GB2613824A

GB2613824A - Vibration plate

Info

Publication number: GB2613824A
Application number: GB2118219.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seddon Joel
Original assignee: Bluefin Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Bluefin Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2023-06-21

Abstract

A vibration plate exercise apparatus 1, comprises: a base 20, at least one actuator mounted in the base 20 and a platform 10 supported by the base 20 and moveable by the at lease on actuator. A plurality of feet 50 are attached to the base and each foot 50 comprises a suction cup formed of a flexible material and having a central portion (54, fig 2) defining a downwardly facing concave suction cavity and an upturned peripheral portion (56, fig 2.).The upturned peripheral portion (56) may be annular and the suction cup may include a central boss (55, fig 2.) for attaching the suction cup to the exercise device 1.

Description

VIBRATION PLATE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to vibration plate exercise apparatus. In particular, embodiments relate to vibration plate exercise machines for home use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vibration plate exercise apparatus are a form of exercise machine (for use in conditioning, training and/or rehabilitation) which provide a platform which is subject to high velocity vibrations which provide additionally muscular stimulation to a user whilst performing exercises The vibration plate machine generally comprise a support base on which are mounted one or more actuators (for example electric drive motors) which deliver movement, in the form of relatively small but high frequency movements to a platform which is moveably mounted to the base. The movements of the platform may, for example, be any combination of horizontal, vertical and oscillatory motion relative to the fixed support base.

[0003] In use a user may perform a variety of exercises whilst supporting all or part of their weight on the platform (with either their hands or feet). During use, the movements of the platform provide additional muscular stimulation causing the muscles to react rapidly. The benefits of using a vibration plate can include reducing workout time scales, increased muscle strength and greater core engagement. Early versions of vibration plate exercise machines were large and generally most suited to professional gym environments. More recently, vibration exercise machines have become available which are more compact making them ideal home use exercise apparatus. Such home exercise vibration plate machines are relatively small and compact (for example in comparison to other home exercise apparatus such as running machines) meaning they can be easily moved between an in use and storage location [0004] Whilst existing vibration platform apparatus have proven successful there remains a need to provide improved designs with increased usability. Ease of use may, for example, be particularly important to the home exercise market where an end user may purchase an apparatus via the intemet and need to be able to both set up and use the apparatus without any specialist equipment or assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vibration plate exercise apparatus comprising: a base, at least one actuator mounted to the base, a platform supported by the base and moveable by the at lease on actuator and a plurality of feet attached to the base and wherein each foot comprising a suction cup formed of a flexible material and having a central portion defining a downwardly facing concave suction cavity and an upturned peripheral portion.

[0006] Such an arrangement is particularly useful, for example, for a home exercise vibration plate which may require regular repositioning. The suction cups of the feet provide a reliable and stable base since they are able to suction mount the base to the surface of the ground. When the position requires moving or adjusting, however, suction cups can be inconvenient as the suction effect between the suction cup and the ground will resist removal or movement of the cup from the underlying surface This disadvantage may be further amplified as the feet will typically be at least partially concealed beneath the base of the vibration plate apparatus (and it may be appreciated that it is generally preferable for the clearance between the base and the ground to be low for both stability and compactness reasons). The upturned peripheral portion of the feet in embodiments helps to alleviate this disadvantage whilst still providing the advantages of a suction cup. Thus, in use a user can easily grasp the peripheral portion to release the foot from the floor and allow movement of the apparatus.

[0007] The upturned peripheral portion of the foot may be annular. The periperhal portion may surround the central portion.

[0008] In some embodiments the peripheral portion may be interrupted for example the peripheral portion may comprise a number of discrete circumferentially extending tabs. In other embodiments the peripheral portion may be continuous.

[0009] The (or each) foot may further comprises a support leg extending upwardly from an upper surface. For example an upper surface of the central portion The support leg may provide the attachment between the foot and base of the apparatus.

