JP2008194469A - Exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exercise device to exercise trunk muscles of a human body, in which the whole trunk can be exercised as well as a group of muscles to be a separate subject. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with an extension member having a center part provided with an engagement structure, so that the center part is disposed on the neck part in the back of a user, and a first and a second lateral extension parts composed to be respectively engaged with both arms of the user as they are raised. The first and the second lateral extension parts are elastically movable to the center part in such a way that the first and the second lateral extension parts are bendable to the center part. As the chest of the user is raised, the trunk can be easily twisted, thereby the trunk muscles can be easily trained through twisting (turning) exercise, side bending (horizontal) exercise, and forward-bending (flexure) exercise. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus and an instrument, and more particularly to an exercise apparatus and an instrument used for exercising trunk muscles of a human body.

  A wide variety of exercises are known to train the muscles in the middle of the human body, but the most widely known is the simple so-called “sit ups” (typically abdominal Including micromotion that constricts the group), "spinal twist" and "side bends".

  In such exercises, the individual uses the abdominal muscles by lying on his back with his legs straight or flat with his knees up and with his buttocks on his floor.

  Various forms of abs exercise equipment such as Swiss Ball, so-called Abs-Crunch Bar, Abs-Roller Frames to assist this kind of exercise And instruments have been proposed.

  However, such known devices require the user to take a posture on or close to the floor, but in many cases such a posture is uncomfortable and may damage the spinal joint in particular. In some respects, there may be disadvantageous restrictions.

  The present invention aims to provide an exercise device that has advantages over such known devices and traditional exercise practices.

  In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that has the possibility of exercising not only a specific muscle group to be separated but also the entire trunk.

According to the present invention, the elongate member having the central portion provided with an engagement structure for disposing the central portion on the back of the user's neck and / or the central upper back,
First and second lateral extensions each configured to engage each of the lifted user's upper limbs;
The first and second lateral extension portions are elastically movable with respect to the central portion, whereby the first and second lateral extension portions can be bent with respect to the central portion. An exercise device is provided.

  A particular advantage of the present invention, unlike known devices, is that an individual who wants to exercise trunk muscles can actually use the device while standing, sitting and walking if necessary.

  Thus, the device of the present invention can be used more easily because the individual does not have to take a specific exercise posture with respect to the floor, and is therefore more convenient and attractive to the user. Also, exercises performed using the apparatus of the present invention can include additional exercises such as walking, as described above.

  A further advantage of the present invention is that the trunk / torso of the body around the waist is such that the trunk muscles operate to twist the range of the user's trunk / torso. This means that the trunk muscles can be exercised by reciprocating torsion.

  In one embodiment, the first and second lateral extensions are each configured to extend beyond each shoulder of the user.

  In this way, by extending the first and second lateral extensions, the user raises the arm sufficiently high so that the user can raise the rib cage and assist in the rotational movement of the torso / torso. To promote that.

  Preferably, the first and second lateral extensions are configured to include load means for increasing weight.

  Preferably, the loading means is arranged in an end region of the first and second laterally extending portions spaced from the central portion.

  In this way, the total weight of the exercise device can be varied as needed to assist with an appropriate level of exercise for the user. In particular, the increase in inertia due to twisting the torso / torso around the user's waist is achieved by adopting load means that help to increase the amount of momentum required to start and stop the torso / torso motion during the torsional motion. Promoted by increasing the weight.

  Suitably, the loading means may comprise a hollow chamber configured to receive a load medium such as a fluid.

  Alternatively or additionally, an engagement structure that can be fitted with one or more solid weights as required can be included.

  According to one embodiment, the first and second laterally extending portions are made of a member separated from the central portion but connected to the central portion by elastic coupling means. . In this way, the central portion and the first and second laterally extending portions can each be made of a rigid member.

  Preferably, the resilient coupling means comprises a spring member, in particular an extension coil spring member having an inner diameter selected to house the first and second laterally extending portions and the central portion, respectively. be able to.

  As an alternative, the first and second laterally extending portions can be formed integrally with the central portion and can be formed from an elastic material.

  Further, the region where the central portion extends to each of the first and second lateral extensions is preferably for elastic movement of the first and second lateral extensions relative to the central portion. Can be configured.

  In one embodiment, the elasticity is imparted by appropriately sizing the region where the central portion extends into each of the first and second lateral extensions.

  Preferably, the first and second lateral extensions are configured to be grasped by each hand of the user.

  Alternatively or additionally, each of the first and second lateral extensions is configured to engage a respective lower surface of the user's forearm.

  As such, the first and second lateral extensions may include a support structure configured such that each of the lower surface of the user's forearm is disposed thereon.

  As a further advantage, each of the support structures on the lower surface of each forearm can be configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the central portion extends.

  In one embodiment, the first and second lateral extensions are configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central portion.

  As will be appreciated, the present invention allows the user to exercise trunk muscles by reciprocating torsional motion of the torso, or lateral or forward bending motion that occurs during standing, sitting or walking. Provide an exercise device that is easy to maintain and use.

