JP4706038B2 - Walking exercise equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking exercise tool that allows a walking exercise only in a direction restricted by being worn by a user.

  Traditionally, one or more users, such as walking exercises using so-called stilts and pockries, centipede races, etc., perform interesting walking exercises different from normal walking to maintain body development and health maintenance. It is useful to make use of them or to compete with each other. For example, when a walking exercise is performed using stilts or pock rifles, a knack for balancing is required rather than a normal walking, so that the walking exercise is interesting. In addition, walking exercises performed by a plurality of people in a coordinated manner, such as a centipede race performed at an athletic meet or the like, must be performed with the feet in line with each other and cannot be easily performed.

  In order to perform the characteristic walking exercise as described above, various walking exercise tools such as stilts and pockries have been proposed so far. As these walking exercise tools, for example, there is a centipede running tool for performing a so-called centipede race as disclosed in Patent Document 1. This centipede racing equipment is a long piece of footwear with multiple bands attached so that multiple people can wear it at the same time and easily prepare for centipede racing without tying each person's ankle with a rope. It is.

By the way, as a characteristic walking exercise as described above, after the exerciser moves one foot in the horizontal direction, it moves in the horizontal direction so as to attract the other foot to the previously moved foot. There is a so-called sidewalk (scooping). Such a sidewalk is an effective walking exercise for improving muscle strength, balance sensation, and the like, because an exerciser moves his / her foot in a direction different from usual.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-118400

  However, the sidewalk as described above is performed by restricting the direction in which the exerciser moves his / her foot to the lateral direction, and the direction in which the foot is moved is not restricted from the outside. For this reason, the athlete sometimes moves his / her foot in a direction other than the lateral direction, such as moving his / her foot in the front / rear direction of the body when performing a lateral walk, and the lateral walk cannot be continued.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the user (exercise person) wears the device to restrict the direction in which the user's foot can move in the horizontal direction, so that the user can move in the horizontal direction. An object of the present invention is to provide a walking exercise tool that makes it possible to continue to walk sideways as possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a footrest portion on which an upper surface of a user's sole is placed on the upper surface, and a pair of left and right pads whose lower surface contacts the floor or the ground, and each of the pads. A fixing member for fixing the user's foot placed on the footrest and the pair of pads, and is slidable in a direction in which the distance between the pair of pads is closer A connecting mechanism for connecting the pads to each other, and in a state where the user's foot is fixed to the footrest by the fixing member, the pad is fixed by the fixing member in a direction in which the pad can slide . Only within the range in which the foot is moved , the user can walk on the floor or the ground in the lateral direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the connecting mechanism includes a slide member and a guide member, and both the members are slidably inserted and connected to each other in the longitudinal direction. One end of the pair is attached to one of the pair of pads and the other end is attached to the other of the pads so that the length can be expanded and contracted.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user can walk only in the direction in which the distance between the pads is closer, so that the sidewalk can be reliably continued. In addition, this sidewalk is a different walking motion than usual, and the sidewalk is repeatedly performed by walking in the lateral direction only within the range in which the user's foot is moved in the direction in which sliding movement is possible. This is an effective action that allows continuous training such as improving muscle strength and sense of balance. On the other hand, since it is a walking exercise that requires tricks, the user can perform such training while feeling fun. Can be done.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the connecting mechanism is configured such that the sliding member and the guide member slide relative to each other and the lengths at both ends in the length direction are freely expandable and contractable. The direction can be surely restricted to the lateral direction, and the user can continue to walk sideways reliably.

  Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.1 and FIG.2 (a), (b) shows the walking exercise tool 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The walking exercise tool 1 includes a pair of left and right pads 2, a fixing member 3 provided on each pad 2, a coupling mechanism 4 that couples the pads 2, and a hand-held rope 5 that is attached to each pad 2. . This walking exercise tool 1 is such that the user can wear it as described later, thereby restricting the direction in which the user can walk to the lateral direction.

  The pad 2 has a foot placement portion 2a on which the user's sole is placed on the upper surface one by one, and the lower surface is a contact surface in contact with the floor or the ground. On the contact surface side of each pad 2, a groove 2b to which one end of the coupling mechanism 4 is fixed is formed. The pad 2 is formed of a sponge member in the present embodiment so that the user can be injured even when the user falls, for example, when the user falls down during walking motion so that the user feels good when placing a bare foot. It is configured so that it is difficult to perform. The material of the pad 2 is not limited to this, and may be formed using other various materials.