[0010] The (or each) leg may be adjustably connected to the base such that the position of the (or each) foot may be adjusted relative to the base. This may for example help the user to level the base if the underlying surface is not sufficiently even or flat. In particular the (or each) foot may be vertically adjusted. In some embodiments the (or each) leg may have a threaded interface with the base.

[0011] The platform may comprise a contoured upper surface. For example the upper surface may be dished or recessed, for example having a concave upper surface.

[0012] The vibration plate exercise apparatus may further comprise a user interface, for example on the platform. The user interface may include at least one display. The user interface may include one or more inputs for controlling the movement of the apparatus. The apparatus may further comprise a remote control.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a home exercise machine comprising a vibration plate exercise apparatus in accordance with an embodiment,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the invention may be performed in various ways, and embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to 5 the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a home exercise vibration plate apparatus in accordance with an embodiment; [0016] Figure 2 illustrates an isolated view of a foot for use with embodiments; and [0017] Figure 3 illustrates an isolated view of an alternate foot for use with embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In the present application upper and lower are used to conveniently refer to the device in its typical in use orientation (which it will be appreciated will be with the base generally parallel to an underlying floor and the platform spaced vertically above the floor). Thus, it will be understood that lower may generally mean a surface, component or direction which is proximal to the floor during use and lower may be used to generally mean a surface, component or direction distal to the floor. Likewise it will be understood that horizontal may be used to generally mean any plane/direction which is substantially parallel to the floor during use and vertical will be used to generally mean any plane/direction which is substantially perpendicular to the floor. However, it will be appreciated that such references are not intended to be limiting. Likewise, any references to circumferential radial or axial directions (particularly with reference to the foot of the apparatus) may be interpreted broadly as general geometric terms of orientation and, for example, do not exclude that a component may have a non-circular or irregular form.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a vibration plate exercise apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment. It may be noted that the apparatus 1 has a generally compact configuration and is particularly suitable for use as a home exercise apparatus. The apparatus comprises a base 20 and a platform 10 which is moveably mounted to the base. Both the base 20 and platform 10 have a substantially cuboid profile generally in the form a vertically shallow rectangular prism. The base 20 and platform 20 may jointly define the outer housing of the apparatus 1 and have generally clamshell like complimentary profiles such that the apparatus 1 has an overall low profile/flat box like profile. This ensures that the operative elements of the apparatus are suitably enclosed and protected. Within the base 10 at least one actuator is provided which can impart movement to the platform 10 and in particular vibrational and or oscillatory movement. The actuator is not shown in the figures as the configuration there of is not essential to the present invention and the skilled person will be aware of numerous existing (and commercially available) configurations for such an actuator. For example, the actuator may comprise a plurality of electric motors mounted within the base 10 and each configured to provide movement in different directions (for example dedicated vertical and horizontal motors).

[0020] The platform 10 includes an upper surface 30 for supporting a user during use (for example the user may stand on the surface 30 for some exercises, such as squats, or place their hands on the surface for other exercises such as plank exercises). The upper surface 30 is textured to provide a non-slip surface and is contoured with a concave, dished profile. A display 40 which may include user control inputs and/or provide the user with status information can also be provided on the upper surface 30.

[0021] At the lower end of the base 20 a plurality of feet 50 are attached to the base. Typically four such feet are provided with proximate to each corner of the cubo d defined by the base 20 In the figure the feet 50a and 50b at the front side of the base 20 are visible and it will be appreciated that a matching pair of feet (not shown) would be in a corresponding S position on the rear side of the base 20. It may be noted that the apparatus 1 has a low profile and only a minimal gap is provided between the lower surface of the base 20 and the floor (in order to maximise stability). As a result, the feet 50a and 50b are largely hidden beneath the base 20 during use.

