RU2805791C1 - Neck trainer - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: training equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to equipment intended for training individual parts of the body, namely for training the neck. The simulator can be used in sports, as well as in rehabilitation medicine when recovering from injuries. The simulator includes the main elements: a support, a head harness and elastic elements for transferring the load. The support contains a frame to which shoulder supports and handles are attached from below. The frame is also equipped with brackets directed outward and upward. The harness is designed to be put on and secured to the head. The elastic elements are connected at one end to the frame, and at the other to the brackets, so that the frame is located in the centre of the frame, suspended on elastic elements stretched to the sides.

EFFECT: increase in the effectiveness of neck muscle training is achieved due to the possibility of training different, compared to analogues, groups of neck muscles simultaneously in all directions, without placing a vertical load on the cervical vertebrae, and all exercises are carried out by the simulator without auxiliary devices, without being tied to a specific training location and without the need to change the equipment of the device to train different muscle groups.

3 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Field of technology

The invention relates to equipment intended for training individual parts of the body, namely for training the neck. The simulator can be used in sports, as well as in rehabilitation medicine when recovering from injuries.

State of the art

It is known that in the spine, which consists of five sections, the cervical is the first and most mobile. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae that are held together by cartilage, where muscles are located on the intervertebral discs to allow movement of the head. According to the international standard Terminologia Anatomica (TA), the intrinsic muscles of the neck (lat. mm. proprii colli) include two muscles, which according to the Russian classification are lateral superficial muscles, four lateral deep muscles and two medial muscles. All of them perform very serious functions for the human body: the cervical vertebrae keep the human head in balance; they provide agility and tilt of the head; The process of swallowing food and pronouncing different sounds depends on them. Pathologies in the cervical area can occur for many different reasons, but most of them appear precisely because of untrained and weakened neck muscles. Neck diseases include osteochondrosis, herniated cervical intervertebral bodies, neuralgia, spondylosis, etc. Therefore, the proper development of the neck muscles is very important for everyone, not just athletes. This is why you need to do neck exercises.

Training to stretch and pump up the neck muscles should be done in a calm rhythm and without sudden movements. The most important thing in training to pump up and strengthen the neck muscles is safety and the correct technique for performing the exercises. Because the slightest mistake can lead to injuries and the formation of chronic diseases.

To train the neck muscles, special devices are used - simulators.

For example, a device for restoring the muscular corset of the cervical region is known from the prior art (see RU 2548507 C1, 04/20/2015), which contains a set of weights, a patient chair rotating relative to the vertical axis with elements for fixing the shoulder girdle, and a Glisson loop connected to the load by means of a flexible rod thrown over the block. The block is placed relative to the chair so that the traction section between the Glisson loop fixed on the head of the patient sitting in the chair and the block forms an angle of 10-30° with the vertical, while the chair is equipped with a locking mechanism that provides rigid fixation of the angular position of the chair with a given discreteness in within its full rotation of 360°, in any direction of rotation of the chair.

This simulator is extremely ineffective for training, due to the fact that the person being trained is fixed to the simulator in the shoulder girdle in a sitting position and the Glisson loop is attached to the head by the chin. The flexible rod is fixed at one end to the Glisson loop, and at the other to the load, in such a way that the person does not have the opportunity to observe the load, since he is sitting with his back, and even more so to independently regulate the load and pace of the exercise during the exercises. In addition, the device does not allow you to train all groups of neck muscles in different directions, while taking into account that the human motor system is built on the principle of tensegrity, a vertical load will be placed on the cervical and underlying vertebrae, which is unsafe. The design of the simulator is aimed at spinal traction, so you need to take into account contraindications to spinal traction: osteoporosis, acute inflammatory processes, oncology, vertebral instability, epilepsy, kidney stones. Incorrect selection of load and excessive use of this simulator can lead to a number of complications, such as intervertebral hernias and micro-tears of muscle tissue.

The prior art contains information source US 8840528 B2, 09/23/2014, which discloses a portable neck training device, including an adjustable frame that can be removably positioned between two sides of a door frame, a set of pulleys attached to the frame, a headband and flexible tension bands attached to the headband, threaded through pulleys and removably connected to the frame using varying tensions, so that the user can exercise the neck muscles in different ways by moving the head, neck and torso in different directions. According to the invention, the frame is adapted for adjustable installation in a doorway with the ability to be adjusted in length.