  The device is suitable in assisting the user in lifting the rib cage in order to assist and increase the range of torsional movements achieved around the waist. Furthermore, by incorporating the elastic mounting portions of the first and second laterally extending portions with respect to the central portion, the elasticity can be adjusted so that the user can twist the torso to the final limit of movement. Because it can move, the trunk muscles can be used to perform larger movements.

According to another aspect of the invention, the elongate member having the central portion with an engagement structure for disposing the central portion on the back of the user's neck and / or the central upper back,
An exercise device is provided that includes first and second lateral extensions each configured to engage each of the upper limbs of a lifted user, each comprising a support structure that supports a lower forearm of the user.

  Preferably, the shape of the device is configured such that the support structure is positioned lower than the central portion when positioned on the user.

As a further alternative aspect of the invention, an elongate member having said central portion with an engagement structure for positioning the central portion at the back of the neck and / or the central upper back of the user,
First and second lateral extensions, each configured to engage each of the lifted user's upper limbs, in each region of the first and second lateral extensions; Provided is an exercise device characterized by having a load means for increasing the weight.

  Preferably, the device is located on the back of the user's neck and / or the central upper back and is configured to be balanced by the central portion when not engaged with the upper limb.

  Of course, it should be understood that the device can be used as well when the individual is stationary, twisting his torso around his waist and bending sideways or forward.

  Thus, the present invention is that the various one or more muscle groups of the trunk can be easily exercised, alone or in combination, with relatively simple conditions and without any adjustment or reconfiguration of the device. Is understood to be particularly suitable.

  The device also allows the device to be twisted and rotated about the central axis defined by the central axis of the body trunk in both standing and sitting positions, thereby tensioning / tightening the muscles around the user's trunk. To help.

  In addition, lateral flexion exercises are performed to exercise the oblique muscles in a standing or sitting position, and abdominal exercises are performed by flexing the device, whether or not a lateral flexion exercise or body torsion is performed. Helps to move. However, as already mentioned, the device can be used easily when the user is walking with large thighs, such as when running on a running machine (exercise treadmill), In such a case, the combination of the above three exercises, and therefore, the combination of the movements of the trunk muscles can be achieved by a simple device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the exercise device of FIG.

  As will be understood from the present application, the present invention includes all abdominal muscles such as the rectus abdominis muscle, the internal oblique muscles, the external oblique muscles, the transverse muscles, the intercostal muscles, the muscles related to the spine such as the spine standing muscles, and For example, an exercise device for moving a trunk group of body muscles including hip flexors such as iliac muscles and hip muscles is provided.

  References to “trunk muscle” in this application should be understood to mean one or more such muscle groups. In addition, the “back of the user's neck” is also intended to refer to the center upper back of the user.

  The present invention efficiently includes an abdominal muscle exercise device, spinal twist device, and lateral flexion device for operating on the entire trunk of the human body and all muscle groups related thereto, in a single central device. This is particularly advantageous. The gluteal muscle group is also involved as a stabilizing force that controls the torsional motion during use of the device during walking.

  First, FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an exercise device according to the present invention. However, it can be formed from various materials as needed and can be selectively fitted with solid weights or include various other loading means, while any suitable for the trunk. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment because it has a general elongated structure that can include an extension that extends at an angle.

  Accordingly, in FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus 10 includes a central portion 12 and first and second laterally extending portions 14 and 16, respectively.

  The central portion 12 includes a structure 18 on which the exercise equipment 10 is comfortably positioned and mounted on the back of the user's neck.

  The structure 18 can be formed of any suitable material, whether solid or deformable, and can be adjusted to account for dimensions as needed.

  Each of the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16 is configured to extend over the left and right shoulders of the user when the structure 18 is worn behind the neck as needed. Each of the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16 terminates in support handle portions 20, 22 that extend forwardly, respectively.

  In the illustrated embodiment, each support handle portion 20, 22 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16.

  Each support handle portion 20, 22 includes a structure 24, 26, respectively, configured to comfortably support the user's forearm lower surface.

  Accordingly, the structure 18 of the central portion 12 is attached to the back of the user's neck during use, so that the user's arm extends to the distal regions of the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16 and the support handle. It will be understood that they line up generally along the sections 20, 22 and the respective support structures 24, 26.

  Further, like the structure 18, the structures 24 and 26 for supporting the user's forearm can be formed of any appropriate material regardless of whether or not they are integrated with the support handle parts 20 and 22. it can.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 12 of the exercise device 10 is formed separately from each of the first lateral extension 14 and the second lateral extension 16. The directional extension is elastically attached to the central portion 12 by coil springs 28, 30 extending along the longitudinal axis of the central portion 12.

  As will be understood from the following description of the use of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the coil springs 28, 30 allow rotational movement of the support handle portions 20, 22 relative to the central portion 12 in the direction illustrated by arrow A. Become.

  Each support handle 20, 22 terminates in a spherical structure 32, 34 and provides a grip for the user.

