a plurality of electrically driven worn) screws. fo some embodiments at least some of foe portions may comprise padding. In some embodiments the user contacting surface of foe portions may comprise an enhanced friction coating or material. In titis way foe portions may be enabled to grip ttie user’s body parts, which may advantageously aid in stretching foe parts as required.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 show® an isometric view of an embodiment of foe apparatus according to the present invention, in a chair position;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of foe embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a sketch of a diagrammatic plan view of the embodiment shown in

Figure 1 in a prone position;

Figure 4 shows a sketch view of foe embodiment shown in Figure 1 in use;

Figures shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure $ shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

And

Figure 7 shows Isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a plurality of differing positions.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising 12 portions and 11 joints. the apparatus allows stretch and massage at the same time. The apparatus provides arm portions that can move independently in multiple orientations for arm and chest stretching and leg portions that can move independently in one orientation to curl and splay to leg stretch.

The portions comprise 2 feet portions, 2 lower leg portions, two upper leg portions, 1 torso portion, 2 lower arm portions, 2 upper arm portions, and 1 head and neck portion.

The upper arm portions 2 comprise concave padding, open to one side. Such padding may advantageously be wipedean, and/or removeable.

The head and neck portion 1 comprises a joint arranged to allow extension of the portion.

The head and neck portion comprises a frame comprising a central lacuna 18, so as to allow the user’s head to sit in the frame and into the lacuna. In this way extension of tire joint may allow stretching of the neck.

The torso portion comprises an upper torso section 28 and a lower torso section 5 comprised of a central section 25 and two flank sections 27, wherein the upper and lower torso sections sections comprise an intermediate hinge joint 18.

The upper arm portions are connected to the upper torso section at shoulder joints 14. The upper arm portions are joined to the lower arm portions at elbow joints 15. The upper leg portions are connected to the lower leg portions at knee joints 17.

The foot portions 8 comprise an extendable joint 21 between the foot portion and lower leg portions 7. The foot portions further comprise a hinge joint 22. In some embodiments the foot portions may comprise slots or straps, under or into which the toes may be inserted to aid in stretching the limb.

Massagers comprising small vibration motors with inbuilt heat pads are located under the exterior surface of the portions. These massagers are dispersed about the portions, and connected through the joints. The massagers are arranged in a variety of sizes, wherein small massagers 20 are located to act to sides and larger sizes 20 correspond to effective points on the user’s body parts.

The massagers are arranged (without limitation) for spentus capitas and levator scapulae, trapezius and rhomboid muscles, erector spine, gluteus maximus, medius and minimus, quadratus lumborum, hip flexors and itiotibiai (IT) band.

The apparatus thefeby stretches and massages the user post exercise at the gym as a preventative measure to back pain for those that don’t exercise much or have disabilities.

The limb portions comprise an indented body part accommodating form, having a laterally concave section axially. The lower leg sections 7 comprise an arcuate semicircular U shape section padding 23. The arm portions substantially comprise an L shape with an open face towards the torso portion, such that the user’s shoulders are not impeded. The upper leg sections 8 comprise padded members 29 having a raised outer side with the inner thigh side open.

In this way the limbs are advantageously cradled so as to provide a potential of massage from multiple angles, as well as allowing freedom of movement for a plurality of Hmb sizes. A remote controller regulates which stretch and massage is required. The heat button turns on the heating pads for the chosen level. The user can stop the therapy at any time with the stop button.

When the user site in the apparatus ft automatically moves to accommodate the user’s body shape, wherein the ankles, hips and back all adjust. The apparatus therefore comprises a plurality of rotary actuators or linear actuators or servo-motors, a microchip and data storage hardware. The apparatus may comprise wireless or wired connectivity, for example Bluetooth (RTM) connectivity, such drat a user may be recognised. Further embodiments may comprise a code input at the remote or local control.

The seat comprises a hinge 1¾ located at the base. The base comprises a stand 11, and cladding 9. The stand is arranged to house electrical and electronic components, wherein it is connected via a lead 12 to mains electricity and comprising weighting to balance the apparatus in use. In the first embodiment the base further comprises a planar sheet 10 for ground contacting.

Differing positions are arrangfiable to promote differing stretches, for example wherein elevating the user’s lower back would did the user’s body to open up the hip flexors in a bridge position. The arms would remain horizontal thus stretching the neck and shoulders. Once the lower back has returned to its horizontal position, a few lower back pushes would be repeated to stretch the lumbar region out again.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it win be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and dear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in toe field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, aii suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An exefcise apparatus comprising a seat and a plurality of moveable portions corresponding to parts of a user’s body, wherein such portions are arranged to support the body parts and move independently with respect to the seat, from a first substantially folded chair position to a second substantially prone bed position.

2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the seat comprises a hinge.

3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein portions are separated by hinge joints.

4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein portions are separated by telescopically extending joints.

5. An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the portions are separated by servo-motors.

6. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising data storage.

7. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising a local control means.

8. An exercise apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprisirig a remote control means. j

9. An exercise apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.