A disadvantage of the known technical solution is also the ineffectiveness of training due to lack of mobility, since the use of the simulator is only possible in doorways, which limits the area of use of the simulator. It is possible to make movements only in one vertical plane at a time, which means training only certain muscles.

This design does not include modules and elements that stabilize (fix the body) the underlying structures of the musculoskeletal system in relation to the cervical region, which practically eliminates the possibility of performing isolated training of the muscles of the cervical region, i.e. the exercise is performed with the inclusion of the muscles of the underlying regions, which partially removes the load from the neck muscles and reduces the effectiveness of the workout.

From the prior art, a device for training neck muscles is known that is closest to the claimed solution (RU 2050883 C1, 12/27/1995), containing a base on which a rotating stand with a seat is installed, a swivel with a head holder with a means of fastening it to the stand, means for creating a load with load units for both the swivel and the stand, which contain friction elements. The friction elements of the load unit for the stand are fixed to it by means of a vertical axis, and the friction elements of the load unit for the swivel are fixed to the bushing by means of a horizontal axis. The swivel forks are made of two parts, which are connected to each other by means of axial elements with fractional disks with the possibility of rotation.

The disadvantages of the known solution are its low mobility, due to the presence of bulky elements in the design; training on the simulator is possible only in a sitting position, which introduces a number of difficulties into the training process. The device allows you to tilt your head in a vertical plane and rotate your body in a horizontal plane, but for this you need to rotate the handle nuts, which is inconvenient to do during training. In addition, such a load creates unwanted tensile and compressive loads on the spine, which is unsafe and requires the correct technique.

As an analysis of the state of the art shows, known neck simulators have common disadvantages, which are that they are not ergonomic, since for their operation it is necessary to attach elements that create a load to fixed objects, which are walls, doorways, while the trainee tied to a specific training place (chair, doorway). In addition, to change the direction of the load

it is necessary to change the fastening, which entails a forced interruption of training. Another problem is that the described simulators cannot be considered effective and safe, since they are aimed at training only individual muscles of the neck: sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles; exercise in the simulator is carried out in the same plane with translational-rotational movement, and they do not allow you to perform the exercises efficiently or monitor the amplitude of the exercises performed. This can result in negative consequences due to incorrect direction of loads, which is especially critical during rehabilitation.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention is aimed at solving these problems, namely the creation of a mobile, easy-to-use simulator that is independent of auxiliary devices (chairs, openings, etc.) and does not require re-equipment - replacing elements of the simulator for training different muscle groups at the same time, while meeting the requirements safety and aimed at training a significant number of neck muscles - sternocleidomastoid, scalene, splenius capitis, splenius neck muscle, short extensors (superior oblique, inferior oblique, major rectus, minor rectus), nuchal ligament, proper ligaments and joints of the cervical of the spine, ligaments and joints in comparison with the closest analogue.

When solving these problems, as well as using the invention, a technical result is achieved, which consists in increasing the effectiveness of training the neck muscles due to the ability to train different, compared to analogues, groups of neck muscles simultaneously in all directions, without placing a vertical load on the cervical vertebrae , and all exercises are carried out by the simulator without auxiliary devices, without being tied to a specific training location and without the need to change the equipment of the device to train different muscle groups.

The technical result is achieved due to the proposed design. The simulator includes the main elements: a frame, a head harness and elastic elements that create a load. The bed contains a frame to which shoulder supports with handles are attached from below. The frame is also equipped with brackets directed towards the outer side of the frame, and the vertical arms of the brackets point upward. The harness is designed to be put on and secured to the head. The elastic elements are connected at one end to the frame, and at the other to the brackets, so that the frame is located in the center of the frame, suspended on elastic elements stretched to the sides. There is at least one bracket on each side of the frame. The elastic elements that create the load are springs, cords, elastic bands or other similar devices.

Brief description of drawings

The essence of the invention is illustrated by the following description and the accompanying isometric illustrations, which show:

Fig. 1 - general view of the simulator;

Fig. 2 - side view;

Fig. 3 - top view;

Fig. 4 is a version of the simulator with two brackets on each side of the frame.

Carrying out the invention

The main structural elements of the neck trainer are the frame, the head harness and the elastic elements for transferring the load.