[0022] One of the feet 50 is shown in isolation in Figure 2. The foot 50 has a leg 52 113 which may have an externally thread 53 such that it can be screwed into a mounting hole in the base 20. An advantage of a screw thread connection 53 between the leg 52 and the base 20 is that the vertical position of the foot 50 can be easily adjusted with a simple rotation and without the need for any specialist tools or additional operations to secure the leg 52 at the desired extension. Each foot 50 comprises a central portion defining a suction cup 54 which is formed of a flexible material. The suction cup 54 extends from (and surrounds) a central boss 55 at its upper surface which provides an interface connecting portion to the leg 52. For example the boss 55 and leg 52 could be co-moulded from a single material or the boss 55 could be over-moulded or bonded to the leg 52. The lower surface of the suction cup 54 has a concave suction cavity which is downwardly facing (i.e. towards the surface of the floor).

[0023] When the apparatus 1 is placed on the ground the suction cup 54 is deformed towards the ground resulting in air being expelled from the cavity and resulting in a negative pressure adherence between the suction cup 54 and the surface on which it is placed. The provision of suction cups 54 as part of the feet 50 is advantageous in ensuring a fixed and stable connection between the ground and the base 20 of the apparatus 1 to ensure that the apparatus does not, for example, slide across the surface during exercise. However, the applicant has identified that a downside of the provision of a suction cup 54 as part of the foot 50 can be that the adherence between the foot and the floor can be difficult to overcome when the user wishes to remove or reposition the apparatus 1. One way to overcome such adherence is to peel the edge of the suction cup 54 away from the ground (such that the pressure effect of the cup is broken-however this is often difficult to achieve especially as much of the suction cup and foot may be under the base 20 of the apparatus 1 and in a narrow vertical clearance gap between the floor and the lower surface of the base 20 As such, embodiments include an improve foot 50 with an upturned peripheral portion 56 The peripheral portion 56 is upwardly directed such that it extends away from the ground The peripheral portion 56 does not interfere with the function of the suction cup 54 but does provide a feature which can be easily grasped by a user to remove the suction cup 54 when required. Advantageously as the feature provided by the peripheral portion 56 is positioned at a very outer extent of the suction cup any upward pressure applied on it by a user will easily peel the outer edge of the suction cup 54 away from the surface. This resultant peeling action may provide a particularly effective way of releasing the adherence between the suction cup 54 and the floor as it almost immediately allows air to enter the cavity of the suction cup to remove the negative pressure effect. Further, it may be noted that the dimensions of the peripheral portion 56 of the foot 50 do not need to be substantially with it typically extending upwardly to a lower level than the central boss 55. This ensures that the clearance between the base 20 and the ground need not be increased to incorporate the improved foot design of embodiments (such that the apparatus 1 may maintain its stable low profile) [0024] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, Figure 3 shows a modified version of the foot 50' in which the peripheral portion 56' surrounding the central suction cup 54' is circumferentially non-continuous. In this embodiment the foot 50', therefore, has a series of discrete tabs 56a' Sob', 56c' and Sod' spaced evenly around the outer edge of the foot 50.

Claims

C LA I NI S1 A vibration plate exercise apparatus comprising: a base, at least one actuator mounted in the base, a platform supported by the base and moveable by the at lease on actuator and a plurality of feet attached to the base and wherein each foot comprising a suction cup formed of a flexible material and having a central portion defining a downwardly facing concave suction cavity and an upturned peripheral portion.
2 The vibration plate exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upturned peripheral portion of the foot is an annular and surrounds the central portion.
3. The vibration plate exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the peripheral portion is continuous.
4 The vibration plate exercise apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the foot further comprises a support leg extending upwardly from the upper surface of the central portion, the support leg providing the attachment between the foot and base.
The vibration plate exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the foot further comprise a central boss, the central boss being an interface between the led and the suction cup.
6 The vibration plate exercise apparats of claim 5, wherein the peripheral portion extends upwardly from the suction cup to an upper edge which is below an upper surface of the central boss.
7. The vibration plate exercise apparatus of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the leg is adjustable connected to the base such that the foot may be vertically adjusted.
8 The vibration plate exercise apparatus of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the leg has a threaded interface with the base.
9. The vibration plate exercise apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the platform comprises a contoured upper surface
10. The vibration plate exercise apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a user interface on the platform.
11. A home exercise machine comprising a vibration plate exercise apparatus of any preceding claim