  In addition, load members 36, 38 are provided on each support handle portion 20, 22, on which the load members 36, 38 are individually or in combination with a solid weight for changing the weight of the distal end of the exercise device 10. Includes an engagement structure that can be mounted.

  The heavier the weight applied to the load means 36, 38, the greater the momentum of the trunk muscles by twisting the user's torso, stopping such twisting movements, or twisting the torso to the opposite side. Become.

  When the exercise device 10 approaches the maximum range of spinal twist, the elastic energy applied by the coil springs 28 and 30 enables rotational movement in the direction of arrow A, and the elastic energy applied by the coil springs 28 and 30. The movement against the human can enhance the movement by the trunk muscle.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the exercise device 10 of FIG. 1, with similar features illustrated with the same reference numerals.

  However, each of the first and second lateral extensions 14,16 carries the user's arm, in particular the forearm, on the device and on the support structure 24,26 provided by the support handle portions 20,22. It will be appreciated from FIG. 2 that it includes shallow cranks 14 ', 16' to assist in easy placement. The height of the device inclines in the region of the first and second lateral extensions when worn on the user, and is defined by each of the shallow cranks 14 ', 16', with a relatively long movement if necessary. It should be understood that it advantageously helps to increase the comfort with which the device can be used to allow time.

  In addition, the longitudinal structure of the illustrated embodiment can be readily configured to include a folding mechanism as needed, allowing for efficient storage and transport of the exercise device 10. It will be understood that it can be easily carried.

  As described above, when the exercise device 10 is worn on the user's neck and shoulders and the forearm is hung over the support structures 24, 26 beyond the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16, the trunk muscles Can be easily moved by torsion of the user's torso while at rest or preferably while walking with emphasis.

  The exercise device 10 assists in the pre-stage posture of lifting the user's rib cage and twisting the torso, and provides elastic relative motion provided between the first and second lateral extensions 14, 16 and the central structure 18. Is particularly advantageous in that it improves the nature of the exercise by the trunk muscles.

  For example, the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is placed on the user by the central structure 18 so that the user's upper limb is advantageously free for any additional demands or possible movements. Furthermore, the exercise device 10 is further advantageously configured so that it can be balanced on the user without requiring engagement by the user's upper limb. Therefore, when the apparatus is used during walking, the user can easily remove the upper limb from the apparatus to swing the arm freely as long as the exercise apparatus 10 is in a predetermined position.

  Of course, as described above, the present invention is not limited to the details of the illustrated embodiment.

  In particular, the exercise device 10 can be formed from a single cast member or any other suitable material, and the loading means can be provided in a cavity containing fluid or any other suitable shape.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the exercise device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Exercise equipment 12 Center part 14, 14 ', 16, 16' Lateral extension part 18 Center part structure 20, 22 Support handle part 24, 26 Support structure 28, 30 Coil spring 32, 34 Spherical structure 36, 38 Load member

Claims (20)

An exercise device that exercises the trunk muscles of the human body,
An elongate member having the central portion with an engagement structure for disposing the central portion at the back of the user's neck;
First and second lateral extensions each configured to engage each of the lifted user's upper limbs;
The first and second lateral extension portions are elastically movable with respect to the central portion, whereby the first and second lateral extension portions can be bent with respect to the central portion. Exercise equipment.   The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral extensions are each configured to extend beyond each shoulder of a user.   The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are configured to include a load unit that increases weight.   The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the load means is located in an end region of the first and second laterally extending portions spaced from the central portion.   The exercise device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the load means has a hollow chamber configured to receive a load medium.   The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the load means includes an engagement structure to which one or a plurality of solid weights can be attached as necessary.   The exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are formed of separate members connected to the central portion by elastic coupling means.   The exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the elastic coupling means is formed of a spring member.   The exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are formed integrally with the central portion.   The exercise device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second lateral extensions are formed of an elastic material.   The exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are configured to be held by each hand of a user.   The exercise according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second lateral extensions is configured to engage a respective lower surface of a user's forearm. apparatus.   13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the first and second lateral extensions include a support structure configured such that each lower surface of the user's forearm is disposed thereon. .   The exercise device according to claim 13, wherein the support structure on the lower surface of each forearm is configured to extend along a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to an axis in which a central portion extends.   The movement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central portion. apparatus. An elongate member having the central portion with an engagement structure for disposing the central portion at the back of the user's neck;
Movement comprising: first and second lateral extensions each configured to engage each of the lifted user's upper limbs, each comprising a support structure supporting the user's lower forearm apparatus.   The exercise device according to claim 16, wherein the support device is configured to be positioned at a position lower than the central portion when positioned on a user. An elongate member having the central portion with an engagement structure for disposing the central portion at the back of the user's neck;
First and second lateral extensions, each configured to engage each of the lifted user's upper limbs, in each region of the first and second lateral extensions; An exercise device comprising a load means for increasing weight.   The exercise device according to claim 18, wherein the exercise device is configured to be balanced by the central portion when located at a rear portion of a user's neck and not engaged with the upper limb.   The exercise device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings and substantially as described herein.

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