The bed contains a frame to which shoulder supports 1 are attached from below.

Cradles 1 are designed for installing the exercise machine on the shoulders of the trainee. Handles 2 for hand grips extend down from the cradle 1 so that they are located on the sides of the body for comfortable holding of the simulator.

The upper part of the frame, fixed to the shoulder supports 1, is made in the form of a closed frame 3. Frame 3 rigidly connects the shoulder supports 1 to each other.

The shape of frame 3 can be round, oval, square or another, which does not matter for achieving the technical result. The presented examples of implementation of the invention show a rectangular frame with rounded corners.

Depending on the physical characteristics of the trainee, the size of the frame in the perimeter can be made according to individual characteristics, but taking into account the fact that for convenient use of the simulator, the distance of the frame from the neck should be at least 3 cm, but not more than 70 cm.

Brackets 4 are attached to the frame 3 on each side, directed toward the outer side of the frame, with the vertical arms of the brackets facing upward.

Head harness 5 is the actual harness or helmet, which allows it to be tightly attached to the trainee’s head. The harness is made of a horizontally located hoop, adjustable to the size of the head, and adjustable vertical half-hoops attached to it on top, clasping the crown of the head; at the bottom of the adjustable half-chin hoop. The harness can be made of leather or eco-leather, textiles, plastic and other similar materials.

Instead of a harness, a tactical helmet can be used.

Elastic elements that create load 6 are attached to the harness. Any parts that have elastic characteristics, for example, springs, harnesses, shock absorbers or rubber, etc. can be used as such elements. The ability to change elements that create loads allows you to change the rigidity and resistance force, thanks to This simulator can be used for various purposes during rehabilitation, warm-ups, training, strengthening the neck with varying complexity and load of exercises.

Elastic elements 6 that create the load are attached at one end to the head harness 5, and at the other to the upper part of the brackets 4, attached to the rim with the possibility of their replacement. As a result of connecting the elastic elements 6, the head harness is placed in the center of the frame, suspended by the elements stretched to the sides, creating a load 6.

In fig. Figure 4 shows a frame containing two brackets on each side, which provides variability in the loads used.

The simulator is used as follows.

When assembled, the exercise machine is “put on” over the head. The supports are placed on the shoulders, and the harness is placed on the head (it is recommended to use thin caps under the harness for hygienic purposes and to prevent pinching of the skin and hair by the harness elements). Hands grasp the handles. Exercises are performed by tilting the head in all directions: forward, backward, right, left, at all angles.

By replacing the elements that create the load, you can regulate the forces applied to tilt the head.

Working with the simulator is based on smooth progressive movements in all directions, thanks to this you can achieve the correct development and correction of the neck muscles.

The design of the simulator allows you to stabilize (fix) the shoulders, due to which you achieve the same uniform impact of the simulator on the right side and left side, which has the same effect on the paired muscles. The simulator helps to work with muscle imbalances in the cervical region. During exercise, there are no upward or downward forces; all forces remain in the horizontal plane, with a slight inclination. It is important that all force vectors are created horizontally, and the spine is vertical (perpendicular to the force vectors), thereby eliminating tensile and compressive loads on the spine. Movements in all directions can be carried out in any amplitude from minimum to maximum based on anatomical capabilities at any pace and with any load, depending on the goals of the exercise. The effectiveness of training, especially during the rehabilitation period, is influenced by the maximum mobility of the device and the ability to exercise anywhere. The design of the simulator allows you to change the rigidity and resistance force by changing the elements that create loads (harnesses, elastic bands, springs, shock absorbers), as well as the number of brackets. When the maximum number of brackets is set, use only those needed at the moment, excluding unnecessary ones from the work. Thus, the proposed simulator is more effective for training different neck muscles, safe compared to its analogue, mobile and ergonomic to use.

Claims (3)

1. A neck trainer, including a head harness and elastic elements connected to it at one end to transfer the load, characterized in that it contains a closed frame, in the center of which the head harness is located; shoulder cradles with handles and curved brackets made of on each side, with the arms of the brackets directed upward and connected to the opposite ends of the elastic elements. 2. A neck trainer according to claim 1, characterized in that there is at least one bracket on each side of the frame. 3. A neck trainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic elements that create the load are springs, cords, shock absorbers, and elastic bands.