GB2572779A

GB2572779A - An exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2572779A
Application number: GB1805912.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jones Angela
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-10
Filing date: 2018-04-10
Publication date: 2019-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-10
Also published as: GB201805912D0; GB2572779B

Abstract

An exercise comprises: a basal housing 1 comprising at least one anchor 15 for one or more portions to comprise a loop to accept a limb of a user, wherein the housing is braced by the user's body in use such that the user can extend the limb against the portion. The flexible portion(s) are preferably elastomeric resistance bands (20, fig 3) and the housing may include storage, telescopic height adjustment or an extendable mat 11.

Description

AN EXERCISE DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise device, in particular a device for exercise of limbs; more particularly but not exclusively a device for stretching and exercise of quadriceps and strengthening the muscles, whilst supporting the lumbar spine.

Background

Increasing numbers of people are interested in maintaining fitness, in societies typically tending towards sedentary lifestyles.

In particular many people have become aware of and wish to target specific areas of their body in order to create focussed or sculpted physiques and combat sedentary lifestyles.

Quadriceps are front-of-thigh muscles and comprise a group of four, one of which is the rectus femoris, which attaches onto the pelvis on the anterior superior iliac spine. If quadricep muscles are tight as they tend to be in many people, they may create a chronic posture problem leading to tight and painful lower back muscles or weak hamstring muscles.

Prior Art

US 2013 0 288 865 (COULTER) discloses a fitness device includes a straight front portion and an angled front portion in a preferred embodiment, additionally includes left and right exercise bands with handles on each end which connect to the straight front portion. A user of the fitness device may exercise by being supported by his feet on the angled front portion and by pulling on one, or both of the exercise bands with his hands. A user may also exercise by standing next to the exercise device and by pulling on the exercise bands. A user may additionally exercise by standing on an upper support portion of the exercise device and pulling on the exercise bands with his hands.

CN 202 070 068 (XIANYONG) discloses a fitness cube. A damping device is fixedly mounted on a base of a damping box and consists of an upper supporting tube, a lower supporting tube and two supporting iron plates arranged on two sides of the upper and lower supporting tubes. Each supporting iron plate is fixedly provided with an upper pulley block, a lower pulley block and two steering seats, each pulley block consists of a plurality of identical pulleys, each steering seat is mounted on the supporting iron plate via a universal pulley yoke capable of leading the steering seat to rotate peripherally, each universal pulley yoke is provided with the corresponding pulley block, a plurality of elastic rope groups are mounted in the damping box, and one end of each elastic rope group is fixed on the supporting iron plates while the other end of each elastic rope group is wound on the pulleys and extends out of the damping box via the corresponding universal pulley yoke.

US 5 660 257 (DOUGLAS) discloses an aerobic step incorporated as an integral part of a carrying case, having its platform as an outer surface thereof, which case having thereby sufficient internal volume for carrying personal items and other belongings, thereby eliminating the need for carrying two items using the aerobic step case for both purposes. The case being formed by attaching to the step flexible fabric material of the type normally employed in tote bags and soft suitcases. The means for attachment being of several types depending upon the end use of the case, that is, by adhesives, staples, snap-on fasteners or the like. The flexible material further comprises a handle and slide fastener for opening and closing. Other embodiments may comprise rigid container portions with an end open for attachment to the aerobic step by hinges or other means so constructed and arranged to substitute for a typical cosmetic case or suitcase used in traveling.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an exercise device for providing extending limb workouts, comprising a basal housing comprising an anchor for one or more portions to comprise a loop to accept a limb of a user, wherein the housing is braced by the user’s body in use such that the user can extend the limb against the portion.

Some embodiments of the device comprise more than one portion. In some embodiments the housing provides multiple anchors for multiple portions, wherein the portion or portions are separate, discrete and independently available parts, for example resistance bands.

In some embodiments the portions are elastomeric portions or material. In some embodiments the portions may comprise inelastic material and have a connection to the housing comprising elastomeric material.

In some embodiments the housing may comprise a cube or cuboid form, wherein it may be envisaged that the user typically places their bottom against the housing, when lying on the ground, with the housing being on the ground.

In some embodiments the device comprises a planar or sheet section, on which it may be envisaged that the section is arranged to extend from the housing as required or for use. In some embodiments such section may be arranged to be extendable on and retractable to a roller, which roller may be included within the housing.

In this way the user ‘s body weight may be placed on the section so as to better brace the housing during usage.

In this way the device may be advantageously suited to exercise the quadriceps and strengthen the muscles, whilst supporting the lumbar spine.

In some embodiments the positioning of the flexible portions may be adjustable with reference to the housing and to the user in use. For example in some embodiments the portions may be displaced further and closer to the ground, so as to adjust height of the extension of the user’s limbs, or more particularly legs.

