GB2597104A

GB2597104A - Breathwork apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2597104A
Application number: GB2010920.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tristram Digby Barr James
Original assignee: James Barr Design Ltd
Current assignee: James Barr Design Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-15
Filing date: 2020-07-15
Publication date: 2022-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-15
Also published as: GB2597104B; GB202010920D0

Abstract

A breath training device comprising a tubular main body 2 with a first end having a mouthpiece 4 and a second end with an opening to receive an airway restrictor 6. The restrictor is slidable within the main body and includes at least one pair of ribs (fig 4, 22) to define air channels (fig 4, 24) through the main body where the ribs converge along part of their length for adjustment of air resistance. The restrictor may be split into two sections. The restrictor may be held within the main body by friction. The ribs may reduce in depth along the restrictor. The ribs may extend parallel along the first section and converge along the second section. The restrictor may be rotated about the main body axis. The mouthpiece may be removable.

Description

Breathwork apparatus

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a breathwork apparatus. More especially the invention relates to apparatus that is designed to provide breathing therapy by controlling airflow resistance along the apparatus

Background to the invention

Breathwork, or breathing therapy, utilizes breathing exercises to improve mental, physical and spiritual health. Many forms of breathwork therapy exist today and each have their own unique methods of using breath for healing purposes.

Breathing training devices that act to restrict the airflow into the mouth and lungs to strengthen the lungs are known, for example in EP2542313 and EP2303417.

Known devices have fairly complex construction requiring valve systems, and in some cases sensors, that act to control the amount of airflow through various internal 20 chambers.

The present invention seeks to provide a breathing aid that is simple in construction, unobtrusive and easy to use.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided, a breath training device comprising a tubular main body having a first end with a mouthpiece and a second end having an opening to receive an airway restrictor slidable within the main body, wherein the restrictor includes at least one pair of ribs extending along its outer surface that engage with the inside surface of the main body to define an air channel through the main body, the ribs converging along part of their length to reduce the channel and increase air resistance.

Preferably, the restrictor comprises a first generally for insertion into the main body, leading to a second outwardly tapered section.

Preferably, the restrictor is, in use, held within the main body by friction.

Preferably, the ribs extend along the entire length of the first section of the restrictor and at least partially along the second section.

Preferably, the ribs extend generally parallel along the first section of the restrictor and converge along the second section of the restrictor.

Preferably, the depth of each rib reduces along the second section of the restrictor.

Preferably, two pairs of longitudinally extending ribs are provided either side of the restrictor.

Preferably, the restrictor is rotatable about the radial axis of the main body.

Preferably, the mouthpiece is generally cylindrical with at least one flattened surface.

Preferably, the mouthpiece is removable.

Preferably, the distal end of the restrictor includes a handle.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a breathing training apparatus constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the restrictor element of the apparatus; Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the restrictor element; Figure 6 is a side view of the apparatus; Figure 7 is a side view of the apparatus with the restrictor orientated differently to that shown in figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of the apparatus with the restrictor element fully pushed in to the main body; Figure 9 is a side view of the apparatus with the restrictor orientated differently to that shown in figure 8; and Figure 10 is a detailed view of the restrictor within the main body of the apparatus.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A breathing training (or "breathwork") device is shown in figure 1.

The device is fairly simple in its construction and comprises a tubular main body 2 at one end of which is secured a mouthpiece 4 and at the other end a restrictor component 6. All the components 2, 4, 6 have a generally cylindrical form.

The main body 2 has a circular profile. It could though have an alternative similar profile, such as oval or polygonal profile, for example. The main body 2 preferably has a constant wall thickness and is made from a rigid material, for example a plastic.

Preferably the main body 2 would be made from Polyvinylchloride (PVC) or Polypropylene (PP).

The mouthpiece 4 comprises a spout section 8 extending from a wider body section 10.

The body section 10 of the mouthpiece 4 fits over or the end of the main body 2 of the apparatus. The mouthpiece 4 may alternatively fit within the end of the main body 2. It may be a push-fit mechanism or the mouthpiece 4 and main body 2 may be threaded to allow it to screw on to the end. :30

The mouthpiece 4 may be removable from the main body 2 to allow it to be separately cleaned.

Alternatively still the mouthpiece 4 may be formed integral with the main body 2.

The spout 8 has at least one aperture 12 through which the user can inhale air from, or exhale air into the main body 2.

The preferred material of the mouthpiece 4 is natural rubber. It could however be any other suitable material such as, for example without limitation, vulcanized rubber, nitrile or silicone material. Preferably the material should be compressible and comfortable for oral use Whilst the body section 10 of the mouthpiece 4 is generally cylindrical, it has at least one flattened area or surface 14 to prevent the body 2 from rolling across a flat surface.