  The both ends of the fixing member 3 are provided on the upper surface of each pad 2. When the user's foot is placed on the footrest portion 2a, the fixing member 3 is configured to fix the foot so that the back of the foot is wound from the upper surface. In the present embodiment, a belt such as cloth or rubber is used as the fixing member 3, but when the user places his / her foot on the footrest 2 a using, for example, Velcro (registered trademark) or the like, You may comprise so that the leg | foot can be fixed, adjusting length. Moreover, it may be comprised so that a user's foot | toe can be fixed to a pad by being planted by the pad 2 like the so-called sandals of a sandals, and inserting the part between user's toes | fingers. Note that a reinforcing member such as plastic may be embedded in a portion where the fixing member 3 is implanted in the pad 2, and even when a force is applied to the fixing member 3 by providing the reinforcing member, It is possible to prevent problems such as the fixing member 3 coming off.

  FIG. 3 shows the coupling mechanism 4. The coupling mechanism 4 includes a guide member 41 and a slide member 42. In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the guide member 41 has a trapezoidal shape with a short bottom and a thin rail shape with a lower surface opened. At one end in the longitudinal direction of the guide member 41, a stopper portion 41a is formed standing in the cross-sectional direction, and the other end is an open end. Two guide members 41 are used for one coupling mechanism 4, and the groove portion 2 b of the pad 2 is arranged so that the open end is opposed to the left and right, one for each pad 2 with the longitudinal direction as the lateral direction. Fixed to.

  In this embodiment, the slide member 42 has a bar shape having a trapezoidal cross section that is substantially similar to the rail-shaped inner cross section of the guide member 41 and slightly smaller in size. One slide member 42 is used for the coupling mechanism 4, and the length is set to a length necessary for the walking motion described later. As shown in the figure, the slide member 42 is disposed so that both ends are inserted into the guide member 41. Here, since the size of the cross-sectional shape is slightly smaller than that of the guide member 41, the slide member 42 is loosely fitted to the guide member 41. As a result, both the slide member 42 and the guide member 41 are slidable with respect to each other in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. That is, the connecting mechanism 4 is configured such that the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 are slidably inserted into and connected to each other, and the lengths at both ends in the length direction are extendable.

  As described above, the guide member 41 that is one end of the coupling mechanism 4 is attached to one groove 2b of the pair of pads 2, and the guide member 41 that is the other end is attached to the other groove 2b of the pad 2. ing. As described above, the coupling mechanism 4 is straddled between the pair of pads 2 so that the coupling mechanism 4 expands and contracts as described above so that the distance between the pads 2 can be moved in the direction closer to the pad 2. They are linked together. In addition, the cross-sectional shape etc. of the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 are not restricted to this, It is possible to set it as various shapes, such as another polygon.

  The hand-held rope 5 is attached to the pad 2 so that both ends are implanted in the base part attached to the pad 2 of the fixing member 3. The hand-held rope 5 has such a length that the user can hold it with his / her hand in a state where his / her foot is fixed to the footrest 2 a of the pad 2.

  In this walking exercise tool 1, when the user's foot is moved in a direction in which the pad 2 can be moved in a state where the user's foot is fixed to the footrest 2 a by the fixing member 3, the user can It is configured to be able to walk in the horizontal direction. As described above, the pair of left and right pads 2 has the two connecting mechanisms 4 straddled between them, so that the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 of the connecting mechanism 4 slide and the distance between them is lateral. It is connected so as to be movable only in the direction (arrow direction in FIG. 1). For this reason, if a user fixes a foot | leg on the footrest part 2a and wears this walking exercise tool 1, it will be in the state which can move a leg only to the horizontal direction which the pad 2 can move. Thereby, the user can walk (sidewalk) on the floor or the ground only in the horizontal direction by moving his / her foot in the horizontal direction.