For example in some embodiments the back of the housing has hooks for the resistance band portions. In this way there may be a middle hook for standard exercises and others for use to train each leg separately.

In some embodiments the section may comprise such as a Pilates style mat. This mat section may be arranged to pull out from the housing and for example in order to aid retraction spring-bias may be envisaged. For example a spring-loaded mechanism similar to roller blinds may be used, meaning that one pull locks the mat in place, and another pull returns the mat inside the housing.

The housing may be arranged for handling or carrying. For example handle slots may be envisaged in the side of the main housing for easier transporting.

In some embodiments the portions comprise springs, against which the limbs are arranged to pull. In some embodiments the housing comprises a displaceable top which acts as a lid and displaces to unveil compartments or anchors to hold different resistance band portions or springs.

The housing may comprise rubber grip feet will be on its underside so as to increase friction and aid in prevention of the device from moving when in use.

In some embodiments the housing may be adjustable, for example height adjustable to fit every user. In some such embodiments the height of the housing may comprise plural fixed height position locking means, such as a pin and hole system to choose between plural fixed height positions.

In some embodiments the top of the housing may be arranged for user contact, for example comprising a soft rubber top or having a thick plastic sheet around a foam base similar to as used in vertical box jump products.

In some embodiments the housing may provide storage, for example comprising a hollow interior space. The top may comprise a hinged lid, so as to allow access to the interior space.

In some embodiments instructions may be provided locally on the housing, for example printed onto the front of the housing, to show the user how to customize and how to use the device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with mat extended;

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

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in use;

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with mat retracted;

Figure 5 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

And

Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference generally to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device 99 for providing extending limb workouts, generally comprising a basal housing 1 comprising an anchor for one or more portions 20 to comprise a loop 220 to accept a limb 105 of a user 1000, wherein the housing 1 is braced by the user’s body in use such that the user can extend the limb against the portion.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures the embodiment comprises a telescoping housing 1, with a lower part 9 having on a first face a slot 10 for extension of a mat 11 for the user to sit or lie on, and plural hooks 15 on the other face which serve for anchors for extendable resistance bands portions 20; such that in use the user may lie on their back on the mat with the their bottom against the first side and their leg(s) looped through the band(s) and flex their leg(s) upwards.

The embodiment comprises a mat 11 similar to a Pilates mat, which is rolled onto a spindle 16 within the lower part of the housing 9, and comprises a distal handle 12 to aid in its extension.

The mat 11 is arranged on a spring-loaded roller mechanism similar to roller blinds, wherein it may be pulled out to lock and then pulled out again to release back into the housing slot 10.

The housing comprises storage, with an interior open space 21 and a lid 2 hinged on two hinges 14. The interior space 21 may be used to house several resistance bands amongst other items as required.

These resistance bands comprise stirrup loops and are elastomeric to attach to the housing and loop around the ankles of the user, to provide resistance as the user stretches or flexes working the various muscles.

The device of the present invention may be suitable for physiotherapy and rehabilitation but can also be developed and used in the gymnasium.

The embodiment comprises a box-like housing which the user rests their backside against in use, such that the user’s legs are perpendicularly resting on the housing’s front face. The lid comprises padding 22 if the user wishes to flex arms instead for example, or sit on the housing to work on knees.

The elastic resistance bands help the user develop strength as the user simply raises and lowers their legs.

The housing’s rear face comprises the hooks 15 to lock in the resistance band yet to make it easy to replace.

The housing comprises a panel of instructions 5 of how to use the device printed on the front face of the housing.

The housing is bipartite with two telescoping parts namely a top part 4 providing the lid 2 and a bottom part 9 contacting the ground, thereby allowing adjustment of the height of the top to suit any user.

The housing comprises set measured heights 7 to allow the user to reliably adjust the height like choosing weights on machines in the gymnasium, comprising plural vertically arranged height holes 7 and displaceable pins 6. The pins 6 are provided on coiled leads 13, so as to be biased to retract when not.

Furthermore, with the bands 20 being removable from the housing the user is thereby advantageously permitted to change the resistance bands for gym or rehab progression.

The lower part 9 of the housing comprises side face handle slots 8 for easy transport of the device.

The device is arranged to target specific muscles in a simple way for rehab and strengthening reasons. This advantageously helps with lower back pain which can cause issues with walking up the stairs for example and is a simple proven method and advantageously the device may furthermore clearly instruct the user how to build up the muscle and reduce the pain.

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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. An exercise device for providing extending limb workouts, comprising a basal housing comprising an anchor for one or more portions to comprise a loop to accept a limb of a user, wherein the housing is braced by the user’s body in use such that the user can extend the limb against the portion.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flexible portions comprise elastomeric resistance bands.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the housing comprises height adjustment.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the height adjustment comprises telescopic housing parts.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the height adjustment comprises pin and holes.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises a plurality of anchors for the flexible portions.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises storage.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises an extendable mat for the user.