The restrictor component 6 comprises a general tubular body having a complimentary profile as the main body 2 of the apparatus so that the restrictor component 6 is able to slidably fit within the opposing end of the main body 2 of the apparatus.

The preferred material of the restrictor 6 is natural rubber. It could however be any other suitable material such as, for example without limitation, vulcanized rubber, nitrile or silicone material.

The body of the restrictor has a first generally cylindrical section 18 (which is inserted into the end of the main body 2 of the apparatus) leading to a second outwardly tapered section 20.

Four equally-spaced ribs 22 extend longitudinally along the entire length of the first section 18 of the body of the restrictor 6 and continue along the majority of the length of the second tapered section 20.

By "longitudinally" is meant from one end to the other. The or each rib may be angled across the restrictor body.

The diameter of the first section 18 of the body of the restrictor is less than that of the main body 2 to allow insertion of the restrictor 6 with its ribs 22 (as can be seen in figure 10), the extended diameter of the first section 18 provided by the ribs 22 being slightly less than diameter of the main body 2 with the ribs 22 making contact with the inside surface of the main body 2, whilst allowing the restrictor 6 to slide within the main body 2 along its longitudinal axis. The restrictor 6 can also rotate about the axial axis of the main body 2.

As can be seen best in figure 10, the ribs 22 are formed as pairs either side of the restrictor 6. Each pair extends generally parallel along the first section 18 of the restrictor 6, and then converge as they extend along the second tapered section 20 of the restrictor 6.

It can also be seen from figure 10 that the ribs 22 have a generally constant depth along the first section 18 of the restrictor 6 and have a reduced tapered depth along the second section 20 In an alternative embodiment one or both ribs 22 may have a constant depth across their entire length. The second section 20 of the restrictor may be tapered to a lesser angle or not have a taper at all to accommodate this.

Each pair of ribs 22 form a channel 24 along the length of the restrictor 6. In the second section 20 of the restrictor 6 the channel has a reduction in depth and width.

The depth change and width change are at least is some portion of a constant elevation.

In use, the channels 24 defined by the pairs of ribs 22 direct the air flow through the main body 2 as air is inhaled or exhaled from the mouthpiece 4.

The snug fit of the ribs 22 within the main body 2, with the ribs 22 having little or no draft along the first section 18 of the restrictor 6 helps to ensure that all, or as much as possible of the air is directed along the channels 24. :30

The width and depth of the air channels 24 can be controlled easily by the user by inserting the restrictor 6 further into the main body 2 to reduce the channel 6, causing greater air resistance and therefore require stronger breaths (which strengthen the lungs); or to enlarge the channel 6 to decrease air resistance and ease the breathing.

To this end, a visible scale 26 is provided along second section 20 of the restrictor 6 to assist the user in choosing and controlling the extent of the breathing.

The distal end of the restrictor 6 forms a flange section 28 which acts as a handle to pinch to allow the user to easily pull the restrictor 6 from the main body 2 to ease breathing.

In figure 10, the higher the number on the scale, the narrower the airflow channel 24 and the stronger the breathing required.

The directional flow of the air along the channel 24 as it becomes narrower (A) and shallower (B) is shown by reference to the dotted lines in figure 10.

Figures 8 and 9 show the restrictor 6 fully pushed into the main body 2. This orientation provides the most air resistance and requires stronger breathing.

The outward taper of the second section 20 of the restrictor 6 provide an eventual stopper to prevent insertion of the restrictor 6 beyond the scale 26. The reduced depth of the ribs 22 along the second section 20 ensure that the restrictor 6 can still slide within the main body 2 despite having the tapered form.

Referring back to figure 1, the apparatus may also include a connector 30 which has rounded edges to fit over the end of the main body 2 to cover any sharp edges at the end of the tube. The connector may be placed over the end by a push fit arrangement. It may alternatively have a screwed thread or be formed integral with the main body. :30

Claims

CLAIMS1 A breath training device comprising a tubular main body having a first end with a mouthpiece and a second end having an opening to receive an airway restrictor slidable within the main body, wherein the restrictor includes at least one pair of ribs extending along its outer surface that engage with the inside surface of the main body to define an air channel through the main body, the ribs converging along part of their length to reduce the channel and increase air resistance.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the restrictor comprises a first generally for insertion into the main body, leading to a second outwardly tapered section.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the restrictor is, in use, held within the main body by friction.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the ribs extend along the entire length of the first section of the restrictor and at least partially along the second section.
5 A device according to claim 4, wherein the ribs extend generally parallel along the first section of the restrictor and converge along the second section of the restrictor.
6. A device according to the claim 5, wherein the depth of each rib reduces along the second section of the restrictor.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising two pairs of longitudinally extending ribs either side of the restrictor.
8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the restrictor is rotatable about the radial axis of the main body.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mouthpiece is generally cylindrical with at least one flattened surface.
10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mouthpiece is removable
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the distal end of the restrictor includes a handle.