  This sidewalk is performed by moving the user's left or right foot in the direction of travel to the direction of travel, and then repeating the action of attracting the opposite foot to the foot in the direction of travel. In order to do that, you need some tricks. First, the user's posture is such that the weight of the user leans on the pad 2 opposite to the traveling direction (the center of gravity is on the pad 2 opposite to the traveling direction). Then, the user's foot in the traveling direction is moved toward the traveling direction, the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 slide as described above, and the coupling mechanism 4 extends in the longitudinal direction. And as shown in (b), the pad 2 on the traveling direction side moves, and the distance between the pads 2 increases. Next, while maintaining the position of the pad 2 on the traveling direction side, the posture of the user is changed, and the center of gravity is moved so that the center of gravity is on the pad 2 on the traveling direction side. In this state, the foot opposite to the user is attracted to the foot on the traveling direction side, the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 slide, the connecting mechanism 4 contracts in the longitudinal direction, and the pad 2 on the opposite side proceeds. It moves in a direction approaching the pad 2 on the direction side. Thereafter, the user's posture is changed again, and the foot on the traveling direction side of the user is moved so that the pad 2 on the traveling direction side is moved while the center of gravity is on the pad 2 on the opposite side. Thereafter, the above operations are sequentially repeated, so that the user can walk sideways on the floor or the ground in the lateral direction.

  The side walk may be performed at a step within a predetermined step according to the length of the guide member 41. In the present embodiment, since the guide member 41 is formed with the stopper portion 41a, even if the walking motion is repeated as described above and the guide member 41 and the slide member 42 repeatedly slide with each other, the slide member 42 is provided. These end portions are not projected from the guide member 41 beyond the stopper portion 41a. That is, the coupling mechanism 4 is configured so that the slide member 42 does not come out of one guide member 41 when the expansion and contraction is repeated within a predetermined length range.

  Here, the user may walk sideways as described above while holding the hand-held rope 5 attached to each pad 2. By using the hand-held rope 5, the user can easily balance the center of gravity of the body in accordance with the movement of the foot, and it is difficult for the user to fall while walking sideways. As a result, it is possible to easily perform the sidewalk continuously.

  As described above, when the user wears the walking exercise tool 1, the user can walk only in the lateral direction, which is the direction in which the distance between the pads 2 is closer. For this reason, the user can reliably and continuously perform the sidewalk that is not often performed without moving the foot in the front-rear direction or the like. In addition, this sidewalk is a walking action different from usual, and it is an effective action for training such as improving muscle strength and sense of balance. It can be done while feeling. For this reason, the user can perform the above-described training while enjoying and enjoying the fun.

  Further, the walking exercise tool 1 can be used for applications such as a sidewalk race between users wearing the walking exercise tool 1 in a competition such as an athletic meet. If the user does not use the walking exercise tool 1, the user can freely move his / her foot. Therefore, the user restricts the direction in which the user moves his / her foot to the lateral direction. In this state, the user sometimes lacks fairness in the race, such as moving his / her foot in a direction other than the predetermined traveling direction. However, by using this walking exercise tool 1, the user can move his / her legs only in the lateral direction as described above, so that it is possible to easily perform the race. Further, by using the walking exercise tool 1, sidewalking is necessary as described above, so that it is possible for the user to perform a race while having more enjoyment.

  5, FIG. 6 (a), (b), (c), FIG. 7 (a), (b) shows the walking exercise tool 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In each of the following embodiments, the same functions and shapes as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different portions from the above-described embodiment will be described. This walking exercise tool 11 is different from the above-described first embodiment in the configuration of a connecting mechanism 14 that connects a pair of left and right pads 2.

  FIG. 8 shows the coupling mechanism 14. In the present embodiment, two coupling mechanisms 14 are used. Each coupling mechanism 14 has a cylindrical member 141 as a guide member and a rod-like member 142 as a slide member. The connecting mechanism 14 is configured such that a cylindrical member 141 and a rod-like member 142 are slidably inserted into each other and connected to each other so that lengths at both ends in the length direction can be expanded and contracted.

  The cylindrical member 141 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially circular inner cross section, and a retaining portion 141a having a through hole with a small inner diameter is formed at one end. Two cylindrical members 141 are used for each coupling mechanism 14, and are fixed to the respective pads 2 so that the retaining portions 141 a are opposed to the left and right, respectively, with the longitudinal direction being the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical member 141 is embedded and fixed inside each pad 2 such that the retaining portion 141 a is exposed on the side surfaces of the pair of pads 2.

  The rod-shaped member 142 has a substantially circular cross section, and one rod member 142 is used for each coupling mechanism 14. The rod-shaped member 142 is arranged such that the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the retaining portion 141a of the cylindrical member 141, and as shown in the figure, both ends of the rod-shaped member 142 are within the respective cylindrical members 141. The That is, the rod-shaped member 142 is straddled between the cylindrical members 141, and is slidably inserted into the cylindrical member 141. The cylindrical member 141 and the rod-shaped member 142 slide with each other, so that the coupling mechanism 14 Both lengths in the length direction are extendable. Further, at both end portions of the rod-shaped member 142, retaining protrusions 142a having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the retaining portion 141a and smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular member 141 are provided. As a result, even if the rod-like member 142 slides in the direction in which the longitudinal length of the coupling mechanism 14 increases, the rod-like member 142 cannot slide any more when the retaining protrusion 142a and the retaining portion 141a come into contact with each other. Is configured so as not to be removed from the tubular member 141.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the connecting mechanism 14 is configured such that, for example, the shape of the retaining protrusion 142a at the end of the rod-shaped member 142 and the shape of the through-hole portion of the retaining portion 141a are such that the rod-shaped member 142 is pivoted with respect to the retaining portion 141a. It has a complicated shape that matches at a predetermined position when rotated around. As a result, the retaining protrusion 142a does not contact the retaining portion 141a, and the rod-shaped member 142 can be removed from the tubular member 141. That is, from the state where the tubular member 141 and the rod-shaped member 142 are not coupled, the rod-shaped member 142 is inserted into the tubular member 141 by matching the shape of the retaining protrusion 142a with the shape of the through-hole portion of the retaining portion 141a. Thus, the coupling mechanism 14 can be assembled smoothly and easily. In addition, after assembling the coupling mechanism 14, a portion other than the cross-sectional portion of the rod-shaped member necessary for the rod-shaped member 142 to slide with the cylindrical member 141 out of the through-hole portion of the retaining portion 141 a is a resin plate or the like. It is good also as a structure covered by adhesion | attachment or screwing.

  Also in this embodiment, the user's foot is moved in the lateral direction in which the pad 2 is movable in a state where the user's foot is fixed to the footrest portion 2a by the fixing member 3 in the same manner as the above-described embodiment. Thus, the user can walk sideways on the floor or the ground. By using this walking exercise tool 11, as described above, the user can reliably and continuously perform a lateral walk that is not often performed without moving the foot in the front-rear direction or the like. It becomes like this.

  9 and 10 (a) and 10 (b) show a walking exercise tool 21 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The walking exercise tool 21 is different from the walking exercise tool 11 according to the second embodiment described above in that the pad 2 has a shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and two footrest portions 2 a are provided for each pad 2. Is different. That is, the walking exercise tool 21 is configured such that two users who have their respective legs fixed to each footrest 2a can walk sideways at the same time. In the present embodiment, two fixing members 3 and hand-held ropes 5 are disposed on each pad 2 in accordance with the position of the provided footrest portion 2a. Note that the number of foot placement portions 2a is not limited to two for each pad 2, and a larger number of foot placement portions 2a may be provided on each pad 2. You may comprise so that a user can walk sideways simultaneously.

  Also in the present embodiment, the user wearing the walking exercise tool 21 performs a side walk in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. At this time, since a plurality of people walk sideways at the same time, it is necessary to cooperate with each other in order to successfully continue the walking motion. As a result, it is possible to perform a walking exercise that is interesting so that the users can breathe together. Also, for example, in early childhood education or primary education, by using this walking exercise tool 21 to perform sidewalks, training can be performed happily as described above, and the importance of cooperation with others, etc. It becomes possible to learn happily.

  Here, although not shown in the drawings, the walking exercise tools 1, 11 and 21 according to each of the above-described embodiments have a decorative part imitating a living thing or a vehicle on the pad 2 when, for example, a child or an infant is a user. It is good also as a provided structure. For example, the appearance of the walking exercise tool 1 is reminiscent of a heel by installing a decorative part, which is a molded product simulating the legs and eyes of the heel, on the pair of left and right pads 2. It may be decorated. In this way, for example, when a decoration part imitating a heel is provided on the pad 2 to decorate the walking exercise tools 1, 11 and 21, the sidewalking action reminds the user of the movement of the heel, and the user It is possible to perform walking exercise while having more fun.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is suitably possible in the range which does not change the range of invention. For example, the hand-held rope 5 is not necessarily required. For example, the hand-held rope 5 may be configured not to have the hand-held rope 5 in accordance with the intended use or the target user. Further, the number of connecting mechanisms 4 and 14 for connecting the pads 2 to each other is not limited to one or two as described above, and may be larger. The coupling mechanisms 4 and 14 may not be provided on the side surfaces, but may be fixed using attachment members or the like provided on the upper and lower surfaces of each pad 2.

  Further, the coupling mechanisms 4 and 14 can have various configurations in addition to the above-described embodiments. For example, it is good also as a structure which piled up the cylindrical member 141 which has several mutually different internal diameters and outer diameters coaxially mutually in order with a large internal diameter and external diameter. At this time, the cylindrical member 141 having the largest outer shape is used as one end and the other end is used as the cylindrical member 141 having the smallest outer shape, and both ends are fixed to the pair of pads 2. Even in such a configuration, when the cylindrical members 141 slide relative to each other, the coupling mechanisms 4 and 14 can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, and the pads 2 can be coupled to each other as in the above-described embodiments. Is possible.

  Further, the coupling mechanisms 4 and 14 may have a sliding mechanism such as a linear motion bearing using balls or rollers. For example, in the first embodiment described above, the guide member 41 has a plurality of spheres exposed on the inner surface thereof, and the slide member 42 rolls on the spheres so as to roll on the guide member 41 and each other. The sliding mechanism may be configured such that both end lengths in the length direction of the coupling mechanism 4 are extendable. By using such a sliding mechanism, the resistance when the slide member 42 and the guide member 41 slide with each other can be reduced, so that the user can walk more smoothly as described above. Can be done.

  In addition to the above, for example, the connection mechanism can be configured to connect the pads 2 by providing a connection plate in the lateral direction from each pad 2 toward the other pad 2. In this connection mechanism, one connection plate has a slot in the shape of a long hole in the lateral direction, and the other connection plate has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the slot width, and is loosely inserted into this slot. It has a rod-shaped member. In the connecting mechanism, both connecting plates are combined on the inner surface of the slot so that the rod-like member can slide, and connect the pads 2 to each other. Even when such a coupling mechanism is used, the pad 2 in the direction in which the distance between the pads 2 is reduced in the lateral direction by sliding the rod-shaped member of the other coupling plate on the inner surface of the slot of the one coupling plate. Can be moved. Even when such a walking exercise tool is used, the user can walk sideways as described above.

The perspective view of the walking exercise tool which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a top view of the same walking exercise tool, (b) is a side view thereof. The perspective view of the connection mechanism of a walking exercise tool same as the above. (A) is a top view showing the walking motion of the same walking exercise tool, (b) is a side view thereof. The perspective view of the walking exercise tool which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a side view of the walking exercise tool same as above, (b) is a top view thereof, (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of (b). (A) is a top view which shows the time of the walking operation of a walking exercise tool same as the above, (b) is the sectional view on the AA line of (a). The fragmentary sectional view of the connection mechanism of a walking exercise tool same as the above. The perspective view of the walking exercise tool which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a side view of the walking exercise tool, and (b) is a top view thereof.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Walking exercise tool 2 Pad 2a Footrest part 3 Fixing member 4 Connection mechanism 41 Guide member 42 Slide member

Claims (2)

A pair of left and right pads that have a footrest on which the sole of the user's sole is placed on the upper surface, and the lower surface contacts the floor or the ground
A fixing member provided on each of the pads, for fixing a user's foot placed on the footrest;
A coupling mechanism that spans between the pair of pads and that couples the pads that are slidable in a direction in which the distance between the pair of pads is closer;
In a state where the user's foot is fixed to the footrest by the fixing member, the user can move the floor or the user only within the range in which the user's foot fixed by the fixing member is moved in a direction in which the pad can slide. A walking exercise tool characterized by being able to walk on the ground laterally. The coupling mechanism includes a slide member and a guide member, and both ends of the pair are slidably coupled to each other so that one end of the pair of pads is stretchable so that both lengths in the longitudinal direction can be expanded and contracted. The walking exercise tool according to claim 1, wherein the walking exercise tool is attached to one side and the other end is attached to the other side of the pad.

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